Exiled Hipster

Cool art, reasonable prices

2007-12-06T15:26:00.000-08:00

If your best friend's boudoir needs a shot of style, consider giving her a print from a cutting edge illustrator or designer.

This weekend's "Limited Run" show at the new Open Space gallery in Beacon features wallet-friendly prints and zines from more than 25 artists.

I love this "Star Girl" print from graphic artist Wing Ngan.

Best friend's gift solved. I might also do some shopping for myself.

Don't you just love Prince?

2007-12-04T10:43:00.000-08:00

Sorry for the lame reference to a certain 1990 film.

If you didn't get your fill at the "Purple Rain" screenings at Upstate Films in Rhinebeck, you're going to love this one:

The Colony Cafe in Woodstock is hosting a Prince dance party Saturday at 9 p.m.

DJ Delirious, aka Sharon Nichols, invites you to "come worship at the Prince shrine, watch some 'Purple Rain' and dance! All Prince, All Night."

Admission is just 5 bucks.

Go crazy.

Bardavon screens 'Sound of Music' tonight

2007-11-30T08:26:00.000-08:00

Movie musicals are among the three terminally unhip guilty pleasures to which I succumb.

The other two are trips to Disney World — I'm going in December — and "Neil Diamond - The Greatest Hits (1966-1992)."

"The Sound of Music," one of the greatest movie musicals of all time, will be screened tonight at 8 at the Bardavon 1869 Opera House, 35 Market St., Poughkeepsie.

Tickets are $5.

For more information, click here.

If you are willing to share your unhip guilty pleasures — anonymously is fine — please comment below.

Shop for handmade this weekend, Part 3

2007-11-28T07:10:00.000-08:00

Stacie Flint's flower oil paintings are part of "Made in the Hudson Valley 2007," an exhibition of high-end crafts and fine art at the Pritzker Gallery @ Casa del Arte.

The opening reception takes place Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. at the gallery, 257 South Riverside Road in Highland.

Featured artists are Jose Acosta, Judi Boruta, Felicia Flanagan, Stacie Flint, Ana Laura Gonzalez, Nanci Hawkins, Susanah Lor, Susan Minier, Franc Palaia, Claudia Pflueger, Karin Ruoff, Micky Shorr and Marlene Wiedenbaum.

Shop for handmade this weekend, Part 2

2007-11-27T07:30:00.000-08:00

The December Group Show opens Saturday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Kingston Museum of Contemporary Arts, a friendly, progressive gallery on Abeel Street in Kingston.

KMOCA concentrates on outsider art and work with a strong social commentary.

The following artists are featured: Cindy Hoose (creatures and small paintings), Heather Gabriel (pottery), Jacinta Bunnell (handmade journals, small paintings), Jennifer Maharry (paintings), Jenny Fowler (3D snowflakes and silhouette portraits), Lea Bozman (encaustic pieces), Marlene Bloomer (postcards), Morgan Haude (pottery and jewelry), Oliver Piperato (photography), Sadie Brathwaite (paintings), Sue Foss (paintings and collage), Trevor Bittinger (photos and illustrations) and Warren Schmahl (cardboard sculpture window display).

Saturday's opening party features music by Fergie & Bob.

Refreshments include homemade cookies and hot-mulled wine. Cozy.

The group show gives you the opportunity to get original presents and support the arts instead of the box stores.

KMOCA's normal hours are Saturday from noon to 4 p.m.

(Courtesy photo of Warren Schmahl's colorful cardboard creations)

Shop for handmade this weekend, Part 1

2007-11-26T09:23:00.001-08:00

Don't do malls? Me neither (except for the occasional trip to Target).

When it comes to the holidays, I want to give gifts that are handmade by my neighbors, not mass-produced in a sketchy factory a world away.

But I don't want to give crafts that are too precious.

For me, this weekend's Tivoli United Craft + Art marketplace is the answer.

It has an independent spirit — many of the Tivoli-based artisans have Etsy.com Web sites — and the works for sale have style.

Check it out.

My Thanksgiving Eve party pick

2007-11-20T08:38:00.000-08:00

It's arguably one of the biggest nights to party of the year: Thanksgiving Eve.

If you have no plans yet, may I suggest heading to Tivoli for Santa Fe's party with DJ Mr. Chips? He will serve up hip-hop, electro funk, mash-ups and dance classics.

The party starts at 10 p.m. No cover. (which leaves dinero for margaritas)

If you know of any other good Thanksgiving Eve parties, please comment. Gracias.

Vassar party celebrates hip-hop

2007-11-16T10:38:00.000-08:00

Vassar College is hosting a party tonight as part of its celebration of Hip Hop History Month.

The Four Pillars Concert/Party, which begins at 10 p.m. at the Villard Room in the College Center, features emcee Tu Phace.

Breakdancing, graffiti art, djing and emceeing will all be celebrated.

Earlier today at 4 p.m. in Room 300 of Rockefeller Hall, a panel of experts will discuss "Under the Turntable: Examining Violence, Misogyny & Homophobia in Hip Hop."

The events are free and open to the public.

Check it.

Warhol legend Billy Name to exhibit here

2007-11-14T11:07:00.000-08:00

Poughkeepsie native and resident Billy Name, the "fotographer" for Andy Warhol's Factory, will exhibit 1968 color photographs at Albert Shahinian Fine Art in Poughkeepsie.

Name will appear at an opening reception for his exhibition, which he is co-headlining with Pleasant Valley painter Margaret Crenson, Saturday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the gallery, 198 Main St.

(1968 photo of Andy Warhol by Billy Name)

Also on Saturday, Cabaret Voltaire Art Center will open "Transience" and "Re-words," multi-media installations with video, sound, photo and text by Sukran Aziz, Karen Dolmanisth, Kirtland Synder, Matthew Slaats and Fuat Yalin.

The opening takes place Saturday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Dada-inspired art center, 358 Main St.

I think it's high time you all took a second look at the art coming out of Po-town. See you Saturday.

Cheap old — and new — clothes

2007-11-12T09:57:00.000-08:00

Out with the old ...

My colleague, Sarah Bradshaw, wrote a great story about the ins-and-outs of donating used clothing to local thrift shops and charities.

In the meantime, readers like me got some new ideas for places to shop for vintage threads like The Barn thrift shop in Pleasant Valley (pictured).

Check out Sarah's story here.

(Poughkeepsie Journal photo by Karl Rabe)

... and in with the new

I just got word that Steve & Barry's is opening a new location Thursday in the Kingston Plaza in Kingston.

The store, which touts itself as selling "high quality clothing for the entire family at astonishing low prices," features Sarah Jessica Parker's Bitten line.

Beacon wine shop talks turkey Saturday

2007-11-09T11:23:00.000-08:00

Artisan Wine Shop, one of my favorite wine stores in the Hudson Valley, will be hosting a Thanksgiving-themed tasting this Saturday from 3 to 7 p.m.

From the Web site:

"As we said last year, the Thanksgiving meal has its own set of challenges. While in some homes, turkey takes center stage, it’s really all the sides that should be the focus of your wine choice. Stuffing, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce and gravy all duke it out for attention, creating a melée of divergent flavors. Our approach is to focus on wines that offer balance, meaning wines that possess moderate amounts of acid, fruit, tannin and so on, with no one component overshadowing the others.

This Saturday, we’re focusing on U.S. wines, taking you on a tour of a few key American growing regions. Join us as we welcome Peter Zitz from acclaimed distributor Michael Skurnik Wines as he guides us through these prime holiday selections. We will also be making roast turkey and a savory sausage and fennel stuffing to give you a preview of how these wines will liven up your holiday table."

Here are the wines that will be poured: Gruet Rosé Brut Méthode Champenoise NV, Tablas Creek Vineyard Côtes de Tablas Blanc Paso Robles 2005 – Organically Grown, A to Z Wineworks Pinot Noir Oregon 2006, Teira Zinfandel Sonoma County 2005, Nelms Road Cabernet Sauvignon Washington State 2006.

All will be on sale at Saturday's tasting.

Bearsville Theater hosts hip-hop party

2007-11-08T12:47:00.000-08:00

Clubhouse presents "The Backyard," a party with Woodstock-based DJs Lady Verse, G-Pace and Magic Juan at the Bearsville Theater on Friday.

Doors open at 10 p.m. and admission is $5.

Freaky puppet show in Kingston warehouse

2007-11-07T11:54:00.000-08:00

Masked performers, puppeteers and video and soundscape designers will present "Quaque Nocte," an active dreamscape world, at a warehouse space in Kingston's midtown neighborhood.

Performances are this Thursday and Friday at 8 p.m. and Saturday at 5 p.m., Nov. 15 and 16 at 8 p.m. and Nov. 17 at 5 p.m.

There is a $10 suggested donation at the door, 82 Prince St., Kingston.

Oh, and I don't advise bringing the kids to this one.

DJ Paul Nice to spin in Beacon Saturday

2007-11-06T06:27:00.000-08:00

Paul Nice, the Poughkeepsie-based DJ/producer who has worked with Mark Ronson, the Beastie Boys and Amy Winehouse, will rock the decks at Saturday's Next Step party at the Piggy Bank Restaurant in Beacon.

The party, presented by the new Open Space gallery, begins at 10 p.m., right after the Second Saturday art opening receptions in the city.

It takes place at the Piggy Bank, 448 Main St., and costs 5 bucks.

Celebren El Dia de Los Muertos hoy

2007-11-02T07:12:00.000-07:00

Many of the mid-Hudson Valley's Mexican restaurants and bodega kitchens have decorated elaborate altars and feature special menus for the culmination of El Dia de Los Muertos.

For upscale Mexican, try Mexican Radio in Hudson, Santa Fe in Tivoli, La Puerta Azul in Millbroook or Armadillo in Kingston.

For more casual fare, head to La Cabanita or Mole Mole in Poughkeepsie, Tacocina Groceries and Mexican Food in Wappingers, La Mexicana Mexican Grocery in Red Hook, or El Danzante in Kingston.

Speaking of Day of the Dead the Elting Library in New Paltz is hosting a talk about the festival today at 5 p.m.

(Poughkeepsie Journal archive photo of La Puerta Azul by A. J. Soto)

New Yorker artist gets love from Vassar

2007-11-01T13:47:00.000-07:00

The work of Saul Steinberg, who is best known for his New Yorker covers, will be exhibited starting Friday at Vassar College's Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center on the Poughkeepsie campus.

"Saul Steinberg: Illuminations" is a retrospective of more than 100 works.

Read my preview of the show here.

It's a must-see. And it's free. (Which means I will have cash to spend on cocktails at The Artist's Palate restaurant after I hit Friday's opening.)

("I Do, I Have, I Am," 1971, The Saul Steinberg Foundation, New York.)

Get your scare on at Beacon's Muddy Cup

2007-10-25T11:50:00.000-07:00

I just got an e-mail from the Beacon Arts Community Association.

They are hosting a costume party fund-raiser at the Muddy Cup on Friday.

Tickets are $10 and include music, food and non-alcoholic beverages. BYOB.

The Muddy Cup is at 129 Main St. in Beacon.

More details to (hopefully) come.

If you feel like dancing and/or rocking out ...

2007-10-24T11:11:00.000-07:00

I've got some Halloween-themed parties for you this weekend:

Friday

The Down in the Valley crew is hosting a Halloween Spooktacular at the reopened Coast in Tivoli.

DJ Mr Chips will be spinning "on the bubbling cauldron of beats." Costumes are mandatory.

Party starts at 10 p.m. and costs $5.

Kingston's Muddy Cup hosts Clubhouse's HallowGroove, described as a "night of debauchery" with DJ Lemar Soulflower (phat, dark beats) and DJ Lady Verse (hip-hop grooves).

Beer will be provided courtesy of Keegan Ales.

Cost is $10 with costume, $15 without.

Doors open at 9 p.m.

Saturday

Speaking of Keegan Ales, the Kingston brewery is hosting its own Halloween costume party Saturday night.

The bands White Knuckle Rodeo, Love Panther and Johnny Thursday And The Friday Nights are scheduled to play.

Also Saturday, the Bearsville Theater in Woodstock is throwing a Halloween bash with S'OVA, a two-man funk band with guitar and turntables; The Passage Project, a mix of jazz, funk, rock and electronica; and Funk Mafia, a five-piece funk band.

DJs Flaniman and Magic Juan will keep the costumed party-goers dancing.

Doors open at 9 p.m. Tickets are $20.

For you fans of rockabilly, The Greyhounds are playing a free 9 p.m. show at Hoe Bowl Mardi-Bob bowling alley, 45 Taft Ave. in Poughkeepsie.

Dress code is "Dress to kill."

If you know of any other adult-oriented Halloween happenings, please share and post below.

'Purple Rain' named best soundtrack ever

2007-10-24T08:13:00.000-07:00

Could the timing be more perfect?

Just two days before the sing-along screening of "Purple Rain" at Upstate Films in Rhinebeck, Reuters reports that the editors of Vanity Fair have named the soundtrack of Prince's cult film the best ever.

All hail the Purple One.

4 1/2 stars for Elephant

2007-10-19T07:01:00.001-07:00

I took a deep breath after hearing the Poughkeepsie Journal's restaurant critic, Daniel Mochon, had reviewed Kingston's Elephant, my favorite place to sip and nosh.

A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, Mochon knows his stuff and expects a lot from mid-Hudson Valley chefs and restauranteurs.

From his past reviews, I can conclude that bad service is his biggest bugaboo.

I am happy to report that he loved Elephant co-owner Maya Karrol's approach: "Her service was very attentive and thoughtful, with a professional poise and sense of timing that comes from years of dining room experience. With all of the small dishes, table busing becomes even more critical and Karrol did a great job keeping clutter to a minimum."

Read the full, glowing, review here.

Phew.

Now I can continue to eat there in peace.

(Poughkeepsie Journal photo by A.J. Soto)

Should I be The Kid or Apollonia?

2007-10-17T07:07:00.000-07:00

Upstate Films in Rhinebeck is hosting three screenings of "Purple Rain," Prince's legendary film with the Oscar-winning soundtrack, next week: Oct. 26 at 11:30 p.m., Oct. 27 at at 11:30 p.m. and Oct. 28 (time TBD).

Audiences are strongly encouraged to dress in costume for the Friday night screening, during which dancing and singing along to "When Doves Cry" and "Let's Go Crazy" a la "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" will be welcome.

Prizes will be awarded for the best "Purple Rain"-themed costume, best Prince look-alike and the most creative costume overall.

All costumes are welcome, related to the film or to the 1980s in general, or not....

Cost is $6.

Wow.

Time to redecorate

2007-10-16T07:38:00.000-07:00

Ah, our post-collegiate efforts to furnish that first house or apartment.

I know I've assembled a hodgepodge of hand-me-downs, thrift-store finds and Ikea purchases that admittedly make no design sense whatsoever.

At the same time, I have no interest in shopping at those big box furniture stores that supply the region's McMansions.

Could Suite Designs on Route 9D in Fishkill be the answer?

The store features products from artisan partners encouraged to use environmentally friendly processes and sustainable natural resources.

They include rosewood furniture from India, contemporary and traditional upholstered furniture from Canada and Mexico, silk pillows from Thailand, crewel rugs and pashminas from Kashmir, handcolored cotton bags from Colombia and stone, ceramic and woven treasures from four continents.

All goods are fairly traded, according to co-owner Jacklyn Faust, who attended Parsons School of Design.

Suite Designs also features fine art by Carol Pepper-Cooper, George Erikson, Stacie Flint, Adam Manley, Joshua Morris, Lara Rodrian, Linda Saland, Elayne Seaman and David Wiseltier.

Check out the store and meet some of the artists, designers and vendors this Saturday. The fall celebration will feature tastings of local wines and custom-blended teas as well as savory snacks.

Gone to the movies

2007-10-10T04:23:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone. I'm going to spend the rest of the week posting on Peace, Love and Movies, a Woodstock Film Festival blog I'm sharing with Poughkeepsie Journal music writer John Barry and videographer Chrissie Williams (Odd Couple).

Expect lots of photos, movies reviews, interviews with filmmakers and some behind-the-scenes anecdotes.

Vassar College film professor Mia Mask has agreed to review a couple of movies for us and we will be meeting up with The Filmonista.

If you are heading to any of this year's venues in Woodstock, Rhinebeck, Rosendale or Hunter, please post comments about your experiences. We want to know EVERYTHING.

See you at the movies.

(Photos from last year's festival are by me. Yes, that's Matt Dillon. Yes, I got to meet him. Yes, I almost died.)

Talk about exiled hipsters ...

2007-10-07T05:15:00.000-07:00

Trish Strombeck (a Hudson Valley native and one of my best friends) and her husband, Christoph Mayer, are featured in the City section of today's New York Times.

Here's the description of the story from the Times' Web site: "A small but growing number of hip young things have begun staring in the face of Staten Island’s lack of coolness and embracing it."

The online version of the story also includes mp3s of Trish and Christoph's irreverent, "anti-folk" songs about life in New York City's forgotten borough.

Learn more about this duo on their Web site.

I'm so proud.

(Photo courtesy Christoph Mayer)

R.I.P. Mole Mole -- Mt. Carmel

2007-10-05T11:02:00.000-07:00

Just found out that Mole Mole's darling Mount Carmel location in Poughkeepsie has closed. Fans can still get their fix from the 805 Main St. location (no delivery) or try the new Mole Mole (yes delivery) opposite Marist College.

The phone number for the new location is 845-471-4255.

I recommend the enchiladas negras.

Peek at my weekend plans

2007-10-05T10:19:00.000-07:00

This weekend I'm celebrating my birthday AND my wedding anniversary (my actual anniversary, Oct. 13, takes place during the Woodstock Film Festival.)

Tonight the festivities begin at Le Canard Enchaine in Kingston. But my husband and I won't be eating from the restaurant's French menu. We will be sampling the once-a-month fixed price Moroccan dinner, complete with Middle Eastern dance featuring belly dancing. I can't wait.

Saturday morning is a whirlwind:
An early breakfast at Sweet Sue's -- the best pancakes ever -- in Phoenicia, off Route 28. I'm sure we'll have to wait a while for a table.

Then we continue on Route 28 to Belleayre Ski Center to check out its fall festival and ride the lift with the other fall foliage gawkers.

Then its back to Kingston for a ride down the Hudson on the Rip Van Winkle.

Then dinner at the new Global Palate on Route 9W in West Park. I have had a wonderful brunch there. I'm really excited about dinner.

And last but not least, drinks at Elephant.

Phew!

Cheap eats update, Black Swan in Tivoli

2007-10-01T10:55:00.000-07:00

A couple of Fridays ago I was jonesing for a great burger. Based on the recommendation of one of you lovely readers, my man and I headed to the Black Swan Pub in Tivoli.

When we arrived we saw a bunch of professor types enjoying large bowls of stew and platters of seafood and rice while helping the bartender out with the NY Times crossword.

We headed to the back kitchen and were greeted by Edwin.

"Can I order a burger and fries?" I asked.

Edwin looked at me with sad, disappointed eyes. "I don't do hamburgers and fries. Americans eat too much greasy, fried food," he said.

Instead he offered up to us the evening's two choices: venison stew or tilapia served with brown rice pilaf and homemade guacamole.

"How much for the tilapia?" I asked.

"Let me see, for you, $7.50," he said.

A pint later, Edwin delivered the gorgeous plate of food to the table. It was very fresh tasting and full of flavor.

He tells us he likes to do healthful Latin American-inspired fare instead of the standard pub chow.

He's in the kitchen Wednesdays through Saturdays. Bring cash.

The Black Swan is at 66 Broadway in Tivoli. Call 845-757-3777.

(Poughkeepsie Journal archive photo by Karl Rabe)

Drawing while intoxicated

2007-09-27T06:43:00.000-07:00

Here's something you don't see every day. The Museum of Drunken Art's "vast holdings of drunken art" is coming to Beacon this weekend.

The collection, which ranges from drawings made on napkins, found paper and cardboard to more elaborate three-dimensional sculptural displays, will be exhibited at beacon artist union, 161 Main St.

Gallery hours are Saturdays and Sundays, noon to 6 p.m., and by appointment. The show opens this Saturday and will be on view through Oct. 7.

The Brooklyn-based MODA collection includes work by: Enoch Emory, Ben Shambaugh, Tom Smrtic, Donald O'Finn, Katie Welty, Sam Crees, Nate Walker, PFC Timothy Miller, Justin Kase, Fred Mc Fate, Peter Teraberry, Some Professor from Pratt, Clayton Vogel-dreck, Shane Caffrey from the collection of Clay Vogel, Paula Bollers, Timothy Harrod, Damien Leibold, Alex Bell, Greg Henderson, Chris Beams, Anthony R. Toe, Ross, Maurice Lester, Rust Post, Scott Harder, Gregg Samosa, Bon Scott, N. E. Vretta, J. Otto and Fred Thompson.

In addition, one wall in the gallery will be left empty for donations of drunken art made by Beacon-area residents.

Try the dumplings

2007-09-21T04:48:00.000-07:00

As promised, I returned to Twisted Soul in Poughkeepsie Thursday to sample the food. I ordered the crab/corn/lemongrass dumplings.

The sous chef/counter help person, who was preparing a homemade waffle batter, asked me if I was staying -- yes, I was -- but he still ended up serving the dish in a to-go container. Maybe they don't do dishes there?

Anyway, the homemade dumplings were melt-in-your-mouth delicate and the fillings were very tasty. The dumplings were garnished with carrots, bean sprouts and scallions and served with two sauces. I preferred the sweet chili sauce to the spicy Sriracha sauce. My only complaint: because they were so delicate the dumplings disappeared in a flash. I wanted more for my $5.95.

At 1 p.m. Thursday, I was the only customer in Twisted Soul, which is a bit of a schlep from the Poughkeepsie Journal offices. While I was there, a young man came in and asked the sous chef if they sold beef patties. "No, but we have empanadas," he offered.

I asked the chef what he was doing with the waffle batter. He said the waffles would be served with a pork shoulder that had been braised for 24 hours in an apple compote. He was taking this interesting version of chicken and waffles to the Arlington Farmers Market. Apparently, Twisted Soul has a booth there every Thursday. Lucky Vassar kids.

Go see 'Sunshine'

2007-09-19T18:57:00.000-07:00

I caught a screening of "Sunshine" tonight (Wednesday) at Upstate Films.

I could hardly breathe through most of the sci-fi drama, directed by Danny Boyle ("Trainspotting, "28 Days Later.")

If I had to describe it I would say it's a cross between Kubrick's "2001: A Space Odyssey" and "Event Horizon" (1998).

"Sunshine's" last screening is 6:10 p.m. Thursday at Upstate Films in Rhinebeck. I predict this will be a big hit on Netflix. Be able to say you saw it on the big screen.

Cheap eats update: Twisted Soul

2007-09-17T13:31:00.000-07:00

I'm really excited about Twisted Soul, a 2-month-old eatery on the 400 block of Poughkeepsie's Main Street.

I just popped in today to pick up a menu. The place feels sleek, yet comfortable. And they have bubble tea! I will try it out later this week and report back.

Here's some of the highlights of the menu:

Dumpling Concept
Dumplings
6 pcs -- $5.95
Pork -- Cured Sausage -- Ginger, Beef -- Green Onion -- Garlic, Crab -- Corn -- Lemongrass, Tofu -- Moong Bean -- Sesame

Chef's Special Dumplings
6 pcs -- $6.45

Sauces
Sweet Chile Sauce or Sriracha Sauce

Rice Bowl Concept
$5.95
Jasmine Rice
Sauces
Thai Sweet and Sour, Thai Red Curry, Malaysian Curried Coconut, Hoisin-Peanut

Proteins $2
Grilled Chicken, Shrimp, Flavored Tofu

Empanada Concept
Authentic Argentinian Empanada
$1.75, 3 for $5, 12 for $18

Beef
Corn -- Goat Cheese, Chicken, Sweet Potato and Caramelized Onion and Portobello Mushroom

Chimichurri Sauce

Noodle Concept
$5.95
Udon Noodles
Sauces
Thai Sweet and Sour, Thai Red Curry, Malaysian Curried Coconut, Hoisin-Peanut

Proteins $2
Grilled Chicken, Shrimp, Flavored Tofu

Drink Concept
Bubble Tea
$2.75
Bubble Green Tea, Bubble Peach Green Tea, Bubble Lychee Green Tea, Bubble Milk -- Green Tea, Bubble Hibiscus Tea, Bubble Milk Hibiscus Tea

Smoothies
$3.50
Honeydew, Passion-Fruit, Coffee, Pineapple, Taro, Strawberry, Coconut

Fresh Fruit Smoothies
$3.50
Seasonal Fruits

Chef's Smoothies Infusion
$3.75

Twisted Smoothies
$4
Avocado-Banana-Mango, Carrot-Mango-Ginger, Tofu-Banana-Orange, Tofu-Mango-Orange

Twisted Soul is located at 442 Main St. Hours are Monday-Saturday, noon-8 p.m.

A peek at my weekend plans

2007-09-13T11:59:00.000-07:00

It's going to be a jam-packed weekend for me.

Friday night I'll have a quick bite and glass of wine at Elephant (left, photo by A.J. Soto) in Kingston before heading to the Sarah Perrotta (right) show at the Bearsville Theater.

Saturday, I'll start with coffee at the Mudd Puddle in the Water Street Market in New Paltz then join other Hudson River Valley Ramble participants at Lake Minnewaska.

Then it's back to New Paltz for supper at the Village Tearoom.

I'll end the evening in Poughkeepsie's Waryas Park, where Suzanne Vega is playing for free.

I hope she sings my favorite "Left of Center" from the "Pretty in Pink" soundtrack. Does anyone else know/love that song but me?

Gallery screens provocative 9/11 film

2007-09-11T07:39:00.001-07:00

The Kingston Museum of Contemporary Arts will present a free screening of Jarek Kupsc's "The Reflecting Pool" tonight at 8.

Here is the synopsis of this fiction story based on "confirmed" research: "An investigation of the 9/11 events by a Russian-American journalist and a father of a 9/11 victim implicates the US government in the attacks."

I will let you decide what you think of this film. KMOCA is doing what it does best: sparking debate.

Seating is limited. Arrive early.

As promised, details on Upstate late nights

2007-09-04T07:53:00.000-07:00

This weekend, Upstate Films in Rhinebeck stays open for the late-night crowd.

"Paprika," a 2006 anime from director Satoshi Kon and based on the novel by Yasutaka Tsutsui, launches the series. Late-night screenings are this Friday and Saturday at 11:30 p.m.

The $7.50 regular admission is reduced for college students: $6 with valid ID. Be on the lookout for coupons for free popcorn at area colleges and local businesses.

Here is the rest of the current 11:30 p.m. screenings:

"Sunshine," Sept. 14 and 15.

"Exiled," Sept. 14 and 15.

"The Ten," Sept. 28 and 29.

I am most looking forward to "Purple Rain" with costume contest, Oct. 26 and 27.

Also, for all you hipster parents out there, Upstate has brought back its "Bring Your Own Baby" series. Now you can watch the latest David Cronenberg film without having to worry about your crying infant annoying the rest of the audience.

Long weekend means it's time to dance

2007-08-31T08:39:00.001-07:00

The Clubhouse party is back at Bearsville Theater in Woodstock tonight at 9.

Those who arrive before 10 p.m. are rewarded with $5 admission. After 10, the price rises to 10 bucks.

Guest DJ Adam Warped, in a rare East Coast appearance, spins his signature smooth blend of obscure "forward thinking grooves."

The Bearsville Theater is located at 291 Tinker St.

Go dance.

Beacon store appeals to crafty gals

2007-08-27T06:32:00.000-07:00

Feel Design, a young women-owned store in Beacon, features clothes and home decor made by other young, crafty women from the mid-Hudson Valley and the rest of the country.

Those looking for an unusual wedding or baby shower gift that isn't mass-produced in China might want to stop by.

I recently bought this vase (left) for a friend's bridal shower.

Wouldn't these pillows (right) make a cute addition to a nursery?

We hear ...

2007-08-20T08:03:00.000-07:00

... that Upstate Films in Rhinebeck will host late-night screenings of cult/classic films on Friday and Saturday nights in September.

The screenings are part of the independent moviehouse's effort to draw in younger audiences, particularly college students.

More to come ...

(Poughkeepsie Journal photo by Karl Rabe)

Beacon's Homespun hosts movie night

2007-08-17T13:09:00.001-07:00

The lovely and tasty Homespun Foods in Beacon is hosting dinner and a movie tonight at 7:30 in the back garden.

The featured movie, "Like Water for Chocolate," will be complemented by Mexican food.

Cost is $20 and includes a short video of animated shadow puppets.

Homespun is currently BYOW. A beer and wine license is coming.

Join me for Sunday's Slavic Soul Party

2007-08-17T11:12:00.000-07:00

Look for me Sunday at the free closing night party of the Spiegeltent at Bard College. Slavic Soul Party will play the tent at 8:30 p.m.

These New York City-based musicians mix brass band music from diverse immigrant backgrounds with American jazz and soul.

As a Slavic who thinks she's got soul, I can't resist.

Don't miss 'Stardust'

2007-08-17T07:48:00.000-07:00

I went to see this witty delight of a fantasy film last weekend. I left feeling the same way I did when I first saw "The Princess Bride" at the Rosendale Theatre in 1987.

And I predict "Stardust" is going to suffer the same fate: tanking at the box office and later becoming a cult hit.

Don't wait for Netflix. See it on the big screen.

"Stardust" is playing this weekend at Destinta 12 in New Windsor, Regal Cinemas Fishkill 10, Regal Cinemas Hudson Valley Mall in Kingston and Showtime Cinemas in Newburgh.

Jazz-infused opera probes secrets, mystery

2007-08-15T09:22:00.000-07:00

Carl Hancock Rux uncovers the story of Angelo Soliman, an African in 18th-century Vienna and friend of Mozart, in "The Blackamoor Angel" opera. The jazz-infused work is being performed in the Spiegeltent at Bard College.

Final performances are Friday and Saturday at 8:30 p.m.

Rux, who participated in a post-show talk last week, probes Soliman's involvement in Mozart's final operas, his mysterious death and the reason for the heinous postmortem display of his body in the imperial Naturalienkabinett.

(Poughkeepsie Journal photos by Lee Ferris)

To purchase $25 tickets, call 845-758-7900 or the box office Web site.

Woodstock welcomes graffiti art pioneers

2007-08-14T14:48:00.000-07:00

On Sunday I checked out a really cool exhibition at Varga Gallery in Woodstock.

The show features works on canvas and paper by graffiti artists LSD-Om, KR.One, Flint..., TEAM (art pictured), Zephyr, Whisper and Revolt.

Most of these guys were writing on New York City subway trains in the 1970s and '80s.

The gallery is located at 130 Tinker St., next to Tinker Street Cinema.

Read my interview with KR.One in the upcoming issue of Enjoy!

(Photo of TEAM's "Plaster Joint" artwork contributed by Christina Varga)

Ulster County art lovers get free day at Dia

2007-08-10T09:58:00.001-07:00

Residents of Ulster County get free admission to Dia:Beacon this Saturday, part of the contemporary art museum's Community Free Days. That's a $10 savings!

Bring a driver's license or other government-issued ID for free entry.

Afterward, head up Main Street for Windows on Main and other Second Saturday art openings.

See you out in Beacon Saturday!

Where do you sushi?

2007-08-09T12:06:00.000-07:00

My weekends are spent gathering ingredients at the farmers' market and Fleisher's meats for elaborate home-cooked dinners. I enjoy cooking ... when I have lots of time.

But during the week I'm all about the joys of take-out.

Every Tuesday as I'm leaving the Poughkeepsie Journal offices, I make a call to my neighborhood sushi joint, Kyoto. My usual: spicy tuna rolls.

I also have had memorable meals at Hokkaido in New Paltz (super fresh, but expect to wait a while), Edo Sushi in Hyde Park and Osaka in Rhinebeck.

So where do you go when you need your sushi fix? Any places you steer clear away from?

How very civilized

2007-08-08T12:04:00.000-07:00

The lovely Village TeaRoom in New Paltz is offering tea leaf readings by Tara O'Sullivan.

The readings, which begin Aug. 18, take place every first and third Saturday of the month from 3 to 6 p.m.

A portion of the proceeds from the readings, which cost $15, benefit a home for displaced boys in New Paltz.

For more information, call 845-255-3434.

(Poughkeepsie Journal photo by Darryl Bautista)

DIY comedy comes to Kingston

2007-08-07T06:50:00.000-07:00

Punk rock comic Justin "JT" Habersaat returns to Kingston tonight for an underground comedy show at the Muddy Cup.

Habersaat has performed at Stand Up NYC, Laughing Wolf, Truly Twisted Comedy Festival and helped found the improv group, 5 Drunken Immortals. He also appeared on Comedy Central's "Upright Citizens Brigade" as well as Troma Film's "Toxic Avenger 4" opposite porn legend Ron Jeremy.

The former host of Indie Flux on WDST (100.1 FM), Habersaat in 2005 moved from the Hudson Valley to Austin, where he publishes the punk zine, Altercation.

Tonight's special guests include Chris Cubas and Jess Cohen.

Admission to the 8 p.m. show is 5 bucks.

(Photo courtesy Justin Habersaat)

Shout out to DJ Gaza

2007-08-06T08:18:00.000-07:00

So my baby sister got married this weekend. The reception was at the new Grandview in Poughkeepsie. I was a little wary of it being a factory-style wedding, but I have to say it was absolutely flawless. Food was great, service was impeccable and all my sister's guests had a really great time.

One of the highlights of the afternoon was DJ Gaza, a turntablist from Brooklyn who made the wedding feel more like a dance club than a cheesy affair. He stayed away from too much MCing, letting the bride and groom be in the spotlight.

DJ Gaza, aka Gary Hoffmann, spun Blondie, Justin Timberlake, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, A-ha (a request from the ring bearer), Outkast and Deee Lite, to name a few.

He even played some polkas, a nod to all the partying Polish-Americans in attendance.

Most of all he was really kind, checking in with my sister and her husband to make sure they were happy and keeping them informed.

Book him.

(Photo of Michael and Michelle Brenes by family friend Lou Miressi)

Art in the office

2007-08-02T13:48:00.000-07:00

Artist/curator Christopher Albert of Beacon has injected contemporary artwork into a general accounting, auditing and tax consulting practice in Poughkeepsie.

The public is invited to view his efforts tonight at Bailey Browne CPA & Associates, 80 Washington St. in Poughkeepsie.

The reception takes place between 5 and 7 p.m.

In the photo above, Peter Acheson's work was placed among the plaques and awards Deborah Bailey Browne has hanging above her desk.

Other participating artists include Simon Draper, Alexis Elton, Marnie Hillsley and Matthew S. Kinney

Chris e-mailed me the following: "I'm interested in seeing how the visitors will respond to the artwork, as it is predominantly a very non art audience. Each time I've done this with Deborah Bailey Browne, I've tried to demonstrate the variety of work being done in contemporary art, and with each installation, I've wanted to (take) a step further into the real(m) of the unexpected in terms of the office environment.

Here, I've placed some work in a traditional manner, but I've also used the work in a spare, non-frontal way in some instances."

(Photo by artist Chris Albert)

McMansions as kaleidoscope

2007-08-01T10:55:00.000-07:00

"Earthscapes," which opens Saturday at the Kingston Museum of Contemporary Arts, is an exhibition of landscape photography made through the open door of a Cessna 206.

Artist Paul Joffe captures the strangely beautiful patterns of tract houses and cul-de-sacs. He also documents cloud formations.

KMOCA, 103 Abeel St. in Kingston, is open Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m. or by appointment.

The reception is this Saturday from 5 to 7 p.m.

Bard show is psychedelic, melancholy

2007-07-31T06:47:00.000-07:00

Psychedelic, dramatic, melancholy, beautiful: "The Elliott Smith Project," which plays Friday, Saturday and Sunday in the Spiegeltent is many things. Uplifting isn't one of them.

The theatrical song cycle based on the singer/songwriter's posthumously released album, "From a Basement on the Hill," features two vocalists who utilize small cabaret tables and the stage of the round tent. The three musicians, who play guitar, ukulele, violin, bass and piano, are stationed in different booths that run the perimeter.

All the while a video artist moves through the audience (also seated at cabaret tables on the teak dance floor) and the performers, projecting the images she captures onto a screen.

"The Elliott Smith Project" will make you feel uneasy. It will disturb you. It will haunt you.

Tickets are $25.

Check out my story, which includes interviews with director Daniel Fish, in the upcoming issue of Enjoy!

(Bard College photo by Joanne Savio)

Start building your soapbox

2007-07-26T12:13:00.000-07:00

From bearings and brakes to steering linkages, a workshop this Saturday will prepare you to enter one of the coolest events of the Hudson Valley summer: the 13th annual Artists' Soapbox Derby in Kingston, which takes place Aug. 19.

Saturday is the first of four informational public workshops on the design and construction of soapbox cars. It takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Cornell Shops Building, 110 East Strand.

Other workshops take place Aug. 4, 11 and 18.

Now you have no excuse.

(Photo by Poughkeepsie Journal staffer Kathy McLaughlin)

Tori Amos to launch U.S. tour in Albany

2007-07-25T10:11:00.001-07:00

Tori Amos will play the Palace Theatre in Albany on Oct. 9 in support of her new album, "American Doll Posse."

I don't know about you, but "Under the Pink" was a pivotal album for my angst-ridden, flannel-wearing college years.

Love her.

For ticket info, click here.

Elliott Smith fans, take note

2007-07-23T06:36:00.000-07:00

"The Elliott Smith Project," a new site-specific work, will be performed in the Spiegeltent on the Bard College campus.

The music theater piece is based on the singer-songwriter's posthumously released, “From a Basement on the Hill."

I'm going to check it out on opening night (Thursday) in advance of a story I'm writing about the dramatic song cycle.

"The Elliott Smith Project," directed by Daniel Fish, is performed Thursday, Saturday and Sunday as well as Aug. 3, 4 and 5, all at 8:30 p.m.

Tickets are $25.

(Photo courtesy of Bard College and Autumn de Wilde)

My weekend picks

2007-07-20T07:31:00.000-07:00

If I were you this is where I'd head this weekend:

Tonight, 9 p.m., Bearsville Theater, 291 Tinker St., Woodstock

Get your groove on at the Midsummer Clubhouse Party, an underground dance party at the Bearsville Theater. Resident turntablists Lemar Soulflower and Anthony Molina will be joined by guest DJs from Boston Keith Kene and Judea Stonez.

Tickets are $10.

Saturday, 6-9 p.m., Van Brunt Gallery, 460 Main St., Beacon
For any child of the '80s, the "Pretty in Pink" album had plenty of anthem-worthy tunes, including the title track by British rock band, The Psychedelic Furs. I've been a huge fan of the Furs for years, but only saw them in concert once: Site: Opus 40; date -- summer 2000.

So I jumped at the chance to interview Cold Spring resident and lead singer Richard Butler for this week's Enjoy! Bet you didn't know he is a painter as well as a musician. Meet him at the artist's reception Saturday.

Saturday and Sunday

Rosendale Street Festival, Main Street, Rosendale, free!

These Saturday acts, all fronted by ladies, caught my eye: Sarah Perrotta, Emily Zuzik, Carla Rozman and of course, Dar Williams.

On Sunday, I can't wait to check out Bouva.

What I'm listening to now

2007-07-18T13:19:00.001-07:00

New York-based DJ and music producer Mark Ronson's new album, "Version," features horn-driven, danceable covers of mostly British songs.

The best tracks are Lily Allen singing Kaiser Chiefs' "Oh My God" and Daniel Merriweather singing The Smiths' "Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before."

Ronson, the one time DJ-to-the-stars, spent time spinning at Hudson Valley parties while he was a student at Vassar College.

It was here that he met Poughkeepsie-based DJ Paul Nice, who Ronson includes in the "thanks" list on "Version."

Nice, who will spin at New York's APT club on July 28, gave a nod to Po-town via "The French Connection" by naming his mix CD of classic 1960s and '70s soundtracks, "Do you pick your feet in Poughkeepsie?"

Nice has produced and remixed Biz Markie, the Beastie Boys, Talib Kweli, Ol' Dirty Bastard and Amy Winehouse.

Winehouse is featured on Ronson's "Version." She does her Motown thing in the cover of "Valerie" by the Zutons.

Small world.

Hudson Valley's best bars

2007-07-17T06:56:00.000-07:00

Here are my picks for the valley's best bars (in no particular order). Please add yours to the list by commenting below.

1.) Black Swan, 66 Broadway, Tivoli

This divey Irish pub features great pints, live music by Bard College bands and the occasional DJ from Hudson-based promoters Down in the Valley.

2.) Snapper Magees, 59 North Front St., Kingston

This bar for the tattooed and pierced set has the best jukebox in the Hudson Valley, hands down. The friendly bartenders frequently buy the third round. Stick with shots and bottled beers.

3.) Elephant Wine Bar, 310 Wall St., Kingston

This new wine bar and restaurant has become my home away from home. A selection of tapas or an artisan cheese and meat plate pair perfectly with the high-end beers and wine, which includes many by-the-glass options. There are also champagne cocktails.

The owners, Maya Karrol and Rich Reeve, used to own Brady's Public House in Poughkeepsie. Their album collection -- yes albums -- includes punk rock and dark wave. Omigod, are they playing Siouxsie and the Banshees and Depeche Mode? Yes.

4.) Mojo Grill, 942 Rt. 376, Summerlin Plaza, Wappingers Falls

One word: Caipirinha

5.) The outdoor bar at Shadows on the Hudson on the Poughkeepsie waterfront

I'm not much for the giant television over the inside bar, but I love the outside patio for its tasty cocktails and gorgeous Hudson River views.

Places I still need to hit: The Country Inn of Krumville, Katana Sake Bar in New Paltz and Mahoney's Irish Pub in Poughkeepsie. Yes, it's true, I've never been to Mahoney's.

Indian food + indie film = perfect evening

2007-07-16T12:12:00.001-07:00

On the recommendation of my new hair stylist, I finally tried Red Hook Curry House last night. I passed over the $11.95 buffet —- very popular and deemed fresh and tasty by my husband -- so that I could try the tikka biryani with chicken. The huge portion cost $14.95 and had just the right amount of heat. It also made a great leftover lunch today. The mango lassi was a yummy accompaniment.

We then headed to Upstate Films in Rhinebeck to catch a screening of "Paris Je T'aime." This fun film is actually a number of shorts about love inspired by different neighborhoods of the city of light.

The who's who of directors includes Sylvain Chomet, Alfonso Cuarón, Wes Craven and Gus Van Sant.

Juliette Binoche, Willem Dafoe, Elijah Wood, Maggie Gyllenhaal and the legendary Fanny Ardant are among the featured actors.

For me, the standout segments were the hilarious "Tuileries," directed by the Coen Brothers and starring Steve Buscemi; the beautiful "Faubourg Saint-Denis," directed by Tom Tykwer and starring Natalie Portman and Melchior Beslon; and the heart wrenching "Loin du 16ème," directed by Walter Salles and starring Catalina Sandino Moreno.

According to IMDB, Upstate is the only moviehouse in the country where you can watch "Paris Je T'aime" this week.

Great Indian food and a great indie movie. And I didn't have to leave Dutchess County.

(Poughkeepsie Journal photos by Lee Ferris and Karl Rabe)

Face Stockholm makes Rhinebeck blush

2007-07-16T05:16:00.000-07:00

Swedish cosmetics company Face Stockholm, which operates its United States headquarters in Hudson in Columbia County, has opened one of its antique-filled boutiques in Rhinebeck.

Face Stockholm's NYC locations feature professional makeup artists to assist buyers.

The Rhinebeck store is located in the former Rhinebeck Hardware on East Market Street.

Hours are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. I can't wait to check it out.

For more info, call 845-876-2200.

Director chats about 'ecological time bomb'

2007-07-14T06:38:00.000-07:00

Chris Metzler will discuss his documentary, "Plagues and Pleasures on the Salton Sea," after a 3:10 p.m. screening Sunday at Upstate Films in Rhinebeck.

This is another in a long line of environmentally charged movies that Upstate has featured this year.

It's always fun to attend screenings that are accompanied by a talk with the director in such an intimate setting. Audience members' questions are usually intelligent and the director's comments are often quite candid.

Admission is $7.50.

Not a bad way to spend a Friday

2007-07-12T14:27:00.000-07:00

One-woman punk rock band The Laura Pepitone Show is headlining the New York State Beer Expo at Terrapin Catering, located at Dinsmore Golf Course on Route 9 in Staatsburg.

The $25 entrance fee includes all the beer and food you can eat and entertainment by Pepitone, Johnnie Wang and The Meg Johnson Band.

The expo takes place Friday from 5 to 10 p.m.

For more information, call 845-876-3330.

R.I.P. Jane

2007-07-10T04:59:00.000-07:00

Jane magazine, the follow-up to Sassy a.k.a. "the greatest teen magazine of all time," has folded.

I stopped subscribing to Jane in early 2001, after discovering the much more Sassy-like Bust magazine.

But it was still my go-to purchase at the newstand in the train station and airport.

Jane's demise is a loss for young women who want more than just beauty ads and "how to please your man" articles from their magazine.

But like Jane, maybe we're a dying breed of the 1990s too ...

Sip and spit, but don't get sloshed

2007-07-09T08:15:00.000-07:00

Apparently, the Hamptons crowd has moved the party to the North Fork wineries, prompting some to bar buses, limos and bachelorette parties.

Thank goodness the wine scene in the Hudson Valley is sedate by Long Island standards.

I attended last year's Bounty of the Hudson at Adair in New Paltz. The crowd skewed fairly young, but the oenophiles-in-training were there to sip, not to get sloshed. (Poughkeepsie Journal photo by Michael Sibilia)

This year's Bounty takes place July 28 and 29 at Brotherhood in Washingtonville.

One rep from a winery in the Finger Lakes told me she enjoys coming to the area for festivals like the Hudson Valley Wine & Food Fest because "it is a wonderful atmosphere of people who appreciate wine."

For a local primer, check out the Wine Goddess blog.

Here's to us.

I got your Spiegeltent menu here

2007-07-05T07:55:00.000-07:00

No interest in cooking tonight? Head to Bard's Spiegeltent every Thursday-Sunday evening now through Aug. 19.

From 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., choose from a menu of summer foods, including local beef burgers, grilled house-made sausage, falafel with grilled pita and berry shortcake, plus Millbrook wines and Magic Hat beers.

Click here for the full Spiegeltent menu.

Eat and drink outside on picnic tables or inside in the cabaret atmosphere of the Belgian palace of mirrors.

The photo is by Poughkeepsie Journal photographer Lee Ferris. To view a gallery of his Spiegeltent photographs, click here.

The Spiegeltent is back!

2007-07-03T18:27:00.000-07:00

Get ready for seven weeks of cabaret, cool music and clubbing inside the Spiegeltent on the Bard College campus in Annandale.

Pick up a copy of this Friday's Enjoy! for my preview of the cabaret offerings at SummerScape.

For a full schedule, click here.

Also, if you are headed to the tent Friday night, be sure to say hi to Chrissie of Odd Couple fame and me. We will be taping a video about the Spiegeltent scene for use on the PoJo Web site.

The best cheap eats are free

2007-06-29T08:47:00.000-07:00

Artisan Wine Shop in Beacon offers free wine and food tastings every Friday and Saturday night.

Spend happy hour tonight (4 to 7 p.m.) with all-American wines like SkinFlint Rose, Pomelo Sauvignon Blanc and Bogart Old Vine Cinsault Lodi and munch on whatever owners Tim Buzinski and Mei Ying So — both Culinary Institute of America grads — are inspired to make.

On Saturday from 3 to 6 p.m., Artisan features South African wines and frikkadels — South African meatballs — to go with them.

Artisan is located at 180 Main St.

One more apocalyptic treat from Vassar

2007-06-28T08:23:00.001-07:00

"Children of Men" (2006) closes Vassar College's free outdoor series of films that focus on some form of failed utopian ideals. The movie, screened tonight at 8:30 on the east lawn of the Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center, is an absolute must-see for sci-fi fans.

Directed by Alfonso Cuaron, "Children of Men" is set in Great Britain in 2027, an era plagued by two decades of global infertility that has left the remaining humans with less than a century to survive.

Check out the ground-breaking camerawork in the car scene. Cuaron's use of long shots makes you feel like you are part of this dystopia.

I'm going to have to miss tonight's screening because I'll be on the Poughkeepsie campus watching "Geometry of Fire."

Click here to read my interview with star Logan Marshall-Green.

Late to the sake party

2007-06-25T09:24:00.000-07:00

I recently discovered that New Paltz has its own sake bar in the Cabaloosa complex. It's called Katana Sake. Katana features dry sake, unfiltered sake and sweet sake. The list of Japanese-inspired cocktails is creative and fun: Love Potion #9. Apple Sakatini, Singapore Sling, Thai Stick, Patpong Punch, Siam Squeeze and Samurai Rocks.

The Hello Kitty is made with Japanese Soju vodka, Calpico and cranberry juice.

They also advertise "Absinthe Refined." Absinthe? Wow. Is this for real?

If anyone is a fan of Katana, tell me more about it. I did find an article by Journal reporter Alice Hunt that describes the place. The photo above was taken for the story last year by Journal freelancer A.J. Soto.

See you out in New Paltz.

Cheap eats update: Janet's Jerk Stop

2007-06-22T09:28:00.000-07:00

Poughkeepsie's highly recommended Janet's Jerk Stop, 96 Washington St., has a booth at the Poughkeepsie Farmers Market, which takes place on Fridays on Main Street.

I'm writing this post in between delicious forkfuls of curry chicken, rice and beans and cabbage with carrots: $6. Janet is also serving jerk chicken and fried chicken at the stand. If you can't get to the market today, you will have to wait two weeks. Janet will be vacationing Jamaica.

Also, Anu Bhatia is at the market today doing cooking demonstrations with her homemade chutneys and masala sauce.

Beautify your palms with mendhi for free

2007-06-22T07:15:00.001-07:00

Sadhna Bhargava will be in front of Cunneen-Hackett Arts Center today creating intricate designs with henna. Her appearance is part of Weekend on Main, a daylong celebration of the artistic renaissance taking place in downtown Poughkeepsie. It begins today at noon and goes until 8 p.m.

This photo by Poughkeepsie Journal photographer Kathy McLaughlin demonstrates Bhargava's handiwork (so to speak).

Read my Poughkeepsie Journal article about henna here.

During your Weekend on Main stroll, be sure to check out G.A.S., a new visual art and performance space at 196 Main St.

For lunch, I recommend a stop at The Artist's Palate, which has a farm-driven menu and features fabulous exhibition of posters from the "Jazzin', Jammin' and Jivin'" collection of Separate Cinema.

'Entourage' star dons Vassar T-shirt in doc

2007-06-21T07:36:00.001-07:00

To call Adrian Grenier a friend would be a lie. To call him an acquaintance would be a gross overstatement.

But back in 2000, I actually kinda sorta knew him. Adrian was dating the beautiful and super talented roommate of my boyfriend (now husband), Sean, so our paths crossed all the time.

In 2001, he attended my wedding at the Hillside Manor as a guest but pitched in to help his then-girlfriend, our photographer. That's right, Adrian took pictures of me.

Sean and I were part of a short film Adrian directed that involved us getting on a subway train and acting like tourists.

He even invited us to the Tribeca Film Festival screening of his documentary, "Shot in the Dark" in 2002.

Haven't spoken to Adrian since we moved from New York, but I did get a chance to watch the deeply personal documentary again on HBO last night. In it he questions the necessity of fatherhood as he confronts his estranged dad. The two hadn't seen each other in 18 years.

Although he attended Bard College, Adrian wears a Vassar T-shirt for much of the film.

Check out "Shot in the Dark" if you can. You will get a glimpse of the life of the down-to-earth star before Vincent Chase was even a concept.

Calling all cyberpunks

2007-06-20T09:53:00.000-07:00

Vassar College will screen Ridley Scott's 1982 cult film, "Blade Runner," for free Thursday.

The outdoor screening at 8:30 p.m. coincides with the Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center's current exhibition, "Utopian Mirage: Social Metaphors in Contemporary Photography and Film."

The museum remains open until 9 p.m. Thursday nights.

So pack a picnic, libations and bug spray, and head to the Poughkeepsie campus.

It's time to ponder the classic sci-fi question, "Can the maker repair what he makes?"

Were you there?

2007-06-18T10:11:00.000-07:00

The Hudson Valley Horrors made their derby debut Sunday at Hyde Park Roller Magic. I profiled the ladies last September, which drew the attention of the New York Times, followed by ABC World News with Charles Gibson. I feel like I've watched them grow and mature from skating novices to roller terrors. And I ended up missing the bout! If you were there, please, please, please tell me about it by posting below.

(Photo by Poughkeepsie Journal photographer Karl Rabe)

Father's Day picks for alterna-dads

2007-06-15T10:14:00.001-07:00

If the Gen-Ex dad in your life is more tattoo than tie, here are a couple of cool ideas for Father's Day:

The Hudson Valley Horrors, the valley's own female flat track roller derby league, take on the Pioneer Valley Western Mass Destruction in their inaugural bout, "Who's Your Daddy?" The action takes place Sunday at 6 p.m. at Hyde Park Roller Magic on Route 9.

Seats are $13 in advance, $15 at the door.

Tickets can be purchased at the rink in Hyde Park, Firebird Grill and Lounge in Rhinebeck, Catskill Art & Office Supply in Kingston and Burt's Electronics in Kingston.

And in Poughkeepsie, dad can smoke the hookah and dine on Middle Eastern food while belly dancers entertain him at Zorona on Raymond Avenue.

Reservations are necessary. Call 845-471-8838.

Cute roadside stand alert

2007-06-11T07:05:00.001-07:00

I snapped this picture on Route 9G, near the intersection of Route 199 in Red Hook.

Bubby's Burritos serves rice and bean burritos and cheese quesadillas with all the fixins for cheap out of a Trillium 1300 trailer decorated with potted plants.

The owners split their time between their stand in Red Hook and their restaurant in Mexico.

Try it on your next trip to Bard College or Tivoli.

And if you do, let me know what you think.

My first valley haircut

2007-06-08T07:32:00.001-07:00

I skipped my usual trip to Williamsburg and booked an appointment with Jen at Le Shag.

See my previous post about the best places to get a cool cut in the Hudson Valley here.

Jen has a lot of musician clients whom she met through her fiance, Grasshopper, of the band Mercury Rev. She is also the makeup artist/hair stylist for Bard College's SummerScape festival.

This haircut cost me $30, $20 less than what I usually pay in the city. I really like it and whole heartedly recommend Le Shag. If you go, tell Jen an exiled hipster sent you.

Reality check, Hudson Valley style

2007-06-05T06:31:00.000-07:00

The falls at Minnewaska State Park, one of the best things about living in the mid-Hudson Valley. I took this picture during a beautiful hike a couple of weeks ago.

And one of the worst things: the deer tick. My husband just discovered one attached to his leg at about 12:45 a.m. today. We think it had been feasting since Saturday. He's on the phone with the doctor now.

I have really close friends that have Lyme disease, but it's really freaky when a tick strikes someone you love. Here's hoping he's okay ...

Oh, and to add flame to the fire, I spotted a deer walking in my backyard at about 7:30 a.m. (I live in the city of Kingston!)

Anyone have any advice for us?

Update: A reader suggested this link to the International Lyme and Associated Disease Society's Web site as a better source of information than the county site I provided.

Grab a blanket, watch 'Metropolis' outdoors

2007-06-04T09:14:00.000-07:00

Yup, it's currently pouring outside, and I am writing a post about an outdoor movie screening. But I am an optimist.

Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center at Vassar College launches its free outdoor film series on Thursday at 8:30 with a screening of Fritz Lang's classic thinkers versus workers movie, "Metropolis" (1927).

"Metropolis" depicts skyscrapers, technology and the urban paradise, along with the failure of the city to live up to its expectations. Similar issues are addressed in the art center's new exhibition, "Utopian Mirage: Social Metaphors in Contemporary Photography and Film."

All films in this June series will be screened on the east lawn of the art center at the Poughkeepsie campus, weather permitting. (If it rains, the screenings will be moved indoors.)

Other movies are "Playtime" (1967), "Blade Runner" (1982) and "Children of Men" (2006).

Pray for sunshine.

A peek at my weekend plans

2007-06-01T04:41:00.000-07:00

Saturday is an all-Kingston day for me. First, I will hit the Old Town Stockade Farmers Market and maybe breakfast at Gabriel's.

In the early evening I'm going to hop on the new Art Bus and check out some of the First Saturday openings, including Chad Hunt's war photography exhibit at the Kingston Museum of Contemporary Arts. (Pick up a copy of today's Enjoy! to read my story about Hunt and his work.)

I will end the evening at Elephant, my new favorite wine bar and restaurant on Wall Street. The husband and wife team of Rich Reeve (chef) and Maya Karrol (front of house) used to own the beloved Brady's Public House in Poughkeepsie.

On Sunday, I will participate in the henna workshop in Highland. If you can't attend, read my first-person story about it in next Friday's Poughkeepsie Journal.

Fleisher's Meats opens Rhinebeck location

2007-05-31T11:24:00.001-07:00

Dutchess County residents no longer have to schlep to Ulster for the best beef, pork, locally raised lamb and poultry.

Fleisher's Grass-fed and Organic Meats, located at 307 Wall St. in Kingston, is opening a second, larger location in Rhinebeck.

Besides meat, the old-fashioned store at 47 Market St. will sell local eggs, regional cheese and organic meals to go.

You may have encountered Fleisher's products before at New York City restaurants like (Diner, Bonita and Savoy). All are good Fleisher's customers.

But unlike NYC residents, we don't have to eat out in order to eat the best. Sometimes it's better to be the country mouse ...

Head to Highland for hands-on henna art

2007-05-29T12:36:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the annoying alliteration in the headline. Don't let that stop you from learning about henna's origins and how to apply the dye as body art.

Amy Barresi of Tipsy Turtle is hosting a workshop on Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. in her Highland studio.

Cost is $35 per person and includes snacks and drinks, lecture on the history and culture of henna, hands-on application and a henna kit.

Reservations are required either by e-mailing Amy at tipsytrtle@yahoo.com or calling her at 845-795-4042.

For more information, visit www.turtletipsy.com.

Don't blame me if you're bored this weekend

2007-05-25T06:16:00.001-07:00

There are two excellent parties tonight: The Rootdown at the Black Swan in Tivoli and Clubhouse at the Bearsville Theater in Woodstock.

Rootdown is promoted by the Down in the Valley group. The monthly party features a rotation of DJs including Mr Chips, DJ ESE, Drake and Mikey Palms.

Tonight's Clubhouse features special guest DJs LadyVerse and Sameer and resident DJs Carlos Anthony Molina and Lemar Soulflower.

Now go dance!

Cheap eats, part II

2007-05-24T11:01:00.000-07:00

Thanks everyone for sharing your Hudson Valley cheap eats with me.

Here are just a few of the recommendations:

In Poughkeepsie, Janet's Jerk Stop on Washington Avenue, Krishna Groceries on Route 9, Soul Dog on Main Street and Saigon Cafe on LaGrange Avenue (pictured).

In Fishkill, Tanjore buffet on Main Street.

And in New Paltz, Yanni and Karma Road.

Dan asked for some more Kingston-area cheap eats and I've got a great one for those of you heading to the opening of the Old Town Stockade Farmers Market on Saturday: Gabriel's Cafe on John Street.

The owner of this lovely little place uses local, organic ingredients whenever possible and makes his own hearty bread and pastries. The egg sandwich ($4.75) comes with a garlicky homemade salsa. Amazing. The coffee is strong and locally roasted from Catskill Mountain Coffee. There are also Colombian specialties for lunch, a nod to Gabriel's heritage.

Now I have a cheap eats dilemma for you readers. I am heading up to Rhinebeck tonight to see "Waitress" at Upstate Films. Are there any cheap eats among the $30/entree restaurants? And if not, are there any diners in the area that you'd recommend? A (not too) greasy spoon would fit the movie.

15 minutes of fame, courtesy of your iPod

2007-05-23T05:31:00.000-07:00

Keegan Ales in Kingston hosts iPod/mp3 tonight and every Wednesday.

Wannabe DJs get 15 minutes each to share their musical tastes with a happy, beer-drinking crowd.

Here's my lineup:

"I Can't See Nobody" by Nina Simone, remixed by Daniel Y. from "Nina Simone: Remixed & Reimagined" -- 3:06

"Don't Stop" by Brazilian Girls from "Brazilian Girls" -- 3:50

"Destroy Everything You Touch" by Ladytron from "Witching Hour"

"We Share Our Mothers' Health" by The Knife from "Silent Shout"

Share your 15 (approximate) musical minutes below.

Confessions of a slacker mom-in-training

2007-05-18T11:20:00.000-07:00

First off, I'm not preggers. Sorry mom (who is a bit frustrated that she's the only non-grandma in her circle of friends).

But the subject of procreation has begun to creep into conversation between me and my husband. It's no longer off-limits, no longer taboo.

It's hard to imagine what kind of parents we will be.

Will we buy a bugaboo stro ll er, a minivan and a home in a gated community?

I mean, we had a pirate band play our wedding. My husband draws monsters and plays video games for a living. I don't have a single friend who is an MD or a lawyer. Most of them are rejuveniles.

Will we spend our Saturdays watching soccer and football games?

We don't even like sports.

And I will never, ever get into scrapbooking.

I really fear the alpha mom rat race.

So I read this article about slacker moms with interest.

Slacker mom, yeah, I can get with that.

Let the flames begin ...

Embrace your inner Bettie Page

2007-05-16T06:14:00.000-07:00

Charise Isis, the Kingston-based photographer who is making a name for herself with her boudoir portraits of everyday women, is offering a "Learn How to Be a Pinup Goddess" seminar on June 2.

Each participant will learn make-up, costuming, movement and attitude made famous by Bettie Page, Marilyn Monroe, Lili St Cyr and Josephine Baker. She also will receive a fine art pin-up poster of herself.

Isis also does boudoir bachelorette parties. Pretty cool.

What do you think of this pin-up trend? Is your interest piqued or are you scandalized? Comment below.

I'll share my cheap eats if you share yours ...

2007-05-14T06:47:00.000-07:00

A favorite topic of every young and cash-strapped foodie is the best places to get cheap eats, those little hole-in-the-wall places that you only find out about by word of mouth.

Here are my top 5 Hudson Valley cheap eats:

1.) Andy’s Place, 45 Dutchess Ave., Poughkeepsie
Call 845-452-2525.

Four pierogies, a nod to my Polish heritage, are only $4.95. There’s also a kielbasa dinner w/pierogies for $11.95 and a kielbasa sandwich with sauerkraut on rye for $7.25.

2.) Jamaican Spice, 184 Main St., Beacon
Call 845-831-7505.
The next time you’re gallery hopping in Beacon, head to this little gem, which opened in 2005.
Turnovers filled with jerk fish, meatloaf, chicken and spicy beef are just $1.25-$1.50.
The restaurant also serves jerk pork, saltfish, curry chicken and ginger beer.

3.) El Danzante Mexican American (pictured), 720 Broadway, Kingston
Call 845-331-7070.
This kitschy, authentic Mexican restaurant features a white bar “cave” that displays dozens of tequilas.
Chicken enchiladas with mole sauce are savory and toothsome. Or put together a sampling of soft tacos. The best is carnitas — fried pork with Mexican herbs and spices — served with cilantro and onions for only $2.

4.) Kismat Indian Restaurant, 50 Raymond Ave., Poughkeepsie
Call 845-442-8536.
The best value for your foodie buck: Kismat serves an all-you-can buffet of Indian specialties for just $6.95 for lunch and $8.95 for dinner. Feel free to bring your own wine or beer.

5.) Lola’s Café and Gourmet Take Out, 131 Washington St., Poughkeepsie
Call 845-471-8555.
Chef Ed Kowalski elevates the lunchtime deli experience with high quality ingredients and flavor combinations. Try the tropical curried chicken wrap for $5.95 or the marinated Portobello mushroom panino for $6.95.

Please add to the list by posting below.

Party with Beacon artists 'til dawn

2007-05-11T12:52:00.000-07:00

Keith Zarriello of The Shivers will perform at Saturday's open studios at Spire Studios in Beacon.

The party, which includes an exhibition of work by the gallery attendants of Dia:Beacon, begins at 6 p.m.

Zarriello plays at 10 p.m.

Then DJ Jeff spins until very, very late.

Missing in action

2007-05-10T19:22:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone. Just wanted to let you know that I haven't posted in a while because I had surgery earlier this week. Tonight I feel well enough to sit at the computer for a few minutes to check e-mail -- amazing how much accumulates in a few days -- and create this quick post. Will return with more under-the-radar HV news in a few days.

XOXO,
K

Aidan Quinn appears in Rosendale

2007-05-05T12:59:00.000-07:00

Actor Aidan Quinn, who lives in Ulster County, attended the sneak preview screening of "Racing Daylight" at the Rosendale Theatre today. (He is pictured far right in this Hudson Valley Film Commission photo.)

The screening was a presentation of the Woodstock Film Festival, of which Quinn is a board member, and sponsored by the office of Assemblyman Kevin Cahill (D-Kingston), who is pictured far left.

"Racing Daylight" was shot entirely in Ulster County and stars local actors David Strathairn and Melissa Leo, who is seated in the picture.

Read my Poughkeepsie Journal story about this homegrown film.

See a movie with Griffin Dunne

2007-05-04T09:08:00.000-07:00

When I first think of Griffin Dunne I am reminded of his roles in "Who's That Girl?" with Madonna and "My Girl". And who can forget "An American Werewolf in London"?

But Dunne, a part-time Dutchess County resident, is also a respected director. His film, "Fierce People," which starred Diane Lane and Donald Sutherland, played at Upstate Films in Rhinebeck during the Woodstock Film Festival in October.

Dunne returns to Upstate this Sunday, when he will present "The Earrings of Madame de ..." as part of the "Watch a Movie With ..." series to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the independent moviehouse.

The film explores the conventions of love, marriage and flirtation of upper-class turn-of-the-20th-century Paris.

The screening with Dunne takes place Sunday at 1:30 p.m.

Tickets are $10.

For more information, visit www.upstatefilms.com.

Saturday mornings with Sarah Vaughan

2007-05-01T06:30:00.000-07:00

My idea of the perfect weekend morning?

Strong coffee and a pecan danish from Bread Alone -- there are locations in Rhinebeck, Kingston and Woodstock -- as I listen to my favorite radio show: Women of Note on WKZE, 98.1 FM.

Jerrice Baptiste highlights old favorites like Sarah Vaughan and Nina Simone along with international artists like Mercedes Sosa and Chantal Goya.

Women of Note broadcasts on Saturdays from 9 to 10 a.m.

How do you spend your Saturday mornings in the Hudson Valley?

'Nobody puts Baby in a corner'

2007-04-27T04:28:00.000-07:00

Relive the summer of 1963 (in 1987) all over again when "Dirty Dancing" returns to the big screen Tuesday and Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.

Galleria Mall 12 in Poughkeepsie and Hudson Valley Mall 12 in Kingston will help celebrate the 20th anniversary of the film that launched (and ended) the singing career of dancer/actor Patrick Swayze. Remember "She's Like the Wind"?

"Dirty Dancing," set in the Catskills but filmed at Mountain Lake Hotel in Virginia, also provided me with a great line to use on icky men at clubs: "This is my dance space. This is your dance space. I don't go into yours, you don't go into mine."

What's your favorite line from this seminal '80s movie? Comment below.

Daring to get a haircut in the valley

2007-04-25T04:22:00.000-07:00

I have found great Hudson Valley alternatives to New York City dining, drinking and shopping. But the one NYC creature comfort I have refused to give up is my haircut.

Too many Hudson Valley, ahem, "stylists" are still sporting the big bangs and frizz perms of their high school days. How can you trust someone who hasn't updated their own look in 20 years? (I acknowledge that the asymmetrical cuts of the 1980s have seemed to make a comeback, but that's not what I'm talking about.)

For many years I have been a loyal client of Beehive in Brooklyn. They were booked my last trip down there so I got a last-minute cut at the very excellent Commune, a Japanese salon. (Their work created the look in my blog sig at left.)

But I think I'm finally ready to take a leap of faith and get a cut here at one of two very promising salons:

The first, Salon Arje in Beacon, specializes in "trend cuts." It invites clients to "let the artist within us bring out the beauty within you." A glass of wine is provided.

The second, Le Shag in Kingston, specializes in "new trend hair coloring and cuts. In addition to this, Le Shag offers make up classes, and Mimosa Morning Saturdays with pedicures and manicures."

Have you been to either of these places? Are there other Hudson Valley salons that you trust to your precious tresses? Comment below.

Review of Clubhouse

2007-04-24T04:55:00.000-07:00

So as you know I went dancing at the Bearsville Theater on Friday. Things started out slow, even though the music was amazing. But once the promoters finally turned down the lights — what took you so long? — the crowd relaxed and got its groove on.

As Patricia commented in my previous post: "Music was pretty darn good. It's hard to find a place to dance around here and the crowd really got going after a while. Also a real mix of people."

A mix of people is right. There were aging rockers, young club kids, hipsters, a young woman who was dressed like Madonna during her "True Blue" days and some guy who looked like he just stepped out of an episode of "Starsky and Hutch."

Drag queen Isis Vermouth, surrounded by an entourage of adoring friends, passed out glostix to everyone on the dance floor.

And the music. I can't gush enough. The resident turntablists Lemar Soulflower and Anthony Molina really knew how to excite the crowd.

All around a great night. Can't wait for the next one.

A peek at my weekend plans

2007-04-20T07:39:00.000-07:00

Tonight: Cocktails with coworkers at Shadows on the Hudson in Poughkeepsie, followed by dancing at Bearsville Theater near Woodstock.

Saturday: Going to hear Hopewell play at the Kingston Museum of Contemporary Arts, followed by beers at Keegan Ales.

Sunday: Sleep in.
Brunch at Le Canard in K-town.

BBQ road stand opens for season Friday

2007-04-19T10:48:00.000-07:00

CIA grad Rob VanVoorhis of All Smoked Up will be cooking up his gourmet barbecue on Friday on Route 55 in Beekman.

Three days a week (unless he's catering a party) VanVoorhis sets up his 13-foot smoker and serves a loyal lunchtime crowd.

I cut and pasted Friday's menu below:

~ Lobster Mac & Cheese W/ Cabot Extra Sharp Cheddar & Lotsa Lobster!! $8
~ New Potato Gratin W/ Gruyere $4
~ Pulled Pork Sandwich W/ ASU Slaw $6 (Not Spicy)
~ Prime Rib Sandwich W/ ASU Slaw $10 (cherry wood smoked)
~ Smoked Duck W/ Blackberry Gastrique & Warm Cabbage Slaw $12
~ Baby Back Ribs $ 18 per rack or $10 a half rack
~ Half Pound Beef Frank W/ Kraut on an 8" Grinder Roll $5
~ Soda $1

Serving from 10:30 to 1:30 or until it's gone...........All Smoked Up will be roadside as the weather permits (no wind, no rain & sunshine) are the criteria!!

Hopewell to play free HV show

2007-04-18T08:41:00.000-07:00

Just got an e-mail from Adam Snyder at the Kingston Museum of Contemporary Arts that Brooklyn's Hopewell (whose members hail from the Hudson Valley) will be making the rounds this weekend.

The rock band, which just played SXSW, will appear at Snyder's art gallery on Saturday at 7 p.m. for a rare semi-acoustic show.

Members of the band and Snyder all have Mercury Rev in common.

Hopewell will be joined by special guests Mark Marinoff from Poughkeepsie and Micky Mercurio from Syracuse.

From Snyder: "please arrive early; this is a free show but you can pitch in for gas money and/or support the bands by buying their cds; please b.y.o.b. and come prepared for some great music."

On Sunday, Hopewell will play Cabaloosa in New Paltz as part of a benefit party for the re-election of Mayor Jason West. I'm assuming that show is not free.

See you out and about. Should be cool.

Keegan Ales tap room opens

2007-04-17T07:50:00.000-07:00

I stopped by Keegan Ales in Kingston on Saturday to check out the new tap room.

The space, with an open floor plan and exposed brick walls, is spare but cozy. There are a few stools around the bar. More seating is provided by beer garden-style picnic tables and old couches.

For just three bucks I got a freshly brewed Old Capital served in a mason jar. Nice touch.

My mate went upscale and ordered Keegan's special Belgian-style Old Capital ($5).

Besides serving Old Capital, Hurricane Kitty and Mother's Milk, the taproom also has a full bar and features other favorite New York breweries: Captain Lawrence, Blue Point, Brooklyn and Ommegang.

We didn't get a chance to sample the food menu, which includes Keegan's Irish Stew, sandwiches and soups.

Free homemade chocolate chip cookies were served, thanks to Tommy Keegan's wife.

Are you a Keegan Ales fan? What do you think of the new taproom?

DIY flowers for DIY brides

2007-04-13T09:57:00.000-07:00

The do-it-yourself lifestyle has made its way into wedding planning. Crafty brides with individual senses of style are baking cakes, designing and making dresses and turning iPods into deejays.

A DIY wedding is cost effective, plus it gives brides the freedom to express themselves.

Stems, a Red Hook-based floral designer, which has c.o.u.t.u.r.e. ($5,000 and up) and ready 2 wear ($3,500 average) packages, also offers Stems d.i.y.

"This service (d.i.y.) isn't just about saving money, but is a great option for a specific bride with a hands-on approach to design, and who may have seen floral designs in magazines, but don't know where to purchase the products they need," Stems says on its Web site.

A d•i•y bride will receive a "recipe card," which includes how to care for the flowers she buys from Stems, the breakdown of floral elements and other ingredients, and how to put pieces together.

The monochromatic mumballs (see photo) are an eye-catching option.

Brides and their friends and family may also schedule a workshop for an in-studio lesson for the specific designs in the wedding.

Are you a DIY bride? Comment below or write me at kmurray@poughkeepsiejournal.com.

Amber Tamblyn, new indie princess?

2007-04-12T08:53:00.000-07:00

Forget "General Hospital." Significant roles in intelligent films and poetry writing are the MO for Amber Tamblyn, who stars in "Stephanie Daley," a film shot in the Hudson Valley and being screened as a fundraiser for the Dutchess County Arts Council's arts fund on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. at Upstate Films in Rhinebeck.

As of this writing, advance tickets -- $20 -- were still available for the screening, Q&A with director and New Paltz resident Hilary Brougher and reception.

"Stephanie Daley," about a 16-year-old (played by Tamblyn) who is accused of concealing her pregnancy and killing her infant, premiered at the Woodstock Film Festival in October.

It also stars Tilda Swinton, Timothy Hutton and the Hudson Valley's own indie queen, Melissa Leo.

"Stephanie Daley" opens in New York City on April 20. Catch it in Rhinebeck first.