'Nobody puts Baby in a corner'

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

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

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

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

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

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

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?