Not-for-profit Acrobatics

handstand-a-thon, Originally uploaded by faerygrrrl

Miss Erin Fae of Park Slope, Brooklyn is standing on her hands this Sunday to raise money for LAVA Studio‘s scholarship fund for kids and adults, and free community programs.

LAVA is a troupe of artists who develop and perform original works that combine dance, theater, and acrobatics. At the LAVA Studio in Brooklyn, NY, ensemble and community members train and teach LAVA’s rigorous, creative, and inclusive movement language to children and adults.

Read more & donate online at Erin’s FirstGiving page.

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CRISPERANTO

Quentin Crisp endures.

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Recently read The Last Mrs Astor by Frances Kiernan. And, of course, court proceedings over the treatment of Mrs Astor in her last years continue (Kissinger, Barbara Walters et al.).  Interesting to learn that in relation to the really big trusts, the Vincent Astor Foundation did not give such massive amounts of cash. VAF specialised in seed funding, but the value of grants could be augmented by the connection with and often the very presence of Mrs Astor. That said, the New York Public Library is one famous rescue mission we’ll be visiting in August.  I also discovered that VAF acted on new community development theories of the early 60s, as in the outdoor living room project.  Kiernan’s book is worth a read, to find out about Mrs Astor’s life because it is worth knowing about or if you want background to the court reports.

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Ain’t it the truth

the Gossip in NYC, Originally uploaded by Spattz

Stopped at Real Groovy on the way home from the mailbox and found Undead in NYC, a 2003 live EP by the Gossip. They’re usually on the other side of America & they’ll probably be in Europe when we’re in NY, but the live recording connects them with The City for today (& reminds me of their amazing show at the King’s Arms a while ago).

More Gossip in NY pictures: 1 2 3 4.

Also bought Get Lonely by The Mountain Goats – the opposite album in lots of ways but just as suitable for this wintery weather. Connecting thread: I saw The Mountain Goats play an amazing show at the King’s Arms, also.

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History class

4th Ave. N.Y.C. looking north (LOC), Originally uploaded by The Library of Congress

Recommendation via K.A.L. that I can endorse: The Bowery Boys. It’s a podcast all about NY history: people, places, events, et cetera. I’ve just been listening to the story of the Astors and the family feud that helped construct the original Waldorf-Astoria hotel(s), & am downloading Dorothy Parker-related ghost stories, Stonewall & The Plaza, for starters.

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Right, now it is getting serious

Just to confirm our intentions, folks. We are booked and will fly out on 30 July NZ time. We’ll be avoiding entirely the Meatpacking District. Whatever is famous and happens there can go on without us.

My book says Surya. Indian restaurant, is “sleek and sexy”. Is it?

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