Buckminster Fuller
I’ve always been fascinated with architecture and design, especially Frank Lloyd Wright and Buckminster Fuller. Fuller especially caught my interest with his novel approach for his Fuller Projection map, shown above, which has the Earth on a polyhedron and unwrapped. It doesn’t show the distortion as the typical northern hemisphere weighted ones still used today. It also helps I’m a map whore.
But something I am interested in seeing it a new exhibit at the Whitney: Buckminster Fuller: Starting With the Universe, on view till September 21, 2008.
One of the great American visionaries of the twentieth century, R. Buckminster Fuller (1895-1983) endeavored to see what he, a single individual, might do to benefit the largest segment of humanity while consuming the minimum of the earth’s resources. Doing “more with less” was Fuller’s credo. He described himself as a “comprehensive anticipatory design scientist,” setting forth to solve the escalating challenges that faced humanity before they became insurmountable.
The NYTimes has an article on the show also, Fixing Earth One Dome at a Time.
The Ting Tings
Another great show on the 18th was The Ting Tings. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect since I really only knew their most popular song, Shut Up and Let Me Go, but I was pleasantly surprised they put on a really good show. This is impressive since there are only two of them in the band, but they both had tons of energy and worked the crowd well. The Fratellis still put on a better show (they also have more material), but both shows were packed with a good crowd, and I look forward to see how both bands develop.
They are another band catapulted from an iTunes commerical.
The Fratellis
A little late in reporting on this one, but went to see The Fratellis on the 13th, and as of this moment they hold the record for putting on the most lively show I have seen in NYC. These Scots really know how to jam. I’m also a fan of the “Rosie the Riveter” WWII type design on their Costello Music album, and you can now buy a t-shirt.
It has to be a pretty good show when you feel the floor bounce to the music. The Fretellis have a very upbeat and unique sound, and I especially like what I will describe as Skat since I can’t think of a better comparison at the moment.
There was also added flavor that a Certic rugby team was having a great time near us.
Band web site and Myspace. As always, more photos in my Live Music Set.
Their most popular song, Chelsea Dagger:
The Sons & Heirs
On May 22 (Morrissey’s birthday), I got to see The Sons & Heirs in Brooklyn’s Union Hall. It was totally random that MSV and I even saw they were going to be playing there. We had not heard of this Smiths & Morrissey tribute band, but since we both are huge fans we gave it a shot.
I was not expecting much for a Smiths cover band, but wow was I impressed with them. They really put on a great show and are an excellent Smiths band. The lead singer, Ronnissey (taking it all the way!), has a great Morrissey voice and has the mannerisms down. Totally a great show and worth the price of dealing with drunks and girls and guys jumping on the stage. Photos didn’t turn out great given the bands lack of standing still.
Thankfully no injuries occurred from the violent flower throwing!
BeerMenus.com
I have a new favorite way to drink fine beer in NYC, BeerMenus.com. The site is very clean and easy to find exactly where good beer is at, especially the hard to find ones like my favorite, Grimbergen Brown. I submitted my new favorite bar in Brooklyn right now (Grimergen on tap!), Bar Tabac (on Yelp), so I’m curious how long the brothers take to approve.
The site was founded by two brothers who were frustrated by bad beer selections… I feel their pain, especially when out with my Dive Bar Friends (you know who you are).
My request would be an iPhone version of the site to allow for easy additions of new bars!
They are also having a launch party on Saturday, May 24, 2008, at Blind Tiger Ale House. See Facebook event for details and RSVP.
Cheyenne Diner
Another historic part of Manhattan is leaving the city it looks, The Cheyenne Diner on 34th and 9th is closing down. This is sad news since it is my local favorite diner. I will be looking to have a bit to eat here before they close, which looks like it could be the end of this week!
The Cheyenne Diner is located on the corner of 33rd Street and Ninth Ave. The diner has been in the area for more than 50 years and is one of the last remaining railroad-car-style diners in Manhattan.
And here a few pics I have taken of the Cheyenne:
Big Head Todd Video
As as follow-up to yesterday’s post, here is a video from the Big Head Todd concert, I was standing right next to the filmer. I don’t think I made it into the background sounds, but I know who did.
Hit Me On My iPhone
Looks like I should check out Myspace more often. But Pete has a pretty good iPhone song up, can’t argue with that!
New Yorker Refurbished
Got a photo published on Spindle Magazine, a project by a good friend of mine.
New Yorker Refurbished
Spindle Magazine - Tuesday, 15 January 2008
Whole Foods Bowery Belgium Beer
I have been on the lookout for my Belgium Beer and especially Gueuze options in NYC. I have had Gueuze at Gingerman, but I want to be able to buy some for the house and I know it’s possible. So I checked out the new Whole Foods on Bowery that has a Beer Room.
Photo porn below including the bottles I picked up. First off some beer shots of the Whole Foods Bowery Beer Room:
And my selection:
What I picked up was:
- Ommegang Abbey Ale (Upstate NY)
- Rochefort Trappistes 6
- Sixpoint Triple Growler Half Gallon (Brooklyn, NY)
- Cantillon Gueuze
- Lindemans Gueuze Cuvée René
- Cantillon Lambic
- Delirium Tremens
