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Astoria Boulevard: A Folk Trio out of Queens

April 25, 2011 By Ashley Nuñez 5 Comments

Three grey suits with skinny red ties adorn the men who have just silenced the audience seconds after starting their set. On stage in Soho’s The Living Room, the boys of Astoria Boulevard hold the audience still as they open up acapella. Each voice blending into the other, the chord of three then breaks out their instruments. Dan Scott switches back and forth between a guitar and ukulele, Philip Drennen leads with vocals shaking a tambourine or maracas, and Max Demers hits the harmonica and plays acoustic guitar.

Classified as an indie-folk/pop band, the trio has been performing together since 2009. The charm that engages their audience has much to do with their chemistry. “You can make a lot of things happen but you can’t force chemistry. People can feel it and have fun watching. It’s just the indefinable quality,” explains Philip.

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Queens Takes Over The Greene Space

March 7, 2011 By Ashley Nuñez 1 Comment

A few quick heel hops out of the Spring Street C/E station and the doors of The Greene Space were opened for me. Out of the 500 plus entries The Green Space received for the Battle of the Boroughs, 47 acts were selected and 9 performed at the Queens event. Walking around the performance space, it mattered very little whether you had a seat or were standing. Hanging high on the supporting pillars, flat screens televised a live broadcast of the event for those who may have been positioned at a poor angle. However, the intimacy of the small crowd made every spot a great spot to watch the performers.

The crowd’s diversity made it almost impossible to feel out of place. Sponsors Chipotle and The Good Beer Seal provided snacks and drinks for the night. Host Terrance McKnight proved to be a quick and witty host. Easily transitioning from the guest commentators to interviewing each musical act and introducing the next performance, McKnight allowed for an easy following of events to the night. Commentators Eddie Robinson and Leital Molad were honest and fair in their comments, giving constructive criticism and presenting challenges towards some of the acts.

The event as a whole showcased such an array of talented musicians. A Brazilian guitarist, a Jazz Band, MC’s, and a blend of Jazz with Indian vocals and instruments were amongst the nine performing acts that enlightened the crowd with their music. Having arrived late, it would be unfair to pick the best act of the night, but I did happen to have a favorite. Rachel Zamstein, Sosoon, and Astoria Boulevard all made my voting choice very hard. Artists like Nicholas Howard who played piano barefoot and what Why G? and the XYZ’s are doing for children with genuine music interests in Queens really proved how wide the talent was in attendance.

The great thing about The Greene Space is even if you missed the showcase, you can still see it and vote for your favorite performance. To watch the Queens Battle of the Boroughs in its entirety check out the Greene Space Website. Make sure you cast your vote at who you think should win. Tickets for the Bronx Battle of the Boroughs are on sale also at the Greene Space website.

Feature: The 5 Best Outer-Borough Brunch Experiences

October 5, 2010 By Kiki Louya Leave a Comment

One of the silliest characteristics of a diehard Manhattanite is their refusal to ever leave the borough, as if crossing a river will rocket them through the Twilight Zone! But they’d be surprised to know a secret that outer-borough folk have been on to for years: treasures are aplenty when you venture off the grid.

Take brunch for instance. One of New York’s favorite weekend pastimes. Who knew other boroughs would be such a happening place to get your egg on an afternoon? Apparently, those outer-borough folk did; and Manhattanites, it’s time to take heed: brunch does not have to mean a 2 hour wait and a $30 meal. That is, as long as you’re willing to take a train ride to the other side.

Egg, 135 N. 5th St., Williamsburg, Brooklyn 11211

Egg is hands-down the perfect place to heal a pickled liver from the night before. Previously operated out of the now defunct Sparky’s hot dog restaurant, Egg serves Southern-style brunch specials all day long, which for the tired and hungover mean two great things: a few extra hours of sleep and a meal filled with nothing but the basics- meat, cheese, egg and bread.

To say the menu is a calorie-counter’s nightmare would be an understatement. But for those with enough adventure to experience real food, try the Eggs Rotho. It’s a slice of brioche filled in the center with running egg sunny-side up and smothered in melted cheddar cheese. Also, the Biscuits and Gravy are an authentic Southern treat and for even more of a down-home feel, try the Country Ham Biscuit served with homemade fig jam, cheddar, and grits. It’s a little slice of heaven.

The only downside to Egg is that their lack of liquor makes hair of the dog not an attainable option. But their French-press coffee as an alternative is a good pick-me-up and for those in dire straits. Brunch mimosas are available.

Just Like Mother’s, 110-60 Queens Blvd, Forest Hills, Queens, 11375

New York does Polish food, just not always well. But Just like Mother’s is a welcomed exception to the rule. Conveniently located off the Queens-bound F train, Just like Mother’s has a mean reputation for serving real deal brunch food with a yummy Polish twist. Looking for eggs and sausage? Try the Kielbasa Omelette. How about French toast? Their Babka version will blow your mind.

Best part is Just Like Mother’s serves with authenticity. Their pierogies, especially the must-have sauerkraut and mushroom, are made just right and their potato pancakes are always served the right way: with sour cream AND apple sauce. Plus, even a party of 10 will be able to saddle up to a table virtually any time of day without having to wait until dinner. In other words, good luck finding a comparable place in the city. It would be like nailing jello to a tree: impossible.

Buttermilk Channel, 524 Court St., Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn, NY 11231

So, you still think outer-borough brunch is nothing but glorified diner food? Well, you are clearly missing the point so let me just nail it home for you: try Buttermilk Channel. It’s a more bourgeois Brooklyn brunch adventure, but at half the price you would spend in Manhattan.

Located in lovely Carroll Gardens, Buttermilk Channel (allegedly) derives its name from either Brooklyn farmers who let their herds graze on Governor’s Island or Manhattan farmers whose milk nearly churned its way to butter on their rough journey over the water. Either way, as a bistro, Buttermilk’s message rings clear: all the food is shade grown, organic and fair trade.

Start with lighter options like the arugula and jersey nectarine salad, which is served with live run goat feta and homemade lime vinaigrette. Or get right down to the nitty-gritty with more hearty choices like the A-B-C grilled cheese, cooked with New York’s own organic cheddar cheese.

Also their buttermilk pancakes, a restaurant staple, really are quite delicious. However, the true gem on the menu is their pecan pie French toast, decadently served with bourbon, molasses and toasted pecans.

Beast, 638 Bergen St., Prospect Heights, Brooklyn 11238

On the rare occasion that servers are up to their eyeballs in busy tables, service can be spotty. But at all other times Beast is a great destination for tapas and brunch entrees. Not to mention, their prices are pretty unbeatable.

For only $11.95 (with coffee/tea) or $13.95 (with a bloody mary/mimosa), diners can indulge in pan-seared scallops with white wine garlic sauce, which is paired with a baby green salad and couscous pilaf. Also, more adventurous eaters will enjoy the chorizo hash topped with chipotle spiked hollandaise and diced potato. Brunch purists can even chow down on steak and eggs for under $20, which pretty much beats the competition. Enjoy all this while dining in Beast’s cozy, medieval-inspired atmosphere, of course!

Elysian Café, 1001 Washington St. Hoboken, New Jersey

For most New Yorkers, New Jersey is a world that’s meant to be left untouched. But in the off-chance that you find yourself in the Dirty Jerz (after, say, a drunken one-night stand?) rest assured you won’t die of starvation on your train ride back across the Hudson.

Elysian Café offers the usual brunch staples- Eggs Benedict, Florentine and every other which way- as well as delicious French options like the Warm Roast Beef Au Poivre served on rosemary foccacia bread with mushrooms. Also, the Croque Madame, a warm mix of ham, gruyere, fried egg and pommes frites is especially delicious if you’re looking for something that will fill you up throughout the day.

The Elysian also serves an outstanding Cinnamon and Amaretto French Toast, drizzled in Vermont Maple Syrup and with your choice of bacon or sausage. Better yet? Whether seated inside or out, the décor of Elysian will make you feel as if you’ve been transported to Paris and are dining in a swanky street café. Bon appetite, indeed!

Feature: Film Ignites Volunteerism

October 5, 2010 By Tamara Conrad Leave a Comment

With “Waiting for ‘Superman’” recently released in New York and gaining media attention throughout the nation, viewers want to take part in the solution to fixing the broken school system. There are many children in New York City who could use additional mentorship and tutoring so that they can face the unfavorable odds of educational success not in hope, but in knowledge, strength and support. There are youth programs throughout the city that need help in providing guidance and friendship to children. Here is a list of organizations and ways to become involved in children’s lives:

New York Cares

newyorkcares.com

New York Cares has year-round volunteer opportunities. It works with partner organizations to plan and manage 1,000 hands-on projects each month. Through the organization, volunteers can tutor and play sports with children as well as help revitalize parks and schools. There are volunteer events and longer-term projects lasting from six weeks to more than a year.

Oct.15 is New York Cares Day. The organization will have teams of 7,000 volunteer s paint classrooms and murals, organize libraries and fix playgrounds at 100 public schools throughout the boroughs. To get involved, visit newyorkcares.com.

Groundwork

groundworkinc.org

This organization serves the East New York and Bedford-Stuyvesant communities in Brooklyn. Through its various programs, the organization helps over 3,500 families annually. The organization has an early childhood program preparing toddlers for school and supporting parents. Additional programs offer after-school and summer service, which focus on literacy instruction to children in elementary and middle school. The organization also offers a four-year college prep program. Outside of these programs, there are still many additional community and family services that Groundwork provides.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City

bigsnyc.org

BBBS New York City divides its volunteer programs into different categories. Community and special priority programs include the traditional mentorship program as well as others aiding young mothers, offering friendship to disabled children and preventing youth from entering foster care. Site-based programs provide interaction with youth at school and various workplaces. Juvenile justice and special population programs help youth dealing with or facing incarceration as well as children aging out of the foster care system.

BBS also has specialized groups in the Big network, including an Asian Mentoring Committee, Latino Bigs and a Technology Committee.

iMentor

imentor.org

Even while desiring to mentor youth, many abstain from doing so because they feel their demanding schedules leave them little time to commit to a child. This common problem wanes out many potential volunteers. Well, iMentor has designed a way to add flexibility in mentorship. Created to combat lack of mentors and lack of technology literacy in under-served communities, iMentor connects professionals with youth through a combination of e-mail and in-person interactions.

For more volunteer opportunities in education, visit volunteermatch.org or nycservice.org.