Destinations: July 4th 2011 Weekend

The Loungerati at the Liberty Belle Spectacular 2010

Ok patriots, we are recommending two unique events for your Fourth of July tipple. A Jazz Age extravaganza with hot burlesque, potent punches, and a vintage attired crowd with rooftop views of the fireworks or a good old fashioned BBQ with a special whiskey tasting in Tribeca.  Here is the skinny!



The Liberty Belle Spectacular
July 4th  - 5pm - 2am
Empire Hotel Rooftop Bar
$25 at the door / $20 in advance

Dances of Vice, The Salon, The Champagne Riot, and Wit's End join forces to present another unforgettable vintage Fourth of July extravaganza!

Featuring vintage patriotic melodies by Gelber & Manning and the Star Spangled Orchestra; rockabilly ballads, boogies and blues by Susquehanna Industrial Tool & Die Co; acoustic Hawaiian swing on the East Terrace by the Moonlighters; performances by tap sensations The Minsky Sisters; mesmerizing burlesque by Angie Pontani, Jezebel Express, Main Attraction, Gal Friday, and Medianoche; DJs Adam Lee and DJ Sei (Rebel Night); cocktails by guest bartender Fredo from Loungerati; and the always dapper MC Dandy Wellington!

We're starting the party earlier this year, and when you get a ticket online, you'll be able to reserve an admission time.

For more information go to:
www.libertybellespectacular.com

* Tickets sold with a reserved time-slot for ease of admission

Empire Hotel
44 West 63rd Street
New York, NY

4th of July Back Yard BBQ
WARD III
July 4th - 5pm - 8pm
Free Admission

We're grilling for the 4th of July! As most of us don't have back-yards, and not all of us can get away for the weekend, we've bought a bad-ass smoker, and are setting it up outside the bar.

$10 gets you a massive plate of food. $15 gets you the same plate, a pint of beer inside, and a sneak peak at the brilliant Cheryl Lins' new line of aged whiskies. Honestly, how else would we celebrate the 4th but with a whiskey tasting?

Barbecue prepared by Ward III chef, Coby Farrow, veteran line-cook & rock-star barback Danny Neff, and culinary school graduate Wes Bouchia.

The grill we be cooking from 5-8pm. Nice view of the fireworks a short walk away. All are welcome.

Ward III
111 Reade Street
Tribeca, NYC

Destinations: The 6th Annual Jazz Age Lawn Party at Governors Island - June 25th and 26th

Loungerati recommends the following lovely weekend event that is a must attend for any vintage aficionado worth their straw boater. Michael Arenella, one of the hardest working bandleaders I know (I actually know many!), hosts the 6th Annual Jazz Age Lawn Party on New York's Governors Island. The party goes on for two days so really there are excuses short of a weekend wash out. See you there swells!

THE 6TH BI-ANNUAL
JAZZ AGE LAWN PARTY
ON GOVERNORS ISLAND
SATURDAY & SUNDAY, June 25TH & 26TH
11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Admission $7/advance (available here),$10/door (Children Under 12 Free)

Michael Arenella and His Dreamland Orchestra invites you to join us on this hidden gem just off the southeastern tip of Manhattan, nestled in the heart of majestic New York Harbor.

Under a shady grove of centuries-old trees, caressed by fresh sea air, a sprawling green surrounded by historic officers' quarters and 18th century naval ramparts becomes the setting for a true Gatsby affair. A recession-friendly $7 advance admission gives you access to one of the Summer's most magnificent celebrations.

Widely anticipated by flappers, sporting gents and tiny tots alike, this event has been featured and reviewed consistently by The New York Times, who selected the Jazz Age Lawn Party as one of the most memorable parties of 2009 and 2010.


A wide array of music, food & drink, and activities are open for all ages to enjoy:

*Featuring special guests Gelber & Manning!
*Beautiful, real-wood '50 x '50 dance floor set up right on the lawn!
*A delightful variety of refreshing cocktails will be served by St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur and beer provided by Brooklyn Brewery.
*Gourmet entrees, sandwiches, salads and more will be for sale. Vegetarian dishes, too!
*Soda, juice, water, and other beverages available.
*Tasty desserts, old-fashioned ice cream cones and ices!
*Picnicking welcomed! (just leave the hooch at home, it's prohibited by regulations except as sold by our approved vendor at event.)
*Performances by '20s tapping sensations The Minsky Sisters
*Authentic '78 records from the 1920s played on antique phonographs by Michael Cumella of WFMU's Antique Phonograph Music Program.
*Charleston lessons by dance legend Roddy Caravella
*Vintage portraits by Tsirkus Fotografika
*1920s Motorcar Exhibition - take a spin around the island in a genuine rumble-seat; hold on to your hat!
*Vintage clothing dealers and boutique milliners Ellen Christine Millinery, Fine and Dandy Shop, Noble Savage Vintage, Zelda Magazine, & More! - They will all be peddling wares, so be sure to tuck some cash in your garter.
*Live dance performances
*Bathing Beauties & Beaus Promenade
*Tug O' War
*Parade Of Hats
*Pie Recipe Contest
**If you'd like to sign up for the pie contest, you must pre-register by emailing Sarah Liston at govislandpie@gmail.com. Bakers can sign up until midnight Fri. June 24th.

AND EVEN MORE ATTRACTIONS TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON!

Destinations: The Mermaid Parade 2011 - June 18th

Forever blowing bubbles at the Mermaid Parade

Celebrate summer a few days early! Get your fishtails out, your rubber crab claws, glittery pasties, and vintage cabanda wear, and celebrate Summer at the 28th Annual Coney Island Mermaid Parade!

The Skinny from Coney Island USA

The Mermaid Parade celebrates the sand, the sea, the salt air and the beginning of summer, as well as the history and mythology of Coney Island, Coney Island pride, and artistic self-expression. The Parade is characterized by participants dressed in hand-made costumes as Mermaids, Neptunes, various sea creatures, the occasional wandering lighthouse, Coney Island post card or amusement ride, as well as antique cars, marching bands, drill teams, and the odd yacht pulled on flatbed. 

 

Each year, a different celebrity King Neptune and Queen Mermaid rule over the proceedings, riding in the Parade and assisting in the opening of the Ocean for the summer swimming season by marching down the Beach from the Boardwalk, cutting through Ribbons representing the seasons, and tossing fruit into the Atlantic to appease the Sea Gods. In the past, David Byrne, Queen Latifah, Ron Kuby, Curtis Sliwa, Moby, David Johansen and Harvey Keitel have graced our shores, presiding over the assembled masses. This year's King Neptune, Brooklyn native Adam Richman from the Travel Channel's Man V. Food and Queen Mermaid, Cat Greenleaf from the New York Emmy Award winning television show, Talk Stoop with Cat Greenleaf!

The Parade is followed by the 9th Annual Mermaid Parade Ball at the New York Aquarium, a post-parade gathering where costumed parade participants can get together with each other and parade spectators to listen to live music, purchase raffle tickets, and watch burlesque and sideshow acts performed by some of New York City's hottest burlesque stars.

In addition to the parade festivities and Ball, we also suggest the following after party:

Yehoodi "Brooklyn Bombshell" Mermaid party at Flatbush Farms in Park Slope. 5pm. That's at 76 Saint Marks Ave at Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn.

 

(photo credit: Acid Cow)