Antonio’s Guide To April

Antonio Miniño — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 03:54:01 +0000

It’s creeping up, you can tell by the rainy days and not-so-freezing weather. There’s also that mixed fashion I so love in Spring and the month of April; half the population is braving the still somewhat crisp temperatures and taking off the layers and boots, while the other is still hiding behind the winter parkas that will soon be packed in storage boxes or donated to Goodwill.

These are a couple of suggestions of things that make me go Yes! plus places and events you shouldn’t miss out on during the month of April.

April Wear

The most important element that should grace the wardrobe of both men and women in April is a new pair of shades, and by new I mean old. Retro is the fresh look for Spring 2010, from round glasses (Gaga goes googoo over them), retro Ray-Bans (color me 80s), and always in fashion – not leaving us anytime soon – aviator or pilot glasses.

Jeremy Scott Mickey Mouse Glasses

Ray-Ban

And if you think eye-wear is a thing for the geeks, think again! Stop spending money on contact lenses and embrace the sexy. What used to be nerd-wear is now steaming hot. Just make sure they are fashionably sensitive … and guess what? You don’t need glasses? Make a statement! Get your hands on a pair anyways – they are the accessory of the season.

Tom Ford

April Eats

Spring is all about the Bowery scene, don’t miss this special eat-treat happening this weekend – Travertine restaurant and owner, Danae Cappelletto will host an Alice in Wonderland themed costume party this Easter Sunday, April 4th with music by Tyger Lily.

Travertine

The party will start with a trippy, electronic, candy-coated brunch at 12pm that will float into an evening of music and fine food! In-house Mixoligist, Courtney Bae has created a speciality cocktail using Vieux Carré absinthe. The ‘White Rabbit’, combines fresh lemon juice, grapefruit juice, ginger infused simple syrup and dry prosecco served in a champagne flute. Alice in Travertineland is a bohemian sipping disco queen, with a palate to envy! She never misses the party, especially a costume party! Don your best Alice in Wonderland inspired getup and head down to celebrate Easter. Travertine is located at 19 Kenmare Street, New York, NY

April Care

Earth Day is April 22 and there are a number of events in the city of New York celebrating, informing and most importantly creating a greener understanding during this day and the whole month of April. You can act right now by joining the “b the E” campaign, and showing your support for a greener planet. The campaign evokes Gandhi’s quote: “Be the change you want to see in the world.” You can join the E campaign and check out the different happenings that day – even share your green ideas.

Adrian Grenier for "b the E"

April Films

Here comes the Neighborhood! The Tribeca Film Festival begins April 21st and the selections this year will not disappoint. From Arias With A Twist: The Docufantasy (documentary of the hit show at HERE Arts Center) to Zonad (selection from Ireland), not taking advantage of these flicks would just be plain foolish.

They recently announced it will be hosting the gala premiere of Letters to Juliet (featuring Amanda Seyfried) on April 25. The Tribeca Film Festival will also hold a special presentation of My Own Love Song, from director Olivier Dahan (La Vie en Rose) and featuring original music from Bob Dylan.

Arias With A Twist: A Docufantasy

Be sure to pick up your tickets as soon as they go on sale. If you have a My Tribeca account, you can start planning your schedule now by saving My Own Love Song and Letters to Juliet to your calendar!

April Final Must

Lets head out to Brooklyn shall we, to Galapagos Art Space to be exact. This is where the troupe of Suspended Cirque will be every Sunday in April, and all they ask of you is that you be ready to look up. Sundays belong to the aerial cabaret of Swingin’ at Jack’s. Travel back to the year 1947, when Jack’s was the hottest place in town. Mingle with Jack’s saucy French maître d’, two flirty cigarette girls, a sultry songstress, a strapping stagehand, and the famous Jack himself. Watch the drama unfold in the air and on the floor – with sass, class, a wink and a smile – backed by the best live jazz in town.

Suspended Cirque

Galapagos Art Space (16 Main Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201)
Sundays April 4, 11, 18 & 25 at 8:00 pm (pre-show at 7:30 pm)
$25 Adult / $20 Student, Union, or 40’s Costume ($15 drink min at island tables)
Tickets now on sale.

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Special thanks to everyone who emailed me their suggestions (If you would like to be considered for mention in a future monthly guide, send information to Antonio@thehappiestmedium.com with Guide To [and the month] as the subject).

Book/Movie Tie-Ins: Alice In Wonderland

Diánna Martin — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 15:42:25 +0000

Tea, Anyone? (Photo courtesy of Screenrant.com)

I’m very excited about Tim Burton’s new take on Alice In Wonderland. I honestly can’t think of anyone else who could bring the tale to the screen and give it that surreal (read: trippy) quality that it properly deserves. The cast is amazing and includes Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Mia Wasikowska, Stephen Fry, Crispin Glover, Anne Hathaway, Christopher Lee, Matt Lucas, Alan Rickman, and Michael Sheen. I’m about as excited to see Rickman as the Caterpillar as I am Depp as The Mad Hatter! (“Whoooo Are Yooooou?” lol)

What is also delightful is that with the interest in the film, people are descending upon bookstores to pick up the works of Lewis Carroll and familiarize themselves with the lovely stories of Alice and her Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass (since the movie seems to be not a remake of Alice in Wonderland, but a mix of both tales?). This crossover interest in literature happens with most films; I work for a bookseller, and we always tie in big films/events with the books available (and sometimes create new titles) to go with them. Of course, it doesn’t always work; I spoke to a book Buyer who said “It’s really hit or miss. I find these things are a blip on the screen unless the book is already established on its own.”

The new Alice in Wonderland leatherbound book published by Barnes & Noble

Well, Lewis Carroll’s works are well-established; I have a leatherbound volume given to me by my sister about twenty-five years ago. And now, Barnes & Noble has updated its leatherbound edition of Carroll’s works in the title: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland & Other Stories (9781435122949) that is a re-packaging of Lewis Carroll’s complete works, but has lovely engraving in pink, gold, and black, with the classic illustrations on the inside. The book is published by Barnes & Noble’s Merchandising department – so you won’t find it at Amazon, unless someone bought one at B&N and then sold it there.

Looks lovely for any collection.

That said, some of you who are used to the standard maroon/gold leatherbound that has been sold for years by B&N may want to hit the stores to scoop up the remaining copies; this new version is hitting warehouses and is now the new (read: only) leatherbound version available on the website.

What are your thoughts on the new leatherbound Alice? I’d like to know what people think about it as well as book/movie tie-ins in general. Does one effect your other when it comes to reading?

The movie Alice In Wonderland directed by Tim Burton comes out March 5th.

(Thanks to Screenrant.com for movie info.)

The Happiest Medium » Alice In Wonderland