Webster Hall

New York – You are a Wonderful Town

admin — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Some people love it; other people would rather be anyplace else. Regardless of your view, you have to admit: New York is a wonderful town. The reason why some people don’t like to be there is the reason why others love it: there is always action going on in the city. There is always something to do; something to see. It doesn’t matter if it’s two in the afternoon or two in the morning, you can find something great to do. And if you think that the city begins and ends with Time Square then you are surely wrong.

There are few cities in the world that can match the culture that you find in New York City. You have some of the best museums in the world; symphonies and opera’s; and you have what is arguably the center of the “stage” universe: Broadway. In addition, with Madison Square Garden you have one of the best sporting venues in the world. You also have dozens of live music venues, both big and small. And who can forget about the food! With so many ethnicities in the city, you can find just about any type of food you want from the top five star restaurants, to the best pizza you’ll find anywhere in the world.

The Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island

admin — Fri, 20 May 2011 00:00:00 +0000

The Bronx zoo remains open despite the disappearance of its King Cobra snake. The snake was discovered missing on Friday, March 25,2011. They say that the residents of Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island should not be alarmed as they feel the snake is still in the zoo’s reptile house. The zoo’s snake is 20 inches long and pencil thin weighing less than 3 ounces. The snake was in the holding area of the zoo and the keepers feel that she will stay in that area. The keepers have no choice but to wait until she starts to move around looking for food and water before they have any hopes of finding her. Officials say this may take many days or even weeks as the snake can go a long time without food or water.
A similar situation occurred last August when a venomous rattlesnake escaped from the Atlanta, Georgia, zoo. That snake turned up in a nearby park. In that case, the first person to find it was a 2 year old boy. The boy’s parents killed the snake fearing that animal control would not respond in time.
If residents encounter the King Cobra snake they should be extremely cautious as the snake’s venom can kill in as little as 15 minutes.

New York – a World of Entertainment in Itself

admin — Sun, 08 May 2011 00:00:00 +0000

A visitor to New York City may be well aware of entertainment available here like Broadway shows, world class opera and ballet companies, nightclubs and more. The city’s history as a home to immigrants making their way in the new world has left neighborhoods rich in the cultures of the home lands. A bit of exploring during a visit to New York City can help a traveler feel that they have seen the world.

Lower Manhattan has long been famous for Little Italy and Chinatown and their delicious restaurants. Asia and Europe are easily traversed by foot with these two neighborhoods which boast ethnic festivals and entertainment throughout the year. If a taste a Greece is desired a trip to Astoria in Queens will prove very satisfying. Greek food, music and dancing are readily available as is The Museum of the Moving Image. Elsewhere in Queens is Jackson Heights which boasts a large population from Columbia. Be sure to try the Arepas and then check out some Mambo dancing.

Some other famous ethnic neighborhoods in New York a traveler should experience include Flatbush, Brooklyn or Jamaica, Queens for their West Indian influences, Brighton Beach, Brooklyn and its Russian population , Williamsburg, Brooklyn for Israeli and Chassidic Jews or Woodlawn in the Bronx and it’s Irish influences. There are many others which can allow a visitor in New York to immerse themselves in food, entertainment and culture for anywhere in the world.

Home Security Is Important To Everyone

admin — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Many people believe that as long as they are awake, no one could possible enter our homes unnoticed. That’s why home security should be very important to everyone, especially as concerns about safety increase. That means that most of us are always thinking about ways to make our homes safer. We all know that locking our doors when we are not at home or when asleep, but there are other measures that we should take to make sure that we are safe even when we are awake. For instance, many people believe that as long as they are awake, no one could possible enter our homes unnoticed.

That is just not the case anymore with all the things that take our attention away from security. Locking the doors is always a good thing to do, even when we are going to be right there in the same room. That will prevent intrusion from those who might want to test our resolve to be safe.

Having emergency telephone numbers handy is another valuable method of making certain that help will be on its way quickly if the need should arise. Those emergency numbers should include friends and neighbors who can be there in a flash as well as ambulance and law enforcement numbers to call when needed. Staying safe means planning ahead.

The Knitting Factory club has tangled history

admin — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 00:15:00 +0000

Despite its name, the Knitting Factory isn’t another historic textile factory in the heart of New York City. However, the Factory is legendary in its own rightas a club that brought the boho back to New York. Entrepreneurs Michael Dorf and Bob Appel, transplants from Milwaukee, opened the building’s doors in Manhattan back in 1987 as an art gallery and performance space. Dorf admits that his initial reason for starting the club was to make enough money for a record label, Flaming Pie Records, which was hosting Appel’s band Swamp Thing.Experimental musicians like Sonic Youth, Yo La Tengo, Bill Frisell, and Cecil Taylor found a home at the club, after their sound made them hard sells at other jazz or rock venues. Even CBGB passed on several artists who would later make it big. The Knitting Factory took in these refugees and assured itself a place in history, while still keeping an eye toward the future.The Knitting Factory didn’t stay small forever. In 1994, the club moved from Houston Street to Tribeca, and in 2000, the owners opened up a new location in Los Angeles. In 2006, the company acquired Bravo Entertainment, a mainstream concert promoter, and renamed two Bravo clubs in Idaho and Washington Knitting Factories. Today, there are five venues bearing the Knitting Factory name.There was a moment of silence when the original Manhattan venue closed in July 2009. There was never any doubt of a reappearance, though, and barely a month and a half later, a new venue opened in Brooklyn on Metropolitan Avenue. New York art punk group Les Savy Fav broke in the new location with a crowd-pleasing performance, proving definitively that home is where you make it.

New York record labels

admin — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 22:15:16 +0000

Webster Hall is unique in that it serves as a nightclub, concert venue, and record label. While New York City might seem like a tough place for smaller labels with three of the Big Four labels in the city, all that competition can actually be a good thing. Here are some NY labels that we’d like to hear more from.

Giant Step Records: Giant Step started in 1990 as a “music and lifestyle marketing company,” focused on booking shows and connecting with clients. Their record arm was founded in 1995 to further their aims of promoting great music in the Big Apple. Recent releases include jazz saxophonist Kirk Whalum (Everything is Everything: The Music of Donny Hathaway), bassist Esperanza Spalding (Chamber Music Society), and modern soul singer Eli “Paperboy” Reed (Come and Get It!).
E1 Music (distributed by Universal): Formed as Koch Records back in 1999, this label has signed heavy-metal acts and children’s artists. While the sheer variety can be overwhelming, it seems to be workingover 100 albums have charted on Billboard’s Independent Chart. Elisabeth Withers’ new R&B album No Regrets dropped September 14, while Zakk Wylde’s heavy Black Label Society released Order of the Black on August 10.
Razor & Tie (distributed by Sony): Besides being the company responsible for the wildly popular Kidz Bop albums, Razor & Tie also maintains a wide roster of artists. Georgia group Dead Confederate (Sugar, 8/14) plays a blend of grunge and country, and Dar William’s eclectic body of folk songs is collected on Many Great Companions.
Matador Records: Chris Lombardi started Matador over 20 years ago in a small apartment in New York. Today, the list of artists who have graduated from the label is as impressive as the current roster. Pavement, The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, and Lou Reed all released material on the label at one point. The newest album is by Glasser, a solo artist who creates remarkably full-sounding songs on her debut, Ring.
Astralwerks (distributed by EMI): This primarily techno/electronic music label has been active since 1993. This is the label to go to for both ’80s synthpop hits and modern house smashes, with some folk and rock peppered in between. Current artists on the label include David Guetta, Kylie Minogue, and Hot Chip.

Manhattan bars for all occasions

admin — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 16:37:46 +0000

In Manhattan, there’s no danger of ever running out of new watering holes. Whether you’re looking for a rocking night out or a serene evening with your date, here’s our recommendations for where to hang your hat.

Pastis Bar: This French restaurant is great for either a relaxing night out or a quick stop in on your way to the night’s entertainment. The signature drink pastis is actually an aperitif from south France, and the bar features several varieties, along with cocktails and wines.
Megu: The dcor is the main draw for this bar. The cross-legged Buddha figure that sits in the heart of the restaurant under a gigantic bell-shaped lamp will initially draw eyes, but everything in the restaurant conveys uniqueness. There is a price for this experienceand you’ll probably need a reservation, too.
Alphabet Lounge: The Alphabet Lounge has been renovated since 2006 after gaining a trio of new owners. This bar represents the local talent of the city, featuring local art work and bands. The bar hasn’t forgotten its location’s history, either, and includes a mural by a Brooklyn artist celebrating the East Village’s contributions to rock.
The Bourgeouis Pig: While this bar is worth a visit for its name alone, the wine selection is nothing to scoff at, either. The Pig also features fine beers and an appetizer, fondue, and dessert menu based off the superstars of French cuisine.
East Village Tavern: Sometimes, simple is best. This aptly-named locale opened in 2008 to celebrate America’s fascination with beer. 16 rotating taps and cask ale served at 55 degrees cement its reputation as a bar to watch in the area.