What we did this weekend

Well, this weekend came nice and quickly due to the four-day week, but all the same, we were hankering for a stiff drink come 5pm.  So we decided to take advantage of the plethora of cultural resources and enrichment available in our fair city, and headed on over to Chelsea.  Gallery openings are fun if, like us, you enjoy free liquor.  However, don’t come expecting anything to absorb the wine; we only saw a meager tray of chips the whole night, and that was to make up for the fact that the snack-bearing gallery didn’t have any liquor.  (See “Gallery hopping in Chelsea” for more details).  A fine dinner at White Castle capped off the evening, as it does so many of our evenings.

On Saturday, we were super excited about seeing the Michel Gondry exhibit at the Deitch gallery in SoHo, which promised to feature pieces of the set from The Science of Sleep, i.e. Gael Garcia Bernal: The Movie.  Yeah, he’s hot.  But actually, we happen to be Gondry fans. We trekked there in great anticipation, for what we’d hoped would be the perfect opening to the fabulous Art Parade (see article).  But alas, it was closed!  Those bastards!  Yes, we understand that getting ready to be in a huge, important parade that you also run may require a large amount of preparation, but come on, post such information on your website.

Not to be deterred, however, after vowing to return again sometime soon, we marched on and secured ourselves a fine spot on the street of the day, West Broadway. We didn’t know what to expect really, but all the young kids wandering about, as well as the numerous booths of craftspeople displaying their wares, added to the arty feel of this Art Parade.  How fitting.  What followed was a wonderful orgy of music, extravagance, colors, confetti and candy.  And pair after pair of fake nipples.  I mean, there were a shitload of people wearing those things.

After this joyous affair, we were off to merry Wlliamsburg to the clothing store/design center Mandate of Heaven, for the dress rehearsal for their fall fashion extravaganza, taking place just a day after fashion week ends, September 16th, to be exact.  Since designer Carissa Ackerman is up-and-coming in the fashion world (and our good friend), we are always glad to help out, and Laura, as one of the store’s “Mandate Girls,” often lends her, ahem, talents.  Check out our review of the fashion show next week, and in the meantime, see our Links page for the Mandate of Heaven website.  See Laura lookin’ oh so fine!

After this, Laura pussed out after her long day of “hard work” modelling and partying, but Liz kept on keepin’ on.  She headed out with the fabulous Mandate Girl Claudia Lopez, to the East Village standby Sophie’s and met up with another crew.  Many frosty and delicious pints were knocked back in this small, and slightly cramped, yet delightful establishment.  After everyone was nice and full of brew, we all stumbled over to Crif Dogs for those wonderful, bacon-wrapped beef snacks that taste so damn good at 3AM.  Ah, the East Village and its tiny, denlike and newly student-filled holes.

Only one word can describe Sunday: Amadeus.  Yes, it was a day of recovery and a day of joy as we sat back and finally watched this fine classic film in all its 2 hour, 40 minute glory.  That is one long-ass goddamn film.  And there’s something terrifying about Mozart’s laugh that haunts us still.  Or, should we say, Academy Award-winning actor Tom Hulce’s laugh.

We realized late Sunday that, being as popular as we are, we’re already booked for next weekend, so stay tuned for some classic escapades, Fashion Week style!  (P.S. Liz works next to Bryant Park, so it truly affects her life, and/or commute, daily).