So mysterious. So yellow.
"Agent Snackle Mouth? This is Operative Cake Distributor. 10-4"
Mr. 306
5 years ago
Showing posts with label Hartford. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hartford. Show all posts
Monday, May 14, 2012
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Got Room?!
Saturday, May 12: The Room @ Real Art Ways, Hartford
Here at CT Scenic we like to go both ways. If we can't see a really good film, we'll just as eagerly embrace a truly terrible one - whether it's Bill Zebub's latest masterpiece (we totally know him) or The Human Centipede (Haha, remember that? How is it possible we don't have a Human Centipede tag? Someone's been asleep at the blog, obvi). And remember how The Human Centipede took forever to get to Hartford? Well, The Room took even longer. Like ten years longer. Exponentially longer! Because it's exponentially better! Or is it worse?
Widely regarded as one of the worst films ever made, The Room has been embraced by the ironic hipster masses in Rocky Horror fashion as a participatory event to relive again and again in the theater (with cat calls, props and costumes encouraged). Here's a helpful guide for newbies. The film has also inspired many a youtube auteur - much to the fury of the fΓΌhrer:
Come and experience the artless direction, the inexplicable dialogue, the graphic, gratuitous lovemaking, the ill-fitting suits, the quickly forgotten cancer, the betrayal, the possibly retarded neighbor kid, the exquisite panning shots of the Golden Gate Bridge, and a wealth of other goodies for yourselves.
We'll be there, for our second time. Because second is the best, and because Real Art Ways begged us to post about it and invited us as special guests, and we pretty much just roll over for free stuff and validation from our favorite elite culture venue.
WTF?!, right?
Here at CT Scenic we like to go both ways. If we can't see a really good film, we'll just as eagerly embrace a truly terrible one - whether it's Bill Zebub's latest masterpiece (we totally know him) or The Human Centipede (Haha, remember that? How is it possible we don't have a Human Centipede tag? Someone's been asleep at the blog, obvi). And remember how The Human Centipede took forever to get to Hartford? Well, The Room took even longer. Like ten years longer. Exponentially longer! Because it's exponentially better! Or is it worse?
Widely regarded as one of the worst films ever made, The Room has been embraced by the ironic hipster masses in Rocky Horror fashion as a participatory event to relive again and again in the theater (with cat calls, props and costumes encouraged). Here's a helpful guide for newbies. The film has also inspired many a youtube auteur - much to the fury of the fΓΌhrer:
Come and experience the artless direction, the inexplicable dialogue, the graphic, gratuitous lovemaking, the ill-fitting suits, the quickly forgotten cancer, the betrayal, the possibly retarded neighbor kid, the exquisite panning shots of the Golden Gate Bridge, and a wealth of other goodies for yourselves.
We'll be there, for our second time. Because second is the best, and because Real Art Ways begged us to post about it and invited us as special guests, and we pretty much just roll over for free stuff and validation from our favorite elite culture venue.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Compete For Our Affections Friday
Friday, June 8
Rhythm and Juke Blues Jumpup II @ Vegas Blvd
All four Scenics gave unanimous and enthusiastic approval for Part I back in April, and are looking forward to Brownbird Rudy Relic, Daddy Longlegs, Diablo Dimes and Orb Mellon's encore performance at our favorite Hartford hipster dive. Hartford has a lot of love for Rudy Relic's steel guitar performances, complete with physical stunts such as leaping through the air, rolling on the ground, dancing on his chair, and jumping right over people's heads while playin' the blues (and can do this without accidentally teabagging anyone, like the stripper from last Friday's outing).
Live Band Karaoke @ Coach's Bar and Grill
We're thrilled that our friends Bandwith Karaoke have found a Hartford home and will be kicking off their monthly gigs at Coach's. Yes, we will brave the douchestrict to watch friends and strangers live out their rock n' roll fantasies onstage, karaoke style, and maybe we will be so brave that we get onstage ourselves. Get there early to sign up!
Wry and The Sweet Ones @ Elm Bar
We have it on good authority that Elm Bar is the place to be some top-notch rock n' roll entertainment tomorrow, from CT-based Wry and Brooklyn (as in NY, not CT)-based The Sweet Ones. According to what we've heard from these bands so far, this seems to be the case, and you can't beat the $3 pricetag and now, thanks to us, new lower prices on the Guinness!
Rhythm and Juke Blues Jumpup II @ Vegas Blvd
All four Scenics gave unanimous and enthusiastic approval for Part I back in April, and are looking forward to Brownbird Rudy Relic, Daddy Longlegs, Diablo Dimes and Orb Mellon's encore performance at our favorite Hartford hipster dive. Hartford has a lot of love for Rudy Relic's steel guitar performances, complete with physical stunts such as leaping through the air, rolling on the ground, dancing on his chair, and jumping right over people's heads while playin' the blues (and can do this without accidentally teabagging anyone, like the stripper from last Friday's outing).
Live Band Karaoke @ Coach's Bar and Grill
We're thrilled that our friends Bandwith Karaoke have found a Hartford home and will be kicking off their monthly gigs at Coach's. Yes, we will brave the douchestrict to watch friends and strangers live out their rock n' roll fantasies onstage, karaoke style, and maybe we will be so brave that we get onstage ourselves. Get there early to sign up!
Wry and The Sweet Ones @ Elm Bar
We have it on good authority that Elm Bar is the place to be some top-notch rock n' roll entertainment tomorrow, from CT-based Wry and Brooklyn (as in NY, not CT)-based The Sweet Ones. According to what we've heard from these bands so far, this seems to be the case, and you can't beat the $3 pricetag and now, thanks to us, new lower prices on the Guinness!
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Men, Inc.: We totally went there
The other Scenics have really gone out of their way to help celebrate my "Birthday Week," starting Friday night with a surprise night out at the all-male revue - CT-based Men, Inc., doing their monthly-or-so gig at our favorite downtown bar, Up or On the Rocks (really, it's totally our favorite). We've joked about checking one of these things out for ages. Now we've finally been there. The other Ladies Scenic had wanted to plan a party with my very own private stripper, but that was going to be overly expensive and complicated venue-wise. We're all glad it worked out this way though. I mean, we've all had personal attention from a naked dude before. The gaggle of other scantily clad drunk broads and the douchestrict setting were what really put the night over the top for us.
The Scenics are not exactly the target demographic for these kinds of shenanigans, since nothing is really taboo or off-limits in our minds, and our actual sex lives are so incredibly hot and kinky... But how about a little recognition and respect where it's due - it was fun and different to see a bevvy of dudes with rock hard, outrageously muscled, impeccably groomed bodies. This being America, it's hard enough finding a non-obese body to enjoy. We get the odd skinny guy now and then - you know, that guy who eats and eats and eats and never gains any weight? But he's no stunner with his shirt off, just scrawny, amiright? Nevertheless, we ultimately concluded that although we liked their bodies and appreciate all the work they obviously put into them, we didn't really care for what they were actually doing with them.
Their costumes were very "Not Another Porn Movie," starting with the Sexy Police Officer, and their moves included a lot of weirdly feminine lapdance-style gyrations. The other thing they kept doing was getting chicks on stage into awkward positions on stage and dry humping them, which just seemed kind of embarrassing for all involved. We were impressed with the athleticism of the dancer known as The Main Event, who did vaults and handsprings to end up with his crotch in various gals' faces and laps. Amazingly, no one was injured, though one girl looked a bit chagrined when his scrotum grazed her scalp. If any of us tried to to anything like that, there would have been ankles sprained and teeth everywhere. Yet much as we admired these maneuvers, it was just kind of weird and icky when he put that one big-ish girl down like the base of a cheerleading pyramid and lined some other slags up on top of her and gleefully switch-hit dry-humped them all.
Always sensitive to the feelings of others, I let the fellas know that we were "mostly into chicks" - a slight deviation from reality. This only made them work my lap (and Jackie's!) twice as hard, which was cute. I was particularly partial to this hunk of manflesh - he's the rock n roll one.
Without delving too deeply into stereotypes about sex and gender, let it suffice to say that there is a difference between the all-male revue and the "gentlemen's club," and a reason why the all-male revue must subsist on monthly club nights and private gigs, but the gentlemen's club is open daily. The goal for most of the attendees for Men, Inc. seemed to be to relish the embarrassment of their friends - no so much to actually get off on the proceedings. When the guys came around to lap dance and "let it all hang out" (I'll never wash that Ed Hardy shirt again!) all the ladies in the vicinity had out their camera phones to shamelessly capture their friends in the act, and this was totally all right with the guys! But hey, with a body like that, may as well get those pictures out there! That's been my governing theory lately anyway.
Check out Men, Inc. live around CT!
The Scenics are not exactly the target demographic for these kinds of shenanigans, since nothing is really taboo or off-limits in our minds, and our actual sex lives are so incredibly hot and kinky... But how about a little recognition and respect where it's due - it was fun and different to see a bevvy of dudes with rock hard, outrageously muscled, impeccably groomed bodies. This being America, it's hard enough finding a non-obese body to enjoy. We get the odd skinny guy now and then - you know, that guy who eats and eats and eats and never gains any weight? But he's no stunner with his shirt off, just scrawny, amiright? Nevertheless, we ultimately concluded that although we liked their bodies and appreciate all the work they obviously put into them, we didn't really care for what they were actually doing with them.
Their costumes were very "Not Another Porn Movie," starting with the Sexy Police Officer, and their moves included a lot of weirdly feminine lapdance-style gyrations. The other thing they kept doing was getting chicks on stage into awkward positions on stage and dry humping them, which just seemed kind of embarrassing for all involved. We were impressed with the athleticism of the dancer known as The Main Event, who did vaults and handsprings to end up with his crotch in various gals' faces and laps. Amazingly, no one was injured, though one girl looked a bit chagrined when his scrotum grazed her scalp. If any of us tried to to anything like that, there would have been ankles sprained and teeth everywhere. Yet much as we admired these maneuvers, it was just kind of weird and icky when he put that one big-ish girl down like the base of a cheerleading pyramid and lined some other slags up on top of her and gleefully switch-hit dry-humped them all.
Always sensitive to the feelings of others, I let the fellas know that we were "mostly into chicks" - a slight deviation from reality. This only made them work my lap (and Jackie's!) twice as hard, which was cute. I was particularly partial to this hunk of manflesh - he's the rock n roll one.
Without delving too deeply into stereotypes about sex and gender, let it suffice to say that there is a difference between the all-male revue and the "gentlemen's club," and a reason why the all-male revue must subsist on monthly club nights and private gigs, but the gentlemen's club is open daily. The goal for most of the attendees for Men, Inc. seemed to be to relish the embarrassment of their friends - no so much to actually get off on the proceedings. When the guys came around to lap dance and "let it all hang out" (I'll never wash that Ed Hardy shirt again!) all the ladies in the vicinity had out their camera phones to shamelessly capture their friends in the act, and this was totally all right with the guys! But hey, with a body like that, may as well get those pictures out there! That's been my governing theory lately anyway.
Check out Men, Inc. live around CT!
Thursday, June 30, 2011
The Totes Horny Roundup
CT Scenic has been consistent and efficient in providing you dear readers with solid recommendations on local music, food, arts culture, and nightlife (well, maybe not recently... this Scenic has personally been busy kicking off the summer with a good old fashioned bender, my bad!), but one area of content that has been glaringly absent is the seedy underbelly of Connecticut! So, here is the scenic guide to CT's perviest places, and stuff to do when you're totes horny.
Adult Films. People are often surprised to find out that old fashioned adult movie houses still exist, and even more surprised to hear that we have one right here in Hartford. 3/4 of Team Scenic have actually been to the Art Cinema; not with debaucherous intentions, but to watch a burlesque documentary as part of the Hartford Film Festival. We didn't care for the movie, but were quite taken by the scenery of the rundown movie house, the porn film canisters laying about, and the general air of sleaze. And the fun doesn't stop there, oh no! Connecticut is actually home to two adult theaters, the other being the Fairmount in East Haven.
Swingers. We are aware that Hartford has an onsite swinger's club, located in a nondescript building in a shady neighborhood, that you've probably driven by a bunch of times without even realizing the pervery that goes on in there. Team Scenic is not, at this time, able to give you any kind of investigative reporting on this joint, but according to their website, they have a kickass buffet.
Ok, tangent, just for a moment? I've always been slightly disturbed by the Kahoots tagline: Lunch with a View. The thought of enjoying a turkey club while staring at a naked woman humping the floor for dollars just seems so... ew. And now, I wonder about these swingers lining up to serve themselves some baked ziti and garlic bread in the middle of reenacting a scene from Caligula. Are they naked at the buffet? Did the owners install genital guards as well as sneeze guards?
And oh yeah, speaking of strip clubs! A little piece of trivia: you are not allowed to wear SuperScenic glasses in The Gold Club. Why? We don't know! Sometimes you just know to keep your mouth shut and take off your damn glasses when the man tells you to.
Motels. The Berlin Turnpike is pretty much the go-to for any kind of motel sleaze you're looking for; there are plenty of pay by the hour rooms with huge mirrors, themed rooms such as the exotic Jungle Room (grr!). Actually, The Berlin Turnpike is probably 80% sleazy motels.
Adult Stores. Well, they're all over the damn place. Perhaps you even have one of those superstores in your town, and the townsfolk got all enraged when they found out about it. A successful chain in CT is VIP, and when I was there the other day, you know- doing research, I was disappointed to see that they no longer carry my favorite ill-advised adult novelty, The Fist. Literally, its a big rubber arm and fist.
We're sure there's much more where this came from, and don't be too shy to tell us about what goes on in your freaky little town. CT Scenic: dedicated to culturally well-rounded journalism!
Adult Films. People are often surprised to find out that old fashioned adult movie houses still exist, and even more surprised to hear that we have one right here in Hartford. 3/4 of Team Scenic have actually been to the Art Cinema; not with debaucherous intentions, but to watch a burlesque documentary as part of the Hartford Film Festival. We didn't care for the movie, but were quite taken by the scenery of the rundown movie house, the porn film canisters laying about, and the general air of sleaze. And the fun doesn't stop there, oh no! Connecticut is actually home to two adult theaters, the other being the Fairmount in East Haven.
Swingers. We are aware that Hartford has an onsite swinger's club, located in a nondescript building in a shady neighborhood, that you've probably driven by a bunch of times without even realizing the pervery that goes on in there. Team Scenic is not, at this time, able to give you any kind of investigative reporting on this joint, but according to their website, they have a kickass buffet.
Ok, tangent, just for a moment? I've always been slightly disturbed by the Kahoots tagline: Lunch with a View. The thought of enjoying a turkey club while staring at a naked woman humping the floor for dollars just seems so... ew. And now, I wonder about these swingers lining up to serve themselves some baked ziti and garlic bread in the middle of reenacting a scene from Caligula. Are they naked at the buffet? Did the owners install genital guards as well as sneeze guards?
And oh yeah, speaking of strip clubs! A little piece of trivia: you are not allowed to wear SuperScenic glasses in The Gold Club. Why? We don't know! Sometimes you just know to keep your mouth shut and take off your damn glasses when the man tells you to.
Motels. The Berlin Turnpike is pretty much the go-to for any kind of motel sleaze you're looking for; there are plenty of pay by the hour rooms with huge mirrors, themed rooms such as the exotic Jungle Room (grr!). Actually, The Berlin Turnpike is probably 80% sleazy motels.
Adult Stores. Well, they're all over the damn place. Perhaps you even have one of those superstores in your town, and the townsfolk got all enraged when they found out about it. A successful chain in CT is VIP, and when I was there the other day, you know- doing research, I was disappointed to see that they no longer carry my favorite ill-advised adult novelty, The Fist. Literally, its a big rubber arm and fist.
We're sure there's much more where this came from, and don't be too shy to tell us about what goes on in your freaky little town. CT Scenic: dedicated to culturally well-rounded journalism!
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
One night stand with a sexy out-of-towner
The Bright Light Social Hour @ Up or on the Rocks, Hartford
Our facebook friends know we've been trying to get a buzz going for this Texas band that's swinging through town this Thursday. We caught wind of them because a.) they've been living out a van on tour and they smell and b.) they're friends of our Brooklyn boyfriends, Black Taxi, who we were totally hot for at their Hartford debut. The Bright Light Social Hour fellas look and sound like damn good stuff, so we feel really lucky to catch them at a stage of their career when they don't just automatically skip Hartford (or only stop here for snacks), which is why we've been pestering you all so hard to actually turn out for this one. Check out their whole album - it's great!
We're kind of out of touch with genre, but we're pretty sure they're hipsters (the pineapple is a dead giveaway). These days everything "cool" just sounds like the Rolling Stones in their disco phase to us. By which we mean classic but funky and danceable (these are good things). And oversexed - just look at that mustache!
In deference to the short attention span and run-of-the-mill FB event invite fatigue we're sure you all experience, we've attempted to hook you by pairing this exciting band show with our first ever "Guerrilla Han Solo Bar," which will henceforth be Scenic code for something we extra especially think you should check out, even more than the other stuff we think is also worth your time. We assure you the Scenics and at least one other person that we know of will be there dressed as Han Solo (sometimes we just dress like this anyway). So of course we encourage you to get on that too. Because who doesn't enjoy shooting first, palling around with Wookies, and pairing a studly dark vest with an chest-baring pale shirt, amiright?
Monday, May 23, 2011
Hipstercana Wednesday: Sidewalk Dave & Elison Jackson
Wednesday, May 25
Elison Jackson, The Donkeys, Citay @ BAR, New Haven
Sidewalk Dave @ The Half Door, Hartford
Competing-for-our-affection on a Wednesday? Guys, really?
We've seen Elison Jackson twice, but both gigs were in private basements which we didn't feel comfortable telling you about (like anybody listens to us anyway...) and we liked them live even better than what we've heard of their recordings, which are nice and all, but don't quite convey Sam's delicate Thom Yorke/guy from a band you've never heard of-esque vocal delivery or the chemistry of the current band lineup. So we're looking forward to their upcoming release, which is now in the works with that guy from M.T. Bearington we met that one time. We'd see them again, in a basement or wherever they may roam! In a box, with a fox, etc.
Elison Jackson will be the local boys on a gig with Californians The Donkeys and Citay, who we are too lazy to check out in the context of a post about our CT hipstercana favs. This Wednesday night indie rock interlude is brought to you, as always, by Manic Productions.
Do you ever notice how we plug the same stuff over and over again? That's on purpose. You want to know every crap thing going on at every club with no regard to quality or style? That's somebody else's actual job. This is our passion, and there's only so much of it to go around. And there's only so many people of taste in the state. We can't be spreading them too thin either.
Speaking of passion, Sidewalk Dave returns this week for their monthly Half Door gig. They are celebrating their new EP release, Can't be Your Friend (which you can preview right there at the link). We're sufficiently turned on by Dave's explicit lyrical references to sexual acts and bloody dismemberment set to pleasant, jaunty indie/alt-country melodies, but have to admit to being less than enamored with this cover art.
(appetite for self-destruction)
We hope you appreciate the depth of artistic integrity it takes for us to unfavorably critique our favorite things - even just the CD cover. In point of fact, the Scenics have a well-documented history in support of women disrobing (and most recently, a song about a Disrober - we're all about that shit!), but this particular composition of vacant-eyed chicks as visual props just leaves us flat. It's also weirdly familiar.
(I think we've seen this movie too)
Saturday, May 21, 2011
The Gay Movies
May 26-June 4: The Connecticut Gay and Lesbian Film Festival @ Cinestudio, Hartford
First of all, we'd like to wish the film festival a very happy 24th birthday, and excluding only the Hartford Art Cinema, we couldn't think of a better venue to celebrate in than Trinity's lovely Cinestudio.
From the looks of things on the festival's website, we can all look forward to a diverse offering of short and feature length queer films. We are particularly interested in a short from Canada, titled "5 Dysfunctional People in a Car", (which is one person away from being "Team Scenic in a Car") based on this description: A 43-year-old woman, her 21-year-old boyfriend, her unhappily married sister, an aging mother and a burgeoning lesbian niece take a ride into discontent one winter's afternoon.
Then, there is another short titled "Gayby" on Saturday, that comes with this disclaimer: Warning: this film contains an incredibly awkward sex scene. Well, regardless of your sexual preference, we can all relate to that.
On the last day of the festival, there is a promising looking feature film called "Going Down in La La Land" and we're not just saying that because of the strong possibility of hot male nudity- really! From what we got from the trailer, this looks like it may be one of the standouts of the festival, funny and intense.
OH! And if you ACT NOW! (or very, very soon), you can get tickets at a discounted rate through Groupon. See you at the gay movies!
First of all, we'd like to wish the film festival a very happy 24th birthday, and excluding only the Hartford Art Cinema, we couldn't think of a better venue to celebrate in than Trinity's lovely Cinestudio.
From the looks of things on the festival's website, we can all look forward to a diverse offering of short and feature length queer films. We are particularly interested in a short from Canada, titled "5 Dysfunctional People in a Car", (which is one person away from being "Team Scenic in a Car") based on this description: A 43-year-old woman, her 21-year-old boyfriend, her unhappily married sister, an aging mother and a burgeoning lesbian niece take a ride into discontent one winter's afternoon.
Then, there is another short titled "Gayby" on Saturday, that comes with this disclaimer: Warning: this film contains an incredibly awkward sex scene. Well, regardless of your sexual preference, we can all relate to that.
On the last day of the festival, there is a promising looking feature film called "Going Down in La La Land" and we're not just saying that because of the strong possibility of hot male nudity- really! From what we got from the trailer, this looks like it may be one of the standouts of the festival, funny and intense.
OH! And if you ACT NOW! (or very, very soon), you can get tickets at a discounted rate through Groupon. See you at the gay movies!
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Phallic Artistry at Elizabeth Park
We haven't featured much art that looks like a penis here lately, have we? Hey, this sculpture at Hartford's Elizabeth Park looks like whale peen! They're bendy.
The lady Scenics observed this on an idyllic afternoon at the park recently, one of those Sundays when it wasn't raining. We're looking forward to the majesty of the rose garden (where we're all gonna gay-marry each other one day), and maybe taking the brunch shift at The Pondhouse Cafe some time soon.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
$5 Movies
We've already told you about the late night screenings of old favorites in Hartford and New Haven, but in case you're new, or just not paying attention, here are a few movie outings you may be interested in.
~Friday May 20 and Saturday May 21- Pink Floyd: The Wall @ The Criterion, New Haven
Have you been feeling nostalgic about taking LSD and watching some fucked up shit? Here ya go.
~Friday May 20 and Saturday May 21- The Rocky Horror Picture Show @ Bow Tie Cinema, Hartford
What is going on here? We've noticed that Rocky Horror has been playing pretty regularly at Bow Tie over the last few months, but haven't heard anything about a live cast performing alongside the movie. Anyone want to organize one? We have a veteran Rocky Horror performer right here on Team Scenic.
Spot the Scenic, and win a prize*!
~Friday May 27 and Saturday May 28- Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan @ The Criterion, New Haven
....we should also organize some audience participation to go with this one.
~Friday May 27 and Saturday May 28- Pee Wee's Big Adventure @ Bow Tie Cinema, Hartford
Amazing Larry is the most underrated character of this beloved movie (obviously).
*a photoshop of you with Tim Curry
~Friday May 20 and Saturday May 21- Pink Floyd: The Wall @ The Criterion, New Haven
Have you been feeling nostalgic about taking LSD and watching some fucked up shit? Here ya go.
~Friday May 20 and Saturday May 21- The Rocky Horror Picture Show @ Bow Tie Cinema, Hartford
What is going on here? We've noticed that Rocky Horror has been playing pretty regularly at Bow Tie over the last few months, but haven't heard anything about a live cast performing alongside the movie. Anyone want to organize one? We have a veteran Rocky Horror performer right here on Team Scenic.
Spot the Scenic, and win a prize*!
~Friday May 27 and Saturday May 28- Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan @ The Criterion, New Haven
....we should also organize some audience participation to go with this one.
~Friday May 27 and Saturday May 28- Pee Wee's Big Adventure @ Bow Tie Cinema, Hartford
Amazing Larry is the most underrated character of this beloved movie (obviously).
*a photoshop of you with Tim Curry
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Farm to Street... specifically, Broad St.
We'd been hearing rumors that the chefs from Middletown's It's Only Natural were going to start a vegan food truck business, but didn't have any details- until I came into work on Thursday, to find this friendly note from a thoughtful coworker:
The Billings Forge Farmer's Market is a nice place to enjoy your lunch break on a Thursday. Besides selling produce, bread and cheese from local farms, vendors also sell artisan soaps and other handmade goods, cargo bikes, and there is usually some kind of live music going on. I got a cup of organic fair trade coffee from Bean and Leaf before going to check out the GMonkey Truck.
Oh, such options! I had run into a scenic pal who recommended the black bean burger, and yet another scenic pal who had nice things to say about the spicy peanut noodles and the smoothies. I was interested in the chili, but decided to get the burger instead.
Ok, friendly suggestion? More burger, less bread. Maybe even less bread, and a few GMonkey fries (those are the sweet potato fries that are so delicious at ION). A few bites in, I realized it would be in my best interest to take the top pieces of bread off and actually enjoy the flavor of chipotle and pesto, which is what I was going for. The black bean patty was quite tasty, but for $7, eh... I wound up throwing that bread away.
Anyway, the GMonkey truck will be at Billings Forge every Thursday, and that is good. They also have a regular gig in Durham, and possibly Bushnell Park. Check out their calendar on facebook, and if you beg them hard enough, maybe you can get tasty organic vegan truck food where you live.
The Billings Forge Farmer's Market is a nice place to enjoy your lunch break on a Thursday. Besides selling produce, bread and cheese from local farms, vendors also sell artisan soaps and other handmade goods, cargo bikes, and there is usually some kind of live music going on. I got a cup of organic fair trade coffee from Bean and Leaf before going to check out the GMonkey Truck.
Oh, such options! I had run into a scenic pal who recommended the black bean burger, and yet another scenic pal who had nice things to say about the spicy peanut noodles and the smoothies. I was interested in the chili, but decided to get the burger instead.
Ok, friendly suggestion? More burger, less bread. Maybe even less bread, and a few GMonkey fries (those are the sweet potato fries that are so delicious at ION). A few bites in, I realized it would be in my best interest to take the top pieces of bread off and actually enjoy the flavor of chipotle and pesto, which is what I was going for. The black bean patty was quite tasty, but for $7, eh... I wound up throwing that bread away.
Anyway, the GMonkey truck will be at Billings Forge every Thursday, and that is good. They also have a regular gig in Durham, and possibly Bushnell Park. Check out their calendar on facebook, and if you beg them hard enough, maybe you can get tasty organic vegan truck food where you live.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Cinco de Mayo happenings at City Steam
Drink away your Cinco de Mayo to the sweet sounds of Shuli Egar, John Tole and CT local Claudia Stavola. They will be at City Steam this Thursday to hilarify you and raise funds for our most favorite film festival, the Silk City Flick Fest. You're not having deja vu, we went to a very similar fundraiser last year, and had a super time. Shuli made all our favorite kinds of jokes; penis jokes, Jewish jokes, midget jokes, etc... but even better was when another comedian dropped the "faggot"-bomb, and all the homosexuals in the audience dramatically gasped in unison. Well, that guy apparently was not invited back, but judging by the blow-up doll on Claudia's webpage, she is our kind of lady. Come down, drink delicious local beer, hear funny things, and support this year's film festival!PS. We know downtown sux, but there will be free parking on Morgan Street!
Monday, May 2, 2011
"The Mother of Them All!"
Saturday May 7 and Sunday May 8: Mommie Dearest at Bowtie Cinema, Hartford @ 11am
Looking for something special to do with mom this weekend? Take her to a screening of the unintentionally hilarious mother-from-hell biopic, Mommie Dearest! This Mother's Day classic has played in years past at New Haven's Criterion Cinema, but this year, Hartford will be getting the wire hanger treatment.
You know, Bow Tie should really consider a Mother's Day screening of Fitzscenic family favorite mom movie, Serial Mom. My own mother actually introduced me to this movie when it came out in the 90s, and inadvertently started my undying love for everything John Waters. My mom regards Kathleen Turner's character as some kind of personal role model, but really, who hasn't fantasized about murdering someone for simply getting on your nerves?
As legend has it, Mom Fitzscenic even made a little prank call to one of her friends one intoxicated night, imitating the obscene phone call Serial Mom makes in the movie (you'll have to google that one yourself).
Looking for something special to do with mom this weekend? Take her to a screening of the unintentionally hilarious mother-from-hell biopic, Mommie Dearest! This Mother's Day classic has played in years past at New Haven's Criterion Cinema, but this year, Hartford will be getting the wire hanger treatment.
You know, Bow Tie should really consider a Mother's Day screening of Fitzscenic family favorite mom movie, Serial Mom. My own mother actually introduced me to this movie when it came out in the 90s, and inadvertently started my undying love for everything John Waters. My mom regards Kathleen Turner's character as some kind of personal role model, but really, who hasn't fantasized about murdering someone for simply getting on your nerves?
As legend has it, Mom Fitzscenic even made a little prank call to one of her friends one intoxicated night, imitating the obscene phone call Serial Mom makes in the movie (you'll have to google that one yourself).
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Shag Frenzy is back
Tonight: Shag Frenzy @ Arch Street Tavern in Hartford
Shag Frenzy, the "indie disco night" hosted by a husband-and-wife DJ team, was wildly popular in its day and hopped around to several venues before calling it quits. Much to the delight of well, anyone who ever enjoyed dancing their ass off at this hipster fest, Shag Frenzy will be returning to Hartford on the third Saturday of each month, this time at the Arch Street Tavern.
We've never been regulars at this event, but always appreciated the fun atmosphere and setlists that include punk, new wave, disco, and britpop. Shag Frenzy, Connecticut needs you. Welcome back.
Shag Frenzy, the "indie disco night" hosted by a husband-and-wife DJ team, was wildly popular in its day and hopped around to several venues before calling it quits. Much to the delight of well, anyone who ever enjoyed dancing their ass off at this hipster fest, Shag Frenzy will be returning to Hartford on the third Saturday of each month, this time at the Arch Street Tavern.
We've never been regulars at this event, but always appreciated the fun atmosphere and setlists that include punk, new wave, disco, and britpop. Shag Frenzy, Connecticut needs you. Welcome back.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Brownbird back again
Saturday, April 23: Brownbird Rudy Relic @ Vegas Blvd., Hartford
Rudy Relic has a rabid little Hartford following and not for nothing. I caught his act (check the sexy FB gallery!) a few months back and was just floored by his antics - performing sans microphone or amplification, rolling around on the floor, jumping off the stage, inviting audience participation, and rocking his very slick signature skinny tie/wingtips look, as seen in this here music video:
You may have read about the Scenic charm of "Vague-ass Boulevard" here before... You won't want to miss this colliding of the spheres - hot, original talent, giant beers and obesifying treats! Last week all four Scenics were together in the same room, an unprecedented first, believe it or not. The lure of Rudy Relic should be sufficient to bring about a second such gathering. Consider it the All-Scenic seal of approval, a high standard from Hartford's second best local blogger(s). no? See you there? Stalk you later?
You may have read about the Scenic charm of "Vague-ass Boulevard" here before... You won't want to miss this colliding of the spheres - hot, original talent, giant beers and obesifying treats! Last week all four Scenics were together in the same room, an unprecedented first, believe it or not. The lure of Rudy Relic should be sufficient to bring about a second such gathering. Consider it the All-Scenic seal of approval, a high standard from Hartford's second best local blogger(s). no? See you there? Stalk you later?
Friday, March 25, 2011
Fahrenheit 860
WHAT: "Investigate Building 7: A Call to Reexamine the Most Important Event of Our Time"
WHERE: Millard Auditorium, University of Hartford, 200 Bloomfield Ave, West Hartford
WHEN: Saturday, March 26 9:30am - 9:30pm
This weekend WWUH presents a call-to-action focusing on "Building 7", a third building in the World Trade Center complex, that fell hours after the intitial collapse of the twin towers. Examination of the available evidence does not support the official explanation of a fire-induced collapse, and concerned citizens are urging officials in NY to open an investigation. A panel of experts including writers, researchers, engineers and 9/11 family members will present the overwhelming evidence supporting the need to reexamine the events of 9/11.
The schedule can be found and other info can be found here.
WHERE: Millard Auditorium, University of Hartford, 200 Bloomfield Ave, West Hartford
WHEN: Saturday, March 26 9:30am - 9:30pm
This weekend WWUH presents a call-to-action focusing on "Building 7", a third building in the World Trade Center complex, that fell hours after the intitial collapse of the twin towers. Examination of the available evidence does not support the official explanation of a fire-induced collapse, and concerned citizens are urging officials in NY to open an investigation. A panel of experts including writers, researchers, engineers and 9/11 family members will present the overwhelming evidence supporting the need to reexamine the events of 9/11.
The schedule can be found and other info can be found here.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Happy unbirthday Guerrilla Queer Bar
Thursday, March 24: Guerrilla Queer Bar v.9 @ TBA, Hartford-ish
Wow, this week marks 9 months of Guerrilla Queer Bar! That's long enough to make a baby, if you swing that way (Yuck!). Good thing at the very first Guerrilla Queer Bar those safe sex advocates who showed up gave out all those rainbow condoms, so there's no GQB baby boom to worry about!
Maybe you're new to the blog, or life, or alternative culture... Glad to have you! Guerrilla Queer Bar is a monthly GLBTA (the "A" is for allies or "Anyone but Assholes") gathering that descends upon a different bar each month, much to the inevitable delight of that unsuspecting bar. Location is announced the day of or day before-ish via the Facebook group, or here on the blog if we're feeling unusually diligent. It's hardly original, but it never gets old.
YAY SIDEWALK DAVE TIME AGAIN!
Wednesday, March 23: Sidewalk Dave @ The Half Door, Hartford
In recent months we've seen a bunch of Sidewalk Dave's pals and members playing with their also-awesome bands, but we haven't made it to an actual SD gig in some time. People are liable to think we're breaking up. But we're totally not. In fact, things are hotter than ever, especially with bass player Mike back in the band, making it a one-to-one boy-girl Sidewalk Dave to Scenics ratio, which would be like totally perfect if all the Lady Scenics were straight... So, OK, there was the requisite bit of "we're in love with Sidewalk Dave" for the post. But seriously, we are. They're so good. And just look at them! Whatever, who needs one-to-one? It's a Wednesday night gig, which means $2 Irish pints. Even we can afford that, and envision a several-beers-to-Scenic ratio. Check out their latest Youtube action (thanks guys for the steady stream of fresh stuff to post!), a slide show video which includes many topless pictures and some locales you may recognize.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Fancy groceries in Hartford
Hartford has been atwitter for some time now about the prospect of groceries downtown. Ah, Downtown Hartford, where they forgot to put residents and necessities. Well, there's nothing like making up for lost time. We didn't know quite what to expect. From the way "everyone" talked about the "need" for a "real grocery store" in Hartford, we pictured something a little more practical. So the reality of The Market at Hartford 21 proved to be a delightful, whimsical surprise for three out of four Scenics enjoying a lazy Sunday together.
After an initial WTF moment over the cereal bar.
But fine, OK, this is sort of a practical idea - people working in Hartford might want something boring for breakfast, and it's a nod to the American tendency to aspire to such an air of carefree and casual that to take the "trouble" to bring identical ordinary cereal from home would be unthinkable.
Moving on. We were wowed by thing after thing. Like the fresh pasta bar.
And the homemade gelato, with appalling flavors like Bacon and Bloody Mary. The staff were friendly and invited us to try a sample. The bacon flavor was less disgusting than it sounds, but we'll stick to the less adventurous varieties on return visits.
The prepared foods looked fancy and delicious and put Whole Foods to shame (not that that's such a stress - ugh, Whole Foods prepared foods...). We drooled over pork shanks and crab cakes and forbidden rice.
Good thing we didn't visit this joint hungry. We wouldn't have been able to resist peanut butter and chocolate cupcakes or the array of Nassau chocolates and candy. Or sushi and appetizers by Ginza. Or quail eggs and elitist CT soda.
We were impressed by tasteful displays like this one (Grandma's CT soaps smell amazing!):
And displayed our usual poor taste around the whole dead pig and some phallic vegetables (we were too tired for pointing today, but we got a friend to stand in):
Today's visit on full stomachs and empty wallets was all gawking, no buying. But we all agree that The Market is a welcome addition to Hartford and we'd totally eat there.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
We'll have what she's having!
Friday March, 11 - Wednesday, March 17: Orgasm, Inc. @ Real Art Ways, Hartford
This Friday we can all have an Orgasm (Inc.) at Real Art Ways, which is good news, because Real Art Ways is great - the best, no, really, love them - but we've been there so many times, lately it sometimes feels routine, perfunctory. And sometimes we have a headache. We've been waiting for just such a thing to bring that spark back to our relationship.
But seriously, this film looks educational, and it's going to be about female anatomy and sexuality and appears to feature middle aged women, and that always makes people uncomfortable! It's about attempts by the pharmaceutical industry to create "a Viagra for women" (we'd totally try it, but there's not much we wouldn't). So it's about the modern medicalization of every aspect of your being, and how there's nothing about you that a little chemical tweaking couldn't improve. But in a lighthearted way.
The film's director, Liz Canner, will be Skyping in after Saturday's show, and on opening night (Friday), they're promising free chocolate. You know, women and their chocolate.
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