Jane’s Carousel,come ride with me...

If like me you are still a child at heart you need to visit Jane’s Carousel in the Dumbo section of Brooklyn, where it is magically set on the East River, between the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges.

The Carousel was created in 1922 by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company, it was originally installed in Idora Park in Youngstown, Ohio.

Bought at auction by Jane and David Walentas on October 21, 1984. Their bid for the entire Carousel prevented it from being sold off piecemeal.

It is a classic 3-row machine with 48 carved horses, and 2 chariots. The wood carvings, often attributed to John Zalar and Frank Carretta, are among the finest of their kind. In addition, the scenery panels, rounding boards, crests, center pole and platform are all original to the Carousel. It was the first Carousel to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Carousel is now housed in a spectacular Pavilion designed by Pritzker Prize winning French architect Jean Nouvel. 

The carousel is operated year-round for the enjoyment of children of all ages. $2 admission.

http://janescarousel.com/

A bientôt,

Pierre Candra

for NicNat Chat!

HAPPY HOURS !

When in vacation,other then the sun and the pool what I really enjoy when in Palm Springs is the ritual of happy hours and specially the fact to go in the yard and pic-king up the grapefruits off the tree and start the cocktails.

The official drink in my house is the Sea Breeze but doing it with fresh juice  make all the difference.

Sea Breeze Cocktail

1 1/2 oz vodka

4 oz cranberry juice

1 oz grapefruit juice

Pour vodka over ice into highball glass. Add mixers. May be garnished with a wedge of lime.

This trip I came up with a new drink,could not find anything approaching on the web,it’s a variation on a Mojito,so I call it Palm Springs Mojito.

Palm Springs Mojito

1 part Malibu Rum

2 parts grapefruit Juice

Club Soda

How to mix the drink

In a glass pour the grapefruit Juice 1/2 tea spoon of sugar,muddle 6/8 mint leaves.Fill with crushed ice,pour the Rum and finish with some Club Soda.

If you like strong drinks just add some rum and if your grapefruits are really sweet forget the sugar.

Enjoy around the pool...

A bientôt,

Pierre Candra

for NicNat Chat!

            

2012 Easter Parade and Easter Bonnet Festival in New York City

In 1933, American songwriter Irving Berlin wrote the music for a revue on Broadway,It included his song "Easter Parade". The song became a standard, and fifteen years later was the basis for the film Easter Parade,a  movie I discoverd growing up in Paris.I will always remember Judy Garland strolling 5th Avenue in her best Easter outfit, and wanted one day to do the same.

Hat Master Stephen Jones.

The New York City Easter Parade has been an annual tradition since Civil War days and features marchers in elaborate Easter finery, including some of the fanciest Easter bonnets imaginable.Home mades,stores bought,retro styles,men and women wore all type of bonnets.

From little kids to draqueens,all of New York was strolling 5th Avenue

The Easter parade is an American cultural event consisting of a festive strolling procession on Easter Sunday. Typically, it is a somewhat informal and unorganized event, with or without religious significance. Persons participating in an Easter parade traditionally dress in new and fashionable clothing, particularly ladies' hats, and strive to impress others with their finery. The Easter parade is most closely associated with Fifth Avenue in New York City, but Easter parades are held in many other cities. Starting as a spontaneous event in the 1870s, the New York parade became increasingly popular into the mid-20th century.

An old Irish adage stated "For Christmas, food and drink; for Easter, new clothes," and a 15th-century proverb from Poor Robin's Almanack states that if on Easter Sunday some part of one's outfit is not new, one will not enjoy good luck during the year.

The bests dressed award go to this two ladies,they knew how to work it.

And for the lucky one who are in NYC, you have until April 15 to go see the wonderful exhibit : « Hats : An Anthology by Stephen Jones «  at the Brad Graduate Center.One of the bests costume exhibit ever.

http://www.bgc.bard.edu/gallery/gallery-at-bgc.html

A bientôt,

Pierre Candra

for NicNat Chat!