Immediate impressions - Champagne on the Park

 

Stunning setting.  Beautiful people. Delicious food.  Great vibe.  Rocking music. 
And a young man who made me feel like Gina Davis in Thelma and Louise.
Ah, Albany,I love you!

Pink House Pottery

NOT Janine's real house!  image: http://www.atopdoll.com

When Janine and Matt had their DelSo residence painted last year I wondered if that shade of pink was reeaally what they were going for.  Once their daughter was born, however, I understood.  Paint your house pink and you will have a girl baby - even after two boy babies!  Apparently the fact that my house was white and red, wasn't quite enough to make pink. 

Prior to the birth of their third child, Janine, a certified art teacher, taught pottery at the Albany Art Room.  The closure (and anticipated eventual re-opening) of the Art Room coincided beautifully with the arrival of some pink in the DelSo neighborhood and it seems that Janine has been enjoying her time at home planning her next artistic endeavor - Pink House Pottery.  We've already established our neighborhood as a great place to live, eat and shop.  It only seems natural to begin developing our area as a place to explore the arts.  I mean, the Spectrum is already here as well as Davey Jones Locker and my wonderfully talented artist neighbors, why not a pottery place, too?

Janine is competing to  win an All Over Albany - Sunmark Credit Union Startup grant of $1500 to turn her dream of having a basement studio for sharing her love of clay into a reality.  Voting ends Friday so get yourselves involved by clicking here and supporting Pink House Pottery!

Built

who doesn't love a luminaria?

For the second year in a row, I volunteered to pour wine last night at the Historic Albany Foundation's annual event, Built.  This silent auction and art exhibit highlights the use of vacant buildings in Albany and is a wonderful fundraiser, as well as being a really fun night. Mark Brogna, from Capital Wine and Spirits who donates the evening's wine offerings,  originally roped me in last year and I enjoyed myself so much that I asked him this year if I could participate again.  The attendees are seriously the nicest group of people I've ever taken care of - "What, no more Pinot Noir?  Ok, I'll have Merlot!"  I'm talking mellow and happy and appreciative. And, did I mention artfully dressed?

This year's festivities were held at the Cathedral of All Saints. Despite my having spent my first 2 years living in Albany less than a block from this magnificent edifice (if I gush a little it's just to make up for neglecting to give this building its due respect previously), I am sheepishly confessing to never having been inside it prior to last night. The cathedral is absolutely stunning and I think it is the ideal location for this event - can't wait til next year! My awesome neighbors, Lori Hansen and Ken Ragsdale were honored (along with Mark Brogna and John McLennan) for their contributions to Built over the last 10 years, which made the night that much more special. Way to represent the DelSo! The food, rumored to have been catered by the Lily and the Rose (confirmation, anyone?)  looked terrific and the brownie I indulged in met my criteria, which is - it must be able to be stuck back together in chocolate gooeyness.

A highlight for me, in addition to having some fun taking these pictures for the Times Union's SEEN gallery and the generous number of compliments I received on my vintage dress, was finding myself within a circle (natch) of women described by Lori Hansen as being "powerful women." A year ago, I felt very much like an awed witness to the contributions made by fantastic local women like Lori, Laura and Elissa, among countless others.  I am kind of amazed that a year later, I have been included in the same sentence as these ladies.   Built?  Yeah, I'd say I'm very much enjoying this life under construction. 

Lark Street is for Lovers - and art and kids

On Saturday I actually was able to bring my youngest child to an event on Lark Street without fear that he would be visually assaulted by public urination (no, Quinn, it isn't ok for people to pee outside.  Unless they're camping, of course) or intoxicated revelers.  Yes, as you could probably tell by the rainy forecast, it was Art on Lark - remarkably enough being held for  the 15th year. 

hello, awesome t-shirt

Q and I didn't have much of a game plan other than to catch Olivia Quillio's set and do a little tie-dying at the Albany Art Room.  He was a bit miffed that his soccer game had been canceled (go AYSO team Kicking and Screaming!) and promised me he wasn't going to have any fun making art.  I have to tell you, it is amazing what a little one on one time and a hot dog can do to cheer up a frustrated athlete, because he most certainly (and admittedly) did have fun.  We started with a Lark Street lap, beginning at Madison Avenue and going as far as Spring Street, at which point the passionate rage of the poets compelled us to turn around and head back south.  Along the way, we browsed the art offerings, and grabbed the aforementioned hot dog and an order of fresh spring rolls from Kinnaree ($5 for 2!) for me.  I regretted  not bringing more cash with me in my attempt to travel light, but I did buy an awesome shirt and a bar of special, handmade soap.

Olivia Quillio doing her thing

We made it back to Lark Street to catch most of Olivia's set and I was seriously impressed.  I'll be keeping my eyes open for another opportunity to see her, believe me. I totally spaced that Alta Mira was following her and missed my chance to see them, but I imagine there will be another time in the future.

Our final stop was tie-dye central at the Albany Art Room.  For $10 we got a white t-shirt and assistance with creating the masterpiece pictured here.  Seriously, if that's not a well done tie-dye, I don't know what is.  Q must have gotten some sort of latent Grateful Dead gene from his dad or maybe even his godfather.  Either way, I'll be keeping an eye on him as his chronological age catches up to his coolness age, trust me. 

Despite the sporadic rain, it was a great event and I hope the vendors were able to make a little money while they were making this Albanian proud of her city for hosting such a quality event.  It would be wonderful if Albany's elected officials could ensure that more of the city sponsored events were family friendly rather than family repellent.  Because, despite my little man's attempt at being resistant to enjoying himself, he definitely had a good time.  Yep, that's my boy.

Gingerbread Fun at the UAG

liberal with the frosting

Yesterday, Quinn and I took part in Lark Street's Winter Wonderlark activities at the Upstate Artists' Guild's Gingerbread Funhouse.  For a (small) recommended donation of $5, we were provided with a gingerbread house and an incredible array of goodies with which to eat while we sat around decorate it.  You parents out there know what a pain in the arse it would be to do this at home - lots of candy, lots of unnaturally colored frosting, lots of mess.  However, in a setting like this, decorating our gingerbread was all the fun I had ever imagined it to be!  Quinn had a blast squeezing crazy amounts of frosting "glue" on to his property and sticking gumdrops, skittles, m&m's, marshmallows, pretzels and candy canes all over, liberally sampling  treats along the way.  I really hope this is an  annual event, because we will definitely be back next year.

And - if you're looking for something festive to do today, Sunday 12/12, head down there later in the afternoon for a holiday collage card making workshop.  Fun.

not a swanky clothes event

carefully trying to get as much candy as possible on the house

note that gingerbread boy wasn't given a mouth.  i wanted him to be quiet.

Historic Albany Foundation Built Event



This is probably Lori Hansen's work.  Let's hope she doesn't mind that I borrowed it.

Saturday night I spent a little time pouring wine and beer  at a terrific event at the NYS Museum.  Now, you know I've been spending my Saturday nights (until recently) working, so this going-out-Saturday-thing is still pretty novel to me.  The reception, show and auction that I got to attend, as a perk for my karma-banking or volunteering, provided me an opportunity to mix and mingle with an entirely new crowd of people - artists! 

Unfortunately, I forgot my camera so I don't have any pictures of the event.  Suffice it to say there was some really cool art - lots of photographs, some sculptures, drawings and paintings, decorated plates and a gorgeous cabinet.  There were lots of people who did remember their cameras and I'd like to think all those pictures I saw being snapped will eventually show up somewhere where they can be viewed and you can appreciate what you may have missed.  I'm kind of a novice when it comes to these art events, so I personally didn't buy anything, although I did bid on one piece.  The drawing I found myself attracted to was actually made my neighbor here in the DelSo, Ken Ragsdale.  We've already established I know nothing about art - in case you think I'm merely being modest, allow me to remove any doubt from your mind.  It was a pencil drawing (?) and the first thing I noticed about it was the simplicity of the image as it was depicted without color.  The second thing I noted was the word "Arcadia," the name of our street.  The last thing I recognized was that the scene was a perspective of our block - and it was Ken's work.  Cool beans!  I placed a bid (above the opening price, I might add) and then never made it back to re-bid because I was occupied pouring wine (with Elissa Halloran!) and, since I was paranoid about bidding on multiple items and winning all of them, this was my sole attempt at bringing some local art flavor into my home.  Next time, I'm going bigger - promise.

There was plenty of food being butlered, as well as presented in various stations, around the Terrace Gallery.  I nibbled on some tuna sashimi served on a mound of seaweed salad, and a random piece of sushi or two - delish. I believe the catering was handled by The Lily and the Rose and they did an excellent job circulating with tidbits and replenishing the stations as necessary.  Capital Wine and Spirits provided the wine and excellent local beer from both sides of the Hudson, and the atmosphere was definitely festive - there was even a very large band playing jazz standards and some swing.  My final observation about the night is about the attendees - they were a really cool looking crowd.  Lots of unique individuals, women creatively dressed; many with ultra hip hosiery and/or shoes, men unafraid to strut their peacock feathers...it was certainly a feast for all of the senses. Put it on your calendar for next year - and I'll try to remember my camera.