I WAS THERE . . . Basia Bulat @ Bowery Ballroom – NYC

by: Amy Wagner

Canadian singer/songwriter Basia Bulat scored the opening slot at St. Vincent’s Bowery Ballroom gig and she made the most of it! Specializing in the kind of joyful tunes that make you want to romp through enchanted forests at twilight, the spunky young singer took turns switching back and forth between an auto harp and a guitar. Bulat’s songs definitely fall into the folk category but there’s nothing fey or shy and retreating about her performance. She has a husky full-bodied voice and a rousingly energetic stage presence that is nothing short of radiant. Though she only played a short set, Bulat did a great job of picking the best songs from her solid debut disc Oh, My Darling (Rough Trade). “In the Night” with it’s joie de vivre and the more thoughtful “The Pilgriming Vine” were note perfect while “I Was A Daughter” had the audience clapping along. Here’s a video of Basia Bulat singing “In the Night.”

The Daily Shortlist March 4

The Beastie Boys Take it Back to the Old School . . . Hopefully!

Location: Midtown West, NYC
Band: The Beastie Boys
Venue: Terminal 5
Food: Whistlin’ Dixie’s Texas Tavern
Drink: Druids
Miscellaneous: Ruby et Violette

Though the Beastie Boys have revisited playing instrumental on their recent album “The Mix Up,” expect them to throw down some old-school rhymes too at Terminal 5. With different drink specials for every day of the week and a Tex-mex menu, you’re almost guaranteed a good time at Whistlin’ Dixie’s Texas Tavern. The atmosphere here is fun and the food and drink aren’t expensive. With a beautiful backyard patio for dining and a menu featuring American and Irish faves like sirloin burgers ($8) and Guinness Beef Tenderloin Stew ($19), Druids is a great neighborhood bar in a less than great neighborhood. Specializing in cookies, Ruby et Violette makes some amazing and inventive kinds like the traditional chocolate chunk and toffee with vanilla chunks.

Relax: Sabon

Sabon
93 Spring Street
(btwn Broadway and Mercer Street)
New York, NY 10012
Tel: (212) 925-0742

Like a singing ice cream shop or a one eyed, clairvoyant witch, Sabon has their thing that sets them apart from the competition. Sabon is a suds shop on Spring Street that sells all natural, animal free, handmade products from Israel (yeah, don’t pretend like you knew it from the name of the place). They slice up delicious smelling soap loaves and sell it to you by the morsel. You can get a 3.5 oz piece for about $6.00. With choices like Jasmine, Clove, Lemon Grass Olive Oil or Dulce de Leche, body salts, body creams, room sprays and candles, you’ll want to bring your competitive, long distance, sniffing skills. Also, you might want to bring dirty, unwashed, stinking hands because they will be washed, scrubbed and moisturized in public bathing ritual after which your hands will be vibrating from the power of the Dead Sea. That’s their thing.

–Sheehan McGuirk