Ruddy Was Here
I love my funky new cuff from NYChameleon Jewels! I’m a very picky shopper, but the fact that my friend Cristina was able to pick something out for me says something about the diversity and quality of the jewelry. The boutique mainly caters to women. Set time aside to go get cute and get your jewelry for the Summer!
Photo by Ruddy Harootian
NYChameleon Jewels - 204 W 14th St (between 7th Ave & Avenue Of The Americas) New York, NY 10011
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I make it into a new column called Videos Worth a Damn by Afar Magazine. Score! To check out all the art underground for yourself sign up for the next art crawl this May 19th via Skillshare. I can’t wait to show you around.
This week’s Travel Videos Worth a Damn takes a closer look at arts and culture in an urban environment, spanning three continents, from the art of the underground in New York City, to tango in Buenos Aires, to Gaudi’s iconic architecture in Barcelona. “The Art Underground,” by Tim Sessler: While…
Mysterious legs have appeared in New York City’s SoHo. Without a doubt, this is one of the most whimsical installations I’ve seen in the area in a while. If you happen to pass by Prince Street (corner of Mercer Street), make sure to check it out! Who knows how long these fabulous legs will remain.
Photography by Ruddy Harootian
I miss Jade from America’s Next Top Model. The original Gone with the Wind FABULOUS! haha
Now Twirl!
The legendary Juan Rivera and the one and only house of Xtravaganza have inspired a new play that is called Neon Baby. There is so much to like!
For those of you who know anything about the ballroom scene or have at least seen the movie Paris is Burning, you will be familiar with a few of the stories that make up this play. I’ll take it even further and say that anyone that is into drag race will also be really into this production. Having that said, the messages in the play are very universal and anyone can appreciate the young talent on stage. I was laughing and dancing throughout the entire show!
This is a story about someone trying to find themselves in a sea of obstacles. It’s a story about love. It’s a story about family. Most importantly, it’s a story about the ties we make and the family we choose to be in our life.
The show only runs until June 2 and Pregones theater is in the Bronx, so the odds may not seem like they are in your favor BUT please suck it up and take the train up there to support this wonderful endeavor. i felt represented and the hard work Pregones theater put into this production was noted by everyone in the audience with a standing ovation.
Directed by Jorge Merced
The street art duo Icy and Sot has left their mark in NYC’s SoHo. This is completely charming!
As seen on Thompson Street (corner of Prince Street).
Photography by Ruddy Harootian
If you have not experienced my NYC Subway Art Crawl yet, you are in luck. I have scheduled another tour on May 19, 2013 at 3PM!
The Art Underground is a NYC Subway Art crawl where you will learn about nine of the artists that have participated in the NYC Arts for Transit program. The “crawl” is a unique experience to see art in a completely new environment, away from the structured and traditional space a museum provides. The sights and sounds of New York provide a backdrop to a wonderful art crawl that feels like you are in an urban art history class.
The focus of the class is to explore how we perceive art in this new underground environment, as well as learning the stories behind the works we will visit.
You can sign up via Skillshare and the class is only $15 per person. Hurry, as I only allow 20 participants per class due to the nature of the tour.
The images above show how fun and interactive the tour can be. Participants pose with Memories of Twenty Third Street by Keith Goddard. I love Instant film! Can you spot my mom?
Photography by Ruddy Harootian
I recently visited Fort Tryon Park and discovered the work of Alan Binstock. The artist, who was born and raised in the Bronx, has a few pieces on display until September 2013.
My favorite was Third Portal. Using glass, resin and steel, Binstock is able to create works that inspire self reflection.
Photography by Ruddy Harootian
Kinky Boots hit the Broadway scene with a bang and now has 13 Tony nominations to show off. I saw this a few weeks ago and absolutely LOVED it. Billy Porter, who plays the role of drag superstar Lola, gave me the chills with his showstopper voice and theatrics. If you see one play all year, please let it be this one!
Who can say “No” to a play that delivers the message of acceptance all wrapped up in a fun party with music by the fierce Cyndi Lauper? Not me!
I always have time to stop and look at what the wonderful Zoe Saldana is wearing. She makes great fashion choices! Here she is in Berlin at the premiere of her new movie Star Trek Into Darkness. Zoe is wearing a look from Calvin Klein’s Fall 2013 collection. This fun top and skirt combo is why I love to see what she will wear next.
Photo: Sean Gallup / 2013 Getty Images.
Who doesn’t love a little Pac-Man action? Maybe not the most original piece of street art, but the stairs on 187th street and Fort Washington were in desperate need of some color.
Photo by Ruddy Harootian
I love social media because of the access it gives us to see sights and sounds from all over the world. I found Chris Tsankoff’s photo and blurb on Havana, Cuba on facebook. He’s in Cuba now and writes…
Arriving in Havana is like stepping into a movie set with a temps perdu atmosphere that harkens back to the 1950s. Old American cars zoom past Soviet made Ladas, propaganda posters extolling the virtues of the Revolution adorn the city streets, a few bright recently renovated buildings stand out in a grey sea of dilapidated splendor that makes La Habana Vieja a sad shadow of its former colonial glory.
Photography and blurb by Chris Tsankoff
I highly suggest visiting Cuba now before the regulations on visiting the country become tight again. The easiest and most fabulous way to set this all up and get taken care of is by using the services of boutique gay travel company Zoom Vacations. Gay and away just took it to the next level. Thanks for sharing Chris!
By the time the tiny, packed elevator reached the fourth floor, I could already hear the sounds of Cape Verde’s distinctive morna music reverberating down the elevator shaft. The vocals dominated, simultaneously conveying despair and happiness, even to someone who doesn’t understand a word of the Creole language. When we reached the eighth and top floor of the building, the doors opened to reveal a restaurant and dance floor packed with bank clerks, museum curators, and businessmen who had all tucked their ties into their shirts and taken off their jackets to feast and dance.
But we weren’t in the African island nation of Cape Verde. We were in Lisbon, in the offices of the city’s Cape Verdean Association. The customers were Portuguese and Cape Verdean both, and they ate at tables laden with communal servings…
The artist known as Kobra (Eduardo Kobra) has had this colorful piece right by the Chelsea galleries in NYC. Do you recognize the mural on the top side of the wall? It’s Kobras homage to the famous Alfred Eisenstaedt photograph that famously marked the end of WWII. This is a MUST see!
As seen on 25th street & 10th Avenue.
Photo by Ruddy Harootian
