Saturday was my birthday. As soon as I saw Summerstage would be having a Vampire Weekend concert on that day, my basic birthday plans were set. We decided to take the train into the city. JPo, Cyndemouse, Sweets and I met up ready to go. We brought the fixings for a train picnic- cherries, grapes, homemade hummus and taboule salad, pretzels and adorable heartshaped Polish gingerbread cookies. JPo looked for other things to do while on the Upper East Side. We settled on the Gustav Klimt exhibit at the Neue Gallerie (which also allows me to check something off my 101 Things in 1001 Days list). The museum itself is an amazing space, designed by the same architects as the New York Public Library. The Vanderbilt family occupied it for some time. The exhibit was terrific. Unexpectedly, the highlight for me was the only known surviving painters smock that Klimt once wore. I came back to it several times and felt the hair rise on the back of my neck as if this garment of indigo linen still possessed his lingering energy. There was also a recreation of the receiving parlor of his studio. The showstopper was, of course, the painting of Adele Bloch-Bauer I, which was utterly exquisite. I could have gazed at it all afternoon. The relief work in silver and gold begged to trail a finger across it. Although I was not allowed to do so, I wonder if Adele ever did so. The show is on until June 30th. If you have half a chance to go, I suggest you do.
After we regrouped, we ventured out onto Fifth Ave to walk down to the Summerstage show. Seven blocks later, we found ourselves scurrying under a scaffolding to shelter ourselves from a thunderstorm that lasted about an hour. More and more people joined us from sunbathing interrupted in Central Park and the 79 bus that stopped on the corner repeatedly. The rain finally stopped and we headed over to the concert. Hundreds of people has reformed a line to enter the show. Unsure if we should get online, we walked in the park and listened to Kid Sister do her set. Then we decided to get on the line. A group from Orlando stood behind us. The kids were performing at Carnegie Hall. One boy sized up the crowd and hissed, "these look like evil people." I turned around and told him they were called hipsters and completely harmless. Then I assured their chaperone, yes, you can find a restaurant in New York City open after 10 p.m. That did give me a chuckle. Once the gate was reopened, the crowd moved in quickly. We got settled, the band started to play and it began raining again. Gently at first and then full on downpour. As the rain was at it's heaviest, the band played "The Kids Don't Stand A Chance."
If I'm going to get caught in a torrential downpour, I might as well do it with the Bad Girl Posse. Cyndemouse and JPo rocked the umbrella while I pulled my never before worn Kate Spade rain poncho on over my head. I had batted my eyes and pleaded with Cyndemouse to change her plans for the day and join us in the city for my birthday celebration. I bet at this point she was wishing she stuck to her guns and was sitting in a comfortable auction house viewing Pucci dresses go on the block.
Sweets let the ladies use the umbrella and got thoroughly soaked except for the parts I helped cover with my poncho. Towards the end of the show, the rain stopped. We made our way to the subway with the rest of the drenched masses. We got off at 42nd St, walked three blocks and, yep, it started pouring again. Improvisation was in order. Spying a Kati Roll Co, we popped inside there and were greeted with a dry warm place to hide out from the rain and delicious Indian street food. We sampled the Aloo Masala Roll (spicy potato) and Achiri Paneer Roll (excellently seasoned Indian cheese cubes). That served as appetizer course. A short while later, we settled into a Korean restaurant on 32nd for a feast. After that we were still soggy and tired so we headed back to the train. No cocktails or dessert to be had. Oh well, seeing Vampire Weekend was intoxicating and celebrating with my favorite people was sweeter than any cake.
looks like a fun time my friend, despite the rain. i love a good rain poncho, sadly i have yet to find one.
Posted by: kristen | Monday, June 16, 2008 at 04:08 PM
happy belated birthday!
Posted by: m. heart | Monday, June 16, 2008 at 08:28 PM