History Resurfaced

I was coming home from errands and noticed that the attic windows at 303 W 90 Street, near the corner of West End have been resurfaced.  I used to get a kick out of looking up there and seeing the pockmarks left from the hail of bullets that struck the facade in May 1931 when Francis Crowley held off 150 NYPD officers from the top floor of the five-storey building.

Twenty year old Francis Crowley turned fraternal love for a brother who was killed resisting arrest for disorderly conduct into a consuming hatred for  authority and law enforcement.   In February of 1931 he graduated from petty crime by firing on two American Legion members who tried to eject him from a dance he had crashed at their Bronx lodge.

Ten weeks, one bank robbery, 3 shot cops (one killed,) one dead dance hall hostess, a home invasion, a new nickname “Two Guns,” lots of newsprint, and a high speed running gun battle through the Bronx later, Crowley fled to 303 W 90 Street, then a rooming house.  Crowley and the sixteen year old girl who would later turn evidence against him were hiding out when they were surrounded by NYPD snipers and 10,000 civilian rubberneckers more worried about getting a good view than catching stray bullets.

With NYPD Commissioner Mulrooney himself coordinating on site, police exchanged fire with Crowley for two hours.  Cops scrambled over Upper West Side rooftops and dropped tear gas canisters into the attic room through a hole cut into the roof.   When Police got access to the hallway outside Crowley’s room, “Two Guns” fired at them through the door and walls.

The wounded Crowley was only taken when he had run out of ammunition.  He was arraigned in his hospital room and within three weeks was tried, convicted, and executed.

The incident inspired the 1949 James Cagney star turn White Heat that gave us the villain-killed-off-in-spectacular-explosion set piece so essential to current Hollywood blockbusters.

Looking up at the bullet holes on the attic windows always reminded me of that story.   Now the gunfight scars are gone and I never took a snapshot of them when I had the chance.

2011 Free Summer Movies in NYC

Break out the picnic blankets!

Here is a preliminary list of this summer’s free outdoor movies in NYC.  I am still waiting to add a few titles to announced dates and a few venues, like St Nicholas Park, that have not yet announced their schedules.  If you know of any screening series that’s missing, please let me know via the comments.

Desperately Seeking Susan
Movies at Elevated Acre:
June 20, 2011 at 8:00 PM
The Elevated Acre 55 Water Street

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
HBO Bryant Park Film Festival
June 20, 2011 at 8:00 PM
Bryant Park

How to Drown Dr. Mracek, the Lawyer
Czech Center SUMMER ON THE ROOF
June 21, 2011 at 8:30 PM
321 East 73rd Street

Spider-Man
Intrepid FREE Summer Movies:
June 24, 2011 at 7:30 PM
Intrepid Sea Air Space Museum

Moonstruck
Snug Harbor Movies Under The Stars
June 24, 2011 at 8:30 PM
1000 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island

Contempt – Le Mépris
Films On The Green
June 24, 2011 at 8:30 PM
Tompkins Square Park

Iron Man 2
Roosevelt Island Outdoor Movie Series
June 25, 2011 at 7:30 PM – (Rain Date: 7/3/11)
Firefighters Field near the Roosevelt Island Tram

The Godfather Part 2
Movies at Elevated Acre:
June 27, 2011 at 8:00 PM
The Elevated Acre 55 Water Street

The 39 Steps
HBO Bryant Park Film Festival
June 27, 2011 at 8:00 PM
Bryant Park

Dirty Dancing
Movie Night at Mad46
June 27, 2011 at 9:00 PM
Roof of Roosevelt Hotel at Madison Ave and East 46 St

Thanks for a Good Morning
Czech Center Summer on the Roof
June 28, 2011 at 8:30 PM
321 East 73rd Street

Between the Folds
The Scene At Tavern On The Green
June 29, 2011 at 7:30 PM
66th Street and Central Park West

Raging Bull
Tompkins Sq Park:
June 30, 2011 at 8:00 PM
Tompkins Square Park

Mr. Hulot’s Holiday – Les Vacances de Monsieur Hulot
Films On The Green
July 1, 2011 at 8:30 PM
Tompkins Square Park

Grease
Movies Under the Stars with Habana Outpost
July 3, 2011 at Sunset
757 Fulton Street at South Portland Ave, Brooklyn

Easy Rider
HBO Bryant Park Film Festival
July 4, 2011 at 8:00 PM
Bryant Park

Whisper
Czech Center Summer on the Roof
July 5, 2011 at 8:30 PM
321 East 73rd Street

Clermont Ferrand Short Films
Socrates Sculpture Park:
July 6, 2011 at 7:00 PM
Socrates Sculture Park

Friday
McCarren Park:
July 6, 2011 at 8:00 PM
McCarren Park Pool

The Social Network
RiverFlicks for Grown-ups:
July 6, 2011 at 8:00 PM
Pier 63 @ West 23rd Street

Coming to America
Tompkins Sq Park:
July 7, 2011 at 8:00 PM
Tompkins Square Park

Manhattan
Movies with a View:
July 7, 2011 at 8:00 PM
Brooklyn Bridge Park

The Goonies
Intrepid FREE Summer Movies:
July 8, 2011 at 7:30 PM
Intrepid Sea Air Space Museum

Mamma Mia
Friday Movie Night at Narrows Botanical Garden
July 8, 2011 at 7:30 PM
Shore Road between Bay Ridge Ave & 72nd Street

Towards Zero – L’Heure Zéro  
Films On The Green
July 8, 2011 at 8:30 PM
Riverside Park, Pier 1 at 70 street

Mars Attacks
Snug Harbor Movies Under The Stars
July 8, 2011 at 8:30 PM
1000 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island

The Karate Kid
Riverflicks for Kids:
July 8, 2011 at 8:00 PM
Pier 46 @ Charles Street

Ghostbusters
City Reliquary Backyard Concert & Film Series
July 8, 2011 at 9:30
370 Metropolitan Avenue Brooklyn

The Goonies
Roosevelt Island Outdoor Movie Series
July 9, 2011 at 7:30 PM – (Rain Date: 7/17/11)
Firefighters Field near the Roosevelt Island Tram

Roller Boogie
Movies Under the Stars with Habana Outpost
July 10, 2011 at Sunset
757 Fulton Street at South Portland Ave, Brooklyn

The Brother From Another Planet
Movies at Elevated Acre:
July 11, 2011 at 8:00 PM
The Elevated Acre 55 Water Street

Saturday Night Fever
Luna Park Movies:
July 11, 2011 at 7:30 PM
Coney Island Luna Park

Gentleman Prefer Blondes
HBO Bryant Park Film Festival
July 11, 2011 at 8:00 PM
Bryant Park

The Bitch’s Diary
Czech Center Summer on the Roof
July 12, 2011 at 8:30 PM
321 East 73rd Street

Men in Black
Red Hook Summer Movies
July 12, 2011 at 8:30 PM
Valentino Pier at Coffey and Ferris streets

Wayne’s World
McCarren Park:
July 13, 2011 at 8:00 PM
McCarren Park Pool

Easy A
RiverFlicks for Grown-ups:
July 13, 2011 at 8:00 PM
Pier 63 @ West 23rd Street

Who Wants to Kill Jessie
Socrates Sculpture Park:
July 13, 2011 at 7:00 PM
Socrates Sculture Park

The Invisible Man
Movies Under the Stars:
July 13, 2011 at 8:30 PM
Pier 1 Riverside Park South at W 70 St

Mad Hot Ballroom
The Scene At Tavern On The Green
July 13, 2011 at 7:30 PM
66th Street and Central Park West

The Warriors
Tompkins Sq Park:
July 14, 2011 at 8:00 PM
Tompkins Square Park

Ghostbusters
Movies with a View:
July 14, 2011 at 8:00 PM
Brooklyn Bridge Park

Despicable Me
Riverflicks for Kids:
July 15, 2011 at 8:00 PM
Pier 46 @ Charles Street

Antz
Snug Harbor Movies Under The Stars
July 15, 2011 at 8:30 PM
1000 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island

My Father’s Glory – La Gloire de mon Père  
Films On The Green
July 15, 2011 at 8:30 PM
Riverside Park, Pier 1 at 70 street

Saturday Night Fever
Movies Under the Stars with Habana Outpost
July 17, 2011 at Sunset
757 Fulton Street at South Portland Ave, Brooklyn

Rango
Luna Park Movies:
July 18, 2011 at 7:30 PM
Coney Island Luna Park

In The Heat Of The Night
HBO Bryant Park Film Festival
July 18, 2011 at 8:00 PM
Bryant Park

Twosome
Czech Center Summer on the Roof
July 19, 2011 at 8:30 PM
321 East 73rd Street

Bring It On
Red Hook Summer Movies
July 19, 2011 at 8:30 PM
Valentino Pier at Coffey and Ferris streets

Caramel
Socrates Sculpture Park:
July 20, 2011 at 7:00 PM
Socrates Sculture Park

Ghost World
McCarren Park:
July 20, 2011 at 8:00 PM
McCarren Park Pool

Invasion Of The Body Snatchers
Movies Under the Stars:
July 20, 2011 at 8:30 PM
Pier 1 Riverside Park South at W 70 St

The Kids Are All Right
RiverFlicks for Grown-ups:
July 20, 2011 at 8:00 PM
Pier 63 @ West 23rd Street

Sweet Smell Of Success
Movies with a View:
July 21, 2011 at 8:00 PM
Brooklyn Bridge Park

Star Trek
Tompkins Sq Park:
July 21, 2011 at 8:00 PM
Tompkins Square Park

West Side Story Dance & Sing Along
Celebrate Brooklyn
July 21, 2011
Prospect Park Bandshell

Back To The Future
Intrepid FREE Summer Movies:
July 22, 2011 at 7:30 PM
Intrepid Sea Air Space Museum

Wall-E
Friday Movie Night at Narrows Botanical Garden
July 22, 2011 at 7:30 PM
Shore Road between Bay Ridge Ave & 72nd Street

The Princess Bride
Riverflicks for Kids:
July 22, 2011 at 8:00 PM
Pier 46 @ Charles Street

Jungle Fever
City Reliquary Backyard Concert & Film Series
July 22, 2011 at 9:30
370 Metropolitan Avenue Brooklyn

Star Trek
Roosevelt Island Outdoor Movie Series
July 23, 2011 at 7:30 PM – (Rain Date: 7/31/11)
Firefighters Field near the Roosevelt Island Tram

Breaking
Movies Under the Stars with Habana Outpost
July 24, 2011 at Sunset
757 Fulton Street at South Portland Ave, Brooklyn

The Lady Eve
HBO Bryant Park Film Festival
July 25, 2011 at 8:00 PM
Bryant Park

Top Gun
Luna Park Movies:
July 25, 2011 at 7:30 PM
Coney Island Luna Park

Dissolved and Effused
Czech Center Summer on the Roof
July 26, 2011 at 8:30 PM
321 East 73rd Street

Lords of Dogtown
Red Hook Summer Movies
July 26, 2011 at 8:30 PM
Valentino Pier at Coffey and Ferris streets

The Good, The Bad, and The Weird
Socrates Sculpture Park:
July 27, 2011 at 7:00 PM
Socrates Sculture Park

The Birds
Movies Under the Stars:
July 27, 2011 at 8:30 PM
Pier 1 Riverside Park South at W 70 St

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
McCarren Park:
July 27, 2011 at 8:00 PM
McCarren Park Pool

The Other Guys
RiverFlicks for Grown-ups:
July 27, 2011 at 8:00 PM
Pier 63 @ West 23rd Street

Food.Curated
The Scene At Tavern On The Green
July 27, 2011 at 7:30 PM
66th Street and Central Park West

Arthur
Tompkins Sq Park:
July 28, 2011 at 8:00 PM
Tompkins Square Park

Basquait
Movies with a View:
July 28, 2011 at 8:00 PM
Brooklyn Bridge Park

Toy Story 3
Riverflicks for Kids:
July 29, 2011 at 8:00 PM
Pier 46 @ Charles Street

Cool Hand Luke
HBO Bryant Park Film Festival
August 1, 2011 at 8:00 PM
Bryant Park

Dirty Dancing
Movies Under the Stars with Habana Outpost
July 31, 2011 at Sunset
757 Fulton Street at South Portland Ave, Brooklyn

Iron Man 2
Luna Park Movies:
August 1, 2011 at 7:30 PM
Coney Island Luna Park

[Movie TBA]
Czech Center Summer on the Roof
August 2, 2011 at 8:30 PM
321 East 73rd Street

Wall-E
Red Hook Summer Movies
August 2, 2011 at 8:30 PM
Valentino Pier at Coffey and Ferris streets

Attack of the Killer Tomatoes
Movies Under the Stars:
August 3, 2011 at 8:30 PM
Pier 1 Riverside Park South at W 70 St

The Straight Story
Socrates Sculpture Park:
August 3, 2011 at 7:00 PM
Socrates Sculture Park

The Fighter
RiverFlicks for Grown-ups:
August 3, 2011 at 8:00 PM
Pier 63 @ West 23rd Street

Clueless
McCarren Park:
August 3, 2011 at 8:00 PM
McCarren Park Pool

The Pope of Greenwich Village
Tompkins Sq Park:
August 4, 2011 at 8:00 PM
Tompkins Square Park

An American Tail
Movies with a View:
August 4, 2011 at 8:00 PM
Brooklyn Bridge Park

Metropolis with Alloy Orchestra
Celebrate Brooklyn
August 4, 2011
Prospect Park Bandshell

E.T.
Intrepid FREE Summer Movies:
August 5, 2011 at 7:30 PM
Intrepid Sea Air Space Museum

How To Train Your Dragon
Riverflicks for Kids:
August 5, 2011 at 8:00 PM
Pier 46 @ Charles Street

Young Frankenstein
Friday Movie Night at Narrows Botanical Garden
August 5, 2011 at 7:30 PM
Shore Road between Bay Ridge Ave & 72nd Street

Up
Roosevelt Island Outdoor Movie Series
August 6, 2011 at 7:30 PM – (Rain Date: 8/14/11)
Firefighters Field near the Roosevelt Island Tram

Heathers
Movies Under the Stars with Habana Outpost
August 7, 2011 at Sunset
757 Fulton Street at South Portland Ave, Brooklyn

Annie Hall
Luna Park Movies:
August 8, 2011 at 7:30 PM
Coney Island Luna Park

Airplane!
HBO Bryant Park Film Festival
August 8, 2011 at 8:00 PM
Bryant Park

[Movie TBA]
Czech Center Summer on the Roof
August 9, 2011 at 8:30 PM
321 East 73rd Street

Return of the Swamp Thing
Movies Under the Stars:
August 10, 2011 at 8:30 PM
Pier 1 Riverside Park South at W 70 St

Scott Pilgrim vs. The World
RiverFlicks for Grown-ups:
August 10, 2011 at 8:00 PM
Pier 63 @ West 23rd Street

Jurassic Park
McCarren Park:
August 10, 2011 at 8:00 PM
McCarren Park Pool

At The Edge Of Russia
Socrates Sculpture Park:
August 10, 2011 at 7:00 PM
Socrates Sculture Park

Appetite City
The Scene At Tavern On The Green
August 10, 2011 at 7:30 PM
66th Street and Central Park West

Kick-Ass
Tompkins Sq Park:
August 11, 2011 at 8:00 PM
Tompkins Square Park

Breakfast at Tiffany’s
Movies with a View:
August 11, 2011 at 8:00 PM
Brooklyn Bridge Park

Shrek Forever After
Riverflicks for Kids:
August 12, 2011 at 8:00 PM
Pier 46 @ Charles Street

Risky Business
Movies Under the Stars with Habana Outpost
August 14, 2011 at Sunset
757 Fulton Street at South Portland Ave, Brooklyn

High Sierra
HBO Bryant Park Film Festival
August 15, 2011 at 8:00 PM
Bryant Park

Moonstruck
Luna Park Movies:
August 15, 2011 at 7:30 PM
Coney Island Luna Park

[Movie TBA]
Czech Center Summer on the Roof
August 16, 2011 at 8:30 PM
321 East 73rd Street

The Karate Kid
Red Hook Summer Movies
August 9, 2011 at 8:30 PM
Valentino Pier at Coffey and Ferris streets

The Fast and the Furious (2001)
Red Hook Summer Movies
August 16, 2011 at 8:30 PM
Valentino Pier at Coffey and Ferris streets

The Town
RiverFlicks for Grown-ups:
August 17, 2011 at 8:00 PM
Pier 63 @ West 23rd Street

Mars Attacks
Movies Under the Stars:
August 17, 2011 at 8:30 PM
Pier 1 Riverside Park South at W 70 St

Biutiful
Socrates Sculpture Park:
August 17, 2011 at 7:00 PM
Socrates Sculture Park

Carol Channing: Larger than Life
The Scene At Tavern On The Green
August 17, 2011 at 7:30 PM
66th Street and Central Park West

Crooklyn
Movies with a View:
August 18, 2011 at 8:00 PM
Brooklyn Bridge Park

Rosemary’s Baby
Tompkins Sq Park:
August 18, 2011 at 8:00 PM
Tompkins Square Park

Jurassic Park
Intrepid FREE Summer Movies:
August 19, 2011 at 7:30 PM
Intrepid Sea Air Space Museum

Over The Hedge
Friday Movie Night at Narrows Botanical Garden
August 19, 2011 at 7:30 PM
Shore Road between Bay Ridge Ave & 72nd Street

Tangled
Riverflicks for Kids:
August 19, 2011 at 8:00 PM
Pier 46 @ Charles Street

Tron
Roosevelt Island Outdoor Movie Series
August 20, 2011 at 7:30 PM – (Rain Date: 8/28/11)
Firefighters Field near the Roosevelt Island Tram

St. Elmo’s Fire
Movies Under the Stars with Habana Outpost
August 21, 2011 at Sunset
757 Fulton Street at South Portland Ave, Brooklyn

Dirty Harry
HBO Bryant Park Film Festival
August 22, 2011 at 8:00 PM
Bryant Park

Justin Bieber: Never Say Never
Luna Park Movies:
August 22, 2011 at 7:30 PM
Coney Island Luna Park

[Movie TBA]
Cenral Park Film Festival:
August 23, 2011 at 8:00 PM
Central Park at 70 Street

[Movie TBA]
Czech Center Summer on the Roof
August 23, 2011 at 8:30 PM
321 East 73rd Street

The Iron Giant
Red Hook Summer Movies
August 23, 2011 at 8:30 PM
Valentino Pier at Coffey and Ferris streets

Backyard Band with Silent Film Festival
Socrates Sculpture Park:
August 24, 2011 at 7:00 PM
Socrates Sculture Park

[Movie TBA]
Cenral Park Film Festival:
August 24, 2011 at 8:00 PM
Central Park at 70 Street

[Movie TBA]
Cenral Park Film Festival:
August 25, 2011 at 8:00 PM
Central Park at 70 Street

Rosemary’s Baby
Movies with a View:
August 25, 2011 at 8:00 PM
Brooklyn Bridge Park

The Godfather
Tompkins Sq Park:
August 25, 2011 at 8:00 PM
Tompkins Square Park

[Movie TBA]
Cenral Park Film Festival:
August 26, 2011 at 8:00 PM
Central Park at 70 Street

[Movie TBA]
Cenral Park Film Festival:
August 27, 2011 at 8:00 PM
Central Park at 70 Street

Purple Rain
Movies Under the Stars with Habana Outpost
August 28, 2011 at Sunset
757 Fulton Street at South Portland Ave, Brooklyn

How She Move
Luna Park Movies:
August 29, 2011 at 7:30 PM
Coney Island Luna Park

[Movie TBA]
Czech Center Summer on the Roof
August 30, 2011 at 8:30 PM
321 East 73rd Street

Pump Up the Volume
Red Hook Summer Movies
August 30, 2011 at 8:30 PM
Valentino Pier at Coffey and Ferris streets

Viewers’ Choice
Movies with a View:
September 1, 2011 at 8:00 PM
Brooklyn Bridge Park

Stake Land
Tompkins Sq Park:
September 1, 2011 at 8:00 PM
Tompkins Square Park

The Incredibles
Roosevelt Island Outdoor Movie Series
September 3, 2011 at 7:30 PM  – (Rain Date: 9/4/11)
Firefighters Field near the Roosevelt Island Tram

Teen Wolf
Movies Under the Stars with Habana Outpost
September 4, 2011 at Sunset
757 Fulton Street at South Portland Ave, Brooklyn

Highlander
Red Hook Summer Movies
September 6, 2011 at 8:30 PM
Valentino Pier at Coffey and Ferris streets

Cabaret
Movies on the Oval
September 7, 2011 at 7 PM
Stuyvesant Town Park

Two Days in Paris – Deux Jours à Paris  
Films On The Green
September 8, 2011 at 7:30 PM
Columbia University Low Library Steps

Blues Brothers
Movies Under the Stars with Habana Outpost
September 11, 2011 at Sunset
757 Fulton Street at South Portland Ave, Brooklyn

Pee Wee’s Big Adventure
Red Hook Summer Movies
September 13, 2011 at 8:30 PM
Valentino Pier at Coffey and Ferris streets

Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery
Movies on the Oval
September 14, 2011 at 7 PM
Stuyvesant Town Park

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Movies Under the Stars with Habana Outpost
September 18, 2011 at Sunset
757 Fulton Street at South Portland Ave, Brooklyn

The Devil Wears Prada
Movies on the Oval
September 21, 2011 at 7 PM
Stuyvesant Town Park

The Harder They Come
Movies Under the Stars with Habana Outpost
September 25, 2011 at Sunset
757 Fulton Street at South Portland Ave, Brooklyn

5 Easy Pieces
Movies Under the Stars with Habana Outpost
October 2, 2011 at Sunset
757 Fulton Street at South Portland Ave, Brooklyn

Edward Scissor Hands
Movies Under the Stars with Habana Outpost
October 9, 2011 at Sunset
757 Fulton Street at South Portland Ave, Brooklyn

Gremlins
Movies Under the Stars with Habana Outpost
October 16, 2011 at Sunset
757 Fulton Street at South Portland Ave, Brooklyn

The Empire Strikes Back
Movies Under the Stars with Habana Outpost
October 23, 2011 at Sunset
757 Fulton Street at South Portland Ave, Brooklyn

Rocky Horror Picture Show
Movies Under the Stars with Habana Outpost
October 31, 2011 at Sunset
757 Fulton Street at South Portland Ave, Brooklyn

Samba Rehearsal Schedule

I geeked out a bit and made a public Google calendar of the samba school rehearsal schedule as posted at http://totalspguide.com/post/2829/Samba-School-Rehearsal-Schedule/

In doing so I have graphically proven that you can samba ’til you’re sore seven nights a week in São Paulo.

You should check out the websites for these schools to make sure there are no schedule changes before you slip on your dancing shoes.

See the schedule here

The Museum of Coffee

We drove an hour south of São Paulo to the harbor city of Santos to check out the Coffee Museum.   We were lucky to miss the holiday traffic of Paulistanos fleeing to the beach and got to enjoy the spectacular drive down through protected forests that look the same now as they did to Magellan, but that’s another post.  After some wandering around town we finally found the museum.

And wouldn’t you know they serve an excellent cup of coffee right there in the lobby of the former coffee exchange building next to the ‘big board’ where the prices of coffee futures were posted.

the trading board from Brazil's first futures market

Museum Technical Director, Marilia Bonas Conte, walked us around the displays of coffee paraphernalia (roasters, grinders, cups. .  . what you would expect) and gave an excellent off-the-cuff running commentary on the history of coffee and Brazil’s history in terms of coffee.  She also described plans for the museum’s expansion to include displays on coffee’s pharmacology and the genome of the coffee plant itself.

Sadly, she debunked my favorite story of how coffee seeds first came to Brazil as gifts to a Brazilian rogue from the French colonial governor’s wife he was having an affair with.  But I guess dispelling myths is a good museum’s mission.  Would that all my tour guides knew their subjects as well as Marilia does. . .  the guide who described the ancient Roman emperors rail network around North Africa leaps to mind.

A day at Casa De Carnes Bolonha

I spent this morning assisting and observing at Casa de Carnes Bolonha, (no website!?) the neighborhood butcher and carnivore temple.  Sonia felt I should know the ‘proper’ Brazilain way to cut beef and made arrangements with the local butcher for me to spend a couple of days behind the counter learning South American grass-fed butchery.

I got a hat, white jacket and plastic apron and got put to work immediately boning chicken breasts.  I managed to get through about two dozen icy breasts with only one minor nick to my thumb.  The breasts were just busywork while we waited for the 9am tuck from the abattoir to arrive with seven beef quarters, six rear and one forequarter.

Beef is too important in southeast Brazil to be left to hovering journalists, so I just stood by and watched while the cutter pared it down into the popular Brazilian cuts; picanha, fraudinha, maminha. . . .

Butchering at Casa de Carne Bolonha

I was not invited to join in the cutting as I was with the chicken, but I still made myself useful by opening and closing the freezer door as they went in and out with their hands full of beef, and answering questions about how closely the US watched the Brazilian presidential elections.

watching the cutting

I’m going back on Wednesday to watch how linguiça is made.

The Thursday Market

Got to help my hosts out with family shopping at the weekly produce street market.  I was good to actually get out in the street after reading up on São Paulo attractions on http://totalspguide.com/.

There are only about ten stalls in this market.  One devoted to fish, one to meat displaying two huge beef hearts and a few dozen chicken feet alongside more familiar cuts of meat.  There was a stand selling glasses of juice freshly squeezed out of sugar cane, and another selling deep-fried pastries filled with meat and cheese.   But it’s the produce that always fascinates me.  I’m still trying to wrap my head around how they have five different varieties of banana.

The highlight this time was tiny sweetly intense lime-sized mangoes and delicious white peaches.  Samples eagerly provided by the sellers.

And there was the freshest ginger I’ve ever seen, sold in bunches with the green stalks still attached.  I couldn’t get the photos off my cellphone to post, but here is a shot of the ginger after we got it back home.

Fresh Ginger

Beautiful stuff.  They look naked without the brown waxy skin I’m used to seeing on the shelves in New York.

More and better photos after I go back next Thursday.

NYC Summer 2010 Outdoor Movie Schedule

Summer’s here and the time is right for lounging on the grass.

Here is what I hope will grow into a comprehensive schedule of free outdoor movie screenings in NYC this summer.  I am still waiting to add the McCarren Park movie schedule (Wednesdays, I think,)  The St Nicholas Park schedule, and anything that may be going on in Central Park.  And I seem to remember being rained out of a movie on the Intrepid last summer.  If you know of a free outdoor screening that should be included, please let me know and I will add it in.

Additions to the schedule will be made at  http://bit.ly/dwsRnj and updates will be tweeted by @fgeorge

Saturday June 5
11:30am Sony Wonder Technology Lab Free Movies THE KARATE KID – Sony Plaza at 56th Street and Madison Avenue (for tickets call  (212) 833 7858)
2pm Sony Wonder Technology Lab Free Movies THE KARATE KID II – Sony Plaza at 56th Street and Madison Avenue (for tickets call  (212) 833 7858)

Saturday June 12
2pm Sony Wonder Technology Lab Free Movies THE DARK CRYSTAL – Sony Plaza at 56th Street and Madison Avenue (for tickets call  (212) 833 7858)

Saturday June 19
2pm Sony Wonder Technology Lab Free Movies ARMORED – Sony Plaza at 56th Street and Madison Avenue (for tickets call  (212) 833 7858)

Monday June 21
8pm Bryant Park Movie GOLDFINGER

Monday June 28
8pm Bryant Park Movie CAROUSEL

Wednesday June 30
8:30pm Riverside Park Movies Under the Stars at 70th Street GREASE: SINGALONG

Thursday July 1
8:30pm Rooftop Film Noir Screenings: MILDRED PIERCE – Tony Dapolito Recreation Center 3 Clarkson Street, Manhattan

Monday July 5
8pm Bryant Park Movie THE FRENCH CONNECTION

Wednesday July 7
8pm RiverFlicks movie on the pier THE HANGOVER
8:30pm Riverside Park Movies Under the Stars at 70th Street THE NEVERENDING STORY

Thursday July 8
8pm Brooklyn Bridge Park Movies With a View ANNIE HALL
8:30pm Rooftop Film Noir Screenings: LAURA – Tony Dapolito Recreation Center 3 Clarkson Street, Manhattan

FrIday July 9
7:30 River Flicks for Kids: THE WIZARD OF OZ – Hudson River Park’s Pier 46 at Charles Street

Monday July 12
8pm Bryant Park Movie MY MAN GODFREY

Wednesday July 14
8pm RiverFlicks movie on the pier I LOVE YOU, MAN
8:30pm Riverside Park Movies Under the Stars at 70th Street PAN’S LABYRINTH

Thursday July 15
8pm Brooklyn Bridge Park Movies With a View: MONSTERS VS. ALIENS
8:30pm Rooftop Film Noir Screenings: DOUBLE INDEMNITY – Tony Dapolito Recreation Center 3 Clarkson Street, Manhattan

Friday July 16
7:30pm River Flicks for Kids: CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS – Hudson River Park’s Pier 46 at Charles Street

Monday July 19
8pm Bryant Park Movie THE CHINA SYNDROME

Wednesday July 21
8pm RiverFlicks movie on the pier THE PROPOSAL
8:30pm Riverside Park Movies Under the Stars at 70th Street INKHEART

Thursday July 22
7:30pm Celebrate Brooklyn: THE CHAPLIN MUTUALS – The Bandshell in Prospect Park, Brooklyn
8pm Brooklyn Bridge Park Movies With a View: THE BIG LEBOWSKI
8:30pm Rooftop Film Noir Screenings: SUNSET BOULEVARD – Tony Dapolito Recreation Center 3 Clarkson Street, Manhattan

Friday July 23
7:30 River Flicks for Kids: THE GREAT MUPPET CAPER – Hudson River Park’s Pier 46 at Charles Street

Monday July 26
8pm Bryant Park Movie MONTY PYTHON AND THE HOLY GRAIL

Wednesday July 28
8pm RiverFlicks movie on the pier DISTRICT 9
8:30pm Riverside Park Movies Under the Stars at 70th Street THE FALL

Thursday July 29
7:30pm Celebrate Brooklyn: MOTHER INDIA 21st Century Remix with DJ Tigerstyle & Falu – Prospect Park Bandshell
8pm Brooklyn Bridge Park Movies With a View: REAR WINDOW
8pm Movie Nights at the Elevated Acre: BROADWAY DANNY ROSE – 55 Water Street
8:30pm Rooftop Film Noir Screenings: ALL ABOUT EVE – Tony Dapolito Recreation Center 3 Clarkson Street, Manhattan

Friday July 30
7:30pm River Flicks for Kids: MONSTERS VS. ALIENS – Hudson River Park’s Pier 46 at Charles Street

Monday August 2
8pm Bryant Park Movie ROSEMARY’S BABY

Wednesday August 4
8pm RiverFlicks movie on the pier JULIE & JULIA
8:30pm Riverside Park Movies Under the Stars at 70th Street BIG FISH

Thursday August 5
8pm Brooklyn Bridge Park Movies With a View: BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN
8pm Movie Nights at the Elevated Acre: AUNTIE MAME – 55 Water Street

Friday August 6
7:30pm Celebrate Brooklyn: HOUSE OF USHER with Marco Benevento – Prospect Park Bandshell
8:30pm The Vault of Horror Flicks: FREAKS – Tony Dapolito Recreation Center 3 Clarkson Street, Manhattan
7:30pm River Flicks for Kids: BIG – Hudson River Park’s Pier 46 at Charles Street

Monday August 9
8pm Bryant Park Movie THE GOODBYE GIRL

Wednesday August 11
8pm RiverFlicks movie on the pier PUBLIC ENEMIES
8:30pm Riverside Park Movies Under the Stars at 70th Street STRANGER THAN FICTION

Thursday August 12
8pm Brooklyn Bridge Park Movies With a View: DREAMGIRLS
8pm Movie Nights at the Elevated Acre: THE COUNTRY GIRL – 55 Water Street

Friday August 13
8:30pm The Vault of Horror Flicks: INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS – Tony Dapolito Recreation Center 3 Clarkson Street
7:30pm River Flicks for Kids: ICE AGE: DAWN OF THE DINOSAURS – Pier 46 at Charles Street

Monday August 16
8pm Bryant Park Movie 12 ANGRY MEN

Wednesday August 18
8pm RiverFlicks movie on the pier STAR TREK

Thursday August 19
8pm Brooklyn Bridge Park Movies With a View: THE BLUES BROTHERS
8pm Movie Nights at the Elevated Acre: THE MUPPETS TAKE MANHATTAN – 55 Water Street

Friday August 20
8:30pm The Vault of Horror Flicks: NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD – Tony Dapolito Recreation Center 3 Clarkson Street, Manhattan
7:30pm  River Flicks for Kids: ANNIE – Hudson River Park’s Pier 46 at Charles Street

Monday August 23
8pm Bryant Park Movie BONNIE AND CLYDE

Thursday August 26
8pm Brooklyn Bridge Park Movies With a View: INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE

Friday August 27
8:30pm The Vault of Horror Flicks: ROSEMARY’S BABY – Tony Dapolito Recreation Center 3 Clarkson Street, Manhattan

Thursday September 2
8pm Brooklyn Bridge Park Movies With a View: Viewers Choice

Outdoor Summer Movies in NYC

It’s sit-on-the-grass-and-enjoy-a-movie season again.

Bryant Park Film Festival

http://manhattan.about.com/od/artsandculture/a/bryantparkmovie.htm

Monday, June 15… The Sting
Monday, June 22… Breaking Away
Monday, June 29… Gold Diggers of 1933
Monday, July 6… Dog Day Afternoon
Monday, July 13… How Green Was My Valley
Monday, July 20… Harold and Maude
Monday, July 27… The Defiant Ones
Monday, August 3… Kramer vs. Kramer
Monday, August 10… The Magnificent Seven
Monday, August 17… Close Encounters of the Third Kind

Summer Screen; McCarren Park
In Brooklyn at McCarren Park on the corner of Bedford and North 12. Films begin at dusk. No outside food or drink.

http://summerscreen.org/

Wednesday, July 8… Reality Bites
Wednesday, July 15… Evil Dead 2
Wednesday, July 22… 24 Hour Party People
Wednesday, July 29… Wild at Heart
Wednesday, August 5… Fame
Wednesday, August 12… Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

Movies With A View; Brooklyn Bridge Park

http://gonyc.about.com/od/summer/a/movies_a_view.htm

Thursday, July 9… Raising Arizona
Thursday, July 16… The Maltese Falcon
Thursday, July 23… Paper Moon
Thursday, July 30… To Catch A Thief
Thursday, August 6… The Return Of The Pink Panther
Thursday, August 13… Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid
Thursday, August 20… Catch Me If You Can
Thursday, August 27… Edward Scissorhands

River Flicks; Hudson River Park on Pier 54
Free popcorn is available.

http://gonyc.about.com/od/summer/a/river_flicks.htm

Wednesday, July 8… Iron Man
Wednesday, July 15… Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Wednesday, July 22: The Dark Knight
Wednesday, July 29… Hancock
Wednesday, August 5… Tropic Thunder
Wednesday, August 12… Sex and the City
Wednesday, August 19… Pineapple Express

Summer on the Hudson: Movies Under the Stars at Pier 1

http://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_things_to_do/events/output_pages/summer_on_the_hudson.php

Wednesday, July 15… Wall Street
Wednesday, July 22… Dinner at Eight
Wednesday, July 29… The Out-of-Towners
Wednesday, August 5… Drums Along the Mohawk
Wednesday, August 12… Sweet Smell of Success

Outdoor Cinema at Socrates Sculpture Park in Queens.

http://www.socratessculpturepark.org/programs/outdoorcinema.php

Wednesday, July 15… The Betrayal (Laos/Thailand) 2008
Wednesday, July 22… Contempt (France) 1963
Wednesday, July 29… Lou Reed’s Berlin (U.S.) 2007
Wednesday, August 5… Waltz With Bashir (Israel) 2008
Wednesday, August 12… Tulpan (Kazakhstan) 2008
Wednesday, August 19… Gomorrah (Italy) 2008

River to River Fest: Movies on the Elevated Acre at 55 Water Street between Old Slip and Broad Streets

http://www.rivertorivernyc.com/

Monday, July 6… The Seven Year Itch
Monday, July 13… The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974)
Monday, July 20… West Side Story
Monday, July 27… Sweet Smell of Success

Central Park Film Festival at Rumsey Playfield

http://gonyc.about.com/od/summer/a/central_park_ff.htm

Tuesday, August 18… Shaft (1971)
Wednesday, August 19… Ocean’s 11
Thursday, August 20… Sex & The City
Friday, August 21… Twilight
Saturday, August 22… Viewer’s Choice
Men in Black, *Goldfinger or Desperately Seeking Susan
(Visit http://www.7online.com/ to vote between July 15 and August 15.)

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