Irony and Ecstasy: John Waters talks about Role Models, dinner seating, and his career of celebrating tastelessness

"It is impossible to live without irony in New York City. You can't have a real biker bar. You can't have a real redneck bar. It would just be people dressed like rednecks. Real rednecks are too stupid to come to New York!" -- John Waters


During the book signing (sponsored by Greenpoint's WORD to kickoff the Brooklyn Book Festival), a pretty young thing offered up his clavicle to be signed, ostensibly for a tattoo, dashing his modeling career.

With giddy hearts did we step into the back room at Coco66 in Greenpoint, and note the intimate setting: a kitchen table with 2 chairs and glasses on a small stage. He would be seated at one of those, the king of the lunatic fringe. Our hero, John Waters, the filthiest mind alive!

He takes his seat before the adoring assembly, ever the dandy in his slim dark suit and creepy 'stache. He more than once referred to himself as being taken for a child molester. Well, he loves going to see the Alvin and the Chipmunks movie at Christmas. By himself.

He tells us he was seated by a young Martha Stewart at a dinner and they didn't know each other. They could only eye each other quizzically as the photographers went wild to snap them together, the trash master and she-of-complicated-napkin-folding. Waters touched in his heartfelt way upon the subjects of his book, Role Models, from Zoro the irate lesbian stripper ("what the F@#$ are you people lookin' at?!"), the parade of deeply weird people who inspired him in his Baltimore youth, to Leslie Van Houten, about whom he is no less candid than eloquent. The talk is breezy, filled with classics of observation, the wit flows like Malbec and we each feel as though we spent some time hanging out in our living room with our best friend. Who is INSANE.

Photographer Sheila Metzner: On The Marble Walls of the Conde Nast Lobby (through October 15th)

Sheila Metzner is known for her use of Fresson color printing. Fresson "tirage au charbon" is a rare method developed in France in 1900. Using layered oil pigments in gelatin, the process requires multiple separate negatives. The prints are developed in a solution of water and sawdust. The result is a luminous, soft glow which gives the photograph the appearance of a painting.

When I asked Grace Coddington, (Creative Editor of American Vogue, pictured above) if I could photograph her in front of her favorite Metzner photograph she gently responded "Well, this one I worked on." as she leads me over to Uma Patau Dress (1986), a feature of the evening.

This is Beatrix Ost. She is an author and an artist with a phenomenal and sophisticated personal style. Her latest book is a memoir entitled "My Father's House". It is her account of growing up in post-war Germany. When I asked Beatrix if she has a getaway where she likes to write, she perplexedly responded,

"No, I don't need a getaway, I am my own getaway"

Ost is also a good friend of Metzners. Below you will see her posing with a photograph of her gloved hand. She comments that the photo was taken in the 80's and exclaims "The 1980's, so much fun!"

Infused With Jalepenos at Hotel Delmano

I was told by the bartender to not take any photographs. When I inquired as to his reason, he replied, "This is a dark place". Indeed! But there is just enough candlelight to illuminate its oak corners and a wall festooned with antiquated portraits. Walking into Hotel Delmano (82 Berry street, Williamsburg) is a fine step away from the modern world.

The "Telenovela" cocktail is made from fresh lime, agave nectar, jalapeno infused tequila, with a cava float. Like a Latin American soap opera, it is bright and spicy, but not overpowering. A birthday party at the Hotel Delmano calls for formal attire. One lovely reveler appreciates the Latin flavors with an elegant twist.

The Dirty Fences play Lit Lounge & meet the silver screen

When did punk rock begin? Some say the 70's . . .


I'd say the beginning of time... or on second thought f*&% that question.  The Dirty Fences play punk rock off all ages and they don't need spikes or studs to fly their flag, they know what they're doing.  With Dee Dee Ramone's 1,2,3,4 and a contemporary underground east coast sound, The Dirty Fences have you dancing, stomping, and feeling like you snuck out your bedroom window to come see them play.

http://www.myspace.com/thedirtyfences

The East Village's Lit Lounge has a gallery in the back and a music venue downstairs.  Lit has preserved the rough and inviting feeling the neighborhood was always known for.


Filmmakers Remy Bennett and Emilie Richard-Froozon double-exposed at Lit. Their most recent project, Rufur, is ready to go. Emilie based the short on a dream she had. Remy, who stars in the film, was also featured in the actual dream. She's a busy lady. Stay tuned for the trailer of Rufur as well as the premier happening at the end of the month!

Dancing to a Dirty Fences song which will be featured in Rufur.  I won't give the title away, but I will say the film and the song together are like a car that has "just married" written all over it.

Lara meets a lot of people and a lot of bands, stamping hands at Lit. One of the favorite bands she discovered there are called Forgetters.  Lara's tattoo on her chest says (in an Italian accent) "Forgive never forget".

What to look forward to in September...

The 10th

John Waters talks about the inspiration for his new book Role Models at COCO66 in Greenpoint. Buying the book from local bookstore WORD is your ticket in!

The 11th

Behind the scenes at fashion designer Prabal Gurung's Spring runway show.

Gurung heralds from the Lower East Side and has designed for the likes of our first lady!

The 19th

With a name inspired by both the Olson twins and the twins from The Shining, The Shining Twins play Glasslands (community art and music space) in Williamsburg. Riot grrrl music perfect to run away to.

Black Velvet ( in tribute to James Brown!) at Tip Top Bar and Grill

"My first cape was sewn together from three sequined evening gowns from the Salvation Army"- Black Velvet

Black Velvet is a showstopper that goes beyond mere imitation. He tears it all out from a deep place, his performance fierce and impassioned, the crowd a frenzy of shaking hips and stamping feet. This is why they call it soul, you just got to feel it.

Tip Top Bar and Grill in Bed Stuy, a neighborhood joint where the vibe is friendly and the $15 all you can eat soul buffet plentiful- chicken and ribs, corn bread, macaroni and cheese, a mana of comfort food. The low ceilings are dotted with christmas lights and the bar is lined with beer bottles stoppered with white napkins.

Bad-ass bartender, Lala, her name like a pair of notes, tells us it is Tip Top tradition to top your bottle this way to keep out the metal taste of the cap. Junior the door man tells us that when he opened up the bar with a trio of his siblings in the 60's, the place was called "Brothers".