A Brief Epistle from Alex Battles

The ever intriguing Alex Battles has overcome greater odds than website failure no doubt, so the King of Brooklyn Country, author of Hong Kong Collision and so many tunes about love - unrequited and otherwise -- and of course beer and other libations as well as telenovelas   has sent out a missive to his legion of fans worldwide. Until his website returns Deep in the Heart of Brooklyn is delighted to post it below:

 

"I will be singing the songs of Frank Sinatra on his birthday, December 12, 2013, at The Jalopy Theatre. I'll be backed by the groovy rhythms of The Bob Windows Quartet, featuring Lou Dyanamo on saxophone, Calloway St. Clair on piano, Diana Fontana on bass, and Maxwell Danger on drums. It would be wonderful to see you there. (Tickets. Event invite.)

 

Many of you know LJ Lindhurst as the artist who painted the Johnny Cash Birthday Bash banner. I'm delighted to serve as curator on her upcoming show "The Easter Bunny, Santa Claus, & God" opening at Littlefield on December 14, 2013. 

 

On New Year's Day, I will master the ceremonies of Hank-O-Rama X at the Rodeo Bar. The Lonesome Prairie Dogs' dynamite celebration of Hank Williams has assuaged hangovers annually since 2005. I am excited to take part once again.

 

The Johnny Cash 82nd Birthday Bash will return to the Bell House for two nights this year, on February 28, 2014 and March 1, 2014. Tickets will go on sale soon. Check the Bell House website and Twitter feed for updates.

 

I put a bunch of my music back onto iTunes, including the original master of Goodbye Almira, Fatback-Spo-Dee-O-Dee, Vol. 1, and Ev'rything's OK, Alex Battles. You will enjoy them.

 

My website should be up and running again by the end of the week. I updated something I shouldn't have. I think there was PHP involved. Oops! In the meantime, there's always twitter, facebook, instagram, and most importantly, Calvin & Hobbes.

 

Take care and have a wonderful day.

Ab

--Deep in the Heart ofBrooklyn 

Channel This: Groundbreaking Bob Dylan "Like a Rolling Stone" Interactive Video

Listen up all you Princes and Pretty People: Bob Dylan's official website just released "Like a Rolling Stone" like you've never seen it before -- everywhere and on every channel at once. This is a fun one. Link here

Anonymous: Contemporary Tibetan Art-"if you meet the visionary on the road.."

Mona Lisa by Dedron 2012

Anonymous: Contemporary Tibetan Art at the Samuel Dorsky Museum at the State University of New York at New Paltz seems to endeavor to bridge the chasm between the pop theocracy that the west seems to adore about Tibetan Buddhism and the complications faced by the remote mountain nation in its conflicts not only with the People's Republic of China but also with the encroaching modernization and consumer culture that no country no matter how remote can escape. This fine exhibit combines contemporary artists using traditional forms to view the present, and modern techniques to view the past. Anonymous offers Colorful, challenging and philosophical insights into a culture whose modern artistic expression is much less known in the West and whose cultural conflicts and ironies we prefer to take in the bite size pieces. Like a Zen koan these contemporary artists explore their culture as natives and as expats with a nuanced eye that shows that truths that seem to make no sense may be the most revealing expressions of all. The show is curated by Rachel Pereira Weingeist and is largely drawn from the private collection of Shelley and Donald Rubin whose art holdings serve as the heart of New York City's Rubin Museum of Art. The Dorsky Museum at SUNY-New Paltz never ceases to amaze. Through December 15, 2013.

Dorsky link here http://www.newpaltz.edu/museum/exhibitions/anonymous.html

-Tony Napoli

It Was Snowing in Brooklyn!

Say It Ain't So: Corgis-- An Endangered Breed

Guinevere, in repose, contemplating the future of the Breed.

The New York Post reports that "The Queen of England’s favorite breed of dog was placed on Britain’s Kennel Club’s “at watch” list — and could soon become endangered, the organization warns. Only 241 Pembroke Welsh corgis are registered with the club this year and, unless that number spikes to 300 by January, the pups will be placed on a “vulnerable native breeds” list, the club claims." Full article fro mthe NY Post here

Ain't No Stopping Him Now: Bill deBlasio in the Bronx

Bill deBlasio is touching New Yorkers in their hopes and in their hearts. As reported in Politicker, he wowed Halloween crowds in the Bronx in a pre-election visit. The NY Times endorsed Mr. deBlasion while in recent profile of Joe Lhota, suggested that he has deep managerial and technocratic skills that Mr. deBlasio does not. Given the recent failures to achieve full liftoff of the Affordable Health Care Act, there are no doubt concerns that Mr. deBlasio could mirror President Obama in his popularity and campaigning acumen, but also in his weakness with legislators and seemingly limited executive ability. However, this might be a false fear. Given Mr. deBlasio's experience on the City Council, his extremely strong organization, his efforts as Public Advocate, his energy and contacts at all levels of government and in the community,and in business, and the political capital resulting from a Big Win in a predominently Democratic city, absent a major crisis, he has the potential to successfully take the reins of New York City government in hand, hire a strong team, and get grounded, while beginning to press for some of his initiatives. If he can also make some inroads -- somehow -- into job creation and homelessness, while continuing current efforts to maintain safe streets address stop and frisk, while making gradual education improvements, it could truly be a Brand New Day and a next step in a remarkable evolution for the former NYU student activist. First it will be up to the voters -- and then up to our Next Mayor. Full article from by Jill Colvin from Politcker here