PLANET CHOCKO – art/music/movies/beyond

all fall down in Warwick & Bellvale, NY

October 22nd, 2017 by Mr. C

(Bellvale Farms in Bellvale, NY)

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I felt crummy that I couldn’t commit to the all day Tour De Bronx ride today, an annual free bicycle ride that tours the borough of the Bronx. But fortunately, the day wasn’t completely wasted as we took a half day jaunt into the beautiful countryside of Warwick, NY and the surrounding farmland and quaint villages to reset the internal battery. It’s always a treat to get away from the outskirts of the City especially during late October to witness the changing of the guards of fall foliage. This area of the lower Hudson Valley of NY from Bear Mountain to Seven Lakes Drive, all the way to Orange County where the NY Renaissance Fair lives including Warwick, Bellvale, and all points to Woodbury, NY is easily my favorite destinations in NY State to spend a day away from Metropolitan NYC. Hiking, biking, motorcycling, & even just driving through these parts is a treat!
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(The first stop since we were passing by here anyway before heading towards Pennings Farms, Orchards and Market was the Bellvale Farms Creamery. The Creamery wasn’t open until 12p but we made a quick pit stop here to take a few photos before the hordes of ice cream aficionados pack the line.)

(Backdrop behind the Creamery)

(We drive about a mile down the road to the actual Bellvale Farms to take a peek of the source of where the natural ingredients are harvested)

(The next stop was to the Village of Warwick. Destination – Noble Pies Cafe. We found out the cafe storefront of Noble Pies was permanently closed. So we headed to their original location where the actual magic of pie making takes place.)

(Farmers market in downtown Warwick)

(Noble Pies on Rt 94)

(Apple Pie @ Noble Pies. Fresh pies made from fruits picked at the local orchards. Apples are from nearby Och Orchards. the pies here are amazing including sweet and the savory variety. I have tried the Apple, Pumpkin, & Rhubarb and they were all amazing! My friend is attracted to their savory meat pies like Shepards Pie and their Chicken Curry variety!)

(We get in the car and drive a few blocks down to Pennings Farms, Orchard & Market. This is an amazing space of farm, orchards, market, beer garden, cider orchard, food court, & play garden for adults & kids alike!)

(enjoyed this bbq brisket sandwich with beer cheese!)

(Pennings Cider Orchards/Distillery – 21 and over only!)

(After soaking in mucho sun & fun at Pennings Farm, we head back to Bellvale Farms Creamery for some ice cream! But before that we wanted to drive by the grounds of The Warwick Drive-In Movie Theater – one of the only standing and operating outdoor car drive-in movie theatres in our area! The Warwick Drive-In was a stones throw away from Pennings Farm.)

(It looks like Blade Runner 2049 is playing here!)

(Finally, we return back to the scene of the crime, the Bellvale Farms Creamery for a cold one for the road!)

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Aviation Hall of Fame and Museum of New Jersey

October 7th, 2017 by Mr. C

(L: Lockheed Bushmaster,R: Coast Guard Sikorsky Helicopter)

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Just a mere 5 minutes away from the Planet Chocko kitchen if all the traffic lights cooperate leading towards Teterboro Airport, lies the Aviation Hall of Fame and Museum of New Jersey! This was one of those places that I always said to myself, I gotta make my way down there one of these days but I never did, even with the convenience of growing up in these parts for most of my life. Well, this weekend I finally made it down there! The Aviation Hall of Fame and Museum is dedicated in preservation of NJs most honorable who’s who in aviation and space heritage. The Museum also gives great insight especially “sight” into historic air and space equipment, aircraft, artifacts, photos, artwork, hands-on exhibits, & model collection. This facility also has more than 2500 volumes of books and hundreds of aviation videotapes. This is the place to geek out in anything Aeronautics! All the resources here are educational and inspirational!

(NJ’s finest in Space)

(a nosey Martin 202A Airliner)

(NJ Hall of Fame in Aeronautics)

What drew me in to this particular visit was the Open cockpit weekend when the public can walk inside the cockpit of several planes to get a feel of what it’s like being a pilot! I believe the Aviation Hall of Fame has open cockpit weekends once a month or every two months. The outdoor display of real life aircraft was also the main draw for me. Here I saw a Martin 202A Airliner from the 1950s, a Bell Cobra Attack Helicopter that has seen action in the Vietnam War, the Coast Guard Sikorsky Helicopter, a Lockheed LASA 60 Bush plane, an Airport Rescue & firefighting Vehicle, a TWA Convair 880 Jetliner Cockpit and others that I couldn’t identify. Now that I have broken the air-waves, the Aviation Hall of Fame of NJ will definitely get more play in the Planet Chocko lineup! Maybe we’ll run into you geeking out in flight!

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Teterboro Airport
400 Fred Wehran Dr, Teterboro, NJ 07608

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(a rare Lockheed Bushmaster)

(x2-rocket-airplane-engine-Curtiss-Wright-1951)

(wright-engines)

(wright-aeronautical-j5-whirlwind-engine-built-in-paterson-1920s)

(TWA Convair & a Martin 202A Airliner view)

(twa-inside the Convair)

(inside the cockpit of the 880 convair jetliner from 1958)

(Martin 202A Airliner from 1950s – the-spirit-of-arthur-de-domenico)

(the-lawrance-aircraft-engine-2-cylinder-1916)

(The Big Ugly!)

(Martin 202A Airliner – something tells me these weren’t the original seats for the cockpit?!)

(Spare parts anyone?)

(Hand on exhibit for the kids and big kids alike!)

(Ram-Jet-Curtiss-Wright)

(J44-turbo-jet-engine-teterboro-school-of-aeronautics)

(Does this remind you of M*A*S*H ?)

(a M*A*S*H Bell helicopter)

(old significant propellers and a Charles Lindbergh artifact w/ his stop at Teterboro Airport)

(One of the first Hovercrafts – NJ made – Glidemobile-hovercraft tested at beisers-pond in sparta,nj-1959)

(Flight Simulator)

(Bell Cobra gunship Attack Helicopter has seen action during missions at Vietnam War)

(Coast Guard Sikorsky Helicopter)

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An Interview with Rebelmatic

September 28th, 2017 by chocko

Rebelmatic (Creature, Ray Reed, Alkatraz and Karnage) photo by Ricky Powell

It has been a busy year for New York City’s hard rocking Rebelmatic. They played Punk Island and for the second time, the AFROPUNK Festival. You can catch them on television…they were recent musical guests on The Chris Gethard Show and featured performers on BRIC TV. They just played an insane show at The Bowery Electric to promote their newest EP, Eat The Monster. Their punk songs sound like if you put the songs of Agnostic Front, Bad Brains and Public Enemy and mixed it all in a blender. See them live and you will wanna start a mosh pit. Rebelmatic features Creature on vocals, Alkatraz on guitar, Karnage on bass and vocals and Ray Reed on drums. Be sure to support this band, go to their shows and pick up their latest music, Eat The Monster. Thanks to Creature and Karnage for taking the time out and doing the following interview.

Tell us the meaning and origin of the band’s name.
CREATURE: The origin of the band name was inspired by the song, “Rebel Without A Pause” by Public Enemy. Also, another inspiration was the album title, “Illmatic” by Nas. It’s about resilience and being the ultimate rebel. When you know what you want to accomplish, you go all out. You don’t have to think about it, it’s automatic. So that’s the meaning of Rebelmatic.

How did you all meet and what inspired you to start a band?
CREATURE: We all met in different ways. I met Alkatraz through mutual friends, because we are the same area in Corona, Queens. I met Karnage at this show we did at Port 41 on W. 41st in Manhattan. He was in this band, Shakuan, as a guitarist. We were all there to open up for blk Vampires. We started talking and we had similiar vibes and similiar music interest. A few months later, his band breaks up, and we we’re looking to fill a bass slot. We already had a guitarist playing bass for us, but he wanted to get back on guitar. So I said hey man I think you would be a dope fit on bass. He was already a fan of our music, so he winded playing bass for us. Our drummer Ray Reed, he answered an ad we had in the musician section of backpage.com. This the current line-up over the past year and a half, but Rebelmatic has existed for eight years.
KARNAGE: I met Creature at W. 41st in Manhattan. My band at the time, Shakuan, was on a bill with Rebelmatic, and blk Vampires. We started talking and realized we had a similiar upbringing, as far being black men, and being fans of rock music and hip-hop. We kept in contact after that show, and began to go to Rebelmatic shows. I became a fan, and I got to know the other members including Alkatraz. Few months later, Shakuan breaks up, and Creature asks me if I wanted to play bass for them. I played guitar already, so I made the transition to bass easily. The rest is history. I have been in Rebelmatic for four years now.

Describe the music you play and what do you want the listener to get out of it?
CREATURE: The best way to describe our sound is James Brown in a mosh pit. What we want people to get from our music is an unadulterated experience. That means feeling the honesty, the energy, and the music kicking their ass! It’s social, it’s introspective, it’s grass root, not misogynistic, and it’s fresh and exciting.
KARNAGE: Yes, I would say it’s James Brown in a mosh pit too. It’s aggressive, groovy and honest. We want the listener to get a sense of relentless passion, and unbridaled fury. Especially seeing us live, we want the listener to have a hard time containing themselves. They have got to rock out with Rebelmatic.

What are some of your musical influences?
CREATURE: Bad Brains, Public Enemy, James Brown, Wu-Tang Clan, Nirvana, The Doors
KARNAGE: Black Sabbath, Funkadelic, James Brown, Soundgarden, The Deftones, Public Enemy, Redman, Bad Brains, etc. Too many to name.

Tell us about the new EP, Eat The Monster. How was the writing and recording process like?
CREATURE: The writing process was natural. The songs write themselves. We either jam out on a riff at rehearsal, or someone comes in with a song idea and we work that out. Sometimes I have lyrics, sometimes I don’t. If the music hits me right then, I’ll freestyle the lyrics, and then format it later once the music together. We don’t record any songs until we have performed them. We may have performed the song for three months or more before going in the studio. The recording process is easier because of that. Usually the songs are done in 1 to 3 takes. Then we go back in to do overdubs, fattened up the sound and that’s it. We take our time, but our writing and recording and process isn’t drawn out. This music is meant to be heard live, but you get a recording to take home with you. We try to keep the recording as close to the live experience as much as possible.

What has so far been the most memorable show that you ever played and why?
CREATURE: Afropunk 2013 and 2017, Punx of Color 2017 and Aesop Rock and Rob Sonic at Irving Plaza in 2016. We dig Afropunk because it’s always a lot of people. Some get Rebelmatic, some don’t, but it’s cool. We’re playing outside and that always feels free. The Punx of Color 2017 was fun because it was a big basement party in someone’s house, and it was jam-packed with people. From the first note to the last, the energy was electrifying. It was one the most purest and intimate shows we have ever done. The Aesop Rock and Rob Sonic concert was great because it was a hip hop show that was sold out. I performed songs from my EP, Torn Together, with Rebelmatic and then we finished off the set with a Rebelmatic song , “Walls Have Ears” from our Judas Goat EP. The audience was receptive in a way that was amazing.

What are some bands or musicians that you recommend listening to?
CREATURE: I’m going to name any bigger bands, because everyone knows those bands. I’ll recommend some bands of our musical ilk that we know. I would say listen to Fear Is Dead, Red Arkade, Maafa, The Bandroids, blk Vampires, Killer of Sheep, Ache, and Activator
KARNAGE: I’ll recommend some unheard of bands. I recommend Demon Fuzz, Black Merda, The 1619 Bad Ass Band, Ebony Rhythm Funk Campaign, Ballin’ Jack, The Mighty Ryeders and Aguaturbia.

Do any members of Rebelmatic have hobbies or other talents or interests outside of music?
CREATURE: I rap and have been rapping since I was a teenager. I have a solo album, and two EPs. I still record by making appearances on other people’s music that I’m associated with. I’m working on putting out another rap project, but instead of beats from producers, Rebelmatic will provide the music. Aside from being a musician, I’m a father of two children. I have a son and a daughter. My ultimate life now is being a musician and a father.
KARNAGE: I play guitar, but I joined Rebelmatic as their bassist. I also DJ under the name DJ Eddie Nocentelli. I spin funk, soul, jazz, world music and hip-hop. I also rap. I’m also a teaching artist in elementary after school program on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.

What are some of your favorite movies?
CREATURE: Coonskin, The Spook Who Sat By The Door, Serpico, Carlito’s Way, Goodfellas, The Education of Sonny Carson, Do The Right Thing…these are movies I come back to and will watch again and again.
KARNAGE: Some of my favorite movies are Heavy Traffic, The Black Gestapo, Coonskin, I’m Gonna Get You Sucka, Don’t Be A Menace, Menace To Society, Drop Squad, Goodfellas, The Killer, The Professional, etc.

Name your top 3 favorite hip hop albums.
CREATURE: 1. Public Enemy- It Takes A Nation of Millions To Hold Us Back 2. Wu-Tang Clan- Enter The 36 Chambers 3. Mobb Deep- The Infamous
KARNAGE: 1. Redman- Whut? Thee Album!, 2. Ghostface Killah- Supreme Clientele and 3. The Roots- Things Fall Apart

If you guys were professional wrestlers, who would you want to battle in the ring and what type of match would it be?
CREATURE: If we were professional wrestler, we would battle The Road Warriors, The Legion of Doom, Jake “The Snake” Roberts, and the original Four Horseman. That’s Tully Blanchard, Ole and Arn Anderson and Ric Flair in a Steel Cage Match. However, if we’re talking non-wrestlers, then it would be George Zimmerman, Donald Trump, Rush Limbaugh, and former New York City Mayor Rudolph Guiliani. Steel Cage Match! We would break his neck!
KARNAGE: Let’s throw in Hacksaw Jim Duggan, George The Animal Steele, Sgt. Slaughter, and The Rock. It would be a Battle Royale Steel Cage match.

If you became the mayor of NYC, what are some things you would change?
CREATURE: I would enforce zoning laws against the building of luxury condos and co-ops in certain areas of the five boroughs. Also, I would stop gentrification, police terrorism, and protect Mom and Pop neighborhood establishments from being taken over by big business. These neighborhoods should be able maintain a sense of community and not commodity. It can be clean with some dirt on it. Remember, nothing grows from the earth without soil and dirt.
KARNAGE: I would change gentrification. There are other things, but that’s ruining the fabric of neighborhoods. You have generations of families and businesses being forced out because of high property taxes. I’m not saying don’t nice buildings in low income areas, but make them affordable for the people whom have been living there and want something better for themselves.

What are the current and future plans for Rebelmatic?
CREATURE: The current plans for Rebelmatic are to continue to promote Eat The Monster. In December, we are going to the Dominican Republic to play the Destruccion Masiva Festival. We will be playing with punk and metal bands. As far as future plans go, we’ll keep recording more music. We’ll keep being rebels without a pause.

Any last words you would like to share?
CREATURE: Go and get Eat The Monster everywhere online! Support music you feel is true.

follow Rebelmatic on twitter
like Rebelmatic on facebook
follow Rebelmatic on Youtube
www.Rebelmatic.com

Tags: afropunk, alkatraz, creature, eat the monster, elephant amnesia, hard rock, hardcore punk, interview, judas goat, karnage, new york city, nyc, punk, punk rock, ray reed, rebelmatic, survival gathering
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Roger Miret + Stigma at Generation Records

September 27th, 2017 by chocko

A couple weeks ago, Roger Miret, lead singer of Agnostic Front and one of the pioneers of New York Hardcore made an appearance at Generation Records in NYC to promote his memoir My Riot: Agnostic Front, Grit, Guts & Glory . The book is about Miret’s life and story from coming to America straight outta Cuba at the age of four and living a chaotic life in the ghetto. While living in abandoned buildings on the Lower East Side surrounded by junkies and criminals, Miret befriends other young misfits who eventually band together and play shows at places such as the legendary clubs A-7 and CBGB. The book also chronicles Miret’s encounters in prison along with the suffering of his family after being incarcerated for a drug charge. Despite the hard life, Roger Miret always remained humble, genuine and grateful. The book signing event was preceded by a quick introduction by Howie Abrams (author/co-founder of In-Effect Records) and a Q&A moderated by Drew Stone (director of The New York Hardcore Chronicles Film/lead singer of NYC’s Antidote).

Generation Records located at 210 Thompson St, New York, NY 10012. Records, CDs…punk, metal, books, shirts. Used and New. Support!

Roger signed books in the back and stamped each one with a special stamp to commemorate the event. There was an awesome looking cake by Vegan Treats which was inspired by a 1985 Agnostic Front tour poster. Scroll and check out the close up shot on top of the page!

Stigma featuring original Agnostic Front member, Vinnie Stigma along with AF’s Mike Gallo performed hardcore tunes to a packed house while Roger signed books. Vinnie is one of the funniest guys in the hardcore scene, so it’s always a pleasure when he’s on stage. The band fired up the engines and blazed through the following songs: NY Blood, Hard Living, My Reflection, Days Of Old, I Am, Turning The Tide, Don’t Lose Faith, Dead Wrong and 15 Pints. Stigma ended their set with an Agnostic Front song, Power and Roger Miret joined the band for the Iron Cross cover Crucified. There was one attempt at a crowd surf and pile on…not recommended in a basement of a packed record store! NYHC Forever!

You can catch Roger Miret, Vinnie Stigma and the rest of Agnostic Front as they tour in celebration of their 35th Anniversary. They’ll be performing in Florida for most of October, Europe in November and The West Coast and Texas in December. Get My Riot: Agnostic Front, Grit, Guts & Glory at the merch table or a rad book store near you. Check out some videos from the frontline at NYC’s Generation Records below!

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Tags: agnostic front, autobiography, drew stone, generation records, My Riot: Agnostic Front, new york city, new york hardcore, nyc, nyhc, punk, punk rock, record store, Roger Miret, stigma, vinnie stigma
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L7: Pretend We’re Dead at DOC NYC

August 27th, 2017 by chocko

L7: Pretend We’re Dead documentary made its World Premiere at last year’s DOC NYC. The movie is the story of the all female punk, grunge, rock and roll band L7. Told mostly from their perspective with their own home footage, viewers are immersed into the van and on the road from the formation of the band to their breakup in 2001. Director Sarah Price did an excellent job culling 140 hours of video footage to tell the story of a band of rebels having to contend with the rigors of touring, the music industry and fame while having a good time. The film also features loads of previously unseen concert footage and interviews with Garbage’s Shirley Manson, Nirvana’s Krist Novoselic, Butch Vig, Joan Jett, Lydia Lunch and X singer Exene Cervenka. Chocko was in the house for the world premiere at DOC NYC which included a post screening Q&A with L7.

L7 at SVA Theatre with Joan Jett and members of The Lunachicks

Goofing around in the lobby with L7 and The Lunachicks

left to right: Suzi Gardner, Jennifer Finch, Donita Sparks and Dee Plakas

Donita and Dee answering the weird and freaky questions at the Q&A

Suzi and Jennifer at the Q&A

L7 along with editor Jolynn Garnes, director Sarah Price and producers Robert Fagan and Maria Aceves. Check out the video of the Q&A below!

L7: Pretend We’re Dead will be released worldwide October 13 on VOD and Blu-ray / DVD. The film will be screening on a mini multi-city tour which gets rolling on September 1, with over a dozen dates and more to be announced in select markets this Fall. The band is also scheduled to play a bunch of West Coast dates. No news on any East Coast dates just yet, however you can catch a screening of the documentary at Nitehawk Cinema in Brooklyn on Thursday, October 5 at 7:30 pm along with a Q&A with producer Maria Aceves and L7’s Donita Sparks. See you there!

Tags: cinema, dee plakas, doc nyc, documentary, donita sparks, jennifer finch, joan jett, L7, L7: Pretend We're Dead, movies, punk, Q&A, suzi gardner, sva theatre, The Lunachicks
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Citi Summer Streets NYC 2017

August 20th, 2017 by Mr. C

One of NYCs most popular annual events – Summer Streets NYC came to a close yesterday. Summer Streets & the Department of Transportation of NYC turns 3 consecutive Saturdays in August into a 7 mile car free zone stretching from Downtown Manhattan Lafayette Street / City Hall area all the way uptown to Park ave and 72nd Street. This year’s program was in its 10th iteration and things went smoothly as usual. There are 5 rest stops and events along the route like live bands performing, dance team demos, water slides, free bike helmet giveaways, and other muses to stir up your attention. To be honest, I usually skip all the events and just enjoy the casual bike ride along this car free zone while watching people get their groove on in their many forms on the concrete pavement! You see folks jogging, walking, riding bicycles, on skateboards (electric & traditional), roller blades, tandem bicycles, scooters, & recumbents!

(I parked my car in Chelsea and started my Summer Street entrance on 23rd Street w/ my 2 wheeler!)

Every year, I try to talk myself out of participating in Summer Streets trying to rationalize that I ride my bike and enjoy the city regardless if they close the streets to traffic or not but I end up going to at least one of the Saturday’s and end up enjoying the day to the fullest! No matter how many times I ride in the zombie free zone on Lafayette Street & Park Ave, it is special to takeover the streets without having to worry about the yellow assassins and other moving cages that are not aware of folks on two’s.

(Park Ave approaching Grand Central Terminal and the Metlife Building)

(Plenty of other fold-up bikes in the mix)

(diverting into Grand Central Station for a Coffee pit stop!)

(Mondocurry picking up his Citbike and off to Park ave uptown to continue the journey!)

(Grand Central Terminal fast approaching! This is one of my favorite drives(by car) or rides(by bike) in Manhattan! Just driving around this gorgeous structure and then through it is awesome!)

(out the womb we came into the arms of Park ave going uptown baby, uptown baby!)

(Turn around on Park ave by 72nd street, headed back downtown)

(Helmsley building bound)

(push that cart! even the Halal Cart is enjoying the Summer Streets without motor vehicles swirling around him!)

(approaching union square)

(Astor place stop)

(Lafayette St and Bleeker)

(Lafayette & Spring bottleneck stop)

(Last stop or someone’s First Stop – Foley Square!)

(Lafayette & Canal Street – Going back uptown a few blocks for some eats)

(We attempted to get into Dim Sum Specialists from Hong Kong – Tim Ho Wan but it was mobbed!)

(Stopped in at Cha Cha Matcha on Broome Street for some iced green tea latte drinks)

(We bid farewell!)

(Yuan – 2nd Ave & 10th St)

(artwork inside Yuan – Chinese swordsman with a double edge sword – almost looks like Gordon Liu/Shaw Brothers!)

(Classic style Guilin Rice noodle w/ braised beef)

(Wonton in chili oil)

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New York Renaissance Faire: 40th Anniversary Season

August 11th, 2017 by chocko

Huzzah! A couple of days ago marked the first weekend of the 40th Anniversary season of the New York Renaissance Faire. It’s a magical place where you feel like you stepped out of a time machine and ended up in a shire where wizards, knights, pirates and sweet singing sirens roam about. Be sure to visit August 5 – October 1 on Saturdays, Sundays and Labor Day 10 AM – 7 PM. All the fun and fantasy is located at 600 Rt. 17A Tuxedo, NY. Admission is reasonable and you can easily find discounts online. Once you get there and walk trough the gates, I do recommend purchasing a program for a dollar which features a map and a schedule of the events and activities for that day. It’s possible to spend a whole day at the Faire and not see everything they have to offer, so it’s recommended you take a minute to plan out your day. Be sure to check out one of the three daily jousting events. The Joust to the Death at the end of the day is the best but it’s definitely not for the squeamish. The knights on horseback mean bloody business if you know what I mean. You can get VIP seating for an additional $5 which includes covered seating, a bottle of water and an exclusive souvenir. A bottle of water at the snack booths cost $4 so maybe not such a bad deal. Purchase the Royal Treatment VIP seating at the Information Booth in the Village Green!

A parade welcomed the morning guests. God Save The Queen!

Cirque du Sewer is a new addition to the entertainment you will experience at the Ren Faire. Brace yourself for some acrobatic antics brought to you by Melissa and some nimble rats along with a ballet dancing cat named Pad Kee Meow. If you love the circus, comedy and rodents, then don’t miss this! Be sure to tip your favorite performers!

Ahoy, Mateys! Battle Ships is another new addition to the program and features swashbuckling pirates in a no holds barred rumble against Queen Elizabeth’s mightiest soldiers and meanest pirate hunters. Plenty is at stake during this battle royal including the capture of the legendary Spear of Manannan Mac Lir and the title of Commander of the Seven Seas.

Music is a huge part of the experience. Be sure to stop and listen to various musicians from singing sirens, fiddlers, pipers, or perhaps the smooth, soothing sounds of the dulcimer. Many musicians are selling CDs so bring extra shillings to support the ren faire underground music scene!

Hey, Nunnie Nunnie! are a comedic duo of nuns that sing funny songs that are guaranteed to make you pee your pirate pants. My favorite moment was the crowd participation during the hilarious song about the 5 Constipated Men of the Bible. Who doesn’t love songs about poop?

If shopping is your thing, then there’s plenty to keep you busy from arts and crafts, dragon puppets, sculptures, weapons, crystal balls and tunics. If you’re feeling frisky then the M’Lady’s Panties is your one stop shop…a Victoria’s Secret for the sexy princess, queen or whiny wench in your life.

Gypsy Geoff is an international champion when it comes to street performance. His show is kid friendly and involves juggling, comedy and great balls of fire. Gather ’round and witness the tantalizing tricks but don’t sit too close for ye may get your eyebrows and beards singed off.

A fun moment after some tantalizing twirling and fancy footwork to some fast and whimsical fiddling. The pretty lass in blue got some moves!

Snake-Oil Glassworks represented at the glassblowing booth. We sat and watched some of the demo but a wizard must have placed a sleeping spell on me because my eyelids were getting heavy and the lecture like atmosphere was not helping. No disrespect to the professor, but even his sexy outfit and corset couldn’t keep Chocko from nodding and dozing off.

The Sky Kings Falconry is always an eye-opening and educational experience. I’ve never seen an Australian Kookaburra in person, so it was a thrill and to hear it “laugh” was one of the funniest bird calls you will ever hear. I was impressed by the owl, its huge wingspan and quiet like a ninja flying techniques. A vulture, hawks and falcons also represented.

The game of chess is taken to the next level when the pieces involve Robin Hood and his Merry Band of Outlaws. They must face the Sheriff of Nottingham and his cronies for the entertainment of Her Majesty.

The Crimson Pirates performing at Blue Boar Inn…guaranteed to make you sing a long and dance a jig. These buccaneers sing about beer, lost love and adventures on the high seas. Catch ’em at a faire near you!

Ded Bob! and his faithful dummy Sluj will have you falling out of your seat with their dirty jokes and crude antics. Totally inappropriate for children but all the adult jokes will fly over their little, angelic heads. If you like your comedy lewd then the filth coming out of the cadaver better known as Ded Bob! is up your alley. Make no bones about it…not to be missed!

More shopping…perhaps a metal dragon for your garden in the backyard. You know, I didn’t even talk about food at the faire. They usually get a bad rap like they only have turkey legs and mead on the menu. Not true..you can find all sorts of reasonably priced meals at the shire from mexican food, veggie dishes, desserts, falafel, and pad thai noodles. If you like to drink brew then join one of the 3 pub crawls scheduled throughout the day. There really is something for everybody. The day ended with Aaron Bonk’s fire, whip and sword show; a joust; more browsing and lively music near the exit gates. Be sure to make plans to go to the New York Renaissance Faire. Until next time, Fare thee well.

Check out the video (by KH Edits) above for a brief compilation of footage gathered from opening weekend at the NY Renaissance Faire! If you like what you see and need to get a video project edited, KH Edits got ya covered! Excellent rates and speedy service. Arigato, gatos.

Tags: 2017, 40th anniversary season, fantasy, GSTQ, new york renaissance faire, nyrf, ren faire, renaissance faire, tuxedo new york
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Puerto Rico Street Art + Graffiti

July 15th, 2017 by chocko

On a recent trip to Puerto Rico, Chocko roamed the streets for the vibrant graffiti and street art scene armed with his dusty camera. The first 3 photos of the bunch were taken in Hato Rey which is the financial district of San Juan, the capital and largest city in Puerto Rico. Beware of the robots! They get up in the wee hours of the morning, scouring the blocks for the freshest cup of brew while listening to Wu-Tang Clan in their undies. I started spotting robots all over PR and after a quick google search, Chocko learned that the artist goes by the name Shitty Robots.

The 4 photos above are from a drive towards Old San Juan, the historic part of town and popular cruise destination. There was a street with wall to wall graffiti, cartoon characters and those robots up to no good again!

The 2 photos above were taken in Old San Juan. Most of the businesses near the huge mural appear to have suffered from a huge fire. The wheat paste figures on an old decrepit building in Old San Juan on La Calle San Jose depicts some well known and revered writers from Puerto Rico.

The 2 photos above were taken from a side trip to El Yunque National Forest, a tropical rainforest located on the northeastern part of the island. The photos were taken on a road which led to the visitor center.

After checking out the local thrift store (Electroshock) and eating at a recommended spot (Bebos Cafe) on Calle Loiza in the Condado neighborhood, a quick walk around the surrounding blocks revealed a busy street art scene featuring political messages and prancing zebras. The remaining photos below were taken in the neighborhood of Santurce, not the most tourist friendly of places, but you’ll find lots of graffiti, art, galleries and abandoned alley ways with chickens roaming about. There are even some food trucks scattered around to fill your little pot belly.

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Tags: art, graffiti, hato rey, murals, puerto rico, san juan, santurce, street art
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DR. OCTAGON played IRVING PLAZA

June 23rd, 2017 by chocko

The Dr. Octagon Experience Tour recently wrapped up at NYC’s Irving Plaza. The tour celebrated the 1996 underground smash from outer space, the album titled Dr. Octagonecologyst. DJ Herbert Holler from the Freedom Party NYC shows, opened up the evening with a 45 minute set of real hip hop…heavy on the old school east coast stuff like Wutang Clan, Bootcamp Clik and Mobb Deep represented. Dr. Octagon featured the triple threat of producer Dan The Automator, Kool Keith on the microphone and DJ Qbert on the turntable…yup he’s so good he only needs to scratch on one. They were accompanied by a bassist and percussionist who along with Dan and Qbert donned surgical masks and lab coats. Kool Keith stepped on stage with a blood splattered lab coat, shades, and a sequined head wrap which reminded me of something Blowfly would wear. Behind the band was a screen which projected lots of tasty softcore visuals which would have made Jess Franco proud.

Kool Keith kept the crowd moving, whether fists were being pumped or arms were being waved side to side. A lot of tracks off the 1996 Octagonecologyst album were performed including 3000, Earth People, No Awareness, Blue Flowers, Girl Let Me Touch You. The crowd also got a taste of some new Dr. Octagon with “Operation Zero” which was first performed live a couple months ago on the West Coast. “Black Hole Sun” was on the set list but unless I missed it, that song was not performed.

Dan The Automator (pictured above) took some time to talk to the crowd despite being heckled by most likely some drunken fool. Being the producer of the Octagonecologyst album he was asked to tour but he insisted on bringing along the world’s best DJ, DJ Qbert. Both Dan and Qbert then broke into a “Bear Witness” routine which made turntablist enthusiasts cream their jeans, I’m sure. After the jedi-master scratching clinic, Kool Keith performed a few more tunes including “Wild And Crazy.”

After a quick break, The Dr. Octagon Experience wrapped up the show with “Blue Flowers” (Remix) and “I’m Destructive.” DJ Qbert requested Kool Keith do some old school popping b-boy moves. At The conclusion of the set, Kool Keith obliged with some funky-fresh robotic popping that got the crowd hyped! Check that out in one of the videos below!

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Tags: dan the automator, dj qbert, dr octagon, hip hop, irving plaza, kool keith, new york city, nyc
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paging mr. c – lost & found – mini nyc up / Big Apple BBQ Block Party

June 12th, 2017 by Mr. C

(the Ubons BBQ team getting their smoked wings on – finishing things on the grill)

hey folks, Mr. C is back on the scene again! It’s been more than a NY minute since I reported on my insignificant findings & frolickings about in the little village on the prairie. I’ve been uber busy tending to family health issues & doing my filial piety duties. However, I was able to escape into uncle Jessie’s pickup truck for a few hours on sunday to have a mild mannered, hazard county boss hog type of escapade at the boar’s nest! Thanks to Chocko for holding down the Planet Chocko depository with reports on his forever misadventures in the motherland and beyond while I get things sorted out at the home/storm front.

(I started the day pumping liquid caffeine into my bloodstream at the very rustic & homey feel of Birch Coffee on 27th Street by Madison Avenue. I’m taking notes and having no prisoners here! Are you on my list?!)

All I know was that the annual Big Apple BBQ Block party was happening and that I must partake in some feedings! I met up with the always epicurious Mondocurry for a tag team action of porky pig hide & go eat! Our first victim and our BBQ block party favorite for some years now is Chris Lilly of Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Que serving their ever sumptuous pulled pork sandwich with a spicy mustard coleslaw! We always go swinging for the fences and start with something good & predictable & Big Bob Gibson is always that. Their pulled pork meat is moist & roughly chopped with a few slivers of nicely charred pork among the mix. Add the famous white sauce, & habanero BBQ sauce and
hog heaven is where I’m at.

(When Pigs Fly or When Doves Cry? – OK. bad joke)

(Shake Shack was doing their thing – BBQ block party or not. With 90 degree temps, a custard or shake sounds like a great idea!)

(Fox Brothers BBQ from Atlanta had a tasty combo of brisket & jalapeño-cheddar sausage with potato salad. I think Fox Brothers was overshadowed by the ever famous Salt Lick out of Texas serving pretty much the same combo. Fox Brothers for the underdog win!)

(From out of left field and literally just blocks away, arguably my favorite protein of the day besides Big Bob Gibson were local veterans from NYC, Blue Smoke. They served brisket burnt ends with chipotle barbecue sauce, & summer corn salad! Charred, smokey, tender, and the chipotle sauce was A-OK! The hot/BBQ sauce in the squeeze bottle was dyno-mite! Almost reminded me of the hot oil infused with the ground chili peppers found in some chinese restaurants! Sign me up for another round of these burnt ends in mass!)

(Next, we had the Chicken Wings and Sausage plate from the Ubons crew from what I hailed as having the best side-dish of the day, Bloody Mary Cucumber Salad! The Wings had a nice refreshing & smokey taste to them but not as done up charred as I would have liked but that bloody mary salad was aiight!!)

(Time was running out for this prince but I had just enough in the hour-glass to cool down with some treats at Grace Street Cafe in Korea Town on 32nd Street. This 90+ degree day filled with the other white meat in the tummy called for some Korean shaved ice to fan the flame!)

(This Black Sesame Bing Su certainly hit the spot! Black Sesame Snow + Strawberry + Mochi + Red Bean + Misugaru + Condensed Milk)

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Reservoir Dogs 25th Anniversary at The Beacon Theatre

May 3rd, 2017 by chocko

One of the special events that took place at the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival was the 25th Anniversary screening of RESERVOIR DOGS in glorious 35 mm at The Beacon Theatre. Quentin Tarantino’s super cool movie about potty-mouthed gangsters and a jewel heist gone bad first screened at the Sundance Film Festival in 1992. It was screened there again this year to celebrate the world’s first introduction to movies by Tarantino and last week Tribeca Film Festival gathered the rowdy masses to commemorate RESERVOIR DOGS along with a post screening discussion featuring Quentin Tarantino, Tim Roth, Steve Buscemi, Harvey Keitel and Michael Madsen. Mr. Brown, Mr. Orange, Mr. Pink, Mr. White and Mr. Blonde all sat with Lynn Hirschberg of the New York Times for an interesting conversation that revealed a lot of fun facts including Tarantino admitting that Tom Waits read for the part of Mr. Brown. If there’s footage of Tom Waits doing the Madonna speech, let’s see it! Another fact revealed by Tarantino is that Wes Craven walked out of a festival movie screening. The director of NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET may have found the torture scene with Mr. Blonde carving off a cop’s ear a bit too much. It was also fun to hear the origin of Mr. Blonde’s dance which Madsen admits came from watching a James Cagney movie. Check it all out below…we’ve got some photos by Chocko from the Loge section and the audio from the post screening conversation. A huge thank you to Ariela at Unseen Films for sneaking Chocko into the building.

Tags: 2017, 25th Anniversary, Beacon Theatre, cinema, movies, quentin tarantino, Reservoir Dogs, tribeca film festival, Tribeca2017
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Crate Diggers: WFMU Record Fair is Happening This Weekend!

April 28th, 2017 by chocko

Drop all your plans and get down to the 2017 WFMU Record Fair this weekend (April 28-30) located in Greenpoint, Brooklyn at the Brooklyn Expo Center, 79 Franklin Street. Get ready to dig through crates and boxes of records, CDs and DVDs so start limbering up those fingers and get your scrawny legs ready to squat and crawl under tables for the ultimate obstacle course in buying music. There will be live bands and broadcasts to keep you busy including Bloodshot Bill playing at 2pm on April 29 during the Fool’s Paradise with Rex broadcast. Shortly after, Todd-O-Phonic Todd will be broadcasting live with guests Atlantic Thrills (3:30PM), Baby Shakes (4:30PM) and Ronnie Fujiyama of the 5,6,7,8’s (5:30PM). Also on April 30 check out some live music with Matmos with Chuck Bettis (3PM) and Laurice (4PM). The Movie Lounge will be hosting screenings including THE LOST ARCADE and DANNY SAYS on Saturday April 29 which will be followed by a Q&A with director Brendan Toller. Screenings on Sunday includes a great documentary MISS SHARON JONES! about soul singer Sharon Jones who passed away last year. As far as food, Two Boots Pizza and DUB Pies will be in the house to make sure your belly stays full and happy while you shop for records. The photos and videos in this post are from the 2016 WFMU Record Fair which feels like it was just yesterday. Thanks for checking us out!