Monthly Archives: November 2011

The Fez

Posted by on November 19, 2011 2 comments

 

A night of music at The Fez -- photo by Heather Elizabeth Photography.

Walking into The Fez (227 Summer Street, Stamford) is like entering an alternate reality, perhaps the opium den scene from an old movie about “the Orient.” Mirrors and black roses adorn the blood-red walls, and a silver hookah sits in a corner.  Curtains, candelabras, and burnished lanterns give the Middle Eastern restaurant a warm, shadowy feel that’s perfect for enjoying good music, good food, and a good glass of wine.

I’m usually drawn to The Fez on Wednesdays for Singer-Songwriter Acoustic Open Mic night — and for the $2 Miller High Lifes.  Anthony Quinn Carpanzano has been hosting the weekly event since May 2010.  “The first night, it was just me playing and like five people showed up,” he said.

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Improptu Music Article: Metal, Puking, and More Metal

Posted by on November 9, 2011 3 comments

 

I don't know any of these people, at all... Photo by Heather Elizabeth Clegg.

You never know what you’re gonna find when you’re out there “supporting the scene.”  This past weekend I found two good new bands and a bad hangover, and now I’m gonna tell you about it.

Friday night it was Arcane Malevolence and Symphony of Malice at Seaside Tavern in Stamford.  I “support” Arcane pretty often – and by support, I mean I go watch my fiancée play guitar and make sure that other girls don’t watch him too closely.  Because of the conflict of interest, I won’t tell you what they sound like; instead, find out from my fellow blogger Stone of Metal Odyssey or listen to thirty seconds of “Haxan” and find out for yourself. Read more »

You Can Leave Your Hat On…

Posted by on November 7, 2011 1 comment

 

Hats! There is no article of clothing more expressive than a hat. When a person dons a hat, it is the first thing you notice when you see her/him. Whether practical or decorative, a hat is an extension of one’s self. You can tell a lot about a person by his or her hat.

To say that I have a passion for hats would be an understatement. I own dozens of hats from fashionable vintages to practical knits, and I will never own as many as I would like to! I even live in Connecticut’s Hat City. It saddens me that the days when a person didn’t leave his/her house without a hat have long passed. Once a fashion necessity for women, the hat has fallen into obscurity like stockings with seams, or is simply used for warmth. For men, hats have become a means of hiding receding hairlines whilst simultaneously expressing their devotion to a particular sports team. So sad. I have hope for the hat, though. Events such as the Royal Wedding and the Kentucky Derby remind us that hats are fun! Read more »

James Tate Gives Us a “Worshipful” Collection of Poems

Posted by on November 3, 2011 1 comment

Ah, a book review! Funny thing is, I should be crafting more of these for sure. But allow me to reveal myself – I’ve never been as much of a reader as a writer really. Ever since I seriously fell in love with the aspect of writing, I’ve delved into that aspect of literacy a whole lot more than reading. This isn’t to say that I’m a bad reader, since that would certainly be counter-intuitive. I guess I’ve always been more of a hands-on person when it comes to literature and especially poetry; more interested in crafting my own works than relishing in what others have done already. I don’t think it makes me any stronger of a writer, and quite honestly I see it as a flaw. Because of this, I’ve pretty much taught myself how to write properly, and I still struggle with some beginner aspects of it including grammar and vocabulary. I’ve made big leaps through perseverance alone I suppose, but there’s still much to learn for sure. Read more »

Vegetarian Thanksgiving

Posted by on November 2, 2011 4 comments

Believe it or not, I can identify with the plight of the vegetarian during the holiday season. I have a particular “food intolerance” – I can’t eat chicken, turkey or eggs that aren’t organic. So you can imagine my excitement a few years back when my loaded brother took us to a friend’s house for Thanksgiving instead of the usual 4 star restaurant. While I like the people, I knew they hadn’t been forewarned of my allergy and I was looking at a dinner of mashed potatoes and green beans. Over the years this has happened to me many times, but with notice we can bring a dish of our own that I can eat. I’ve even influenced my husband’s ex-mother-in-law to buy organic so we could all eat our Thanksgiving meal together. (Yes, you read that right, ex-mother-in-law. We all get along great. That’ll have to be another article.)

So when Jessie May asked who’d be willing to write about vegetarian Thanksgiving I jumped at the chance. Although I’m an omnivore I believe we can all eat less meat, and I thought it would be an interesting challenge to come up with a vegetarian meal that brought home the flavors of the holiday. Read more »

The Courage to be “That Guy”

Posted by on November 1, 2011 No comments

“Remember, remember the fifth of November, Gunpowder, treason and plot; I see no reason why Gunpowder Treason should ever be forgot.”

Guy Fawkes, also known as Guido Fawkes (not to be confused with a Jersey Shore cast member) came into my awareness after watching V for Vendetta. At first I thought the masked man with relaxed hair and a cape looked ridiculous but then I started to think….he’s kinda hot! Then again I am a sucker for guys with long hair and a beard. Who is this mysterious Geezer Butler look-alike? Read more »