Week of May 4 - May 10, 2010

LET’S CELEBRATE
“CINCO DE MAYO”.

Before we get started on all the fun ideas and things to do this Cinco De Mayo, let’s take a look back at the significance of this holiday.

HISTORY:

Cinco de Mayo is celebrated in the United States and primarily limited to the state of Puebla in Mexico. It marks the victory of the Mexican Army over the French at the “Battle of Puebla” during the French-Mexican War on May 5, 1862. This battle was significant in that the 4,000 Mexican soldiers led by Mexican General Ignacio Zaragoza, were greatly outnumbered by the well-equipped French army of 8,000 that had not been defeated for almost 50 years.


DECORATE :

La Sirena
A true NYC GEM featuring the very best of Mexican Folk Art. Owner Dina Leor ensures that this quaint, L.E.S. boutique is stocked with arts and crafts from all over Mexico, from museum quality pieces to traditional marketplace merchandise and in all price ranges. You are sure to find those special touches for your Cinco De Mayo decoration from colorful papel picado to traditional candleholder centerpieces. 27 East 3rd Street, between 2nd Avenue and Bowery. (212) 780-9113. www.lasirenanyc.com.

Crate & Barrel
Stripes it up for Cinco De Mayo with their colorful and festive Raya Collection. The Dining and Entertaining collection includes matching pitcher, platter, bowl, 3-cup saucer, and chip and dip server. Prices range from $5.95 to $29.95. Visit www.crateandbarrel.com for more information.



DRINK:

Agavefest 2010 (Agave is best recognized as the plant from which tequila is made)
Astor Center hosts a tasting of a variety of brands and styles from jovens to añejos, mini-classes that address topics such as what agave distillates really are and are not (is tequila really mezcal? Is Cuervo really tequila?) and last but certainly not least cocktails at the Lounge. May 5th. Astor Center, 399 Lafayette Street at East 4th Street. (212) 674-7501. 6:30pm to 8:30pm. $25.00. www.astorcenternyc.com .


EAT:

Maria's Mexican Bistro
This consistent crowd pleasing Park Slope Mexican Bistro will celebrate Cinco De Mayo with style featuring a live music Trio at 8:30pm, singing everything from mariachis to baladas. Brace yourself because in addition to the all-around good food owners Carlos and Eduardo will invite patrons to do free tequila shots at 8pm and every hour on the hour until Midnight. Owner Eduardo Nacipucha has more than 150 different tequilas and makes all his margarita juices (including lime, pomegranate, blood orange and avocado) from scratch. Maria’s Mexican Bistro, 669 Union Street, at Fourth Avenue, Brooklyn. (718) 638-2344. Hours, Sun-Thu; noon-11pm; Fri-Sat; noon- midnight.


SHOP:

Viva La Girls Night Out
In celebration of Cinco de Mayo, Shecky’s, the event that continuously provides us with the ultimate shopping extravaganza is offering a Cinco de Mayo SPECIAL which includes Shecky’s Goodie Bag + General Admission. $5 OFF with code SPECIAL5, only $20 - $25 (usually $25 - $30). The upcoming Shecky’s “Girls Night Out” event in New York City will take place on June 15th through June 18th. 82 Mercer Street, between Spring and Broome Streets. 5pm to 10pm. This special deal ends May 5th. www.sheckys.com.


CULTURAL:

"The Big Read In The Bronx Celebrates Mexico"
With food, music, crafts, films, theater, and panels about Mexico, all happening throughout the Bronx. The Big Read is a program of the National Endowment of the Arts that encourages literacy and reading culture in local communities. The inaugural Big Read in the Bronx was held in March and April of 2008, with a celebration of the classic novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. More than 1,200 free books were distributed, many to individuals who had never owned a book before. May 4th through the 15th. For more information visit www.bronxarts.org.


DANCE:

Latin Jazz Legend Eddie Palmieri performing at SOB’s. May 5th. SOB's, 204 Varick Street. (212) 243-4940. 7:30pm performance. Tickets, $25 in advance. For more information visit www.sobs.com.


DJ Camilo will kick off the Cinco De Mayo After-Work party celebrations at Amnesia Nightclub. May 5th. Amnesia Nightclub, 609 West 29th Street, between 11th and 12 Avenues. (212) . Doors open at 5pm, everyone free until 7pm, reduced after on the nocheLatina guest list. For more information visit www.nochelatina.com.

Week of March 16 – March 23, 2010

Welcome to the very first blog entry for GEM NYC!

ART: The Chicano movement invades the East Coast with an art exhibit titled "Phantom Sightings: Art After the Chicano Movement", opening March 24th at El Museo del Barrio. The exhibit features 100 works in all contemporary media, and includes video, performance, and installation art by 27 artists and collectives.


PHOTOGRAPHY: Explore the Boogie Down Bronx through the lens of acclaimed South Bronx, born and raised photographer, Joe Conzo and his exhibit “The Bronx: Mi Barrio, Mi Orgullo” on view now through July 2010 at the Center for Puerto Rican Studies, Hunter College.


FOOD: Restaurateur extraordinaire, Jimmy Rodriguez delivers another crowd pleaser with Don Coqui, located in New Rochelle, NY. Dishes like Casuela de Marisco (seafood stew with lobster, shrimp, clams, mussels, and calamari with coconut rice) and Pionono (ground beef wrapped in sweet plantains with pigeon pea rice)affirms why Don Coqui is referred to as the “shortcut to Puerto Rico”. For those of you hoping to sharpen your culinary skills, be sure to sign up for one of the weekly cooking classes.


A worthy mention goes out to the Brooklyn: Dine In Brooklyn promotion going on from March 15th through March 25th, and featuring over 200 Brooklyn restaurants offering a 3 course; $20.10 lunch and $25.00 dinner (does not include beverages tax or gratuity). Several GEM NYC blog staff favorites include Luz Restaurant (Latin American; brunch, lunch, dinner), Bogota Latin Bistro (Pan Latino; dinner) and Maria's Bistro Mexicano (Mexican; brunch and dinner).


BOOKS: The Park Slope Barnes and Noble gets a little Latin flavor with an appearance and book signing by Food Network star Daisy Martinez, “Daisy: Morning, Noon and Night: Bringing Your Family Together with Everyday Latin Dishes” on Thursday, March 18th at 7:30 p.m.


ONLINE PICK: Have a shoe fetish? You are not alone, check out MissMeanShoe.com, an online magazine devoted to women’s fashion footwear. Launched in July 2009 by Lizmarys M. Armiza, MissMeanShoe.com has become one of the top sites dedicated to shoes from Steve Madden to Christian Dior. Guys there is no need to feel left out, the recently launched MrMeanShoe.com is sure to satisfy the potential, if not established shoeaholic in you.


TELEVISION: HBO’s buzz worthy show “How To Make It In America” a.k.a the New York version of Entourage, will inspire you to fuel your hustle, maybe start your own business, and remember why AMERICA is the “land of opportunities”. Cast favorites include: Luis Guzman (from Carlitos Way and Traffic), Victor Rasuk (from Raising Victor Vargas), and Scott “Kid Cudi” Mescudi (Rapper).