Sometimes a break is all you need. After nearly five years away from the spotlight indie music darlings, Empire of the Sun are back with the new album titled, “Ice On The Dune” and a stage show unlike anything we have ever seen before. On Thursday night the keyboard and synth heavy band came to New York City for an exclusive secret concert for the MTV Iggy’s, “The Music Experiment 2.0″ at Gotham Hall. LocalBozo.com was front and center to bring you all the magic and mystery of the evening.

Almost an hour before Empire of the Sun would play a single note the party had already begun. Shortly after 9pm we made our way into the venue. Our first glimpse of what was going on inside seemed to be coming straight from the Stanley Kubrick movie “Eyes Wide Shut.” As far as the eye could see die hard fans donned masks, eccentric hats and even spaceman suits. Images of attendees amazing outfits and short looped videos of everything from scenes of nature to natives praying to their gods were projected onto the walls of the mammoth Gotham Hall. It was a trippy and beautiful scene. After soaking this up with our eyeballs the stage quickly went dark. The band would not hit the stage just yet. Like any true showmen a build up had to occur. Several scantily clad men and women took to the stage to beat drums, breathe fire and dance their asses off. The audience took note and followed suit.

With the energy at an all time high the men of Empire of the Sun took the stage wearing their insanely cool stage costumes. From this point it was anything goes. As the band ripped into the first few songs including, “Standing on the Shore”, “DNA” and “We Are the People” it was apparent that the time off only helped them become better, more skilled musicians. Lead singer, Luke Steele owned the keyboard and guitar, creating a sonic wall of fire that gave everyone in the house a satisfying burn. The same could be said for Steele’s band mate drummer, Nick Littlemore, who owned every beat and cymbal crash most notably on the title track of, “Ice On The Dune.”

As the show continued on video screens transported the audience into a world dedicated to each song. In the middle of the show dancing women who had graced the stage earlier appeared in scarily sexy costumes taking us on a virtual trip to a dystopian future. The show was seriously that detailed. When the band finally ripped into their first major hit, “Walking On A Dream” the place exploded into a full on rave with everyone singing along. This song sounds amazing live and confirms why most people got into this band in the first place. The scope of this review cannot convey how outstanding this performance was. Empire of the Sun gets it. We just wish other bands would take note.

- Jay Rubin

How do you turn a rainy night in New York City into a gigantic celebration? Well, just add rum of course! Caribbean Week in New York came to a spectacular conclusion on Friday evening at the sprawling venue that is Tribeca 360. LocalBozo.com was proud to be the sole media sponsor for an evening that took us on a culinary and cultural tour of the Caribbean without leaving the warm confines of our fair city. Enter the “Rum & Rhythm Benefit & Auction,” an evening of eats, drinks, music, and people celebrating all things Caribbean. From Barbados to the US Virgin Islands, no conch shell was left unturned. If you have never been to any of these breath taking destinations, Friday night’s festivities delivered a complimentary stamp on your passport through a variety of different represented countries. As if the evening alone didn’t leave you yearning for a trip to sunny paradise, perhaps you had better check yourself for a pulse.

Shortly after 6:30pm we headed into the large event space with three hundred and sixty degree views of our picturesque city (always breathtaking even in spite of the rain) and after receiving a rum cocktail once exiting the elevator we realized it was time to kick back and celebrate. As we walked around the spacious venue and sipped our drinks, a calm rolled over, releasing us from the rigors of a long work week. From that point on it was time to soak up the culture and enjoy the wide array of culinary delights. Before digging into the massive evening of choice eats we checked out the silent auction items, which directly benefit the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s programs. From JetBlue Airline tickets to iPhone accessories, a bevy of items and experiences lined the tables, giving guests plenty to bid on. At this point our stomachs began to rumble and our first stop was to the Barbados tables, where Chef Creig Greenidge was carefully and beautifully preparing a local specialty. Once the prep was complete we were handed a stunning plate of grilled Barbadian spiced beef. Tastefully served over a coconut bay leaf rice and peas and doused in a spiced rum curry sauce, the dish was mouthwatering to look at and also provided a flavor profile which was simply off the charts. The perfectly cooked meat was slathered in a spicy rub that yielded delicious heat with each bite. With such complex flavors, more drinks were in order. Fortunately, the space was loaded with bars serving up a variety of rum cocktails and beers. On this particular trip to the bar we opted for bottles of Carib, a premium Caribbean lager. The bartender popped slices of lime into the ice cold bottles, handing them to us to be gulped down in short work. Carib is comparable to that of a Corona but with a sweeter edge.

As the DJ spun local Caribbean favorites we floated through the venue with drinks in hand to each island themed station. The next stop was to the island of Grenada with Chef Willon Gibbs at the helm. Chef Gibbs brings over twenty five years of culinary experience to the event and his layout of delicious dishes boldly translated his experience to our palettes. Nutmeg rubbed chicken bites were our first tasting and were placed on skewers for easy consumption. Each bite showed off how nutmeg could be used for so much more than just desserts while the spicy rum shrimp and codfish salad with banana that truly showed off Chefs Gibbs’ expertise when it comes to taking seafood and translating it into a culinary work of art. After filling up on a few bites it was time to get down on some more rum. This time around we wanted to drink our rum as a dessert and our wish was instantly granted by the good people at El Dorado Rum Cream Liquor who were pouring their sweet drink into edible chocolate shot glasses. Each richly decadent sip made us return for repeat tastings. We could see we were not alone in imbibing these sweet alcohol confections when we spotted Law & Order: SVU star Tamara Tunie sipping on them with her friends nearby, enjoying the festivities of the evening.

Our virtual airplane touched down moments later in Tinidad and Tobago for what was one of our favorite samplings of the evening. Their curry crab and dumpling soup was other levels exciting. The very friendly server poured heaping amounts of broth, dumplings and of course crabs in a bowl. Once we dipped our spoon in for the first tasting we knew we had arrived in flavor town. The savory yet spicy broth was loaded with hot pepper sauce, parsley, ginger, curry, thyme and coconut milk and pleasantly, these opposing flavors combined into a divine creation. The fluffy dumplings and crab sections soaked up all the broth, allowing them to explode with deliciousness. We continued this love of heat a few steps away at the island of Jamaica’s station. The popular nation was represented by New York City favorite Golden Krust serving up Jamaican jerk wings and an indigenous rice blend. Our outlet loves wings, but to cake them with Jerk sauce makes us rethink our devotion to the Buffalo variety. The hearty rice loaded with beans brilliantly complimented the wings since the sauce works well on a number of salty foods.

As the evening wore on, we paced ourselves despite delicious tastes of distinctive rums from the likes of Appleton Estate, Mount Gay, and Cruzan, served both neat or with punches indicative to each country. The Benefit eventually turned into an all out dance party as the house DJ spun some Caribbean inspired anthems and island music to the delight of a room filled with energetic guests. Filled up from the delectable fare and truthfully, too many drinks to recall the day after, we headed back into the rainy streets of New York, reminiscing and today, yearning, for the few hours we so thoroughly enjoyed with our brief taste in the Caribbean.

- Jane Van Arsdale & Jay Rubin

June Events in New York City: Where You Need to Be

Date: Tuesday, June 4th 2013

Event: The 8th Annual Taste of Long Island City

Place: Gantry Plaza State Park

Cost: $60 General Admission

The Scoop: The 8th Annual Taste of Long Island City is the perfect way to seriously kick off your summer on the right foot. Gantry Plaza State Park is a sprawling venue on the East River Waterfront and a perfect location to sample some of the best dishes from this up and coming neighborhood. As you stroll through the grounds prepare for your jaw to hit the floor as you sip and sample everything from LocalBozo.com favorites Alewife, Alobar, and opendoor, and even the folks at Tom Cat Bakery. The date simply cant come fast enough. Once the food and spirits are gone, you”ll have plenty of the cityscape to gawk at for some serious eye candy! Grab up those tickets today!

Date: Friday, June 7th 2013

Event: Rum & Rhythm Benefit & Auction

Place: Tribeca 360

Cost: $100 General Admission, $75 Exclusive Sale

The Scoop: LocalBozo.com is proud to be the media sponsor of the highly anticipated “Rum & Rhythm Benefit & Auction.” On Friday, June 7th head to the posh space at Tribeca 360 and be prepared to be whisked away to the Caribbean for a high energy evening of rum loaded cocktails, rhythmic music and a one-of-a-kind auction event! All of this celebrating will benefit “The Caribbean Tourism Organization Foundation” which provides scholarships and financial assistance to Caribbean nationals interested in pursuing studies in tourism and hospitality, and also supports employees wanting to improve their foreign language skills. Grab your tickets and get into the spirit and rhythm of the night! OR stay tuned to LocalBozo.com THIS WEEK for a full preview of Caribbean Week and for your very own chance to win a pair of tickets for you and a guest. (HINT: You’ll need to follow @localbozo on Twitter)

Date: Saturday, June 8th – Sunday, June 9th 2013

Event: 11th Annual Big Apple Barbecue Block Party

Place: Madison Square Park

Cost: $125 Fast Pass (Valid Sunday Only)

The Scoop: Can you believe a year has gone by this fast? Lucky for you we are just days away from the “11th Annual Big Apple Barbecue Block Party !” One weekend a year, New York City’s Madison Square Park is transformed into a barbecue heaven, with Pitmasters representing smoked meats getting tons of love. From Jim Hagood of Charleston, South Carolina’s own “BlackJack Barbecue” to ‘Que champ Mike Mills of Las Vegas, no pig is left unturned. Don’t worry, the hometown crowd will be well represented with John Stage holding down the “Dinosaur Bar-B-Que” smoker and Charles Grund Jr. manning the “Hill Country” sauce brush! If you haven’t attended before prepare for a crazy good time, but one with waits for these mouthwatering delights. That’s why we highly advise all our readers to purchase a “Fast Pass” right away. As of now, only Sunday passes remain.

Date: Friday, June 7th – Sunday, June 9th 2013

Event: The Governors Ball Music Festival

Place: Randall’s Island

Cost: Friday VIP $180, 3 Day VIP $470; Saturday and Sunday Sold Out

The Scoop: New York City’s biggest music festival of the summer keeps getting better with three huge days of live music coming to Randall’s Island for the Governors Ball Music Festival. Headliners include Kings of Leon, Guns N’ Roses (what?!) and Kanye West with acts ranging from The Lumineers and Bloc Party to Pretty Lights, Of Monsters and Men, and Nas. Tickets are running out though so you had better have some cash to shell out if you want to see any of it live.

Date: Monday, June 10th 2013

Event: An Evening with The Les Paul Trio featuring special guest Zakk Wylde

Place: The Iridium

Cost: $37.50 General Admission ( Two Performances 7:00 PM and 10:00 PM)

The Scoop: Zakk Wylde is truly one of the premiere guitarists working today. From the look of this guy it appears that he eats, sleeps and breathes rock music. You may be a fan of Zakk’s from his band Black Label Society, his years touring and recording with Ozzy Osbourne or seeing him in the movie “Rockstar.” Either way, we are thrilled he is playing two, one night only performances at Iridium, a club known primarily for jazz. On this special Monday, Mr. Wylde will team up with The Les Paul Trio to truly melt some faces while horns are raised proudly to the sky! Grab your tickets today and prepare for true rock bliss!

Date: Tuesday, June 18th 2013

Event: BBQ & You: Benefiting New York Needs You

Place: Southwest Porch at Bryant Park

Cost: $95.00 General Admission

The Scoop: We are thrilled that, “BBQ & You” is returning for a second spectacular year at a very New York City centric location! The Southwest Porch at Bryant Park will play host to an evening of dining on mouthwatering barbecue and delectable delights from Tom Colicchio’s ‘wichcraft. While you eat prepare to imbibe on some serious craft beers from Peak Organic Brewing Company and wine from Apothic. The sophomore event raises much needed funds to benefit NYNY (New York Needs You), a non-profit organization that pairs high-achieving, low income college students with young professional mentor coaches. These pairs work tirelessly together on interview skills, resume writing and engage in job shadowing just to name a few. So why not spend an amazing summer night under the stars eating delicious BBQ while helping out those who want to attain their goals and succeed! Tickets are still on sale now!

Date: Sunday, June 23rd 2013

Event: iadventure.com’s ‘Bacon Bash II’

Place: Bowlmor Times Square

Cost: $35- entry and 1 draft beer; $45- 5 tastes and 1 draft beer; $85- entry for 2, 10 tastes and 2 draft beers

The Scoop: The power of the pig compels you. Join iadventure.com at Times Square’s most famous bowling alley in a celebration of all things bacon. With samples courtesy of Little Town, House of ‘Que, Baconery, Bacon Bites, and Bare Burger to name a few, and a slew of varying ticket prices to experience, strap on an oink nose for one of the two daytime sessions. If the ‘Bacon Bash’ is anything like the previous ‘King of the Wing’ or ‘Oysterfest’ events thrown by the thrillseeking website, it will be a truly wild Sunday afternoon into night.

Date: Tuesday, June 25th 2013

Event: Queens Centers for Progress Annual Gala

Place: Terrace On The Park

Cost: $250 General Admission

The Scoop: There’s simply nothing more important to us than supporting a worthy cause whenever the chance arises. The Queens Centers for Progress was founded by the parents of children who suffer from cerebral palsy and developmental disabilities. The organization works tirelessly to raise funds to provide the necessary help to better the lives of those stricken. On Tuesday, June 25th you will be able to stand proudly next to QCP and lend your support at their “Queens Centers for Progress Annual Gala.” Terrace On The Park, a lovely Queens establishment will host an evening of delicious dishes served on a continuous buffet plus an open bar. Any chance we can support QCP and the Queens community as a whole, is a night well spent and you should do the same!

Date: Tuesday, June 25th 2013

Event: Get Real Presents ‘Farmhouse Fest’

Place: Alewife Queens

Cost: $50 – Early Bird (Sold Out); $65 in advance; $85 Day of Event

The Scoop: Well, our pals at Get Real are at it again. You’ve survived the ‘aPORKalypse.’ You’ve doused yourself in ‘Beer Balls.’ In June, Long Island City’s Alewife now hosts the ‘Farmhouse Fest,’ a slightly more refined tasting experience for those with a palate to match. But you need not worry- there’s plenty of beer involved. And as a reader of LocalBozo.com, the discount code ‘LocalBozo’ gets you a cool $5 off the ticket price.  Enjoy entry to the festival and an unlimited amount of Farmhouse craft beers from the US, France, and Belgium, and Farmhouse style wines to pair with charcuterie, breads, fresh cheeses, pickles, and more. With Murray’s Cheese participating alongside breweries like Allagash, Ommegang, BedStuy, Sixpoint, De Ranke, and De La Senne- if that’s not enough, then there is no pleasing you. Jump on these tickets now before they sell out.

Date: Wednesday, June 26th 2013

Event: Edible Brooklyn’s ‘Pass the Paella’

Place: Brooklyn Brewery

Cost: $40

The Scoop: Well tough guy, just how much paella do you think you can eat? It might not be a contest, but there is certain to be all you can stomach at Edible Brooklyn’s ‘Pass the Paella’ event. Cans of Brooklyn Brewery beer will be on hand to wash down the heaping portions of rice, chorizo, peppers, mussels, and chicken, with a smattering of side dishes, all courtesy of the Backyard Cooking Company and Peck’s. Whether you taste a lot or a little, the choice is yours. But at $40, this sure to sell out event, is perhaps the best value of the entire month.

Date: Thursday, June 27th 2013

Event: The 2013 NBA Draft

Place: Barclays Center

Cost: $19.50-$35.50

The Scoop: Sports! Catch the NBA All-Stars of tomorrow at the 2013 NBA Draft live from Brooklyn’s sparkling Barclays Center. Televised live, the event will emanate from the BK for the very first time at the end of June and figures to be a fun and interactive fan event. Regardless of who the Nets or Knicks take, there are likely to be boos (and booze) all over the building. It’s a cheap and fun way to check out the Barclays Center for the first time AND to be a part of NBA history all at once.

December Events in New York City: Where You Need to Be

Date: Saturday, December ^1st 2012

Event: NYC Craft Beer Festival – Winter Harvest

Place: Basketball City – Pier 36

Cost: $55 in advance, $65 at the door

The Scoop: Beer fans, there really isn’t much one has to say to convince you to attend a festival celebrating your favorite drink. On the first Saturday of the month, December kicks off right as suds fans from all over the tri-state area will descend upon Basketball City at Pier 36 for the much anticipated “NYC Craft Beer Festival – Winter Harvest.” Nearly 75 participating breweries from across the country are each expected to showcase two of their finest offerings (about 150 beers total) with a strong emphasis on their Limited Release and Seasonal selections. All participants will be given 2 oz pours in a 3oz Souvenir Glass. But the experience of being at the Festival is more important than any keepsake memento.

Date: Sunday, December 2^nd 2012

Event: The Second Annual Slow Food Show

Place: Jimmy’s No. 43

Cost: $10 Slow Food Members / $15 Non-members / $15 At the Door

The Scoop: New York City event maven Jimmy Carbone is at it again. Mere weeks after restoring his namesake bar after Hurricane Sandy, Carbone returns to produce yet another exciting event with the, “Second Annual Slow Food Show.” It’s an exciting event that showcases local food entrepreneurs who are committed to rebuilding the regional food and farming economy with the production of their artisanal products. Spend your Sunday at one of the best bars in town, sampling some truly remarkable fare. And with tickets just $15 for the four hour event, you’d be hard pressed to find a better value anywhere in town.

Date: Thursday, December 6^th, 2012

Event: How Did This Get Made? – Live Podcast Taping

Place: The Bell House

Cost: Sold Out (Check with Bell House box office for availability)

The Scoop: Hosts Paul Scheer, Jason Mantzoukas, and June Diane Raphael take their extremely popular Earwolf podcast on the road making a stop right here in New York City. Two sold out shows are scheduled at Brooklyn’s much beloved Bell House allowing the hilarious team a live audience to make fun of moves in front of. Past ‘so bad it’s amazing’ movies have included, “Roadhouse” and “Super Mario Bros.” One can only imagine what schlocky flicks they have up their sleeves for this go round- but we’re making sure not to miss the live show.

Date: Monday, December ^10th, 2012

Event: Fourth Annual Latke Festival

Place: Brooklyn Academy of Music

Cost: Varies $55

The Scoop: Loads of NYC’s top restaurants like Blue Ribbon and Fatty ‘Cue will make their way to BAM this month to get the Hanukkah spirit! It’s the “Forth Annual Latke Festival” an evening filled with loads of latkes and lots of drinks including kombucha, wine, beer and vodka. It’s seasonal and fun so what are you waiting for? Buy your ticket and spin that dreidel.

Date: Wednesday, December ^12th, 2012

Event: 12.12.12- The Concert for Sandy Relief

Place: Madison Square Garden

Cost: TBA

The Scoop: Remember that little hurricane from a month ago? The one that left many of us without power for days and weeks at a time? How do you not remember it? Well some of the music industry’s biggest names are joining together for a benefit show at Madison Square Garden on December 12th for 12.12.12: The Concert For Sandy Relief with proceeds going to help the relief efforts. Springsteen. McCartney. Bon Jovi. Grohl. Billy Joel. The Who. Kanye West. Eddie Vedder. Just try getting tickets.

Date: Saturday, December 1^5th 2012

Event: SantaCon 2012

Place: Citywide

Cost: Participation is free.

The Scoop: Santa’s on the move! You will hear that phrase and other much more colorful ones when you take part in the 2012 SantaCon. This yearly happening is almost beyond description because of its sheer craziness. The LocalBozo.com crew has woken up bright and early and donned our Santa suits in each of the past four years. The event marries many of New Yorkers favorite things: showing off, drinking, and giving to charity. The last part is no joke as 2011’s event raised $10,000 for Toys for Tots and donated over 6,000 lbs of food to Manhattan and Brooklyn food banks. If you want to take part in this extremely unique event, and you should, you better go buy a Santa suit now!

 

Date: Sunday, December 16^th 2012

Event: The Brooklyn Cookie Takedown

Place: The Bell House

Cost: $15

The Scoop: A friend to LocalBozo.com, the domestic traveler Matt Timms is back at The Bell House once again for one of his signature Takedown events. And with the holidays just around the corner, his now annual Cookie Takedown is sure to be another can’t miss event. With free egg nog, taste around the room as thirty different entrants will all vie for supremacy of best in show. If last year’s event was any indication of what’s to come, Timms’ and company will surely outdo themselves this time.

Date: Thursday, December ^27th 2012

Event: WWE Presents: “Raw Holiday Tour”

Place: Madison Square Garden

Cost: $25 to $100

The Scoop: Any reader of LocalBozo.com understands our reverence for the art of professional wrestling and any fan that lives in New York City has a ton of exciting options in the month of December. With a live Monday Night Raw taping on December 10th in Newark and their TLC pay per view event at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on December 16th the WWE is all over our area this month. But the gem of them all is the now annual Raw brand Holiday Show at Madison Square Garden, where so many iconic WWE moments have taken place over the years. With a main event of CM Punk versus Ryback in a Steel Cage and with tickets as low as $25, the WWE has your holiday fix for nonstop action on December 27th.

Place: William Greenberg Desserts

Date: All Month Long

Cost: Various

The Scoop: William Greenberg Desserts has been a New York City institution since 1946, known for a variety of traditionally baked goods. The bakery still uses the same recipes today that it used when it opened its doors over 65 years ago. And if that’s not staying power, we don’t know what is. The entire month of December is a joyous time to spend with friends and loved ones as we end the year and look forward to a healthy and happy New Year. Therefore we’d recommend that you pick up a box of William Greenberg’s delicious black and white cookies to keep these good feelings going! Each cookie is festively dressed for the season in red and green frosting. Everything about their cookies is on point and tasty. They are perfect for a holiday party gift, or simply as an after dinner treat to dip in a glass of milk.

 

Date: Monday, December 31^st 2012

Event: New Year’s Eve in New York City

Place: Everywhere

Cost: Varies

The Scoop: Whether you’re going to some loud club to spend a ton of time waiting for drinks, having a dinner with friends, or going to brave it out in Times Square for hours and hours, New Year’s Eve is one of the most magical times to be a New Yorker. Surround yourselves with friends and loved ones during the countdown to 2013. And if you’re like us and you can’t be with the one you love, love the one you’re with.

- Jane Van Arsdale & Jay Rubin

The LocalBozo.com crew loves going into intimate NYC rock venues and checking out bands previously unknown to us for the first time. On Wednesday night, we headed to the bustling Bowery and ventured into the basement of the highly popular namesake of that street, Bowery Electric. Our purpose? Checking out Chicago band “The Ex Senators.” The show would be shortened due to the special nature of their New York appearance, but it did nothing to take away from capturing what these guys are all about.

The band hit the small stage taking a properly stripped down approach. There was no big intro by some disembodied voice or some long musical interlude to bring them out. Instead, it was more of a ‘take me as I am’ approach, as the towering “Dmac” took center stage with the rest of the five piece quickly getting into position. As soon as the band began playing, it became clear that the men of The Ex Senators straddle the line when it comes to music style. If you had walked into Bowery Electric without hearing the entire set you would believe that The Ex Senators were a ska band. And while they seem to have mastered the roots of the storied genre, made famous by bands like Operation Ivy and The Descendants, at the drop of a dime they morphed into a different band altogether, showing off a blues meets hard rock style with a cutting political edge. Guitarist Phabulous G.J., donning a hat and dark glasses, wielded his axe, laying down some slick and heavy licks in tunes like “The Kids Are Trouble” and “Start a Fight,”- the latter of which shows off the band’s political stance. Rhythm guitarist Van meanwhile, seamlessly melded with Phabulous’ work creating sweet ear candy while easily holding his own alongside.

While taking in the heavier live tracks our crew looked to each other, coming to agreement that Dmac sounds a lot like Pepper Keenan of Corrosion of Conformity and Down, evidenced by “United Corporations of America.” With vocals resembling the aforementioned frontman, Dmac’s style and attitude are all his own. The Ex Senators have easily been influenced by the likes of counter-culture greats like MC5 and the hero of the working man, Bruce Springsteen. This band was tight on every song played signaling to each other for every change, while feeling the room out to see what to lead into next. Their veteran onstage presence was loose, embracing the crowd to give it that lost bar band feel of yesterday. This defiant attitude was a welcome for the room, especially coming from a band who anticipates doing a large scale tour across the pond soon.

While the set was short, providing just a small taste of what the band is capable of, the show was a fun one, with songs that the crowd on hand was really able to get into. It can be difficult for a band to wear several different musical hats and have them all fit comfortably. The Ex Senators prove they can do this while at the same time injecting their political beliefs into their listeners with the hope they stop and seriously take notice.

- Jay Rubin

As a person who seeks out bizarre films on a regular basis I thought I had hit pay dirt when I sat down to watch “Cosmopolis” (R). I’d been anxious to screen this film as soon as I’d seen the initially released trailer, which showed a subtle science fiction landscape coupled with the fact that master of “body horror,” director David Cronenberg had returned to his odder side. Yet as the film spooled to the big screen I received an entirely different and less pleasing experience altogether. “Cosmopolis” stars Robert Pattinson (Twilight) as Eric Packer, a 28-year-old billionaire asset manager as he rode through Manhattan in his tricked out limousine in order to get a haircut, on a day filled with confrontations in various forms.

Most of the film is set inside Packer’s limousine, which doubles as a futuristic mobile office outfitted with computer monitors and encased in an armored shell for his protection. This atmosphere places Packer in the thick of New York City during a presidential visit and amid a series of vocal protests in the same vein as the Occupy Wall Street movement. We find our lead very much closed off from the rest of the world, tucked away in his tank like vehicle, which also happens to be where many of my problems with this film come from. I am all for innovative settings and avoiding these rapid fire camera cuts but during the many dialog-laden scenes with various employees and even a doctor’s visit, I found it difficult to stay engaged with the film’s presentation. Leading to the monotony moreover, Pattinson and his co-stars talk in a mostly stoic, robotic manner, which admittedly was interesting for the first few minutes before it quickly grew tiresome.

While the pacing of the film and the way rising action was established didn’t appeal to me in the way I had hoped, I found a handful of the film’s work to be quite redeeming. First off, the cinematography is beautiful. The actors are shot up close through most of the film providing a certain intensity wherein anything said carries tremendous weight. The use of darkness and the washing out of certain cast members and scenes play into the vacant and dreary picture of this modern New York City, which has been transformed to reveal how dangerous the city has become and just how much of the place we know now has been lost. But unfortunately, the science fiction film I was hoping for never managed to present itself on the screen.

I really wanted to like “Cosmopolis,” but the overwhelming soulless vacancy in each of the characters didn’t really offer anyone for me to rally behind, thus dulling the work entirely. Pattinson’s Packer may encounter many different types of personalities, but conversationally, the role felt both forced and tedious for the viewer. In “Cosmopolis,” there is detail without substance and the film dragged on and on, similar to his last film “A Dangerous Method,” which we also panned.

”Cosmopolis” is certainly not a film for everyone. While it’s artistically creative, there’s just something missing entirely from the movie that just leaves the viewer with the same emptiness that resides in Pattinson himself. Perhaps the film will become a cult success from the visionary, Cronenberg a popular midnight movie someday, with people like myself waiting on line in the cold while a long white limo cruises by with just the faint sound of laughter coming from the inside. Or perhaps it will be relegated to the memory of a novel transformed into a forgotten movie and a minor blip on the collective resume of an otherwise stellar cast.

“Cosmopolis” is rated R, starring Robert Pattinson, Juliette Binoche, and Paul Giamatti, has a runtime of 108 minutes, and is released in New York and Los Angeles on Friday, August 17th.

- Jay Rubin

Whenever you go see a member of a landmark band out on the road in a solo setting there exists certain expectations on both sides of the fence. For the singer-songwriter it’s hope that the audience will support their current work apart from the entity which made them notable. On the flip side, some members of the audience anxiously wonder whether the talent will omit certain hits from the set that connected them to said artist in the first place. On Tuesday night, Fleetwood Mac’s Lindsey Buckingham took to the stage of Manhattan’s B.B. King’s Blues Club for the second of two sold out nights and literally bull-dozed any of these expectations immediately. LocalBozo.com was front and center for a show that beautifully married his prolific work with Fleetwood Mac and his much beloved solo efforts.

At 9pm on the nose, Buckingham walked onto a bare bones stage which included a few amps, guitars, and a mic stand. The capacity crowd roared with excitement as Buckingham greeted them with an overly gracious bow and subsequent wave. And without wasting a moment he launched right into “Cast Away Dreams,” an opener from his solo work that managed to be touching, while also making us all rock out like we were teenagers again. Almost immediately, it was easy to see how Buckingham compensates for not having a full backing band on stage with him. His progressive style has armed him with an innovative collection of foot pedals that allow him to loop his own guitar playing in order to round out any song. This allows Buckingham the ability to explore the space with jams that seriously moved the New York City faithful.

The wide breadth of Buckingham’s solo career became more evident when he launched into “Not Too Late,” which demanded the audience to sit and listen to every lick which could only be played on an acoustically. Buckingham howled each heartbreaking yet reaffirming lyric as he expertly finger plucked the guitar. As the song concluded, fellow audience members were moved into one of many standing ovations throughout the set.

Buckingham is first and foremost an entertainer and one who knows exactly what the audience craves. And after receiving tons of love with all the solo tracks played, he launched into some tremendous renditions of Fleetwood Mac classics. Right before he began playing the familiar chords of “Never Going Back Again” and “Big Love,” addressed the band’s rich history and current state, describing them as the “Big Machine” an allusion to Fleetwood Mac and the “Small Machine,” a reference to his solo work. Both classic tunes made members of the crowd sing along and dance in the aisles. Although it would certainly have been incredible to see longtime stage partner Stevie Nicks harmonize with him, Buckingham’s raw ability allowed him to own the stage with the depth of a full band standing beside him on the intimate stage.

The hour and a half set time blew right by. It was just that good. Buckingham had easily won us over with his solo work that sounded on par with the great tunes of the “Big Machine.” But as a perfect cherry on top to a perfect evening of classic rock n’ roll, Buckingham surprised many in attendance by bursting into the Fleetwood Mac super-hit, “Go Your Own Way.” The song was an instant face melter for the audience. We sang it word for word, while looking on in awe to an artist who gave us everything we wanted and then some.

- Jay Rubin

 

A Guest Blog by Registered Dietitian Leslie Goldstein of HealthyStepNutrition.com

How much sugar do you consume in a day? And I don’t mean natural sugars from milk, yogurt, and fruit. Instead, I am referring to added sugars from processed foods such as soda, ice cream, and frozen yogurt, cookies and even granola bars! Don’t fret New Yorkers, you are not alone in the sugar craze. Americans consume approximately three times the amount of recommended added sugars than the American Heart Association recommends (recommended amount is 25 g for women, 37 g for men per day).

Now, you may ask “What’s so bad about sugar if it makes me feel so good?” Sugar intake is linked to reward centers in the brain that provide a temporary good feeling in the body which makes us crave more. These calories have no health benefit and can cause weight gain, high blood pressure, and high triglycerides.

Even foods that may not taste sweet may be loaded with added sugars. Reading the food ingredients on a package can help decode whether there they contain added sugars or just natural sugars. However, labels can be deceiving. Look for the following words– corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, malt, molasses, honey, brown sugar, dextrose, maltose, fructose, lactose, sucrose (HINT: words ending in “ose” contain sugar).

So, which foods have high levels of sugar? Feast your eyes on these numbers:

• • 1 can Coke- 39 grams
• • 1 Jell-O 100 calorie fat free pudding- 17 grams
• • 1 Starbucks blueberry scone- 17 grams
• • 1 Dunkin’ Donuts corn muffin- 35 grams
• • 1 Nature Valley yogurt granola bar- 13 grams
• • 1 packet Quaker Instant Oatmeal Apples & Cinnamons- 12 grams

Next time you think about grabbing food on the go, check out the label and think twice about the item! Try foods that say “reduced sugar, no added sugar, no syrup, or sugar free” instead. It’ll help keep the pounds off for the shirtless summertime weather.

- Leslie Goldstein, RD

Leslie Goldstein is a Registered Dietitian (RD) practicing in North Bergen and Hoboken, New Jersey.  Leslie is an avid exerciser who combines her nutrition knowledge and passion with motivational support in counseling to help her clients make lifestyle changes.  Leslie specializes in weight management, general wellness, Diabetes, bariatric surgery, hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Leslie accepts most major insurances. Telephone and/or online consults available.  

www.healthystepnutrition.com
8100 Kennedy Blvd. North Bergen, NJ 07047
Ph: 201-378-3287
Email: LeslieGoldsteinRD@gmail.com

 

A Guest Blog by Registered Dietitian Leslie Goldstein of HealthyStepNutrition.com

Do you think you get enough fiber each day? Do you really know what fiber does for your body? Most Americans do not get enough, so there’s no reason to feel as though you’re alone. The average intake of dietary fiber is 15 grams per day, while the adequate intake according to the 2010 Dietary Guidelines is at least 25 g for women and 35 g for men per day. Now, you might think “I eat a salad most nights and I snack on fruit so I must get enough fiber.” Although these foods do contain small amounts of fiber (an orange= 3 g and a small green salad= 1 g), it is insufficient to reach your goals.

You might be wondering- what exactly does fiber do for my body? Fiber is a non-digestible carbohydrate found in plant foods. Its main role in the body is to help you to feel full, reduce constipation, reduce the risks of cardiovascular disease and cancer, stabilize your blood sugar levels, and lower your cholesterol levels. The two main types of fiber are soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber is found in foods like beans, oats, nuts, fruits, and vegetables and it aids in lowering cholesterol. Meanwhile, insoluble fiber is found in foods with whole grains, nuts, seeds, and also fruits and veggies, and it helps with laxation.

How can you increase your daily intake you may ask? Try the following suggestions to add more fiber to your diet. Just make sure to increase your water intake to at least 64 ounces as you increase your fiber intake, since water helps fiber to move through the body.

• Start your morning with 1 cup of oatmeal (4 g) or a ½ cup of high fiber cereal such as Fiber One (14 g)
• Add 1 cup of berries to your breakfast or mid-morning snack (8g)
• Add 2 tablespoons of flaxseed to a smoothie or yogurt (4g)
• Snack on 1 cup raw red pepper (2g) with 3 tablespoons hummus (3g)
• Have 1 cup brown rice (4g) over white (1g) at your favorite Asian restaurant
• Have your sandwich on 2 slices of whole wheat bread (4g)
• Add 1 cup of beans (12g) or lentils (16g) to your salad at lunch

As you can see, adding fiber doesn’t have to mean eating bland and boring meals. You can still experience great New York City food with all the health benefits. Trust me, your stomach will thank you!

- Leslie Goldstein, RD

Leslie Goldstein is a Registered Dietitian (RD) practicing in North Bergen and Hoboken, New Jersey.  Leslie is an avid exerciser who combines her nutrition knowledge and passion with motivational support in counseling to help her clients make lifestyle changes.  Leslie specializes in weight management, general wellness, Diabetes, bariatric surgery, hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Leslie accepts most major insurances. Telephone and/or online consults available.  

www.healthystepnutrition.com
8100 Kennedy Blvd. North Bergen, NJ 07047
Ph: 201-378-3287
Email: LeslieGoldsteinRD@gmail.com

It is uncommon for one store to represent a city’s spirit. But from its legendary Thanksgiving Parade to its mammoth layout, Macy’s is New York City. Each and every year this shopping institution innovates instead of resting on its familiar name’s cache. One of the main examples of Macy’s innovative store promotions is going on right now, just in time for the start of spring with the 2012 Macy’s Flower Show. And for this year’s annual outing, their crack staff is basing the theme in Central America- specifically Brasil. ‘Gardens in Paradise’ is simply a walk through feast for the eyes, featuring some of the most exotic flowers and plant life of the highly romanticized region.

LocalBozo headed over to the show on Tuesday, and it was packed to the gills with onlookers. Both tourists and locals looked on in awe over the breathtaking vision of Central America’s indigenous flowers and plant life all located outside under a tent! The Macy’s show is a far cry from a greenhouse with a couple of plants strewn about. No, this is a self contained world that literally transports you to a tropical landscape we all wish for while walking NYC streets. Unlike the annual Flower Shows of years past, much of the show was moved outdoors this year, as opposed to crowding the makeup and jewelry aisles with intricate displays. There are some gardens inside Herald Square’s splendor however- leave it to Macy’s to pull off such an impressive venture.

The highly talented production team want visitors to see the exact locals where these flowers and plants derive from. Therefore, they have built realistic recreations of mid-century mission-style villages and modern-day inner city neighborhoods to put a cherry on top of all this eye candy. Guests can snap pictures and marvel at the architecture of Oscar Niemeyer’s ‘Brasilia,’ and embrace the mosaic walkways of Roberto Burle Marx. Be sure to check out the bridge situated next to a serene waterfall. It’s a great stop and a respite from all of the Manhattan bustle, that helps to capture the essence of this bountiful region.

As you stroll through the indoor garden try to take your time. It’s important to stop and check out the vast array of plant life present in one room. Toward the end of the tour, I spotted a very familiar sight. It was a plant that appeared to be sprouting tiny pink, vibrant pineapples from its leaves. And after doing several double takes I took a peek at the sign and it was in fact a distinctive looking pineapple plant. It looked delicious. Do yourself a favor and head over to Macy’s to check out this truly brilliant example of one of the planets most stunning countries. The Macy’s Flower Show will be running until April 7, with hours daily from 10am – 9pm. And don’t forget to bring your camera. The pictures will make a fantastic phone wallpaper.

- Jay Rubin