che che cole

I love horns. Trumpets in particular. There is something about a melody that fades away only to segue into a honey filled horn phrase that makes my heart want to burst. In a good way, of course. This explains a bit of my love affair with mariachi music and old school salsa. With mariachi, well.. you sing along, throw back some tequila, curse your ex-lovers, profess your undying love for your horse, and pay homage to your roots. Crying is good, too.

When it comes to salsa, I can't help it. I move. I just go until I can't eke out another turn. There are breaks, of course. Maybe for a cold beer, or glass of water, but then, I have to dive back in. There is no standing on the sidelines. Absolutely impossible.

Now.. in keeping with the spirit of outdoor dancing, I was fortunate enough to have an evening off for something that I had been looking forward to all summer. Willie Colon. Outdoors. East River. 75 degrees. Heaven.

The energy was insane,the neighborhood was beyond ready, and Willie delivered the honey.

Deja los rollers, mami.. let's go!

disco garden

Just a little outdoor disco party to round out last weekend. DJ Nicky Siano did his thing and I am now convinced of the first purchase I am making when I finally attain the yard of my dreams. (Well, after the grill, that is) A disco ball. Amazing. Summer night, trees, tacos, picnic tables, disco,and a mirror ball that keeps everyone illuminated.. what else could one want?

paletero, what happened?

photo-1
Originally uploaded by palomany

So I set off on a little quest to find my precious paleta man, and just about fell over when I saw this! Maybe it's the romantic or the purist in me, but I was beside myself. Not all that long ago the most difficult decision that we had to make was whether or not we wanted a paleta de agua or a paleta de leche. Water or milk. Lime, strawberry, coconut, tamarind if you wanted to get a little crazy. But.. ice cream sandwiches and snow cones? Okay. He just had to diversify a bit. I get it. But, deep inside, a little part of me is broken.

up on the roof

Space in New York is a precious commodity. An apartment with a backyard? I can honestly say that I have seriously contemplated some spaces with major flaws purely because of the urban dream that is the backyard. What's that you say Mr. Broker Man? No windows? Who needs sun? Uneven floors? Slip and slide parties! I can justify imperfections for days if you give me some outdoor space. A concrete slab? Sounds good to me. Just give a place for a grill and I am one happy girl. I am currently enamored with my terrace/fire escape/herb garden. (hey! It's mine..I can embellish, can't I?)
Fortunately for us, however, there is one thing in New York that we have in abundance, and that is rooftops. And the longer we can drag out a party before the police break it up, the better. So here's to summertime rooftop parties. Drink that punch, and if you don't like the food..bring some of your own. There's nothing like chicken and tostones on a gorgeous summer evening. Delicious!

it's water! it's aquadeco!

Why hello ma'am, would you like a coke or perhaps a little aquadeco to quench that thirst ? Um, water, I guess..

Was he serious? Yes. Yes he was. Aaaaah, a little summertime ritual called the Hampton Jitney.  Lot's of legroom, to be sure, but this part of the ride was a bit scary. Eeek! Bring your own water, kids. 

108_1181
Originally uploaded by palomany

seun kuti and egypt 80

Dancing in the park. Nothing like it. Even if it is astro turf. The Central Park crowd is a bit more reserved..how can you just sit there? Ah, well. More room for us! Seun and Egypt 80 turned this Sunday afternoon into bliss. Thank you for the fries and mango punch, Ray.

summertime is for lovers

So, I don't know about you, but I am a fan of summertime. It doesn't stretch out for seemingly endless days anymore, but nevertheless, I am still enraptured. Those days were filled with kickball games, swimming pools, front porch dance parties, and the arrival of the paleta man signaled by the eagerly anticipated bell chimes. Love the paleta man. Oh, yes I do. 

I absolutely love seasons, and (contrary to a certain dear los angeleno friend's belief) I think the imminent end of warm weather makes it that much sweeter. 

My present-day summertime has evolved into something kind of different, but then again, not really. 

Flea markets, stoop sales, lemonade, corn on the cob, bbq's, fireworks, and music... lots of music. All day, all night. 

Dancing outside? Yes, oh yes! On a stoop, in the park, in a backyard, just do it!

And it has been a delicious strawberry lemonade and coconut paleta of a summer so far...

Now, where do I begin?

shiny happy girls

This song gets me every time! I think it may be Lloyd's falsetto that takes me right back to 1993, but whatever it is, I am feeling it! Thank you Memphis for putting a girl on! The video is just plain fire. Shiny, happy girls in shiny happy metallics, including american apparel's entire lycra collection.. yes! I think I once wore that gold one-piece for a little spring break something or other, but let's keep that on the low. Now.. dance!