1. So many entertainment discoveries this week! I must admit that for me, the most positive thing about COVID was getting rid of my TV and cable. In their place, I got deep into podcasts and I just love the discovery journey they’ve set me on. It’s exhilarating, and so easy, to pursue anything you’re curious about whether it’s new music e.g. Samara Joy who I was lucky enough to see again this week (#2), or 19th Century mausoleum architecture and the history of the first American musical (#1).
2. I’ve also noticed how Western culture is having an outsize impact on fashion and entertainment. Even where we want to travel. More people than ever are heading to Western parts of the country, e.g., Marfa, Bozeman, Phoenix, Austin, Nashville (see #6).
3. And finally, it’s Oktoberfest season. Time to hoist beer steins, listen to accordion music and instagram all those pumpkin spectacles around town (#8).

And with that, please scroll down for this week’s top discoveries.

ENTERTAINMENT

1. Green-Wood Cemetery’s Open Doors Tour. AMAZING!

1. This particular cemetery tour gave us a rare opportunity to visit monuments and mausoleums that are normally kept under lock and key.
2. My favorite story (which relates to the above monument) remains clouded in mystery. But here’s what I recall the docents telling us (and btw I have done everything possible to get to the bottom of this and have not been successful).
3. So who is interred here? It is either Millie Cavendish (who had a hit song in 1866 titled “You Naughty, Naughty Men”) or it’s Mr. Anderson. One or both of them were involved with America’s first musical, The Black Crook, an 1866 Faustian melodramatic romantic comedy famous for its spectacular special effects and skimpy costumes.
4. The Black Crook boasted 100 dancing girls in tights, hundreds of costumes, massive scenery, special effects, and an eye-popping “transformation” finale. THE DOCENTS, HOWEVER, TOLD US THERE WERE 100 BABIES (NOT 100 DANCING GIRLS), CRAWLING AROUND THE STAGE!!! I have not been able to verify the babies part but I do so hope that’s true.
5. Additional details: The musical was staged at Niblo’s Garden, at Prince and Broadway. It ran over five hours with 4 acts and 17 scenes. It was set in 1600 in the Harz Mountains in Germany. It ran for a year and a half, a total of 475 performances. (Source: Internet Broadway Data Base)

2. Samara Joy at the Blue Note: superstar in the making!!

1. I first wrote about Samara a year ago when I saw her at Mezzrow, a very tiny (30-seat) jazz club in the West Village (#10 in this link). Since then she’s traveled the world, been on the Today Show, and built a global fan base. At the Blue Note, which holds 200 people, she sold out two shows. Everyone seated around us shared their Samara “discovery” stories. Some fans had already seen her perform 5 times.
2. I was thrilled to meet her family. On my way out, beaming from ear to ear, a woman pulled me aside to ask me if I had enjoyed the performance! This woman turned out to be Samara’s mom and she let me take a photo of the whole family. So grateful.
3. And, finally, if you’re into jazz, follow Samara on Instagram. And if she ends up performing anywhere close to you, get tickets.

3. Billy Strings: my newest bluegrass discovery! a genius talent.

1. Billy Strings is a bluegrass musician originally out of Michigan but now living in Nashville. He has a very heavy touring schedule (some of it with Willie Nelson). He also just posted something on Instagram about life on the road and the autograph hustlers he encounters that really made me sad for him. [I also wish I knew how to embed Instagram videos into the blog, but I don’t, so if you’re at all interested, click on the link above with sound on.]
2. As always, when I get into something, I follow favorites on Instagram. I find it’s the best way to get educated and stay up to date on where they might be performing. I also like to see who they’re following and touring with.
3. Other bluegrassy music/venues I’m following include BKAmericanaFest, Rockwood Music Hall, Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival, Molly Tuttle, and Bela Fleck Banjo.

4. Nashville has a NEW bluegrass supper club!

1. Jane’s Hideaway has moved to East Nash with nightly sets by virtuoso players performing a modern twist on bluegrass and Americana music with acoustic instruments. The house band is Greenwood Rye.

5. Shane Gillis: One of the most original, hilarious (and EDGIEST) voices in comedy today

1. I just discovered Shane Gillis. OBSESSED – especially by his Trump and Fox News Dad bits. He has Trump mannerism and cadence down to a tee.
2. He’s also famous for having been canceled. He was hired by SNL but fired before he even got started for racial slurs about Andrew Yang.
3. No one would hire him for a minute so he released a free 48-minute special on YouTube (over 6MM views). EVERY comedian is raving about it — and him. All now appears to be forgiven and he’s bigger than ever. Currently on a SOLD OUT tour. Will be in NYC on November 11.
4. If you find the above clip funny, I would suggest you also watch this 6:26 min bit on having a Fox News dad.
5. And then if you’re still on board, watch the one video YouTube mysteriously pulled shortly after I watched it. I spent a good few hours trying to relocate it. Finally, reddit to the rescue. In this video, (if it doesn’t get pulled again) he does a hysterical take on Trump and the pressers he used to do multiple times a day (however, start at the 6:09 min mark it’s a little too raunchy, and not that funny, before then).

FASHION/ STYLE

6. Western Wear: newest cutting edge trend

• WEIRD COINCIDENCE. Last week I wrote about Cuts Clothing, a brand founded by Steven Borrelli which all the guys in Austin seem to be wearing.
• This week, I’m writing about Nick Wetta, a Phoenix local, who has turned his passion for Western shirts (inspired by his love of music) into a business. Turns out he’s good friends with Steven Borrelli!

“My friend Steven Borrelli had just started Cuts Clothing and gave me some guidance, telling me to hire a pattern maker. One connection led to the next to the next.”

Nick Wetta, Founder West Major (Source: The Phoenix New Times)

• Wetta bootstrapped his brand by bartending – he has no investors or debt.
• He attributes the brand’s success to the resurgence of alternative country, folk, and blues. This year’s release of Wilco’s Cruel Country is another nod to the growing interest in the genre.
• He also believes that Western shirts, Western wear and the West in general, represent freedom, freedom of expression, self-reliance, and individuality.
• Wetta had 100% sell-through of his shirts in 2019 and then Covid hit. He lost money in 2021, but by this June his gross sales hit six figures, and he quit his job to work on West Major full-time.
• At $130 to $150, the shirts don’t come cheap but he adds, “every guy has a favorite shirt. That’s what we’re trying to do is create your next favorite Western shirt.”

And it’s not just guys. Major trend for women also.

7. Brendon Babenzien’s New J.Crew Concept Store

1. Wondering who this Brendon Babenzien guy is? He’s the founder of the environmentally conscious menswear brand Noah. He is also the former creative director of Supreme, the most influential streetwear brand of all time. His newest gig? J Crew’s Men’s Creative Director.
2. And this gorgeous new store at the corner of Bowery/Bleecker, was designed by Dream Awake, his wife Estelle’s design firm. They’re keeping it all in the family – she’s also responsible for all of the NOAH outposts. Plus, the in-house coffee shop at the new J Crew comes to us via one of the couple’s faves, Urban Backyard.
3. Interestingly, when I asked if there would also be a women’s store coming soon, I was told that everything in the store could be worn in a gender-neutral way. And now with this quote from Estelle, I see this is part of the concept.

“This is a lifestyle store for everyone — most women I know wear men’s clothes too.”

Estelle Bailey-Babenzien, Interiors and Experience Designer, Dream Awake Inc

EATS & DRINKS

8. OKTOBERFEST & Pumpkins

1. Every year Oktoberfest is getting bigger. This year, Loreley (across the street from me) is once again going all out with their hugely popular Pumpkin Kegs.
2. At the Chelsea Market, Oktoberfest features German street food including Berlin Currywurst (delish!!!), pretzels, and, of course, beer. The Swedish Meatballs will be performing live accordion music throughout the festivities.  
3. The South Street Seaport is hosting their first annual Pumpkin Fest with pumpkin installations including the Pumpkin Arch and the new pumpkin patch on Fulton Street. TikTokers and Instagrammers (me included) will be out in full force.
4. Phoenix is hosting Oktoberfests at hotels, resorts, and bars around the area.
5. And in Vegas, Oktoberfest celebrations are back (after a two-year Covid hiatus) including at Hofbrauhaus and at the Downtown Container Park complete with Live Music, Stein Hoisting Competitions, and Photo Booths.

9. Thanksgiving on a sandwich!

Heard about this Thanksgiving Sandwich twice this week (one more time and it becomes a bona fide trend)

1. First mention came from Capriotti’s in Vegas. It’s a sandwich shop in the midst of a major expansion with 200 locations nationwide by the end of the year.
2. Their signature menu item, and a top seller, is the Bobbie, a trademarked sandwich with roasted turkey, cranberry sauce and handmade stuffing, along with a slathering of mayonnaise. It was added to the menu in the late 80s in honor of the founder’s aunt Bobbie — who would always make sandwiches from leftovers the Friday after Thanksgiving.
3. Next mention (same week) came from the Nateland Podcast. One of the hosts, I think it was Dusty Slay, mentioned that WAWA’s Turkey Gobbler was the chain’s top ranked sandwich and also its best seller. Sounds kind of delicious to me. Has anyone tried?

10. Got my flu shot and my newest Covid booster

1. Got both this Tuesday. No side effects beyond a slightly sore “flu” arm (got them on separate arms).
2. I’ve been getting the flu shot for years but this year, doctors are expecting an especially severe flu season based on what’s happening in Australia (always a harbinger for our flu season).
3. Australia saw a large increase in flu cases this year vs. in 2021 when they saw no influenza deaths and just a handful of hospitalizations. This season (2022), the country saw a fivefold increase in serious cases as well as deaths.
4. So even if you’re not a covid vax believer, at least get your flu shot!!!

And that’s a wrap for today, my friends.

Hard to believe October is just a day away. Wishing you all a great weekend.