The Zlatne Uste Golden Festival
January 21, 2009
In the basement and auditorium in Good Shepard School in the high reaches of Manhattan’s northern-most neighborhood, I partook in a wonderfully unique experience: the Golden Music Festival, an annual collection of Balkan music, dance and art. Inside the monotone school in Inwood I was transported to the streets of southeastern Europe, roaming the halls with colorful gypsies amidst impromptu dancing, chanting and drumming in between a schedule of over 50 bands on 3 stages. Musical acts were Romany, Serbian, Macedonian, Bulgarian, Greek, Transylvanian, Dodecanese, Albanian; waltzes, schottische, hambo and polskas; klezma, belly dance and Balkan funk. I look forward to returning next year to peer into this mysterious little sub-culture.
The amazing Raquy & the Caveman
Black Sea Hotel
Ljova & the Kontraband
The following morning, nursing a bit of a stimuli-hangover, Allison hosted a delicious, nutritious brunch in her new apartment. Below her signature hash browns: perfect.
An invigorating Bloody Mary, spicy and salty.
Aaah asparagus. Isn’t it just beautiful? Flavorful and cooked to perfection along with mushrooms, tomatoes, green beans and carrot.
