Bocce ball: the new bar sport

by Grant Martin on

In case you’re out of the hipster-know, billiards, darts and foosball are over. The new bar game of choice is bocce ball.

Isn’t that an outdoor sport, you say? That’s what I thought too. But those crafty rascals out in Brooklyn have figured out how to replicate a bocce ball court indoors. It comes in the form of a long, clay pathway surrounded by a wooden border surrounded by hundreds of cheering, intoxicated bar patrons. What better venue?

If you’d like to take a gander, there are a few good places to get started. One of the best (and most trafficked) is Union Hall, a long, darkly lit bar lined with books and couches with a fireplace in the center. Another option is Floyd.

Mike Barish and I limped our way through a few games at Union Hall last week and met modest success. We were then housed by a man in an argyle sweater and his friend. Turns out people get pretty into the competition.

If you really get involved though, subscribe to the Brooklyn Bocce Ball Bulletin where you can get the lowdown and happenings-on in the local sporting community. Practice hard — I’ll be perfecting my backspin in preparation for the match.

Cathedral of St. John the Divine, one of the world’s biggest churches

by Jamie Rhein on

It’s a lovely thing when a Gadling reader posts a comment that leads us to another post. Such is the case with Moody 75’s comment “Dude, Manhattan has what is claimed to be the largest cathedral and Anglican church and third largest Christian church in the world” on my post “Temples and churches to visit in New York City.”

Sure enough, Cathedral Church of St. John, The Divine is definitely one that I would like to see myself. From the picture, it looks familiar and perhaps I’ve passed by it on my way to somewhere else, but next time I’m in New York, I’m heading here.

First of all, its history is one that reflects the times and economic struggles. This is not a church that found easy funding at all junctures or has had enough people to build it over the years ever since the cornerstone was put in place in 1892. The Great Depression and World Wars 1 and 2 are only part of what has thwarted progress, although since it is the largest Anglican church in the world–and one of the world’s largest churches, one can make the point that there is tenacity and dedication at work here. Plus, the history reads like a Who’s Who. I’m impressed.

This is a church that seems to reflect aspects of American culture and because of its stature has attracted important people to speak here and perform such as Nelson Mandela, Bishop Desmond Tutu, and Leonard Bernstein. Madeline L’Engle who died this past year, even set a novel in this cathedral.

Along with giving tours, the church offers concerts and performances to the community. The next one, January 13, is called “Let My People Go: A Service of Liberation.” There will be various performances and singing along with a talk in commemoration of the end of the transatlantic slave trade.

Times Square and New Year’s Eve, the 100th year

by Jamie Rhein on

Years ago, when I was in undergraduate school I headed to Times Square on New Year’s Eve with friends of mine to watch the ball drop. When you watch the event on TV, you see massive crowds for sure, but going there is not as bad as it looks. Everyone can’t pile in up close. Where you stand depends on how early you get there. As the blocks fill up, they are closed off to more people in order to keep the crunch of people bearable.

Since this is the 100th year of the ball dropping in Times Square, perhaps this is the year to head to the lights in person. The ball is brand new for the occassion.

When we went, we weren’t all that early, so we were not up close. Still, the ball is way up there, and it’s big. It’s not like people can get in your line of vision.

Maybe you’ll even run into someone you know. I did. While I was standing around with my college friends waiting for a new year to start, I heard my name called. Standing two people away from me was one of my friends from high school. He was down in the city like I was visiting friends of his.

If you go, bring noise makers if you have them, but if not, there are plenty of confetti and noise makers without your addition. Just yell “Happy New Year” and hug someone when 2008 lights up. Plus, fireworks are much more impressive in real life than on TV–and there is nothing like a New York City crowd in a partying mood.

Messiah Sing-a-Longs (and you don’t really have to sing)

by Jamie Rhein on

I went to my first Handel’s Messiah Sing-a-Long Friday night. This one was a joint effort between the ProMusica Orchestra in Columbus, Ohio and area orchestras and choirs–plus their conductors who took turns conducting various segments. As soon as I took my place in the soprano section, it was obvious I wasn’t prepared for such an event. All around me people had score books with the music and the lyrics. I had just the program that was handed to me at the door. Oh. That’s what a sing-a-long means. I expected that there would be a choir that I would listen to and the audience would pipe in from time to time. Not so. Not in this case.

The audience was the chorus, meaning the main event. Like a true chorus, we were directed to sit in sections according to our voice range. And, although I was dressed fairly nicely, I wasn’t in the same league as the women around me, particularly the one in front of me with the spectacular dress and a voice to match. Think sequins and tulle, but stylish, like something Beverly Sills would wear. I briefly wondered if the wrinkles in my pants had shaken out by now.

But, being that I’m game for about anything, I stood on cue and followed the conductor’s stick, thankful that I’ve heard the Messiah more than once, and thankful for my high school choir days. I may not have had the score in front of me, but I could fudge a bit. Truly, this was a blast, but next year, I’m bringing the score, and if I don’t have one, I’m looking for that woman in the sequins. She was awesome. Listening to her helped me find the range and follow along–even though my voice could be described as “thin” and often off key. But, hey, I paid honest money for the price of the ticket, and that means, I’ll sing if I want to. You don’t have to sing though, several people, like my mother, just sat and listened.

If you’re looking for a special holiday event, find a sing-a-long Messiah. From what I’ve found out since last night, these are increasingly popular. I found several that have already happened this year. Here are some Sing-A-Long Messiah’s still happening.

Here’s a link to “How to Sing Handel’s Messiah” If I had only known.

World’s largest menorah may be in New York City, but there are others

by Jamie Rhein on

Starting tomorrow, the first day of Hanukkah, the Jewish holiday that celebrates the triumph of the Maccabees over the Syrians and God’s protection, the world’s largest menorah will take center stage on the corner of 59th St. and 5th Ave. The menorah, a 32 feet-tall candelabra, has gas lamps that function as wicks. A cherry-picker will lift the lamp-lighter high enough to reach the lights each night at 5:30, except for Friday when it will be lit at 3:40 pm before the Jewish Sabbath starts, and at 8:30 pm on Saturday when Sabbath ends.

Although this is the largest menorah on display, it’s not the only one. Here’s a link where you can find other public menorah lightings around the world. For example, here’s an address for the Chabad in Paraguay, in case you wanted to know. The one in the photograph is from Barcelona, Spain. Here’s a link to other thumbnails that lead to larger photos.