getting me some kulchah

[lagilman]

Last night, I went to a lecture at the New York Historical Society by Barry Lewis, on Prohibition New York: Art Deco of the 1920s.

Now, Art Deco is One Of My Things. And city architecture is One of My (milder) Things. So it wasn't a night of mind-blowing revelations. What it was, though, was glorious and informative fun, mainly because Barry Lewis is a damnfine tour guide, with the right balance of information, enthusiasm, and humor. And some photos other folk just don't have access to.

If you get a chance to listen to him talk, or catch his "walking tour" shows rerun on PBS, do so. He can crack open your mind and slide stuff in, and you don't even realize it (or you do, but you're too busy thinking "oh, that connects to this, and explains that...!" to realize you're, y'know, learning.)


(also: the restaurant at the NYHS is really quite nice. Excellent pastas, even if the wine list is noticeably overpriced)

Comments

[http://users.livejournal.com/la_marquise_de_/]

Oh, that does sound good. When I visit, will you show me some of these buildings, please?

[lagilman]

Absolument.

Many of the really lovely old buildings are no longer open to the public, but there is a lot of stuff still to be seen. And many of them are near good restaurants/bars, too. ;-)

[http://users.livejournal.com/la_marquise_de_/]

That sounds better and better. :-)

[martianmooncrab.livejournal.com]

I loves me some Deco too.

[6-penny.livejournal.com]

This blog is always interesting about NY architecture, www.scoutingny.com/?p=134

[mevennen.livejournal.com]

Sounds very interesting. I think NY architecture is amazing.

[lagilman]

NYC has some lovely bits, both old and new. And a number of godawful clunkers too, thanks SO much Donald Fucking Trump.