EAST COAST TRIBAL BELLYDANCE LESSONS AT SOLSTICE STUDIO

Photo by Caroline Alarcon

I'm not going to lie- bellydance is hard. And the ladies at Solstice Studio do a dang fine job of encouraging you as you flop your body to the right and left thinking you know what a "shimmy" is. I'll admit it- I thought bellydance would be kind of easy. Meeep. Wrong. After three classes I have sore muscles in areas I didn't realize I had muscles and a new respect for any women that knows what a chasse is and can correctly execute without looking like a sad excuse for the robot. The dance studio is the perfect size for a class of 10 -12 and conveniently located in mid-town (although I do not recommend the 6:30 class- ugh to dodging foot traffic). Three classes left, then I'll be signing up for round two. Who's in?

GOVERNOR'S ISLAND

We were quickly whisked away on the ferry and dumped gingerly on Governors Island within 10 minutes of leaving Manhattan. You can catch the ferry at the Battery Maritime Building at 10 South Street, they run every 20 minutes. After arriving, we migrated over to the sandy beach with faux palm trees and were instantly enamored with the NYC skyline of lower Manhattan. After a quick run to the fully stocked bar and some grub from the grill, we nestled in for the evening's feature film Zombie Honeymoon.

This is one of those amazing finds that will soon become overpopulated and "so last year". Also, a little tip, it's perfect for bike riding!

NYHRC

The NYHRC yacht is an excellent way to spend an evening with friends. It disembarks from East 23rd street and travels to the Statue of Liberty and back in about three hours. They serve free food of the sandwich, pasta salad, cheese plate variety as well as a cash bar with wine and beer. Throw back a few and then enjoy the music blaring on the speakers. If you close your eyes, you'll swear it's Spring Break '02 in Cozumel, Mexico. If you're lucky, you may even get the drunk gal who danced (or something like that) her native mating ritual all evening. I swear she was in heat. And, if you are really lucky, you'll be privy to a fireworks show too.

PUPPETRY OF THE PENIS

Question. Can one really be entertained by 45 minutes of straight penis tricks? Answer. Yes, yes one definitely can.

Two young guys with nice bodies come out in capes and quickly disrobe, showing us their man bits...proudly. Yes, I think the picture up top says it all. The camera catches every trick and projects it onto the screen behind them, which enlarges their junk to about 8 ft tall. I'm sure they secretly love that aspect of the show. They proceed to pull, tug, and twist at it like a rubber toy and yet never get hard, how is that?

For the rising enthusiast, you'll get your chance to show off your stuff too. Whip it out and contort away (on stage, not at your seat please). ...no, it's cool your mom is in the audience, she'll be proud. Ummm, yeah, one guy in a kilt had his mother with him, unless he is a major victim of cougarism and that was his lady. Either way, I'm still freaked out.

Beware to those in the side aisles and front rows. They do mingle with the crowd and might even sit in your lap. Not for those who easily scare.

THE NYC JAPAN STREET FAIR

The Japanese Street Fair touts itself as being the 3rd largest in NYC spanning an impressive 15 blocks of midtown on Madison. This isn't true. Well, not entirely true. Yes, it is 15 blocks, but only one tiny block is dedicated to Japanese food, music, and imported goods. But beware...this Harajuku inspired street is stuffed tent to tent with no wiggle room to enjoy the goods.

We suggest you get there at 11am when the fair opens and head straight for the Japanese food tents.

SUMMER STREETS 2009

New York City has opened up Park Avenue from the Brooklyn Bridge to Central Park again this summer on three consecutive Saturdays for bikers, skaters and runners to roam free. Midtown to Central Park is a bikers' heaven with enough space to really haul some ass. But, the closer you get to downtown, the more likely you are to kill or be killed. Watch for those wondering with absolutely no regard that you are barreling down on them at 30mph.

The ride back to the West Village was typical New York style...behind a gal in a cute summer dress who yelled at everyone and everything that strayed into our bike lane. You gotta love this city.