Montreal is the quintessential urban melting pot. For centuries the francophone Canadian capital city has attracted a diverse group of immigrants.
A bustling metropolis often criticized for its harsh winters, the city boasts numerous local delights: a scenic, mountainous namesake park, historic Old Port, and poutine (a classic Quebecoise concoction of French fries, cheese curds, gravy and whatever else one’s heart desires). Thus, it’s no wonder the likes of Mexican-born fashion designer Renata Morales has chosen to call the captivating city home.

With local bands from Arcade Fire to Wolf Parade having won the collective heart of the music industry, Montreal’s burgeoning music scene has garnered international attention. But equally noteworthy is its fashion scene. Local lines like Morales’ eponymous label are fast sweeping the international fashion community, and for good reason: In Morales’ case, a uniquely vibrant palette combined with a delicate yet structurally adventurous silhouette make for covetable, wearable garments . And considering, in addition to making fantastic clothes, Morales happens to be an especially cool chick, we pegged her for the perfect Montreal tour guide. She happily obliged, treating psychoPEDIA to her secrets for vintage shopping, art browsing, and, of course, poutine:

What’s the best thing about living in Montreal?
There are too many things. It’s a cosmopolitan city that sometimes feels like a little town. It has the best of both worlds. It’s partly mountainous and partly on the water. It’s quite diverse, with many different cultures. There are fabulous shows, live music every night. Apart from winter… and it’s not really a bad city for winter.

Depending on who you ask…
What happens is, it’s horrible [laughs], but there are a lot of places where you can go underground. If you take public transportation, it connects to a lot of places underground. So, it’s not really a city that dies in the winter. It’s alive all year round. And in summer, everyone is naked in the park, going surfing, swimming. In the winter people are cross-country skiing.

How would you describe Montreal’s current fashion scene? Has it changed much in the last five or ten years?
For good or for bad?

Either …
It used to be more of a manufacturing city. With the market changing so much, the level of competition has changed. So a lot of people have gone to China and Asia. A lot of larger manufacturers have closed their doors. There have been younger people that want to keep producing here, and who are finding ways to produce here in Montreal. There has been a little bit of a rebel movement. There are seven fashion schools in Montreal; they keep popping out students. So, some are them are staying here and find new ways to compete.

What are some of your favorite places to shop?
There’s a store not too far from my studio called Reborn. They sell Opening Ceremony, Complexe Geometry, Rick Owens. I really like U&I. on Saint-Laurent; they have Comme des Garcons mixed with different designers. The guy who runs it imports from all different places. I really like the aesthetic of the store. Holt Renfrew is comparable to Barneys. I like going there too. And there’s a great shoe shop called Mona Moore. They used to have all the crazy shoes. They’ve gotten a bit more tame, but their selection [which includes Balenciaga, Nina Ricci and Dries Von Noten] is still nice. There are some good consignment shops as well. There’s one on Saint Denis – Memento. They bought all the old costumes from the CBC [Canadian Broadcast Corporation]; they have great stuff.

Where’s best for people-watching?
People-watching is fun in Mont Royal park on Sundays. In the summer there’s this crazy medieval fighting. It’s just a melting pot of people. There are a lot of young people. You have people fighting each other with these crazy costumes, some people playing the drums…

Any other great places to camp out, and soak in the sun come the weekend?
In Saint Vitare they have this great coffee shop, Olympico . Olympico is my hangout. There’s a Polish food shop across the street that sells amazing pea soup and borscht. During the summer people sit outside having coffee for hours. It’s a melting pot of students, musicians, and older people, and the coffee is delicious. There are also two markets in Montreal – Marché Jean Talon and Marché Atwater. They’re food markets and they have flowers, and all kinds of different things. They have a lot of local produce - people that make cheese, people that make syrup and all kinds of jam. Talon is crazy for fish. It’s really worth going to the markets.

Do you have a favorite place for poutine?
I’m terrible. My favorite, and not everyone agrees with me, is Frite Dorée on St-Laurent. It’s kind of in the red light district, a very raunchy area. I like the Italian poutine. It’s got the meat sauce on it. If I’m out late, it’s gonna suction me in. It’s an institution. Or, try La Banquise on Rachel. It’s famous for its large selection of poutines and it’s open 24 hours a day.

Any other eateries that are especially good for indulging?
Club Chasse et Peche : that’s a more expensive restaurant that’s really worth going to. The food is spectacular; it’s made with local produce. The co-owner Hubert Marsolais is one of my best friends and I made a woven piece for the entrance that’s sort of like a drape. It also has art by Nicolas Baier, a great local photographer, and looks a bit like a grotto. And Cocoa Locale on Park Avenue right off the mountain – it’s run by this crazy chick Rima, who knows everybody in Montreal. She makes delicious chocolate and spiced cupcakes with flowers and it’s really a crazy little place. It’s a bit addictive.

What hotel would you recommend?
A lot of people love Le Germain. There’s also a newly renovated hotel that’s from a very famous architect here in Montreal called the Opus. It’s a boutique hotel that’s kind of modern but not minimalist. They have some really good restaurants. Personally, right now I’m more into old school hotels. I love theRitz Carlton, but they’re closing it for renovation.

What museums and/or galleries are a must-see? Definitely the MAC and the Musée des Beaux Arts [which is currently showing an Yves Saint Laurent exhibition]. If you want to go see galleries there’s the whole Belgo Building on Saint-Catherine Street. It’s filled with galleries;Rene Blouin is one of the most famous.

What are three tourist traps that a first-time visitor shouldn’t miss?
Well they have to come to the Old Port of Montreal. The Botanical Garden is quite amazing. And to go all the way to the top of Mont Royal to the lookout – it’s beautiful.

Go There:
Renata also recommends La Sala Rossa- a concert venue and restaurant; Pop Montreal- a famous festival and year-round organization; Blue Skies turn Black- great local concert promoters; and DHC ART Foundation- an art foundation that is always free, open late and currently showing “Take care of yourself,” by Sophie Calle (a piece that represented France at the 2007 Venice Biennial).

~ Alisa Gould-Simon

Posted by psychoPEDIA at 10:02 PM | Permalink

Just the fact that you’re a “rock-star-in-residence” at the Bowery Hotel means that you’re at the top 0.01% of cool. Currently inhabiting this position is singer Diego Rivera. Born in Detroit (to parents from Argentina), educated at Brown, and living in New York almost a decade now, the singer, heretofore part of a band named Elfant, is branching out to release his first solo album.

Below you’ll find more on that, and on how his Bowery Hotel residency helped him extract his creative juices. We also got dirt on his favorite spots in his home-neighborhood of Soho:

Tell me about the residency…
It was beautiful. Every Monday around 7pm we did a kind of live rehearsal out on the second-floor terrace at the Bowery Hotel – you could hear it on the street too. The idea was to create an atmosphere to have a good time and get some dirt on the demos. We got some great feedback. We’re talking about doing a few more in September.

Really? So when’s the album going out?
Well, my priority right now is to get into the studio and hit record – I’m developing my first solo record. Should be out by end of the year.

Tell me more about the album…
I worked on it for two and a half years, and have done about 20-25 demos. The final piece was putting a live show together – taking the songs and bringing them to life. I’m toying with the title “Warm Winter Day.” It’s about the maladies of love, and all the questions a boy turning into manhood faces.

What are your favorite places to hang out in your area, to get inspiration?
The outdoor garden at the Bowery Hotel is one of my favorite spots in New York – because it’s quiet – the quality that most turns me on with the Chateau Marmont in LA as well. There’s no music in the lobby – you can hear people talking. Generally, I’m a total loafer dedicating my life to music and loafing. I love relaxing at Café Gitane – where else can you have a coffee outside, and look at a wall and graveyard across the street? I’m part of the gang there – I go there and it’s family – I’m guaranteed to run into a friend. I also love Balthazar around 3pm after the tourist lunch crowd thins out – it’s nice and relaxed then . Have you ever had the Eggs Benedict there? It’s the best in the world. Oh, and want to know a secret for one of the best things to do in New York in the summer? Go to P.J. Clarke’s in Battery Park around 8.30-9pm, again when the tourists leave – then go to the big movie theater at Battery Park after. Another good evening plan is to have dinner at Bar Pitti – but don’t order dessert there. Head to Blue Ribbon Bakery and get the bread pudding. It’s the best dessert in the city.

Any stores you like?
McNally Robinson – the bookstore on Prince St. I love going there and having a tea and reading whatever – again, since it’s quiet. Hey, I think there’s a quiet theme here… now I feel like I’m talking to a therapist!

You do seem to like quiet. Let’s explore that…
In New York, you have to look for refuge from the insanity. My day is about avoiding an “avenue.” The only major street I deal with is Broome – it’s the only one where I have to look both ways before I cross.

When you have to look good for either an outing or an album cover – what are your health and beauty regimens?
Neutrogena SPF 15 moisturizer every morning and every night before bed. When I’m about to shoot a video or album cover, I cut back on alcohol, and NO sugary soda. And I stop eating French fries. That part’s not easy – I love French fries.

~ Stephen Milioti

Go There: McNally-Robinson Bookstore, 52 Prince St., 212.274.1160 Bar Pitti, 268 Sixth Ave., 212.982.3300 Blue Ribbon Bakery, 35 Downing St., 212.337.0404 P. J. Clarke’s downtown, 4 World Financial Center, 212.285.1500 Balthazar, 80 Spring St., 212.925.1414 Bowery Hotel, 335 Bowery, 212.505.9100

Posted by psychoPEDIA at 01:41 AM | Permalink

Mixing family and business can be as potentially disastrous as pairing plaids and stripes, or attempting to work a Philip Treacy chapeau into your everyday wardrobe. And this fact has long been true in the fashion industry, where design teams consisting solely of siblings, or parents and their scions, are hard to come by... and those comprised only of sisters, seemingly less so. That is, until now. A slew of lines spearheaded by sisters are taking the fashion industry by storm. From accessories to knitwear, low-end to high-end, sisterhood is making a sartorial comeback. Here, psychoPEDIA narrows its gaze on five brands - based from Pasadena to Stockholm - which bring new meaning to the phrase ‘family affair.’

Rodarte
Perhaps the most famous of any of the fashion industry’s sibling designer sets, Rodarte is the brainchild of Laura and Kate Mulleavy. Since launching their line in 2005, the West Coast-based duo has won the hearts of the likes of Karl Lagerfeld and Anna Wintour, and scored a highly coveted CFDA nomination. Their intricate, artistic designs, combined with an imaginative, often varied range of influences, have helped the Mulleavy sisters cultivate a unique aesthetic. Their handcrafted cocktail dresses and separates, which rival couture with regard to construction, recall an ephemeral sense of romanticism. Word has it the girls still share a bedroom in their parents’ Pasadena house, meaning they’re not just talented – they’re seriously close.

Lizzie Fortunato
Duke grads Lizzie and Kathryn Fortunato launched their whimsical jewelry line back in high school. By the time they were in college, they were selling their namesake woven rope earrings, braided necklaces and intricately adorned breastplates out of their dorm room. Fast forward to today: the sisters’ fantastical designs have made waves as far as NYC, the fashion capital Lizzie and Kathryn now call home. Renowned for idiosyncratic creations that often involve unexpected elements (think toys and trinkets), the Fortunatos show no signs of slowing down. Come this fall, the duo will make its NY Fashion Week debut, adorning runway looks from Victoria Bartlett’s VPL.

House of Dagmar
The Swedish fashion community has made quite a collective international impression lately. Thanks to local lines like Cheap Monday and ACNE, Stockholm is fast becoming a fashion capital. And newcomer House of Dagmar is poised to further the trend. Spearheaded by sisters Kristina Tjader, Sofia Malm and Karin Soderlind, the line is inspired by their late grandmother – think an eclectic, feminine range of chic silhouettes. House of Dagmar, which began as knitwear, has since expanded to include jumpers, pants and skirts in canvases, cotton and cashmere. The line is available stateside at Opening Ceremony in NYC and LA.

Stretsis
For Pim, Kly and Matina Sukhahuta, the sisters behind this NYC-based line, their familial bond is as essential to the line as its sleek, wearable aesthetic. Take the unique moniker Stretsis for example (it’s simply “sisters” spelled backwards). The Thailand-bred Sukhahuta sisters joined sartorial forces when, in the midst of pursuing her design degree at Parsons in NYC, Pim was offered a retail space at Gaysorn (an upscale shopping center in Bangkok). Kly and Matina hopped on board to handle PR/marketing and accessories, respectively. Since then the sisters have made waves from the fashion industry to Hollywood, where their designs have been spotted on the likes of ‘it’ girl Daisy Lowe and Gossip Girl’s Leighton Meester. Stretsis is stocked at Intermix and Takashimaya in NYC, as well as Milk and Bleu in LA.

Tuleste Market
What began as rental service – sisters Satu and Celeste Greenberg started Tuleste Market as a means of renting out vintage clothing and costume jewelry to fashion designers – has since launched a line of one-of-a-kind re-worked vintage items and original clothing and accessories. Taking inspiration from a cross-country trip, the Greenberg sisters have created a jewelry collection that pays homage to a range of places – Art Deco to Native American art. Tuleste Market is available at Intermix in NYC and LA, and online at Shopbop.

~ Alisa Gould-Simon

Posted by psychoPEDIA at 10:21 PM | Permalink

Running from August 6-16, The Locarno Film Festival is set in the beautiful Swiss town of – you guessed it – Locarno, under the majestic shadow of the Swiss Alps – it’s such an aesthetically lofty location, you might think it’s another red-carpet affair. But don’t be fooled -- unlike its older, more famous relative the Venice Film Festival, The Locarno Festival prides itself on its no-red-carpet policy.

Where Cannes and Venice represent the gluttonous, capitalist, bourgeois side of the film industry, Locarno keeps things on a down-to-earth level. It pits the director against the observer, the critic against the town dweller. Everyone is invited, everyone has the right to debate, critique, deliberate, and observe. . As the neighboring Lake Maggiore ripples and sparkles in the Swiss summer sun, Locarno’s thousands of visitors descend to one of its nine screening venues, the crowning jewel being the Piazza Grande in the centre of town. This enormous Renaissance square has no place for VIP boxes or luxury seats and is certainly in keeping with the festival’s welcoming manifesto that highlights “openness and dialogue. An ideal platform for the promotion of national cinemas from Europe and the world over,-- welcoming all kinds of films and formats.’’

Whereby Venice thrives on its prestige, Mussolini Cups, and pompous tradition, Locarno is proud to bring the festival-goer such projects as ‘The Open Doors Programme’ that accordding to organizers is a « commitment to raising the visibility of film projects from developing countries and from countries which lack a constructive film industry.”Being such an open and liberal festival, Locarno attracts its fair share of controversial and radical directors certain to rile up critics and observers alike.PsychoPedia picked several of the most talked-about and anticipated films of the festival…

Filmfobia by Brazilian experimental documentarian Kiko Goifman is a fake film about the public’s fears in modern society. Having already won awards such as the ‘Development Award of Hubert Bals Fund,’ this film has clearly hit straight to the human psyche with Goifman’s play on reality. Filmofobia revolves around one Jean Claude Bernadet (a renowned theorist and purveyor of Brazilian film) who plays the director of this fake documentary. Bernadet’s main paranoid philosophy revolves around the belief that the only truth in the world is a human being’s personal conflict with their phobia. His own paranoia and fears spill out, forming the basis of Filmofobia’s intricately-layered plot.

In ‘La orilla que se abisma', Argentinian director Gustavo Fontan has created a masterpiece that chooses to make any narrative defunct, instead bombarding the viewer with visuals set to verses by revered poet and fellow Argentinian Juan L. Ortiz. Using the same aesthetic principles as Ortiz, Fontan sets out to create a movie that bears witness to Ortiz’s words. Finding the inspiration for his visual dialogue in the words of Ortiz, the viewer should find a splendid representation of how the ideals of artists in different media can work together in harmony. In La orilla que se abisma Fontan becomes the poet and Ortiz the director.

One of the most controversial films at the festival has to be Anorexia. Storia Di Un’Immagine by Leandro Manuel Emede. This 25-minute short follows the life and times of anorexic model Isabel Caro. Interestingly, the film is produced by the Oliviero Toscani Agency, Toscani being the photographer who famously caused much outrage in Italy last year for using an image of Caro naked in an Italian ad campaign. Cleverly timed to coincide with Milan Fashion Week, Toscani created a consciously sought-after fuss claiming it was done to create awareness of the disease. Whether this short is a direct defense of Toscani by Ernede, a film accompaniment to Toscani’s fight against anorexia or an honest and gritty portrayal and dedication to young Isabel Caro remains to be seen, either way the impact this short is certain to create will surely be as strong and thought-provoking as the message it sets out to make.

Israeli director Amos Gitai will be receiving Locarno’s much-sought-after Leopard of Honour, that every year pays tribute to a major director who is still active in his/her field. Previous recipients of this prestigious award include Jacque Rivette, Jean Luc Godard, and Bernardo Bertolucci. In honor of Gitai, Locarno will be screening five of his films with highlights such as ‘Kippur’ and his latest outing ‘Plus tard tu Comprendras’. The turning point in Gitai’s life that took him from following in his father’s footsteps as an architect, to a film director, came when he was called to serve in the 1973 Yom Kippur War. With his 8mm camera by his side, Gitai started taking footage of the war. His experiences in service climaxing in his helicopter being brought down by a missile formulated the roots of his film career and became the basis of the autobiographical film ‘Kippur’. More recently, Gitai has excelled himself once again by moving away from the Israeli politics he documents so well, with ‘Plus tard tu comprendras’ (‘One day you will Understand’), a tear-jerking story that follows French Jew ‘Victor’ (based on the autobiography of Jerome Clement president of French arts channel ARTE), who, following the 1983 trial of Gestapo chief or ‘butcher of Lyon’ Klaus Barbie, starts to rummage through his family’s until-now secret history.

~Kevin Soar

Posted by psychoPEDIA at 04:48 PM | Permalink

Marisela Cruz has just finished a round of castings for the day when she heads into The Pump Energy Food’s new Madison Avenue location and perches herself onto a plush, red leather seat with a custom-made, weight training bench bottom, a nod to The Pump’s fitness past. The Pump opened in 1997 on the wave of restaurants that served fast food for work-out fanatics who wanted low fat, high protein fuel. “This place looks so different from the one on 21st Street," she observes. "I remember going in there once for a smoothie and noticing all the pictures of bodybuilders on the walls and thinking, this place is too hard core for me!"

The Pump’s new look was inspired by a Soho loft kitchen, and Marisela takes note of the design as she gazes at a wall of mirrors framed by rescued steel and copper, pointing out things she’d like to incorporate into the new West Village apartment she has just moved into with her longtime boyfriend. In 2006, the now 27-year-old Adam Eskin, a fanatic himself, saw the company’s potential to grow and shed it's hole-in-the-wall image. He gathered investors to buy the chain. The new location is the company’s first attempt to re-brand while keeping the food intact.

A Tucson, Arizona native, Marisela is half Mexican, part German, and part Native American. She is a tall, tan beauty with a strong, elegant face and full lips. She heads over to the counter and orders a Pump classic, The Popeye, along with a side of baked falafel, a small carrot juice, and a slice of apple pie made with designer protein. She can't be bothered to eat the meal in sequence. The pie is calling her and she digs in. Maybe it's a guilty feeling, but she starts to explain that summers can be slow for models because the 16-year-olds are out of school. “The young girls that are still in high school come to New York in the summer, so getting editorials becomes really competitive because people would rather use the younger girls. You would think age wouldn’t matter, especially if you still look super young, but somehow it does. I know so many girls that are already lying about their age.’” Marisela may not have reason to worry, she has been a model for J. Crewthe last few seasons and is working towards a degree in Art History at Fordham University.

With her desert plate cleaned spotless, she cuts into a hearty entrée of grilled chicken breast with baked tahini sauce served over a gleaming bed of steamed spinach and brown rice. A steady flow of customers head in and do their best not to stare and sheepishly check to see what she’s eating. Her appetite seems to have no end– maybe because the place makes you feel you can order anything off the menu, guilt-free. Or that just by being here, you’re doing good for your health. The rules are this: no butter, salt or fat. Nothing is fried including the falafel. Somehow it all taste good. “I love this food. It’s really comforting and filling, despite being healthy. A lot of healthy food doesn’t really fill me up, and this did this trick!” says Marisela. Finishing up with a fluorescent carrot juice, she smiles at her Blackberry. Nick is asking when they can meet up and go pick out paint for their apartment. “We’ve been pretend living together for the last five months in my old apartment but this is the real thing and I love it!”

~Sarah Ivory

Posted by psychoPEDIA at 03:40 PM | Permalink

DJ’s are meant to bring life to a party– but with new Williamsburg-based DJ collective and talent agency, STADJ–- the DJs are the life of the party. Begun last July by husband and wife team DJ EM, a 20-year veteran DJ from Israel who helped to establish two DJ schools, and his PR-powerhouse partner PC Miller, STADJ is the first all-female, pro-model DJ lineup of its kind. Not only does it mix music with fashion, but not unlike a DJ mash-up, the agency’s name similar fuses the terms “Star” and “DJ” to reflect their precise philosophy on their professionally-trained turntablists– putting only the most trained (with DJ EM’s tradmark “StaDj technique”) and drool-worthy females on deck.

Having already debuted to rowdy crowds for parties sponsored by the likes of Red Bull, STADJ will launch its official debut this fall at New York Fashion Week at NYC’s Mansion. psychoPEDIA joined the dynamic duo behind the new shejay phenomenon to find out more:

What are some of the special aspects of the "STADJ Technique"?
DJ EM: There is a language to DJing. Top 10 DJs in the world are people that are booked so people can see their vision or story. These DJs design a set and perform it just like a band. All the other DJs in the world have to adjust to the crowd, because their brand-power is not strong enough. My technique is designing sets with the talent that’s natural with her music vision, style, and look.

Why the need for an all-female DJ agency?
DJ EM: The biggest problem about the DJ industry in the US, not so much in Europe, is it’s about teaming up with a bunch of guys and throwing your own little parties. In Europe, DJ culture is much more advanced. It’s one of the major music outlets people want to learn— especially in Germany, Holland, and Britain. When I opened DJ schools in Isreal, the most astounding thing I discovered is how many women come to learn. I think the reason is that woman are much more organized and like to be structured.

What makes the ideal "shejay?”
DJ EM: Our perfect talent will have music intelligence and abilities to follow the technique. Then we move on to looks and personality. For a DJ performing live– if you are intending to create a visual spectacle, it’s important that you have a DJ who has an appeal to the crowd in her charisma and moves– able to be caught great on camera and video, to stand in front of the crowd and project an energy that’s the life of the party.
PC Miller: We’re the first agency in the country to do a pro-model shejay collective. If you imagine all the beautiful DJs in the world under one roof, that’s what we’re doing. We definitely embrace the term “shejay.”

What kind of background do the girls in your collective have?
PC Miller: Our girls come from professional entertainment fields. Most of them are amateur DJs to begin with. DJ Talula comes from professional dance—she’s done tours with A-list performers like the Black Eyed Peas, Carl Cox, and David Greco. DJ Ladyfingers holds three agency contracts for modeling. Teardrop is a universal music artist and producer from Germany who comes to the table with about 100 original tracks. She’s worked with Gipsy Kings to P Diddy. Sophie SoFresh is a New York personality. Tyra invited her to the show for a scene in NYC’s hottest single girls. But all of them are very ardent DJs and self-promoters.

Is there a different vibe created between parties DJed by women than by men?
DJ EM: A woman on deck is like a woman under the hood of a car. There’s a crazy appeal to a woman touching a machine. The more attractive she is, the more it catches the eye and the mind.

Have you gotten criticism that the agency is biased or sexist only to cast attractive females?
PC Miller: The response has been overwhelming– from nightclubs like Mansion, where we’ll be doing our premier launch party, “Hot Pink.” Our feeling is strong that what we offer is real empowerment to female DJs in the industry. There are a lot of beautiful girls that aren’t really organized. They find that on their own, they get a lot of backlash, so that’s why they come to us.

What kind of gigs do they play?
PC Miller: They do corporate events, some private events like a recent one for Red Bull for a celebrity blogger, and big festivals. In August, we’ll be doing a major block party in Williamsburg that is a call to action for women at risk in Brooklyn. We have a not-for-profit organization called WeJay that provides a new creative skill-set in the course of music therapy to women.

Do you ever turn down certain types of events, like bachelor parties?
PC Miller: We have to be mindful, because there’s a sex appeal element that’s very obvious. Because our number one aspect is female empowerment, we weigh each party individually to see how it presents each one of our talents.
DJ EM: One of the biggest things is that the girls feel comfortable on stage. My goal is to create confidence within my talent. It’s about having fun—otherwise, your personality will not come out. I view her as a singer like Christina Aguilera on stage, where I have to give her the conditions to have the best performance.

What's the worst thing that can ever happen to a DJ?
DJ EM: I’ve had people attacking me while I was DJing. There was a fire that broke out in one of the clubs where I was playing. But, the biggest nightmare is when the electricity is fucked and there’s no music.

If you could land any celebrity actress or model to become part of STADJ, who would you pick?
PC Miller: Our big wish name is Tyra Banks—she has music interests and is an incredibly intelligent and stunning woman. That’s the model for the pro-shejay that we’re going for.

Do you hope to ever expand the company to something larger than a DJ collective or outside Brooklyn?
PC Miller: There’s an element of what we’re doing where the girls come from different professional entertainment backgrounds—singing, production, dancing. We can see a production where the DJs are at the center and do an unexpected burlesque show, where there’s a combination of singing and DJing.
DJ EM: Our biggest goal is to get out of New York, because it’s very competitive. But in terms of cashing out on this idea, it’s outside the borders of New York, and our eyes are set on the rest of the world. And for the rest of the world, their eyes are set on New York– so it’s a great position to be in right now.

~Leann Peterson

Posted by psychoPEDIA at 12:41 PM | Permalink

Those who like high-end travel and love their pets, have a hard time separating the two. Unfortunately, many upscale accommodations won’t allow dogs. Anyone who’s tried to find a truly dog-friendly (not merely dog-tolerant) hotel realizes that in major cities throughout the U.S., the dog-friendly options aren’t abundant. However, if you look hard enough, there are more than a few nice hotels that are not only accommodating to your pet, but go the distance to offer special amenities and services for them, as up-to-par as those offered for their human counterparts. Below, five of the best:

Loews Regency Hotel
New York
212.759.4100
This Park Avenue hotel, on New York’s Upper East Side, is stately on the outside – and inside, for that matter – but it’s also got a friendly vibe, evidenced by the fact that it not only accepts, but happily embraces, your canine companions. At your request, a designer pet bed will be installed in your room, and there’s also a culinarily-sophisticated pet menu including entrees like Bow Wow Beef Tenderloin– a mixture of beef with eggs, rice and seasonings. (There’s also a salmon equivalent for cats.) Nice to know that dogs can indulge in not just a little luxury, but a little celeb elbow-rubbing too – reportedly, Elton John’s pet cocker spaniel Arthur has his own room here when the singer is on his New York appointments.

Ten Thousand Waves
Santa Fe, NM
505.992.5025
There are plenty of ethereal spa lodgings in Santa Fe, but at many of them, their earthily glazed smiles will turn into horrified glares if they see your Australian Shepherd hop out of your rental car. At Ten Thousand Waves, they provide dog beds and colorful food bowls, have some rooms with “dog-proof” courtyards so your pet can run and jump around, and pets, while not allowed in communal baths at the spa, are allowed in the spa’s private baths so you and your pet can have bath time bonding.

Hotel Palomar
San Francisco, CA
415.348.1111
This luxurious San Francisco boutique hotel is known for being very helpful to its guests, and extra-friendly to dogs. Case in point: its “Woof for Wellness” Pet Package, which includes a pail filled with sprays and potions with natural botanicals to help your dog stay calm and relaxed; a tin of turkey sausage and romano cheese biscuits; and a leopard-print dog bed for their stay. And optional in-room pet massages ensure that this is the Bay Area stay for those obsessed with their dogs.

Aqua Hotel
Miami, FL
305.538.4361
This light, bright and airy Miami Beach boutique hotel is also one of the area’s only truly pet-friendly hotels. Your Whippet might be escorted away from the Delano, but he will be happy here with an awesome welcome basket featuring, among other things, bottled water and a chew toy that he can bring back to one of the local dog parks. The front desk makes a point to be well-versed in all the area dog parks and will pick one that’s most suitable to your dog’s personality.

The Ritz-Carlton
Marina del Rey, CA
310.823.1700
This gorgeous waterside Ritz is in a class by itself in the area– from its waterfront pool and spa, to the goose-down comforters, marble bathrooms, and classic/modern architectural mix in the large rooms. The Five Diamond property could probably get by with a no-pets policy, but they banish any expected snootiness by welcoming pets. Here, they take it to one of the highest levels of service. The concierge recommends waterfront walking trails suitable for you and your pet, and the hotel will plan an afternoon of human-pet bonding for you, even giving you take-along human and dog food to make a little picnic outdoors.

~Stephen Milioti

Posted by psychoPEDIA at 12:01 PM | Permalink

Athletic adventure-seekers are often looking for options the gym can’t offer. While outdoor activities like running and biking have long been a staple of indoor athletics thanks to treadmills and spinners, the next generation of indoor recreation is putting extreme sports, typically reserved for rough and geographically-limited terrain, to the indoors. With the use of artificial snow and simulators that can mimic anything from surf waves to wind for sky diving, indoor arenas make these sports accessible to just about anyone who is game, regardless of season or climate.

So whether you’re an amateur wanting to test the waters, or even a highly proficient athlete, you won’t need to wait for the right weather or a jet setter’s income to fly you around the world to participate in your favorite sports. Here is psychoPEDIA’s list to the world’s best indoor recreation:

Indoor Skiing
Ski Dubai
Dubai is known being the playground of the rich, where almost anything is available that money can buy– except maybe, snow. However, with the introduction of Ski Dubai, tourists and locals can now experience the world’s largest indoor snow park right in the middle of a desert. The standard package price to ski or board includes your entire snow outfit of pants and jacket, ski poles or board, ski or snowboard boots, helmets for children, and even disposable socks. Ski Dubai features five runs of different levels and also the world’s first indoor black run. If your skills aren’t up to par to take on the slopes yourself, you can take group or private lessons. And for simple frolicking in the snow, Ski Dubai also offers a Snow Park with toboggan run and climbing wall.

Indoor Sky Diving
Flyaway Indoor Sky Diving, Tennessee & Las Vegas
Whether to experience the sensation of human flight or practice sky diving skills, Flyaway Indoor Skydiving in Tennessee and Las Vegas provide various packages for all levels. The vertical wind tunnel simulates the feeling of a real sky dive in a safe and controlled environment. Personalized coaching can offer some basics to beginners on actual sky diving as well as give more seasoned skydivers a space to practice. If you're looking to celebrate your birthday or anniversary or just acquaint yourself further with co-workers, Flyaway offers group bookings that cater any event that could use their facilities to make a unique party experience.

Indoor Surfing
The LC , Swansea, Wales
For a typically dreary climate, the people of Wales have found a way to bring a little sunshine to their lives. The LC is Swansea’s modern water park, reopened in March 2008 with new refurbishments and high-tech additions maintaining the standards of the past, being home to the first wave pool in Wales. New additions include The Boardrider, an indoor surf machine that’s the first of it’s kind in the world, and riders can either choose to boogie board or surf the never-ending wave. Not only does the surf center provide a safe environment for first timers, but the sensation is as close to the real thing without actually being at the beach. The LC also houses water slides, water rides, whirpool, interactive pool, and a lagoon.

Indoor Scuba Diving
Nemo 33, Brussels
If you thought you needed an ocean to go scuba diving, think again. Nemo 33, located in Brussels, is the world’s deepest diving pool with a depth of 33 meters. The pool, about three floors high, has five meters exposed, which can be viewed from the outside. Divers are expected to show their diver’s certification to experience this man-made pool filled with rooms and passages to explore, which are also used on film shoots. The water is unchlorinated pure spring water with a temperature maintained at a comfortable 33 degrees Celcius (92 F), so you can enjoy the caves and view the stalactites. All equipment is provided, and professional instructors are available to guide and train for those who are uncertified.

Posted by psychoPEDIA at 09:17 PM | Permalink

Living the high-life in New York City without taking on a second job can be a challenge. Anyone that has reached his or her daily ATM withdrawal limit before 12 am knows it's all the more reason to take advantage of the city’s bi-annual homage to the thrifty foodie-- Restaurant Week.

During this two-week event, economical epicureans from across the city scour the island to sample fare from many of New York's hot spots. Three-Course Tasting Menus go for the nice price of $24.07 for lunch and $35 for dinner, excluding tax and tip. The Summer 2008 season is underway, so psychoPEDIA is on the scene to provide much needed gourmet guidance:

En Japanese Brasserie– Dinner Only
Japanese, West Village
Traditional Izakaya receives a modern-day makeover in the soaring space of En Japanese Brasserie, serving up small plates with a focus on simple preparations that highlight food’s natural flavors. The restaurant’s tofu, made in-house six times a night, along with its handcrafted soy sauce and miso attest to the importance placed on all ingredients. The dinner only, set menu features two of their signature dishes – a Saikyo Miso Grilled Black Cod and Kakuni, Berkshire Pork Belly braised in Sansho Miso. This relaxed style of dining encourages sharing, making it a prime setting for a date. To that end, consider arriving before 7:30 to take advantage of the daily drink special, a selection of three sakes at $18 per flight.

Telepan– Lunch Only (W-F)
American Nouveau, Upper West Side
Inspired by the notion of seasonal eating, chef Bill Telepan promises a menu that reflects the best of what the area’s Greenmarkets have to offer, delivered in a relaxed setting that alludes to the nature of the cuisine. The summer is the ideal time to appreciate locally grown produce, and the restaurant’s bountiful offerings allow freshness to take center stage. Start with Panzanella, a rustic Italian bread salad accented by heirloom tomatoes and Tuscan olive oil and follow it with an entrée of Pan-Roasted Trout or a duet of Soft Shell Crab and Crab Cake. After your meal, you can take a stroll to Strawberry Fields in Central Park.

Mesa Grill– Lunch and Dinner
American/Southwest, Union Square
At his flagship restaurant, Mesa Grill, chef Bobby Flay combines the bold flavors of the American Southwest with the sophistication of classic culinary techniques to create his innovative style of cuisine. The food is truly a study in contrasts, blending fiery with refreshing and sweet with tart, allowing each dish to burst with a wide range of tastes. Spicy Salmon Tartare balances heat with an avocado relish and a Sixteen Spice Crusted Chicken, mellows the bite of garlic by roasting it before adding the tang of mango to the accompanying sauce. While you’re in the neighborhood, stop by the Union Square Farmer's Market (M, W, F, Sat) to work up your appetite while exploring the region’s harvest.

Blue Smoke– Lunch and Dinner
Barbeque, Gramercy
Where else but NYC could you expect to find the finger-licking goodness of down home barbeque elevated to the status of haute cuisine? Blue Smoke offers slightly updated versions of diverse regional styles ranging from Memphis’ dry rub to North Carolina’s vinegar base, while still maintaining the character of the original. Smoked Short Ribs are re-imagined with a Coco-Coriander sauce and served with creamy grits, while Chicken Fried Steak gets a much needed facelift with an upgrade to Sirloin. Add in Seared Baby Octopus in a Smoked Corn Broth or Ale-Battered Zucchini Blossoms, and you’ll quickly realize this is no ordinary backyard affair. With the option of $27 three-course wine/cocktail pairing at dinner, you may never look at barbeque the same again.

Tabla– Lunch Only
Indian, Flatiron
Rise above the bustling NYC streets in the balcony dining room at Tabla while taking in views of the Flatiron Building and Madison Square Park. Savor the unique flavors of India fused with locally sourced foods, and you’re transported to the nexus of two distinct and colorful worlds. Chilled Watermelon Soup accentuated with lime, ginger, mint and capers is a perfect tonic for the oppressive weather. Berkshire Pork Sausage is accompanied by a smoked fingerling potato salad and dressed with a pickled garlic vinaigrette, rendering a distinctive interpretation of backyard picnic fare. Complete your journey with Chocolate and Coconut Crepes served with a Tamarind Sauce and icy taste of Coconut Sorbet.

Del Posto– Lunch Only
Italian, Chelsea
One look at Chef Mario Batali, and it’s clear that the man likes to eat. That same passion for food is apparent at his venue Del Posto, a restaurant that strives to express the tradition and evolution of Italian cuisine as experienced in this country. The food is cooked with minimal pretense to allow the characteristics of each element to shine through. Choose from a Minestrone bolstered by Aborio Rice and Basil Pesto or Speck di Alto Adige-– cold-smoked, aged ham-– alongside a salad of Arugula & Parmigiano-Reggiano. For your main, try a classic Ragu Bolognese atop spinach pasta. Linger over a Caffé Corretto-– espresso with a shot of grappa, brandy or sambuca-– before continuing your culinary education at the nearby Chelsea Market.

Chez Josephine– Dinner Only
French, Hell’s Kitchen
A pioneer in the revival of 42nd back in the mid 80’s, Chez Josephine remains a colorful landmark in the bustling neighborhood, evoking romantic visions of Paris in the 1930’s when Josephine Baker was at the peak of her fame. Taking the aesthetics of the Theatre District to heart, the interior of this inviting French Bistro is done up with red velvet curtains and sparkling chandeliers. The food is as eclectic as the surroundings and certain to please the palette. An appetizer of Chinese Ravioli with Herbed Goat Cheese and Ginger Infused Veal Jus makes an adventurous departure from conventional fare. Moules Frites (Mussels and Fries) soak in a decadent Tomato-Pernod Broth and Saffron Risotto is enhanced with a medley of Summer Vegetables and Vanilla Brown Butter. To provide extra incentive for buying that second bottle of wine, the restaurant features live piano performances nightly.

-Scott J Lachut

Posted by psychoPEDIA at 04:10 PM | Permalink

"I'm not looking to get lucky for the next fifteen years," says actor Scoot McNairy. He's talking about relationships, not his professional life– both of which, however, have had a lucky star hanging over them. McNairy stars in and produced the film, In Search of a Midnight Kiss, which was made as a low-budget, do-it-yourself project directed and written by fellow Texan, Alex Holdridge. The romantic comedy has gone on to make half a million dollars in the UK and opens in IFC theatres in New York and Los Angeles August 1st.

McNairy plays an out of work writer who answers an ad on Craigslist for a blind date. The situation seems common enough. We have all, if not answered an online ad, been set up on a blind date. For most, however, these set-ups don't end up as a black-and-white poetic odyssey through downtown Los Angeles. Among the adventures are Wilson and the sweet yet wacky Vivian's visit to a glamorously run-down, abandoned theater off Sunset Blvd and a run to save Vivian's possessions from her crazy ex-boyfriend who threatens Wilson's life and to burn Vivian's apartment.

At some point in out lives, we have all had a date that has turned out to be more then we expected or a period of feeling aimless desperation. McNairy therefore, an relate to his character Wilson's state of affairs-- as well as playing his old friend Holdrige's alter-ego. The actor moved to LA to attend film school to learn cinematography, dropped out to become an extra for three months, then started working as a carpenter. "First moving out to LA was the most depressing time of my life. I relate to that question of "what the fuck am I doing with my life?" he says with a Texan accent coming through. "But I always told myself to be patient and work your way up. It was never like I want to be rich and famous and bang models. My attitude was always I love being on set and I want to have fun." It was at a Christmas party that Mcnairy was bartending when he was approached by a commercial agent. He got signed and did twenty commercials his first year. "I have three commercials on the air right now," he offers. "That work has allowed me to do what I'm doing." He looks back on the years he spent struggling with the same optimism. "When you take a step back, you see how poignant those times are. It's all growing pains."

Yet relating to his character's dating situation was not something McNairy could draw on from personal experience. "I've never dated, because I always become friends with the person first." Instead, he looked to Holdridge. "I saw Alex go through all of that. I would sit on his couch and listen to all these stories," he says, adding "I don't have any crazy stories but I am fascinated by other people's experiences." This is not to say that McNairy hasn't had his share of disappointments with romance. Dating in a town which is the center of the entertainment world has low moments. "I'm from Texas. Dating is so different there. In LA, it's about how can you further my career and what car do you drive. That's the number one question, and the number one red flag," he says, continuing, "but we've all had the occasional one night stand."

Having a morning smoke and a few exchanges with his live-in girlfriend of a year, he explains about his dating history, "It's OK, she doesn't mind. There is so much weirdness going to bed with someone you don't know. Waking up in the morning like, 'Hey, do you want to get some breakfast.' It's the worst." The story of how McNairy and his girlfriend Whitney, became involved is a testament to how the slow burn can win out. The two met at a mutual friends BBQ: "I was in the car ride home from the BBQ with three other buddies, and we where all like, OK who's gonna date Whitney?" McNairy and Whitney hung out four months as friends, then became romantically involved and moved in together two months later. "You get away from all that awkwardness and weirdness right off the bat when your friends with someone first," he says. "When you're in a relationship that's good, there's something about it. It's the most beautiful thing. She's my partner in crime. I don't have to do this all alone. People are always like, "You need space." I don't need it. I like being together 24/7. I like being co-dependant."

~Sara Costello

Posted by psychoPEDIA at 05:52 PM | Permalink

Over the past decade, Mexico City’s reputation as a bona fide tourist destination has continued to grow. No longer is the sprawling city plagued by taxi cab kidnappings or muggings, though that’s not to say the metropolis-- often referred to as Distrito Federale (or D.F.)-- which houses an awe-inspiring population of 19 million, is without crime. But garnering more international attention these days is Mexico City’s burgeoning cultural scene. In various pockets of the city, like up-and-coming neighborhood Condesa, fledgling designers and artists such as Ensanada-born Livia Corona are generating work that’scatching the eye of gallerists and collectors the world over.

In Corona’s case, it’s her recent photographic series, Enanitos Toreros, that’s making waves. These celebratory images capture various traveling troupes of little people performing as Mexican bullfighters-– a tradition as old in Mexico as Mezcal and Mariachi. The stunning series, the fruits of eight years of labor, is encapsulated in an eponymous tome on powerHouse Books (a launch party is slated to take place at powerHouse headquarters in DUMBO tonight). In the midst of preparing for her book launch, we caught up with the acclaimed photographer, who divides her time between Mexico City and NYC, to talk inspiration and the idiosyncrasies of her hometown south of the border.

What initially inspired your Enanitos Toreros project?
Enanitos Toreros started in a very casual way when a woman, who is a little person, invited me to tour with her team of dwarf bullfighters after I made her a headshot. Through her I met other little people who also invited me to their shows and to their homes. With time I realized that there is not a great deal of common knowledge about dwarfism and, consequently, there are many false ideas and much discomfort about the subject. I was interested in the space between these two factions. Right when I started hanging out with the Enanitos Toreros, I saw Robert Frank’s “Cocksucker Blues”, a behind the scenes documentary of the Rolling Stones while touring. That movie was a point of departure for my touring with my friends.

What was the most surprising thing you learned while documenting these bullfighters?
I was, and am [still] struck by how dwarfism, in a sense, remains a sort of “last minority” which culture can discriminate and stereotype. It seems that the blanket of political correctness skipped this part of our society altogether. The book is about a lot of things, but mainly an effort to get past the spectacle and re-portray dwarfism in a way that made sense to me, having people with dwarfism as friends.

What inspired you to move to Mexico City and why keep a part-time residence there in addition to NYC?
For a photographer, New York is a top place to produce work. New York City figured out how to take care of itself years ago, and now it’s a model for efficiency. My antidote to the smoothness is Mexico City, where nothing really coincides and everything runs on a fluctuating pattern. It is vast in countless ways, so it has a lot of space where one can generate ideas for work.

How would you describe Mexico City to someone who’s never been?
I would cut right to the sales pitch and tell this person to pack their bags and get to it.

Say you were celebrating the launch of your new book in Mexico City, where would go for a night on the town to celebrate?
El Covadonga, in Colonia Roma. It’s an old and enormous dinning and drinking hall with rows of tables to sit 40-50 of your closest friends. The waiters know many by name. You drink and eat until morning. When it closes everyone moves to the next bar and knocks on the door until they open.

Mexico City’s art scene is flourishing. What sets it apart from other cosmopolitan art communities?
I guess all the hanging out and talking leads to something. There is not a significant division between artists working on different mediums and people socialize a lot. It may also have something to do with there being very few “accredited” sources telling creative minds what is what. All the general urban senselessness probably keeps people inventing their own conclusions.

What are the names of a few local galleries and artists of note?
Go to Galeria GaGa in Colonia Condesa. Ask for Botas. He might tell you everything or nothing.

Best place to see live music?
El Pasaguero.

Where is the best to go for tacos?
Tacos are more of a Northern Mexican staple. There is one place not many foreigners go - the food cart lady who parks at the entrance of Hotel Buenos Aires, on Motolinia and Cinco de Mayo. She makes everything you can possibly make out of blue corn. For breakfast - Chilaquiles en Salsa Verde - I always go to Cafeteria La Blanca, on 5 de Mayo.

What’s your favorite shop to frequent?
Nacional Monte de Piedad-– a jewelry pawnshop administered by the government.

What’s a good hotel for out-of-towners?
A lot of foreigners stay at Hotel Condesa. My favorite hotel, for the interior décor is Hotel Jena, a left over from early 70’s décor. The 70’s look is consistent to the last detail… furniture, rugs, bedspreads, dishware, etc. It’s a time warp. For 80’s hotel décor intensity check out Hotel Casa Blanca.

Where offers the most authentic Mexico City experience?
You can go (pretty much anywhere) and get kidnapped.

What is the most visually inspiring spot in the city?
Centro Historico, northeast of the Zocalo, [where] the streets that haven’t been bought up by Carlos Slim.

What's Mexico City’s best-kept secret>
It’s really 30 million citizens but it doesn’t want to admit it.

~Alisa Gould-Simon

Posted by psychoPEDIA at 05:33 PM | Permalink

Less than two years ago Price James, like many a fledgling filmmaker, was making music videos for his pals on a budget less like a shoestring, and more like a feeble thread flapping in the heavy winds of a market saturated by a generation too eager to be on MTV.

What made this jovial gent stand out from his contemporaries was not his striking height, full beard, or contagiously bear-like laugh, but his simple yet compelling masterpieces for the likes of Simian Mobile Disco, Friendly Fires, and Operator Please. His humorous and charming use of age-old techniques like stop frame animation, slow motion, and pop-up quickly earned him the right to have the safe hands of RSA (Ridley Scott Associates) Films backing him. With James directing the first advertisement in six years for England’s most famous cakemakers Mr. Kipling and with two videos for cult-electro clash legend Peaches lined up, Price can only go up.

While a director’s presence in the public is normally a faceless one, James makes sure his own is unmistakable. Carrying a look only a man about London town could, albeit a Victorian-era London, this dandy with a camera has a penchant for knickerbockers, boldly patterned socks, and patent shoes. psychoPEDIA got Freudian on Price at his East London abode and inquired into where his sock fetish, his vigorous use of the pestle and mortar, and his ambition to make the next System of a Down video all came from:

What was the experience working with Peaches on her latest video?
She was in London recording her album with James Ford and just phoned me. “I’m here for 3 more days can you shot a video for me tomorrow night” Luckily, she had a pretty clear idea of what she wanted. The video had to somehow result in her doing a really bad jazz dance like a nine year old on her roof. Sounds like a real rubbish disco, but as you will eventually see, we achieved what she was after.

Do you prefer off-the-cuff shoots rather than something that takes much more planning?
No no, but it is exciting. And it was Peaches, so you know she can just turn it on. She just does her thing. I tried to direct her, and she just said “Nah, I just improvise.”

While Peaches is outrageous, is there anyone even more "out there "you would like to work with?
I really want to make a metal video. Full on metal, like Slayer–- something brutal, perhaps Slipknot, or System of a Down. Make a real nasty video. I want to make people explode, Scanners-style.

Do you want get away from what you normally do?
Everyone has their niche, I started doing the animation because of budgets more than anything. It’s a sneaky way to make things look magical and impossible. Somewhere down the line, you have to stop doing low-budget stuff. Its fun, but I want to go cinematic. I want to get into film, a feature length. I have an idea for a British Happiness film– something sick, but funny, a bit perverted.

Like your sock fetish?
I started wearing shorts a lot when I hadn’t bought any new trousers for a while and they were all ripping, so I just cut them down. When it was summer, it was fine, cool. But when it got to winter, it was cold. Then I thought “Shit, where’s all my trousers?” I had to start wearing long socks to reach my knees. The look goes back to Victorian times with the Dandies, and even further, with breaches and Henry the VIII, a very British look.

What brand of socks are your favorite?
I exclusively wear Paul Smith socks. They make simple patterns like wallpapers, spots, stripes. I like repeated patterns. The Paul Smith sock rocks.

Is this an obsession that stems from your childhood?
When I was a kid, I would wear odd socks all the time. I would never wear full pairs. People thought I was weird. When I was 13 and at school, I’d come in with one black and one grey sock and every one thought I was really sketchy.

Are your shoes as important to you as the socks?
The shoe and sock are important together. It’s a unison. BStore are my favorite shoes, on Saville Row. They make the best men’s shoes, without a doubt.

Are there any other strange things you are obsessed with?
My mortar and pestle–- I love it. Its from Pages Kitchen Store, a catering supply store, and made from real granite. I can hardly lift it-– serious business. It’s worth about £100, but I borrowed it from a shoot. I love cooking, so this is my favorite thing. God, I sound really middle-aged.

~Kevin Soar

Posted by psychoPEDIA at 05:38 PM | Permalink

It seems as if everyone is attempting to make a dollar on a celebrity nowadays. From websites like Perez Hilton that update you on the latest celebrity scandal, TMZ detailing play-by-play moments in celebrities’ lives, to the standard gossip weeklies at the supermarket, a recent trend in light reading is unauthorized biographies which offer an even closer look into the private lives of celebrities. With the attached label of “unauthorized” giving these biographies a juicier edge, these tell-all tales from those close to the subjects, and at times even family members, guarantee that avid fans of celebrity gossip will be snatching these intimate profiles off the bookstore shelves and curling up for a pool-side read:

Life With My Sister Madonna
Written from the perspective of her own estranged brother, this new tell-all biography already sounds like a celebrity rag reader’s dream. In addition to being her sibling, Christoper Ciccone was once a close confidant who worked for Madonna for many years. Speculation of Madonna and Guy Ritchie’s divorce has made the release of this book even more timely, as the book details matters regarding the couple’s relationship, as well as the demise of her relationship with her own brother. Throughout the book, Ciccone reveals many aspects of Madonna’s failed relationships, including the fact that Richie is homophobic and not comfortable around him or any of Madonna’s gay friends, that Warren Beatty was so paranoid Madonna was cheating on him that he had her trash searched, and that she labeled Sean Penn as a “paranoid control freak.” While Madonna has not read her brother’s book, Madonna’s publicist has already commented that she is deeply upset by its release, which only guarantees popularity with the public.

Kate Moss
Written by French journalist Francoise-Marie Santucci, this biography covers 24 years of the model’s career with anecdotes from sources close to Kate Moss as well as archived materials, though Moss refused an interview with the journalist due to the book’s unauthorized status. Dubbing her as “Snow White for the modern age,” the book talks of Kate’s troubled relationship with cocaine and her on-again, off-again boyfriend Pete Doherty, and also makes a comment on her experiences in the fashion industry. While it is currently released in France (not yet available state side), Moss is not making any statements about her feelings on the book.

Tom Cruise: An Unauthorized Biography
From childhood to Scientology fanaticism, writer Andrew Morton covers Tom Cruise’s entire life in this unauthorized biography. After Cruise’s famous Oprah couch-jumping incident, Morton stated it instigated his interest to write a book about the actor. Making claims from Cruise being the “number two” of the Scientology Church, his child Suri being speculated by Scientologists as the reincarnation of L. Ron Hubbard, and that the founder of Scientology required Katie Holmes to audition to be Cruise’s girlfriend (beating out other starlets including Jessica Alba, Scarlett Johannsson, and Kate Bosworth). Tom Cruise, An Unauthorized Biography hit number one in sales on Amazon.com in just three days after it’s release and has already become number one on The New York Times Best Sellers List after one week of being published.

Rollin' With Dre: The Unauthorized Account
Dr. Dre’s right-hand man, Bruce Williams gives a first hand account of the trials and tribulations of the West Coast Hip Hop scene through Tupac Shakur’s rise and fall, the West and East Coast feuds, and Dre’s launching of Eminem, 50 Cent, and The Game's careers. Other personal accounts also detail Dr Dre’s reconciliation with Easy E before his passing, Dre’s departure from The Row (formally know as Death Row Records), and his development of his co-owned label. As a bona fide insider, who artists would look to as both a friend and a problem solver, Williams provides a closer look into a scene that took him in as a confidant, who fondly nicknamed him “Uncle Bruce."

Marilyn Manson: The Unauthorized Biography
From Marilyn Manson’s beginnings in Southern Florida with his band The Spooky Kids to the immediate success in the 90s with his controversial, breakout album Antichrist Superstar, this unauthorized biography documents the formation, early gigs, and the Christian conservatives' backlash of Manson's music and image. The book covers Manson's struggle with censorship and accusations of being an influence on Columbine shootings as not hindering the band, but pushing them to promote art and individuality, as Marilyn Manson still releases critically-acclaimed music while waging a war against the conservative protesters to this day.

The Unsinkable Heather Mills: An Unauthorized Biography of a Great Pretender
The latest media obsession seems to be celebrity divorces and the dirty laundry that goes with them. Ex-wife of The Beatles' Paul McCartney, Heather Mill’s life is portrayed as a life of triumph, tragedy, and pain. It’s hard not to question the claim of the book being unauthorized, due to it’s melodramatic nature, but Neil Simpson paints Mill’s life through dozens of interviews and testimonies. Her life’s events, besides her very publicized divorce, includes a chaotic childhood of protecting siblings from a dysfunctional parent, being a homeless teenager in the circus, and rising from tragedy by learning to walk again,after being run over by a police officer. The book even brings its subject's difficult struggle with the media, who have accused her of being everything from a prostitute, a lesbian, to a liar.

Posted by psychoPEDIA at 05:36 PM | Permalink

When planning for summer vacations, most ideas that come to mind are resorts, back-packing through scenic European locales, and professionally-led tours to see known sights. While there is a wide selection of pre-packaged tours all over the world that include luxury hotels and amenities, and itineraries full of the top tourist attractions, less conventional and ntriguing tours are popping up all over the world. For travelers who want an adventure or are seeking unique ways to experience niche elements that different parts of the world has has to offer, psychoPEDIA looks into six tours off the beaten path:

Tibetan Bike Tour
Bike Asia, an organization specializing in bicycle tours throughout the continent, offers an intensive tour starting in Tibet and ending in Nepal. You will be able to witness the highest elevations in the world, Kathmandu markets, and the Buddhist monasteries of Lhasa. The Tibet/Nepal tour includes a backdrop of the Himalayas, with the tour ending at an Everest camp. As 19 out of the 28 total days are spent cycling, this tour is not for the lighthearted or inexperienced rider, as they’re customized for people with endurance to enhance their riding experience.

Amsterdam Red Light District Tour
Amsterdam is known the world over for its liberal laws on sex and drugs. If you’re inquisitive about Amsterdam’s legal brothels, the Prostitution Information Center recommends De Wallenwinkel, guided tours of the infamous Red Light District. Ex-prostitutes guide one-hour tours, and while all questions are welcome, unfortunately photography of the prostitutes is not. If you’d prefer to travel without a group, De Wallenwinkel also offers a self-guided tour with an instructional and informative booklet for those who want a more discreet and private tour of the racy area.

Iceland Horse Riding Tour
This tour offers an old fashion ride through Iceland on horseback. Ishestar Riding tours have both purely riding, or a scenic rides with sight seeing combination tours that introduce tourists to Iceland’s untouched, wild landscapes. The Golden Circle tour explores a famous Geysir hot spring as well as the Gullfoss water fall. With Ishestar Riding tours, you can experience first hand the beauty of Icelandic beaches, mountains, boiling mud pools, and lava formations. If galloping the highlands isn't enough, you can participate in sheep and horse gathering with authentic farmers on the Round Up tours.

LesbiGay Amazon Jungle Tour
Providing a lesbian/gay twist to an eco-tour, this Amazonian adventure begins in the city of Manaus where travelers will visit landmarks and popular lesbigay nights spots. The journey continues on a boat down the rivers of the Amazon to a jungle lodge where travelers stay and take in the wildlife, with activities including fishing for piranhas and local bird watching. The six-day tour includes a round-trip ticket from Miami to Manaus, transfers to and from the airports, accommodations, and jungle tours. Tour participants get the opportunity to experience both the metropolis and forests of the Amazon.

LA-Blood and Dumplings Tour
While Southern California is known primarily for Hollywood stars and their leeches— the paparazzi— much of the city’s more fascinating and non-celebrity history goes unnoticed. For travelers looking for a fresh perspective, the Blood and Dumplings tour, run by Esotouric, is a great way to discover the seedy history of strange crimes in San Gabriel Valley, through Alhambra, Temple City, Monterey Park, Rosemead and El Monte. Bizarre crimes featured on the tour include: a lesbian couple dispute that ended in forced drug-overdose death, a bride buried on her wedding day, and the war of El Monte neo-Nazis. And if you still have an appetite after hearing about odd crimes, the tour includes dumplings from some of San Gabriel’s best Chinese restaurants.

Tokyo Game Show Tour
Pop Japan Travel has an organized Tokyo Game Show Tour that is not only packed with stops at Japan’s popular game shows, but also includes a shopping tour through Tokyo’s Square Enix Store (made by the creators of Final Fantasy), a visit to famous filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki's Ghibli Museum, as well as meeting game-industry professionals. The Tokyo Game Show Tour includes airfare from LAX to Japan, full hotel accommodations, all transportation to and from activities, and bilingual tour guides and books with maps and useful Japanese phrases.

Posted by psychoPEDIA at 04:47 PM | Permalink

With the opening of IKEA Brooklyn along the historic Red Hook waterfront on June 18th, the Swedish Invasion has officially landed in NYC. Hordes of New Yorkers are flocking to the store in search of a myriad ways to spend their Economic Stimulus checks. Keeping this newfound wealth safely inside our own shores is akin to bailing out a sinking ship, and the masses have spoken– choosing to purchase their bargain furnishings and assorted brick-a-brac from across the sea.

Though most won’t plan on making the trip a six-day affair like some IKEA fanatics, you need to be prepared– for this is no ordinary shopping event – and plan accordingly to alleviate your shopping stress. Though buffing up on your Norse Mythology will probably help you determine the difference between a Flärke and a Flört and make you a hit with anyone over 6’2”, it’s not required reading. Instead, read along for psychoPEDIA’s crash course in all things IKEA:

Before You Go:
First, everyone in your travel party needs to be prepared that this journey will profoundly impact the relationship you have with the fellow company . Whether it will further cement a bond or require extensive counseling afterwards is left in the hands of fate. Next, it’s important to take a lesson in translation. “Caveat Emptor” is Latin for “Buyer Beware.” IKEA is Swedish for “fragile.” Sometimes you get what you pay for, and in the case of IKEA, you’re getting affordable furniture that will look great in your current apartment, but more than likely will wind up broken on the sidewalk if you ever try to leave. Think of it as a starter-kit on your path to adulthood. After all, repeat customers are the lifelines of any good business, and for fantastic prices, you have to know there are going to be risks. Now that you know what you’re getting into, it’s time to decide what to buy. Pouring over the catalog prior to the onslaught is arguably the most important preparation. You’re not only establishing a shopping list and budget, but steeling your resolve and knowing your enemy.

Getting There:
Red Hook is somewhat of a New York aberration, given the fact that it isn’t easily accessible by public transportation. But IKEA is smart. Not only does it know you’re coming, but it’s made arrangements to get you there. The Water Taxi departs from Pier 11 in Lower Manhattan from 10:30am to 9pm daily and runs every 40 minutes. Between 10am and 10pm, shuttle buses run every 15 minutes from the 4th Ave/9th St and Court St/Borough Hall Stations directly to the store. Both services are free. There’s no sneaking up on this lumbering behemoth, so why not take the bait and fall in line with the rest of the huddled masses.

When You’re There:
Take the store map. Study it. Memorize it if you can. It is your safety valve, providing vital escape routes. It’s all that stands between you and an 8-hour ordeal fraught with endless wandering. Once you ascend the escalator, you have entered the fray. The store’s layout is equal parts brilliant and insidious. It is specifically designed so that you lose yourself in its serpentine pathways. You start off on the 2nd floor, an entire level above the exit, with no noticeable windows to the outside world. This maximizes your time inside the store by ensuring you drag yourself through every inch before you can leave. The catalog has come to life, and it wants to waylay you at every turn. Don’t be lulled by its numerous enchantments and forget the task at hand. If you want to see particular pieces on display before pulling the trigger on the purchase, go directly to those areas, utilizing the shortcuts when possible. This way, you navigate through the store more quickly, while simultaneously avoiding temptation of the impulse buy.

Getting It Home:
You’ve traversed the obstacles that beset your voyage from the outset-– long lines, fake bathrooms, and one too many Cinnamon Buns. But you’re still left holding a large bag or cart full of boxes-– the sum total of your efforts, and hopefully some things you can sit on or put other things in. However, the cruelest ruse of the day is finding adequate transport to get it all home. You’ve come too far to give up, so choke back urges to dump your booty in the East River and cheer up, for IKEA provides. Smaller items can be delivered outside of Brooklyn starting at $49, while bigger pieces begin at $89. It’s best to talk to one of the store’s employees to schedule times and get a full explanation of fees. If you have trouble following directions or aren’t very adept with tools, assembly services are also available. Alternatively, if you’re a do-it-yourselfer, IKEA has partnered with U-Haul to provide discounted rates on trucks. A 2-hour rental costs $9.95 and a $1 per mile. Call from one of the courtesy phones located near the checkouts and make sure to ask about insurance, as this may add to the total price. Sure you’ve fought the good fight and lost some of your innocence along the way, but now you can leave in peace.

~Scott Lachut

Posted by psychoPEDIA at 12:25 AM | Permalink

Solid Gold is a Minneapolis-based collective of eccentric noisemakers, who from show to show, can go from looking like polished mariachis to carefree surfer boys. And perhaps like their chameleon attire, the group’s sound ranges from throbbing electronic beats to smooth, psychedelic melodies. Comprised of core members Zack Coulter, Adam Hurlburt, and Matt Locker, with Jonathan Aires and Sean Troth as part-time additions– the trio migrated from Madison, Wisconsin three years ago to set up shop in lead singer Coulter’s original hometown, though they’ve spent much of their recent days elsewhere thanks to their touring schedule. Garnering a steady following state side playing local to major festival showcases at SXSW, the group has also made a splash abroad, playing to rowdy crowds at the Iceland Airwaves Festival in Reykjavik and the Vice/WeSC Old Blue Last party in London.

Hailing from the place perhaps best known for being the stomping grounds of music icon Prince’s, the Mall of America, and the Great Lakes, Coulter joined psychoPEDIA after a performance at NYC’s Pianos to take a tour of his Twin City hometown:

Were you influenced highly by Prince and the “Minneapolis Sound” he created?
I was, but when he was huge, I was only 6 years old. We’ve recorded in some of the same studios he used before.

Where did you get the idea to incorporate a lap steel guitar to your music?
We used to go to a bar called The Bulldog where Sean worked, and we just started chatting with him and found out what he played. We were recording already and thought it would be cool to add, so then he just started playing shows with us about six months ago.

Since one of your tracks is called “Bible Thumper,” can it be assumed you are very spiritual?
No, but Matt really likes crystals. He’s big into crystal magic.

What stands out about the music scene?
There’s a good public radio station, The Current, that plays a lot of local music and original commercials, and Radio K, which is student run. That’s a good asset, because we’ll get play quite a bit on these stations. Other than that, the music press is horseshit.

Do any of the band members have twins in the Twin Cities? Or, if you could have one, who would it be?
Sean and I get mistaken for each other all the time. I know Matt would want Patrick Swayze as a twin. For me, maybe Michael Jackson.

Since Pillsbury is based out of Minneapolis, have you ever had dough boy sightings?
I think he went into retirement.

With a name like Solid Gold, you must know where to pick up some good flashy accessories.
There’s one place that used to be an old White Castle on Lyndale [White Castle Building No. 8], and they sell jewelry inside.

As you make some bold fashion statements on and offstage, where do you shop for your unique clothes?
We’re kind of shameless with wearing our own band t-shirts, and Matt makes most of them. I haven’t bought an article of clothing in a long time. But if we do any shopping, it’s thrift shopping. Everyday People, where our friend works, is probably the best.

Favorite spots to perform live?
The Kitty Cat Club and 7th Street Entry— the club connected to First Avenue.

Places where we'd find the band vegging out after a show?
Barbette, a French bistro bar with a good happy hour. And The Local downtown, where you just go to get a Guinness.

Where does Solid Gold get into the most trouble?
Probably the strip club called Seville. Matt and I have actually eaten there before. He had a buffalo chicken salad. He loves buffalo chicken. And I had a Caesar salad. Pretty weird.

Minneapolis is one of the most environmentally friendly and health conscious US cities. What especially healthy spots do you support?
There’s a good amount of co-ops. Seward is one that’s really cool. The Greenway goes right through the middle of the city and has good biking trails. And Tao Natural-– they make really good healthy stuff.

For a city known as America's "Most Literate," what are the best places to pick up good reading material?
Magers & Quinn. And there’s some good comic book shops, one called Big Brain Comics. We have a really good library system, too. I haven’t been reading as much as I probably should these days.

Forbes ranked it the third best US city for couples. Are there nice places to take a date?
The strip club-– just kidding. I moved there with a girlfriend then broke up. So it didn’t work out so well for me. Bryant Lake Bowl has a date night where you can go for dinner, cheap drinks, and bowling.

Is there a rivalry between Minnesotans and Canadians over who reigns higher in the mall kingdom?
I don’t trust Canadians.

What's the best place to crash if you're from out of town?
If you’re in a band, you can always stay with someone else in a band. The last place I stayed in town was The Depot, a hotel, with a waterslide, big pool, and ice rink inside.

Best kept secret in Minneapolis?
Matt’s Bar, which has the best cheeseburger in the world. It’s called a “Jucy Lucy” and has cheese in the middle.

What’s next for Solid Gold?
We’re staying in New York for a while doing shows, then back to Minneapolis to record our album, which should come out in September.

~Leann Peterson

Posted by psychoPEDIA at 07:02 PM | Permalink

A typical night out in present-day East London for the lager-swilling, girl-harassing city boy will probably start at a bar on Spitalfields Market, proceed to a club in Shoreditch, then end with a kebab on Brick Lane. This journey’s often littered with obstacles, including ‘birds’ to chase and ‘wankers’ to fight amongst the many winding alleyways of the Whitechapel area. Send them back to the same place 120 years ago and these ill- suited fellows wouldn’t stand a chance. The only ‘birds’ close enough to want to sleep with them would be charging, and the only folk left roaming the streets after dark were the crazy or criminals, making it perfect hunting time for the infamous Jack the Ripper.

The Museum of Docklands is situated in the shadows of London’s most grotesque cluster of buildings, Canary Wharf, and is currently hosting a 6-month long exhibition centered on the twisted serial killer Jack the Ripper. What makes this exhibition unique is that while Jack the Ripper is its main attraction, what it offers the visitor is much more rewarding. It perfectly describes, with sympathy, the lives and times of the working class East London dweller, with enlightening glimpses into living in London’s East End circa 1888, which is far removed from the ‘London Dungeon’ tongue-in-cheek take on the Ripper. What’s most chilling about the exhibition is not the killings themselves, but rather, the dire conditions many lived under to survive, and the media’s glamorization of the murders overlooks the dreadful lives Jack the Ripper’s victims left before meeting their fates.

The She Set are a seven-member group of aspiring young DJs on the cusp of a London takeover. Having met in the seaside town of Southend, they came together through the love of one thing– records. Despite garnering a reputation as being “girlfriends of The Horrors” (though only 3 of them hold that title), since their collective move to East London, they’ve brought many a dance floor twisting to its knees with a range of records from 50’s Rockabilly, 2000’s post-punk, and back again to 60’s psyche, all exclusively spun on black vinyl. Their recently launched club night, The Sect, has already won them a reputation as top-notch club promoters and host to worldwide fan clubs from Mexico to Japan, all obsessed with the clothes and lives of the lovely lot.

psychoPEDIA sent 21-year-old She Setter and politics student Hollie Warren, who currently resides in Whitechapel, to take in the Jack the Ripper exhibition to see how the swinging East End of 2008 compares to its sordid version of 1888:

Did the exhibition reveal much you didn’t already know about Jack the Ripper?
The exhibition did well in describing the culture and environment in which the killings take place, such as the fact that much was made of the parallels between Jack the Ripper and the “Jeckyl and Hyde” play. It did well at setting the scene rather than simply describing the details of the murders.

What are your views on the revelations and almost “celebration” of a serial killer?
I think the possibilities and details of what one human can do to another has always and will continue to fascinate people. It is both disturbing and interesting to consider what may drive someone to kill another, and I think that it is this rather than simply the gory details of the murders that means that newspapers and books containing details of serial killers continue to sell so many copies.

Do you feel the exhibition demonstrates the deprivation of the area at the time?
It possibly highlighted some of the reasons why these murders were able to take place: women having no other option than to sell sex, for example, the extreme poverty and alcoholism being rife. In this way, little has changed in today's societies, with the murder of prostitutes often going unnoticed and little debate on what can be done to prevent women from having to resort to prostitution.

As a vast collection of information, how effective is it overall in telling the story?
The collection was great. It set the scene for the type of place London was in the late 1800s and included pieces from this time. I also liked the way the exhibition used artifacts, videos newspaper extracts, and information boards to gradually allow you throughout the exhibition to build up a picture of the murders and how the murders were.

Do you see parallels between East London 1888 and 2008?
There are definitely similarities between the perceived problem of immigration, then and now, particularly in the way which immigrants were and often are scapegoats for many problems facing the country, and how this is inflated by the media. It is interesting how the media today fails to notice that Britain has always had an immigration issue and has always adjusted accordingly. It was also interesting to see how East London has always been a place where there have been huge inequalities in wealth living side by side.

Is there anything you would have liked to see that doesn't appear in the exhibit?
I'd like to have known more about the details of the investigation and how it was conducted by the police.

~ Kevin Soar

Posted by psychoPEDIA at 05:30 PM | Permalink

The von Trapp family; perhaps more known for their fairytale portrayal in 20th Century Fox's film, The Sound of Music released in 1965, rather than the Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, Vermont.

The Villa Trapp Hotel however, a new property in Salzburg, Austria, which is scheduled to open on July 25th, just happens to be the family’s original home. Two business partners decided to buy the villa and turn it into a hotel, capitalizing on the von Trapp name and of course The Sound of Music. The von Trapps lived there from 1923 to 1938. When the Nazis stormed Austria, the Baron and his family left for Italy, and the villa became the home of notorious SS chief Heinrich Himmler, and his butler. When the war ended, the property was returned to the family, who sold it to a peaceful Catholic missionary order.

After Maria and her clan fled from Salzburg, Austria in 1938, and prior to landing in Stowe, Vermont, they'd travel the United States and eventually land a consecutive hotel residency in Philadelphia that provided boarding for everyone while they sang at night to guests. Times were quite tough with nine children, with their tenth, Johannes von Trapp on the way.

Trapp Family Lodge opened in 1950. It's a vast 2,200 acre resort with 96 rooms, 100 two-bedroom guest houses, and 16 luxurious villas. To develop the Lodge's sense of allure Maria lead the family in singing performances for the guests every evening. To reinforce the von Trapp trademark hundreds of photographs of the family singing, working and farming were spread along the property’s walls.

Johannes, now in his late sixties, who currently runs the Lodge with his son Samuel, grew up knowing nothing more than being a von Trapp: “I didn’t have any other upbringing to compare it to. I was living up on the hill with my family, being schooled at home and traveling on concert tours. Since I was the youngest of ten and most of them were significantly older than I, it was like 12 parents telling me to do something and work hard!”

The family’s namesake has been the catalyst to bringing the von Trapp’s story to the masses by route of film, and now hotels. The Villa Trapp Hotel holds the key to their past and Trapp Family Lodge gives birth to new family traditions that anyone can visit and see.

~Jessica McMenamin

Posted by psychoPEDIA at 02:17 PM | Permalink

From the documentary Mad Hot Ballroom, based on youth programs in ballroom dancing established throughout NYC public schools, to the current craze of reality shows “So You Think You Can Dance” or “Dancing With The Stars,” the desire to know how to move has now leapt from the professional entertainers’ world to the mainstream. New York’s rich dance history, including Broadway, Fame and Saturday Night Fever, to those flocking to prestigious dance institute Julliard, New York spans the gamut of genres.

So whether you'd like to be the next Fred Astaire, impress your date with professional moves, or just looking to have fun while getting fit, psychoPEDIA looks into five studios in NYC offering lessons in the extensive list of styles for beginners to pros:

Broadway Dance Center
($185 for 8-week beginners workshop)
If you’re interested in refining your dance skills or just tired of a standard gym routine, Broadway Dance Center has a vast selection of classes in styles from Street Jazz and Lyrical to House. Beginners can choose from 8-week workshops offered in hip hop, jazz, theater, tap, and ballet. All teachers are expert professionals and the faculty occasionally includes special guests such as celebrity dancers from the Pulse On Tour. From July 25th, Broadway Dance Center will conduct a special three-day seminar in the LA studio. Drop-in classes are also available for beginners to advanced levels, as well as a summer program for children and teens.

Dance New York
(Single lesson $85- $100, Group: One night of classes $99)
If you enjoy dancing with a partner as opposed to going solo, ballroom and Latin dancing are two popular choices at Dance New York. However, the studio also offers private and group lessons in styles from Salsa and Foxtrot to Swing and Waltz. Welcoming all skill levels, you can even take private-lesson “wedding packages” for upcoming bride and grooms to pick up some techniques before the “First Dance.” Whow off what you’ve learned at one of their Saturday Night Dance Parties where they play ballroom and Latin music as well as serve complimentary snacks and drinks. Rental of studio and floor space if also available at a per hour rate for a private lessons or rehearsal time or room rate for any occasion such as birthdays and anniversaries.

Arts Flamenco
(From $17 per class)
Not only can you learn the steps for Sevillanas and the Fandango at Arts Flamenco, but classes also promote overall appreciation for the art of this traditional dance. The New York Center for Flamenco Performing Arts, also under the Arts Flamenco umbrella, offer lessons educating dance students in the historical and geographical origins of Flamenco in Spanish culture. Courses range in skill level from absolute beginners to advanced, and students have the choice of attending lectures, demonstrations, and live performances as well as participating in workshops.

Serena Studios
(From $12 per hour class)
The namesake of Serena Studios is 35-year-old veteran of belly dancing who has taught in Finland, Budapest, and New York, as well as performed all over the U.S., Middle East, and Europe. Prior experience is not necessary with belly dance classes at Serena Studio, however, no matter what your existing skill level, the requirement for all students is to start with the Basic Beginner level to cultivate the special Serena Technique. While belly dancing has become widely popular for its benefits of strengthening core muscles in the abdominal area, you can also book professional belly dancers from Serena for weddings, Bat Mitzvahs, birthdays, anniversaries, or corporate events.

Bollywood Axion
($160 for 10-hour class package)
Bollywood, the popular musical film industry out of India, originated in Mumbai and is now world-renowned for its colorful choreography. If you’re aiming to become a Bollywood star like George Clooney, or just learn to dance like superstars Aishwarya Rai and Sharukh Khan, you can take lessons at the Bollywood Axion studio, whose founder Pooja Narang studied the origins of Bollywood and Bhangra dancing in the classical forms of Bharatanatyam, Kathak, and Odissi dance from a young age. Absolute beginners to advanced practitoners of Bollywood dancing will find a class to suit their skill set, and Bollywood Axion is now accepting registration for the September 2008 session.

Posted by psychoPEDIA at 05:01 PM | Permalink

Found magazine is filled with notes, letters, to-do lists, break up letters, homework assignment and photos found by strangers all over the world. When it started seven years ago, it's editor Davy Rothbart, would regularly receive submissions that were either too dirty or seedy to include in the magazine. They were then shoved in a drawer, only to be taken out and shown to friends and colleagues who, not surprisingly, took instant interest in these kinky submissions– from notes reading "If I come over, will we have sex?" to photos with the caption "Ass Seam." Sometimes funny, sometimes sad, longing, or sweet, Found blossomed with content like one note found on a windshield in Los Angeles, saying "Please do not put crap on my car. Just cut it!!!" or a letter discovered in Austin, Texas that begins, "Erika, we the boys want to know why you are going out with Nathan and you like all of us in a way. Tell us why and list how much you like the person." The raunchy mail continued to pile up on Rothbart’s desk.

While Rothbart had no grand ambition when starting Found, the punk kid working at Kinko's the day he went in just to make a few copies saw it's brilliance and convinced Rothbart to make 800 copies, even offering to help collate and paste. When Rothbart returned from an out-of-town trip, he was received by empty magazine boxes. He states, "I thought my roommates had thrown them out. But people were buying 5 or10 issues at a time.” The neighbors, suspicious that Rothbart’s Ann Arbor, Michigan house was a drug den, called the cops to make a bust. "It's natural to be curious about what's going on in people's minds and hearts. It really sparks the imagination. You recognize yourself in some of the notes and the emotions behind the letters and you feel less alone, " Rothbart says about the voyeuristic treasures that can be found in people's trash.

Dirty Found was therefore born when Rothbart and fellow editor Jason BitnerJason accumulated enough finds for one issue, which exposed a slice of real people's sex lives. However, its editor is quick to point out that Dirty Found is not porn. "Traditional porn tends to deal with fantasy. What we're doing is a lot more about documentary. Porn alludes that it's ‘hot.’ There's very little in Dirty Found to get people off," says Bitner, who edits Dirty Found from Brooklyn. "It's titillating. It shows that people are doing all sorts of things in their private lives that we don't have access to and that is not intended for an audience."

While Dirty Found may be unintentional porn, it also fits along with the art world’s current fascination with the slogan paintings of Richard Prince and the polaroids of Dash Snow. "I don't know much about art," says Bitner. "We don't know what to make of it anymore than you do." What then is too dirty for Dirty Found? Men's Enema Club and Dark basement is all Bitner will reveal. What writers Dave Eggers sentiment about the Found phenomenon is also true of its sister publication, Dirty. "The extreme pleasure this book brings is really hard to explain, and the more we try to analyze it, the more troubling our enjoyment might become."

~Sara Costello

Posted by psychoPEDIA at 05:47 PM | Permalink

Posted by psychoPEDIA at 05:07 PM | Permalink

Flight attendants have been an iconic cultural image since the 1960s, with the beginnings of TWA and PanAm. From their chic, tight-fitting uniforms to jet-setting around the world, the lifestyle is one often associated with glamour and mystique, to which young women and men would aspire.

New-York based photographer Brian Finke, in his new book Flight Attendants, vibrantly documents this present-day niche community, in a series of portraits that display both the charming and realistic side to the industry. Having traveled around the world for two years, concentrating on 15 airlines in particular, with some including: Delta, Hawaiian, Qantas, British Airways, Thai, Tiger, and Icelandair, Finke captures an inside look at the men and women of professional air travel from their time on the ground to adventures in the skies.

With his work currently on exhibit in LA’s Stephen Cohen Gallery (June 12-Aug 2), as well as an upcoming exhibit at Paris’ Gallerie Philippe Chaume (Sept 11-Oct 3), to complement the book's release by powerHouse, Finke joined psychoPEDIA to discuss his experience making the book and the general highs and lows of airlines:

How did you develop the concept for the book?
With my work in general, I photograph a lot of different subcultures and like working on projects that describe specific ones. My previous project was about cheerleaders and football players, and while I worked on it, I thought a lot about the costumes and style around it. I was traveling a lot on planes anyway, and it was right in front of me, so it seemed like a natural progression. Also, after September 11, I was drawn to the challenge of getting in there and photographing it. It wasn’t something I had really seen pictures of before.

Do you think the perception of flight attendants from the early days to now has changed?
I started photographing domestic airlines, and discovered traveling isn’t what it used to be. Pretty quickly I realized that I also wanted to go overseas to photograph airlines in Europe and Asia. When I was in Hong Kong, they were saying there’s still that allure of it being an exotic lifestyle. I think that still exists, but with my personal experience traveling around the states, it’s not what it used to be. Even last week I was going to DC and New Orleans, flights are always delayed two hours and crowded.

Was your own impression of their lifestyle altered after the project?
With my pictures, it was important showing the reality of current travel. Some of the pictures have a sense of humor and are whimsical, and some are more romantic and nostalgic. I realized a lot of flight attendants make it fit their own lifestyle. One of the attendants I photographed in Iceland has a family and kids, and she just goes to work like anybody else—flies to Europe then flies back home. I realized they make it fit whatever lifestyle or point of life they’re in.

As for style, which airlines have the best uniforms?
There’s a website called Uniform Freak, that has hundreds of uniforms on showcase. Several airlines in Asia are my favorite. AirAsia is a lowcast carrier in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, that has really great uniforms. I worked through airlines’ PR departments and would propose story ideas to editors, and a lot of them dealt with fashion and travel. Airlines in the past several years have started inviting high-end designers to design their uniforms.

Which airlines have the most attractive or glamorous stewardesses?
Icelandair is definitely a favorite. They have the scarfs and hats— which are on the cover of the book. AirAsia is another favorite. It’s very Virgin Atlantic– great with style. And Air France is great, also.

Most unattractive?
Hooters Air, which doesn’t exist anymore. It was around for a few years, but folded a little over a year ago. They would have flight attendants, where two would be traditional ones in uniforms and two would be dressed as Hooters girls like in the restaurants, in nylons, short pants, T-shirts. They were there more for entertainment.

Best service or most helpful?
In a broad case, a lot of the Asian airlines are very good with passengers. Cathay Pacific is great. I photographed them during their 60th anniversary where they brought back the retro uniforms for a few months.

Oppositely, is there an airline with especially gruff flight attendants?
Not a big fan of Continental, even though I didn’t photograph them. They don’t seem very helpful these days.

Which has the nicest amenities?
Foreign airlines in general, and Cathay Pacific for sure.

What about the best food?
I recently flew Virgin American, and I like how you can go on and purchase food whenever you want. They have a touch-active screen where you can watch movies, but also purchase food whenever you want during the flight, which is nice.

Since you flew constantly during the project, do you have special tricks to avoid air sickness?
I fly a lot-- it’s just a normal thing. I drink a lot of water and take vitamin C to deal with jet lag and breathing airplane air all day.

Have you witnessed any emergencies while flying?
Once I was flying back from Florida and a plane had to make an emergency landing because a passenger had a heart problem. It’s good to know when something comes up that they can react so quickly.

What is your overall favorite airline after the entire experience?
I like Air France a lot, who I use a lot to fly back and forth to Paris. The food, drinking the wine, and visually the uniforms and plane are nice. And when I flew to Iceland, they put us up in First Class and really took care of us more so than normal.

Is there a future project you have in the works?
After photographing mostly female flight attendants for a few years, my wife had the idea to photograph construction workers. Time to hang out with the boys for a while! So, I started on that this summer. I’m starting it here in New York, then hopefully take it to other major cities around the world.

~Leann Peterson


All photos by Brian Finke

Posted by psychoPEDIA at 04:06 PM | Permalink

If planning your future entails uncovering the secret to scratch-off lotto tickets, then perhaps you should redirect your energy to something more constructive. While vowing to drink only during Happy Hour has saved some pocket change, if you could figure out how to open your own bar, then beers are on the house all the time. So whether you're looking to become the next nightlife tycoon, start a fledgling t-shirt business, or start a Risky Business-style establishment, for those not lucky enough to be trust funds babies, follow along for psychoPEDIA’s dispatches from the financial frontlines:

Most of us have dreamed of leaving cubicle culture behind to have a boss we can respect–- namely, ourselves. If that entrepreneurial spirit burns brightly inside you, then you’ll need to hatch a business plan and raise some capital to get the wheels in motion. A great idea is only going to take you so far unless it’s accompanied by a degree of foresight and a solid strategy. Recognizing that small businesses create the backbone for our country’s economy, organizations like Score and SBDC exist to provide financial advice for little or no cost. Additional NYC-specific resources include the SBS, where you can find about incentives in place for helping minority and female-owned companies as well.

With the initial research completed, and having convinced friends that your venture will be more significant than the Segway, it’s time to seek funding for your enterprise. An institutional loan is your safest bet. It’s best to find a bank that already deals with other businesses in your chosen industry and whenever possible, get a referral from an established customer. If your idea of dressing up is wearing jeans without rips, then you may consider digging through your closet and dusting off an old high school graduation outfit, because looking the part is as important as outlining your path to success. To that end, make sure all paperwork is filled out completely and accurately. Banks want to be assured that you’re a low risk proposition, so be prepared to answer how much money you’re going to need, what it will specifically be used for and a realistic time-frame is for paying it back. Though you may not be approved for your first, second, or third loan–- don’t get discouraged. Ask questions and continue developing your pitch. Chances are good that if you believe in your undertaking enough, then somebody else will too.

Sometimes, you don’t want to wait for the day your business can finance an entire trip to Aruba. Therefore, credit is perfect for those instances when you don’t need a full-fledged loan, but still need money for your lunch. It’s the nature of card companies to start you with a low limit and keep you on a short lease while they track your spending, payments, and establish a customer history. During this six-month to year-old trial, it’s important to make payments on time and whenever possible, pay above the minimum– setting good habits and laying the groundwork for increasing credit line. Once they’re in place, all you have to do is ask. By steadily growing this limit, you add purchasing power without having to carry multiple cards. This simple strategy will also help to positively impact your all-important credit score. Credit utilization refers to your debt to credit ratio. The lower this percentage, the better for your overall standing, meaning that carrying a $500 balance on a card with a $1000 limit is more advantageous to holding the same balance on a card with a limit of $600. So make the call now, and don’t forget sunscreen!

If your current mode of transport is tandem bicycle with a basket on the front, you might consider trading up for an actual vehicle to get you to important business meetings. When adding a car to your budget, the first decision is to lease or buy. Leasing means agreeing to pay for a vehicle for a specified number of months (24, 36 or 48), where you must stick out the contract to the end or face stiff penalties. Monthly payments are lower than when buying because you’re only responsible for the portion of the vehicle’s value that you “use” during that time. Making a down payment to further decrease your monthly costs is recommended, but not required. Though you won’t acquire equity in terms of ownership at the end, many experts feel that investing the money you save with lower monthly outlay can be more beneficial ultimately to your financial well being. In general, leasing is associated with short-term savings, while buying is linked to long-term gains. And if you’re still at a loss understanding the best personalized option, you can visit Lease Guide for a more information.

As every good entrepreneur needs a decked-out base for relaxing and inviting clients over, the final step is to acquire a nice space to come home to. Though sending in a monthly rent check feels like watching your hard earned dollars getting sucked down the drain, for most who are living in squalor in Williamsburg loft, the idea of owning a home seems well out of reach. In an effort to demystify the quest, Home Buying for Hipsters has entered the fray, offering free advice on the art and business of owning property for the legions of uninformed that believe wisdom is best dispensed when seated belly-up to a bar. Arrive early to ensure ample time for your questions and consider holding off on the PBR until later that night.

~Scott Lachut

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