This weekend I went to Albany, adding another state capital to my meager collection (let’s see, top of my head: AL, AZ, AR, CO, GA, HI, IN, LA, MD, MT, TN). I think we’ve locked in a good travel pattern: leave home early, arrive late morning, grab a snack, hit the museums, crash for a nap, then have an evening activity out before going to bed. Next morning: wake up, eat well, and get some nature before heading home.
I was pleasantly surprised with the NY State Museum, the size and scope of it. There’s so much expertise and attention that goes into these places! Even the “unimpressive” ones can have a lot to offer if you’re open to it. Similar feeling about Washington Park, a green treasure at the top of the hill, and the Lark Street Neighborhood was a cute entry point to it.
The best exhibition at Albany Institute of History & Art, by far, was Enchanting Threads: The Art of Salley Mavor – intricately detailed fiber arts scenes, colorful and playful. The trip accidentally coincided with the Riverfront Jazz Festival, so the evening entertainment was Nate Smith (pretty sure I first heard his sick drumming on Pocket Change). Listened by the water with a limeade, followed by a plate of Jamaican sides, and then fireworks. Couldn’t have planned it better. Twilight Market was nearby – not for me, but glad to see a smaller town has room for all types.
Favorite meal was breakfast at Iron Gate Cafe, followed by lunch at El Mariachi. Stacks Espresso Bar did its job.
The biggest lesson here: you don’t need a Brand Name™ travel destination to have a really fulfilling trip.
Art
I had to look her up after seeing her art, and I’m so happy that Salley Mavor has a great blog with lots of behind-the-scenes details.
Blue Leaf Form, a lithograph from William Turnbull.
This Chokwe Chief’s Chair is so cool – I’ve never seen sculpture like that on rungs between chair legs!
Running
Cut back the mileage in prep for Bronx 10-mile. I think with one more run, or maybe two, I’ll have run every street in Bed-Stuy. 🔜
Books
New York 2140, cont. Savoring this one, and hoping I can find more like it.
Articles & Episodes & Twoots
I like the whirlwind tour of California history in “How California Turned Against Growth”. I would read… ~49 more capsule summaries like this.
What are subway signals and why should you care?
Robert Caro buys a writing shed: “This particular shed was a floor sample, bought because he wanted it delivered right away. The business’s owner demurred. “So I said the following thing, which is always the magic words with people who work: ‘I can’t lose the days.’”” The word count calendar is cool, too.
Celebrate Your Victories. “And then … be prepared to let it all go.”
Movies
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes. All about efforts to get power or keep it. Caesar and Koba’s relationship is so heartbreaking, both deeply motivated by their experience, both unwilling in their own way to see past it. Koba’s play-acting scenes, the whole making a fool/circus monkey act, is so brilliant.
The Firm. On rewatch, keeps getting better! (previously) An underrated Tom Cruise micro-skill: intense phone conversations.
Music
Top recs this week…
- A lovers rocks playlist from Questlove. Lots of new stuff for me, and I especially liked “El Cielo” from Radio Citizen & Bajka, “Lost Weekend Dub” from Slowly, and especially Ernest Ranglin’s “In the Rain“.
- Sona Jobarteh, Badinyaa Kumoo. Upbeat kora + Gambian griot from a cousin of the great Toumani Diabaté. Hard to pick just one! Maybe “Fondinkeeya“, with all its intertwining threads.
- Salif Keita, “Folon”…..The Past. I like the lean-back funk feel on “Mandjou“. “Nyanyama” the opening aching vocals of reminds me of Thione Secks’s “Mass Ndiaye” (complimentary!!).
And as for rest of my listening…
- LL Cool J, The Force. It was “Black Code Suite” that put Sona Jobarteh ↑ on my radar. I like the throwback feel, machine gun chatter in “Basquiat Energy“
- Beethoven: Complete Piano Sonatas, Vol. 1. Number 8 just hits different, huh?
- Jeff Majors, For Us All (Yoka Boka).
- Raleigh Ritche, You’re a Man Now, Boy. Straightforward modern pop/R&B by the star of the Interview with the Vampire TV show.
- Bonnie Prince Billy, Hear the Children Sing the Evidence. The wandering folk you’d expect from him!
TV
X-Files, s3e8 “Oubliette“. A dungeon kidnapping thriller!
The Leftovers, s2e2 “A Matter of Geography“. Focusing on the NY folks’ move to Texas. Kevin is losing it.
Kaos, s1e1. I wish it were a little snappier and goofier, but I generally like where it’s going.
Mark Larson 