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Hi Friends,
I have a personal mission against the assumption that some things are only for some people. We lose so much, personally and universally, by conceding to the fear that “I don’t belong there.”
This week, on my very first Makers & Lovers reel I ranted spoke about our mission to break down that belief for both car and whiskey culture, two famously fun and historically exclusionary pursuits. One very angry (and faceless) commenter found it quite upsetting that access to tickets was limited to subscribers of this very free newsletter. And that the $99 fundraiser tickets — which, for the record, are for one vehicle and as many folks as you can fit in it, so genuinely, if you own a Minibus bring it — were too expensive.
Participation in a community assumes there is something shared. A belief, need, goal or value. For Makers & Lovers, I believe we share a goal in building connection through curiosity. All you need to be with us is to be interested. And reading this very free newsletter. And I guess it needs to be said: Not a dick.
You can build something that is radically welcoming that still just isn’t to everyone’s liking. The people who aren't into it aren't excluded. They're just elsewhere. Which is where they'd rather be anyway.
Go find the space that fits. No one says you have to have bean soup tonight.
For all who want to connect with other curious folks: I hope you join us at a live event, if not this Sunday then soon.
SOMETHING TO LOVE
SCHWARZE BIRNE BLACK PEAR CIDER BY HELMUT DOLDE
If one tasting event isn’t enough to quench your curiosity this weekend, you must go to the Grand Cider Tasting at Boutique Wines, Spirits & Cider on Saturday. “Cider Siblings” Paige and Gennaro are equal parts welcoming, knowledgeable, and dedicated to offering one of the most robust, well curated bottle shops anywhere in New York. Remember when it snowed 3 feet in one day? Gennaro stayed in a hotel across the street to make sure he’d still be there to guide any frozen patron who stumbled in.
Their devotion is to, of course, cider and they’re putting it all out there at the Grand Tasting. Pouring at the VIP hour is a very rare and unique cider - Schwarze Birne Black Pear Cider by German Producer Helmut Dolde. This cider is made traditional method from 100% Schawrze Birne black pears, a seedling of unknown origin. The 12 trees that are harvested for this cider are all 100+ years old and are the last known remaining trees. After hand harvesting, pressing and fermenting the juice in stainless steel, this cider goes through a secondary fermentation in the bottle much like Champagne and then rests on the lees for years before it’s ready to drink.
Only a dozen bottles will be available for sale.
Come taste approx 70 different hard ciders from all over the country and the world along with a “Cider Spritz Station” by Heimat Liqueurs and apple brandies by Chateau Breuil Calvados. GA tickets are free but require RSVP. I say pony up for the $25 VIP tickets.
YOU CAN JUST DO THINGS
Thursday
Disco Italia: Spring Amaro Showcase at Itameshi in Albany (I know that’s a stretch) will have a demo on using amari in spring cocktails and complimentary cocktails from Empire Merchants.
Friday
A Femme Fatale Ladies DJ Disco Experience at The Ellis in Newburgh. Glamour! Danger! Newburgh!
Saturday
Baba’s Brunch at Yesfolk in Troy (we’re doing Capital Region this week, I guess) is serving an all Egyptian street food menu that makes me very nostalgic for Astoria.
Hardcore Grand Cider Tasting at Boutique Wines, Spirits & Cider in Fishkill. Over 70 ciders, and I personally guarantee none of them fueled a disastrous night in your sophomore year.
Ramp Foraging - A Seasonal Food Adventure led by Wen-Jay Ying at an undisclosed location near Hudson.
Skillers Mountaintop Distilling in Lexington, NY - fka Rivermint Distilling - is reopening for the season with an Acoustic Garden Party with Twin Fork Beer Co
Got a Light all vinyl dance party at Avalon Lounge in Catskill. Truly one of the best places to dance in the dark!
Bookstore Day at The Common Good in Ellenville is celebrating audio books with Libro.fm. Find the Golden Ticket for 12 free audiobooks!
Sunday
Monday
Stories, Uplifted™ open mic at Rot and Fallow in Kingston welcomes all narrative forms but each piece must have a beginning, middle and end.
Tuesday
50% off all fine jewelry at Hudson Valley Goldsmiths in New Paltz! These folks made my wedding rings. They are the only shop where I’ve purchased legit, big girl fine jewelry and it’s going to stay that way. If you’re making a big investment, buy local!
Wednesday
Women’s Pinball + Flipper Skills (not a euphamism?) at Return Brewing hosted by Albany Belles & Chimes. Both IFPA-sanctioned and Punk Rock Pinball-sanctioned. I don’t know what that means but it sounds very serious.
GUNKS GROOVES RECCO
Your intrepid correspondent writes this dispatch from deep in the interior, as my day job requires my presence somewhere in the midwest this week. Yesterday my EV decided, with great finality, that it was done moving about two hours into the drive. I considered flying home early for these gigs but I'm not sure the tow truck driver is willing to give me another lift back east. If you go, please take notes. Both are gentle in their own ways.
I love Colemine Records. They took the Daptone formula and perfected it for a modern age. It's extra special when their artists come through. Thee Sinseers are a 9(?) piece band from East LA doing the kind of honey dripping anachronistic soul music that your white grandma wasn't allowed to listen to. Strong recommend.
Sorry, twofer today because I can't help myself. Two of New York City's greatest improvisational musicians coming to town for a fun one. Stuart Bogie is a prolific clarinetist (I love that I can say that in the year of our lord twenty twenty-six) whose stuff you have definitely heard whether you know it or not. He teams up with wunderkind composer Buck McDaniel who will play tempo's 100-year organ to great effect. This will be a salve. I hope they let you lay on the floor tbh.
Make Love This Week
Love your future self. Do a little work prep this morning that will have you saying “thanks, me!” next week.
Cheers,
Amy
A Maker and Lover