How to make friends and drink outside

Hi Friends,

Oh you sweet little chickies. Thank you so much for responding to the poll last week about what you want from this community.

Over 50% said you wanted to “build and deepen friendships” through regular events.

Your wish is my command. And also…it was kind of already the plan anyway. So thanks for putting into hard data something we’re all feeling.

As it happens last night I was with my girlie friends doing Mussels & Martinis at Chleo, which itself is a regular event intended to build and deepen friendships, talking about just this. Not to be out of pocket, but they are both divorced women saying there isn’t anywhere upstate to meet people. “Meet people” meaning people also looking for a date. Sure, you can “meet people” at a ConnectHV event but like, you’ll probably just make some nice drone photographer uncomfortable. Put your tits away lady, this is a place of business.

My imaginary girlfriend Priya Parker, author of The Art of Gathering, has made me a believer in the necessity of intention setting for successful events. (Or a newsletter!) Is it going to be a one-off or something your community can count on consistently? Is the event to educate people, or get them sweating, or take an action, or support conversations with new people? Regardless of the format of the event, to create a space where people can make friends you actually have to say “this is for people who want to make friends.”

So let’s do it! Makers & Lovers will host regular events where we can build and deepen relationships.

SOMETHING TO LOVE

BREVIS VERMOUTH FROM KLOCKE ESTATE

I need to talk to you about vermouth.

If you’re reading this, I know you know vermouth goes in the fridge. One, because it’s wine and therefore oxidizes and two, because people usually don’t go through a bottle that fast and so need to delay that oxidation for some time.

But you can, and dare I say should, let vermouth be the star of your spring patio aperitivo show. Split it among a few glasses with some ice and some friends and save the fridge space.

Klocke Estate in Claverack — ten minutes east of Hudson, seemingly ten thousand feet above sea level— makes two vermouths under their Brevis label, a white and a sweet red. They tasted over 120 vermouths before landing on their recipes, which is the kind of obsessive behavior I respect deeply. The name Klocke comes from the Dutch word for clock (amazing), and the patience thing isn't a marketing line — they planted 43 apple varieties and nine white grape varieties on 160 regeneratively farmed acres and are aging brandies for up to thirty years. The vermouth is what they're pouring while they wait.

Here's the thing about spring at Klocke: the orchards are blooming, the vineyards are that first electric green, and the views are the kind of wide-open panoramic that make you commune with the spirit of Thomas Cole. His house, Olana, is actually right behind Klocke an an even more impressive ridge.

Fun fact that should tell you everything: the first written record of the word "cocktail" comes from an 1806 newspaper — citing Claverack as the location.

C U Next Thursday is back (and not on Tuesdays) at Saltbox in Kingston! This week the queer hang will have Delfino’s popping up.

Second night community seder, potluck style, at Unicorn Bar in Kingston. Feminist and queer oriented additions to their Haggadah are welcome!

Friday

Fly fishing Season Opener Party at Arnold House in Livingston Manor. Kick off fly fishing season at one of the coziest hotels in the Catskills, enjoy some fish dip (literally my favorite thing), Westkill Brewing Brookie and a raffle to support conservation of our local waterways.

Bourbon Barrel Aged Beer release at Roscoe Beer Co in conjunction with Dennings Point Distilling in Beacon.

Cafe Mutsi and Dear Native Grapes in Walton are teaming up for a Greek themed dinner party inspired by Chef Nicole Bassis’s heritage. Makes me miss Astoria.

Saturday

A huge warehouse sale of local designers will take place at Creative Legion in Kingston, including some brands you definitely know and some you’ll be glad you discovered like Westerlind, Intentionally Blank, Loup and more.

The Selwyn Sound Co is spinning and Downstate Newburgh is serving at Industrial Arts in Beacon.

Sunday

The Fourth Annual Egg Toss at Goodnight Kenny in Kingston will have Oyster Party and their usual fabulous bar program. Oysters and eggs…either a really good time or a really bad time.

Fancy cake and Passover delicacies from Forsythia Forsythia at Current Cassis with easter egg hunt and their famous purple drank (read: cassis). Last chance (sob!) to enjoy Forsythia Forsythia treats in the public domain.

ANTIBALAS @ LEVON HELM STUDIO

This week's pick was gonna be Thievery Corporation at Basilica but it's sold out and it's hard to recommend same day stuff in this newsletter format.  So instead we're going to look past the fact that Levon Helm studios have jacked their prices and added a bunch of fees and recommend the Antibalas gig on Friday.  It's hard sustaining a business in Woodstock, I guess.

Fun facts about Antibalas: 

1.) One of their many drummers was my boss during one of my law school internships

2.) They have had so many band members that their wikipedia requires a gantt chart.

Cheers,
Amy