Workin' for the Weekend

Okay, we know many of you out there are reading BoogieDowner right now because you have a case of the Monday's and are trying to avoid looking at your to-do list... Which is why we want to lift your spirits by alerting you to a super-cool event happening this weekend in SoBro!

The first annual SBX Film Festival will be taking place this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in the Mott Haven section of SoBro. There are too many events to even mention in this post, which is why you should click here to check out their website for all the nitty-gritty details. But a few highlights of the weekend will be a kick-off party Friday at 6pm at Bruckner Bar & Grill, followed by opening night shorts, and a street arts festival Saturday from 12pm to 6pm at 1 Bruckner Blvd. and Third Avenue, complete with art vendors and a DJ spinning hip-hop and house music. The night will end with an outdoor screening of the Bronx classic "Krush Groove."

There are tons of other films being screened and events happening Saturday and Sunday at Bruckner Bar & Grill, as well as Haven Arts Gallery, SoBro Studios, Pregones Theatre, and G-Bar. Cost is only $10 per day for all events, or $5 if you have a student ID. Check out their site for more details. We will be out of town for the weekend, but would love if a BoogieDowner reader would attend and send in some pics and thoughts on the weekend!

~ErLu

G-Bar Attracts a Great Crowd!

OK, fellow Bronxites – I know you’ve seen those ubiquitous (and frankly, somewhat annoying) commercials that play every other minute on T.V. and, like me, you’ve always wondered what the low-down was on G-Bar. Well, I finally ventured in last night for dinner and entertainment (and I admit - to finally quench my curiosity!) Now - BoogieDowner readers will remember my delight at discovering not only a new restaurant in my Parkchester nabe – Willie’s Steakhouse, but also a great performer – Annette Aguilar and The StingBeans! So, when Annette informed me that they would be appearing over at G-Bar, I had to go and check the place out! Her Latin Jazz inspired music is so perfect for dining – a great, uptempo beat but not too in-your-face, loud or intrusive.

So, I knew that part of the night would be great. What REALLY surprised me was how unbelievably pleasant and inviting the whole place was. (I went in on my own and within minutes felt very welcomed, cozy and comfortable.) Great upscale décor, friendly staff (you know - the kind that simply doesn’t exist in most parts of Manhattan), great Italian food (the Lobster Ravioli was well worth the extra junk I no doubt carted off in my trunk), mojitos that would delight Papa H. himself…and the best part? A crowd that was one great-big-happy-family of a mix!! Locals, Yankee fans, students, businessmen and tourists all gave the place a wonderful lively ambiance. There are three separate areas – the restaurant proper with it’s own classy bar, ANOTHER bar area (the one that is pictured with the retro-cool snake-like counter that glows in the dark) and a more private upstairs seating area that overlooks the action below.

Manager Benny told me there is something going on every night from Live Music to Celebrity DJs to Karaoke to Open Mic. They also have a fab Sunday Champagne Brunch! And valet parking! (Also of note: this is the same group that brought the Zagat-rated Tosca to the Bronx!)

Bravo guys! You just scored a new repeat customer!

*Photo by Simone Davis. For more photos, please visit http://www.thebronxrocks.com/*

~Simone Davis, http://www.thebronxrocks.com/