An Urban Steeplechase Event

Photo: Michael Harlan Turkell

Michael Harlan Turkell said Eleven Madison Park’s Kentucky Derby Party, which he attended for Garden & Gun last weekend, was one of NYC’s “best restaurant shindigs.” I think that means he had fun. Check out his pictures from the cotton-candy-and-seersucker-filled event over at my other blog, Southern in the City.

Green with Envy

Remember last year when Phil Mickelson wore his freshly won green Masters jacket on a morning-after donut run? Because that was awesome.

Mad River Glen Paraskiing

I recently read about an event up in Vermont in which intrepid skiers strap on parachutes, jump from a plane and then proceed to ski down the mountain upon landing. The only thing I’m afraid of more than traveling downhill at high speeds is being in an unenclosed space at high altitudes, so paraskiing sounds like a pretty righteous nightmare to me. It does, however, look extremely cool and make for an interesting spectator sport, I’m sure. I can’t find any info on this year’s Mad River Glen event, but there’s a cool video of last year’s event here.

Coming Soon: The Carolina Cup

Reid Buckley is pictured second from left. LIFE photos by Grey Villet, 1971.

The deadline for buying renewing parking spaces at the Carolina Cup is this Friday. [Note: Unclaimed spaces will be up for grabs after the Friday deadline, and general admission parking is available on race day.] If you haven’t been to the Cup, held in Camden, South Carolina each Spring, you’re missing out on one of the greatest tailgating experiences this side of Ascot. Just ask Reid Buckley. William F.’s eccentric brother resides in Camden and is a regular patron of the Carolina Cup and its fall counterpart, the Colonial Cup.

SEC Fall Football Guide

Check out my guide to watching the big SEC games each Saturday this fall here. More on the ACC and Brooklyn to come later this season. But first, I need your help. I want to know how and where you watch the game. Send me your go-to game day spots at ggsoutherninthecity@gmail.com. And don’t forget to include pictures of the crowd. We’ll post them on Garden & Gun‘s site throughout the season.

Lissy Rosemont Sings the Blues

Check out the videos of Lissy Rosemont of the Junior League Band playing a solo show at Mercury Lounge last month. And coming up tomorrow: a comprehensive guide to the City’s best places to watch SEC football.

This Week’s Festivities

Official tour poster.

A few things for the calendar this week(end):

1. Aziz Ansari is performing at Town Hall in mid-town tomorrow night. Tickets are sold out via Ticketmaster, but there seem to be some floating around Craigslist.

2. Friday marks the Third Annual Arkansas Razorbacks BBQ at Overlook Bar. $25 buys all-you-can-eat pork, burgers, dogs, grilled corn, cheese grits, barbeque beans and fried okra with all the fix-ins. For an extra $30, you can partake in the four-hour open bar of Bud Light drafts.

3. Football this Saturday: Arkansas vs. Georgia, Auburn vs. Clemson, LSU vs. Mississippi State, Ole Miss vs. Tulane, Florida vs. Tennessee, and more.

On the horizon: Eastbound & Down returns (next Sunday!!!). My Morning Jacket (yay) plays Terminal 5 (boo) October 18, 19, 21, 22, and 23. And the South rises in the theater with A Free Man of Color depicting a colorful pre-Purchase Louisiana (opening Nov. 18, Vivian Beaumont Theater, Lincoln Center); Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, starring Southerner Benjamin Walker, on Broadway (opening Oct. 13, Jacobs Theater); and The Little Foxes, about a circa 1900 aristocratic Southern family, opening September 21 at the New York Theater Workshop.

90210: A Date That Will Live in Infamy

I think I'll make like Luke Perry and stick with white jeans. Timeless.

Yes, that’s right, the day we thought would never come is finally here. No, I’m not just talking about the beginning of college football season (though that’s undoubtedly an important annual milestone on every Southerner’s calendar). The date I’m referring to is today, September 2, 2010, or for all children of the 80′s/90′s: 90210 (duh nuh nuh . . .). My brother-in-law and sister-in-law are attending a 90210-themed football-watching party tonight–the best of both worlds! If you’re so inclined, feel free to let your inner Dylan, Brenda, Brandon, Kelly, Donna, or David run wild (just please, no annoying Andrea’s).

Also, if you haven’t checked out my new blog for Garden & Gun, please  head over there now.

Polo Fever on Guv’nors Island

Bill smiles, I smile. All photos: Will Mischner

For about 50 years, from the end of the 19th century through the middle of the 20th, the South was a hotspot for polo players and enthusiasts. Of course, that all died out with the emergence of Florida as the more popular winter resort destination (cue rueful fist-shaking), but there’s still something in the glitz and glamour of the sport (not to mention the sense of occasion and excuse to day drink) that feels intrinsically southern. Yesterday’s Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic on Governors Island drew a large crowd of stylish guys and gals looking for a glimpse of Prince Harry and Nacho, or just an excuse to sip champagne and wear fancy hats. Though the inimitable Bill Cunningham undoubtedly captured many of the day’s best sartorial moments, we had a lot of fun taking a few shots of our own. Herewith, a few of our favorites (including one of Bill C. himself!).

VIP tents. Sigh.

PH!

The Belmont Stakes, Southern Style

Some trends I noticed: straw fedoras, attention-grabbing hats, exaggerated bow ties, unexpected shoes, bright patterns and colors, and lots of seersucker.