UCB!

Well I think I can honestly say I've had one of my favorite NYC weekends to date.  Now that the temperatures are hovering above freezing and I have a fancy new coat I can venture outside! A few weeks ago when I was waltzing around Astoria while my laundry dried I discovered a paper sign that said "drink and draw" which immediately got my attention because it is something the "cool art students" would do at OSU. This drink and draw was at a local bar with a back room where a live model would pose and you draw using whatever medium you like while you enjoyed some good conversations with fellow art lovers and beverages of your choice. I absolutely LOVED it and wish they offered it more than once a month. This was only the third session Q.E.D put together but it was a packed house so I'm hoping it will turn into more like a weekly occurrence.

Q.E.D  describes itself as a place for grown ups to learn and a place to show and tell. They feature daily talks, comedy shows, informative work shops, henna tattoo practices, and classes that anyone can take. Some things are free, some are 5 or 10 bucks, and all of it seems amazing. I cannot wait to become a regular here as I'm already hooked after the first time. And look they even had a fireplace on the TV and anyone who knows me knows I'm a sucker for a fireplace.

Anyway drink and draw was Friday night and so Saturday night I wanted to plan a date for Mike and I so we went out in Chelsea for some fancy mexican food and then finally got to see an Upright Citizens Brigade show. For those who don't know the Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB) is an improvisational comedy group that was originally founded by Matt Besser, Amy Poehler, Ian Roberts, and Matt Walsh. Since Amy Poehler is a hero of mine I could not wait to check it out.

The show we went to had a cast of up and comers who are writers and performers in various shows around the city such as SNL. To say there were hilarious would be an understatement. I had only been to improv shows in college and wasn't a huge fan which is why I would normally frequent stand up comedy shows but this improv show titles "grandma's ashes" was full of some very talented people who know what makes a good show. The "theater" is more like a very intimate basement where I'm guessing about 200 people can fit. Mike and I managed to get in at the right time and snag a front row seat. The photos below were not taken by me but will give you a good idea of the theater set up. 

Welp, I'm about to go let this phenomenal weekend continue by getting my work out on, watching some church courtesy of Rock City , and who knows what else. Happy Sunday everyone

Update! We went to a new vegetable and fruit market in Astoria today and bought a ton of fresh produce and made this awesome salad! 

And I stained this table while I was cooking blueberry/lemon muffins! I'm a very project based person I've come to notice...