Tonight was a wonderful adventure in leaving the zip code. At the last minute we decided to venture into Soho to check out the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s NYC Annex. It has only been open for a couple of weeks and apparently is one of New York’s best kept secrets.
We pulled up on Mercer Street and parked the car. There was a line halfway down the block, but not for the Museum. Oh no, my friends, this was an orderly line in front of the Uggs store, waiting to get in. This was no Walmart situation, but simply a calm crowd of shoppers waiting to drop a $100 or so for a pair of boots. And the Museum… not a soul on the street or in the lobby for that matter.
The entry to the museum is timed to allow for crowd control, kind of joke tonight as the max amount of people we saw in any section was perhaps 20.
The Annex is a real gem. I have been to the Rock Hall in Cleveland. We went there for Gary’s 50th and it was fabulous. But the old girl is a bit tired looking and could use a sprucing up. The curators of this Annex did an amazing job. The first room had walls covered with brushed aluminum plates with the names of every inductee etched into them. The artists’ names would light up around the room as their music was played. Very cool.
The graphics were perfect and all the materials enhanced the exhibits. There were translucent digital photographic banners stretched between brushed aluminum curved poles throughout, screen printed photos on plexi panels, suspended plasma screens, a 3-d frosted plexi model of NY with touch screens allowing you to explore each NY rock and roll landmark… all of it simply amazing. The space was a combo of exposed brick and pipes with high tech lighting and materials that struck a perfect balance.
Similar to the Cleveland Museum there is a rotating featured exhibit. This first one was The Clash and it was great. Joe Strummer at his finest.
Some highlights:
1. Gary dancing in the video room during a sequence when they featured us, the audience, in the rock videos shown on the screen
2. Elvis’ bible with handwritten notations in the margin
3. David Byrne’s big suit in a display that featured the video of him on tour, then the video faded out to reveal the actual suit
4. Handwritten letters from Simon and Garfunkel to eachother when they were at sleepaway camp.
5. John Lennon’s wire framed glasses
6. Bruce Springsteen’s Belair
7. The urinal from CBGB’s behind glass (in case anyone thought of peeing in it)
Ok, I will stop here at Lucky 7. If you are in NY stop by and enjoy every minute.
Hmmm, for some reason I feel an undying need to buy a pair of Uggs online…
(btw, those who are wondering, yes it is snowing on my page. just another cool little WordPress 2.7 trick, gotta love it)
Haven’t had enough of me yet? You can also read me at Mid-Century Modern Moms and at 50-Something Moms Blog.
For photo enthusiasts, visit Leaving the zip code, photos from outside the comfort zone.
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This is an actual ad that came up on my Facebook page. Talk about targeted advertising! Did it ever occur to these geniuses that perhaps reminding a woman in her late 40s of her age might not be one of the best selling techniques out there. 
i could cry but i don't have time 