Archive for August, 2010

Holly Miranda makes Waves at the Mystery Spot

Tuesday, August 31st, 2010

(Sorry, couldn’t resist!).video © laura levine

Holly Miranda and Ambrosia Parsley sing Buddy Holly

Tuesday, August 31st, 2010

Holly Miranda & Ambrosia Parsley sing Buddy Holly’s True Love Ways at Mystery Spot Antiques’ free MUSIC FOR FRONT PORCHES series in Phoenicia, NY. Our camera is a little shaky at first, but it’s worth hanging in there for two of the most beautiful voices you’ve ever heard. Stay tuned for more! (video © Laura Levine)

A Three-Minute Tour of the Mystery Spot hosted by Anna, age 8.

Saturday, August 28th, 2010

Dean&Britta&Jonathan&Grasshopper

Tuesday, August 17th, 2010

We’re still pinching ourselves. The free show that Mercury Rev and Dean & Britta played on the Mystery Spot porch Sunday afternoon was truly special. Hard to explain, but those lucky ones who attended know what we mean. (The videos in our previous post give a clue). Deepest thanks to music/entertainment lawyer extraordinaire (and dear friend!) Loren Chodosh, who put the whole event into motion, to Lisa Gottheil and Kellyn Slone at 2:30 Publicity for all their hard work and support, and to the Kirks and the people of Phoenicia for letting us do our thing. Most of all, thanks to D&B&J&G for giving us a day to remember!Here are a few photos. (All photos © Laura Levine).

Grasshopper, Jonathan Donahue, Britta Phillips and Dean Wareham with some of their Mystery Spot swag.

Jonathan Donahue, Grasshopper, Dean and Britta on the porch of Mystery Spot Antiques.

Britta Phillips sings a beautiful version of "I'll Keep It With Mine."

Dean Wareham checks out the vinyl room.

Porch rockers!

The crowd on Main Street.

Tommy Ramone and Dean Wareham. Tommy's band Uncle Monk will be playing a free show on the Mystery Spot's front porch next Sunday (Aug. 22) at 2 PM.

Mercury Rev + Dean&Britta play our porch!

Tuesday, August 17th, 2010

What an amazing afternoon on the Mystery Spot porch! Jonathan Donahue and Grasshopper (Mercury Rev) and Dean Wareham and Britta Phillips (Dean & Britta) played a sublime set on our front porch on Sunday as part of our free Music for Front Porches series here in Phoenicia, NY. Words can’t describe. Maybe the video we shot can try. More to come soon. (all videos © Laura Levine)Snowstorm and Car Wash Hair.I’ll Keep it With Mine.Isn’t It a Pity.

A Summer’s Weekend (or Two)

Friday, August 13th, 2010

Visits with some of our friends, neighbors and customers who’ve popped into the Mystery Spot recently. We’re deep into the summer rush here at the Spot, so forgive us lagging behind on posts. Do keep checking back for more updates, including photos (and video!) from Ida, The Naysayer, and Holly Miranda’s porch shows.

Our friend Michael Gira has been very productive lately. Case in point: new son Swan (left) and a new Swans release (My Father Will Guide Me Up a Rope to the Sky) coming on September 27. And an upcoming world tour. (Extra Credit Fun Fact: we (that is, Laura Levine) took the photos for Swans Children of God album cover.

Swans, NYC, 1985 © Laura Levine

This photograph (above) isn’t from Children of God, but it’s one we took around the same time.

World-renowned mezzo soprano Maria Todaro has sung the title role of Carmen and numerous other lead roles on opera stages around the world, and was tickled to find this 1895 libretto of Carmen in our book room (Homer’s Books d’Arte). She and her partners will be bringing the Phoenicia Festival of the Voice to the Catskills in mid-August and it promises to be an amazing event. You’ll be able to see her perform al fresco in the park in Falstaff on the evening of Sat. Aug. 14. (And the next day come on by the Spot to catch Jonathan and Grasshopper from Mercury Rev and Dean and Britta on our porch at 1 PM for a free show!).

Molly models our favorite vintage Forties child’s green smock (ties in the back) with white piping ($40.). Since we last saw her, Molly has  learned to do a handstand.

UNCLE MONK plays the Mystery Spot porch – FREE! 8/22

Thursday, August 12th, 2010

You’re invited to come on down to Main Street in Phoenicia, NY on Sunday, August 22nd for a very special intimate musical performance by Tommy Ramone and Claudia Tienan - aka UNCLE MONK -  on the front porch of Homer & Langley’s Mystery Spot Antiques.Uncle Monk is an indie-acoustic duo featuring founding Ramones member Tommy Ramone and Claudia Tienan. Their music is rooted in old-time and bluegrass influences blended with an indie sensibility. Their critically acclaimed CD is titled Uncle Monkon Airday Records.The music starts at 2 PM. As with all of the shows presented by the Mystery Spot this season, it’s absolutely FREE, and all are invited.*

Tommy and Claudia playing the porch last summer (photo: Laura Levine).

Check back with us in October, when Ambrosia Parsley and Chris Maxwell will be playing the season’s final show on Columbus Day Weekend!*(As always, please contact us first if you’re planning to come from a distance, just to make sure there are no last-minute scheduling changes).Uncle Monk’s website: http:// www.unclemonk.com

More Pretty Dresses all in a Row

Wednesday, August 11th, 2010

Sweet pink and white gingham frock with center ruffle and belt.

Sixties electric lime green chiffon baby doll nightie.

Randomness #4

Monday, August 9th, 2010

MERCURY REV and DEAN + BRITTA play the Mystery Spot porch 8/15 – FREE!

Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010

You’re invited to come on down to Phoenicia’s Main Street on the afternoon of Sunday, August 15th for a very special intimate musical performance by MERCURY REV’S Jonathan and Grasshopper and DEAN & BRITTA and on the front porch of Homer & Langley’s Mystery Spot Antiques.

Grasshopper & Jonathan from Mercury Rev (left - photo by VK-Red); Dean & Britta (right)

The four are being mysterious as to their set’s arrangement so come see for yourself just how they are going to mix it up.  Here’s a hint from Jonathan Donahue: “dusty, fragile, rare and reminding… out-of-time and one-of-a-kind songs…  not so unlike the four singers who’ll sing them, or the even wares that lay just behind them.” The music starts at 1 PM. As with all of the shows presented by the Mystery Spot this season, it’s absolutely FREE, organized through complete DIY/grassroots efforts, and all are invited.*The following week (August 22) The Mystery Spot welcomes Uncle Monk (Tommy Ramone and Claudia Tienan) scheduled to perform at 2 pm. Music For Front Porches’ September and October schedule will be announced soon, but we can let you in on a secret…..Ambrosia Parsley and Chris Maxwell will be playing the season’s final show on Columbus Day Weekend!*(As always, please contact us first if you’re planning to come from a distance, just to make sure there are no last-minute scheduling changes).