Onion: Gentrification Being Trumped by Artistocratization
Given all the outpouring of nostalgia last week for the good old days of more crime and fewer flea markets, this excerpt from a recent Onion article titled Nation’s Gentrified Neighborhoods Threatened By Aristocratization provided some much needed comic relief: Many of those affected by the ostentatious reshaping of their once purely upmarket neighborhoods said…
Given all the outpouring of nostalgia last week for the good old days of more crime and fewer flea markets, this excerpt from a recent Onion article titled Nation’s Gentrified Neighborhoods Threatened By Aristocratization provided some much needed comic relief:
Many of those affected by the ostentatious reshaping of their once purely upmarket neighborhoods said that they often wish for a return back to the privileged communities they helped to overdevelop just a few years ago. Among the first to feel the effects of the encroaching aristocracy have been local business owners like Fort Greene, Brooklyn resident Neil Getz.
“Around here, you used to be able to get a Fair-Trade latte and a chocolate-chip croissant for only eight bucks,” said Getz, who is planning to move back in with his parents after being forced out of the lease on his organic grocery store by a harpsichord purveyor. “Now it’s all tearooms and private salon gatherings catered with champagne and suckling pig. Who can afford that?”
“It’s just a terrible shame,” Getz continued. “There was this great little shop right across the street from my duplex apartment where I bought my baby daughter a Ramones onesie a couple of years ago, just after she was born. That whole block is an opera house now.”
Just as long as the aristos don’t tie their horse-drawn carriages up to the castle scaffolding, everything should be okay.
Nation’s Gentrified Neighborhoods Threatened By Aristocratization [Onion]
bxgrl,
It’s amazing to take part in those types of events. It makes me feel like I’m in my own little world and the mundane reality of the real world does not exist anymore. I use to attend the Sterling Festival near Oswego. It was a sight to see and such a blast. I helped organize a few Renaissance and Medieval plays in the schools on Staten Island. It’s great to get the kids involved. They have a great time and it is also very educational. They definitely love the Fauns…they are cute little creatures or scary at times lol.
You must have had a blast, Jackslope. did you do the ren fest upstate? There was one out on Long Island that was a fundraiser for one of the Churches. My sister and I did that one- I loved it! My fave memory was watching the Faun get into his pants…ahh…put on his legs.
I think those outfits are stunning and it takes me back to my Renaissance roll playing days :). It’s a shame that the idealisms of most people in today’s society are not influenced by the virtues of those living in the good ol’ days. Those times of experimintation, individuality, literature, art and philosophy are long gone. Today’s generation thinks by putting on a pair of tight jeans with loafers and a wringled vintage plaid shirt, while listening to obscure indie rock music, living in a 500 sq ft apartment in Brooklyn is a statement of individuality; when in fact they are just conforming to what is hip and cool at the moment.
I want a medieval/Shakespearian themed place to eat with horses and jousting and men in tights, armor and funny hats. Oh, and saying milady this and milady that.
Gallery Players is a wonderful theater group. I think they are still around- and Park Slopers know? The only contemporary show I ever costumed for them was One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest but my favorite costuming job was Midsummer’s Night’s Dream for the Playhouse in the Mall in Jersey. Sadly they closed down years ago but they were great!
God, how I love a Renaissance and fantasy themed theatrical experience.
then you’ll love these!
http://www.costumes.org/History/racinet/2/medievaleuro1.jpg
http://www.costumes.org/history/stibbert/210.jpg
http://www.springfield.k12.il.us/schools/springfield/eliz/images2/FashMen1.jpeg
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/drama/images/costume/wigs.jpg
A friend of mine and I used to do theater costume for local theater group.s One year she did the costumes for camelot fo Gallery Players. the guy playing Lancelot had stellar legs- his costume was quite a bit shorter than the period called for. But who cared?! Ultra short tunic and white leotards= mucho swooning females (and probably a few males too)
Damn fine, with or without stockings and a heeled shoe. (Can’t stop laughing at the image in my head of men in stockings.)
oh please- so what? It’s still a fun read and not everyone has seen it.
This is an old article