Tag Archives: NYC

NYC Coffee Culture

Posted on April 15, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

There have been coffee houses in New York City since the Dutch “bought” Manhattan from the local Algonquins. One of the first successfull coffeeshop chains actually predated Starbucks by half a century and surprisingly had an intimate connection to the … Continue reading →

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February Midnight Moments

Posted on February 28, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

Times Square in New York City has usually been considered a tawdry, tourist mecca, until now.  The full-on art installation, Continuum by Krista Kim  synchronizes across 90 electronic billboards, with a slowly shifting gradient of color washes over Times Square, … Continue reading →

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Music by Miles

Posted on November 17, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

I recently ran across this wonderful video below featuring images by the late Saul Leiter accompanied by the sublime music of Miles Davis. It reminded me of an exhibition of Leiter’s photographs and painting that I happened to see the … Continue reading →

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Día de los Muertos in NYC

Posted on November 1, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

For countless generations the indigenous people of what is now the nation of Mexico  have celebrated Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. The exhuberant celebration of life and death occurs annually during the first two days of … Continue reading →

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Five For Friday

Posted on September 10, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

I just discovered this never before published novel by Simone de Beauvoir. It seems that it was deemed “too intimate” to be published during her lifetime. Inseparable has been described as a story of the power of female friendship and … Continue reading →

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Another Reason To Visit Queens

Posted on August 13, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

Very few tourists who spend time in New York City bother to visit the Borough of Queens. Those who do are usually in search of the amazing variety of ethnic food on offer. But it would be well worth the … Continue reading →

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there is no happy ending

Posted on June 10, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

It’s hard to believe that it’s been three years since we lost one of its most entertaining, likable, and exasperating cultural personalities. Anthony Bourdain was one of those special people who found a way to engage folks from all walks … Continue reading →

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Goin’ Mobile beep, beep

Posted on February 28, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

If you land on TBTP on a regular basis, you know how I feel about bookmobiles, traveling libraries, and itinerant bookstores. So, you won’t be surprised by these two stories about mobile booksellers from opposite sides of the globe. I … Continue reading →

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New York Is Book Country

Posted on August 16, 2020 by Brian D. Butler

New York is Book Country (1985). Keith Haring (American, 1958-1990). Poster. Printer: Panorama Press, NY. Keith Haring created this exuberant book-lover’s poster for the New York Book Fair, which was held September 22, 1985, on the streets along 5th Avenue in … Continue reading →

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Shorter than the Day

Posted on June 17, 2020 by Brian D. Butler

Last week, artist Sarah Sze unveiled an impressive new sculpture titled “Shorter than the Day” —a reference to Emily Dickinson’s poem “Because I could not stop for Death”  at New York City’s LaGuardia Airport. Sze’s work, which weighs five tons, … Continue reading →

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