Postcards from the street, wig art, and busting stale, age-old notions
1.
Raise your hand if you’ve had this fruit before (or email me): PEJIBAYE. Anyone? I was in Costa Rica for a quick—and perfect—getaway last week, and came across this interesting little fruit (pronounced pay-hee-by-yay), which tastes like something between a pumpkin and chestnut. It’s practically a national food down there, where it’s used in scores of dishes, both savory and sweet. I first tried pejibaye in the form of a hummus-like spread, then simply roasted with other vegetables, and later on as a thick soup. I couldn’t stop talking about this new discovery, and of course everyone who lived down there was like, “Lady, NBD. It’s just a fruit.” But these kinds of experiences are one of the reasons why I love to travel, and one of the reasons I can’t wait to go back.
2.
When I was young, my mom used to say to others that I was “___(whatever age) going on 40.” I don’t doubt that my childhood self, who was always striving to be older than my actual age, would have loved this new site targeted to women aged 55+. Conceived to “shatter age-old and old-age perceptions” (and my perceptions, they mean misconceptions), the Pro-Age Woman is really a celebration of all women, at all ages. If we can accept and look forward to where we’re headed, that means we can also appreciate and celebrate every stage of life in between. Right?
3.
Newish tunes: Speaking of age, a friend of mine referred to the musician Remi Wolf as “basically what every queer, Gen-Zer is listening to right now.” Her comment made me feel extremely old and very straight, but nonetheless, that’s hardly deterred me from listening to the album Juno. I’ve also been playing Rina Sawayama—who’s been garnering all sorts of Gaga comparisons (and yet I don’t think that’s giving her due credit)—on repeat, while my one-the-pulse neighbors recently introduced me to another youngster: Jacob Collier, a virtuoso at hyper-harmonization.
4.
Oh, what I would give to be a Bill Cunningham postcard! Second choice would be the gift of receiving a Bill Cunningham postcard. Or this boxed postcard set (Santa, baby…?).
5.
Wig out! Whenever the hyper-realistic artist CJ Hendry strikes on a new theme for her latest collection of work, she goes all in—and she brings her viewers along with her. Every show or installation has an intensely transporting and immersive aspect to it, with each room resembling something out of a wonky playhouse. Her latest exhibition, Blonde (opening tomorrow, Friday Dec 10 - Sunday December 12), features a collection of meticulous pencil drawings of multi-colored wigs showcasing her fascination with the hair pieces as a form of visual language, as well as a mode of self-expression, transformation, and facade. And guests get to try on (and take home!) their own wigs!
Because Hendry is such a dreamweaver, she’s also constructed a pop-up chocolate shop offering Tony’s Chocolonely bars in six custom flavors named after hair colors and styles like Platinum Blonde (white raspberry and popping candy), and Caramel Highlights (milk caramel and sea salt), with profits going towards the Ali Forney Center, an organization for LGBTQ youths. I’m going tonight, you should all go too.