10AM-9:30PM Meet the Easter Bunny at Paramus Park Mall in Paramus, NJ (through March 26)
4PM Meet The Very Hungry Caterpillar at The Curious Reader in Glen Rock, NJ.
7PM The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Presents Legends at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. more
Bergen Performing Arts Center located at 30 North Van Brunt Street in Englewood, New Jersey presents “A Walk in the Woods.” The photographic exhibit “A Walk in the Woods,” is a celebration of the natural world and is an effort to showcase the beauty of Flat Rock Brook Nature Center located in Englewood, New Jersey. The Exhibition is in residence at The Intermezzo Gallery on the 2nd floor of the bergenPAC now until March 26, 2016. The gallery is open to the general public during box office hours Mon-Fri 11AM – 4PM and Saturday 12PM to 4PM. more
By Ellen Gilbert
Photography Courtesy of Galbraith & Paul
The studio is the soul of our business,” say Liz Galbraith and Ephraim Paul about their eponymous company, Galbraith & Paul, a studio workshop specializing in hand block printed textiles, handmade rugs, and studio printed wallpaper available to the trade. Everything about the enterprise – from Galbraith’s determination to “keep making it personal;” to the culture engendered by the all-female staff, to their idiosyncratic location (a high-ceilinged old stone building at 116 Shurs Lane in Philadelphia’s Manayunk neighborhood), the place breathes originality. more
By Joyce Perisco
Undefined and often random, beauty is no one absolute thing.
Some may find it in a baby’s smile or the latest runway creation of an up-and-coming clothing designer. It can elicit powerful visceral responses or a calm sense of serenity. When something is viewed as “a thing of beauty,” notes Andrea Lipps, Assistant Curator of a the new exhibit, “Beauty—Cooper Hewitt Design Triennial,” beauty usually “lies in the eye of the beholder.” more
By Ilene Dube
Getting kids to eat, and like, their vegetables isn’t usually the work of an architect, but for Amale Andraos, who is working on her second design for the Edible Schoolyard Project in New York, there is a connection between designing buildings and “the artistic and aesthetic dimensions of food.” Teaching the next generation about both is a big part of what she does. Named one of the 25 Most Admired Educators for 2016, Amale Andraos, 42, the new dean of the Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation at Columbia University, has taught architecture at Princeton, Harvard, the University of Pennsylvania and American University in Beirut. more
By Ellen Gilbert
Illustrations by Maira Kalman
That is so not me,” emphatically says writer/illustrator Maira Kalman after being asked if she would please consider being nominated to serve as the next Librarian of Congress. With the recent retirement of James Billington, who dutifully filled the post for nearly 30 years, one could only hope that someone with some joie de vivre—someone capable of exclaiming, as Kalman once did, “hallelujah for the knowledge and for the honor of Language and Ideas and books”—would come on board. In retrospect it probably was an unfair question. Kalman, whose work will be familiar to many from her regularly featured New Yorker covers, thrives on disorder, randomness, serendipity and lightning flashes of intense pleasure during the course of everyday life; promoting digitization and literacy in a nine-to-five job would probably do her in. more
By Stuart Mitchner
The most effective art therapy book I know is the Audubon Guide to Wild Flowers. My son must have been eight when he began looking through it, fascinated by the bright images, especially the more exotic flowers. The Audubon became his book of choice at bedtime. It wasn’t long before he wanted to make up his own guide. We found a large bound book of blank pages, gave him crayons and marking pens, and he spent many happy hours following the Audubon model. First he drew his idea of the flower, gave it a name, and then a description like the ones he knew. These were all his own inventions. more
3:30PM Open Bounce at Bounce U in Paramus, Where Birthdays Come to Life! www.bounceu.com
6-8:30PM Ladies Night at Pinot’s Palette in Ridgewood. www.pinotspalette.com
4:15PM Join Mahwah Public Library for a 4-week Young Builders Lego Club for kids ages 4 to 6. Each week participants will create and expand upon their building projects. www.mahwahlibrary.org more
The 88th Annual Academy Awards takes place this Sunday, February 28, 2016. The awards ceremony was first broadcast to radio in 1930 and televised in 1953. It is now seen live in more than 200 countries. This year's ceremony will be held at the Dolby Theatre is Los Angeles and is hosted by comedian Chris Rock. The various category winners are awarded a copy of a statuette, officially called the Academy Award of Merit, which has become commonly known by its nickname, Oscar.
As an ode to the prestigious ceremony, Urban Agenda Magazine has selected a series of unique products inspired by the nominees. To purchase, click on each product image.
Break a leg! more
There’s a new show on sale this week at bergenPAC: Boz Scaggs-Wednesday, April 27, 2016 at 8PM; The Rides: Stephen Stills, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, and Barry Goldberg-Wednesday, May 11, 2016 at 8PM. Tickets go on sale Friday, February 19, 2016 at 11AM at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling bergenPAC’s Box Office at 201.227.1030.
“Lowdown”, “Lido Shuffle”, “Jojo” – these are just a few of the classic hits that have made Boz Scaggs a household name. Fans who have followed his remarkable career dating back to the late 60s with the Steve Miller Band; his solo triumphs with such classic albums as Silk Degrees and Middle Man; and the splendid assurance of late-period high points like Some Change and Dig, instantly recognize Scaggs’ characteristically deft touch as a singer – something that is immediately evident on his spellbinding new album, A Fool to Care. more
By Sarah Emily Gilbert
Rose Quartz and Serenity might be delicate colors, but they’re taking the fashion and design industry by storm thanks to their new title as the 2016 Pantone Color of the Year. Pantone made the unprecedented decision to blend two shades to create this year’s hue. Rose Quartz’s soft pale pink fused with Serenity’s tranquil baby blue makes for an airy color that goes beyond color. According to Pantone, the decision to blend the colors usually associated with gender stereotypes reflects recent societal movements towards gender equality and fluidity. As the name suggests, Rose Quartz and Serenity is a soothing color that’s needed in a world that’s often filled with stress and anxiety. So take a break to enjoy these Instagram images that feature the playful pastels. more
Urban Agenda Magazine has hand-selected our favorite gifts for dog lovers. Check out the many Scottish terrier, French bulldog, and Labrador Retriever motifs in the form of clothing, accessories, and home decor. Simply click on each product image to purchase!
By Sarah Emily Gilbert
Arrangements courtesy of Viburnum Designs
Photography by Jeffrey Tryon
Viburnum Designs on 202 Nassau Street is known for their stunning floral arrangements that that have been recognized in highly respected wedding blogs, websites, and magazines such as Wedding Chicks, WeddingWire, and The Knot. While the designers at Viburnum can craft a breathtaking arrangement in any design genre, it’s their more eclectic arrangements that truly set them apart. Viburnum’s aesthetic often eschews trends to produce floral arrangements that are arty, interesting, and perfect for the offbeat Valentine. more
Friday, February 5
ALL DAY Commit this month to an unparalleled fitness experience at Equinox in Paramus and your initiation fee goes to Cycle for Survival, the national movement to beat rare cancers. Contact www.equinox.com for more information.
ALL DAY Flywheel has planted a seed in the Garden State with a studio in Millburn. Located in the heart of downtown, the state of the art studio features high tech bikes, stadium-style seating, and proprietary TorqBoard. Call (973) 232-6476 for class information. more
1By Sarah Emily Gilbert
Most of us our grabbing our hats or shovel during a snowfall, but Karla Booth of Grand Lake, Colorado is grabbing her camera. Since December 2006, when she was introduced to the world of macro photography, Booth has been photographing the ethereal snowflake. While it’s hard enough to catch a glimpse of a snowflake, Booth has mastered the complex art of photographing them, resulting in her very own snowflake photography company. more
Bergen Performing Arts Center located at 30 North Van Brunt Street in Englewood, New Jersey presents: Ladybug Girl and Bumblebee Boy The Musical – Sunday, March 13, 2016 at 1PM and 4PM. Purchase tickets at www.ticketmaster.com or Box Office at 201.227.1030.
This world premiere musical will buzz into your heart, as Lulu, Sam, and their playground friends explore the power of imagination and promote a sense of adventure and exploration of the world around you. more
Snowed in?
Send the one you love something sweet for Valentine’s Day! From the perfect cup of coffee to a festive box of Cadbury chocolates, these gourmet delights and comforting gifts are sure to warm the heart. Simply click on each product image to purchase. more
Interview by Lynn Adams Smith
Photography by Joe Garrad
abc carpet & home has been described as the magic carpet store. The flagship store windows are pure theater and act as the magnet that pulls shoppers in, for a full sensory experience. Once inside, the exploration begins, and be prepared for an inspirational visit.
There are six cavernous floors with a rustic warehouse atmosphere, filled with home furnishings, decor, chandeliers, pillows, jewelry, rugs, and much more. As you meander through the store and admire the creative selection of products, you will be immersed into the textures, colors, drama, and love of it all. Manena Frazier is the abc Visual Director and has shared insight into their aesthetic and vision. more
10AM-9PM Photos with Santa & Santa Paws at Westfield Garden State Plaza in Paramus, NJ (now through December 24). www.westfield.com/gardenstateplaza
5-8PM Ladies Night at Bars of Beauty in Oradell, NJ. Discounted blowouts, facials, and complimentary champagne. www.barsofbeauty.com
7PM Walt Disney on Ice 100 Years of Magic at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ (through Sunday, November 22). www.prucenter.com
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By Anne Levin
At New York Old Iron in Brooklyn’s Gowanus section, under the F and G subway train tracks, rows of reclaimed clawfoot tubs and old pedestal sinks are piled end to end. Some are chipped. Some are yellowing. Others are encrusted with decades of grime.
But to the homeowners and apartment dwellers who roam the cluttered aisles of this and other architectural salvage outlets in New York, New Jersey, and beyond, those blemishes are hardly a deterrent. Their nicks, dents, and age spots are seen as signs of character — especially if they fit into a design scheme that calls for styles of an earlier era rather than new furnishings made of modern materials.
The stacks of old doors and mantels at Philly Provenance, the ornate chandeliers at Philadelphia Salvage, and the reclaimed beams and flooring at Recycling the Past in Barnegat all represent a growing trend in reusing and reclaiming articles from the past to furnish homes of the present. But not all salvage is vintage. At Green Demolitions’ locations throughout the tri-state area, whole kitchens that are nearly new and completely functional sit waiting to be reclaimed. And they can represent considerable cost savings. more
By Linda Arntzenius
He was America’s most eligible bachelor. She was an ambassador’s daughter born to privilege. Tall, slim and boyishly handsome, he swept her off her feet and into the clouds. Literally. Before long they were flying together, exploring together. They were golden and the tabloids couldn’t get enough of them. But when tragedy struck and the paparazzi became an intrusive burden on their personal lives, they fled to Europe in search of peace. It was bad timing to say the least. Europe in the 1930s was readying for war. Almost inevitably, the expert aviator was drawn into a mire from which he would never fully emerge.
Anne Morrow met Charles Lindbergh just seven months after the young aviator had landed at Le Bourget airfield near Paris at the end of his astonishing 1927 non-stop solo flight across the Atlantic. He was the most famous person on the planet, the first modern superstar, an overnight celebrity welcomed into the most exalted of circles. She was a top Smith College student visiting her parents in Mexico, where her father, Dwight Whitney Morrow, a former partner at J.P. Morgan & Co., was U.S. Ambassador. Lindbergh was on a goodwill tour. more
In honor of the recent tragedy in France, Urban Agenda highlights Instagram accounts that capture the country’s undying beauty and resilience. more
By Sarah Emily Gilbert
Nothing is better than snuggling into your bed during a thunderstorm. The distant thuds have a calming effect when you know you’re safe and dry in the comfort of your home. Perhaps no one appreciates this feeling more than designer Richard Clarkson, founder of Richard Clarkson Studios, and creator of the Cloud – a $3, 360 smart lamp that brings thunderstorms into your home.
No, you didn’t misread that last sentence. Clarkson has, in fact, designed an interactive lamp that mimics the sights and sounds of a thunderstorm – and looks like a real cloud. According to the press kit, the Cloud detects a user’s presence using motion sensors and creates a unique lightning and thunder show dictated by their movement. The system features a powerful speaker system from which the user can stream music via any Bluetooth compatible device. They can also program the Cloud to make lightening flashes to the beat of the music or have Clouds communicate with each other (click here to see the Cloud in action). more
By Sarah Emily Gilbert
Painter and photographer Stella Maria Baer has been on the move for much of her life. She was raised in Santa Fe, New Mexico, worked as a wrangler on her family’s ranch in Wyoming, went to Dartmouth College in New Hampshire, and attended Yale University’s graduate school in New Haven, Connecticut where she settled with her husband and dog. But like the planets that Stella Maria Baer paints, there seems to be some sort of gravitational pull on the artist that takes her back to the west. Currently a resident of Denver, Colorado, Baer has not only made the desert her home, but also the source of her artistic inspiration. Using her signature earth-toned color palette, Baer creates minimalist watercolor paintings that often feature planets and moons. While the western terrain and the cosmos are literally worlds apart, one look at Baer’s Instagram shows how similar they can be. In one of her posts Baer writes, “Sometimes Colorado looks like the moon,” and her photography proves it. The rock strata look like Saturn’s rings, the sand resembles a desolate planet, and the vast landscape evokes the same sense of wonderment that is caused by stargazing. Below, Urban Agenda learns more about the talented woman who has made the west her muse. more
By Sarah Emily Gilbert
Today, leather is considered a luxury. It’s the makings of designer shoes, jackets, and handbags, expensive furniture, and lavish car interiors. Ironically, the same material used for our beloved Louboutins has been employed for a variety of functional and artistic purposes since prehistoric times. Artist Mark Evans captures both the primal and posh sides of leather with his micro-leather sculpting and etching. Combing his penchant for risk-taking, knives, and art, Evans precisely carves massive leather canvases in order to create stunning images that have been sold for close to $800,000. Below, the eloquent artist explains his love of wildness and how a bloodstained leather jacket led him to his craft. To follow all of Evans’ work visit markevansart.com or follow him on Instagram (@markevansart). more
By Sarah Emily Gilbert
For many people, taxidermy conjures up images of gothic homes, horror movies, or evil doctors in trench coats, but in reality, taxidermy is an art that can reap beautiful results. In fact, many high-profile individuals collect taxidermy like they do fine art. Martha Stewart’s home in Maine is decorated with a taxidermied bear, Angelina Jolie once gifted her daughter a taxidermied bird, and President Theodore Roosevelt is known for his extensive taxidermy collection complete with bats, bird eggs, and a buffalo head. more
By Ilene Dube
Like the wings of a crow, the unibrow of Frida Kahlo has been hovering over the New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) since May, where a plant-themed exhibit, Frida Kahlo: Art, Garden and Life, continues through November 1.
The artist’s love of nature and its importance as a source of inspiration are evident in her work, home and garden. Frida Kahlo (1907-1954) is recognizable by, and even imitated for, the flamboyant flowers adorning her hair—dahlias, bougainvillea, gardenias. Fruits and tropical plants were ornaments to her Tehuana clothing and home. more
