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Hair on Broadway
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Get Out Those Old Beads and Tie-Dyed Shirts!

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By Pat Singer
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Cascading energy, hippies hanging from the rafters, flower children running up and down the aisles and..... that’s only the beginning of the rock musical revival of HAIR. This is a classic show that has stood the test of time and has been a runaway success in each and every incarnation. 
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“Hair” opened on Broadway in 1968. It was inspired by the hippie counter-culture, anti-establishment, anti-war and sexual revolution of the 1960s. The production illustrates the supposition of real life — self-expression, freedom, love and peace. The hippie movement advocated  drugs, mystic religions, rock-and-roll, free love and open nudity, but most of all they fought against the forces of intolerance and any and all brutality.

It tells the story of the "tribe", a group of long-haired beaded hippies, wearing far-out clothes whose mantra was the "Age of Aquarius.” They subsisted in a bohemian lifestyle in New York City during the chaotic 60’s. In all its rock and roll splendor, they fought against the draft, existing laws, the Vietnam War and felt threatened when draft cards started arriving. The storyline ultimately becomes the fundamental battle for Claude (Paris Remillard), who suffers a wrenching conflict between service to his country and being a dissident.
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What makes the show undeniably credible is the cast, including vivacious Steel Burkhardt, as Berger, the unofficial ringleader of the tribe. Other main characters included Matt DeAngelis as Woof and the irresistible Sheila, played by Caren Lyn Tackett. There are moments of high-spirited joy and conversely, instances of profound pathos, both of which were handled splendidly by a remarkably brilliant cast. Cast members dance fancifully up and down the aisles throughout the show, bestowing flowers and protest leaflets, carrying signs: “Save water, shower with a friend” or “I saw God … and she is black.” Their passion for freedom, hope and change creates a raw energy that makes you want to jump out of your seat. 
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Although the choreography is executed with precision and is titillating, the most desirable part of the show was the sense of intimacy in the theatre that was shared by the audience and the cast. 
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The energy peaks once again within an artfully integrated audience, when they invite everyone up on the stage for a “Be-In” and to dance with the cast while they are taking their final bows—what fun! 
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Though Hair is part of many of our yesterdays, its revival is part of a new generation's tomorrows. Go see it now, while you can, it's that great!

By Michael Hepworth

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What exactly is GRAND BRULOT I thought to myself as I opened the bottle for the first time just around the time this lockdown took effect. Well, Grand Brulot is listed as a VSOP Cognac Café and it can be used in Bloody Mary’s, Manhattans, Negronis, Martinis, spritzes and sidecars , just for starters. It is a blend of Ugni Blanc & Colombard that is crafted into 80 proof VSOP. Then 100% Robusta Ecuadorian coffee bean essence is extracted and blended with brandy to meld for a few months and finally, it is blended with the VSOP Cognac. There is also a whiff of peppermint, nutmeg and hot cocoa in the drink. The retail price is $42.99.

The idea for the drink was instigated in 2015 by John Bernbach who asked for the help of industry veteran Francisco Tonarely to investigate the potential of a cognac/brandy drink blended with coffee. Three year later in August 2018 Grand Brulot was launched. This cognac comes from the Tardy Cognac Group and the grapes come from its single estate. Grand Brulot also plays homage to a New Orleans specialty of the same name that is still served around town.  The name Grand Brulot was inspired by the famous French pirate Jean Lafite who helped New Orleans repel the British invaders in 1812. He would order coffee, pour cognac in the saucer, set it alight and mix it with the coffee.
Recipes:

THE RISE AND SHINE
2 oz Grand Brulot
Orange Twist

Just pour Grand Brulot over ice and the orange will highlight the flavors
of the spirit.

BRULOT BLACK MANHATTAN
1 oz Grand Brulot
1 oz Bourbon
1 oz Sweet Vermouth
3 dashes Orange Bitters

Bartender Todd Smith created this one. Stir all the ingredients together in
a mixing glass. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass with ice and garnish

with orange wheel.

FRENCH NEGRONI
1 oz Grand Brulot
1 oz  Sweet Vermouth
1 oz Campari

Build in a rocks glass over ice and garnish w/orange wheel.

GRAND BRULOT CAFÉ HOLIDAY
1 oz Grand Brulot
0.5 oz Crème de Cacao
3 oz Porter Beer or Stout
3 dashes of bitters

Throw cocktail ingredients between two cups a couple of times to mix
And ignite the foam from the beer. Pour into a highball glass over ice
And garnish with nutmeg.



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