Halcyon
Vinyl Record Store
(1)  718 – 260 9299
57 Pearl Street
corner of Pearl & Water Streets in Dumbo
Brooklyn, NY 11201

www.halcyonline.com.
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Open Hours:
Noon  – 8:00 pm   Mon/Wed/Sat
Noon  – 9:00 pm   Tue/Thu/Fri
Noon  – 6:00 pm   Sunday

One of the last great record shops in NY, Halcyon moved to its Dumbo location in 2006.  Creating community through their weekly instore performances by local and visiting DJs and disseminating extensive information on events throughout the city. (see their BLOG for schedule)

Halcyon faces the magnificent Manhattan Bridge through a couple of very industrial buildings making this spot quite cinematographic. On one side street  there is a graffiti wall on which the art changes from time to time.  Across the street is a public space, complete with parasol tables and chairs, where you can sit and enjoy the area and listen to the music from the store.  Wonderful especially when there are performances.

The store itself is beautifully designed  with an ivy mural framing the windows on the outside,  high ceiling inside, vinyl art on the walls, astroturf grass on the floor and a even a stone garden.

The staff is friendly, helping you with their selection of a little bit of everything:  Acid Jazz, Afro-Latin, Ambient, Noise, Disco+’80s+Dance Classics, DJ Mixes, Downbeat, Lounge, Trip-Hop, Drum & Bass, Dubstep, Grime, Electro, Acid, Breaks, Electronica, Exotica, World, Funk, Breakbeats, Hip-Hop, House, Jazz, Nu Disco, Italo, Reggae, Dub, Rock, Pop, Folk, Techno…….. Be sure to check out their wall of suggestions and don’t be afraid to ask for whatever your interested in.

On top of all the great new/used records & disks, Halcyon also carries t-shirts, books and other items to keep you up to date with the scene.

The area of Dumbo itself is a wonderful place to explore.  Having come on in recent years, it is now home to an eclectic mix of businesses and people.  A trip to the park under the bridges is a must for all visitors to NYC.  The views of lower Manhattan are stunning by both day and night.

Magyar Állami Operaház
(Hungarian State Opera House)
(36) 1 – 332 8197
(36) 1 – 279 5677
1065 Budapest Hajós str. 13-15
Budapest, Hungary

www.opera.hu.
www.operavisit.hu.
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Guided Tours:
3:00 pm   Daily
4:00 pm   Daily

The Hungarian State Opera House first opened its doors in 1884.  Designed by Miklós Ybl, one of the most renowned Hungarian architects of the 19th century, the construction was created in an eclectic, neo-Renaissance style.  There are many baroque details and frescoes by the top Hungarian artists of the time, including Bertalan Székely, Árpád Feszty,  Mór Than and Károly Lotz.  On either side of the risalit are statues of Ferenc Liszt and Ferenc Erkel, two of the outstanding artists of Hungarian music.  Both being the work of Alajos Stróbl.

(above Left    photo © Yuen-Ping)
(above Right photo © Yuen-Ping)

A wonderful place for listening as well as viewing, the Hungarian State Opera House is home to the third best acoustics in al of Europe! With only the Scala in Milan and the Paris Opera House creating a more detailed sound environment.

If you are not able to attend a performance, then try to  take the guided tour.  The tours are given twice daily in many different languages. Although they are bit formulaic and the guide may be on the weak side- they are definitely worth it just to have the chance to explore the interior of this magnificent concert hall.

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Bringing us back to Cartagena’s Carribean roots, the Bazurto Social Club, located in the old-city neighborhood of Getsemani, fills us with the sounds and tastes of the tropical world it inhabits.  Bazurto -named after it’s inspiration: the Basurto Market- is a cacophony of beauty and sound.  Original murals are splayed across the walls, while the live band kicks out local hit -anything from Reggae to Reggaton -and you are handed  a lovely fresh squeezed cocktail.  The cuisine is a an array of local recipies to remind you why the people are always so happy.

As the sign over the door says – Welcome to Jet-Set Mani

Bazurto Social Club
(57) 317 648 1183
(57) 315 655 4120
Calle Del Centenario,
Cra Novena N# 30 – 42 Getsemani
Cartagena,  Colombia

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Open Hours:
5:00 pm – 2:00 am   Thursday
5:00 pm – 3:00 am   Friday-Saturday

Restaurante Bar Cafe Habana
(57) 315 6902566
Calle Media Luna con Calle del Guerrero
Getsemani
Cartagena, Colombia

www.cafehavanacartagena.com

Open Hours:
Thursday-Sunday

Located just outside the walled city in Getsemani (best to go and return by taxi). Cafe Habana is the best Salsa bar in Cartagena (or maybe anywhere?) .  Touched by amber lights, the walls covered in framed photos of legendary Salsa stars: Celia Cruz, Johnny Pacheco, … Cuban rum flows while salsa bands swings and the crowd is pulled along for the ride.
A real mixed crowd of locals and tourists (unlike the majority of Cartagena night spots), Cafe Habana is a must if you want to have an authentic night out.  So be ready for the crowds  on weekends as it is pulling clientele from all over the city.

Although you don’t go there for the food, there is a simple menu that can soften a bit of the the rum you will keep drinking, especialy in this city where every kitchen is closed by 10 pm