WITH SOME HOT LICKS
Fantasy Fulfilled: Get in touch with your inner
Charlie Parker and jam on the most historic
block in Jazz-era Harlem. Gordon Polatnick of
Big Apple Jazz lets anyone with “chutzpah and
desire” play at his EZ’s Woodshed café.
Where: Harlem, N. Y.
Details: Daylight jams are
free. Private evening tours
of N. Y.’s secret jazz haunts
run upwards of $300. Visit
bigapplejazz.com.
Why It’s Cool: It don’t mean
a thing if it ain’t got that
swing.
FLYING. IT’S LIKE SWIMMING IN THE SKY
Fantasy Fulfilled: Sky riding. Take to the skies
during any weather-willing weekend for a soaring
lesson from the Long Island Soaring Association.
A tow plane hauls the two-seat glider up by a
200-foot nylon rope before cutting it loose around
2,500 feet. Depending on the day’s thermal activity,
the ride can last 15 minutes to a few hours. Airborne students are schooled in the fundamentals
of piloting, situational awareness and landing.
Unlike a power plane, gliders get only one shot
at it. But don’t worry. There are plenty of open
fields from which to choose.
Where: Brookhaven Calabro Airport in Shirley, N. Y.
Details: Introductory flight is $50. Visit
longislandsoaring.com.
Why It’s cool: Atlantic Ocean and Long Island
Sound views in one sweeping vista.
NOTHING SAYS SPRING LIKE
FALCONRY
Fantasy Fulfilled: Tame the wild
beast. The British School of Falconry, the first of its kind in the
U.S., introduces Yanks to the
ancient sport of falconry. The
45-minute introductory lesson
is a series of thrills, capped off
when a Harris hawk swoops
down at you and then lands
gently on your gloved hand.
Participants learn to handle, release and recall the desert bird.
Where: Equinox Hotel in Manchester, Vt.
Details: Lessons are $89 per person, but each guest can bring a spectator free of charge. Visit equinox.rockresorts.com/info/act.falconry.asp.
Why It’s Cool: Take part in a prehistoric sport.
PARTY SEASON IS
COMING: ARE YOU
READY?
Fantasy Fulfilled: Reign
when you pour. Fire your
retro rockets back to the
1920s, ‘30s and ‘40s and
learn how to make classic
cocktails from the golden
era. Executive chef and
owner Celeste Terrell
of Olives and Herbs will
have you shaking, stirring, mixing and crushing
Old-Fashioneds, Harvey
Wallbangers, Grasshoppers
and, of course, classic martinis. Black tie optional.
Where: Cambridge, Mass.
Details: The $95 lesson
includes cocktails and
hors d’oeuvres. Visit
olivesandherbs.com.
Why It’s Cool: Lifting spirits
by mixing a few.
