Lizz Wright at the Dakota in Minneapolis

Went to see Lizz Wright last night at the Dakota Jazz Club in Minneapolis. Her voice is exquisite and I can honestly say I'd listen to her sing the phone book. Her version of Neil Young's Old Man was beautifully done. To top it all off the bartender mixed a mean Bombay Sapphire martini.

Poem by Ogden Nash

Reflection on Ice Breaking

Candy
Is dandy
But liquor
is quicker.

-Ogden Nash

Quote - Elliot Gould in M*A*S*H

"Without olives, a Martini just doesn't quite make it."
-Elliot Gould mixes a Martini in the movie M*A*S*H, 1970

Cocktail Hour - A Mini High School Reunion

The world keeps getting smaller and now because of Facebook it's smaller still. A couple of years ago I joined FB and reconnected with a number of high school friends and acquaintances just before and after my high school reunion. Recently one of these people, Mike, actually approached Dale at the gym because he recognized him from a picture posted on my FB account. Dale told me of the meeting and, long story short, Mike and his wife Charisse came over to our place for dinner last night. It was wonderful to reconnect. We had both forgotten in what class we met but determined that we had at least been in Spanish together in 8th grade and also a government class as seniors in high school. There was a lot to reminisce about including teachers, classmates, classes, et cetera. Mike and I martinis before dinner. His was vodka and mine gin. I was able to introduce him to Shakers vodka. Dale and Charisse both had red wine.

Music for Cocktails

I purchased Strings for a Space Age by Bobby Christian and His Orchestra yesterday afternoon and played it during cocktail hour. I discovered the album while doing a google search for 'cocktail hour' images and the album cover came up and then purchased it on iTunes. It goes well with drinks.

Cocktail Hour & Quote

Midweek cocktails tonight. After a particularly brutal day I'm looking forward to a dry Hendricks martini.

[The martini is] . . ."the supreme American gift to world culture."
-Bernard DeVoto

Valentine's Day 2011

The cocktail of choice for Valentine's Day 2011 is a martini with Hendrick's gin. Dale and I had steak for dinner tonight.