Eurovision

Date: April 13, 2009 11:14:54 AM EDT
To: inyc@timeoutny.com
Subject: Eurovision in NY?

I'm sick of hearing about how amazing (and cheesy) the Eurovision Song Contest is and was hoping TONY might list if any bars in NY will be covering the event in May. Such an event definitely deserves to be listed!

Thanks, Matt R.

Watch it

For 54 years, top pop stars from Europe have gathered for the Eurovision Song Contest. Each of 42 countries sends an entry, and more than 100 million people watch. (To compare, American Idol pulls 35 to 37 million viewers, tops.) This year's contest begins on Tuesday 12 in Moscow's Olympic Indoor Arena, with the finals narrowed down to the best of the techno balladry and mixed-language pop confections on May 16. The only problem? It's not available on American television.

If you can't make it to Moscow (or Munich, or Manchester), you'll have to watch the live stream online (eurovision.tv) or try Brighton Beach hot spot Tatiana (3152 Brighton 6th St at Brightwater Ct, Brighton Beach, Brooklyn; 718-891-5151), which will show the festivities (from a Russian television broadcast) on flat-screen TVs if there's enough demand. But whom should you be cheering for? Check out our favorites, and where to find the Euro flavor in NYC.

ESTONIA
The act: Urban Symphony is a string sextet of young women, but they're hardly classical; their techno beats and ethereal vocals have an Enya-at-the-disco feel.
The spot: The members of Estonian House (243 E 34th St between Second and Third Aves, 212-684-0336) have gathered in years past to watch Eurovision. The 80-year-old organization serves as the epicenter of all things Estonian in New York, but you'll have to find a member-friend to bring you in for cultural activities and the comfy curved wooden bar.

BELGIUM
The act: Belgian act Copycat, singing a song called "Copycat," is, unsurprisingly, kind of an impersonator. But who doesn't love an Elvis clone singing rockabilly with a dance beat?The spot: There are tons of places in the city to indulge in Belgian ale; what beer garden worth its steins doesn't have one or two on tap? But the best place to get your total Belgian experience is Vol de Nuit (148 W 4th St between Sixth Ave and MacDougal St, 212-982-3388, voldenuitbar.com), with Trappist beers and moules frites on the menu, a flavor combo replicated the world over.

BULGARIA
The act: Krassimir Avramov is a small-town boy creating a musical blend he calls "popera."
The spot: On the Lower East Side, all-night energy and DJs spinning Balkan beats blend at Mehanata (113 Ludlow St between Delancey and Rivington Sts; 212-625-0981, mehanata.com), where the Astika beer and nonstop dancing flow into the wee hours of the morning.

MONTENEGRO
The act: Andrea Demirovic is half Kylie Minogue, half ABBA—a fortuitous mix, since the Swedish foursome is Eurovision's most famous winner.
The spot: While East Village bar Klimat (77 E 7th St between First and Second Aves; 212-777-1112) features a smorgasbord of European libations from Slovakia, Serbia and Latvia, its Montenegrin wines are a special treat. Hailing from the Plantaze winery in southern Montenegro, the $36 bottles are being aged in Klimat's cellar and are in limited supply.

UKRAINE
The act: Is it the wrong time of year for Svetlana Loboda's "Be My Valentine"? The pop princess has a fashion line called Fuck the Macho; think she cares?
The spot: The Ukrainian East Village Restaurant (140 Second Ave between St. Marks Pl and 9th St, 212-614-3283) doles out authentic comfort food New Yorkers have come to associate with the neighborhood, an old Ukrainian stronghold. Nearby Veselka (144 Second Ave at 9th St; 212-228-9682, veselka.com) is a restaurant, diner and watering hole for a 24-hour crowd.

ROMANIA
The act: Saucy singer Elena comes from a family of devout priests, but she's no good girl; her song informs us that "the Balkan girls, they like to party like nobody."
The spot: Party like everybody in Sunnyside, Queens, which boasts a growing Romanian population. That means chowing down at Romania Garden (46-04 Skillman Ave at 46th St, 718-786-7894)—try the pork or a polenta dish that comes loaded with scoops of sour cream. For grandness and gaudiness—it has statues of mythological gods at its doorstep!— Casa Romana (39-20 Queens Blvd at 39th Pl, 718-784-4768) is the best place to get in the Eurovision spirit.

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