US – Tuesday, February 9
The Grid
The week's releases
Metro staff reviews the latest CDs, DVDs and books for your reading pleasure.
 
The Word
Stern: I’d do ‘Idol’ for $100M
Howard Stern took to his radio show yesterday to address the rumors that he’s a possible replacement for Simon Cowell for the next season of “American Idol.” To sum it up? He’s not going for it.
 
New York Arts
Dancing while the skinny lady sings
You’ve heard of the jukebox musical? David Parsons and singers AnnMarie Milazzo and Tyley Ross of the East Village Opera Co. offer a jukebox opera, playing nightly at the Joyce. Eleven Parsons dancers share the stage with Milazzo and Ross, who clutch microphones cranked to 11 and stroll through the action. On the recorded soundtrack, three drummers create a wall of sound so loud you — well, I — want to hide under the seat. Digital video of abstract patterns, natural landscapes and stunning architecture change for each song.
 
My Books
The facets of Anne Frank and her diary
Generations of schoolchildren have read and recognized their own experiences in the words of Anne Frank, finding surprising commonalities with this young girl despite the passage of generations and the unique horror of  her situation. But according to Francine Prose’s fascinating new account of the writing of Frank’s diary, our veneration of her outpourings has eclipsed a proper assessment of Anne Frank — conscientious author.

 
Movies
Channing Tatum on love and war
Channing Tatum has worked in his fair share of genres, from indie films (“A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints”) to dance flicks (“Step Up”) to blockbusters (“G.I. Joe”). In his latest, “Dear John,” the Alabama native takes on a heavy Nicholas Sparks love story about a soldier in love while at war. He talks with us about true love and blowing stuff up.
 
Updated 20:42, August the 4th, 2009
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Drink up: Loeb prepares her winning cocktail.Drink up: Loeb prepares her winning cocktail.
 

Raising the bar

High-profile bartenders and their fancy cocktails step in to the culinary spotlight

Get in the mixDepending on how well-stocked your liquor cabinet is, you can whip up Katie Loeb’s winning drink, “Dr. Hadley’s Root Restorative,” at home. Don’t have any Aztec chocolate bitters on hand? Pay her a visit at Oyster House — or just throw a couple shots of Root into some ginger ale.• .5 oz. Demerara simple syrup•  6 large mint leaves• 1.25 oz. Lairds Bonded (100 proof) Applejack• 1.0 oz. Root Liqueur•  .5 oz. Benedictine•  .5 oz. fresh lime juice•  2 dashes Fee Brothers’ Aztec Chocolate bitters•  2 dashes Angostura bitters Muddle mint in simple syrup. Add ice and other ingredients. Shake vigorously and strain into a cocktail glass. Top with a spanked mint sprig.
 
Get in the mix

Depending on how well-stocked your liquor cabinet is, you can whip up Katie Loeb’s winning drink, “Dr. Hadley’s Root Restorative,” at home. Don’t have any Aztec chocolate bitters on hand? Pay her a visit at Oyster House — or just throw a couple shots of Root into some ginger ale.
• .5 oz. Demerara simple syrup

•  6 large mint leaves

• 1.25 oz. Lairds Bonded (100 proof) Applejack

• 1.0 oz. Root Liqueur

•  .5 oz. Benedictine

•  .5 oz. fresh lime juice

•  2 dashes Fee Brothers’ Aztec Chocolate bitters

•  2 dashes Angostura bitters
 
Muddle mint in simple syrup. Add ice and other ingredients. Shake vigorously and strain into a cocktail glass. Top with a spanked mint sprig.
 

Bartenders seem poised for some of the stardom chefs now bask in. To a growing number of Philadelphia cocktail crazies, single names like Anders, Christian and Katie are as identifiable as Jose, Georges and Morimoto.

Last week’s Root Cocktail Contest at Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) hosted 14 bartenders concocting the best drink they could make with the liqueur. The standing-room-only crowd spoke to the interest in the drinks and the personalities.

Among the bartenders competing was Christian Gaal, whose wax mustache instantly made him recognizable when he came on the scene along with Apothecary, now APO Bar + Lounge (102 S. 13th St.).

Katie Loeb — who was crowned the contest’s winner — left Chick’s Cafe & Wine Bar (614 S. Seventh St.) to open the refurbished Oyster House (1516 Sansom St.). Not wanting to lose any luster after her departure, Chick’s hosted a dinner to introduce Loeb’s handpicked successor — yes, a dinner to introduce a bartender.

Even a bar like the 700 Club (700 N. Second St.)  — known more for its pulsing dance floor — has gotten in the act. Barkeep Anders Larson is doing a twice-monthly event complete with a flyer of drinks that looks more akin to a DJ night.

It’s clear — the bartender and his or her drinks have become stars.

Arthur Etchells is a local food blogger. Read more at www.foobooz.com.Metro does not endorse the opinions of the author, or any opinions expressed on its pages. Arthur Etchells is a local food blogger. Read more at www.foobooz.com.

Metro does not endorse the opinions of the author, or any opinions expressed on its pages.
 
 
 
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Music
MMMpod
The February MMMpod features conversation from Ozzy Osbourne. Michael Emerson from "Lost" tells us about his days enjoying punk rock in Boston. We also dig up an old interview from the late great Howard Zinn. We have a song from Delta Spirit and The Soft Pack, who tell us where they got their name.

 
 
 
Metro Life Panel
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