31 minute read
STATUS REPORT
from Greenwich - May 2022
by Moffly Media
buzz STATUS REPORT
by jamie marshall
WHEN: SATURDAY, MAY 28, 2022 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
WHERE: Roger Sherman Baldwin Park
GREENWICH STATE OF MIND
FOR OVER A DECADE, THE GREENWICH TOWN PARTY STAGE HAS HOSTED PLENTY OF MUSIC LEGENDS. WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE CELEBRATION THROUGH THE YEARS AND CHECK IN ON THE 2022 PARTY AS THE TEAM GEARS UP TO ROLL OUT THE RED CARPET FOR THEIR BIGGEST NAME YET—ROCK ROYALTY, MR. BILLY JOEL
Since its inception in 2011, the Greenwich Town Party has become the launch pad for the summer season, with live music on two stages, family-friendly activities and lots of good food. Born in the aftermath of the 2008 recession, the party is steadfast in its mission to cement community bonds. “It’s an event that brings people together no matter what’s happening in the world,” says Ray Rivers, GTP President. Traditionally held on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend, the GTP has presented a who’s who of world-class musicians over the years, as well as showcasing local talent on the town stage. Gates open at Roger Sherman Baldwin Park at 10 a.m. The music starts at noon, culminating after dark with this year’s headliner, musical great Billy Joel.
“Obviously, it’s come a long way from the first year, when we were trying to convince people to buy tickets,” recalls Rivers. “We had set out to try to create something for the community that people would talk about and look forward to.” Though the full lineup hadn’t been confirmed by press time, if past is prologue, the Greenwich community will be in for another memorable day.
American blues guitarist and singer Buddy Guy headlined the inaugural year.
2012
With Paul Simon performing, tickets sold out in less than five days. Attendees got an unexpected bonus when Dave Matthews made a surprise appearance.
2016
Daryl Hall and
John Oates hit the stage.
2017
Steely Dan took the stage, preceded by Alabama Shakes and Preservation Hall Jazz Band. It would be the final show for Steely Dan cofounder Walter Becker, who died of cancer four months later.
2018
Eric Clapton invited friends and GTP performers Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi up to sing “Crossroads,” to the delight of the crowd.
FROM BUDDY TO BILLY
Each act has set the stage for the next
The founders knew what they were doing when they brought in Chicago jazz great Buddy Guy to headline the first GTP in 2011. The response was overwhelming, and the bar was set high. Since then, a score of musical greats has graced the GTP main stage, including Paul Simon (with a surprise drop- in by Dave Matthews), Hall & Oates, James Taylor, Santana, Eric Clapton and, most recently, the Eagles and the Zac Brown Band. This year’s headliner is perhaps the most iconic yet—the “piano man” himself, Billy Joel, a multiple Grammy Award-winner and three-time inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
“Billy Joel is one of those few remaining iconic musicians who has thrilled music lovers for most of their lives,” says Ray Dalio, founder of GTP and head of the music selection committee. “His songs give us both great music and great stories that make us want to dance to our histories. He is a musical legend that I want my Greenwich neighbors to experience all together.”
Joel, who lives on the south shore of Long Island, is one of the biggest concert draws in the world, selling out arenas and stadiums across the globe. He has sold 150 million records over the past quartercentury; in the past nearly fifty years, he has scored thirty-three consecutive Top 40 hits, with three of his best-known songs— “It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me,” “Tell Her About It” and “We Didn’t Start the Fire”—peaking at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 charts. His monthly concert at Madison Square Garden sells out weeks in advance.
“Billy Joel is the biggest name ever to play the town party,” says Ken Hays, GTP producer, who has fond memories of listening to Joel’s music as an adolescent. “I grew up in a musical family, and there was music around my house all the time,” he recalls. “I was never really that engaged until I heard Billy Joel’s The Stranger album. That changed my life. I wore out the vinyl, I wore out the needle.”
For Hays, who has secured all the main stage talent for the GTP since 2011, getting Billy Joel and his team to say yes, was a big win for several reasons. “A lot of it has to do with Billy not wanting to do any long-distance travel and Covid being a big question mark,” says Hays. “Billy can cross the Sound and play for us. And then head back home. That’s something that’s really appealing to him. From a production standpoint, successfully staging the Eagles and Zac Brown last year gave him and his people the confidence that we have a strong team and that we are a first-class operation.”
2013
High winds and a rainstorm forced Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue to the local stage mid-set. But the crowd happily stuck it out to hear featured artist, James Taylor.
2014
Five-thousand fans hit Roger Sherman Baldwin Park and another 5,000 at Havemeyer Park, where a separate lineup played and Santana was live-streamed.
2015
The party returned to Roger Sherman Baldwin Park, with Earth Wind & Fire getting top billing, leading a lineup that included O.A.R., The Doobie Brothers and Caroline Jones.
2019
Lynyrd Skynyrd, The
Beach Boys and Trombone
Shorty & Orleans Ave.
headlined the concert.
2021
After Covid canceled the 2020 concert, The Eagles rocked the stage to a thrilled crowd.
And what can the fans expect when the lights go up on Joel and his piano? “He will play his classics and some cover tunes and just have fun. The set list goes from light to high energy to beautiful ballads—all the songs that we’ve known, and grown up with,” says Hays. nailed down the Eagles, Zac was able to work around his tour dates and join us.” Also on the main stage lineup were GTP favorites Caroline Jones, making her fourth appearance, and Preservation Hall Band (third visit), who had to drive from their home in New Orleans to the Florida panhandle to get a flight to New York after a hurricane closed the city.
“We had to coordinate bringing the pets up and the families, because we didn’t know how long they’d have to be out of their city. It was pretty unsettling for those guys, but at the same time they are troopers,” says Hays.
For Rivers, last year’s party was bittersweet. “We moved it to the Sunday of Labor Day weekend, which turned out to be the day after my son’s wedding in Italy, which we found out right after we signed the contract with the Eagles. It was the first time I had missed the party since its start.”
Besides their normal support staffs, both the Eagles and Zac Brown traveled with their own physician and Covid compliance officer. “It was challenging, but we have a great team here that really did a fantastic job of keeping everyone safe,” says Hays.
THE COMEBACK KID
Last year’s celebration was just what we all needed and was met with more excitement than ever
After a few date changes due to Covid, GTP was able to return on September 5, 2021. The reception from artists and fans was overwhelming. “It was incredibly uplifting for the community to have some sense of normalcy coming back from what was an incredibly challenging time,” says Ken Hays. “You could feel the energy in the crowd and the sense that we might just have made it through this to the other side.”
With all the schedule changes (2020 was canceled altogether, then the new date of May 2021 was pushed to Labor Day weekend), the organizers had to do some last-minute scrambling to lock in talent. “Mumford and Sons, originally set for 2020, couldn’t make it,” says Hays. “And Zac Brown had a schedule conflict. But once we
WHEN: SATURDAY, MAY 28, 2022 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
WHERE: Roger Sherman Baldwin Park
From Greenwich to Nashville, Henry Conlon will be hitting the GTP stage this year.
HOMEGROWN TALENT
GIVING UP-AND-COMING BANDS THE SPOTLIGHT
Anostalgic highlight of GTP are the bands that play the town stage, and though the full lineup hadn’t been set as of press time, at least one former Greenwich resident and rising Nashville star is set to make his debut in front of hometown fans.
Henry Conlon was just twelve when he moved to Greenwich more than a decade ago. He dabbled in music a bit. "Friends would say, ‘Henry, you play guitar, why don’t you play us something?’ And I’d fumble through songs that were on the radio. It was the thing that brought me a lot of happiness and joy, but I was playing more as a hobby,” he recalls. It wasn’t until he got to George Washington University that he started to take his musical gift more seriously, though not necessarily as a career path. “I was more career-oriented rather than passion oriented,” he says. “In my upbringing you don’t see a lot of people pursuing music.” But after a few false starts, he stumbled into a job that he loved while living in New Haven. Working for an organization called figuring out what I was doing. My family taught me if you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room. I wanted to be the worst musician and songwriter in the room, because it means I’m in the right spot.”
Nashville is a tough scene for any young artist to break into. “It took me three months to figure out how to book a show, then there was the tornado, then Covid, the bombing and Covid 2.0. It’s been a mess.” Despite the obstacles, he managed to book gigs locally and has done some touring to Kansas, Colorado, Virginia and Alabama.
In April he and a buddy did their first festival in Texas. He’s presently in the studio finishing up his second album, Break My Heart, some of which he’ll debut at GTP. Fans can also expect to hear “Coming Home.”
“That one is the only song I wrote before Nashville that I still play,” he says. “I’ve had people I don’t know come to my show and request it. It’s one of those songs that’s been good to me.”
Mostly, though, he’s looking forward to being onstage—both literally and metaphorically. “It’s a way to validate what I’m doing. In the music industry there’s a lot of guess work, not knowing what’s coming next. This is a moment of being able to come back and be where I’m from and knowing I’m on a path and it feels like the right path.”
The same could be said for some of last year’s local bands, each of whom have strong ties to the community. And despite a day marked by frequent cloudbursts and lots of mud, nothing could have dampened the spirits of the hometown fans—or the musicians. Among them: Roctopus, Paloma Skye, Brunswick Music Improv, Rang-A-Boom and Charlie King & the Next Big Thing.
For Jay Anderson, a Greenwich resident, who plays bass and sings backup vocals for Roctopus, a six-piece band originally started by a Brunswick grad, the opportunity to play at the GTP was one he’ll never forget.
“We play a lot in New York and mostly in indoor venues. We’ve never had the opportunity to play a real show in front of that many people in our hometown. Combine that with being outside, post-pandemic, and then the weather. We would have played in a typhoon. It was awesome.”
Melissa Nisenson, the cofounder and lead singer of Paloma Skye, agrees. “It was amazing. As a band, it was one of the most fun days we’ve ever had. Playing in front of a live audience, then staying all day through the Eagles concert—it was definitely a cathartic and high-energy experience.”
She says the weather only added to the experience. “Luckily, we have very dear, dedicated friends who are happy to dance in the rain.”
Musical Intervention, Conlon was able to use music therapy and outreach for individuals struggling with chronic homelessness, mental illness and addiction issues. He started songwriting.
“It was my first real experience of having something I’d written and created for people who specifically came to hear me and react to me, and I was like, ‘Oh that’s it, I’m doing this forever.’ It was a light bulb moment for me.”
A storyteller at heart, he points to Bruce Springsteen and John Pryne as being masters of the craft. “My thing has always been in finding a story that I believe should be told and telling it,” he says. He characterizes his style as Americana: “A uniquely American art form that marries country and blues and elements of rockabilly and rock and roll,” he says. “It’s really an amalgamation of influences that harken back to Austin in the ’70s with outlaw country music.”
Conlon moved to Nashville three years ago, when he was twenty-two. “I was in an awkward space where I was
As of press time, this year’s full lineup of local bands hadn’t been set. Check greenwichtownparty.org for the most up-to-date information.
The Eagle Landed
"I remember walking out of the mobile bathroom and down the steps and my shoes and sandals sinking down into the mud and being so grossed out. But then, rushing out to hear the Zac Brown Band, I could only laugh as I looked at everyone else's feet in the crowd. It was a muddy mess, yet actually the perfect visual to prove that even Mother Nature can't spoil the Town Party. People in Greenwich are way too fired up and happy to let anyone—or anything—ruin the day."
—KENDRA FARN, LIFELONG GREENWICH RESIDENT AND VIDEO JOURNALIST, PAST GTP EMCEE
Key players share their MOST MEMORABLE 2021 MOMENTS
It was pouring rain, and no one cared one single bit! I felt like
a little kid walking through anklehigh mud to get to the stage with Gary
Dell’Abate. And when we screamed, ‘Please welcome the Zac Brown
Band!’ the place went nuts! The energy in that crowd was electric.
It was a moment I will never forget.
—LARA SPENCER, LONGTIME RESIDENT
AND HOST OF ABC’S GOOD MORNING AMERICA, PAST GTP EMCEE “There were many great memories of the 2021 GTP for me, but if I had to pick one, it would be seeing the Eagles, a group I grew up listening to as a kid. The memories of my life in my teen years came back to me with each song, and seeing the appreciative GTP crowd made the memory even more special. It was a reminder that all age groups can both appreciate songs and groups from bygone eras.”
—FRED CAMILLO,
FIRST SELECTMAN 2021 was a very special GTP for me because I got to perform twice—once with my band as a solo act, and once as a member of the Zac Brown Band. It felt like
a homecoming after the pandemic. It’s a huge honor for me to tour as a special guest band member in the Zac Brown Band, who are some of the planet’s greatest musicians and performers, and to share that with my hometown was
a thrill. It was also my first full-band show as a solo artist since the pandemic began, so there were definitely some butterflies! But the crowd was hyped, even in the rain. As soon as I got onstage and felt the extreme slipperyness under my boots, I had to kick them off and play the whole show barefoot.
—CAROLINE JONES,
COUNTRY MUSIC SINGER, SONGWRITER, RADIO HOST “The GTP ’21 was a sea of 8,000 smiling faces reflecting pure joy and happiness, epitomizing the GTP’s mission of an annual celebration for the people of Greenwich to come together!”
—SCOT WEICKER, PRESIDENT SBW EVENTS GROUP, GTP EVENT MANAGER
“Watching the Eagles perform ‘Hotel California’ in my backyard was pretty special. I’ve seen the band about ten times over the years, and that song just gets more iconic. Watching Joe Walsh play lead guitar with the Greenwich skyline in the background was awesome.”
—GARY DELL’ABATE, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER OF THE HOWARD STERN SHOW, PAST GTP EMCEE
shop
by janel alexander
MOTHER’S DAY IS LOOKING GOOD
WHETHER SHE’S A COOK, A FASHIONISTA OR JUST THE ONE WHO GIVES THE BEST HUGS, MOM DESERVES TO BE TREATED WITH GIFTS SHE’S SURE TO LOVE
THE CONSUMMATE HOSTESS
Stephanie Nass studied culinary arts as a young woman in France and then staged at some of the top restaurants in Manhattan. In 2019 she launched Chefanie, a line of unique tableware and accessories. Mix and match her prints, patterns and shapes of tablecloths, cocktail napkins and unique placecard holders to shabby-chic up your next dinner party. Chintz Tablecloth, $230; Cocktail Napkins, $60; Lily of Valley Dinner Napkins, $108; chefanie.com
THE BAG LADY
This woven mint green bag is the perfect structure-meets-soft carryall for the office, lunch or simply on the go. The collection, with the signature lock and key detail, is named for Lee Radziwill, who Tory admires for being fearlessly free-spirited. Lee Radziwill Woven Petite Double Bag, $898, Tory Burch, Greenwich; toryburch.com
THE STATEMENT MAKER
For the mom who has a taste for intrigue and eye for mystery, gift her a modern pair of oversized sunnies in a soft shade that lets her check out the whole scene (and who’s doing what) discreetly. Coach sunglasses $196, Sunglass Hut in Greenwich, Stamford and Westport; sunglasshut.com
THE CULINARY ARTIST
This timeless Dutch oven moves from stovetop to table with style. Put in your order for stews, roasts and soups. The beautiful cast iron pot is among the newest additions to The Shop at Grayson De Vere— and it works as good as it looks. 5.5 Qt. Dutch Oven with lid, $500, Greenwich; graysondevere.com
MOMMY AND ME
This “Mum Is My Superhero” tee shows welldeserved appreciation for hard-working moms, and the girls adorable paisley-print dress is comfortable yet chic. Pair with accessories for a sweet mom-and-mini me moment. Mum Tee, $90; Kyze Dress, $135, Ba&sh Greenwich; ba-sh.com
THE UNDERSTATED FASHIONISTA
Get her thinking about spring with this figureflattering smocked-top dress that proves that regardless of age, you can feel youthful at heart and look fabulous. Suzanne Fleur Smocked Poplin dress, $475, Rebecca Taylor, The Westchester; rebeccataylor.com
go
by megan gagnon
left: The 14,000-square-foot property includes three buildings: an 1800s carriage house, a Georgian mansion and a Greek Revival building. right: Among the custom details in The Artist room, a hand-carved wood fireplace and a bathroom with antique limestone, Moorish tile and a clawfoot tub
Time Travel
Meet THE MAKER, a new hotel with old-world charm
Hudson, NewYork— where small-town charm meets big-city style—continues to attract creatives looking for an upstate escape. And now, among the antiques shops, galleries, boutiques and restaurants that spill onto Warren Street in the heart of downtown, sits The Maker Hotel.
Lev Glazman and Alina Roytberg, cofounders of the Fresh beauty brand, partnered with hospitality expert Damien Janowicz to create an experience that marries historical design with modern amenities. Each of the eleven rooms in the three-building property were dreamed up to deliver inspiration and celebrate the work of makers (artisans, craftsmen, builders)
above left: Enjoy freshly baked goods and cozy seats at The Maker Café. above right: A welcoming patio and pool are ready for warmer weather. below: Dine under a canopy of lush greenery in The Maker Restaurant. with nods to nineteenthcentury industrial, La Belle Époque, Art Deco and midcentury design periods. The team was mindful of integrating the elements that tell the story of the building’s original 1800s architecture, preserving original fireplaces, stained-glass windows, mosaic tiles and hand-painted ceilings. Throughout the rooms and common spaces, visitors will find vintage décor and one-of-a-kind pieces, art from Glazman’s personal collection, Moroccan rugs and reproduced furniture from local Hudson Valley master craftsmen. With many of the custom creations also available for purchase (like the stunning Louis XV-style beds), guests can recreate their own Maker moments at home.
go
above: The Lounge—wrapped in leather-clad walls—is tucked away in the building’s carriage house.
If you’re interested in venturing outside your room, there is plenty to explore at The Maker. Executive Chef Michael Poirkoff, formerly of Brooklyn-favorite Vinegar Hill House, oversees the culinary direction for all three dining spaces on-site. Early risers can choose from a variety of daily-made pastries and viennoiseries at The Maker Café, which is also open for lunch. Staying for dinner?
Create your own in-room spa experience with towels and slippers by Frette, Fresh and Malin+Goetz beauty products and linen robes by Society Limonta. Make a reservation at The Maker Restaurant and sample the contemporary American menu under the glass ceiling of the building’s conservatory. In continuing with their commitment to the community, Poirkoff works with local farmers to offer seasonal fare. A nightcap in the The Maker Lounge is a must, especially when you can find a seat in front of the Belgian Neoclassical fireplace.
The adjoining gymnasium, outfitted with an aesthete’s selection of vintage equipment and machines made for modern exercise enthusiasts, is available to hotel guests. If you’re more interested in Pilates than the pommel horse, check out the curated fitness offerings led by notable instructors and coaches. A unique Circus Physique program sounds especially intriguing, delivering a full-body workout using ground and aerial movements. Don’t leave without ordering a drink from the gorgeous juice bar, awash in the same saturated shades as the hotel.
And if you’re just looking to relax, the intimate common rooms on the ground floor are the perfect places to unwind. Arm yourself with a book from the library or discover your own signature fragrance from The Maker collection (six eau de parfums). There are candles to take home, too— chic souvenirs that will remind you to book a return visit to Hudson and The Maker Hotel.
The Maker Hotel, 302 Warren Street, Hudson, NY 12534, 518-509-2620; themaker.com
GET A ROOM
Choose from eleven distinct spaces, each with its own design personality
THE ARTIST Live out your bohemian loft dreams in a room with art from Francisco Zuniga, a plaster sculpture by Frederick Weinberg and a vintage painting easel.
THE GARDENER An 1870s restored Eastlake gas-lit cast-iron chandelier throws a soft glow on this studio space. Wrought-iron details appear throughout, including on the custom Maker bed.
THE CORNER STUDIO Share a room with Joan Crawford and her world of 1940s Hollywood glamour.
do
Fine Print
OLD GREENWICH JUST GOT A LITTLE MORE CHARMING, THANKS TO A NEW SHOP STRAIGHT OUT OF A STORY BOOK
by mary kate hogan
“I’ve always felt very at home in bookstores,” says Jen Bird, who recently opened Athena Books in Old Greenwich. And her new independent bookstore feels right at home on Sound Beach Avenue, as though it should have been there all along. “We intend it to be something for the community, a gathering place,” says Jen. Book clubs have already started meeting at Athena in the evenings, and the shop has hosted several author events, encouraging people to get together and share their love of books.
Jen and her husband, Odysseas Kostas, hatched the idea for the new bookstore during the pandemic. “We were doing a ton of reading with our daughters. From time to time we would take a Covid-friendly Airbnb trip to small towns and visit the local bookstore to let our girls pick a book,” says Jen. During one of those trips she turned to her husband and said, ‘Why don’t we open a bookstore?’” He was onboard immediately, and they discovered the spacious
location that had enough room to host events. Though the store carries books for all ages, they specialize in children’s books, stocking new titles and classics. The Athena team, which includes former teachers and book industry pros, has been consulting with local school media specialists to get recommendations. For parents who need birthday gifts, the shop also sells fun puzzles and games, stuffed animals and art-related presents. Adult readers can enjoy a solid lineup of author events and readings, including upcoming visits from Terri Trespicio, Marissa Renee Lee, Dr. Katie, Tory Henwood Hoen, Lauren McBrayer, Wendy Walker, Corola Lovering and Colleen McKeegan. Book clubs that host their meetings at Athena can Jen Bird bring in light bites and drinks and enjoy a 10 percent shopping discount on the night of their gathering. For more details on events at Athena, follow its Instagram @ athenabooksog; order from Athena online at bookshop.org. and click “find a bookstore.” 228 Sound Beach Avenue
SIMPLY IRRESISTIBLE
do
by liz barron
Going Strong
Restoring your pelvic floor could mean BIG CHANGES IN OVERALL WELLNESS
If we’ve learned anything over the past couple of years, it’s that health really is wealth. And, in this case, we are talking about pelvic health, something that can affect both women and men. It can be the reason why you pee a little when you sneeze or why you can’t take a deep cleansing breath. So many issues can arise when your pelvis isn’t in tip-top shape and Indigo Wellness wants to help with that.
The practice, with offices in Stamford and Westport, is owned and operated by Sarah Swanberg, doctor of acupuncture and Chinese Medicine. In addition to an array of other services, Indigo offers pelvic floor therapy to help achieve and maintain optimal pelvic health. The misconception, Swanberg says, is that pelvic issues are only something women who have had difficult childbirth experiences need to pay attention to. That theory was debunked when we chatted with Swanberg and two of the experts on her team to learn more. Kara Fanelli, PT, DPT, board-certified clinical specialist in women’s health physical therapy, and Jodie Lippman PT, DPT, work with patients—both female and male—on pelvic rehab for a variety of ailments. Pelvic physical therapy focuses on all musculoskeletal and behavioral aspects of the abdomen and pelvis. Pelvic floor muscles aid in everything from bladder, bowel and sexual function to postural stability and organ support.
How does one know if they might benefit from pelvic floor therapy? “If you are aware of your pelvic region when you shouldn’t be, there’s a problem. It’s a part of your body but think of it like your nose…you know you it’s there, but you don’t feel it all day, says Fanelli. An initial appointment at Indigo includes an exam, comprehensive history, and a look at the patient’s posture, understanding strength throughout the body and the way muscles feel and fire are all crucial in developing a treatment plan.
Why does the pelvis affect so many other parts of the body? “If you picture your body as an actual house, your pelvic floor would be the ground, the foundation; your abdominals and core would be the walls, helping to stabilize; and your diaphragm would be the roof, some people even think of as high up as the glottis in the throat as the top,” says Lippman. With this structure in mind, “you can’t breathe properly unless your diaphragm and pelvic floor are working together. Upper chest breathing can be caused by a lack of movement in the diaphragm, which can contribute to pelvic floor muscle tension. We’ll often hear patients say things like ‘I can’t talk and walk without getting out of breath’ and it’s because their diaphragm isn’t moving the way that it’s supposed to,” says Fanelli.
What are some signs of pelvic issues that might be blamed on something else? “The inability to take a deep breath, symptoms that feel like a yeast or urinary tract infection (that test negative), back pain and diastasis recti (abdominal wall separation) can all be due to pelvic dysfunction,” says Lippman.
Are women, pregnant and postpartum, the most susceptible to urinary issues? “Yes. Pregnant women, postpartum women, and menopausal women are prone to urinary issues. However, people who have a lot of stress and anxiety can also be susceptible to pelvic floor dysfunctions. Our pelvic floor gets tight and reacts to tension just like our shoulders do. Also female athletes who have repetitive highintensity and do high-impact activities with improper technique and poor breathing, like lifting weights, kicking balls and jumping and shooting, are also particularly susceptible to pelvic floor dysfunction and bladder problems,” says Lippman.
Leakage is normal after having a baby, right? “After childbirth, many women assume that leakage is normal. It isn’t. While it’s initially common right after childbirth, it can be dramatically improved with pelvic physical therapy and shouldn’t be a lifelong issue,” says Fanelli. For women who have had C-sections, bladder issues seem surprising but not to the experts. “The scar lives right on top of the bladder, if it doesn’t move well it can cause issues for the bladder. Leakage can also arise from pressure management problems. When picking up something heavy, if the abdominal wall doesn’t contract and fire while also allowing the pelvic floor to lift, this is where issues with leakage will occur,” says Fanelli. “The pressure always goes to the weakest point. If there is weakness in the abdominal wall’s connective tissue or in the pelvic floor muscles, then all the pressure will follow that weakness,” adds Lippman.
INDIGO WELLNESS
In addition to Pelvic Health Physical Therapy, Indigo offers acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, cupping, nutrition counseling and group programs. Their abundant toolbox of services are all interwoven to help their patients achieve optimum mind/body health. “The end goal is to create a robust support system. We believe that the best patient care happens when everyone involved is talking—the more eyes on the patient to help with their journey of wellness, the better,” says Swanberg.
eat
Scan here for more great places to EAT & DRINK!
left: Co-owners Rosario Procino and Raffaele Ronca right: Paccheri all’amatriciana
Oh, the Pasta-bilities!
A BUZZING VIBE COMBINED WITH AUTHENTIC SOUTHERN ITALIAN CUISINE AND GENEROUS HOSPITALITY MAKE BIANCA A MUST-VISIT
by mary kate hogan • photography by andrea carson
far left: Insalata di Carciofi left: Whole oven-baked branzino with shishito peppers below: Polpettine di Vitello
Those who missed lively nights out and dining elbow-to-elbow in city trattorias will feel right at home in Bianca. For a moment we were blissfully teleported back to 2019 as this cozy, modern Italian eatery seems a happy reminder of pre-socialdistancing days. It’s an inviting spot at the top of the Avenue with tables in close proximity, friendly staff, a fun playlist adding to the atmosphere and authentic cuisine that focuses on Naples and the Campania region. Every wine on the list is Italian. The service is congenial and efficient, a combination that’s becoming harder to find. Our waiter spent time recommending his favorite dishes and checked in regularly, even as he was busy tending to other tables with every one of the fifty-five seats occupied at an early dinner on a Thursday night.
That Bianca has gained popularity quickly may stem from some of the restaurant’s owners, who are originally from Naples and bring New York culinary cred with them—Raffaele Ronca, executive chef of Rafaele in the West Village and Rye, and Rosario Procino of Ribalta in Manhattan. This team transformed the space (which was a pizza place, and before that, Greenwich Health Mart) into a clean, contemporary dining room including bar seating,
BIANCA 30 Greenwich Avenue, 203-900-1177; biancaofgreenwich .com
HOURS Sun.–Wed., 11:30 a.m.–10 p.m. Thurs.–Sat., 11:30 a.m.–12 a.m.
above left: Torta di Ricotta above above right: Panna Cotta Al Caramello
open kitchen and simple black and white and wood décor with ring chandeliers shedding light on it all. The narrow restaurant has a long row of tables nestled along a banquette in the front of the space with some booths and a few tables in back, which is the quieter section. The well-edited menu and daily specials will please a range of appetites. It’s a lineup of lighter Italian fare along with some decadent apps, pastas and entrées.
The namesake Bianca appetizer, which showcases the chef’s daily selection of raw fish, is well worth ordering. On the night we were there, the dish was a salad of arugula and radishes in a citrusy dressing topped with melt-in-your-mouth slices of salmon and tuna with a sprinkling of red peppercorns finishing the plate. We enjoyed our salads, including a frisée special, but my favorite is the segato di carciofi—delicious sliced artichoke hearts mixed with arugula and generous shavings of parmesan, all dressed with a lemon-infused olive oil. The tuna tartare appetizer pairs fresh chopped bluefish tuna with radish and fennel over a bed of quinoa, an unexpected and refreshing preparation. We were less enthused by the eggplant croquettes, which were a tad greasy.
Thanks to the open kitchen, you can see the flames from the high-powered gas oven used to prepare some of the best entrées, including a perfectly cooked whole branzino served with sautéed spinach and an herb-laden roasted chicken paired with a salad of spinach, burrata, roasted carrots and fennel.
In lieu of pizza, which has a big following at the owners’ city restaurants, the menu here highlights a selection of flatbreads and fried dough with toppings such as prosciutto and buffalo mozzarella. We chose instead to indulge in the pasta, a must-order. For truffle lovers, the cacio e pepe tartufata is a bowl of heaven, tender orecchiette with pecorino romano and pepper in a sauce laced with truffle carpaccio. Equally heartwarming and incredible, the amatriciana pasta bowl is the ultimate Italian comfort food with a bright tomato sauce, pieces of guanciale with crispy edges all topped with pecorino and ribbons of fresh herbs.
Splurge-worthy desserts include caramel panna cotta and tortino al cioccolato, a chocolate souffle warm from the oven and topped with vanilla ice cream. For a little caffeine to finish the meal, try the affogato, ice cream with an espresso pour-over and crumbled biscotti.
Open late (on Saturdays you can book a table at 10 p.m.), Bianca is designed to house a small bar scene, and there’s a compelling cocktail list to match. And the signature drinks, like the Greenwich Bourbon, with homemade ginger syrup, crème de cassis, lemon and soda, seem like an ideal end to the night. Salute! G
