Samantha M. Lopez 1/10/25 Samantha M. Lopez 1/10/25

Winter Solstice, “Holidaze” and the Thrill of a New Year

December begins and suddenly life is going fast-forward straight to New Years Eve, to the end of the year when we’re all toasting to making it over the imaginary finish line. This year I promised myself to stay organized and avoid the holiday rush, the stress. I finished almost all of my Christmas shopping weeks before the 24th, met all my deadlines and thankfully kept all of my social commitments despite a couple of curveballs. My life and home have been in a state of positive disruption ever since the month got started. I spent the second weekend in December purging more than half of my closet and decided to look closely at how much unnecessary I was living with and rid myself of the non-essentials. A lot of Doechii, a lot of Grupo Niche. I was preparing to welcome the new year with a clean and tidy home and lots of positivity.

Sunset on the Empire State while I realize I’m in front of the church from that one Sex in the City episode.

Leo cozied up in his blanket by the tree.

Leo, my sister’s yorkie-poo, wasn’t feeling his usual self since arriving in New York, and after a hectic couple of days rushing him back and forth to vets and hospitals, we were all so happy to hear his sonogram was completely normal.

Saturday was the official winter solstice, and the streets were just blanketed with several inches of snow early that morning. The first snow of the season on the first day of winter felt romantic to me, a bit of whimsy on my commute to the city to go see the Luna Luna: Forgotten Fantasy exhibit inside The Shed at Hudson Yards. It was recently extended through February 23rd, and it was a pretty visually thrilling way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

Kenny Scharf’s Painted Chair Swing Ride.

Just a few steps away from below freezing temperatures of the city outside, Luna Luna’s a warm and welcoming showcase of the world’s first art amusement park — a large scale installation featuring attractions and carnival rides by visionary artists of the 20th century including Salvador Dalí, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, Sonia Delaunay, David Hockney, Roy Lichtenstein, and more. André Heller, the Austrian artist and mastermind behind Luna Luna first unveiled this exhibition in Hamburg, Germany in 1987.

For over three decades the rides’ disassembled parts sat sealed away and forgotten in 44 separate shipping containers in Texas, and now they have come alive again in New York City, rich with history and captivating stories displayed throughout the space. The soundtrack was exceptional, featuring music from André 3000, David Byrne and Mark Pritchard. A carousel, a mirror room, interactive playground, ferris wheel, and a real wedding chapel where you can get married or attend a service, Luna Luna is a multi-sensory experience with a lot to explore.

On our way out we stopped by LA Colombe for some refreshing seltzer and hot coffees to keep us warm on our walk and get us ready for homemade pasta at Pasta Eater on 17th. But not before stopping by the highline on 30th Street and 10th Avenue to take a better photo of Iván Argote’s colossal pigeon sculpture called “Dinosaur” that has quickly become my favorite neighborhood landmark.

Perched over the intersection observing passerby’s on the street below, the 21-foot tall sculpture references the pigeon’s ancestors who millions of years ago dominated the globe, as humans do today. The name serves as a reference to extinction, and is meant to be a reminder none of us are exempt from mortality.

“Dinosaur” on the highline, 30th Street and 10th Avenue.

The night before Noche Buena (Christmas Eve), I finished wrapping all of the gifts and prepared the requested tiramisu to sit and perfect overnight in the fridge. Years ago I would have waited until day-of to do everything and wonder why it felt like so much pressure. In the morning, I sipped my coffee as I looked out my window at the snow covered street, grateful for these moments that I get to be together with my family. We shared a meal made by all: my dad made a mix of roasted golden potatoes and sweet potatoes, my mom made perfectly roasted chicken, Charles and I made spinach rice, buttery green beans with toasted almonds, and of course, a salad. My brother in law made regular and spicy spoonbread that was super flavorful. And for dessert, the tiramisu I made the night before and a classic flan my parents made.

Sunday night the city was buzzing with energy and distracted tourists. New Years Eve only three days away, I had spent most of Christmas break trying to catch up to my to-do list. On the bright side, Leo’s bloodwork improved and his vet gave him a clean bill of health. I was in Midtown picking up last-minute things for New Years Eve and freezing my face off. I accidentally wound up on fifth avenue, surrounded by LED party-pedicabs and wide-eyes allured by retail holiday decorations. It was too cold to walk around, especially slowed down at half the usual “city” speed. Making it back to Queens, the air was so crisp and still I could hear the train rolling from miles away. I couldn’t wait to be home, shedding layers upon layers, scarves, gloves and a big fluffy scarf, dropping all my bags - I felt so much relief to escape the brutal cold.

This year I wanted to make a drink we could all share together - something like a mocktail since not everyone can drink but would allow for the addition of some sparking wine or a clear spirit for those of us that do, too. I made decorative ice cubes with pomegranate seeds and small rosemary sprigs as a festive garnish, and brought along seltzer water, cranberry juice, and Agarena Cava Rosé Brut.

My New Years Eve cocktail: cranberry juice and seltzer with Agarena Cava Rosé Brut, plus decorative ice.

I usually disagree with my Spotify Wrapped but my 2024 was definitely big on Morad’s.

Spectacularly flavorful rib roast after several hours of roasting.

None of us have had ribs this good in years! The gravy took everything over the top.

My dad made roasted golden and sweet potatoes, Charles made an amazing rib roast with an intense gravy, and I made a salad and toasted almond green beans again (too good not to repeat). I later quickly put together a batch of Nutella pastry swirls that were ready as soon as midnight crept up on us.

A very sweet New Years Eve. And the start of another year to come. As much as I’m over winter already and ready for Spring, I do love these months when the house sparkles.

Flowers for my parents 51st Wedding Anniversary

For now, I’ve approached January as I always have, with optimism and as much excitement as possible, but his time with less of the unnecessary, the extra that can burden. And as it should be! Have less. Savor more.

Samantha M. Lopez 5/28/19 Samantha M. Lopez 5/28/19

David Byrne and Tune-Yards @Forest Hills Stadium

As David Byrne pointed out early into his show at the Forest Hills Tennis Stadium in Queens, it had been 35 years since he had been on that very stage performing with Talking Heads in August of 1983.

As David Byrne pointed out early into his show at the Forest Hills Tennis Stadium in Queens, it had been 35 years since he had been on that very stage performing with Talking Heads in August of 1983. And now he's back on tour, promoting his 2018 solo album American Utopia. It was a rare opportunity for me to be able to watch one of my favorite musicians play in the neighborhood I grew up in. It was "Once in a Lifetime," and there was no way I wouldn't relish every moment.

Dynamically choreographed and dressed in identical gray suits, Byrne led a marching band of 11, each with their instruments harnessed to their bodies and dancing barefoot across the stage. It was a remarkably unique show with contagious rhythm that looked as impressive from my seats in the upper bowl as it must have been from directly in front of the stage.

After getting down to a setlist including classics like "This Must Be the Place," "Burning Down the House" and "Born Under Punches," and the socially conscious "Bullet" from his latest album - Byrne closed the show with a cover of Janelle Monae's "Hell You Talmbout," as he and the band did for every show during the tour. The song implores that we remember the names of black lives lost to police brutality and racial violence: Trayvon Martin, Aiyana Jones, Walter Scott, Eric Garner, Michael Brown, Amadou Diallo, and more. "Say his name, say his name," the chorus repeats. These names echoed throughout the same stadium in which Arthur Ashe became the first black man to win a Grand Slam tournament. There aren't many artists 40 years into their career that continue making inspiring and politically relevant music, but even fewer those who use their (literal) stage to bring social justice into the spotlight. On Saturday night David Byrne proved he does both.