October 21, 2010

El Loco "Day of the Dead" Fundraiser & Celebration

Join El Loco Mexican Cafe on Monday, November 1 from 4:30-9:30pm to celebrate the new bar area and help support the AIDS Council of NENY and Invisible Children. The event will take place on the Mexican holiday, El Día de los Muertos or the Day of the Dead, as it is commonly known. The event will coincide with El Loco’s 5th Annual  “Day of the Dead” Altar with dozens of colorful sugar skulls, flowers, memorabilia, and photos to celebrate those passed.

In keeping with the Mexican traditions for the Day of the Dead, El Loco yearly erects an altar honoring the deceased, using colorfully decorated sugar skulls, flowers, candles, and pictures and momentos of the departed, with some of their favorite foods and beverages.  Guests can bring photos or other objects meant to honor their deceased loved ones, and we encourage lively discussion and honoring of that person.   It is a fun holiday, in no way macabre.  We also honor many of those in the public eye who have passed away in the last year.  There is ample precedent for revering passed pets also. 

El Loco is an Albany institution and landmark in the Lark St neighborhood. It is the longest continuously run restaurant (opened in October 1983) in the Lark St. area and just celebrated it’s 27 year anniversary.
El Loco has been known for it’s margarita’s for years, and is proud to announce the expansion of the café to include a new bar area, opening on October 27, 2010. The bar has an exquisite patina copper top, and will feature an extensive tequila selection, a full compliment of liquors, and a wide selection of Mexican Beers. 

One hundred percent of profits from the buffet served during the festivities will be donated to the AIDS Council of NENY and Invisible Children, a charity helping to rebuild the lives of, and seeking an end of the use of abducted children as soldiers in East African conflict.


Monday November 1, 2010 from 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
A tequila tasting will take place from 5:30 to 7:30pm featuring the award winning Tequila Espolon, made of 100 % blue agave, with Skeleton-themed labels.



Information Regarding Mexican Holiday “Days of the Dead”:
The Day of the Dead (El Día de los Muertos or All Saints-All Souls' Day) is a holiday in Mexico (the first and second of November) that belongs to the dead.  According to traditional belief, the deceased have divine permission to visit friends and relatives on earth, and to share in the pleasures of the living.  The Day of the Dead is a beautiful ritual in which Mexicans happily and lovingly remember their loved ones and relatives that have died.
Scholars trace the origins of the modern holiday to indigenous observances dating back thousands of years, and to an Aztec festival dedicated to a goddess called Mictecacihuatl.  Unlike the Spaniards, who viewed death as the end of life, the natives viewed it as the continuation of life. The death of the individual is seen as a journey, for which numerous offerings are needed.  Life is looked at as a fleeting moment – a dream - from which death awakens us.   Instead of fearing death, they embrace it.
In rural Mexico, people visit the cemetery where their loved ones are buried. They decorate gravesites with marigold flowers and candles. They bring toys for dead children and bottles of tequila to adults. They sit on picnic blankets next to gravesites and eat the favorite food of their loved ones.


October 12, 2010

Mayor's Fall Drop Off

In conjunction with Mayor Jerry Jennings, the Lark Street BID will be participating in the annual "Mayor's Fall Drop Off" program.

The program is designed to reach out to the community and collect new winter clothing for school-aged children (pre-k through 5th grade) living in the Albany area. A one-day event will be held on October 23rd from 10am to 1pm at the Armory Garage, 926 Central Avenue (across from the Westgate Plaza).

In addition to being able to drop off donations of new winter items, enjoy refreshments, and participate in childrens' activities, visitors have the chance to win prizes when a donation of $20 or more is made.

If you are unable to participate on the 23rd, you can still donate to the Mayor's Fall Drop Off. On Lark Street Cafe 217, eba, Inc, Ben and Jerry's, and Seasons Skate Shop each have a bin to collect new winter items. Additionally, Lodge's Department Store in Downtown Albany is offering discounted winter items for purchase for the program. Support your local retailers and help keep a child warm this winter!

October 06, 2010

Upcoming Events

LarkFEST may have come & gone but we had so much fun we want the party to continue! We hope that you will join us for these upcoming events!

Lark Street Pub Crawl: Join us October 23 from 7pm-Midnight for a pub crawl down Lark Street. There will be drink specials & food and over $1,000 in prizes! Stops will be made at Elda's on Lark, Bombers, Legends, Justin's, Cafe Hollywood, and the Lionheart. Pre-register here for $20 or register the night of the event at the Lionheart from 6:30-7:30pm for $25. Proceeds from the pub crawl are going to the support Lark Street maintenance, services, and events.

Halloween Party at the Washington Park Lakehouse: This will be the third annual Halloween Party thrown by Matt Baumgartner of Bombers Burrito Bar and Chris Pratt of the Pearl Street Pub for the Lark Street BID. This party has become The place to be on Halloween night! The Halloween Party features an open bar, great music to dance to & amazing decorations. Costumes are mandatory for this 21 and over party and the costumes don't disappoint! Tickets can be purchased online for $30 or at the door for $40.

We hope you will join us for these great events!