central cafe & organics

Posts Tagged ‘NY Times’

IT was late on a Friday night and in deference to the full moon R.E.M.’s ”Man on the Moon” played through speakers attached to an iPod. A group of tattooed and goateed men and women was beginning to form, punching messages into their cellphones, lugging coolers and stubbing out cigarettes.

It could have been any gathering in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, but there were palm trees lining the nearby sidewalk, a warm breeze coming in from Tampa Bay, and the activity that was about to commence was shuffleboard. ”It is one of the few sports that you can play holding a beverage,” said Chris Kelly, 39, as he brandished a cue in one hand and opened a Coke with the other.

The spake the NY Times a couple of years ago. Williamsburg? Brooklyn? Really?

About a year-and-a-half ago, the 83-year-old club started the St. Pete Shuffle — free play to rockin’ music every Friday night until 11 — to inject some young blood into the sport. To be sure, no self-styled ironist can resist a retro activity set to a soundtrack of such indie darlings as Death Cab for Cutie and the Decemberists. Typically, 150 people show up for the event.

And the Chicago Trib chimes in.

Go there yourself. You will make friends, despite your best efforts. And remember: At night, no one can see you sweat.