Aesthetic, Musical, Political, and Culinary Flurry in NYC!

This past week presented a flurry of work, cultural, aesthetic, musical, political and culinary experiences. As it should be.

On Tuesday I saw Eve Ensler give a talk at the Russian Tea Room. She is truly an inspiring, incredible and powerful woman. Once I get that next paycheck, I am going to contribute to V-Day, "A Global Movement to End Violence Against Women and Girls Worldwide". Her stories were truly both frightful and awe-inspiring and speak volumes about both the endurance of women and the extent to which patriarchy continues to exert its powerful force throughout the world. I am looking forward to reading her new book, I am an Emotional Creature: The Secret Life of Girls Around the World.

Wednesday evening was a bit more light-hearted. I went to see Fujiya and Miyagi play at Santos Party House, with openers Project Jenny, Project Jan and Body Language. Despite the hail, thunder and lightning outside, the show managed to lure a big crowd and entice some soul-clapping dancing.

(pictured above, singer Jeremy Haines of Project Jenny, Project Jen)

And Thursday I had a little culinary adventure in the West Village, starting at Café Angelique in the West Village and then splurged at Il Cantuccio Bakery, a very authentic Italian bakery and cafe specializing in divine biscotti (that also happens to be oil-free).

 Yum!

With a week like this, who knows what the weekend will bring. Though definitely time with friends.

Life Lately

I've decided to lay off the blog a bit and keep my personal wanderings a little, well, more personal. And private.

That said, current top five favorites:

5. The fried chicken at Boka. Part of the Korean chain BonChon, their fried chicken is truly mouth watering.

4. Gay dance parties. I recommend Urge and Gumbo. Also, That's My Jam.

3. Shows and openings. Beans yesterday, a slew of art at Bushwick Beat Nite tomorrow, Lady Gaga Monday and many more to come.

2. Random conversations with strangers. My top two favorite of these happened on the same day. A little kid said hello to me outside a pet store and gushed about going to visit the guinea pigs, while his parents and I listened with amusement. And a waiter couldn't stop talking about Godiva and their free chocolates.

1. My NYC circle of friends and partners in crime. Mwah.

IAMSOUND Showcase at Santos Last Night

Ok, so I saw a total of 4 bands play at Santos last night. My friend and I, not realizing that MEN would not play until about 1:00 am, arrived around 9:00 pm. And were pleasantly surprised by the first two bands we saw: Superhumanoids and Kisses. Both electro-indie bands from L.A., they were each mesmerizing and artsy in their own ways.

The next two bands, Restless People and Salem, left something to be desired, the former being thumping jam-rock noise and the latter sounding like progressive goth. But the finale and headliner, MEN, made it worth sticking around. New York Times featured a review of the CMJ IAMSOUND showcase, "At Santos, an Oddly Juxtaposed Showcase". So true.

And some pictures of MEN:

Men (with JD Samson of Le Tigre) Tonight! CMJ Show

So I am seeing my first CMJ show of this season tonight. Men, with JD Samson of Le Tigre, will be playing at Santos Party House, and tickets are only $12! (And it includes a 6-month subscription to New York Magazine, not so shabby a perk.)

Men will be playing as part of the IAMSOUND Showcase, an indie label that should be delivering some excellent acts tonight. Tickets can be purchased online or at Other Music.

Bowie Ball Extravaganza!

Bowie Ball this year, at Santos Party House, was an extravaganza of glitter, glamor, disco, dancing and performances. I believe we left around 3 am, and then only because my friends were ready to call it a night; otherwise, I would have stayed till closing and then some...

I got fairly dressed up, recycling the very form-fitting gold spandex dress I had bought and worn for my Medusa outfit last Halloween. While I made sure to apply eyeliner and glitter prior to going out, the makeup artists at Bowie Ball, all Bumble and bumble stylists, did a much more spectacular job than I could have pulled off myself.

Some pictures of the night:



(above, me posing with my very talented and glam-tastic make-up artist!)


(Gotta appreciate the humor of Santos' signs!)

Upcoming This Weekend: Bowie Ball, Click and Drag, Mister Saturday Night & More!

It's only Wednesday and I am already fantasizing about what the weekend holds in store.

So Saturday night is a mysterious indie throwdown dance party deep in Brooklyn, hosted by Mister Saturday Night. The party details have not yet been released, but you can take a peek at the space!

On Sunday is the infamous Bowie Ball, the "ultimate glam-rock revolution" at Santos Party House. Hello, long weekend!


I am posting the info below from the Santos Party house mailing list. It gives more details for Bowie Ball, as well as information on a fabulous-looking Saturday party:

Click and Drag 3.2: Age Of Aquarius

Save $5.00 on each advance ticket you purchase. Enter discount code: BrainDeath at checkout

Saturday, October 9, 11PM

21+ // $20.00 Adv. / $20.00 Door

The pioneering "Cyber/Fetish/Gender-Hacking" party CLICK + DRAG, which ushered out the 20th Century in style and was reborn in 2008, announces its third annual Future-Spectacle for October 9. Two of Click's founding producers - director and visual artist ROB ROTH and nightlife impresario CHI CHI VALENTI of http://www.jackie60.com/factory/ will stage this year's epic CLICK + DRAG 3.2/ AGE OF AQUARIUS at the suitably Aquarian venue SANTOS PARTY HOUSE. CLICK 3.2/ AGE OF AQUARIUS is a two floor, evening-length epic, preserving the night's strict dress code, elaborate installations and stage shows, and pansexual mix of fetishists, artists, gender-hackers and "Glam Nerds."

The Age of Aquarius - the Utopian "New Age" of unity and love - has either begun or is beginning, depending on which astrological sages one believes. Regardless, the Aquarian themes of humanism, peace, rebellion, idealism and philanthropy are already ascending, by way of computer networks and other new tools and in the growing acceptance of non-traditional religions and belief systems. As the brutal, materialistic Age of Pisces draws to an end, values shift towards spiritual rebirth and planetary harmony. To the CLICK + DRAG producers, the Aquarian ideal compliments the neo-tribalism of many Click participants and the mixing of masculine and feminine traits into countless unique new genders, a recurring theme of this spectacular "gathering of the tribes".

With this Utopian brew as inspiration, CLICK + DRAG 3.2 will feature multimedia works directed by ROB ROTH with light shows by SETH KIRBY and BROCK MONROE of the JOSHUA LIGHT SHOW and the contributions of dozens of creative collaborators. Highlights will include performances by neo-burlesque performance artist NARCISSISTER, RUMI OF THE FABULOUS COCKETTES!, vocal she-goddesses AMBER MARTIN and LADY RIZO, neue cabaret troupe THE PIXIE HARLOTS, and Method Go-Go icons including bodybuilder (and Click 3.2 cover girl) ROXANNE EDWARDS and costume cultist FALON. The evening also features costume design by longtime Click couturier GARO SPARO and a futuristic soundtrack that runs the gamut from sixties psychedelia to electro house.

A STRICT CYBER/FETISH/TRIBAL DRESS CODE WILL BE COMPLETELY ENFORCED: WEAR AQUARIAN FLOURISHES, GLITTER BEARDS AND MERKINS, RESPLENDENT RAGS, PAGAN CHIC, WATERFALL HEADDRESSES, TURQUOISE PAINT, GODDESS OR TRANS-GODDESS, BODY-ADORNED or CYBER, FETISH, TRIBAL, GENDER-HACKING, FAERIE, GOTHIC OR BRILLIANT BLACK. ABSOLUTELY NO STREET CLOTHES OR MUNDANES - NO EXCEPTIONS.

Bowieball: The Glam Rock Revolution Sunday, October 10, 8PM 21+ // $10.00 btwn 8-9PM with RSVP / $15.00 // TICKETS RSVP: bowieball@gmail.com An intricate production with a simple idea, Bowie Ball is “The Ultimate Glam Rock Revolution,” a tribute to Ziggy Stardust and to the era of space-age pan-sexual liberation. The event is assembled by Deryck Todd, ambassador of nightlife and fashion, has been throwing this legendary party yearly and it has been declared a “rousing success” by the Village Voice, and according to the New York Press, “resurrected old New York.” The line-up features nightlife’s most influential DJ’s, live music, cabaret performances, glam make-up and hair make overs, costume contest and a screening of The Hunger at 8pm. A portion of proceds donated to the Northern Westchester Shelter for survivors of domestic abuse. LIVE PERFORMANCES BY: Taylor Mac, Bridget Everett, Michael Cavadias, Reni Lane, David Riley (Mirror Mirror), Keanan Duffty (Slinky Vagabond), Carolyn Tauro, Michael T, Lady Rizo, Militia, The Ones VARIETY SHOWS: CHERYL, Little Brooklyn, The Daisy Spurs, T Wau and Vic Thrill MAIN FLOOR DJ's: Jake B, Michael T and Rich King. DOWNSTAIRS DJs: June D, Prince Terrence and Jess. HOSTS: Elllie Conant, Shien lee, Zachary David Palmer and Simcha Photos by Maro

Thursday Night Parties!!

Brought to you by GBH and Santos Party House:

BAILOUT
With Eli Escobar, Blu Jemz
Thursday May 27 at Santos Basement

Join us at Santos Basement this Thursday with Eli Escobar and Blue Jemz (and guests) playing electro, disco, house and classics... Santi is hosting, and we are bailing you out of this global economic turmoil with an array of drinks specials that will give you more buzz for your buck....

Drinks Specials
$6 Budweiser + Double Chaser - All Night
(the chaser is a double shot of house whiskey or Svedka vodka)
$6 Svedka Vodka mixed drinks - All Night
$6 Champagne - All Night
$5 Budweister - All Night

NO COVER ON THE BAILOUT GUEST LIST - CLICK HERE
When you arrive at the door, tell the doorperson you are on the BAILOUT guest list.

Santos Party House: 96 Lafayette Street (just south of Canal). Doors 11pm. 21+ w/I.D.


AND, Simian Mobile Disco will also be playing a DJ set at Santos:

Simian Mobile Disco DJ Set
With JDH & Dave P. (FIXED)
Thursday May 27 atSantos

We have a few spaces at this show for readers of the GBH newsletter... This one is going to sell out so we strongly suggest you arrive early to avoid disappointment.

CLICK HERE TO RSVP

Santos Party House: 96 Lafayette Street (just south of Canal). Doors 11pm. 21+ w/I.D.


Any takers? I am ready for an early start to the weekend....!!

GBH Events: Dollar Daze at Webster, Anti-Pop Consortium and More!

I have to re-post this informative and exciting e-mail from the party-promoters at GBH.

BLACK DEVIL DISCO CLUB LIVE
Mike Simonetti (Italians Do It Better) DJs
$1 DRINKS & $1 ADMISSION B4 MIDNIGHT
Friday September 25 at Webster Hall

The legendary Black Devil Disco Club are coming to New York to play a live set for us. Our spines are tingling... these guys are not only the most mysterious and enigmatic electronic act in history, but their spooky electro disco sound is so essential, it feels like it is casting some weird voodoo spell over you.
Those italo disco basslines, and creeping synth lines, weird sound effects, amazing melodies... it's what you might imagine they play on a Saturday night in Beelzebub's brothel... take a listen
The Devil In Us //// Coach Me //// H Friend //// Open The Night

The excellent Mike Simonetti of Italians Do It Better will also be DJing.

And not to forget our resident Girls and Boys DJs: Alex English, Gavin Royce, Kids With Snakes and Rekles.

$1 DRINKS & $1 ADMISSION TIL 12 WITH RSVP: CLICK HERE

Webster Hall: 125 E11th St between 3rd & 4th Ave.s
Doors 10pm. 19+ w/I.D.
_________________________________________________________

Official Phoenix After Party
SVEDKA VODKA OPEN BAR 10-11
Tribeca Grand - Saturday Sept. 26

That's right... it's the Phoenix After Party... and DFA's Holy Ghost! will be DJing.

Plus Matt and Maia are back to rock the turntables (we'll be celebrating Matt Kaye's Birthday). Alex English will also be DJing.

Your hosts for the evening will be: The 66Sick Girls,and Aaron Kolfage.

And let's not forget the drinks speciasl:
$10 Sol and Jim Beam shot combo all night (Red Stripe and Jim Beam shots are both $6 if purchased separately).

PLUS SVEDKA VODKA OPEN BAR 1OPM-11PM

FREE WITH RSVP: CLICK HERE
When you arrive, tell the door person you are on the GBH Guest List.. Admission at doorperson's discretion.

Tribeca Grand: 2 Avenue of the Americas
Doors 10pm. 21+ w/I.D.
Admission at doorperson's discretion.
__________________________________________________________

ANTI-POP CONSORTIUM LIVE
Tuesday Sept 29 at Santos Party House

Legendary underground Hip-Hop renegades, Anti-Pop Consortium are back and they have a new album. This will be the release party for 'Fluorescent Black', with a live performance by the boys themselves plus CX Kidtronik and special guests.

$10 TICKETS AVAILABLE: CLICK HERE

Santos Party House: 96 Lafayette Street betwn Walker and White. Doors 7pm. 18+