Re:Form School Exhibit: Recap and Picures

The Re:Form School exhibit and call to action this weekend was truly eye-opening and both inspiring and deflating. The exhibit, which took place in an old elementary school in SoHo, featured the work of several famous artists and included a total of over 150 artists from across the country.

The mission of Re:Form school, taken from the website, is as follows:

"We believe that ALL AMERICANS should have EQUAL ACCESS to a HIGH QUALITY EDUCATION, with no exceptions.

Throughout history artists have lent their creative expression to ideas and issues of culture & politics, combining innovation with art’s greatest strength — its ability to transcend boundaries and make an impact, while not relying solely on language. RE:FORM SCHOOL gathers together a diverse array of hundreds of the nation’s most talented visual artists under one roof to celebrate that role and to send a loud message that the time has come to fix our ailing public school system.

RE:FORM SCHOOL is a high profile group art exhibition, event series and public awareness campaign, taking place in New York City. Thousands of artists, parents, community leaders, educators and grass roots organizers are coming together in a vibrant and creative space in order to shine a light on what is working, explore the potential of what might be and celebrate the role imagination, creativity and innovation will play in the process."

And, true to is political theme, Re:Form school had a private party benefit Friday night, with tickets at $100 a head, all proceeds going to NYC Charter schools.

As I mentioned, Re:Form school was not only filled with positive and creative art, but included many pieces as well that criticized and shed light on many of the problems in American education. This included some pretty disturbing information, such as the fact that corporal punishment is still legal in 20 states and statistics that no state has an average high school graduation rate higher than 83.6%. This disturbing, provocative data was coupled with very stark and creative images, and hopefully will provide some fodder for change!

Some of the inspiring art from the show:

(Large installation, reads "inspire," made entirely out of thumbtacks! Artist also created small animation with it.)



(cellist recording above and live cellist below, with projected water vibrations from music)
("It Matters to Me", above)

(courtyard of elementary school, with walls screenprinted, above)
("wish come true" figurines, free at exhibit)

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!)

Rhinestone Follies Burlesque Review

Okay, LivingSocial and Rhinestone Follies, you have exceeded my expectations.

R Bar, the venue where the Rhinestone Follies burlesque troupe performs every other Friday, was deliciously decadent. With two bars, several private rooms, fabulous lighting and, of course, a stage and several stripper poles, it was truly an ideal place to see a burlesque show.

The Rhinestone Follies show was prefaced with an enthusiastic performance by a go-go dancer and supplemented with acts by other performers. Below are a few pictures of the stunning evening.







Ooh-la-la!

Re:Form School Exhibit Saturday-Monday

I am re-posting this from the 3rd Ward event listing. This event/exhibition definitely looks like something not to be missed, featuring works by Michael Gondry and the like!

This Saturday & Sunday : RE:FORM SCHOOL

RE:FORM SCHOOL is a high profile group art exhibition, event series and
public awareness campaign taking place in New York City, that brings
together the creative community in a call for the reform of the American
Public Education System.

We believe that it is the right of each and every child in the United
States to have access to a high quality education.

We've taken over four floors of an old Elementary school on the corner of
Prince and Mott in Nolita. Within this incredible structure we are
building a labyrinth of participatory art, music and installations
featuring the works of: Swoon, Shepard Fairey, Michel Gondry, The Wooster
Collective, and more.

October 9th – October 11th : 10:00 am – 6:00 pm : $Free (donate if you can)

233 Mott Street (between Houston & Prince) Manhattan
Details are at: http://reformschool.letsredu.com/

Rhinestone Follies Burlesque and Week in Review

So I have made a pact with myself to use all my LivingSocial and Lifebooker saved deals before I purchase more... though of course, regardless, I am still occasionally swayed by irresistible deals. In fact, I believe the two tickets I bought for tonight to see the Rhinestone Follies burlesque troupe were purchased after this decision.


But hey, I am making it a point to redeem all my pre-purchased deals, including tonight's!

Prior to tonight's upcoming show, I also indulged this week in drinks and dinner at both Nomad and WineBar in the East Village, both at 50% discounts, thanks to LivingSocial. Cheers, I can drink to that.

And then I plan on calling it a somewhat early night, as I have my second Research and Fact Checking class with NYU's School of Continuing and Professional Studies (SCPS) program on Saturday. And this will also be my last class required for me to finally obtain my Certificate in Publishing from NYU!! Now I will just have to go out and find more work... But until then, I'll be enjoying my discounted fun.

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

Dance Your Bass Off Tonight!

I am going to this event, Dance Your Bass Off, at Union Pool.

Union Pool is seriously one of my favorite neighborhood bars. It is literally the equivalent of at least 3 bars in one, with its front room (featuring a DJ booth, a photo booth, large booths for seating, and frenetic dancing when the time is right), a sprawling, enclosed outside area (with a taco truck!) and a second, swanky bar where bands play, entered via the back, outside area of the bar.

I am sure I have seen Hungry March Band at least once, though I believe it was years ago at Issue Project Room. Regardless, I expect nothing less than a spectacle tonight, with performance not only by Hungry March Band, but also with Stagger Back Brass Band, a Haitian dance troupe and a dance contest.

According to the Hungry March website,"The best rug-cutter receives free drinks, CD's, VIP UCB Assscat tickets, NY Aquarium tickets, candy, and more more more! All proceeds to benefit a friend with massive hospital bills."

EVENT STARTS AT 9p Sharp
!!!DO NOT BE LATE!!!
$12 minimum donation
facebook invite here

Happy TGIF!