Well last Wednesday was the marathon of all marathons. Right after I left work I headed over to Good Co for Finger On The Pulse’s final BBQ Blowout with Frankie Spuntinos and Andrew WK. The FOTP BBQs have def been my favorite summertime party.  They are just so chill, the food is bomb and its only $5 a plate! And everyone goes!  It’s just all around a good time with good friends.

I grubbed and chatted with Esther Brown for Outside.in. I was just named one of their “Bloggers We Love” – if you haven’t read it yet, you should totally check the interview out here. I talk about the blogging industry, my summer rut, and how I am pretty much over NY Nightlife at the moment.

Anyway, after that I met up with my friend in the LES and we head to 1Oak to hit up the Dubset iPhone App release party. Yes, thats right, I went from Good Co in Williamsburg to 1Oak.  This is my lifestyle, kids. 1Oak was 1Oak – highlights would be finally meeting Adam Alpert, Mia Moretti, and David Stein.  I drank, I danced, I fell in love with Ani Quinn,might of slightly offended Mel DeBarge,  and then I went to Jane.  Jane was playing all 90′s Hip Hop which made me quite happy… and that pretty much sums up my Wednesday.

all photos by Nicole Wasilewicz

This past weekend, the Soapstone Gallery in midtown hosted over 30 artists who transformed raw skateboards into one of a kind works of art. All pieces are on sale with a portion of each sale donated to Autism Speaks. All the boards are located here: ACROSS THE BOARD. Prices range from $100-600 depending on the artists. I selected some of my faves that are still available in the gallery below. I wish I knew how to skate cause I would soooo buy one of these. 

“Across The Board” Artists For Autism Awareness was organized and conceptualized by my friend, Laurie Markiewicz, based on her love for skateboarding, art, and most of all her child, Jack. At 2 years of age, Jack was diagnosed with PDD-NOS (a non-specified type of autism). It has been Laurie’s mission to raise autism awareness and advocate for more programs and services for families within the NYC autism community. “Across The Board” is one way of achieving her goal. Featuring artists such as Miguel Paredes, One9, BlusterOne, TooFly, Alice Mizrachi, Gigi Bio, MERES, Marthalicia, Lichiban, 2ESAE, and Damion Silver, veteran as well as emerging artists give voice not only to autism awareness, but to relevant community issues. “Across The Board” is an open discussion, but a dialogue that is ultimately designed to create a greater urgency about Autism. Read the rest of this entry »

The folks over at FREE Williamsburg finally decided to put all there knowledge and expertise in music to good use.  The site will be kicking off ‘First Thursdays’ tomorrow.  I chatted with FW Senior Music Editor, Nicole Wasilewicz, about why the popular Brooklyn based site decided to embark on a music series – holding it down on Thursdays and making the schlep out to Greenpoint.  Nicole stated,“Thursdays are a great day in general. It’s almost Friday, but you’re not overwhelmed by your weekend plans just yet.  And although Greenpoint Ave is off the G and not actually in Williamsburg, we wanted to have the show at Coco66 simply because the venue is perfect.  I saw Twin Shadow and Hooray for Earth at Coco earlier this summer and since they revamped the sound system, it sounded amazing. With the series, I was more concerned with having the opportunity to bring awesome lineups at lower prices to the ‘hood. I’m just hoping each showcase ends with a sweaty dance party.”

Well, I hope it ends in a sweaty dance party too.  Hell, I hope it ends up with me going home with someone, getting a phone number.

Also, if you can’t afford the $8 cover (really!?), FREEburg is hosting a ticket giveaway to the show. Just RSVP to the Facebook event and you could be the lucky winner!

Deets below:

FREEwilliamsburg is proud to present the first of a long series of monthly shows at Greenpoint’s Coco66… FREEwilly First Thursdays:

11pm Beach Fossils (DJ Set)
10pm Apache Beat
9pm Blood Orange
8pm We Are All Romans

DJ Whitney Fierce will be providing tracks between performances and there will also be a DJ Set from Apache Beat’s leading lady, Ilirjana Alushaj!

Photo Booth by Wet Paint (www.itswetpaint.com)

Coco66 | 66 Greenpoint Ave. (btwn Franklin & West St.)
7pm Doors | 21+ | $8

via www.someecards.com

Okay, so clearly I have been off my blog game for a minute. To be honest, I am just really effing tired.  I work full time, go out 6/7 nights a week, and am having a hard time dealing with life.

Not gonna lie, I have been going through some shit and really questioning what to do with my life.  I’ve had a billion weddings this summer (and I don’t even have a steady hook up these days), the Hamptons kinda suck (Except Day & Nite which is aweeesomeee), and I haven’t gone anywhere besides New Hampshire and Miami this whole summer.  Blah – WTF did I do for the past three months, cause I know I wasnt being productive.

BUT I’m not giving up. The show will go on and The Downtown Diaries will live on to see another year.  I hired an AMAZING developer to finish up my site.  Thanks Kenroy! It only took me a year and a half and FIVE WEB DEVELOPERS LATER to get my site finished.  Which is funny considering I knew Kenroy since the blog first launched.   Lessons learned… lessons learned…

I recently was named Broke Ass of the Week by my buddy Broke Ass Stuart.  As some of you know, I am the Queen Broke Ass when it comes to Stu’s parties.  Every time Stu throws a party in the NY, I am the woman behind the scenes.

AND best of all, I really explain whats been going down in my life in this candid interview with Esther Brown from Outside.in for their ‘Bloggers We Love’ Interview Series.

The article was so amazing I C&P the whole thing for your reading pleasure.

A Blogger’s Dilemma: Been There, Done That… Now What?

New York City is OVER.

Dead.

Finito.

At least, that’s what NYC nightlife blogger Kristina Marino tells me. She doesn’t get the obsession with the Hamptons, either, (“You’re like: ‘this isn’t cool. Why would I drive 3 hours just to go to the same clubs they have in the city?’”), and it’s not like you can go to Goldbar, Kenmare, The Jane, or Le Bain every night. At least… not once you’ve landed a full-time job that you value and enjoy. Plus, maybe you’d like to find the time to learn a language or two. Not to mention that you’ve started to think about the possibility of going back to grad school. Oh, and you’re also trying to get in shape (on account of all the bridesmaid’s dresses you’re being asked to wear lately).

FOTP BBQ at Good Company. Photo credit: Kelly Neal for Metromix New York.

… Let me back up for a moment:

Last week, I had the pleasure of interviewing Kristina, the girl behind The Downtown Diaries, a blog about nightlife here in New York City (or “The Scene,” as Kristina begrudgingly calls it). We chose to meet at Good Company in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, where Finger on The Pulse was hosting their final BBQ of the summer season, with Andrew W.K. DJ-ing and $5 plates of deliciousness courtesy of Frankies Spuntino.

I arrive at 7:30 on the dot, belly up to the bar, and order a sweet tea vodka with lemonade (which, happily, is served in a Mason jar). A short while later, a pretty girl with dark hair and smoky eyes sidles up next to me: “Are you Esther?” she asks. It’s Kristina!

I buy her a drink. She orders a sweet tea vodka, too, and I like her immediately. Every few minutes someone new comes up to us to say hello to Kristina. They’re young, attractive, hip, creative: writers, photographers, DJs, bon vivants, musicians and artists. Kristina is a natural hostess and her networking skills are evident right away. She’s pleasant with everyone and careful to make thoughtful introductions. She talks with a friend about meeting up on the Lower East Side later in the evening (“At Pianos?”… “I’ll text you.”), then we make our way out to the courtyard to get some grub. Read the rest of this entry »

Much props to my homey Jonny Lennon for the awesome write up and props to author Sean Evans for beating me to the punch.  Great interview – couldn’t have said it better myself.

via Sean Evans for Nightclub & Bar Magazine

The DJ management market is on the rise, as demand for top DJs with a following increases in every market across the globe. The latest entrant to the industry is 4AM, a collective of friends and DJs run by Jonny Lennon (of Goldbar renown), Adam Alpert (director of operations for 1Oak) and DJ Jus Ske. Launched just six months ago, the boutique agency is already booking its talented roster (DJ Jesse Marco, DJ Jus Ske, DJ Sinatra and more) in top hot spots all over the world, proving to be a venerable force on the burgeoning scene. The duo of Lennon and Alpert shared some insight into the DJ industry.

Top row – DJ Suss One, DJ Sal Morale, Adam Alpert
Middle row – DJ Anthony Vitale, Jonny Lennon, DJ Price, DJ Ani Quinn, DJ Theory, DJ Orazio, DJ Sinatra
Bottom row – DJ Brooklyn Dawn, DJ Phresh, DJ Jus Ske, DJ Jesse Marco

Nightclub Confidential: What’s the key to successfully starting a company like 4AM?

Jonny Lennon: Relationships. We wanted to put a lock on the New York City market and in the process we put a lock on Miami, Los Angeles and Las Vegas markets. It’s all connected and that’s because of solid relationships. We took a trip out to the Cannes Film Festival to secure French venues and clients, and because of how well our events did this year; we’ve already booked three parties for next year. Our reputation is spreading, strictly from word of mouth and the level of events were doing. Read the rest of this entry »

The Vintage Twin, founded by twin sisters Samantha and Morgan Elias, are gearing up to launch their new website, which is slated to go live tomorrow.  This monumental occasion comes on the heels of their 2nd Annual Summer Trunk Show held last month, where fauxsters and fashionistas swarmed the Chelsea showroom combing through racks of vintage gear; even Ivanka Trump bought a few items.  Huge kudos to to Morgan and Sam who pulled off one of the nicest trunk shows I’ve ever been to – complete with open bar, passed hour d’oeuvres, personal stylists, and lots and lots of clothes- I was very impressed. I went there with no intention to actually shop because I am trying to curb my shopping problem, but of course, ended up in the dressing room with 10 dresses, ultimately walking away with one pictured in the gallery below.

The Long Island duo always had a love for vintage fashion and started collecting clothing items they found in thrift stores, yard sales, and wherever else they could get their hands on old clothes for a cheap price.  Some items they left be, while others they refurbished – making dresses a little shorter, and adding great pieces of flair to otherwise ordinary blazers.   They started rolling out their trunk shows while away at college in Ann Arbor and Boston and realized they were on to something due to the overwhelming success. They now hold an annual trunk show ever summer in NY and are opening an online store which launches tomorrow.  Prices range but are overall reasonable – the refurbished and designer items will run you a little more.  Check it out!

http://www.thevintagetwin.com/

Something only our generation could truly appreciate… Pee Wee Herman will be hosting this years Paper Magazine Nightlife Awards taking place this winter.  Yes, that’s right, Pee Wee Motherfucking Herman! I am stoked!  Here’s hoping I am up for an award

I attended last years awards in support of my comrade Brittany Mendenhall and inadvertently met Steve Lewis, who has been a pivotal force in my career as a nightlife blogger.  Although there will be no tequila, there will be lots of SVEDKA and Perrier. No word on who the special performers will be this year…

Photos: Lizz Kuehl

Taking over the old Cafe Cornichon spot comes a new French Bistro - Le Comptior.  TONY has the first look.

Williamsburg’s bistro scene gets a boost with this comely newcomer from chef Sebastien Chamaret (La Goulue). The restaurant—opening for brunch this week, with dinner service planned for later this month—boasts an open kitchen inside and a leafy garden out back. As for the food, Chamaret turns out locally sourced American fare with a Franco bent: A “bacon-cheeseburger” sausage from local butcher the Meat Hook is paired with lentils and frisée, while French toast is torched on top like crème brûlée.

Le Comptoir
251 Grand St between Driggs Ave and Roebling St,
Williamsburg, Brooklyn