I'm Back and I want my Money Bitch!!!!

January has been hectic, a world wind, which included my birthday celebrations and a new found love of Key West. Since my return I have been to some Openings, hot spots, parties and shows. All I have to say is Rock & Republic has been the only highlight of fashion week for me this year and thank god its over.

OPENINGS

Merkato 55

55-61 Gansevoort St between Washington and Greenwich 212.255.8555.
The inspiration of chef Marcus Samuelsson recent trip to africa. He has joined forces with nightlife vets Kyky and Unik, to create a Pan-African fusion resto/lounge in MPD.
DECOR: The multi-story Venue which is across the street from the now defunct PM and has Mali-inspired clay bar that serves house-infused spiced rums across from communal tables. Wrought iron stairs lead you upstairs to a formal dining room. Basket lamps hang over brown and yellow leather banquettes and the walls are adorned with large printed silk screens portraits of the continent. A downstairs lounge is scheduled to open with a stone well in the center of the room. OPENING NIGHT: A whose who of PM bottle service and strategically situated lovely African Models but where was Mr. Samuelsson, I guess aquavit is more important in the grand scheme of things. all I know is that with PM's promoters at the helm the place will be packed to the rafters with the Famous and beautiful folks and their hanger ons.

Mansion

530 West 28th Street between 10th Avenue and 11th Avenue 212.629.9000.
The Miami nightclub transplant located in the old Crobar space. A collabo from the owners Mark Baker (Lotus, Double Seven) and Eric Milon (Mansion Miami) this new addition to Chelsea club crawl is the latest but is yet to be scene if it is the greatest in the Ultra-lounge nightlife genre. DECOR: Rockstar mansion, with a 20-foot fireplace a host of butlers and French maids to attend to your every whim. Front house Den of banquettes complete with bar and DJ station. A main room, dubbed The Grand Ballroom, The mezzanine library, The Study and The Gallery. An impending Cougar Room is on the horizon which will include an all-female chamber complete with hairdressers, cocktail slave and high-end sex toys for sale.OPENING NIGHT: It looks like Crobar to me but where's the dance floor. I guess they needed more room for bottle service banquettes. If you're doing something new, then do something new, regurgitating the same old formula is probably the reason why the NY 's party scene sucks. We can't stomach stale events, and everyone knows we don't like puewk on our nightlife. Rumor has it the owners/promoters will be adding a twist. The plan is to bring in random acts creating impromptu performances i.e.; saw-wielding, flame-spewing burlesque dancers, gospel choir, and opera singers belting out an aria, we'll see.

Tonight Week 2/12/2008

I don't know I was invited to some events but its snow'in like a MO.


Afrika Bambaataa + DJ Lindsey & E. Harmon
APT 419 W. 13th Street, 10PM - 4AM, 21+, $10 RSVP to www.djlindsey.com.
What What Afrika Bambaataa, one of the forefathers of hip-hop, head of the Zulu Nation and a pioneer of electro in NY has a new Tuesday night home at APT. FUN’s Eamon Harkin and Negroclash’s DJ Lindsey join in for the excitement.










Cremaster 2
Austrian Cultural Forum (11 East 52nd Street), 8pm, Free.
Matthew Barney's Cremaster series is one of the most significant artistic achievements of our generation (IMHO). Although twisted, complex, and a mysteriously riding that mid-point between a film and an visual art piece (aka loose plot), the work is both daunting and stunning. Post its Guggenheim retrospective a few years back, theatre screenings are few and far between these days so this evening is a great chance to catch Cremaster 2 for free. Oh, and don't worry if you missed #1, the films were never intended to be watched in order. Except below. Also on 2/14. 18+

The Food Funk Party
Supreme Trading 213 N. 8th (btwn Driggs & Roebling), Williamsburg, BK, 9pm - 4am, $30.
Spice Market sous chef TONY RICCO is bringing us some amazing food with some amazing music featuring DJs: Reborn (ubiquita), Jaclyn (the bangers), Modern Mongolians (stress & kimsky), Giove (Dub Spot) Jen Sessions. Menu includes, Tofu Dumplings with garlic chive pesto, Curried cualiflower, panko and lime, and so on, FREE GLASS OF WINE courtesy of Costello Wines.