Tuesday, October 30, 2007

The Writer's Voice Visiting Author Series ---New York

If you like literature and you want to be inspired by successful authors and poets, then you should attend the West Side YMCA's “The Writer's Voice Visiting Author Series” on nearly each Friday of the month. Readings are free and open to the public and include a book signing at the end of the presentation. During the month of November, will appear the following authors:

Catherine Doty, Joan Cusack Handler, Jack Wiler & Baron Wormser
Friday, November 2, 2007
8:00 PM
Reading/Book Release/Book Signing

James B. MacKinnon
“Dead Man in Paradise”
Friday, November 9, 2007
8:00 PM
Reading

William Luvaas
“A Working Man’s Apocrypha”
Friday, November 16, 2007
8:00 PM
Reading/Book Release/Book Signing

Robert Mihinnick, Nicholas Johnson, Iwan Llwyd & D. Nurkse
Friday, November 30, 2007
8:00 PM
Reading/Book Release/Book Signing

The readings are taken place at the West Side YMCA, The George Washington Lounge at 8pm. Light snacks and drinks are also served during the evening.
West Side, YMCA: 5 West 63rd Street (between Central Park West & Broadway)
http://www.ymcanyc.org/

Monday, October 29, 2007

Designer sample sale in NYC until November (11)

For $22 to $75, Earnest Sewn is offering anything from a women's denim jacket and men's button-downs to kids' T-shirts, and, of course, jeans for everyone. When: 11/5–11/9; Mon.–Fri. (8–8). Where: 819 Washington St., nr. Little W. 12th St. (212-242-3414).

Malo is known for his men's and women's knitwear, which is 70 percent off. A women's cashmere coat was $2,500 but is now $750. When: 11/4–11/6 (9–6:30); 11/7 (9–5). Where: 317 W. 33rd St., nr. Eighth Ave. (718-747-1656).

Helen Wang sample and stock sale this Wednesday, 1-8, Th: 8-8, Fr: 10-6, at 145 W. 18th [6th/7th]. Silk chiffon dresses were $440, now $139.

At the Rebecca Taylor sample and stock sale, it's wholesale and below for a stretch striped twill mini dress (was $365, now $150), pants, shirts, and more. 145 W. 18th [6th/7th] 212.388.0339, from 11/2-11/4, M: 1-8, Tu: 8-8, We: 10-6.

Thursday, October 25, 2007

Cook Eat Drink Live

Cook. Eat. Drink. Live. is for the modern food, chocolate and wine enthusiast; a fresh and modern take on the complete epicurean experience. Free seminars, cheese, beer and wine tastings, open spa to relax opportunities, coffee and tea cocktails and many more!!! Just go!!!

Venue:
Pier 94 New York
Telephone:
212-759-8055
Starts: 10/26/07 Ends: 10/27/07
Schedule:
Fri, Oct 26: 11:00 am - 5:00 pm Sat, Oct 27: 11:00 am - 5:00 pm
Event Cost:
$100 day; $175 weekend

Monday, October 22, 2007

The evening of the seven "events"

Attending a number of events each week, is pretty much the best of my habits. An event, in my personal, rather strict definition, is a happening that has to involve alcohol. Otherwise, it is not an event. I avoid the term party because party is far more specific. Last Thursday, I had invitations for seven "events" starting from 4pm. Attending seven events in one night is too much to ask and do but I decided to compete with myself: Will I have the energy to go to all of those?

I started at 4pm. It was a food tasting function that, unfortunately, didn't involve any alcohol (so it wasn't an event to my definition). The food was excellent, the people were happy and the demonstrators happier because they were selling! What else someone can ask? At around 5pm I arrived at my second venue, well-known department store for a champagne, chocolate and shopping evening. I admit that I didn't buy anything despite the 20% discount (but I had shopped the previous day, that's why I was invited in the first place). I had champagne and I tasted the delicious Godiva chocolates, I spied on the ladies and the latest fashion trends and off I was to my next event! I successfully missed event number 3 because it was happening simultaneously with the second event (I can't be in two places at the same time, at least not in this physical world, maybe in the movies). I arrived around 6ish at a Chelsea Gallery opening for which I had received an invitation although the opening was a free public event (if you knew it). Three glasses of champagnes to follow, cheese and grapes and very bad art (in my modest, non-artistic opinion) allowed me to wonder in the building and view other shows. Then I started thinking: where should I go next? It was 7.15pm and I had plenty of time for events 7 and 8 but the event 6 had already started. I didn't want to go. I was in a similar event last month and I found it interesting but also boring. So I skipped this one. On my way to the subway to event 7, I saw a long line in front of a Chelsea building. I decided to go and have a look and as the line was moving fast, I entered the space. It was the Flickr.com party!!! Two more glasses of wine, more cheese and nuts, a free T-shirt and a photo book and I was all set for the night. The time was nearly 8pm and I had to run for my "initial" event 7. And this is what I did. I missed the first 15 minutes but they started late anyway. This intellectual event gave me some momentum but it also added two more glasses of wine in my stomach with some fresh fruit.

I had decided to skip the final, number 8 event in the Lower East Side. I was in the Upper West and I felt that it was too far, and I was too drunk to go. After all, the unexpected Flickr party replaced one of the programed events so I did well on Thursday night.

Total: 5 events
Alcohol: 4 glasses of champagne and 4 glasses of white wine
Food: samples, chocolate, cheese (a lot), fruit, nuts and some snacks
State of mind: joyful and blurry
Will I do it again? Yes

EVENTS

NEW YORK

Reminder-Film in the City and MovieMaker Magazine Present- Kick-Off-
Dear Film in the City Friends.....The "Indie Film Confidential" Kick-off cocktail celebration sponsored by MovieMaker Magazine , NATAS-NY, The Independent Features Film Festival ,The Harlem International Film Festival and Reel Sisters Film Festival is Tomorrow- TUESDAY-10/23. "Indie Film Confidential" will feature Complimentary Appetizers,, Guest VIP Filmmakers and cool networking. Join us as we kick-off the "Indie Film Confidential" Salon ...Where Filmmakers Get To Make Deals Happen.

TO PRE-REGISTER AND RECEIVE DISCOUNTED PRICE, PLEASE CLICK THE LINK BELOW:http://www.ersvp.com/r/event6117
PRE-REGISTRATION IS ONLY $10.00! DOOR REGISTRATION IS $15.00..NO EXECPTIONS!

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

The Gym Project

This week I visited the Embora Wellness and Movement studio in Brooklyn. http://www.embora.com/. This cosy studio at 900, Fulton street is smaller than you expect.

Score card

Facilities: 6/10
There is a tiny changing room, two toilets and I am not sure if there is a shower room or lockers. You also need to bring your own towel.

Variety of classes: 7/10
Given the size of the space, there is a number of classes you can attend: Yoga, cardio-kickboxing, capoeira angola, belly dancing, pilates and strengthen & stretch and a few others....

Rate of difficulty: 8/10
I tried the strengthen and stretch class. Although it seemed too easy in the beginning, it turned out to be challenging enough. Some movements and postures reminded of pilates but they were far more difficult to perform. I liked the balance exercises with the ball – too hard even to think about! Overall, a fun but challenging class. You will be sweating in the end. Try it out if you visit Embora!

EVENTS

New York

Abel Duo Munich:Violin & Cello Concert
From classic to folkloreWorks by Händel, Haydn and Mozart as well as Folk melodies from Europe, North America, Latin America and Armenia
Thursday, October 18
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
German House
New York
871 United Nations Plaza (at 49th Street) New York City
price: free
Anna Petrova - Violin
Yorick-Alexander Abel - Cello
Please RSVP indicating “Abel”and all attending persons’ full names:german-consulate-ku@nyct.net or call 212-610 9759


London

The Germanic party is back!
To all Germanic- Party - people ... join the crazy German- After-Oktoberfest-Party.
Don't forget to register at http://www.germanic-london.com/
See you all on Saturday 20th October from 20.30 onwards and don't forget it's GBP 10 before 22.00.

Monday, October 08, 2007

Parties and events

I don't know if going to events has always been one of my favorite activities or it's just brand new. I am thinking that I have always liked to be invited. Since I was a child. School birthday parties were my "best". I enjoyed the people, the food and the fun. This cosy type of gathering brought me joy, comfort and pleasure at an early age. Growing up, I liked it even more but in a different way. It was more of a social event. I had to dress up, have my hair done, put on some makeup. Jolly good! Since I joined the networking scene in London, going out to "events" became a part of my job, and during my freelance days, nearly a part of my career. Networking was fun but also hard work. I had to introduce myself, behave, avoid the excessive use of alcohol and eat the tasty canapes in moderation. I had the chance to meet influential and very successful people - and rarely under weird circumstances (well-known TV presenter was sharing the same ladies room, a not so common location to make contact). I don't, of course, deny attendance in extravagant and "thematic" parties, very attractive, luxurious and posh in London, the capital.

As a new resident of NYC since September 2006, "events" slightly changed context. I became far more interested in the content rather than the business or the success of people. I focus my attention on the creative aspect of the event, the location, the colors. And it's fun! A new angle in my new, full of invitations and RSVPs life!

More about parties and events later during the week. For now, read below where you can go:

NEW YORK
Jazz at Lincoln Center

October 10th: 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Musical Wednesdays with Jazz at Lincoln Center
Join us for an evening of great live jazz performed
The Samsung Experience, Time Warner Center,
at Columbus Circle10 Columbus Circle, 3rd fl 8th Ave


LONDON

mosaic on-line launch drinks will take place
on Wednesday 10th October
from 19:00, at stanza (ex-teatro)
FREE WELCOME DRINK COURTESY OF VIADEO
93-107 Shaftsbury Avenue
London W1D 5DY

Monday, October 01, 2007

New York in October

I am back. I have been very quiet for nearly six weeks. Not that I didn't have anything to write or bitch about New York. There is always plenty of material for such a task. But I slowed down a little bit during the end of August and September. A short trip to Europe, hot and humid days, iced coffees and a general laid back attitude did not allow me to be very productive or creative. But I won't give up my NYLON blog.

Truth is though that the more I stay in the Big Apple, the less I talk about London. I am always pro London. As a former London resident, I still believe that London is far more sophisticated and classy city than New York. There people are not so rude on the streets, are elegantly dressed, do not complain about money all the time and can buy a fifteen pound cocktail drink at a high-class hotel bar. I miss my evenings at the Savoy, Meridian Waldorf or Mandarin Oriental bars. Far from being my locales, there were secret treasures. To celebrate, laugh and be extravagant. I don't have a similar experience from the Big Apple. Maybe this is going to be my next goal: try out expensive bars in NYC!

I will keep you posted on my progress soon! In the meantime, you can read my regular postings at the "other" blog: http://www.socialdiva.com/blog/. My alter ego is Diva Renee who will share the dirt of the city and announce numerous events. Diva Renee will welcome your comments too so be active.