It’s the dead of winter and everyone seems to have the post-holiday blues.  What better time to organize a little dance party to gather the crew and raise your spirits?  The perfect person to turn to for a playlist of bump-and-grind tunes is music producer and DJ Michaelangelo L’Acqua, who has curated the soundscapes for the world’s top fashion shows and played live sets to packed dancefloors all over the globe from Ibiza to Shanghai.

“When your butt gets cold from sitting on it too long this playlist will warm yo’ buns back up!” – Michaelangelo L’Acqua.

Frost Bite

1. All Night – Oliver
2. Love For Sale – Mickey feat. Monarchy
3. I Can’t Behave Myself -Deadmau5 ft. Neon Hitch
4. Off My Mind (Rogue Vogue Remix) – Moon Boots
5. Home (Whole-Z Remix) – Edward Sharp
6. How Deep Is Your Love (A-Trak Remix )- The Rapture
7. What’s Your Name? (Treasure Fingers Remix) – Favretto
8. Happy Violence – Dada Life
9. Roman (Oliver Remix) – Housse De Racket
10. I Think I Like It – Fake Blood

Listen to a selection of the playlist or purchase songs here.

Michaelangelo L’Acqua is an internationally acclaimed DJ and music lifestyle curator, whose successful career began in 1999, when he was hired by Tom Ford to be Music Director of Gucci and YSL.  In his current role as Global Music Director for The W Hotel Group, L’Acqua conceptualizes and produces live concert series with artists and DJ’s including Alicia Keys and Bebel Gilberto. L’Acqua continues to DJ at high profile events around the globe such as New York Fashion Week and the Cannes Film Festival.

You would think that glowsticks, jelly shots and beer pong would be three of the most unlikely things to find at a Fashion Week event unless, of course, your host is Alexander Wang, the young designer known for throwing outrageous after-parties with unusual themes.

This  year Wang channeled the classic collegiate film Animal House and created the ultimate frat party at Pier 40.  The venue was decked out with Playboy centerfold posters, beaten up couches, bathtubs of ice and fridges full of Budweiser.

Among the crowd of beautiful people – at the Kanon Organic Vodka bar (curated by Apotheke), the Playstation consoles or on the dancefloor rocking out to Tyler The Creator and Odd Futures – we spied a few famous faces including Christina Ricci, Penn Badgley (with Zoe Kravitz), Jared Leto, Russell Simmons, models Natasha Poly and Julia Stegner as well as DJ Chelsea Leyland, New York Times editor Cathy Horyn and Milk Studios main man, Mazdack Rassi.

PHOTO CREDIT:  Courtesy of BFA, PMc and Steve Stone

Guest blogger Karrie Goldberg reminisces on her friendship with supermodel DJ Eve Salvail and reports on their unbelievable weekend trip to Montreal for Pinkarnaval.

I have a very distinct memory of sitting on my friend’s bed in high school watching the Robert Altman movie, Prêt-à-Porter.  It was then that I started my obsession with fashion and became mesmerized by a bald model with a dragon tattoo on her head. If a fashion fairy had appeared and told me that 15 years later I would be on a float with that supermodel and designer Jean Paul Gaultier, I never would have believed it.

Last weekend I traveled to Montreal with Eve Salvail, the infamous muse of Jean Paul Gaultier and French Canadian model turned DJ, who had been invited to spin at Pinkarnaval, a carnival inspired by the upcoming exhibit, “The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier – From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk,” at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA). While I knew she was a superstar in Canada, I had no idea just how beloved she was!

The 48-hour whirlwind weekend (which kicked off the Just for Laughs Festival) started on Saturday, July 16^th, with hair, make-up & costume fittings at MMFA.  Wearing sailor hats in honor of Gaultier, L’Oreal was on board to style the hair. Make up for all of the parade participants was set up in a cafeteria-sized room with artists from Makijaz creating looks ranging from full geisha style white faces to perfectly painted bodies covered in branches or striped shirts.

The Pinkarnaval parade featured eight groups of dancers from different boroughs of Montreal dressed in costumes and headpieces by Daniel Fortin.  Each group was choreographed with a different dance illustrating the diverse eras of Gaultier’s designs such as Les Enfants Terribles, a group of children with striped shirts and teddybear backpacks. All of my favorite Gaultier designs came back to life including bright pink flowing dresses, tight white clinical tops and, of course, stripes everywhere I turned. I spotted packs of women in black dresses outfitted with Gaultier’s iconic cone-bras (made famous by Madonna).

Eve was purposefully positioned on the final tableaux to draw the crowd into the plaza,  It is next to impossible to describe how it felt to be followed by tens of thousands of people screaming “Eve, Eve, Eve” while Jean Paul Gaultier was dancing and pushing our float down the street.

On Sunday night, the festivities continued with a show called “Le Grand Baiser.”  The eight groups of dancers paid homage to the great Jean Paul Gaultier and performed on stage at the outdoor venue, Place des Festivals.  Gaultier himself closed out the performances by thanking Montreal and his longtime friend Eve, for making the weekend so special. After the show was the Striped Ball where Eve aka DJ Evalicious spun tunes in front of thousands of revelers dressed in their best striped outfits!  The crowd went crazy when Eve dropped Dragonette & Martin Solveig’s Hello!

Over the years I have worked on hundreds of events yet I could still not fathom coordinating the many dancers, floats, support staff, artists and producers that participated in Pinkarnaval.  So much thought went into every outfit, dance and even the make up that it was a truly unforgettable experience. I think Montreal loves Jean Paul Gaultier almost as much as I do!

Karrie Goldberg is the founder of Kage Konsulting and The Kagency a full service agency that provides unique access to events, brand building, and marketing innovations via 50 one-of-a-kind venues in New York, Chicago & Los Angeles and 6 celebrity DJ’s including Eve Salvail – DJ Evalicious.

PHOTO CREDIT:  Courtesy of Pinkarnaval, Brynna Bradley (The Gazette) and Pierre Ethier

It’s a portable party maker that lives up to its rowdy name. The Block Rocker, Ion’s compact PA, is a powerful all-in-one sound system that includes a universal dock for iPod, a microphone, an instrument outlet (for an electric guitar) and hook ups for other CD or MP3 players.  Perfect for any  outdoor gathering such as a picnic, BBQ, beach party or sporting event, The Block Rocker delivers high fidelity sound to over 150 feet through its large 2-way speaker and built-in amp.

A telescoping handle and wheels makes this system easy to transport like a suitcase.  The Block Rocker, which charges your iPod as it plays, can perform for up to 12 hours on its internal rechargeable battery.  Event planners, mobile musicians and just about anyone who entertains will love the clean, clear sound of The Block Rocker…everyone except maybe the neighbors!

The Block Rocker by Ion Products ($399.99) is available on Amazon and at other retailers.

PHOTO CREDIT:  Courtesy of Ion Products

The elegant white look of its iconic bottle with its trademark palace and trees has been transformed into a glossy black version with hot pink graffiti including an original tag of the brand’s main character Mr. IX.  Along with its distinctive and edgy packaging, IX has a truly unique taste with a blend of nine ingredients including ginseng, guarana, acai, ginger, sweet almond, jasmine, eucalyptus, three cinnamon and black cherry.

To celebrate the launch of IX, Belvedere has created a New York satellite of Le Baron on East 3rd St. and Bowery.  Notable names such as Andre 3000, Estelle, Mary Kate Olsen, Peaches Geldof, Cecilia Dean and Waris Ahluwalia gathered on Thursday night at the pop-up club to sample new IX cocktails including the Gold Rush, IX Vice, IX jellies and the signature shot, Get Your Rocks Off, served with a slice of grapefruit and a candy pop rocks chaser.

Open for 3 nights only, Le Baron New York has played host to some of nightlife’s favorite DJ’s including Paul Sevigny, a close friend of Andre’s, who took to the decks with Matt Creed and ATrak with Theophilus London on Opening Night.  Friday night’s schedule included DJ’s Max Pask and Mark Ronson with Daniel Merriweather while, DJ’s Cassie and Harley (and perhaps an appearance from James Murphy) are expected to spin tonight.

Belvedere IX will continue to collaborate with Andre for launch events in Miami, Dallas and Chicago along with a global launch event at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival.  Look for IX at exclusive nightclubs across the U.S.

PHOTO CREDIT:  Courtesy of Michael Buckner

On Saturday, October 4th, the neighborhood will enjoy an afternoon of gourmet snacks (by Bobo Restaurant, Gramercy Tavern, Royale Café and Murrays Bagels), cooking demos, face painting and live concerts by Smalls Jazz Club, Tiny Masters of Today, Care Bares on Fire, Chi Chi and the Dig.

Conceived by Carlos Suarez of Bobo Restaurant, the event, which runs from noon until 6PM aims to bring the community together to celebrate both innovation and environmentalism. We caught up with Suarez, the busy entrepreneur and restaurateur, to get his thoughts on this unique program.

How did you come up with the concept for Futurehood?
I was discussing a desire to get involved in School Food programs and my interest in building a green roof here at the restaurant. One of my friends suggested building a green roof on top of a school as a way to combine these two initiatives.

When I approached PS41 about building a green roof, I learned that they’d been working on the planning and permitting for almost two years. So, I decided to get involved by helping them raise money and awareness.

What is your goal for the Futurehood program?
My hope is that it influences other schools to create spaces for children to connect with nature, and to incorporate these gardens into their curricula. To quote Alice Waters, “They’re learning that food should be fast, cheap and easy; it should be available 24 hours a day; and that resources are infinite.” Obviously this message is distressing, and needs to be addressed. Children need to bond with food and with nature at an early age if we expect them to make healthy decisions for themselves, and for the planet.

What do you hope to accomplish with this first event?
We hope to raise money and awareness for PS41’s Greenroof and to get the Futurehood concept off the ground. Our event is a reminder that communities are important and powerful and need to play a meaningful role in shaping our future.

What do you envision for the next event?
We would like to develop The Futurehood Speaker Series, similar to the 92nd St Y’s, but that focuses on the health of our children and our planet. Also, in the works are The Futurehood Cinema Series, The Futurehood Concert Series…and loads of other good stuff that brings people together.

Tickets for Futurehood are $5 for children and $10 for adults. They may be purchased at www.futurehood.info or at the event.  PS41 is located at Greenwich Avenue and Charles Street.
Futurehood image above by artist Allessandro Greco (which will be printed on organic T-shirts for sale at the event).

Based on MINI’s international campaign that seeks to find the best “Creative Use of Space,” the event program was designed to give artists including fashion designers, photographers, musicians and DJs a space to collaborate with others and a platform to promote their talent.

According to Jim McDowell, MINI Chief USA, “the right use of space can enrich our lives. It’s amazing what you can discover about the world when you view it from a rooftop.”

Designed by Marc Kushner and Matthias Hollwich of HWKN, an architecture and concept design firm, the MINI Rooftop NYC is a green space that features a man-made, grassy hill spotted with illuminated plexiglass “dimples” (which are seats). The Hill acts as a public place to people to sit, share, hang-out, meet each other and be creative.

The series, which was curated by Lyman Carter of Radar Entertainment, runs from September 4th to 13th and is full of exclusive daytime and nighttime events featuring icons of art, music, fashion, design and wellness. During the day, the rooftop is open to the public for yoga classes by Clay and various artist workshops. There is free WiFi, food and drinks by Pure Food and Wine at the creative café, Open Space. At night, VIP parties hosted by Good Magazine (with DJ James Murphy of LCD Sound System), Edun and V Magazine have been scheduled throughout the week.

But, hurry up and go…this urban oasis will be gone in a New York minute.

MINI Rooftop NYC is located at 465 10th Avenue (corner of 36th Street). Check the web site www.minispace.com to register for events and to view the full event calendar, party photos, video coverage and information on the program.

PHOTO CREDIT: Courtesy of MINI

Now she has expanded her services with The Kagency which represents some of the world’s best musical talent including Duran Duran drummer, Roger Taylor; acclaimed DJ Nicolas Matar (of the award winning club Cielo); Aaron James; Timka and supermodel turned DJ, Eve Salvail.

We caught up with our friend Karrie (pictured here) to ask her about the launch of The Kagency’s new web site (which actually lets you listen to demos for each DJ) and her ongoing love affair with music.

Why did you start The Kagency?
Unofficially, I started the Kagency about 3 years ago because I was constantly being asked by people which DJs they should book for their private parties. I kept referring work to the DJs that I liked and, eventually, they all started to ask me to arrange their bookings for them.

Have you always been involved with music?
Music has always played a huge part of my life. My first concert was David Bowie (when I was in sixth grade) and I stood in awe of the man. After that I was begging my father for tickets to Depeche Mode, Duran Duran, Ziggy Marley, Prince and many more. I grew up in Chicago and regularly sought out new talent/music, so I would sneak into clubs from the age of 16 to see Basement Jaxx, Doc Martin, Frankie Knuckles, Junior Vasquez and Louie Vega. I guess I was sort of a groupie, always wanting to hang out with the DJs and artists. Now I get to work with all of them!

How important is a good DJ at an event?
Music sets the tone for any environment, so having a DJ that can read the room and create the right atmosphere is a key element to any event.

What is on your iPod right now?
Groove Armada (Sound Boy Rock), Cinco (Cielo’s 5th Anniversary CD), Voices & Visions (Defected/Copyright), Martin Solveig (Rejection), Blackbox Recorder (School Song) and Dennis Ferrer (Church Lady)

DJ Eve Salvail knows how to get the party started. What are some of her favorite tracks?
(as selected by Eve)
1. No Request featuring Troy Carter – Marco G
2. Umbrella – Vandalism Remix – Rihanna
3. Calabria – Enur ft Natasha
4. Madan – Salif Keita
5. So high – Bob Sinclar
6. D.A.N.C.E – MSTRKRFT Remix – Justice
7. Shine On – R.I.O
8. Rejection – Bob Sinclar
9. 4 Minutes to Save the World – Bob Sinclar Remix – Madonna & Justin Timberlake
10. I Kissed a Girl – Katy Perry
11. If I Never See Your Face Again – Maroon 5 featuring Rihanna
12. Stronger – Kanye West
13. It Takes Two – Rob Base & EZ Rock
14. Kiss – Prince
15. Clumsy – Fergie
16. American Boy – Estelle
17. 5 Letras – Alexis y Fido
18. La Vida Es Un Carnaval – Celia Cruz
19. Street Sound – Discogalaxy
20. This Time – DJ Antoine – Klaas Remix

To book a DJ for your next event, visit The Kagency or call 646-873-4999.

For one-of-a-kind spaces such as The Xchange, OpenHouse Gallery and The Spotted Pig, contact Kage Konsulting, a full service venue marketing and booking company.

PHOTO CREDIT: Courtesy of The Kagency.

Dubbed the “Playstation Portable for music,” the Pacemaker ($760) from Swedish company Tonium is so small it fits in the palm of your hand. It features a 120 gigabyte hard drive to store all your music, a built in mixer for seamless transitions between songs and runs solely on batteries. Aspiring and professional DJ’s can use the free desktop software to create and record mixes from digital files on their computers. The device is available online starting in mid-February.

Numark, a longtime manufacturer of professional DJ equipment, has launched the iDJ2 ($600), a lightweight mixing console and portable DJ system with professional features including real time scratching, balance outputs, pitch control, key lock and seamless looping. The innovative iPod docking station allows users to play and mix two songs simultaneously.

Both are great options for event planners who have limited space for DJ booths or for the home entertainer looking for a simple, no-fuss set-up. And, when the music can travel, party-hopping will have a whole new dimension…

For more information, read For Disc Jockeys as Well as Desk Jockeys [NY Times]

The epitome of Parisian luxury and sophistication, this tower of music is filled with downtempo Nujazz and groove with an amazing Shirley Bassey remix of “Where Do I Begin,” (on volume 3).

The Collector’s Box ($205) is a super-luxe gift for anyone that wants to channel the seductiveness of the 5-star hotel’s infamous bar and lounge.

Visit www.hotelcostes.com for hotel and restaurant reservations.

Created by owner and nightlife impresario Lesly Bernard (of Clementine, Pravda and Taj fame), Tillman’s (165 West 26th Street, 212-627-8320) is a restaurant lounge that can accommodate up to 250 guests. The Fireplace, which doubles as a stage for live musical performances, can hold an intimate group of 20 guests while the VIP table in the bar can fit 8. Smaller groups of 4 can settle in each of the banquets throughout the main dining area.

Music is a major element at Tillman’s with an impressive schedule of live music and DJ’s playing Jazz, Classical Soul, Neo-Soul, Underground Hip Hop and R&B throughout the week. At times, patrons can take part in styling the musical soundscape by selecting from over 50,000 MP3′s through unique handheld devices.

Full of savory treats, the menu features grilled sandwiches with a gourmet twist including the Brie and Spiced Pear Sandwich (Triple Crème Brie and Spiced Roasted Pear on Brioche Loaf with Black Truffle Butter) or the French Onion Soup Grilled Cheese (Country Loaf rubbed with Roasted Garlic & Herbs, Gruyere, Caramelized Onion compote, served w/ Spiced Dipping Jus).

Classic cocktails like the Sidecar, Moscow Mule and the Dark and Stormy are popular, potent and expertly mixed by the bar staff. Open bar rates per hour include $28/pp for premium bar, $20/pp for basic bar and $90/pp and up for added passed hors d’oeuvres or buffet.

If you ask the charismatic, music-loving Bernard what you can expect on a typical night at his establishment, he’ll answer, “a little bit of soul mood, soul food and soul groove..my man!”

For special events, contact Victor Andrade at 212-627-8320 or visit www.tillmansnyc.com.

Born into a rough neighborhood in Jamaica, Queens, the boys discovered their musical talent at a young age and went on to study at the legendary Julliard School of Music. Playing for crowds on the subway to make pocket change, the brothers worked hard to refine their sound in front of the only live audience they could find. It wasn’t long before they were discovered and asked to perform on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” “The Ellen Degeneres Show,” and even at The White House for the President of the United States.

On Wednesday night at The Xchange, the duet called Nuttin’ But Stringz (NBS) unleashed their intense musical fusion of classical violin with Pop, R&B and Hip Hop at the Young Benefactor Fall Benefit sponsored by Links of London, who underwrote the event in celebration of their new watch launch. The inspiring performance spoke to the heart of the Free Arts NYC mission which brings art into the lives of abused or at-risk children and their families to build confidence and communication through creativity.

From 50 Cent to Vivaldi, NBS hopes that their unique style will bridge the gap between popular and classical music. Regularly playing at public schools, the brothers spend time talking to students about music and the need to stay in school. Their single, “Dance with My Father,” is available on iTunes to benefit VH1′s Save The Music Foundation.

To book Nuttin’ But Stringz for your next event, contact Seth Cohen at Pyramid Entertainment Group at 212-242-7274.

To preview and purchase their debut album, Struggle from the Subway to the Charts, click here.

The Colors Collection by Bargrooves holds enough sultry house and electric jazz to keep your guests lounging, dancing, and sipping cocktails all night long. Created by Ben Sowton of The White House, one of London’s hippest late night DJ bars, each of the 4 Bargrooves compilations – Magenta, Citrus, Black and Azure – features two beautifully mixed CD’s.

In total, the embossed box set boasts over 80 tracks of sophisticated house music from around the globe. Artists include: Mark Farina, The Littlemen, Soularis, Roy Ayers, Autosoul, A-studio and Kid Massive.

The Colors series is available at The Conran Shop for $90. Other box sets by Seamless Recordings include The Tastemakers and The Special Places.

My advice on how to beat the heat? Gather some friends and host a summertime dinner of chilled crab claws and lobster rolls.

For starters, order Red King Crab Lollipops from Seabear, an online retailer famous for their smoked wild salmon. These big meaty claws served on ice in a glass bowl will make a grand statement as an appetizer. Two pounds of fully cooked claws ($85.99) will be shipped to you via Fed Ex Day Air Express.

Mary’s Fish Camp (64 Charles Street, 646-486-2185) has arguably the best lobster roll in town and they allow take-out for parties greater than 6 if you order 24 hours in advance. If you don’t live in the West Village or in Park Slope (their sister restaurant is Brooklyn Fish Camp, 162 Fifth Avenue, 718-783-3264), Dean and Deluca online is the next best option. They will ship two 12 oz tubs of lobster salad with 8 split-top rolls ($135.00) direct from their supplier for next day delivery.

For something a little sweet and decadent, serve coconut cupcakes from Crumbs Bakeshop ($2.95 each) with a glass of champagne for dessert. There are locations all over the city so if you don’t have time, have one of your guests pick them up on the way.

To get the party started but to keep things cool, I like to offer guests a chilled shooter of ice cold Absolut Citron rimmed with Stirrings Lemon Drop sugar. Crate and Barrel has a great set of vodka shooters that comes with a bowl for easy presentation. During dinner, serve something light and refreshing like a spritzer made with dry white wine with a splash of club soda and a twist of lemon.

Keep tabletop décor at a minimum. All white china on crisp white linens, a few tapered white candles and bowls filled with fragrant lemons gives a fresh look. For lazy summer nights, I still love the Garden State soundtrack. It’s a great mix of chill yet sultry tunes from Coldplay, Zero 7, Frou Frou and Thievery Corporation that will help transport you out of the hot, sticky city.

Given my longtime “appreciation” for the band, I could hardly pass up an invitation to meet them at a private party (organized by Epic Records, Magus Entertainment and my friend Karrie Goldberg of Kage Konsulting) at The Xchange (640 West 28th Street) on Monday night. Not only is the 5000 square foot space one of the coolest new industrial lofts in the city but it’s outfitted with an incredible custom Funktion One sound system. It was a real shame Duran Duran did not perform.

Actually, they had played but on the night before at an intimate concert at Hammerstein Ballroom for members of their fan club. Their set included favorites including Hungry Like The Wolf, Come Undone, Girls on Film and Lonely in Your Nightmare. For an encore, a new song called , “Nite Runner,” was introduced.

At least all four members of Duran Duran (Simon Le Bon, John Taylor, Nick Rhodes and Roger Taylor) were at the party to celebrate their upcoming album, Red Carpet Massacre, which will be released in October by Epic Records. Special guest producers and guest stars on the album include Justin Timberlake, Timbaland and Nat “Danja Handz” Hills.

DJ Eve Salvail kept the party hopping with upbeat tunes mixed in with the occasional new Duran Duran song such as “Skin Diver” and “Box Full of Honey.” Chopin Vodka and 10 Cane Rum created specialty cocktails for each new track on the album. The crowd was a diverse group of fans, press, industry types and an eclectic list of VIPs including Moby, chef Rocco DiSpirito, artists John Currin and Rachel Feinstein as well as Mickey Dolenz from the Monkees.

Although I got to hang out with various members of Duran Duran who mingled with the crowd throughout the night, I was drawn to the far corner of the room. A staff photographer was stationed in front of life-size paper cut-outs of Simon, John, Nick and Roger for an ongoing photo shoot with the guests. It was a hilarious and entertaining element to the party.

I just had to get my photo taken. It’s not every night a girl can say she’s with the band…….

To book an event at The Xchange, contact Karrie Goldberg of Kage Konsulting at 646-873-4999.

Last Thursday I was given a little taste of the good life at an afternoon tea party hosted by my friends at Ports 1961. Inspired by the painting (top right), “A Mad Tea Party,” by Zelda Fitzgerald (artist and wife of F. Scott Fitzgerald), Creative Director Tia Cibani, Ann Caruso, Lucy Sykes Rellie, Mary Alice Stephenson and Eva Lorenzotti gathered up some of New York most fashionable ladies to preview the new resort collection that pays tribute to the Jazz Age.

Williamson Calvert, an events and cuisine company, was commissioned to create a luxe yet relaxed setting that would transport guests to the 1920′s – a time of elegant garden parties, preppy college boys and high flying flappers.

The terrace was lined with towering birch and maple trees along with conical boxwoods, wisteria, ligustrums, rose topiaries and bougainvillea. Table tops were dressed with maize Damask linens, an eclectic mix of vintage fleur and garden china and antique goblets with gold rims. Lush arrangements of fragrant lilacs and Barrington Belle peonies added bursts of color while vintage Lenox pedestals and Wedgwood teapots accented each setting.

A long buffet was filled with savory and sweet treats including petit courgette quiche, cucumber and smoked sturgeon sandwiches, stuffed figs with Stilton and almonds and currant scones with clotted cream. The chocolate truffles infused wtih Earl Grey and Bergamot Tea were especially decadent.

Guests including actress Gabrielle Union, Vanessa von Bismarck, Olivia Palermo, Celerie Kemble, Adelina Wong Ettelson and Zelda’s granddaughter Bobbie Lanahan, enjoyed a private viewing of the new collection while sipping on chilled Elderflower Cocktails, Lychee Ice Tea and the signature drink of the party – The Zelda, a delicious mix of green tea, ginger infused vodka and organic gingerale with a splash of simple syrup and squeeze of lime.

As with all events produced by Tony Alcindor of Ports 1961, the close attention to detail provided a full sensory experience. The Loose Marbles, a band of street musicians from New Orleans (that Tia discovered while walking through Chelsea market), performed as a charming couple danced a little swing and jitterbug – a wonderful and original touch. If you are lucky, you’ll catch The Loose Marbles playing in Washington Square Park this summer.

For more information on Williamson Calvert (whose clients include Vanity Fair and Chanel), contact Deborah at 718-956-5633.

For those reading this post in an email or reader, click on the title to visit the blog for a complete slide show of photos from the event.

Decor photos by Deborah Williamson. Event photos by Patrick McMullan.

The Highline might just be the most rockin’ neighborhood in NYC.

Fresh off the Bowie curated arts festival, the area has a new 700-person music venue owned and operated by the family behind the B.B. King Blues Club and Blue Note Jazz Club. The Highline Ballroom (431 West 16th Street, 212-414-5994) opened its doors on April 30th with a performance by rock legend Lou Reed and has been buzzing ever since.

According to its promoters, the venue is dedicated to bringing music fans intimate performances by a diverse group of artists. Next up is Jesse Malin who plays the Highline Ballroom on June 6th. Presented by John Varvatos and SPIN magazine, the concert benefits Free Arts NYC, an organization that brings the healing power of the arts to abused and at-risk children and their families.

You might not have heard of Malin but he’s collaborated with some of the coolest rockers in the biz including Ryan Adams (who produced Malin’s debut album) and Pete Yorn. But, the real rockstar nod-of-approval came from an artist who Malin counts as one of his biggest inspirations – Bruce Springsteen.

The story goes something like this:

Malin meets Springsteen at the “Light of Day” charity concert. Malin sends Springsteen his latest CD. Springsteen calls Malin and invites him to join his Christmas show. Malin assumes he will be singing a Springsteen cover. Instead, the mentor and his band learn 3 of Malin’s songs and sings back-up for the young artist. Pretty cool, right?

The love continues with Malin’s latest album “Glitter in the Gutter,” which features a duet with The Boss called Broken Radio. Check out the music video.

For the New York born musician who sings and writes about the struggle and triumph of the Everyman, nothing could be more fitting than kicking off Malin’s U.S. summer tour with a concert to benefit the underprivileged children of his home town.

To purchase tickets for the June 6th concert with special guest Radio 4, click here. VIP Tickets (seated with open bar) are $150 while General Admission (standing only) are $50.

To watch videos and sample music, click here.

For more information or to make a donation to Free Arts, click here.

It’s another story if you are advertising executive turned filmmaker Eddie Shieh. Fresh off the festival circuit (screening at over 20 international festivals and counting), Shieh began fielding requests from friends who wanted to watch his debut short film, “No Menus Please,” a drama/comedy about two immigrants competing to distribute restaurant menus in New York City.

While planning the screening, Shieh reached out to 5 other directors with internationally acclaimed short films and invited them to join. With one call to Ayler Young of Tribeca Cinemas, (home to the Tribeca Film Festival) “movie night” was transformed into the Red Rope Screening, an event to celebrate short films and promote social business networking among influencers in film, fashion, music and art.

On Wednesday night, despite the torrential downpour, 400 guests attended the inaugural Red Rope Screening presented by Adidas, who showcased student documentaries about the prominence of graffiti art in the sneakerhead community through their End-to-End Project. Other supporters included Foot Locker, Chopin Vodka, Shorts International and Saint Grace (one of my favorite brands for T-shirts and tanks).

Shieh hand-selected 5 incredible films to accompany his own including: A Nick in Time by Bé Garrett (2007 Official Selection at Sundance, Tribeca and Cannes); first by actor DB Woodside (who plays President Wayne Palmer on Fox’s “24″) and Nick Sivakumaran; Spread The Love by Matt Lilly; Mutual Love Life by Robert Peters (2000 Oscar short-listed film); and, Our Time Is Up by Rob Pearlstein (Oscar nominated for 2006 Best Live Action Short Film).

After an hour listening to legendary DJ Stretch Armstrong, I finally found the newly minted director at the after-party. Shieh told me that the inspiration for the film literally arrived at his front door. During Shieh’s advertising days (he was an award winning creative at Ogilvy & Mather, TBWA/Chiat/Day and BBDO), he used to order from the same Chinese restaurant when he got home late at night. Shieh began to notice the constant menu delivery in his building and to wonder about the life of his delivery guy.

There is talk of another short film by Shieh as well as a Red Rope Screening in the Fall. We promise to keep you posted on both. In the meantime, check out the schedule at Tribeca Cinemas for other interesting film and music events such as the Miguel Migs record release party on Sunday, May 20th.

For your own movie night, art show or cocktail party, call Tribeca Cinemas (54 Varick Street, 212-941-2001). All of their event spaces are pretty amazing. Tell Ayler we sent you….

As the inaugural curator of the H&M High Line Festival (May 9th -19th), David Bowie has become our city’s personal guide to the coolest line-up of music, film, comedy and visual art performance. The artists that he has chosen to showcase are as eclectic as Bowie himself from Brit comedian Ricky Gervais (“The Office”) to French electro-pop duo Air to visionary Ken Nordine, the 87-year old musician who has been performing his beatnik-style spoken “word jazz” since 1955. Arcade Fire, the Montreal based indie rock band, kicked off the 10-day arts festival with a killer performance at Radio City Music Hall on Wednesday night.

Buddha Bar with Ty KU, a new sake liqueur, played host to the festival’s launch with a decadent after-party that followed their one-year anniversary celebration – a 250 person VIP dinner and auction (to benefit The Institute for Civic Leadership) for guests such as Kevin Spacey, Denise Rich, Marc Ecko, and Thom Felicia. Produced by my friends at Experiential Agency, Buddha Bar put on a spectacle of a show – a mix of performance art and acrobatics that descended from the vaulted ceiling – while revelers danced to soon-to-be-released tracks by legendary DJ Sam Popat, creator of the popular Buddha Bar compilations. Check out the NY Times video coverage of the event.

The goal of the annual festival, which continues through May 19th, is to highlight the particular taste of the artist curating it and to introduce New York to talented acts from around the world. Performances and events are being held at different venues near the High Line which runs through the Meatpacking, West Chelsea and Clinton/Hell’s Kitchen. A portion of proceeds from ticket sales will go to benefit Friends of the High Line, an organization working with the City of New York to transform the 1930′s elevated rail structure in a public space in 2008.

There are still some amazing events coming up. To buy tickets for shows including Polyphonic Spree and The Secret Machines, (photo below, left) visit the festival’s web site www.highlinefestival.com. Claude Cahun’s photography exhibit will run from May 18th -20th (photo below, right) in the gardens of the General Theological Seminary (175 Ninth Avenue). Open to the public and free of charge, it is not to be missed.

After seeing the photographer’s work in Paris, Bowie was fascinated and had the following to say:

“You could call her transgressive or you could call her a cross dressing Man Ray with surrealist tendencies. I find this work really quite mad, in the nicest way.”

Which coming from Ziggy Stardust is truly the finest of compliments.

As a professional event planner, you would assume that I have an extensive collection of music neatly organized into lists for every occasion but it is quite the opposite.

While I have worked with the best DJ’s in the business for all my clients, my personal music library is a bit of a mess and obviously neglected. What few mixes I have are limited to chilling out at home or kick-boxing at the gym.

Ironically, I have DJ’s Coleman Feltes and Ursula 1000 on speed dial but still no music for my Saturday night dinner party. So, like any New Yorker, I decide to order in…

Audiostiles is an amazing music styling company that creates playlists and compilations for any type of event. The founders are music aficionados who have worked in A&R at music labels and their team of programmers are made up of industry insiders who have worked as DJ’s and in radio.

Not only can they create the perfect party mix, they can give your iPod a total make-over by keeping your collection current and introducing you to new artists. The whole process is simple and easy.

1) First you fill out a questionnaire about your music needs (occasion), personal taste and how much music is needed.

2) You give them your shipping address and iTunes account info.

3) They send you a container for your iPod which you send back to them.

4) They download all the music into programmed playlists and send your freshly loaded iPod back to you in 3-5 days (not including shipping time).

Customized music is $50 per hour ($15 for actual music costs billed to your iTunes account and $35 for their styling fees)

Preprogrammed mixes are $35 per hour ($15 in music costs and $20 in fees). One of my favorites is “Guess Who is Coming To Dinner” – that features music from Zero 7, Everything But the Girl and Bebel Gilberto.

Now I have a music library with lists for every entertaining occasion from cocktail parties to 80′s night to Sunday brunch with the parents. Everything is perfectly arranged….just please stay away from my dresser.

Vanity Fair, Ports 1961 and the Accompanied Literary Society hosted a party to celebrate the launch of, “Photo by Sammy Davis, Jr.,” a book of previously unpublished images by the legendary entertainer.

The Ports 1961 showroom was transformed into a cocktail lounge at The Sands casino in Vegas and featured an installation of personal photos taken by Davis over the course of his tremendous career and life.

Only his closest friends and family knew that the talented singer, dancer and actor had a passion for photography. And, it was Davis’ inner circle – Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, May Britt, Jerry Lewis, Elizabeth Taylor, Marilyn Monroe and Paul Newman – that he captured in their most private, candid and revealing moments.

But, the night revealed more about the photographer than his subjects. During a Q&A with Burt Boyar, (Davis’ longtime friend and author of the book), we learned about Davis’ struggle as an African American entertainer during a racially divided time .

Boyar said that, “Sammy’s camera often served as a shield to gain access to places he couldn’t because of his color.” Despite his fame and success, the A-list insider always felt like an outsider.

In true Vegas style, the sentimental tribute to Sammy Davis, Jr. ended with a stellar performance by another ground-breaking entertainer – Adam Dugas of The Citizen’s Band, a Cabaret-inspired collective of singers, dancers and actors who use their art to comment on political and social issues.

Photography by Sammy Davis, Jr.