Wake Me Up

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Had a great weekend with Dorff, David Arquette, Owen Wilson and friends.  Celebrating with Stephan Dorff tonight at Catch (NYC) and Electric Room.  Happy Birthday Dorff!

The video to Avicii’s Wake me Up made in partnership with Ralph Lauren Denim (not a bad partnership).  Pretty inspirational song and perfect for the good times being had over the summer.

Where ever you are Live Life!

Life Untitled – A Work In Progress (Follow Me on Twitter @partnmotion)

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Introduction

Well here I am.  It’s almost 8am on a random Sunday.  That last sentence was so short but it has so much import.  Breaking it down it means, at least partially, the following:

8 a.m. – I can’t sleep. Even if I had passed out I would have woken up now. There’s just so much on my mind.

Random – Means that the same BS that happens everyday happened yesterday and probably will tomorrow.  The few immediate concerns are the numbing that I’m feeling (will expand upon later), why my daughter’s mother has to constantly be evil, the desire to have meaningful conversation with intelligent people, work, pleasure, disappointment, doubt, God and the need for faith in something, family (what a big word), courage, economics… The Random.

I’m just happy to be logged in right now.  My blog.  My outlet.  It’s always good to breath.  Deep breath.  Deep Breath.

Introspection

This is the tough part.  I’m gonna go to sleep.  I had amazing dreams last night (that says a lot considering how fantastic my reality is).  I want to be clear on the thoughts and conversation we enter.  Without bias or lies as best I possibly can.  It’ll be skewed by my perspective.  But I’ll try.

What’s Up

Nightlife

Its been slow going in trying to find as a new space that has both a 4a.m. liquor license and a sane seller that understands that they aren’t going to be paid a billion dollars for what is basically a failed business or just not worth the asking price plus a new build-our and opening cost.  I’ve seen some some great places and would be happy to do a JV (joint venture) but again the above applies.

Can’t let time pass without having some independent influence on the industry so I decided to carve out space in the pre-club hours with a dinner series.  I started the 1st series on Thursdays, 9pm – 1a.m.at, Mediterranean eatery Casa La Femme.  Casa La Femme is legendary in nightlife.  Its original location on Green Street in SOHO was the haunt for models, actors, actors, musicians, politicians, designers…  Legendary!

We’re on week 4 of the dinner party and with the help of the owners Medhat Ibrahim and Anastasi Hairatidis, its been amazing.  Believe me I’ve been smiling at the success of it. So, what happens after?  Well, I like a few spaces as lounge/club-ish spaces but the winner for Thursdays is The Darby Downstairs where our crowd mixes and overlaps with owner’s Richie Akiva and Ronnie Madras‘.  Models and Celebs vibe and party to rock n roll, hip hop, house to a mash up music.  (Oak in Las Vegas is crushing it apparently).

In full disclosure I do go by The Darby Downstairs and hold court on Fridays and Saturdays (Tuesdays too).  But I do roll over to Provocateur to see the boys Michael Satsky and Brian Gefter with there in-house crew Kyky, Dimitri and Francois.  Rumor has that the entire Provocateur team will be headed to Cannes for the Film Festival and taking over Gotha and setting up an amazing lineup of headlining DJs.

Last night Catch‘s Third Floor’s Monster Party was jammed packed with models, music, financial and sports heavy weights.  Ron Burkle, Jay Z, Diddy, Swizzbeats, Amarie Stoudamire, Kanye West, Carmelo Anthony, and wall to wall models.

I have plans to take an outdoor space for another dinner party during the week.  Gotta stay in it so stay tuned for that…

SPORTS

Knicks – Made the Playoffs and look good damn it.

Rangers – In the Playoffs and need more celebrity support at home games.

Nets – Moving to Brooklyn which means Manhattan – Brooklyn series are gonna be sick!

Yankees – Killing it! (of course)

Mets – Killing it!  (who knew?)

Politics

The Republican Primaries are all but done, according to major media outlets, with republicans settling on Mitt Romney as the last man standing pretty much.  No one seems excited.  Lets watch as they transition from extreme right to middle right and say and do whatever it takes to take it to the president.  How do you trust anyone who’ll say anything to get elected.  How does that work?  I’ll expand on this on the next go round.

A few bullet point:

  • The president does not govern alone congress is and has been a disaster and all the real power
  • we have to take back and own our politics not just complain
  • all politics are local – please remember this – 90% of the laws that affect you are made locally
  • make educated votes
  • do not and/or stop voting against your own self interest
  • do not be distracted by mass media
  • engage in friendly, if not intelligent, conversation and debate

Getting Personal

I have got to be one of the luckiest men alive to be blessed with the attention and affections some of the most beautiful women in the world (I thank God everyday).  I watch as models, actors and singers mingle with music , movie and money moguls all just wanting to be out find “it” and enjoy “it.”   We New Yorkers work hard and play even harder so every night is filled with the who’s who all in search of “it”.

I’m saddened.  Yeas, that’s a weird term.  Recently I split with a young lady I was seeing.  She’s a sexy, smart, fun and funny all American who’s crazy as hell, with curves in all the right places.  We were having a blast!!!  If I elaborated they would shut my blog down for indecency.

We also traveled and paled around like two love birds.  Unfortunately, we didn’t have the best luck with support from friends and the relationship was somewhat convoluted with a million issues but none more constraining as loyalty and trust.  Not just her’s.

Note to self: There are so many haters, applied liberally to and in all categories from friendships to work, and few if any real folks who encourage folks instead of enabling (a drug term used to describe people who help addicts get and do drugs instead of helping them overcome addiction) them.  Most of them surround you.  If you get that feeling they’re assholes its probably true.

Well after too much crap to innumerate here I’d had enough and called it a day.  My personal feeling regarding a successful relationships is the following:

  • make each other comfortable and feeling confident
  • share and don’t lie
  • have sex constantly
  • make each other smile and laugh
  • touch each other (petting is amazing)
  • travel together
  • more sex
  • If your partner is shallow or focused only on money get out.  They will never be happy…

Not a solve all but its a good start.  In the meantime Ms. Right Now, whomever she or they may be, are gonna have some us some fun.

Whats New

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Wondering Thoughts

I have been all over lately.  I mean its been a while since I posted because I am, like most people, affected by the economy and the global shift in power from the “1st World Economies” to developing nations such as Venezuela, China, India and several African nations.  I’ve been confused by the increasing gap between the extreme wealth of some based mostly on an insider’s knowledge on how to beat the markets by gambling against the success of markets and the United States over all.  This is not propaganda and no I haven’t drank the cool aid.

The world is so much smaller and growth is occurring at a slower rate mostly because jobs, employment and unemployment, are making people nervous.  The desire to spend and have fun is palpable.  I find that people are still spending but a lot are just standing around and just looking.

New York

Fashion Week New York  style, was a diverse course of smaller parties and a draw down on the high profile.  The few things that stood out are the premier of the Coco Channel movie, The Cult’s performance at Rose Bar at the Gramercy Hotel and the Last Magazine party which moved from Thomas Hayo’s loft to the Submercer.  Yes the Boom Boom Room hosted some great parties but they weren’t the highlights.

The battle of the new spaces Abe & Arthur’s  and Simyone Lounge (SL) vs. Avenue wasn’t much of a to do.  Both venues hosted fashion events and people were pretty much just going through the motions attending with no major appearances of celebrities.  Actually, Rihanna, who’s the shizzle, was the biggest name out and about and the big night was Jay-Z’s party at 1Oak where she co-hosted the event.  Of course there is always the adventurous LL, Lindsay Lohan, making the rounds preparing for her big show with fashion label Ungaro in Paris.

Paris

Paris fashion week, Prete Porte, was fun, exciting and was just simply… Paris.  New York was well represented in the Parisian Night life.  I hosted my “Made In NYC” party at Sens with Cyril Peret, the owner of Sens and had DJ Sinatra and Paris’ DJ Magnum compete for the cheers of the packed house.  Model high lights included Giedre Dukauskaite, Eniko Mihalik,  Zuzana Gregorova, Laura Blokina, Ginta Lapina and Egle Tvirbutaite.  Richie Akiva came to support and I returned the favor the next evening at his 1Oak party at the VIP club with the owner Jean Roc as they celebrated a joint birthday. Sunday Regine was the party.  I co-hosted with Derick Blassberg, Tommy Sahleh, Paul Sevigny, the Misshapes and Steven Rojas called New York New York.  Everyone in fashion and its periphery was there.  Party went until 6am.

The Plaza Athenee, 25, Avenue Montaigne, was the party before the party on each nigh and regardless as to the featured party of the night the it crowd ended each night at BC, Black Calvados 40, avenue Pierre ler de Serbie Paris VIII, the sexiest lounge in Paris. The darling of Paris fashion week?  Rihanna!  She was the “it” in Paris and believe me i tried to get her to come out and support my events but She was doing shows during the day and working on completing her album at night.  Yep!  She’s was killing it in the studio.  Who knew Paris was the place to be to make hit records!

Changes

Well I opened Greenhouse for Jon B and Barry Mullineaux.  I can’t argue with the concept: Green is the new Black.  As the world latches on to the concept of being environmentally conscious why not a night club that reflects this initiative in its design.  It sounded gimmicky but I believe in the idea behind it.  The catch was to work on this project meant working with the king of 27th Street.  In New York City that means commercial crap lining the couches and bar.  Its not crap…  It’s just not my idea of a good crowd.

Greenhouse opened with tremendous fan fair and rightly so.  The timing, concept and team was perfect.  But that’s all that was right about Greenhouse.  The underlying theme in marketing management was a race to the bottom: let in the masses.  I’ve never been one to enjoy big spaces and too many people.  Call me a snob but having space and surrounding yourself with friendly familiar faces has always been more fun to me.  Don’t get me wrong.  Greenhouse is fun.  It’s just not for me.

Southside

The new club/lounge I’m involved with is Southside (great name no?)  It’s a speakeasy type basement club at  the crossroads of Soho and Nolita, just around the corner from La Esquina.  It’s a mix of Hipster, celebs, socialites and models with a heavy Aussie influence.  The music is noticeably not like every other club.  Dee Jays spin rock, mash up, oldies all within upbeat remixes that has the entire club singing and dancing with minimal hip hop.  It’s a refreshing change from the same sets you’ll hear in almost every club.    Reservations recommended  1 Cleveland Place  NYC (212) 680-5601

Above Allen

Ranked fourth by Black Book’s best lounges in NYC.  Above Allen is located on the 7th floor of the Thompson Hotel LES. It has the most remarkable view of Manhattan.  The space is actually situated on a terrace that has a retractable roof that allows 90% of the space to be outdoors in the summer and cozy and warm in the winter months.  With really tasty specialty cocktails a small but fun food menu of sushi rolls, cheese burger spring rolls and salads among the menu items.  Cute and sexy Above Allen is another installment in the Thompson Hotel Group’s growing list of “Above” themed spaces both in NYC and LA.  Hotel Guests, reservations and guest list to gain access.  Bottle service, cocktails and appetizer menu.  109 Allen Street  (btn. Houston and Stanton)  212-460-5300

Movies

What you may not know about Gerard Butler‘s new film Law Abiding Citizen is that he almost single handedly rescued the movie.  If you remember back after NYE I wrote about Gerry’s gushing about his movie with Jamie Foxx.  Well his excitement was coupled with anxiety.  He explained that the film was terribly written and he took over the producer’s role and brought in a new team of writers (and money) to make this project work and right the ship.  It was funny because he told me the story about scene he’d shot with Jamie Foxx wherein Jamie was feigning punching him, Gerry, in the face.  He said they shot it so many times his neck was killing him and he needed a deep tissue massage. They must have shot it 60 times.  I wish him the best on this project.  I’m going to see it today.

I cant wait to see Where The Wild Thing Are.  Spike Jones has amazing vision and if anyone is familiar with the book by  Maurice Sendak you know you’ll be touched and blown away by this film.

I’m intentionally ignoring comment on Health Care and Afghanistan.  I’ll call ’em as I see ’em when we have laws and a strategy.   Why get ahead of myself.

Around Town/The Republican Challenge

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The standardMeat Packing

Its a Thursday. I’m trying to get off the couch because its already been a long week. Then the incentive to get motivated comes in the form of a text message. It’s Jessica White, Sport Illustrated models always get me motivated. She’s in town bored and wants to hangout. My response? I’m in!!! She’s staying at the Standard Hotel. I go to pick her up because I haven’t been there yet and I’m curious. The hotel lobby is small and there is a cute little bar that services the lobby. I’m sure there’s more to come. Mean while Ms. White has me waiting 20 minutes. Jeez… I love it! There’s a pre-opening for a new club Griffin (the old PM space). The room has been redesigned by Steve Lewis with sound proofing so that the new business isn’t plagued with complaints from it’s residential neighbors. The changes are wonderful but the space is basically the same. That said it is a dramatic improvement from its previous life. An elaborate chandelier is focal point and main feature. Its a good crowd but the air conditioning is inadequate and we’re sweating. Not so good. The back up plan is to head across the street to Bijoux. There’s a birthday party for one of the owners so I know it’ll be fun. We head over for what turns out to be a model packed party with DJ Sinatra doing his thing on the turn tables. Its an early night my guest has an early day with MTV so we call it a night around 2 a.m.


Derek Lam with Vogues Anna Wintour

Derek Lam with Vogue's Anna Wintour

Fashion

Derek Lam

I recently had the pleasure of attending the Derek Lam store opening with Zuzana Gregorova, Giedre Dukauskaite, Edita Vilkeviciute (pictures below) definitely the part of the new batch of the new faces of fashion. We were accompanied by a handler. Model handlers take the girls to events that relate to their industry keeping them in front of the fashion world’s eye’s and lenses. The store is gorgeous as was the crowd.

Flip Cam Ultra HD

Flip Cam Ultra HD

I brought my Flip Ultra HD video Camera for fun. I love this thing small and easy to use. The girls and everyone one else light up as soon as they realize this pint size instrument is a video camera and they are stars in my video masterpiece. The nights young and I suggest dinner. Derek Lam Store 10-12 Crosby Street NYC

Eats

Blue Ribbon

There so much going on in New York its hard to remember the staples that make the city wonderful. I recently re-discovered a Blue Ribbon restaurant 97 Sullivan Street (bet. Spring and Prince streets). Its eclectic menu of comfort food, fried chicken and mash potatoes, Rack of Lamb to Matzoh Ball Soup (who knew) mixes well with its raw bar and beef marrow Oxtail Marmalade and Raviloli plates are are mouth watering staples. Trust me!!! Owners, Bruce & Eric Bromberg still have arguably the best late night dinning experience. While we’re dining Ronnie Madra of 1Oak strolls over to the table to join us and shortly thereafter super DJ Eric Morillo. As gorgeous as I am I know its the girls that have drawn them over. Their table is ready after a few minutes of chatting. We’re leaving and stop by to say our farewells. Ronnie Seikly, former basketball player turned house music DJ, has joined them. He’s in town to play at Pink Elephant and he makes the you have to stop and introduce face. I’m showing off so of course I oblige. Blue Ribbon Open until 4 a.m. 212.274.0404 .

Music

Katie Perry

KBlue Ribbon is regarded as the premier late night dining experience in the country. The menu reflects the eclectic upbringing and taste of its chefs and owners, Bruce & Eric Bromberg. The menu includes everything from Paella to Fried Chicken, Rack of Lamb to Matzoh Ball Soup and a ground breaking Raw Blue Ribbon EntranceBar that is considered the best in the city. The Cheese Fondue, Beef Marrow with Oxtail Marmalade and Pu-Pu Platter never disappoint.
Whether you are in the mood for a Burger and a Pint or a Lobster and Caviar, the Blue Ribbon team is always there for you. Blue Ribbon is open 7 days a week, from 4 until 4. Reservations available for groups of 5-8
people.
Location:
97 Sullivan Street (bet. Spring and Prince streets)
New York, NY 10012
212.274.0404

I really like Katie Perry. She’s amazingly normal and cool. She came to GreenHouse after one of her shows and MC’d for a good 10 minutes. She hung out with the crowd and made the night fun. So when her manager Chris said People Magazine was hosting a party for her at Mr. West of course I was going and I dragged my guests with me. Katie didn’t disappoint. She immediately waves me over and in classic Katie Perry form asks “So, do you think I’m cross eyed?” as she’s posing for a picture. I simply say “ah, no darling. I think you’re beautiful.” Its pouring rain outside and the place is packed but its time to head to GreenHouse and continue the fun. I Love My Life!

Asher Roth is a great new artist that reminds me of Eminem when he first hit- they also look alike. He’s my pick of the week for new artist. But the song I cant get enough of is Black Eyed Peas Boom Boom Pow

Asher Roth Ft. Cee-lo Be By Myself

Politics- The Republican Challenge

I watched the Sunday talk shows, CNN, NBC, ABC…, the commentary revolved around the President’s speech on Swine Flu. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) predicts that by the president making a public statement about Swine Flu ,saying that Americans should be mindful to simply wash your hands, has reduced the potential outbreak from tens of thousands to a few thousand.

Rush Limbaugh & Glen Beck

Rush Limbaugh & Glen Beck

The commentary wasn’t to praise the President. It was about the response from the Republican Party surrogates, specifically Rush Limbaugh and Glen Beck. These two geniuses took issue with the best advice anyone could

give. They took issue with the President doing his part to be a leader, our leader, and help calm fears and give the single best advice as recommended by the CDC. They took issue with President Obama telling Americans what to do. They found it to be a breach of their civil liberties. What has happened to the Republican Party? They used to be the Party of Lincoln and Eisenhower ? That’s the last time we saw the true Republican Party. Heck even Reagan understood the Party’s core principle of fiscal responsibility. He raised taxes and stayed away the religious zealots in his party.

 

I used to look at at the fiscal conservative principles of the Republicans as being the cornerstone to America’s future. It was the counter balance to the Democratic Party’s over emphasis on entitlements. Those principles helped balance taking care of the American people while ensuring fiscal responsibility. Once they agreed to raid the entitlement funds like Social Security and the government pension fund, abandoning a pay as you go legislation, gutting the EPA’s oversight and enforcement, the environment, and deregulating of the finance industry leading to our current crisis in both areas, we lost that balance of ideology that makes America America.

I recently asked someone, a young person, why they a republican and the basic answer was that her parents were and so… Its unhealthy and potentially dangerous when we don’t have intelligent debate from the officials elected to serve the public interest. Just common sense without the over introduction of religious zeal, evolution vs. intelligent design, or selling the farm to special interest, something both parties are guilty of, so that we can focus on the challenges ahead of us. The Republican Party is facing a take over, if it has not already happened, by fanatics and extremists. Part of the problem s is that not all republicans believe in these principles but the extremists are the only voice. They aren’t being challenged. With no alternatives the faithful will follow blindly. Hell even Joe the plumber bailed out of the Party.

Its a new world and America needs a new approach. I hope the Republican Party meets the challenges we all face with the practical sense that it once represented. Democrats need their perspective and America deserves better than just disagreeing with the President. I hope the silent majority within the Republican Party steps up to the challenge. The cost of doing nothing may be too great for the country or the world to endure. Yes, things are that dire.

Movies Star Trek!

Spock, you dirty dog. Yes, Its that entertaining.

 

 

The New Philosophy

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Greenhouse

Greenhouse

 

 

 

Model Talk

Okay. It’s true. Greenhouse, my latest haunt in Soho, opened with a lot of fanfare but was probably opened a little late in the season missing out on Diddy’s Election Day/ Birthday Party and not nearly enough time to really get our grove before the holidays. But let me say Greenhouse is now “the” NYC Hot Spot.

It hasn’t been easy. I wont get into the various inner sanctum minutia that drives me, and most that have integrity in this business, crazy but I have other club owners call with threats about competing on “their” nights and “stealing promoters”. Crap like that from people with egos that are bigger than they should be. A sizable ego is a must for success in any industry but please… the bullshit from some in this business, as if any of us are the originators of the industry, is just showing your hand and highlights insecurities that wouldn’t otherwise be obvious. Well, not that obvious.

I have to go back and thank a few people. I celebrated my birthday in December and unfortunately i was remiss in blogging. Thank you to my friends that hosted and attended my Birthday. Bridget Hall, Amy Wesson, Andre Harrell, Damon Dash, Alec Wek, Alex Von Furstenburg, Angela Lindvall, Doutzen Kroes, Egle Tvirbuaite, Josie Morans, O’Neal McKnight, Elise Crombez, Giedre Dukauskaite, Leonardo DiCaprio, a special thank you to Petery Tuney for the specialty art work gift and Jim Jones for performing and making it crazy and Alex Smith for sharing the day with me by celebrating his birthday the same evening. We are both born on December 16th.

This past week I was partying with Gerry Butler, Katie Perry, Estelle, and where Jay Z, Nas, Rick Ross, Timberland, Akon and LA Reid celebrated a friends birthday…

 

Katy Perry

Katy Perry & Estelle

 

 

 

Night Life Guru cum interior designer, Steven Lewis, was host and honoree of BlackBook Magazine on Wednesday. kickass party culminating with a performance by Kid Cudi- insanely fun night!

Kid Cudi

Plays

Jim Jones- Hip Hop Monologues/Off Broadway Play/Musical

I was invited to the season opening of Jim Jones’ Hip Hop Monologues. Wow! This guy has got the goods. The production is a musical based on the time-line to his success with a message of hope with an eye to the struggles of achieving success with the obstacles inherent in growing up Black and impoverished. Don’t get me wrong. This play/musical is fun and funny and has a message of success not just hope. It was thoughtful and well produced. No, its no Miss Saigon but it is a triumph in what is obviously a personal journey in this talented young man’s life with with scenes and images that are relevant to anyone and everyone.

Movies

X-Men Origins-Wolverine

This movie is flat out good. Its not Iron Man but it has a great story line and is well acted. I can’t wait for the future development of this story line if this is the direction its going. Marvel is finally getting it a right…

Politics

Barack Obama– Its Just Leadership

-The man with his “Football” is as cool as the other side of the willow.

Americans are like drug addicts detoxing the hard way. Going cold turkey from drugs. We have been so programmed by the Bush administration’s politics and approach, scare tactics, lies, abuse of power, and the overall approach to dumbing down of america that we are confused by the intelligent, thoughtful, educational, charasmatic approach of President Obama and his administration.

How long will it take before we reeducate ourselves to be think before we speak. Listen so that we can formulate an appropriate response and review all of our options so that we have the best response. The example of leadership and problem solving President Obama has displayed in his first two months has exemplary. We want a winner but are stuck in the mentality of “consumption, criticism, and living only in the immediate gratification of the now” with a media full of commentator and fewer and fewer journalists.

Our political leaders, Democrat and Republican, had better catch up with where America is and not the failed representation of the past nine years. Lack of will is only part of the problem. Its the lack of leadership that is glaringly appalling! It’s not that Obama is doing anything super human. It’s that someone is finally doing something. It’s what we should expect from the people we elect to represent us.

Music

Jamie Foxx- Blame It

If you haven’t heard it yet I’m putting it up here because it’s the universal answer and it makes me smile.