don hill

Yesterday we talked about the incredible group of musicians gathering this Thursday for the Celebration of the Legendary Don Hill, the deceased owner of the club that bore his name, but rarely bored anyone. Rock royalty will show and renew their vows at this Irving Plaza event. A couple of weeks ago, I sat at a back table at Continental, Trigger’s Bowery and St Marks booze box, and discussed with Don Hill friends Michael T, Michael H, Queen V and Steven Blush, what the man meant to them in life and now in eternity.

more
blackbook.Image25403.don-hill-19

We hear that New York nightlife legend Don Hill has passed away. We'll verify as soon as we can, and with a much more extensive eulogy, but the source assures us the sad news is "100% accurate." Hill presided over both incarnations of eponymous superdive Don Hill's, the first of which opened in 1993 and helped define the last two decades of rockin' NYC nightlife.

more
blackbook.Image25253.s-DRINKING-

You deserve a break today, possibly a big green one. I am here to accommodate. In bad decision making that has to rank up there with “General Custer, I think there’s only a few Indians up there,” or “Captain, that iceberg is probably too small to hurt us,” I have been booked to DJ at Pacha tonight. This has to be the grand club's lowest moment. When I told Pacha stalwart DJ Victor Calderone about my gig the other night, he started laughing. I don’t think he has stopped. I’m bringing my boy MSB to help me. He’s pretty good and will save the day—er night, I’m sure. Liam McMullan will start the night, and I’m sure to end it, so get there early.

more
blackbook.Image25240.mainhaculla

I see Haculla all over town. It peeks at me from plastered walls. It is irreverent street art, the type of thing that has me walking the streets of NYC. When the iconic images popped up last September in that club that I adore, Don Hills, a certain tone was set. Something new was going to happen.Harif Guzman was tasked to set that tone at this too-cool joint where Nur Khan and Paul Sevigny held court. Gone was the Sailor Jerry tattoo motif art that had adorned the walls of the first incarnation of Don Hill's—a legendary spot where every act had played. A new generation of rockers are now hitting the stage, alongside many of the old ones, as well. Harif's collages assured the new generation of creatures-of-the-night that they were in the right place.

more
blackbook.Image24888.MichaelH3.j

After lording over the Don Hill's scene as the frontman for the late, lamented Bender, sharing a stage with everyone from Andy Hilfiger to Earl Slick, and clothing the likes of Guns N' Roses, Jane's Addiction, and Duran Duran with his deHoghton and Rock Punk Couture clothing lines, it's hardly a wonder to find Michael Houghton (known to Downtown's denizens as Michael H) paying homage on canvas to some of rock & roll's most magnificent bad boys.

more
blackbook.Image23862.pacha_nyc1s

Five years of life in club years is like seven dog years, so Pacha is arguably almost as old as me. The absolutely ancient Pacha has been celebrating its five years by showcasing some of the DJs that have helped define it. There was David Guetta last Friday, Kaskade last Saturday, and Luciano will be there tonight. I will try to get there this evening, but I will for sure attend the Erick Morillo/Fedde Le Grand DJ extravaganza Saturday night. It hasn’t been an easy five, as economic downturns and over-zealous city agencies have been a constant threat to survival. Few clubs have survived, and those that have aren’t what they used to be, with, of course, the Don Hill’s exception. That joint is now way better. Marquee was around five years ago and is still going strong, although its core crowd has moved on to Avenue and Lavo. Webster Hall has been around for more than a century and still thrives as a live music and big DJ mecca. Cielo was there over seven years ago, and still is.

more
blackbook.Image23790.What-the-Di

Tonight the party of the century, or at least one of the last good ones of this decade, is happening. Gosh, is anyone aware that the decade is done, kaput, finito? The DGI Management Holiday Party has been unbelievable the last couple of years, and everything says tonight’s event will rock, roll, hip-hop, mash-up, and mix-up all the formats. DGI, among other things, is a DJ management company, so tonight’s music will come from Paul Sevigny, Rev Run, The Misshapes, DJ Ruckus, Jesse Marco, DJ Kiss, Corey Enemy, David Berrie, DJ M.O.S., Mel DeBarge, and DJ Rashida. There are always surprises. Don Hill's is the place, and getting in will be a trip, so start texting, faxing, calling, and bribing now.

more
blackbook.FeatureImage23732.Dec7

"For the first time, acting became more about me"

more
blackbook.Image23714.scottlipps_

On the Cool Jobs list, Scott Lipps nears the top - somewhere between shortstop for the New York Yankees and President of the U.S. of A. As president of One Management, he guides the careers of some of the most beautiful and interesting people in the world, while still finding the time to be a rock-and-roll drummer and go out most nights. He's sought-after by every party promoter and club owner in town. Every joint wants him (or at least the people he manages) to show up. We’ve been nodding hellos to each other across rooms for years, so it was nice to finally sit down and get to know him.

more
blackbook.Image23671.avenue-new-

To V.I.P. or not to V.I.P., that is the question. I am always conflicted about which New York to show clients. Should I take them to La Esquina, Lit, White Noise, or Don Hill's? Should I venture out to my beloved BK for Brooklyn Bowl and Manhattan Inn? The Manhattan hot spots are designed for client relations and the special white-glove pick-pocketing that goes with it. It seems to be a dollar-and-cents thing that makes sense when the deal is sealed. My clients with limos and expensive expectations wanted the V.I.P. New York that they understand, because it’s quite similar to the V.I.P. experience they know from Vegas and Los Angeles. We were to meet at Avenue after my DJ gig in Chelsea.

more