BlackBook

Last night I went on a blind date that Steve Lewis put together. By put together, I mean he came up with the awesome idea of entering me, his editor, into an auction benefitting the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, and plotting and writing about the date and highest bidder in his column. The moment he declared this to the world in a post, my stock instantly went up 500 points which, in the high-stakes bidding world means $500.

Today is going to be short and sweet. The half of me that's Jewish is having a huge argument with the half that isn't and it's best that I write half a column today. Tonight I will DJ at Champagning Midtown at the lobby-level bar at the Dream Hotel, 55th Street btw. Broadway and 7th Ave. Nick Andreottola and Nicole Rose, along with Dream honcho Ric Addison, are hosting this shindig which starts at an early 6:30pm and runs until 12:30am. They say the idea is "to celebrate life by drinking champagne.”  I have many reasons to be cheerful this week so I may imbibe. As many of you loyal readers and friends know, I only drink two or three times a year, whenever I have sex, so I'm going to go to my "sexy" set for tonight. That's Chris Isaak's "Wicked Game" to Donna Summer's "Love to Love You Baby.” You get the idea.

I was at a fight the other night and a hockey game almost broke out. OK, thats's almost the oldest joke in the world. The reason for that "almost" in there is that there is no hockey due to a labor dispute and lockout. The alternate captain of the New York Rangers, Brad Richards, is using his time off to provide fun experiences and treatment for kids and families enduring chronic and life-threatening illnesses. who are in need. Richards will be hosting his Inaugural Brad Richards Foundation Wines of the World at Hotel Chantelle on October 2nd at 7pm. There will be wine tastings and lots of Ranger-types around, so although it's not quite like going to a game, it could scratch that hockey itch. Plus, you’ll get to actually hang out and talk to Brad – which is pretty brilliant. To buy tickets, or to donate in another way, go to brichards19.com. I caught up with Brad and he told me all about it.

Project Imaginat10n caught my imagination when a photographer caught a handcuffed NYC couple kissing just before they were separated and led to jail. He was the graffiti artist and she was the lookout. The shot seen around the world had a romantic True Romance feel to it. This image was disqualified because the photographer couldn't get a release, but their fifteen minutes of fame created a lot of hype for this Canon project. Canon has gathered Jamie Foxx, Eva Longoria, Twitter co-founder Biz Stone, Marchesa designer Georgina Chapman, and LCD Soundsystem frontman James Murphy to direct ten-minute films based on photographs which inspire them. These photographs must be submitted by today. Two-time Academy Award-winning director Ron Howard will be on hand to guide this crew through the process. 

Last year at this time, and the year before that, and the year before that, I ended many of my evenings at subMercer, that Andre Balaz subterranean paradise in his Mercer Hotel. I would hang outside with lifelong friend/door guru Richard Alvarez and his sidekick Moses, or join the scene downstairs presided over by totally cool, hip, fun, temptress Gabby Mejia. Gabby was the reason to be cheerful for a mixed bag of adults who found this small joint with big music important. It was the kind of place that you didn't have to think about "what was going on.” There was always Gabby, Richard, and Moses. There was always a great DJ, except maybe when I played, and the crowd was always sexy, always smart, and were never-looking-for-the-same-ol'-predictable programming featured around town. It was my secret spot that I told everyone about. Every summer it would close down as the Balaz crew headed to Shelter Island or other exotic lands to reboot.

Am I supposed to tell you bright people what to do? I'm not even sure I even know you. I mean what's a poor boy to do but to write for BlackBook magazine? I sometimes feel like I'm swimming upstream, but I truly feel that my glass is 1/4 full rather than 3/4 empty and I'm optimistic that nightlife as I love it and define it is all around us. I sometimes feel like Yoda instructing you to use the force, find the love. Look in the corners, side streets, and alleys. Find the beat off the beaten path. Breath the air and find that nightlife you always knew was there, still there, will always be there. Yeah I had one of those no sleep till Brooklyn nights and what's left of my mind is still reeling from the residuals of yet another improbable adventure I probably shouldn't and wouldn't have if I couldn't have, but there I was and I did it. One day I may tell you about. It's amazing that I'm moving at all so I might as well just move forward. What am I talking about??? I'm talking about talented people doing wonderful things.

Once again, Facebook is the bearer of bad news. Pal Bill Jarema alerted me to the passing of legendary sound engineer/artist Gary Stewart. The club world is as shocked by his death as it was awed by his sound systems. People spoke of his great ears and gigantic heart. Bill Jarema, ex-Studio 54 honcho, offered "imagine any of the great nightlife venues without sound and you will realize quickly how much Gary will be missed." Superstar House DJ Frankie Knuckles posted "It’s a sad day when someone so special passes on. Gary was a friend and a great engineer. On many occasion he made me sound so good. I will always love you, Gary. Thank you for being my friend."  Hundreds of people have weighed in so far but as the news spreads it will be thousands. Gary was a global presence. The club world, the scene, and the planet have lost a gentleman. I'll put forth that a client list is worth a thousand words. Here is a list of his clients from the GSA website: