Category Archives: FAME

Entertainment, FAME, Going Out, NYC

A Legendary Evening for Legendary Damon

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So who can pull off making a grand entrance into a packed nightclub atop a white horse dazzling spectators?  Legendary Damon, that’s who (eat your heart out Bianca Jagger).  Last Sunday, NYC belonged to “the King of New York nightlife” as he celebrated his birthday with all the grandiose fabulosity that he has become recognized for.

Known for his lavish birthday soirees, Damon didn’t disappoint this year as he paid homage to one of the most iconic clubs in Manhattan’s history – Studio 54.  The Marquee, located at 289 10th Avenue, was decked out in silver, reminiscent of the famed hot spot, complete with various old school album covers on the tables of the VIP section and the smiling half moon (minus the spoon filled with snow).    Cocktails were being knocked back courtesy of Remy Martin V, and may I add they were extremely scrumptious. 

Like the legendary club created by Steve Rubell, the A-List, philistines and everyone in between mingled in harmony as DJs Jimmy the Gent, Charlie Brown, Goldfinger, Kiss and MOS spinned an array of classics and hip-hop bringing the club to a frenzy.  Among the celebrities toasting with the famed stylist and promoter were Chef Roblé, Karen Gravano of the hit VH1 show “Mob Wives”, UK R&B diva Estelle and Roc Nation’s Bridget Kelly, both of whom serenaded Legendary Damon.

 

All and all it is a fete that won’t be forgotten soon.  Swankier and more fierce than last year, Legendary Damon knows how to put the swagger back into NYC clubbing.  The countdown is on until next year; I can’t wait to see what he will pull out of his fashionable chapeau.

 

FAMERS, take a gander at the video that preceded his entrance into the club.

Photos and video courtesy of Pretentious PR, Maria Maltsava and Sarah McColgan

Entertainment, FAME, Going Out, NYC

A Blizzard of Savings

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Well, the weather outside isn’t so frightful.  But the savings are still delightful. The new Seasons of Savings booklet is out and offers discounts of up to 50% for shows, parking, hotels and attractions around the theater district.

Published twice of year, Seasons of Savings makes Broadway and Off-Broadway more accessible by providing amazing discounts to the hottest happenings in Times Square – the Superbowl is over, pick up a guide, run your fingers through a winter land of savings and warm up with a show.

To learn more or view the booklet, click http://www.seasonofsavings.com/.

Entertainment, FAME, Going Out, NYC

Grand Re-opening…Grand Closing?

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On January 18th Gotham’s hottest celebrities and Warren Buffett came out to celebrate with rap mogul Jay-Z.  And it was not to celebrate the birth of his daughter Blue Ivy Carter; it was to officially announce that 40/40 Club was re-opened for business.  Or is it?  Yes, the Flatiron nightclub, located on West 25th Street, received a $10 million overhaul, but apparently that wasn’t enough to get the club a passing grade with health inspectors and was closed again a day later.

According to the Post, the health inspector gave the club 69 violation points and a “C” grade, and in case you are unsure what that means, that is bad.  The health inspector found perishable food at dangerously warm temperatures inside the walk-in refrigerator, “hot” food left out on the counter and a worker mixing salsa with bare hands. 

The grade will be adjudicated at a hearing next month.  Ron Berkowitz, spokesman for 40/40 Club, stated to TMZ that the grade was a still pending.  Since news broke of the club’s closing a day after its star-studded re-opening, some have rushed to various websites to question Jay-Z’s business acumen.  But even “The Donald” has had his share of bumps along the road.  I’m sure HOV could’ve oversaw the details of re-opening of 40/40 Club with a platinum tooth comb to ensure no hiccups like this would happen, but I believe Jigga has much more on his mind as of late.  Wouldn’t you agree?

Photo: Theo Wargo/Getty Images

FAME, Fashion, NYC

It’s Good To Be The King

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Or at least the CEO.  According to MSN Money, fashion icon and creator of the Polo dynasty Ralph Lauren’s income as a CEO is $66.7 million dollars.  The average salary for a Ralph Lauren employee is $$50,200.  Now for you FAMERS that hate math as much as I do, that is a CEO-to-worker pay ratio of 1,328-to-1…Holy Hemline!  We all know that there would be no Polo Ralph Lauren without the master designer; he is the founder of this colossal fashion and lifestyle brand.   And this fact is not lost on Polo Ralph Lauren’s board which bestows homage by granting him with options and restricted stock. 

In high school Lauren wrote in his yearbook that he wanted to be a millionaire.  Well, I think he can cross that one off his bucket list.  Although Mr. Polo appeared on MSN Money’s “7 CEOs pulling in outsized paychecks” article, Lauren, unlike some of the other CEOs, is in a unique position.  He is after all only reaping the benefits of a dream he had and turned into reality.  No one ever smote King Midas for his golden touch, did they?

To read the entire MSN Money article, click http://money.msn.com/investing/7-ceos-pulling-in-outsized-paychecks.

 

Arts, Entertainment, FAME, Music, NYC

Lady Gaga Top Artist For 2011

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Whether she was born that way or is just a brilliant creation – an ingenious splice of Grace Jones, Madonna, Elton John, David Bowie, Donatella Versace, Andy Warhol and a host of other musical, cultural and pop icons of the 70s and 80s, there is no one that can deny that 2011 was the year of Gaga.  She is all those influences, stirred the melting pot of New York City and poured out for the world to admire.  And doesn’t hurt that the girl can truly sing and bang out on those ivories. 

Already becoming an icon in her own right, Lady Gaga cemented her status as the Grand Dame of pop music when she released Born This Way in May 2011.  The album debuted in the top five spots in every major market and sold 1.108 million copies in the first week.  The album’s title track became the fastest selling single in iTunes history.  By year’s end, Born This Way had sold over 8 million copies and received three Grammy Award nominations.   As she stood with Mayor Bloomberg to drop the famous Times Square ball on New Year’s Eve, legions of “Little Monsters” wait on bated breath to see what Mama Monster will do this year.  What ever it will be, I’m sure she won’t disappoint them, her detractors and the rest of the universe.

Here is a look at the best of Lady Gaga’s videos for 2011:

Arts, FAME, NYC, Theater

The Mountaintop Top Play For 2011

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Angela Bassett…Samuel L. Jackson…Kenny Leon…need I say more.  This production is a masterpiece!  A work not to be missed, don’t deny yourself a trip to The Mountaintop.

To view F.A.M.E NYC’s review, click https://famenycmagazine.com/2011/10/16/the-mountaintop-mlk-comes-to-broadway/.

Arts, FAME, NYC, Theater

Chinglish Top Comedy For 2011

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If asked what was the recipe for the success of Chinglish, I would say:  a cup of English, a cup of Chinese, three dashes of miscommunication and a teaspoon of an affair gone awry.  Pour on to the stage and wait for laughs.  Sexy, sophisticated and damn funny, Chinglish is one of David Henry Hwang’s best works.

To view F.A.M.E NYC’s review, click https://famenycmagazine.com/2011/11/04/a-celebration-of-chinglish/.

Arts, FAME, NYC, Theater

Spiderman 2.0 Top Musical For 2011

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High-flying hijinks…lyrics by Bono and Edge…a new stealth production, how can you go wrong?   Spiderman 2.0 rises above its predecessor in grand fashion.  It may have took a few tries and over $70 million dollars, but they finally got it right.  Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark turns up the volume and gives fans something to Marvel at on Broadway.

To view F.A.M.E NYC’s review, click https://famenycmagazine.com/2011/07/05/spiderman-2-0-the-future-of-american-musical-theatre-personified/.

Arts, Entertainment, FAME, NYC, Theater

Lucky Guy Top Off-Broadway Musical For 2011

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It was the Best Little Whorehouse in Texas blended with A Star Is Born; Lucky Guy was loads of rootin’-tootin’ fun.  Besides, who could ever resist Ms. Varla Jean Merman?

To view F.A.M.E NYC’s review, click https://famenycmagazine.com/2011/05/07/off-broadway-gets-lucky/.

Arts, Entertainment, FAME, NYC, Theatre

Rent Top Off-Broadway Musical Revival for 2011

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After many incarnations, Rent returned to its Off-Broadway roots.  Still as powerful as ever, Jonathan Larson’s rock opera and its new cast brought me to tears.  Long live Rent!  

To view F.A.M.E NYC’s review, click https://famenycmagazine.com/2011/09/14/a-testimony-for-rent/.