OZY Fest 2017
On Saturday, July 22nd, in the heart of Central Park, guests filled the outdoor showground of Rumsey Playfield for OZY Fest 2017. The outdoor festival boasted an exceptional line-up of comedians, speakers, and performers for a daylong extravaganza of fun, food, and entertainment. Throughout the day names such as Katie Couric, political insider, Van Jones, Saturday Night Live Weekend Update co-host, Michael Che, Zara Larsson, and Jason Derulo would take the stage in front of the thousands in attendance.
The playfield was transformed into a town of OZY Fest design, with multiple stages, food stands, and shopping tents for the ultimate festival feel. Consecutive acts from noon to nine encouraged guests to take a seat on the lawn, grab something to eat, and come and go as they pleased. Celebrity chef and culinary expert, Eddie Huang, organized the menu, serving dishes of spicy, gourmet taste such as chicken lime tacos and mixed rice bowls. Ice pops and refreshing lemonades were the perfect summer treat to help beat the heat.
Carlos Watson and Katie Couric kicked off the event with an introductory segment on the Main Stage. Drag queen sensation and personality, RuPaul, shared insight and personal experiences with the audience, followed by a performance from the talented up and coming artist, Kamau. Mark Cuban and Carlos Watson took the stage to explain their experience with success and offer words of wisdom. Other commentary acts followed including talks, “Third Rail With Ozy” and “Is It Really that Funny?” with speakers Samantha Bee, Malcolm Gladwell, Jeb Bush, Mark Cuban and Katie Couric. Musical performances from artists, Yuna ,Talib Kweli, and Zara Larsson, preceded an hour of comedic entertainment from Saturday Night Live’s very own, Michael Che. Headlining the evening and concluding the main stage entertainment was the top-hit recording artist, Jason Derulo.
The Town Square stage introduced political speakers throughout the day as well as industry leading professionals. Dr. Jill Biden discussed her past in a talk titled “When I was 23” and her husband, former Vice President, Joe Biden, surprised attendees with an unannounced appearance to share a few of his own words. In separate talks, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand shared her views on the Democratic Party and Jeb Bush discussed his views on the Republican Party. Together, Maysoon Zayid, David Perry, Sinead Burke, and Victor Pineda engaged in a conversation about the art of inclusion in the political scene. CEO of Bumble, Whitney Wolfe, spoke to the crowd of her experience of working while dating.
A third stage, 1818, also hosted entertainment throughout the day with talks from the event’s chef, Eddie Huang, snack expert, Deuki Hong, as well as Adam Grant, Glynn Washington, Eugene S. Robinson, Hakeem Oluseyi, and Rep. Karen Bass.
OZY Fest is a yearly event hosted by the publication, OZY. The idea behind OZY is to support open-mindedness and forward thinking, in addition to being a knowledgeable source of the happenings of today. The stories reported by OZY are of political interest, as well as of environmental, social, and economic importance. The discussions of OZY Fest emphasize the mission of OZY and their free thinking, cultural and societal values.
Special thanks to Kerri from Shore Fire Media
Louis Armstrong's Wonderful World Festival
On July 8th, music mingled in the trees of Queens Flushing Meadows Corona Park. Louis Armstrong's Wonderful World Festival, situated just by the Queens Theatre, brought the delightful lull of Jazz to excited festival lovers abound. The music united many listeners on the main green while others chose to visit the various booths situated around the park.
To celebrate Louis Armstrong’s Wonderful world festival, the main stage featured a showcase of some of the best contemporary Jazz artists of our time. Most notably, the festival featured Jon Batiste, a Forbes 30 under 30 honoree and master jazz musician. Festival goers who stayed until the evening was honored with the powerful music of this world-famous musician and the sound of the Havana Roots collective.
Jazz was not the only thing being celebrated through, culture, food, and human connection were also main aspects of this amazing festival. Reflecting on aspects of Louis Armstrong’s ability to bridge the divide; the festival beautifully brought together festival goers of diverse backgrounds and age ranges; all enjoying the music and dancing in tandem. Families with kids seemed to had the most fun, as most of the kids had their faces painted, while dancing and laughing amongst older folks, swaying quietly to the music.
Louis Armstrong’s ability to bring people together with his music seems to have lasted the test of time, with his Wonderful World Festival being the highlight of many families weekends and contributing to the artistic atmosphere of the park.
Photos courtesy of Getty Images for Kupferberg Cent
"Hell, Yes!" Annual Summer Party
With the arrival of the summer season comes the desire to party in New York City. Thankfully, every summer the New Museum is prepared. On Wednesday, June 21st the New Museum held the “Hell, Yes!” Annual Summer Party for the museum’s members in its beautiful Sky Room, with floor to ceiling windows and a wrap-around balcony with gorgeous views of the city.
The New Museum is the only dedicated contemporary art museum in Manhattan, bringing in a huge crowd of artistic people. Founded in 1977 by Marcia Tucker, the museum got its name with the vision of it being the prime destination for new art and new ideas. The theme for the annual summer party this year was based off of one of the most iconic works shown at the Museum, Ugo Rondinone’s rainbow-hued, neon-lit sculpture that reads “Hell, Yes!” that was presented on the New Museum’s façade from December 2007 to November 2010.
The spirit of this party is not only to celebrate the summer, but also to celebrate the openness, optimism, and enthusiasm of the members of the museum. Attendees were told to come dressed in the colors of the rainbow, making each individual stand out in the entirely white sky room.
The party was not limited to only the sky room, guests could also explore the galleries and view the artwork, including the spring exhibitions: “Carol Rama: Antibodies”, “Lynette Yiadom-Boakye: Under-Song For A Cipher”, “Kaari Upson: Good thing you are not alone”, “Elaine Cameron-Weir: viscera has questions about itself,” and “RAGGA NYC”.
Summer-themed cocktails, a live DJ, and a sunset over the city skyline make for a great first party of the summer. Become a member of the New Museum to join the party next year and to help support the founding of new art and new ideas at newmuseum.org.
Special thanks to Karen Li from the New Museum. Photos courtesy of Griffin Lipson.
Brooklyn Film Festival Spotlight: Sweet Parents
Despite the title that indicates a demure nature, Sweet Parents is anything but. This debut film by Leah Rudick and David Bly, features a delightfully real couple in turmoil, multi-faceted female characters, and a unique plot that has to be seen to be understood.
Sweet Parents is one of those rare films that serves as both a window and a mirror. You feel uncomfortable realizing that you have unwittingly peeped inside someone else's life, yet are surprised to see your own reflection staring surprisedly back. In this film the element of realness is always there, you have had relationships like these before. One in where both sides act in best intention, but everyone gets hurt in the process. The fall from grace in this relationship can only be described as happening in a way that deeply roots itself in New York City culture, ambition, and miscommunication.
As I sat there watching with my partner, and keenly reading the room, I saw Sweet Parents evoke a level of participation, unlike anything I have seen. Audience members laughed and shouted at the screen, most even breaking the sacred silence of film to groan at the misgivings of one of the couple. I attribute this reaction to the intensely relatable nature of both the script and detail put into each small movement of the characters. Rudick and Bly have put ten years into writing and producing this film, and it truly shows.
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Following the showing, I caught up to both Actors/Directors at the nearby coffee shop for an interview
So, how do you think it went?
Leah: I think it went great! I was really happy with the response and the turnout; I was really happy to see it on the screen instead of just a laptop. To put something you make out to a big group or audience can be a bit scary sometimes.
David: We forgot that after ten years of perfecting these one liners that a lot of our script actually elicits a lot of laughter. Especially where there are some uncomfortable situations, and people laugh nervously, we sometimes get used to the comedic aspect of some of those points
What are you hoping for next?
Leah: Ideally, a distribution deal, a festival run. Just showing it to more people and getting the word out about what we made.
David: Yeah ideally more festivals similar to one we just had. More independent festivals who like to screen movies like ours. I would love to do some more in Canada where I am from.
Leah: Especially that we had the showing there (Windmill studios) it was really special. David started working on it ten years ago, I started working on it five years ago. For a long time, there was a fear that we are never going to make it, but one we decided to take the leap It was a pretty inspiring experience to see how everyone just flooded out of nowhere to help put the film together.
Photos courtesy of Sweet Parents
Brooklyn Film Festival Filmmakers Party
On the night of Thursday, June 8th, the Brooklyn Film Festival celebrated both its 20th Anniversary and this year’s lineup of films with its exclusive Filmmakers Party. The party was hosted by G-Star and took place at the bright and modern G-Star RAW Store in Williamsburg, offering an intimate atmosphere for both the filmmakers and journalists to cheers to the affair.
At the party, guests enjoyed both endless drinks and appetizers. Stella Artois sponsored the event, transforming the shop into an open bar with cold, refreshing beer and hard cider. The Williamsburg-based American restaurant Midnights provided a trio of bite-sized shrimp cocktails, ricotta crostini with burnt honey, and kobe meatballs.
Conversations regarding the festival films dominated the suave party. Directors and filmmakers passionately chatted about the sources of inspiration for their films with guests. Buzz about cinematographic methods, actors, the filmmaking process, and subject matter created endless discussions. A DJ played electric and techno music as guests discussed the festival and its motion pictures, which included narrative feature films, narrative shorts, documentary feature films, documentary shorts, animation films, and experimental films.
Rodrigo Reyes’ Lupe Under the Sun, Chris Kelly’s A Cambodian Spring, David Bly’s Sweet Parents, Fernando Fraiha’s El Revenge, Stavit Allweis’s Cooking With Connie, Kyle Eaton’s Shut Up Anthony, and Katja Benrath’s Watu Wote: All of Us were only several of the 122 films selected for Brooklyn Film Festival. At the central back wall of the party venue was the focal point of the event, which was a projection screen flashing pairs of images and movie titles from the festival’s lineup.
At the end of the evening, guests were provided with party favors that consisted of a denim RAW tote bag and a signature Stella Artois chalice. On the whole, the Filmmakers Party embodied the very creativity and eagerness that represents Brooklyn Film Festival. Diverse creative minds who all share the same passion for film came together and were given a space to celebrate their progress in the film world as well as their accomplishments in earning a spot in the Brooklyn Film Festival.
Photos courtesy of Yuko Torihara
Opening Night of The Lower East Side Film Festival
Thursday, June 8th, marked the first night of the seventh annual Lower East Side Film Festival (LESFF). The films are being shown at the notable Sunshine Cinema, for the last time before the theater closes. The LESFF creates a special experience for both the filmmaker and the audience through film screenings, neighborhood engagement, and industry panels.
The LESFF is a 501(c)3 Non-Profit which supports underdog filmmakers who know that huge budgets do not equal great film. The festival has come a long way from it’s humble beginnings, in which the LESFF crew turned a LES pop-up space into a unique and intimate theater. Since then, the festival has been featured in major presses and even expanded to the greater venues which has and will continue to secure distribution for its up and coming independent filmmakers. The popularity and success the festival gained in its early days has brought it to where it is today, with people from all over the country waiting for tickets to go on sale. Past judges have included Denis O’Hare, Laverne Cox and Dolly Parton. This year’s festival judges included Sasheer Zamata (SNL), Jeremy Allen White (Shameless), cinematographer Sam Levy (Frances Ha, Mistress America), Stephen Schneider (Broad City) and Paola Mendoza, Documentary Filmmaker and Artistic Director of The Women’s March, among others.
Avenues (2017)
The opening night of the festival premiered the film Avenues, written and directed by Michael Angarano, who also stars in the movie. The film also stars Nicholas Braun (How To Be Single), Juno Temple (The Dark Knight Rises), Adelaide Clemens (The Great Gatsby), Ari Graynor (Nick & Nora’s Infinite Playlist) and Maya Kazan (Frances Ha). The picture was produced by Michael Sherman, Matthew Perniciaro, Michael Angarano, Elyse Seiden and Jonah Quickmire Pettigrew. Before the film showing, guests were welcomed to a lounge with an open bar, snacks, and an opportunity to take pictures with the LESFF backdrop.
Avenues tell the story of when Peter (Nicholas Braun) arrives in Manhattan to visit his best friend Max (Michael Angarano), and the two go out for a day on the town, hitting the tourist spots and all the while hilariously working through the baggage of their friendship. When they meet two young women, day spills into the night and takes an unexpected turn. Angarano creates a portrait of contemporary New York City in his directorial debut that harkens back to the classics of the 1970s and is alive to new possibilities.
The film was charming, funny, and relatable. The depiction of struggling mid-life crises, a relationship falling apart, a woman seeking to settle down, this movie had characters and events that anyone can share. There were themes of friendship, love, and loss. The direction of Avenues was very indie-spirited, something many people want more of in films nowadays.
Following the film showing was a Q&A with Michael Angarano and Adelaide Clemens, where attendees were able to learn more about the writing and filming process and get to know more about the stars. The Opening Night Party, presented by Vimeo, took place at DROM, where guests were welcomed to another open bar and live music. The rest of the festival included not only tons of more fantastic films and film shorts, but also themed nights with ice cream socials, Christmas parties, and Ladies’ Night with reduced prices for Feminists ($16 for Feminists and $8,632 for Non-Feminists to adjust for the median annual earnings difference between men and women).
The Lower East Side Film Festival is an incredibly enjoyable experience for any film lovers. For more information, or to become a member of LESFF, please visit www.lesfilmfestival.com. As an LESFF Donor you will be supporting a community of passionate, creative, innovative, filmmakers and helping us create awesome screenings, events, and parties that celebrate their work.
Special thanks to Bianca from Shark Party Media. Photographs by Cory Goldberg.
RIOULT Dance NY - Fire in the Sky and Te Deum
Fire in the Sky
The opening night of RIOULT Dance NY took place at the Joyce Theater on Wednesday, May 31st. RIOULT Dance NY was founded in 1994 and has become a well-known name in modern dance for presenting the sensual, articulate, and exquisitely musical works of Pascal Rioult. Mr. Rioult came to the United States on a fellowship from the French Ministry of Culture to study modern dance in 1981. After performing with multiple companies and featuring in two television specials, he started RIOULT Dance NY and developed his own choreographing style and nurtured a robust ensemble of dancers. The New York City-based dance company has an annual New York season, tours internationally, and offers dance classes, workshops, and intensives to the public. At this particular performance, RIOULT displayed two innovative dances, the very first performance of Fire in the Sky and the classic Te Deum.
Fire in the Sky
Fire in the Sky
Fire in the Sky was Rioult’s first rock and roll piece, set to the music of Deep Purple. The performance was electrifying and fun, people in the audience nodded their heads to the beat of the music. Rioult says the dance was inspired by the music he danced to in the 70s at clubs during his journey to becoming a dancer, choreographer, and artistic director, and that was portrayed in the phenomenal performance. With songs such as “Smoke on the Water” and “Highway Star,” it was easy to feel like you were being transported back in time. The costumes on display in the performances were designed by the Emmy Award-winning, and Oscar-nominated designer Patricia Field and NYC designer David Dalrymple.
Te Deum
Te Deum
Te Deum
Te Deum premiered in 1996 and had always been performed by Rioult himself. Now, for the first time, Te Deum was conducted by another dancer other than himself. Set to Arvo Pärt’s score of the same name with costumes by Mondo, Marymount Manhattan College’s Costume Coordinator, the dance was beautiful and spiritually charged by the inspiration from Rioult’s home city Caen.
Afterparty
Artistic Director Pascal Rioult and Kathleen Turner
Audience members were in awe watching the dancers gracefully move across the stage, telling an emotional story with their bodies. Artists are always their biggest critic, and Pascal Rioult claims this is a piece he believes he will be working on forever, but this piece was magnificent.
Pascal Rioult, Joyce Herring, composer Michael Tork
RIOULT Dance NY dancers
The performance was followed by the opening party at the Italian restaurant Il Bastardo, where attendees were greeted to hors d'oeuvres and an open bar. Guests had the chance to mingle with the dancers, choreographers, and designers. It was a beautiful night of artistic inspiration and celebration.
Photos courtesy of Eric Bandiero and Sophia Negron.
Publicolor's 2017 Stir, Splatter and Roll
On May 22nd at the MET pavilion, balloons swayed, paint flew and 1.3 million dollars was raised in the name of education. Publicolor’s annual fundraiser: Stir, Splatter and Roll was a resounding success. Publicolor, as the name implies, is a public foundation aimed at bringing art to NYC public school students. Ruth Lande Shuman founded Publicolor in 1996 with the aim to transform the often dilapidated schools into a haven for arts and creative independence. From this initial program numerous others blossomed to provide multi-year continuous learning for students.
This year’s annual Stir, Splatter + Roll Gala let attendees in on the artistic fun as well! With painting stations set up, guests we’re able to paint with some of the city’s most prominent artists and designers. A silent auction went underway in the background as attendees bid over the work of Christo and Mark di Suvero. The interaction between guest, artist and Publicolor student helped create a truly cooperative and vivid atmosphere.
The hum of the event was light and bubbly. Guests with a penchant for fashion and art could be seen stepping softly to the remixed tunes of the DJ set. Almost everyone, smiled, laughed and talked enthusiastically about Publicolor and the programs they were helping support. As best said by a guest “The atmosphere here is truly and beautifully colorful.”
In the end, Publicolor Stir Splatter + Roll Gala raised nearly 1.3 million dollars for its programs this year. Which means that NYC students will get another wonderful year of creative programs and scholarships.
Photos courtesy of Annie Watt
AS IF Magazine Celebrates Issue No.11
On the night of Tuesday, May 16th, As If Magazine hosted an exhilarating afterparty to celebrate its 11th Issue at The Roxy Hotel in Tribeca. This particular issue honored Mick Rock, the legendary photographer who photographed iconic rock and roll artists throughout the 1970’s. Rock has captured famous images of artists including David Bowie, The Stooges, Queen, Lou Reed, Blondie, and the Sex Pistols. Historically, he is one of the most impactful music photographers of all time, and is often referred to as “The Man Who Shot the Seventies.”
As If Magazine’s lively party occurred in “The Django,” a cellar club that resides in the downstairs portion of The Roxy. The Django is rustic and charming with brick walls, tables and seating areas, and two bars where bartenders served crafted cocktails inspired by Rock. Although this area was originally created for jazz performances, the guest performance by rock singer Michael Houghton, drummer Marky Ramone, guitarist Derrek Hawkins, and bassist Andy Hilfiger was an ideal staging for the evening. These artists encapsulated the very genre of music that inspired Mick Rock’s epochal work. The Django was undoubtedly the perfect area to host the live music performance that took place in honor of As If Magazine’s 11th Issue Number, and it succeeded in paying tribute to the infamous Mick Rock.
Guests enjoyed delicious hors-d'oeuvres and drinks throughout the night as they watched the performance and mingled. Sponsors of the evening included Tommy Hilfiger, who made an appearance, as well as Moët Hennesy. Overall, the attendees, who consisted of “rock and rollers,” As If Magazine supporters, photographers, and New York socialites, all enjoyed a delightful evening commemorating the great Mick Rock.
All Photos courtesy of Sean Zanni and Patrick McMullan via Getty Images
TriBeCa Games Festival 2017
Tribeca Film Festival co-founder Jane Rosenthal delivers opening remarks introducing the keynote speakers at the inaugural Tribeca Games Festival. Photo credit: @jive for @streetdreamsmag
Tribeca Games and Kill Screen partnered this weekend to launch the very first Tribeca Games Festival. The festival brought together the gaming community to examine the past and future of gaming and storytelling. Gamers were given a chance to get behind-the-scenes looks into some of the most popular games of the year and view panels with speakers who are cultural leaders and industry insiders.
Attendees at the inaugural Tribeca Games Festival get hands-on play with unreleased and newly-released videogame titles at the festival’s Arcade. Photo credit: @georgemckenziejr for @streetdreamsmag
On the opening night of the festival, attendees got the opportunity to be a part of the New York City Crowd Play premiere of Guardians of the Galaxy: The Telltale Series Episode 1. By just entering a code on a website from their phones, the entire crowd could play the same game together along with Job J Stauffer, Head of Creative Communications at Telltale Games, and Ryan Penagos, Vice President & Executive Editor at Marvel Digital Media. The game was the perfect example of the future for storytelling within video games, and every person at the festival was offered a free copy before they left. The night concluded with a concert by British electronic producer and multi-instrumentalist Mura Masa. Fresh off a Coachella performance, Mura Masa gave an incredible show to the packed audience and lit up the Tribeca Festival Hub at Spring Studios with the sounds of the future.
British multi-instrumentalist Mura Masa performs at Tribeca Games Festival’s Opening Night. Photo credit: @black_soap for @streetdreamsmag
On the second and last day of the festival, there were three keynote conversations. Sam Lake, who worked on Max Payne and Alan Wake, was joined for a panel by film director Neil Burger and and journalist Chris Suellentrop. Hideo Kojima, creator of the iconic Metal Gear franchise, discussed his game design philosophy with industry insider Goeff Keighley. Ken Levine, creator of the Bioshock franchise, spoke with Doug Liman, director of Edge of Tomorrow, and journalist Clive Thompson.
L-R: Film director Neil Burger (Limitless), game developer Sam Lake (Max Payne, Alan Wake and Quantum Break) and journalist Chris Suellentrop (Glixel) discuss approaches to storytelling in videogames during their keynote conversation at the inaugural Tribeca Games Festival. Photo credit: @jive for @streetdreamsmag
L-R: Legendary videogame developer Hideo Kojima (Metal Gear) and games industry mainstay Geoff Keighley discuss Kojima’s influences of cinema on his work and what’s next for him during their keynote conversation at the inaugural Tribeca Games Festival. Photo credit: @jive for @streetdreamsmag
L-R: Film director Doug Liman (Edge of Tomorrow) and videogame designer Ken Levine (BioShock), reflect on Levine’s legacy for interactive storytelling during their keynote conversation at the inaugural Tribeca Games Festival. Photo credit: @jive for @streetdreamsmag
The final day of the festival also included "X Post Conversations," a series of cross-cultural conversations that paired a creator from the gaming community with someone of equal stature from an outside field; "Retro Active," a series of conversations that look back on some of the greatest titles from 2016, exploring every element from art, design, and sound to storytelling. There was also an interactive arcade allowing attendees to be the first to get hands-on with new, unreleased games such as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Nier Automata.
L-R: Game developer Michael Chu (Overwatch), Ben Lindbergh and Jason Concepcion (The Ringer/Achievement Oriented) discuss Overwatch’s lore and universe at the inaugural Tribeca Games Festival. Photo credit: @jive for @streetdreamsmag
L-R: Film director Brett Leonard (The Lawnmower Man) and journalist Alex Goldman (Gimlet Media) discuss how The Lawnmower Man influenced a generation of digital creators on the film’s 25th anniversary at the inaugural Tribeca Games Festival. Photo credit: @georgemckenziejr for @streetdreamsmag
The inaugural Tribeca Games Festival was a huge success, truly a dream for any fans of gaming and an enjoyable experience for anyone at all.
Photos courtesy of fortyseven
Animal Ashram's Art, Artists, and Cocktails Event
Animal Ashram’s Leesa Rowland, and Last Chance for Animals’ Chris DeRose, welcomed roughly one hundred guests on April 25th to The Gallery on West 26th Street in support of the fight against animal cruelty. Chris DeRose spoke extensively on the organization, describing the non-profit as “The FBI for animal rights.” The mission statement of Last Chance for Animals is “to eliminate animal exploitation through education, investigations, legislation, and media attention.” He also discussed the fact that everyone can be an activist, simply by not eating or wearing animal byproducts. Animal Ashram, similarly, focuses on the prevention of animal experimentation, entertainment, or exploitation. This organization’s motto is that “There is a oneness of all life.”
The event took place in an intimate and scenic venue overlooking the city skyline. Around twenty art pieces were showcased for the silent auction portion of the evening, many of which displayed themes relating to animals. The artwork included paintings, photography, sculpture, and sketches. A diverse variety of artists were featured in the collection, including Marianna Fox, Burton Morris, Jeff Rodgers, Annie Watt, Romero Britto, Carolyn Davis, and others.
Throughout the event, servers and bartenders covered in animal-inspired makeup migrated through the room, offering an array of vegan hors d’oeuvres, drinks, and desserts. Culinary partners of the event were By Chloe, RevelRouge, and Wild Restaurant. In addition to the silent auction, guests participated in a raffle, and at the end of the night, a few lucky winners received various prizes relating to Animal Ashram, including gift certificates and gift baskets. After the hosts spoke on behalf of their respective organizations and missions, guests experienced a lovely live musical performance.
Overall, this event in support of animal activism and protection was informative and multidimensional. The collection of philanthropy, art, live music, and refreshments made for an unforgettable night. Most importantly, the hosts asserted the necessity for action regarding animal abuse and cruelty.
Photos courtesy of Natalie Bero
Tribeca Film Festival 2017 After Parties
What is more exciting than attending the Hollywood mega stars filled Tribeca Film Festival? Well, grabbing drinks with the stars at the after parties of course. For every film that premieres at the Tribeca Film Festival, there comes a after party celebration. In most cases, these celebratory activities take place at the hottest spots in New York night life. Fans of movie stars would give their limbs to be at these unforgettable parties.
Seamus Davey-Fitzpatrick, Miles J. Harvey, Ben Stiller and Oren Moverman
2017 Tribeca Film Festival After Party For The Dinner Sponsored By Nespresso At White Street (Theo Wargo, Getty Images)
From bumping shoulders with A-list actors, to nibbling on appetizers alongside some of Hollywood's biggest directors. The Tribeca after party experience is a truly marvelous opportunity to feel Hollywood. The parties also provides a chance for other up-and-coming directors, actors, and screenwriters to meet and discuss future plans to work together. It really is a unique experience to see movie screen royalties interacting along their family and supporters.
Gina Gershon and Alessandro Nivola
2017 Tribeca Film Festival After-Party for One Percent More Humid, sponsored by Bulleit Bourbon at The Chester – 4/21/17 (Ilya Savenok, Getty Images
David Joseph Craig, Dan Stevens, Rebecca Hall, Morgan Spector and Jason Sudeikis
2017 Tribeca Film Festival After Party for Permission, sponsored by Heineken at Up and Down – 4/22/17 (Ilya Savenok, Getty Images)
Delicious fare from the hottest restaurants in New York, exquisite cocktails from top liquor brands, trendy spots, beautiful crowd, and hottest records being spun by DJs, there is really nothing else to make a party more grand.
Mark Cuban and Ed Helms
2017 Tribeca Film Festival After-Party for The Clapper, sponsored by EFFEN® Vodka at Avenue - 4/23/17 (Jamie McCarthy, Getty Images)
Dree Hemingway and Andie MacDowell
2017 Tribeca Film Festival After Party for Love After Love at Up and Down – 4/22/17 (Nick Hunt, Getty Images)
Attending a Tribeca Film Festival after party, whether it's inside the Hub or elsewhere, is your chance to talk cinema, casually imbibe, and joyously celebrate with the Fest's coolest talent, biggest names, and breakout talent. Its a chance to feel Hollywood in the big apple.
Emma Watson and Tom Hanks
2017 Tribeca Film Festival After Party for The Circle at American Cut Tribeca sponsored by Chloe Wine Collection, EFFEN Vodka and Heineken April 26, 2017 (Rob Kim, Getty Images)
Venues: La Sirena, The Chester, White Street, Up and Down, Fine & Rare, Avenue, American Cut Tribeca
Spirits: Bulleit Bourbon, EFFEN Vodka, Heineken, Chloe Wine Collection
Photos courtesy of ShadowPR
Youth America Grand Prix 2017
Lincoln Center, New York’s harmonious epicenter, and stage to some of the most acclaimed performances in the world, was the place to be yesterday. Last night, the beautiful New York crowd trekked to the Upper West Side to appreciate some of world’s most renowned ballet dancers. Ballet aficionados, parents, and celebrities alike all assembled at The Lincoln Center’s David H. Koch Theater for the annual Youth America Grand Prix’s (YAGP) Stars of Today Meet the Stars of Tomorrow Gala. This yearly event has become synonymous with the discovery of new dancers, and choreographers, featuring the performances of international ballet stars, while presenting the world’s brightest young dance talent
CBS’s Keltie Knight was the emcee for the evening, and she did an incredible job of pumping up the crowd before the showcase. The initial performances were a display of great potential by the stars of tomorrow, the young YAGP finalists, who put on a spectacle for their families and friends. The audience saved its greatest applause for the conclusion of the first act, where an assemblage of more than 200 plus YAGP dancers took the stage for a grand dance party.
Before the second act, the presentation of YAGP’s inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Bruce Marks, whose accomplishments as a dancer and artistic director could fill this article. Bruce was gracious in his acceptance speech and echoed a very important political message: “Stand up and fight for Art.” The second act began as the more established and world-renowned dancers took the stage and exhibited their world-class moves. Major ballet stars of today such as Svetlana Lunkina and Evan Mckie (National Ballet of Canada), Tamara Rojo and Cesar Corrales (English National Ballet), Skylar Brandt and Gabe Stone Shayer (American Ballet Theatre), and Tiler Peck and Zachary Catazaro ( New York City Ballet) all came to prance their pointe.
Following the splendid show, guests made their way to the promenade for dinner and socializing. Celebrities quickly filled the room as visitors scrambled to get a word in with their idols. A group of gorgeous women particularly caught the attention of everyone, especially the photographers, as camera flashes lit up their beautiful dresses. The amazing group of women were none other than Amy Astley, the honorary chairman, Marcella Guarino Hymowitz, the chairman, Samantha Boardman-Rosen, Colby Mugrabi, Candice Jordan Miller, Ashley Olsen, Mary Kate Olsen, and Lesley Thompson Vecsler who all served as co-chairs. Strolling around the room, there were many other major names such as Chelsea Clinton, Woody Allen, Nicky Hilton, and Tony Gonzalez.
From the amazing performances, to the sit-down dinner and dancing, Stars of Today Meet the Stars of Tomorrow Gala was a truly successful night. However, many young dancers are still in need of scholarships, and we cannot let the next generation of kids filled with talent and promise to miss out on this opportunity.
YAGP is the world’s largest and one of the most prestigious international ballet competitions, as well as a New York-based 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization. The mission of YAGP is to provide a global network of dance organization that provides scholarship opportunities and master classes for young dancers’ ages 9 to 19 around the world. The YAGP also holds annual competitions in multiple international and national venues that continues for nearly a full year. Each season, selected students from these competitions are invited to New York City to participate in the week-long finals. These promising dancers will receive in-depth mentoring and greater scholarship, professional, and performance opportunities. In less than twenty years YAGP has become an institution – not only for the esteem of its awards, but for the exposure it provides to young dancers to be seen by, and to make an impression on, representatives of ballet schools and companies from across the globe. For more information and how to donate to YAGP, click here.
Photos courtesy of Annie Watt Agency and Presley Ann/ Patrick McMullan
Guggenheim YCC Party 2017
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An architectural wonder of New York City, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum is as unique in construction as the art displayed inside. The art exhibited within the museum is both contemporary and modern with a concentration on pieces of 20th century and present-day design. The Guggenheim is a remarkable place to experience continuous artistic innovation and cultural diffusion
Quenton Stuckey
Founded in 1996, the Young Collectors Council (YCC) has added more than 140 pieces of artwork to the Guggenheim’s permanent collection. The council, in collaboration with the Young Collectors Council Art Fund, encourages and financially supports both developing and reputable artists of contemporary focus.
Kim Brandt
On March 9th, 2017, the YCC invited guests to the famous Guggenheim rotunda to celebrate an outstanding 20 years of supporting the arts. Only one party can dragged all of its distinguished gusts way uptown for an unforgettable night. Before the festivities, invitees were treated to an intimate dinner and cocktails at the Wright, the highly rated restaurant located within the museum itself. Afterwards, the museum came alive as celebration began in the late hours of the night. Throughout the night, guests were treated to modern dance performances by Kim Brandt, FlucT, Sam Roeck, and Quenton Stuckey. These young members definitely knew how to have fun and were urged to let loose on the dance floor to sets from DJ Ryan McNamara.
Ryan Mcnamara
The event space was truly unique, offering a carousel of multiple floors open to exploration. The rotunda walkway led guests upward for a view of the event from above. However, no matter how far up you went, the party was never too far away -- or out of sight. The crowd was full of energy and the dancing continued late into the wee hours of the night. However, before leaving, guests made sure to take pictures with the wall of red and purple flower appliqué constructed specifically for the event.
Anne Huntington, Lauren Hinkson, Alexandra Economou, Kyung An, Noreen Khalid Ahmad, Susan Thompson, Ylinka Barotto
Michael Xufu Huang, Caroline Hoffman
The Guggenheim, typically only open during the day, re-opened its doors for art and fashion enthusiasts in celebration of the YCC’s 20 years. Funds raised from the evening will continue to benefit the work of contemporary artists and the masterpieces collected for permanent display within the museum. To make sure you are part of this amazing party next time be sure to check out all the latest happenings, including events like this one, at guggenheim.org.
Photos courtesy of BFA and Guggenheim
The Armory Show 2017
The Armory Show is a renowned international art fair that has been taking over Pier 92 and Pier 94 annually for over two decades. The fair runs for four days and features art from the 20th and 21st Century, offering a mixture of well-known contemporary pieces and new emerging artists who are just beginning to establish themselves in the world of visual arts. It is an opportunity not just for art lovers who wish to lose themselves within the many high quality pieces on display, but also a chance for collectors to connect with galleries from all around the globe, meeting curators and art professionals alike.
Five unmistakable exhibitor sections help you find your way through nearly two centuries of international art. This year the Show was divided into Galleries, Insights, Presents, Focus and Platform. The highly anticipated Platform debuted this year and features large-scale, sometimes interactive, installations, art works and commissions.
Wandering around the 250 000 feet area that the exhibition has occupied, you get to see people from all walks of life coming to enjoy art. It is as eclectic as the pieces themselves; everyone from college students working on an assignment over families enjoying a day out to polished art professionals are strolling around. And just as many languages can be heard, which is not surprising since the Armory Show boasts works from over 200 galleries from 30 different countries all around the world.
Every so often you stumble across a Champagne Lounge, where people are wandering about between the white walls separating the different galleries, enjoying something sparkly and chatting up a storm. The entire atmosphere of the show is relaxed and welcoming, which is probably a part of the reason it attracts about 65,000 visitors every year. Everyone can find their niche, everyone will find something amongst the vast space that captures their eye and their hearts, lingering with them long after they have left the Armory Show.
Photos courtesy of Teddy Wolff and BFA
Wonder Woman 75th Anniversary at NYCC
Since her début in 1941, Wonder Woman has endured and evolved to become a beacon of hope for fans, one of the most beloved superheroes of all time, and a canonically queer woman too. To celebrate 75 years of success, DC Entertainment, the U.S. Postal Service, and even Jelly Belly showed up at Comic Con with their own displays for Wonder Woman.
Among other things, DC Entertainment brought costumes from the upcoming Wonder Woman film, coming out in 2017, and gave attendees a close look at the amazingly detailed and intricate costumes. Four were from the upcoming movie, those of Steve Trevor (Chris Pine), Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot), Queen Hippolyta (Connie Nielsen), and Antiope (Robin Wright). The fifth costume however was not from the film, but instead from the well-known 1970s Wonder Woman television series featuring Lynda Carter.
Not only that, but DC Entertainment also teamed up with the U.S. Postal Service to produce a line of Wonder Woman Forever Stamps to honor the Amazonian Princess’ 75th Anniversary. Each stamp illustrates a different stage in the evolution of Wonder Woman, from the star-spangled skirt of the golden age to the sleek bold lines of the modern age.
Yet another fantastic display was the work of Kristen Cumings, who brought Wonder Woman to life with roughly 12,000 Jelly Bellys. After four days of tireless work at Comic Con and a variety of vibrant (and delicious) Jelly Bellys, Cumings had created an intricate work of art, which will be displayed at the Jelly belly headquarters with the Batman and Superman pieces that she has already created.
No matter what else was going on at Comic Con, this year was even more extraordinary than usual because of the 75th Anniversary of Wonder Woman.
Nordic International Film Festival
The Nordic International Film Festival provided a wide array of short films that engaged the personal side of life as well as more cerebral themes and ideas. Out of all the short films I’ve seen, these are the three that remain in the forefront of my mind because of their imaginative storytelling.
Running Through Life is a beautifully shot short film by Director Helen Moltke-Leth from Denmark. The entire short film is of a woman, running through different parts of the city with a voiceover that provides insight into her mind as she contemplates her thoughts, actions, and how she affects those around her. The voiceover really delivers a sense of struggle from the runner and what she wants versus what’s expected of her. Overall, it’s shot very well with a noteworthy juxtaposition of the nighttime setting with the woman's internal struggle that transitions into daybreak, implying a hopeful mindset.
You and Me is an intimate story between mother (Laufey Elíasdóttir) and daughter (Gríma Valsdóttir). Through misdirection, Director Ása Helga Hjörleifsdóttir wants the audience to think it’s a story between a man and woman who attempt to hook up after a night at the bar. It is revealed to the audience that the woman is a single mother when she closes the door to the room with her sleeping daughter inside. The woman proceeds to sleep with the man until her daughter interrupts them and which leads her to throw the man out of her home. What comes after is a display of great acting in a dialogue between mother and daughter as they reveal what their life is like, what it was like before, and what it will be like looking forward. The dynamic between the mother and daughter alludes to a role reversal of parent and child where the daughter almost plays the parent role of her mother in a cheeky, but playful way. Child actors are sometimes difficult to work with and have very little experience in most cases, but Director Ása Helga Hjörleifsdóttir seems to capture a child's natural inclination to be playful. Though it is a short film, I can't help but feel like I want more of their story because of the way the short film ends; mysterious, but hopeful.
Box, from Director Mathias Askeland, managed to get an Honorable Mention in the Nordic International Film Festival Awards with good reason. Box is the product of unconventional, but innovative filmmaking. The entire short film is shot as one long take and shows Anne Cecilie Ukkelberg and Kenneth Åkerland Berg, a couple attempting to take the perfect picture in a photo booth. While attempting to get this perfect picture, their relationship is revealed to be far from perfect as both partners fail to meet one another’s expectations in their relationship. It feels as if the photo booth is a metaphor for the boxed in or repressed feelings and problems of their relationship. The whole dialogue between them is reflective of how real life relationship problems are dealt with and seeing that reflection was both humorous and tragic. To prepare for the film, Anne Cecilie Ukkelberg and Kenneth Åkerland Berg lived together to attempt to replicate an authentic relationship. This paid off well because it would lead them to play off one another better as it really seems like both characters are in sync and manage to capture the quips they’d really have for one another. For a short film titled Box, Director Mathias Askeland thinks outside of the box and knocks it out of the park with this one.
Photos courtesy of Nordic International Film Festival
Whitney Art Party 2016
Reeling from the post-election slump, NYC finally awoke this week as a series of late-night parties and galas popped up inside New York City’s most beloved institutions of art, like the Whitney Museum of American Art and the Guggenheim.
On Tuesday night, the Whitney Museum of American Art’s annual Art Party was the place to see and be seen. The Whitney has always been known to be thought provoking and promoting avant garde, and its guest list seems to reflect that. This party is one of the most high-profile, celeb-heavy gatherings with a collective of luminaries from across New York’s iconic creative industries such as fashion, art, and music.
Karlie Kloss, Common, Brandon Maxwell, Micaela Erlanger, and Michael Carl were co-chairs for the evening. Before the party kicked off, the co-chairs hosted a pre-party dinner for over a hundred artists, celebrities, and Whitney supporters including Victor Cruz, Brooke Neidich, Ian Cheng, and Rachel Rose. Following dinner, guests joined the rest of the Art Party downstairs.
Upon entering the Museum, guests were blinded by camera flashes due to the beautiful crowd turning up in their flashiest outfits. A long line led up to the red carpet, as everyone carefully strutted their intricate outfits. The normally modern furnished lobby of the Museum was transformed and adorned with Christmas lights hanging from the ceiling as if something straight out of Stranger Things. Wandering around the floors were two people covered in red paint doing some sort of performance art, with their bare butts exposed to the world as they plotted their way in dance-like form throughout the lobby level. People looked on nervously, as they were unsure whether to take photos because they themselves, would become pornographers.
Entertainment and music was in no short supply as music flowed steadily thanks to DJ Mia Moretti, Lion Babe, and Questlove. Guests also had the opportunity to check out the Whitney’s fall exhibitions including Dreamlands: Immersive Cinema and Art 1905-2016, RED IN VIEW, and Virginia Overton: Winter Garden. Celebrities and Whitney supporters alike made their way around the lobby up to the expansive 5th floor show, the “Dreamlands” video art exhibition. As if the exhibits were not instagrammable enough, Karrueche Tran was seen on the exhibition floor with her stylish Bermuda inspired outfit taking fun selfies with her friends.
Overall, the evening was a grand success, full of champagne glasses clinking and amazing works of art. One of the most amazing parts about the evening was seeing how many young people came out to support the Museum. With the hefty price tag of $500 at the door, these young men and women are probably in line with the millennial mindset of giving back early. With the recent presidential election nearly splitting the country into two sides, it’s good to see that art can always bring people together. Whether you were a Trump or Hillary supporter, you will always be an art supporter. All proceeds from tickets sales will go to support Whitney’s educational initiatives.
Photos courtesy of Neil Rasmus/BFA
The Meadows
From Saturday, October 1st, to Sunday, October 2nd, the E and F parking lot outside Citi Field was home to the inaugural Meadows Music and Arts Festival, which boasted performances by J.Cole, Chance the Rapper, and Kanye West.
There were mixed reactions when New York’s Founders Entertainment, known for putting together New York’s Governor’s Ball, announced their plans to bring a fall festival to New York’s music scene, especially in the wake of confusion about location, news of a rainstorm, and headliner The Weeknd dropping out only a few days before the show.
These worries proved needless, however, as the launch of The Meadows Festival was hugely successful. It certainly wasn’t sunny, but cloudy skies turned out to be ideal for waiting in packs for the artists to appear, and J.Cole outdid himself, giving his all in his performance.
While not watching the performers, attendees could take pictures with any of the beautiful art pieces installed specifically for the event or hit up the food lineup. Vendors included Dough (my personal favorite), Korilla BBQ, Pizza Nova, and Tea and Milk. There were also vegan, vegetarian, and gluten - free options to accommodate almost any kind of diet.
As a huge Kanye fan, I had to be up close to see him, and so spent my second day waiting ten rows from the front of the Meadows Stage for Yeezus himself to appear. My eight hour long wait was both exhilarating and frightening. Multiple fans fainted, overcome by body pressure and fatigue, and when water became scarce, we all shared, thirsty enough to swap spit with countless strangers. Tensions ran high, but luckily, the desire to see Kanye perform up close was stronger than the urge to fight.
Nevertheless, there were some great moments while waiting. Those close enough to the stage were able to catch a glimpse of Chris Rock and Zac Efron in the VIP box, and everyone was able to see artists like The Temper Trap and Bryson Tiller perform. The situation turned dire, however, during Chance the Rapper’s set, when the crowd surged forward, crushing those in the front rows. Everything was halted while an employee urged everyone to have “human decency” and step back to let people breathe.
Finally, after a long, irritable day, Kanye West started performing a mere (for him) half an hour late. After delivering songs from his newest album, The Life of Pablo, Kanye performed hits from across all six of his critically acclaimed albums, including “Black Skinhead”, “Mercy”, and “Ni**gas in Paris.” Unfortunately, a minute into “Heartless,” Kanye had to leave due to a family emergency, but left behind a crowd both pumped and pleased.
Overall, the inaugural Meadows Festival was equally as enjoyable as it was a huge success. Although there were a few hiccups, it was a great intro to what will no doubt be another long running music festival for New Yorkers to enjoy.
The Culture of Comic Con
Comic conventions, or “comic cons” for short, have begun to grow in popularity over the years, and while some still wonder what exactly makes comic cons such a popular attraction, passionate fans have always clamored to make it to these conventions. New York Comic Con in particular, which started in 2006, has a history of long lines and sold out tickets. In fact, their very first convention was filled to overflowing, so that the following year they had to double the size of their space.
Now, 10 years later, New York Comic Con may soon surpass San Diego Comic Con’s attendance numbers and become the largest comic con in North America. Last year, nearly 170,000 people attended New York Comic Con, which is more than ten times as many people as attended the original New York Comic Con.
Even with all this hype, some people still don’t get what all the excitement is about, but as you may have noticed over the past few years, you can hardly enter a movie theater without hearing about the next superhero movie. What used to be considered “nerdy” or “dorky” is now widely accepted and even embraced. Besides, who doesn’t want the chance to meet their favorite artist, actor, or writer?
Thanks in part to these comic cons, people have learned not to care what other people think, whether they just wear a Batman t-shirt or go full-blown Galactus with their cosplay. Comic Cons provide attendees with a safe place where they can embrace their passions without ridicule.
Thousands will trek from far and wide for this year’s New York Comic Con in order to meet their favorite celebrities, buy comic books and merchandise, and go to panels to see new trailers and hear what their favorite celebrities have to say. If you can’t go this year, check back with us in the next few days and we’ll tell you all about it!