Week of August 17 - August 22, 2010

The summer weather in New York is still in full effect. So why not party on a school night and make the most of the amazing nightlife in the city that never sleeps. The only problem is that there are so many places to dance the night away. It’s GEM to the rescue with a roundup of the 5 most fabulous fiestas, one day at a time.

Let’s get the party started!
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1. MONDAY

Guantanamera - Cuban Salsa
939 8th Ave, New York, NY 10019
www.guantanameranyc.com

Cuban cigars and rhythms alike will draw you in! The food and beverage menu will have you exploring the best Cuban delicacies.



2. TUESDAY

Empire Hotel Rooftop – Hip-Hop
44 West 63rd Street, New York, NY 10023
http://www.empirehotelnyc.com/eat-rooftop.php

Shake up your after-work plans with great cocktails and DJs spinning a cool mix of the hottest music. This sexy party goes on rain or shine up on top of the Empire Hotel and features an amazing view of the NYC skyline.


Side note: This Week's (Aug 17th) Afterwork Party at Empire Hotel will feature drinks special provided by GIVEN (JEE-VAHN). GIVEN is a unique blend of premium agave tequila (imported from Jalisco, Mexico) and all natural lime juice handcrafted through an infusion process in Cognac, France. Be sure to stop and get a taste of this new elegantly bold liqueur. For more information on GIVEN visit, www.givenliqueur.com



3. WENDESDAY

Santos Party House - Cumbia, Latin Underground, Latin Tropical
96 Lafayette Street, New York, NY 10013
www.santospartyhouse.com

Don’t be deterred by the location. The music and type of crowd changes nightly and what’s consistent is that there are always cheap drinks and plenty dance space.



4. THURSDAY

Water Taxi Beach - Throwback Thursdays with classic house and salsa
89 South Street, New York, NY 10038
www.watertaxibeach.com

Nothing but a house party…party under the stars that is. Revelers can enjoy the retro grooves con salsa with sand between their toes!



5. FRIDAY

SOB - Salsa showcase
204 Varick Street, New York, NY
www.sobs.com

Cant get enough salsa? This legendary venue features music from around the world with live bands nightly. Voted as one of the best under-21 parties in NYC; check out the website for those nights.

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This Week's Blog is brought to you by

Week of June 21 - June 27, 2010

EXHIBIT

ANDY WARHOL: THE LAST DECADE
The Brooklyn Museum is on a roll with one hot, “must-see” exhibit after another. This time the focus is on American artist; Andy Warhol (1928 – 1987). Warhol’s art defined popular culture with distinct images ranging from Campbell’s soup cans to portraits of Hollywood’s elite like Michael Jackson and Marilyn Monroe. Andy Warhol: The Last Decade is the first U.S. museum survey to examine the late work of the artist. One of my favorite Andy Warhol collaborations in the 80’s was with Jean-Michel Basquiat, whose painted words and graffiti-like skulls made a great contrast to Warhol’s interest in abstraction. Through September 12th.

Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Pkwy at Washington Avenue. (718) 638-5000.
For more information on hours and admission visit www.brooklynmuseum.org .


FWACATA!! LOOK AT MY HANDS
Featured as the visual art exhibition component of the Dominican Village at the Abrazo Interno Gallery. FWACATA!! Look At My Hands, is both a visual arts exhibit and a comic book, addressing Caribbean history through sequential art. Comic books were first published in the United States around the 1930s. By the 60’s it had become clear that they were not really all that “comic”, and that their artists were really graphic novelists creating what Will Eisner later called sequential art. The featured contemporary Latino comic book creators focus on hands, those hands that played the drumbeat of Caribbean history. Opening reception and comic book premiere, Friday, June 25th , 7p.m. – 11 p.m. Exhibit through July 9th.

Abrazo Interno Gallery at Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural & Educational Center
107 Suffolk Street, between Rivington and Delancey, New York, NY
(212)260-4080 or http://fwacata.blogspot.com. Free Admission.



MUSIC

BOBBY SANABRIA & QUINTETO OKOBIO
In the heart of NYC’s El Barrio is one of the true Latin Jazz GEMS in town; FB LOUNGE. Legends from lead vocalist Herman Olivera to Grammy Award winner Dave Valentin have graced the stage on any given night. Dance the night and your troubles away to Quinteto Okobio and multi-Grammy nominee Bobby Sanabria's explosive musical brotherhood as they explore jazz and Latin, Latin and jazz, and beyond. June 23rd.


FB LOUNGE, 172 E. 106 Street, between 3rd and Lexington Avenues. (212) 410-7292.
Doors open at 5 p.m., shows 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Dinner reservations (212) 348-3929. $10, $5 w/ student I.D. or WBGO membership card.



WATER TAXI BEACH
Don't let the idea of a summer stay-cation get you down. Summer in the city, unparalleled city views, and long summer beach nights are the perfect recipe for fun from sun to sunset. With locations in South Street Seaport, Long Island City and Governors Island, the Water Taxi Beach is easily accessible and the perfect sandy, “beach-like playgrounds” for 21+ crowd this summer. Check out the website for live performances at these various locations throughout the summer. www.watertaxibeach.com


CASTING CALL

“QUIERO MIS QUINCES”
Calling all Quiceañera's for new MTV Tr3s season of ”Quiero Mis Quinces”. If you're becoming a Quinceañera and you're planning to have the most memorable, incredible and special party of your life, MTV Tr3s wants to know about it. Email MTV Tr3s immediately at mtv3casting@mtvnmix.com and tell us why your party should be one of the select few featured on “Quiero Mis Quinces Season 5”. For more information click on this link http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1628234/20091214/story.jhtml .


CONFERENCE 


LAMC (Latin Alternative Music Conference)
The 11th Annual LAMC returns to New York City on July 6 - 10, 2010. As in past years, LAMC features panels and exhibitions, concerts, parties and art highlighting the best of Latin Alternative. LAMC is the only major conference geared towards the marketing of Spanish-language alternative music - the voice of today's Latinos. This five-day event providing networking opportunities with the genre's leading artists, label executives, journalists, managers, retailers and programmers, is the most extensive gathering. July 6th through July 10th. For conference event locations and time visit www.latinalternative.com. Online registration $99 through June 30th,after June 30th walk-up registration will be $299. 


Week of May 18 - May 23, 2010

MENS HAIR
Style like a Sports Star
Get sports star hair! Cristiano Ronaldo shows off his rugged side on the field, but when he goes out his sleek style makes him a magnet to the ladies. To achieve his distinctive cut, a clean, non-flaking gel like got2b’s magnetik, $5.95, is a must. Plus, it has pheremones which are sure to bring your game up to par with Ronaldo’s.





EVENTS
This Wednesday, May 17, Jellybean Benitez encourages you to "Feel The Spirit" at Water TaxiBeach at the Sout Street Seaport. The vibe begins @ 8PM ...until ...it ends! Enjoy house music by resident DJ Jellybean Benitez along with very special guest DJ Tony Smith

General Admission: $10.00
Advance Tickets: To Guarantee entrance, purchase your tickets online at: http://www.wantickets.com?e_id=112590





SAMPLE SALE
One of Jessica Alba’s favorite denim brands is James Jeans - Dry Aged Denim. Right now the label is gearing up for a sample sale. Take note of the dates now so you can get there early to see if you can snag a pair of Jessica’s favorite style the James Jeans Twiggy Jean.

James Jeans Sample Sale!
Tuesday, May 25th---- 9:00 am-7:30pm
Wednesday, May 26th---10:00am-5:30pm
Thursday, May 27th----9:00am-7:30pm
Friday, May 28th----10am-2pm
James Jeans - Dry Aged Denim
500 Greenwich Street #202
New York, NY 10013
www.jamesjeans.us



FOOD
This summer, Starbucks is giving you more ways to create your perfect beverage. Customers looking for lighter options can order Frappuccino Blended Beverage with nonfat milk and select sugar-free syrups for a delicious blended beverage that’s lower in calories and fat. The new However-You-Want-It Frappuccino Blended Beverages are just as you like it!

Here are our suggestions to personalize your However-You-Want-It Frappuccino Blended Beverage for a lighter beverage:

• Choose the ‘light’ option
By choosing ‘Light’, your beverage will have at least 33% fewer calories than the regular Frappuccino Blended Beverages. You can choose the ‘light’option for these flavors: Coffee, Caramel, Mocha, Java Chip and Café Vanilla. ATall Mocha Light Frappuccino Blended Beverage (no whip) is just 100 calories, compared to a Tall Mocha Frappuccino (no whip) at 200 calories – a calorie savings of almost 50%!

For even more info visit www.starbucks.com



FASHION
Fuller sized chicas can check out great line of trendy & affordable pieces by Target’s premiere women’s plus size fashion line, Pure Energy. This summer is all about easy flowy tanks, tunics and dresses, Pure Energy has the same fun pieces in the plus size range and the price is right all are under $40! Check out Pure Energy at Target stores nationwide and Target.com.