The First Annual Nightlife Culture Expo Special Coverage

By Gamal Hennessy

Your nightlife is an important part of why you live in New York. It gives you a chance to connect with others, escape our normal routines and express our creativity. The Nightlife Culture Expo is a celebration of that part of your life. As the president of the Nightlife Cultural Initiative I’ve tried to collect a diverse blend of attractions, performances and parties for you to enjoy. Here are some highlights of what we have for you if you join us.

The Performers

Little Louie Vega & Kevin Hedge: They created a signature blend of house and Latin music that has helped define the New York dance scene and they have agreed to kick off the Expo in a big way at Cielo.

Maor: The emerging artist will bring his music and his message about gay bullying and discrimination to Stonewall Inn as a part of the LGBT Appreciation Event

Paige Turner: This established queer icon graces the stage for a night of music and comedy as the headline act of the LGBT Appreciation Event

Rakim: He is one of the most respected names in hip hop. His Paid in Full album is a soundtrack its golden age and he will be performing a rare New York set at Sutra.

Rob Swift: The legendary DJ for the X-Men will return from his performance tour of Asia to provide the right music to celebrate nightlife culture and end our Expo on a high note at the double seven.

The Venues

Pleasure Palaces: Bars and Clubs as the Cradles of Nightlife Culture- The spaces that bars and clubs inhabit that become the frame and canvas for every other aspect of the nightlife experience. We have five very different venues all over downtown Manhattan spread out over the four nights

The Speakers

A discussion about the importance of nightlife culture is vital to this type of event. I have collected a panel of very well connected and insightful nightlife minds to discuss this topic during our brunch at Affaire. The panel includes

madison moore: Fashion and Fantasies

Paul Seres: Nightlife operator, advocate and President of the New York Nightlife Association

Shonali Bhowmik: From Nashville to New York

Steven Lewis: Celebrity Waitresses, Sex and the Sin Effect

We hope you will decide to join us for the first of many nightlife culture events. For more information and tickets, visit http://nightlifeculture.org/events/

Have fun.

G

The CBGB Festival, The Nightlife Culture Expo and the Subculture of Bottle Service

The Nightlife Culture Review for March 21, 2012

Compiled by Gamal Hennessy

The Nightlife Culture Expo 2012
From hip hop icons to house music legends. From underground artists to well known operators. From historic venues to the New York’s hottest clubs, New York has a treasure in its nightlife and the Nightlife Cultural Initiative is proud to announce the Nightlife Culture Expo. Visit our site to order tickets to shows featuring Join Rakim, Little Louie Vega, Rob Swift and more http://bit.ly/FRVLvO

Discussions with the Nightlife Think Tank
One of the highlights of the Expo will be a brunch seminar discussing the importance of nightlife culture to New York City. To explore this important subject, NCI has assembled prominent thinkers in the field. Here is a taste of the unique perspective each one brings to the table.

Steven Lewis: Celebrity Waitresses, Sex and the Sin Effect: http://bit.ly/yQsc7Q

Michael Moore: Fashion and Fantasies http://bit.ly/xo03pK

Shonali Bhowmik: From Nashville to New York http://bit.ly/zmDP0Y

Culture

CBGB returns to NYC in July as a music festival instead of a music venue. http://bit.ly/yrvwim

Literature and liquor mix on the Lower East Side. http://nyti.ms/FQAyQU

Steve Lewis takes a roundtable look at the subculture of bottle service. http://bit.ly/xxSEKo


Have fun.

Gamal

Join Rakim, Little Louie Vega, Rob Swift and More at the First Annual Nightlife Culture Expo!

The Nightlife Culture Expo 2012

We've got hip hop icons and house music legends.

We've got dance floors open all night and burlesque brunches during the day.

We've got underground artists and well known operators. We've got historic venues and today's hottest clubs.

We have four nights of nightlife culture and you can have it too.

Just click on the flyer, pick the events you want to attend and join us...

Michael Mele, the Metropolitan Museum and the Mystery of the Male Bottle Servers

The Nightlife Culture Review of March 8, 2012

Prince of the City

From Nashville to New York: A Nightlife Culture Interview with Shonali Bhowmik http://bit.ly/zmDP0Y

Crime

Michael Mele gets 23 years in prison for taking Laura Garza out of a club and killing her in 2008. http://nydn.us/w1cBCG

Culture

Does New York nightlife need more male bottle servers and hosts? http://bit.ly/wlt8JZ

A new art exhibit explores drag culture in New York nightlife. http://bit.ly/zDEuVJ

The Metropolitan Museum attracts young patrons by reinventing itself as a nightclub. http://bit.ly/y1vrH2

The New York Historical Society is offering students a free course in hip hop this month. http://bit.ly/z9vNDz

New Venues

Mother's Ruin, Bas'ik and Wayland are among the best new venues in New York nightlife. http://bit.ly/zw2SYa  

Have fun

Gamal

Steve Lewis, High Technology and the French Invasion of New York Nightlife

The Nightlife Culture Review for March 1, 2012

Compiled by Gamal Hennessy

Prince of the City

Celebrity Waitresses, Sex and the Sin Effect: A Nightlife Culture interview with the legendary Steven Lewis. http://bit.ly/yQsc7Q 

Why Do You Enjoy New York Nightlife? There are seven major reasons that lure us into the night. What moves you? http://bit.ly/w7puVN

NCI: Improve your nightlife. Join the Nightlife Cultural Initiative. http://bit.ly/yuXX7h 

Culture

Partez vous Francais? The New York Times writes about the growing French trend in New York nightlife culture. http://nyti.ms/zZzpYt

Is Big Back?: Are the megaclubs ready to return to New York nightlife? And if they are, how will that impact New York nightlife? http://bit.ly/yX8lJn 

Music

Hip Hop Holiness: What is the relationship between religion and hip hop? How do express their faith or disparage another in their lyrics? http://bit.ly/AwSU9k 

Mind Over Money: A new article looks at the transition of hip hop from social awareness to capitalist excess. http://bit.ly/AxaEkE 

Technology

The Liquor Locator: Will the new NYC liquor license map help or hurt New York nightlife? http://bit.ly/xgXi3I

Who Watches You Go Out? Can facial recognition apps help you find the perfect club and crowd every night? http://ti.me/AEgK2K 

Have fun.

Gamal

Guns & Roses, New York Fashion Week 2012 and Gay Marriage

Nightlife Culture News for February 15, 2012


Compiled by Gamal Hennessy

Nightlife Culture Review

Fashion Week and New York Nightlife is a case of Love at First Sight, but why? http://t.co/mYskPZ5K

Improve your nightlife. Join the Nightlife Cultural Initiative. http://t.co/n2dKDmnd

Venue Reviews

We have new insight on 2A, One & One, Blue Smoke, Felice and Lucien plus info on 115 other venues. gamalhennessy.yelp.com

Culture

The LGBT marriage equality victory in California sparks a celebration at a landmark of LGBT history, Stonewall. http://t.co/6NpLiLYa

Are NIMBYs resorting to vandalism to chase new bars out of NOLITA? If they are, it will be like pro-life advocates killing abortion doctors because they think abortion is murder. http://t.co/RFWL2LVQ

Music

EDM: Can XL bring dance culture back to New York nightlife or has bottle service and cocktail culture cleared the dance floor? http://t.co/bAgFKozP.


EDM: Question: What's the best way to ask a DJ to play a song at the club? Answer: Don't. If you’d like more DJ etiquette, read on. http://t.co/YBNNlW9H

Hip Hop: An insightful review of the new global hip hop book Close to the Edge. http://t.co/hwefNVNy

Hip Hop: How has the financial crisis impacted hip hop lyrics and perspectives? http://t.co/QTAvpCZs

Rock: Can Guns & Roses start a comeback with their New York nightlife performance? http://t.co/SrmkzKI0
Have fun.

Gamal

Jay-Z, Bi-Sexual Rappers, Beer Pong Laws and the Evils of Bottle Service

The Nightlife Cultural Review for February 8, 2012

Compiled by Gamal Hennessy

Improve your nightlife. Join the Nightlife Cultural Initiative. http://t.co/n2dKDmnd

Prince of the City

Sexy, Rich, Creative or Connected: What is Your Best Nightlife Resource? http://t.co/67boTkf0

New Elite Yelp Reviews for venues including Norwood, Yotel, and Imperial No. 9 gamalhennessy.yelp.com

Music

Hip Hop: Jay-Z brings the heights of hip hop to Carnegie Hall. http://t.co/XYr3GmJm

Hip Hop: Is New York hip hop ready for a bi-sexual female rapper like Azealia Banks? http://t.co/FLaLXv4b

DJ: Veteran DJ Seth Clark Silverman has advice to improve the music in New York City nightlife http://t.co/apGn6bvA

Law

Liability: NY court rules that bar operators are not liable for beer pong related drunkenness. http://t.co/q6GAtRwW

Opinion

Bottle Service: Transworld News viciously attacked the exclusive club scene in New York nightlife. http://t.co/w769V54N

54 Below: Nightlife maven Michael Musto opines on the new cabaret 54 Below. http://t.co/LHp2cYrk

Have fun

Gamal

CBGB, XL, Ice-T and Meleni Smith

Nightlife Culture News for February 1, 2012

Complied by Gamal Hennessy

Prince of the City

My Heart in Focus: A nightlife culture interview with Ms. Meleni Smith http://t.co/KsbfLSrf

Culture

CBGB: Would the revived punk rock venue be a great revival of punk rock or a sad tourist trap? http://t.co/7HeVmxNr

Reborn Dive Bars: The recently shut down Mars Bar is reborn as an art exhibit. http://t.co/nGTkblUX

Music

Hip Hop: A review of Ice-T's hip hop documentary Something from Nothing http://t.co/QAmJ7REk

Opinion: DJ Stretch Armstrong rejects the concept of the celebrity DJ. http://t.co/9G346Vof

Technology

NIMBYs get a new tool to track their complaints about New York venues. http://t.co/gmKCH4Se

New Venues

The Time Out hotel and its XL dance club made a massive splash in New York over the weekend. http://t.co/N4ep2JLc

Have fun

Gamal

Tiesto’s New Video Series, Garza’s Killer Confesses and Drinking with Your Eyeball

Nightlife News for January 25th, 2012

Nightlife Culture

The Nightlife Cultural Initiative attempts to bring more life to nightlife. http://t.co/3qAQMcp7

An architectural firm in Hong Kong has designed a nightclub that isn’t connected to the ground. It stays up by hanging from surrounding buildings. http://t.co/9cId6IIz

Drinking

An in depth essay on the Social and Psychological Benefits of Pre-gaming. http://t.co/0Edm5Uky

Is the CDC exaggerating the rates of binge drinking in the US? http://t.co/8raHzxNA

More female sommeliers are becoming prominent in New York nightlife. http://t.co/sljz6oIn

Eater offers some good advice on how to order a drink based on the type of bar you visit. http://t.co/BkRFu28d

Are you bored with just drinking your drink? If so, check out these eight strange new ways of ingesting alcohol. http://t.co/kcU6tv4A

Crime

Michael Mele admits to killing Laura Garza after taking her out pf Marquee in 2008. http://t.co/DtANKybC

Politics

Brooklyn NIMBYs attack rooftop and outdoor bars. http://t.co/ZhYDLjwf

Are anti-nightlife sentiments rising in Hells Kitchen? http://t.co/4XDPn469

Music

A new university course explores hip hop as a teaching tool. http://t.co/u1uc7LBB

Tiësto launches a new web series to document the life of the DJ. http://t.co/SGi8ExCu

Live Music Apps, Pitch Black Dining Rooms and Whiskey in a Can

The Nightlife Culture Review for January 11, 2012

Compiled by Gamal Hennessy

Prince of the City

How to Find Live Music in 2012: There are hundreds of live musicians playing in New York nightlife every week. Here are a few apps to help you find the ones that are right for you.

New Elite Yelp reviews for 2012: including UCB Theater, Henrietta Hudson, Sons of Essex and Cellar 58. 

Culture

‎(From @DNAinfo) A landmark Harlem firehouse is going to be reborn as Afro-Caribbean Cultural Institute. Hopefully it will include exhibits on the contributions jazz, reggae, salsa and other art forms had on nightlife and New York in general. 

(From @nightculturenyc) One photographer documents how social media has impacted nightlife.

Crime

(From @VoiceStreet) A cab driver was recently arrested for the rape of an early morning passenger. There is no indication from this story that the alleged victim was coming from a club, but it is a scenario that could easily involve nightlife patrons so awareness is key, even after you leave the club.

(From @nightculturenyc) Michael Mele: The alleged murderer of Laura Garza goes on trial this week. Garza was last seen leaving Marquee.

Drinking

(From @nightculturenyc) Is a can of whiskey (that holds 8 shots) for $5 a great idea or a disaster waiting to happen? You can’t close a can once you open it, so the incentive to drink all 8 shots at once will be very strong. Who knows what your incentive might be after that…

Music

(From @nightculturenyc) Hip hop: Emerging artists from NJ prove that local artists continue to influence East Coast rap. 

(From @nightculturenyc) DJing: The Respect the DJ movement brings the spotlight back to the people behind the decks. 

(From @CMJnetwork):  Artist submissions for CMJ 2012 are open now via @Sonicbids

  

Venues

(From @EaterNY) A new high end spot called Dans Le Noir offers patrons the chance to dine in a pitch black room. Candle lit tables are romantic and sexy, but how dark is too dark?

(From @nightculturenyc) Is the case against Escuelita bar about public safety or anti-gay bias? 

(From @nightculturenyc) This recent retrospective looks at the historic evolution of Julius, one of New York's oldest gay bars. 

Have fun.

G

AeroShot, Angry Drunks and the Worst New Year’s Eve Ever

The Last Nightlife Culture News for 2011

Compiled by Gamal Hennessy

Nightlife Culture Year in Review: The Twelve Major Stories in Nightlife Culture for 2011

Nightlife Industry Year in Review: From the fine folks at Eater.

Humor: Do you want to have your worst New Year’s Eve ever. Here's how to so it. 

Drinking: Hangover Patches: Do They Work?

Drinking: Here’s how to spot an angry drunk before the fists start flying.

Drugs: Is AeroShot going to be the club drug of 2012?

Venue Reviews: I've finished 101 nightlife reviews covering three cities in 2011. That should be enough drinking for one year, right?

Trends: The busiest (and most amateur) nightlife nights of the year.

Beyond New York: The New York Times looks at the underground nightlife scene in Los Angeles. 

Music

Hip Hop: Is hip hop finally ready to shed its homophobic image?

Hip Hop: A compelling argument that New York hip hop isn't real hip hop. 

Hip Hop: How do racial and gender diversity in hip hop performers impact the musical form? 

Comedy: Why is the open mic scene so dead for aspiring New York comedians? 

Have fun.

G

Champagne Bars, Fireplace Hideaways, Fashion’s Night Out and New Orleans Nightlife

Nightlife News for December 20^th 2011

Complied by Gamal Hennessy

Prince of the City

‎Reviews: I’ve put up the first set of reviews from my trip to New Orleans. There is plenty of stuff down there to make a New York nightlife native happy. gamalhennessy.yelp.com

Last minute Gift Idea: Looking for something to give the person who loves nightlife? Give them my book Seize the Night. http://amzn.to/rONKHy

Culture: NYC had 50 million visitors on 2011. No doubt many of them came here to sample our nightlife culture. Hopefully our next mayor will see the connection in ways that Bloomberg doesn’t.  http://t.co/RaEhUWgA

Fashion: Fashion Night Out is coming back in 2012 in spite of very little popular demand from fashion retailers. http://t.co/BZjb3eMo

Drinking: Discover the allure of luxury champagne bars. http://t.co/nbyAjnrF

Interior Design: NYC has plenty of fireplace bars to help you escape the cold this winter. Find some with this list. http://t.co/FSiVgVP2

Politics: Harlem community boards consider attempt to close bars at 2 a.m. Hopefully they will fail like many of their colleagues downtown. http://t.co/QPHVnQOv

Sex: How often do men and women really think about sex? The answer may surprise you. http://t.co/RYZ5isBh

Have fun.

Gamal

Madison Moore, Larry Levan, Don Hill and Parisian Nightlife Culture

Nightlife Culture News for December 13, 2011

Compiled by Gamal Hennessy

Prince of the City: Review: On the Make: Nightlife as a Lifeless Sham: http://t.co/WChaVBLg

Academics: NYU takes a long hard look at Madison Moore and his nightlife culture course at Yale. http://t.co/FA9lDQgK

Culture: A comparison of nightlife culture in New York and Paris. http://t.co/ShHQBrLm

Sex: A swingers party pops up at Pop Burger. http://t.co/xR586zbz

Health: Would NYC be better off with public toilets in nightlife areas? http://t.co/UP8Jfh8U

Health:  Journalists put three hangover cures to the test http://t.co/FWTsOj5x

Graphic Arts: A collection of art dedicated to hip hop pioneers has just been released. http://t.co/frt4DlkO

Music

Hip Hop: Members of Black Sheep and A Tribe Called Quest form a group to produce a song dedicated to Occupy Wall Street. http://t.co/2vM95r3y

House: NPR remembers the DJ pioneer Larry Levan. http://t.co/e3NQ8qHf

Rock: Irving Plaza plans a memorial concert for legendary nightlife operator Don Hill. http://t.co/inCmiTt6

Drinking: Bartenders offer good drinking advice. Read this to improve your holiday experience. http://t.co/EdT0H7p4

Drinking: Barstool Prophets tell the story of #nightlife from serving behind the bar. http://t.co/xKI8mjMZ

Crime: FBI makes several arrests linking organized crime to NYC strip clubs. http://t.co/75TnEeAH

Tourism: ‎Closing the Tavern on the Green was a multi-million dollar mistake for NYC. http://t.co/oduEyawi

Have fun.

G

Sex Lies and Holiday Parities

Nightlife Culture News for December 7, 2011

Compiled by Gamal Hennessy

Prince of the City: A holiday gift idea for the nightlife native; Notes from the Night. http://bit.ly/uog9OO

Dancing: An argument for the artistic merits of lap dancing is going to court in New York. http://t.co/cdtWLNbj

Dating: Tips on how to get back into the dating life after being out of the game for 5, 10 or even 20 years. http://t.co/NfFcJVmB

Dating: Is online dating just for free meals the best way to deal with a bad economy? http://t.co/A4l1A1v9

Fashion: Do we judge a girl's intelligence and sexual experience based on how short her skirt is? http://t.co/VqXndzjs

Health: New survey from condom maker Durex points to a high degree of risky sexual behavior in the US. http://t.co/mFfnp6Fv

Health: Will the FDA approved hangover cure Blowfish change the way we drink? http://t.co/5xa5ecT1

Sex: People can accept the idea of comfort food. Can they accept the idea of comfort sex? http://t.co/LeNhxUc2

Trends: The rough economy has taken the extravagance out of holiday parties recently, but they are making a comeback this year. http://t.co/RT5hdTUt

Have fun.

G

Arab Hip Hop, Jewish Hip Hop and the Importance of Nightlife Culture

Nightlife News for November 29^th 2011

Complied by Gamal Hennessy

Prince of the City

‎A new essay from @NightCultureNYC explains Why Should You Care about Nightlife Culture? http://t.co/cKRIwtLV

Culture

Academics: I gave you a link on the various classes universities are developing about nightlife culture. Here is a feature story on Yale University's course. http://t.co/oPpcVLDH

Nightclubs: There are many misconceptions about what nightlife is really like. @clubplanet runs down the list of nightlife myths that need to be busted. http://t.co/54gcb8wP

Reviews: Over 85 Yelp Elite reviews of local nightlife venues including new reviews of Double Seven, the Night Hotel and Elsa gamalhennessy.yelp.com

Music

DJing: A few tips for breaking into the DJ industry. http://t.co/q1IWEBA5

Hip Hop: Arab American hip hop artists create political rap inspired by the Arab Spring. http://t.co/hTdqfiQz

Hip Hop: Are we currently experiencing a Golden Age of Jewish hip hop? http://t.co/Z6ELtqxA

Rock: We like to think that the indie rock scene and the hip hop nation are completely separate, but @SPINmagazine provides a timeline that shows the creative crossover between the two genres. http://t.co/eEktwl2x

Have fun.

Gamal