... Wristbands, tabs at bars.
Email passes and VIP cards;
... Tickets Stubs, coatchecks.
Last calls, yet separate checks ...
These are a few relics that make up our social lives ... on a daily, weekly, regular basis.
I am Mark Anthony Thomas, a writer living and working in the Manhattan
Borough of New York City in the United States.
I receive invitations to many events, parties, socials, lectures, but as a relatively busy person I hadn't fully maximized my social life while
living in the big city.
So ... I took 40 Days and 40 Nights (Wednesday, December 26, 2007 - SuperBowl Sunday, February 3, 2008) to take a full out "Social Sabbatical" to capture my social life in my first online blog/journal.
This Social Sabbatical (note: I re-defined the definition) is a typical 40 day trek of what a social life of a typical New York resident.
I highlight 47 social events (which include live performances, dinner & drinks, lectures, etc.) which I personally attended during this 40 day time.
Please read about my experience, visit links, forward to your friends and visitors, and enjoy my "reality" journal. I provide an entry on the experience, assessments of the venues, and recommend whether or not you should add this to your list of things to do, when you're in New York City.
Day
1 (December, 27, 2007) - Day 10 (January 7, 2008)
Day 11 (January 8,
2008) - Day 20 (January 14, 2008)
Day 21 (January 15,
2008) - Day 30 (January 24, 2008)
Day 31 (January 25,
2008) - Day 40 (February 3, 2008)
www.markanthonythomas.com
mat@poetryauthor.com
Published 2/18/08
Also published on ... socialsabbatical.blogspot.com,
socialsabbatical.wordpress.com,
socialsabbatical-myspace,
yahoo360blog
Wednesday,
Dec. 27, 2007
Jazz
at the
Lincoln Center
(Dizzy's Jazz Club)
(Manhattan-Columbus
Circle)
(#1)
Authentic Jazz...
Dizzy's is the truest of authentic jazz club. If you're into satellite
radio, many of the live performances you've heard. Beautiful venue,
great view of the Upper East Side skyline and Central Park.
Best Bet:
Monday Nights
- Upstart Special.
$15 per person.
Event Rating:
(4 out of 5 stars)
Thursday, Dec. 28, 2007
Harlem
World Magazine
Annual Holiday Party
at the
River Room
(Manhattan-Harlem)
Dinosaur
BBQ
(Manhattan-Harlem)
(#2, #3)
Harlem on the rise...
First, the best views of the Hudson River Valley and the G.W.
Bridge, (NYC's forgotten bridge) the River Room is definitely
a classy Harlem venue. Unfortunately, Harlem World Magazine's holiday
party didn't use this as an advantage to draw much of a crowd.
B-B-Ques...
We ended up at the very popular Harlem spot ... Dinosaur BBQ. Dinosaur
is hidden among forgotten warehouses, but worth a drive from Brooklyn,
Jersey, or a train ride Uptown. You may wait 60+ minutes (without
reservations on weekend nights).
Best Bet:
For River Room, Saturday jazz performances; Sunday brunch. Great venue
for private parties.
Event Rating:
(2 out of 5 stars)
Friday, Dec. 29, 2007
Nuyorican
Poets Café
(Manhattan-Alphabet
City)
(#4)
NYC's famous hip hop and spoken word venue - a type of venue that defines a city. We didn't arrive earlier, waited for nearly an hour (due to the usual capacity controls) and enjoyed the night. This night featured a college age poet slam and an open mic (which I couldn't help but perform).
Best Bet:
Fridays, $10+
Event Rating:
(5 out of 5 stars)
Last call...
Moca Lounge (in South Harlem). Gets crowded after 2 a.m., it's a great
venue, although it's confused on whether it works best as a lounge,
a club, or a restaurant where you can dance?
Best Bet:
Weekends.
Usually no cost
Event Rating:
(3 out of 5 stars)
I've seen Jamie Foxx, Danity Kane, Freddie Jackson, Ryan Shaw, among others. The best singers belt it out, with a gospel and poetic cord in between.
Best Bet:
Sundays. Ron Grant & Melanie Davis. $15
Event Rating:
(4.5 out of 5 stars)
I tagged along 3 people. What a surprise. Free entry. Free drinks. Live DJ Over 300 people.
Best Bet:
n/a
Event Rating:
(5 out of 5 stars)
ESPN Zone and 40/40 May be the prizes, but the Village Pourhouse is always best for big sporting events, such as the Sugar Bowl.
Best Bet:
Game Days
Event Rating:
(3.5 out of 5 stars)
Fun spot. With flavor, cuban flavor. Great for dinner, or private parties.
Best Bet:
Sunday Jazz Brunch
Event Rating:
(4.5 out of 5 stars)
It may seem like forever-ago, but Iowa was the night Obama won his shield. This venue teams up with the Democratic Leadership for the 21st Century to host many events, including this great polical night.
Best Bet:
Anytime
Event Rating:
(4 out of 5 stars)
Annual networking party thrown by two well connected NYC PR ladies. Beautiful women, beautiful venue. Nice turnout, with networking sprinkled in between.
Best Bet:
Friday Night Jazz 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Event Rating:
(4 out of 5 stars)
Uptown Jamaican in Chelsea. Nice venue and below ground location. Jerk Chicken is phire. literally.
Best Bet:
Sundays (Brunches are big in NYC)
Event Rating:
(3 out of 5 stars)
For the health conscious, this Village spot is a great compromise if you're seeking something familiar and eccentric, but not too far removed.
Best Bet:
Weekends.
Usually no cost
Event Rating:
(2.5 out of 5 stars)
Maybe I'm crazy, but some rare-type food ruined my stomach. In a midnight hour (36 hours of sleep later) I came here to write. This spot is the writers block in the midnight hour for the educated, homeless, and every human soul seeking ventilation in between. It's a worker's wonder.
Best Bet:
Anytime.
Event Rating:
(3.5 out of 5 stars)
Good soul food, without the extra unhealthiness. Nice intimate environment, and friendly owners.
Best Bet:
Wednesdays
Event Rating:
(3.5 out of 5 stars)
Beautiful stranger...
Picture a fly-white castle in the front,
and a jazzy lounge in the back. That's Pop Burger. Cool joint on the
edge of the Meatpacking District. The billiards room looks like the
scene from Hitch. The Midtown location towers above the Apple Store.
Best Bet:
Anytime
Event Rating:
(4 out of 5 stars)
Friday, January 11th
The
Central Bar
(Manhattan-East
Village )
Café
La Lo
(Manhattan-Upper
West Side)
(#17, #18)
Lot going on...
Cool East Village crowd (which means NYU students and a few people pushing
30). DJ spun Hip Hop on this Friday, two-layer level club.
Late night dessert...
Romantic, when not crowded. A crew of us took this Upper West
Side spot over at 2 a.m., bring cash.
Best Bet:
Fridays
Event Rating:
(3.5 out of 5 stars)
La Lo: Best Bet:
Late Nights
Event Rating:
(3.5 out of 5 stars)
Bowling on another level. DJs and huge projection video screens keep the crowd moving, eases the pain of the price-per game.
Best Bet:
Weekends.
Usually no cost
Event Rating:
(3.5 out of 5 stars)
The best Harlem soul food that tastes like at least the gravy came from below the mason-dixon line.
Best Bet:
Sundays. Oopen every day though.
Event Rating:
(4 out of 5 stars)
Best Bet:
Tuesdays or special musical showcase.
Event Rating:
(2.5 out of 5 stars)
Sushi is top notch there. But the meals are on point. The chefs also provide cooking courses on other days.
Best Bet:
Anytime. A favorite NYC spot.
Event Rating:
(5 out of 5 stars)
this spot, because it will become a staple for your club life if you're a new yorker. This is perfect no where else to go spot. On this evening, the WallStreet Alphas sponsored a mixer for the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority's 100 Year Celebration.
Best Bet:
Weekends.
Usually no cost
Event Rating:
(2.5 out of 5 stars)
Alpha House
Harlem Event for AKAs
(Manhattan-Harlem)
Bar 13
(Manhattan-Union Square)
(#24, #25)
The Village Peopler...
Bar 13 works best when the DJ doesn't
mix in Soija Boy with Nirvana. At least three levels, tons of space,
college crowd, nonetheless, a great spot.
Visited the Alpha House for another AKA related party. See photos of Charles Rangel, David Dinkins, Adam Clayton Powell, NYC's godfathers.
Best Bet:
Fridays
Event Rating:
(3 out of 5 stars)
Sugar Bar
(Manhattan-Upper West Side)
Aspen NYC
(Manhattan-Union Square)
(#26, #27)
For lovers sake...
Ashford and Simpson's spot in Upper West ... done right in every kind
of way! Great venue. Worthy food. Always a surprise.
Colorado Decor...
The DJ's electric system rocks through
this narrow lounge's walls. Arrive early, have dinner and stay, but
not too late. Celebrity spot.
Best Bet:
Depends. Restaurant first. Party Lounge second.
Event Rating:
(4 out of 5 stars)
O'Conolly's
(Manhattan-Times Square)
Retreat
(Manhattan-Union
Square)
(#28,
#29)
Almost There ...
Giants defeated Green Bay. In this somewhat dry, but good pub, we watched
the game.
Purple Rain...
Retreat is a lounge made for private parties. Open spaces, tables on
the sides, and a beautiful design. Went for a party that took a second
to get jumping.
Best Bet:
Special occassions, or afterwork.
Event Rating:
(2.5 out of 5 stars)
The Time Warner building has a slew of NYC's nicest restaurants that are above standard prices. BUT, this was Restaurant Week and it made the price right on-point for a great meal.
Best Bet:
Anytimes. Upper echelon of prices
Event Rating:
(4 out of 5 stars)
Wednesday, January 23rd
Londel’s
Super Club
(Manhattan-Harlem)
(#31)
we drunk them. Another Harlem spot, at Strivers Row. Weekends they bring in great bands to entertain the old-school crowd. The lady bartender is beautiful and friendly.
Best Bet:
Anyday (closed Sunday nights)
Event Rating:
(3 out of 5 stars)
Hollywood Shuffle...
Another fire-hazzard crowded Manhattan party. But worth every liability
(minus the crazy coatcheck). John Legend and Estelle rocked the house
though, in this short but hot event. Here
are wireimage photos.
Pacha is a multilayered large club, worthy of a taxi ride over.
Best Bet:
It Depends --- Check website regularly.
Event Rating:
(4.5 out of 5 stars)
The Good Life ...
Last minute invite, found us in line to check out the Museum's monthly
hip hop venture. This month, The Cool Kids (think Kanye West's grammy
performance), were hosting. Didn't know that Kanye would make a surprise
performance, which is why we, and about 400 people, couldn't get in.
Best Bet:
$20, monthly event --- Final Fridays. Museum regular prices vary.
Event Rating:
(5 out of 5 stars)
Minus the ghetto names of the mixed drinks this spot actually keeps the good times rolling. Food isn't the selling point, but the right event is worth a trek for.
Best Bet:
Weekends.
Usually no cost
Event Rating:
(3 out of 5 stars)
I'm sure the other foods will get you right, but trust, the catfish there is the greatest on the island. Live bands and poetry also stop through
Best Bet:
Sunday brunch, good deals.
Event Rating:
(4 out of 5 stars)
Earth Institute
Show Me
Poverty Tour
with
John Legend
San Domenico
(Manhattan-Central Park South)
(#36, #37)
Down for the cause...
John Legend teamed up with Jeff Sachs, author of "End of Poverty"
and director of Columbia University's Earth
Institute to promote his Show
Me Poverty Tour. Fresh off the Pepsi Smash, saw John Legend perform
a few more sings and discuss his philanthropic efforts.
Central Park South...
James Bond-classy spot. Upscale and (for that week) discounted, :) for
Restaurant
Week.
Best Bet:
N/A
Event Rating:
(4 out of 5 stars)
Hue-Man Bookstore
(Manhattan-Harlem)
RENT
– Broadway
(Manhattan-Times
Square)
(#38, #39)
Book Jewel ...
Young motivational speaker and author Farrah
Gray spoke at Hue-Man Bookstore, which is a Harlem-jewel + equipped
with a coffee shop.
525,600 minutes...
Not to end the night early, went to see RENT (which closes in June 2008)
with Tamyra Gray.
Best Bet:
Anytime - they close at 8 p.m. on weekdays though.
Event Rating:
(3.5 out of 5 stars)
The Whitney Museum
(Manhattan-Upper East Side)
Cilantro NYC
(Manhattan-Upper West Side)
(#40, #41)
Fade to Black...
Attended a film featuring critic Margo Jefferson and filmmakers Marco
Williams and Michelle Parkerson. Event highlighted acclaimed artist
Kara Walker. Her exhibit has ended, but the Whitney is always worthy
of a visit.
Cilantro:
Southwestern-inspired spot in the Upper West. Also in the Upper East
Side.
Best Bet:
Closed Mondays,
any other day.
Event Rating:
(4 out of 5 stars)
Love this spot. Banging sound system. Best with a group of friends and hard-sole shoes, to guarantee the bouncers permit your entrance.
Best Bet:
Weekends. Lunch or dinner.
Event Rating:
(4 out of 5 stars)
Friday, February 1st
The
Shrine
Restaurant
& Bar
(Manhattan-Harlem)
Best Bet:
Open every day, 4 p.m. to 4 a.m. Hot on Fridays!
Event Rating:
(5 out of 5 stars)
Max Soha Italian
(Manhattan-Harlem)
The Canal Room
(Manhattan-Tribeca)
(#44, #45)
Bring cash only, but it's worth it. Limited menu but good.
Night & Day...
Two different spots in one. A hot club at night, a cool lunch spot for afternoons. I went for a party, but live 'exclusive performances' go down here.
Best Bet:
Any day with Max Soha. Canal Room: visit website or search promoters.
Event Rating:
(3.5 out of 5 stars)
Super Sunday...
Popular Brooklyn spot --- artistic venue. Attended Kevin Powell's Superbowl
Party.
Finished the sabbatical at another private superbowl party, where the New York Giants gave me every reason to celebrate.
Best Bet:
Wednesdays
open mic night
with Nate Jones)
Event Rating:
(3 out of 5 stars)