Elevate - 390 8th Avenue, New York, NY
The Weekend is finally here, the weather ain’t so bad, and there is plenty to talk about on the Friday Nightlife Rundown for February 19, 2010. From fashionably late Mardi Gras parties to some of New York’s best weekly events, this weekend’s agenda is full of entertaining, cultural and intellectual events befitting the taste of all of New York City’s young, black professionals.
Tonight’s party agenda for young, black professionals does not have to start at the line to get into the club. Why not begin your night with drinks at a jazz event, a little poetry, and then find your way to the beauty of clubbing in Manhattan?
When Nature Calls – 7pm
Nuyorican (236 East 3rd Street): Nothing beats a Friday night like an evening of live performance at the Nuyorican. Tonight, tomorrow night, and Sunday night, The Impulse Initiative will put on the best theatrical display New York City has to offer. It will run you $15 to $20, but it will be worth every penny for the performer in you. This production is the tale of 7 women that succumb to the calls of Mother Nature and take a very hard stance in a celebration of the power of women. You can find out more and purchase tickets at nuyorican.org.
Friday Night Jazz – 8pm & 11pm
Afroart-Designs (316 Stuyvesant Avenue, Brooklyn): If you are looking for a celebration of Black History Month, Friday Night Jazz is one of the best places to be. The Jeff King Band will perform two sets tonight, taking you way back (before your time for many of you) to jazz sounds of yesteryear from some of the genre’s best saxophonists, pianists and drummers. JazzKing Productions is putting on this event, which means it’s as authentic as it gets and is something no jazz fan will want to miss.
“Made in Jamaica” (Movie)
BAM Rose Cinemas (30 Lafayette Avenue, Brooklyn): I haven’t seen the movie yet myself, and won’t do so until later tonight. Thus, I will give you a brief break from my usual stream of consciousness and present you with this far more articulate synopsis:
A portrait that unveils the leaders of the reggae music movement while showing how reggae has become a worldwide phenomenon. The chronicle includes showcase performances by the top reggae and dance hall artists in the business. Historically, reggae music sprang into life in the ’70s. It was the first time that a third world country had made its voice heard on such a large scale. Instantly recognizable, the reggae sound is a celebration of life itself. Now a new generation of reggae artists has emerged and its fathers are still in Jamaica. But along with the Jamaican music, there has often been trouble in the dance. At the dancehalls, respect is threatened, tempers flare and then gunshots. That was the sadly familiar story of Bogle, the now-legendary figure who invented the dance bearing his name. His funeral was a ghetto-spectacular affair, attracting three generations of reggae and dancehall superstars. – NY Daily News
The High Priestess of Dark alley (Play) – 8pm
Billie Holiday Theater (1368 Fulton Street, Brooklyn): Once again, in someone else’s words:
The world premiere of the play “The High Priestess of Dark Alley,” a dramatic comedy about intrusive mother trying to repair her daughter’s failed marriage. The play was written by and is directed by Jackie Alexander.
Satisfaction Afterwork – 5pm
Elevate (390 8th Avenue): Fabulous Entertainment is doing it up afterwork today with free admittance to Elevate. DJ Kool Kid will be on the 1’s and 2’s, and for those of you who haven’t heard of him before, let’s just say you won’t be inclined to complain about the music after this party is over. Yes, he’ll mix in some Soca and Reggaeton, but Kool Kid keeps it fresh all night. And if you don’t like to Salsa, don’t worry about it; you can take a break at the bar where they are serving 2 for 1 drinks and a Black Oak Night first: 3 wings for a dollar! Of course, there will be plenty of other finger foods available to satisfy your afterwork appetite. And they are very open to large groups and will accommodate you to prove it. So email fabulousent2k@yahoo.com and get your co-workers on board for a good way to end the work week.
Good Life Afterwork – 5pm
Touch (240 W. 52nd Street): Hip-hop, R&B, Reggae and 90’s music will put your mind at ease after a restless day and week of work. There is a $20 cover charge, but of course, if you say you are on the John Doe Entertainment guest list, you will get in free before 7pm. From 5-7pm you can enjoy a 2 for 1 top shelf drink special, and there is a free dinner buffet from 5-7pm as well. As you know, Touch knows how to throw a good party, and this afterwork event will be no different.
Carnival with Mario Calegari – 10pm
Pacha (618 W. 46th Street): Getting into Pacha is rarely without cost, but this Friday is completely different. Ladies are free before midnight if you mention the Xplosion guest list, and gentlemen are free before midnight, too! However, you better be dressed to impress, and I recommend fellas have ladies in their party. There will be two different rooms to get down in, with DJ Mario Calegari leading the way in the main room with Top 40’s music, hip-hop and a little Reggaeton. The theme is Carnival, so you can expect a wild time and maybe even a few professional dancers in the building.
Tom Green Stand-Up Comedy – 8pm & 10:30pm
Comix (353 W. 14th Street): For those of you who didn’t make it out last night, I just thought I’d inform you one more time that the hysterical fool of our youth, Tom Green, is performing at Comix tonight. Tickets are $30, plus a two-drink minimum. You can get the tickets at comixny.com. He will have two more performances at the same times on Saturday Night, February 20, 2010.
5 Star Chic Fridays – 11pm
Star Lounge (222 W. 23rd Street): Star Lounge is not the typical place for the urban crowd, but occasionally, on Friday nights, they open up their doors and their music in such a way that any and all young, black professionals will want to come through. With surprise DJs every Friday night, they keep the music fresh while still limiting it to hip-hop, R&B and old school music, with a little Soca music from time to time, as well. Entry is free before 1am if you say you are on the Hollywood Chuck guest list. They are also claiming an open bar, so I’d get there early in case that’s actually true.
Friday Night Takeover – 10pm
Fashion 40 (202 W. 40th Street): Once again, Fashion 40 is doing it up with nothing but the best of New York City’s black crowd in attendance. The door is very, very strict, so if you don’t have your A game on, you better go home and change. There will be absolutely nothing but hip-hop, R&B and old school music playing all night long; so you can leave your Salsa shoes, and any preconceived notions about Latin music, at home. The party officially gets started at 10, but the drink specials for ladies start at 11, so come fashionably late if you want to. Not too late though, as ladies are only free until midnight (with RSVP: fridaynight.takeover@gmailcom), and gentleman are reduced until 12, as well.
Sweet Dreams – 10pm
Club Roam (5 East 19th Street): I thought I would show a little love for the semi-new Club Roam, which is hosting Sweet Dreams tonight. The party is hosted by “Addictive Ladies,” so it sounds so good so far. Entry is free before midnight, and they have an open bar from 10 to 11pm. They are willing to accommodate all birthday parties with a slew of birthday boy and girl packages. As for the music, anything goes with DJ TY Boogie on the 1’s and 2’s, but it suffices to say that he will keep you on your toes all night long with his usual savvy selection of music.
Misty Boyce & Blowoff! – 8pm & 11:30pm
Canal Room (285 W. Broadway): The infamous Canal Room is throwing down tonight with a live performance from an up-and-coming young singer, Misty Boyce. After that, they will get back to their usual ways of partying into the wee hours of the morning with “Blowoff,” which is so heavily planned for that they are actually selling tickets on line for advance purchase. There’s so much going on at the Canal Room tonight, that I suggest you check it out for yourself at canalroom.com.
Related Posts
- Friday Rundown: May 28, 2010
- Friday Rundown: May 21, 2010
- Friday Rundown: May 7, 2010
- Friday Rundown: March 19, 2010
- Friday Rundown: March 12, 2010
- Friday Rundown: March 5, 2010
- Friday Rundown: February 26, 2010
- Friday Rundown: February 12, 2010
