HBO Movie Showing in Bryant Park

I hope you had a great weekend. Finally, we had a little reprieve from the heat, in which we could go outside for more than a couple of minutes and actually not melt. Young, black professionals of New York City were all over the place this past weekend; whether it was down in the Lower East Side at the ThreeKings party, or in midtown at an exclusive rooftop party on the West side, you all did me proud this weekend. Here’s to keeping the party going all week long. Here is the Monday Nightlife Rundown for August 16, 2010.

“American Idiot” [Theatre] – 8pm
St. James Theatre (246 West 44th Street): I wasn’t exactly the biggest fan of Green Day growing up either, but without a doubt, I was a fan of their most popular song, “American Idiot.” Now that entire CD is a work of art, as it has been transformed into one of the most talked-about musicals on Broadway. For an hour and a half, you will get taken back to a time when things seemed simpler and the music had a lot more joy in it. Catch the musical this Monday night, or any night of week, at 8pm.

“Wizard of Oz” [Movie Showing] – 5pm
Highbar (251 West 48th Street): Yeah, that’s right! Highbar is actually showing the “Wizard of Oz” at its rooftop in midtown. The movie doesn’t start until 9pm, but happy hour starts at 5, and the place will be littered with the entertainment industry. So come chat it up and network with a bunch of folks that care more about 3-D technology and box office revenues than they do about politics and fashion trends. Then again, this crowd may be slightly older than Highbar’s typical turnout given the nature of this movie, but anybody set upon watching a movie in a bar has to be young at hear, right?

BeBe & CeCe Winans – 7:30pm
Wingate Field (Between Brooklyn & Kingston Avenues, Brooklyn): Wingate Field continues to be the place to be if you’re a fan of black artists that peaked in the 90’s. Tonight’s showcase is BeBe and CeCe Winans, two of the greatest, non-great singers to ever put out an album. I kid the two, as they were the makers of some great CDs that every black household played at some time or another. They were also pioneers in the music game, bringing the duo act to the masses in a way that was rarely accomplished, especially in the R&B and soul genres. So come through tonight and hear all of your favorite BeBe & CeCe songs, including their rendition of “I’ll take you there.”

HBO Bryant Park Summer Film Series – 5pm
Bryant Park (Between Sixth and Fifth Avenues): Who says you can’t have fun outside in the middle of Manhattan? HBO would beg to differ, as they continue to host what has become one of New York’s best traditions over the past several years. At this “festive” event, young, professional New Yorkers line Bryant Park with blankets and buy tons of food to sit in front of the big screen while watching old movies. It’s really more about the experience than the movie, as talking is 100% permissible. However, the films are always classics and usually among the top 500 movies every created. Tonight’s film is “12 Angry Men,” which is best described by BryantPark.org:

Henry Fonda is the lone holdout on a jury deliberating a murder trial on a hot summer day in NYC. A stellar cast of character actors lends superb support as jurors initially convinced that the accused is guilty. Can Fonda persuade them otherwise? – BryantPark.org

First and Goal – 7:30pm
La Pomme (37 West 26th Street): Afterwork parties are best during the summer, and with this season nearing an end, you need not waste your time with the more boring afterwork events. Thus, come through La Pomme tonight, where the music will be bumping, the people will be stunting and everyone is going to have a great time! Nothing but hip-hop and R&B will come through the speakers, and nothing but beautiful people will be in the building. Tons of young, black professionals will come celebrate the start of the afterwork week with 2-for-1 drinks, a delectable food menu and the Giants-Jets NFL football game on the big screen. Being the fan of alcohol, food, beautiful people and football that I am, you know where to find me tonight!

1. Black Nightlife, Parties & Events, NYC: August 30, 2010
2. Black Nightlife, Events & Parties, NYC: August 23, 2010
3. Friday Rundown: August 13, 2010
4. Monday Rundown: August 9, 2010
5. Friday Rundown: August 6, 2010
6. Monday Rundown: August 2, 2010
7. Monday Rundown: July 12, 2010
8. Monday Rundown: May 10, 2010