What do Lotus Night Club, Harmonica Sun Beam and the Rivington House have in common? A whole lotta heart. Wednesday evening well-known tranny performer and former Rivington House Resident, Harmonica Sun Beam hosted several hundred New Yorkers at Lotus in the Meat Packing District. The benefit was organized in light of budget cuts on patient care for the 100,000 New Yorkers are infected with HIV/AIDS.
New York Press built up its “Best of Manhattan” event to be the most amazing party the city had to offer. Dare I ask who decides what the “Best” really is? Based on the event’s lack of attendance and the not-so-happening vibe, “Best” means all build-up and no action.
Before I even had the opportunity to check out the party, located at nightclub Home on Manhattan’s West Side, I was greeted by a small VIP room filled to the brim. The catch: Instead of being filled with hordes of social Manhattanites, it was filled with a hundred overstuffed New York Press goodie bags.
My first night out in New York City, three years ago, began at my friend Tess’s Upper East Side duplex apartment. I quickly changed into my best going-out attire and Tess and I left for Chelsea, where we would begin our evening. First stop: Le Singe Vert. Despite Tess’s newly taken status, she had managed to meet a very accomplished and charming media hound, who joined us for the evening. As we ordered our first round of Cosmos (at 4 p.m., no less), Tess got me up to speed on how they met on a ferry coming back from the beach that weekend. Tess mentioned that one of her friends (me) was coming to New York to interview and he insisted on going out for a pre-interview, pre-job celebration.
For many, New York City is a dream destination. I know it was for me. I saw it as the ultimate place to work and socialize. It was where the best of the best went to play out their dreams. And in September of 2003, after graduating from Northeastern University, I was determined to turn “The Big Apple” into my playground.
Last night I was forced, against my will, to join my good friend, Halle, to what she pitched to me was a ‘networking event’ downtown. As level headed as I am I could not possibly pass up an opportunity to network with a new crowd. The scene was to take place as Soho 323 just across from the Soho Grand, and for the occasion I put on my downtown business trendy attire.
The “midsommer fest” also known as the Toshi Swedish Party was a sea of New York’s young and beautiful. Add to that a sea of blonde haired bodacious Swedes imported special for the event and you get one hot party. What’s more, these body painted Swedes actually poured the drinks for the crowd.
As with many of the past Toshi parties, the Swedish invasion was a party of good looking partiers enjoying their fill of an open bar sponsored by Boru Vodka and Bud. And in case you had too much liquor Vitamin Water was on site to sober up this open bar crowd as the evening past along.
