Mixing cocktails & Swimming in Dumpsters

*pics and excerpts taken from New York Times online Published: July 19, 2009

Last Friday I was invited to create cocktails for a secret pool party and swim in pools made out of dumpsters on the banks of the Gowanus Canal in industrial Brooklyn.For those who have either heard about or read about this infamous space you'd know that very few were able to experience this unique and somewhat magical space that was surrounded in urban decay.

*On a rented lot that’s hidden from the street they have erected what they call a lo-fi urban country club: three connected pools housed in Dumpsters; a boccie court; some lounge chairs, grills and cabanas.

*The idea, said David Belt, a real estate developer and the president of Macro-Sea, the company behind the pools, was not to create an exclusive party destination but to experiment with underused space and materials, repurposing them with urban renewal in mind.

The party was organized by Jonathan Schnapp, Tahir Hemphill, Chanel(not the brand), and Tristan of Tough Dumpling. Jonathan Schnapp who is a friend of David Belt was given an open invitation to throw a party in the space. He brought in bands, Djs, a 6' whale pinata,3 pork roasts for the grill and about 60 guests filled with good vibes.

The bands that played were The Faculty who dropped a a cool live Hip Hop session and Tamar Kali who put it down harder than most could pick up with her afropunk sound. The djs were Tough Dumpling, Radar, Workhorse, Jake, Virgil and Richard who all kept the ebb and flow of the dance floor on point.

As for them doing it again, they'd love to, but the pools are being deconstructed this Tuesday, so we've probably seen the last of the dumpster pools in this current incarnation.

I guess I can say I got a chance to swim in a dumpster as many of us first timers had the odd experience of sharing together.

Keep your ears and eyes open. Theres so many random events happening in New York, beneath the surface and around your corner.

To see the full NY Times article:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/20/arts/design/20pool.html?_r=1

At your service,

The Boulevardist

Dance, Dance and the Size 22 shoe

Party people, party people. Over the past few days I got a chance to release some stress with one of my passions in life... Dancin'!!

My 2 highlights were:

Catchin up with one of my favorite Dj's Rich Medina who broke it down and turned it up on the Brooklyn side for the "Booklyn Bounce" party at Deity on Atlantic Ave. The dance floor was packed and full of energy as usual when Rich is on the decks. Always the perfect mix of funk, soul, hip hop and house to keep me movin. I danced my ass off! For those who haven't been yet, Deity is one of the most recent hot spots to pop up on this side of the East River. Its a Nightclub with 2 levels that blend Ancient Mythology themes with modern aesthetics. Lots of Stained glass and Organic materials. The Dj booth upstairs has a great back drop(see pic with horns). It was an enchanting space to walk into. They've also got a fair collection of spirits for a nightclub where I found myself sampling their finest tequilas on hand. As I was sampling I bumped into cocktail mixologist and Brand Ambassador for Uluvka, Colin who also resides in Brooklyn. We keep talkin about getting together for a cocktail and somehow end up at the same places having cocktails. Its a small city sometimes.

This Past Tuesday I made it out to the institutional APT where my good friend Khairi on behalf of Puma hosted the latest "MY FAVORITE THINGS" party. There we were blessed by one of the most prolific producers in the music game, DEGO from 4 HERO. Dego had the lovely Vanessa and I dancing to a gamut of music on the dance floor from Hip Hop to House to Broken Beat to Salsa to Rhumba and back again! Woo, it was hot on the dance floor! Good music does wonders to the footwork and for the soul. Upstairs is where we encounterd the Size 22 Puma Clyde sneaker who made a guest appearance and to take photos with guests in the private booth. Special thanks to StudioBooth who set up an area and projected all the wacky shots of the guests and the Clyde sneaker as they were shot. Check the pics, it was a fun time.

Dancin and sweatin and sweatin and dancin!

This Friday I plan on more dancing and working on my salsa game. Looking to take a class and then work on it at S.O.B's for their friday night salsa concerts. Its tons of fun and there are some amazing dancers there.

The Beat goes on...

At your service,

The Boulevardist