It’s been a great season of fundraising.
On October 14, guests at S Bar Las Vegas enjoyed glamorous Remy Cointreau cocktails under celebratory strobe lights. House Of Leaves and Esther Anaya gave lively performances. In an intimate lounge, Guillaume Vallet treated key-holding guests to a Louis XIII cognac tasting. This grand celebration celebrated S Bar Las Vegasβs new partnership with In the Moment.
Located in Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, sbe became a leading hospitality group. Founder Sam Nazarian partnered with ITM, a nightlife management group. Together, the entrepreneurs created S Bar Las Vegas as its signature craft mixology brand. The new S Bar proved an inviting performance lineup with House of Leaves. The exciting partnership becomes the first of many joint projects.
The introduction party attracted high-profile guests, like actor/director Peter Facinelli, actor Ross McCall, and actress Rachel McCord. NFL player Shawne Merriman and MMA fighters Cody Garbarandt and Jakes Shields attended. Models Sabrina Calvo, Nikki Trinidad, and Ria Santos had a great time. ITM Founding Partners Jason Craig and Michael Fuller celebrated the partnership.
Late-night psychedelic art performance troupe House of Leaves impressed the audience with beats. Fans know the troupe for their elaborate costumes, world-class DJs, and high-energy performances. Elite Magician Rodney Reyes wooed attendees with impressive magic tricks. DJ/violinist Esther Anaya closed out the night with an impressive talent showcase.Β
S Bar Las Vegas and ITM plan to debut their collaborative performance series βLate Affair.β Guests will experience the line-up during an October Tasteful Seduction weekend. The sophisticated program will once again feature House of Leaves and high-end treats.
Stepping into Shaku Ramen, located in the heart of Flushing’s Koreatown, one is immediately met with the inviting scent of standard Japanese fareβthe location boasts an impressive menu bolstered with sizzling skewers, tantalizingΒ donburi, and enough ramen options to fill a book. To further separate itself from the neighborhood’s saturated ramen scene, however, Shaku has implemented an exclusive new speakeasyβdirectly beneath the original restaurant. I took a look with my visit.
A variety of delightful food options available
To commemorate the opening on November 17th, 2022, Shaku staff presented an assortment of finger food and small plates as a tour de force of their culinary prowess. Amongst the pickings were pork bao buns, mexican-style pork belly tacos, and a delectable kimchi. The delicate intention the chefs had taken to represent traditional Japanese fare with new, more diverse fusions was obvious, and as for inclusivity, the chefs specially prepared tacos without meat for my vegetarian self.
The restaurant’s staff pours homemade Soju
To complement the food was a varied selection of drinks, centered around traditional SakΓ© or Soju. A staff member courteously offered three varieties of house-made Soju: a strawberry, a lemon-lime, and a yogurt, all served from charming golden kettles. The tables were lain with brand SakΓ©, including sparkling Banzai Bunny and Yuki Tora, among others. For me, the round, creamy flavor of Shaku’s yogurt Soju was simply too much to pass up, and I helped myself to a second glass.
After the initial ceremony, the guests were invited to enter the speakeasy, accessible through both the kitchen for the staff and through a clandestine unmarked door outside of the restaurant for future guests. We were assured that there would be a camera system atop the door from which the team could surveil the exterior and let in invitees. A short downward flight of stairs later, and I stood in the speakeasyβa chic, dimly-lit space with a full bar and a live DJ, and several booths in which to lounge. Staff were lightheartedly making drinks and conversing with the attendees. The overall atmosphere was relaxed but intimate, akin to peering into an experience not many will get, and simultaneously surrounded by family.
Shaku Ramen’s new speakeasy definitely holds promise, and I cannot wait to make a return visit.
Experience it for yourself at 156-30 Northern Blvd Queens, New York.
ADCOLOR, the preeminent non-profit organization that champions diversity and inclusion in creative industriesΒ is back for their 16thΒ annual ADCOLOR Conference, hosted by Bing Chen and Mariana Atencio.
Tequila Cazadores celebrates its 100-year anniversary of their reposado recipe with an unveiling of their new limited edition release and an exclusive dinner withΒ Chef AarΓ³n SΓ‘nchez.
“The English” is an action Western, with meaningful, historical context, and conversations within the story.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 10: Guest attends as Kohl’s kicks off Nationwide “Build-a-List” Tool and Sweepstakes at New York City Holiday Pop Up on November 10, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images for Kohls)
On November 10, Kohlβs interactive 3D truck parks in Flatiron Plazaβs 23rd and Broadway intersection. The truck brings the holiday spirit to New York City. New Yorkers take one-of-a-kind photo opportunities. They receive special gifts and holiday beverages. For the first time, the attendees demo Kohlβs new holiday Build-A-List tool. The first one-thousand visitors walk away with Kohlβs Cash.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 10: General view as Kohl’s kicks off Nationwide “Build-a-List” Tool and Sweepstakes at New York City Holiday Pop Up on November 10, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images for Kohls)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 10: General view of candy as Kohl’s kicks off Nationwide “Build-a-List” Tool and Sweepstakes at New York City Holiday Pop Up on November 10, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images for Kohls)
This holiday season, Kohlβs launches the convenient Build-A-List tool. Shoppers build shareable holiday gift lists in under a minuteβ a record time. Based on the list, the application sends gift recommendations, savings hacks, and discounts. The device sorts recommendations by age group and item categories. This allows customers to find perfect, affordable gifts for friends and family. For added convenience, customers can order gifts on the Kohlβs website. Local Kohlβs stores remain open as well.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 10: Guest attends as Kohl’s kicks off Nationwide “Build-a-List” Tool and Sweepstakes at New York City Holiday Pop Up on November 10, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images for Kohls)
In association, Kohlβs launches the Build-A-List sweepstakes for customers over eighteen years old. Shoppers who save a list have a chance to win one of 100 total $250 Kohlβs gift cards, valid both in store and online. Customers can share their list on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok with the hashtag KohlsBuildAListSweepstakes. They will receive ten additional entries. The limit remains one post per social media platform. Customers can find official contest rules here.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 10: attends as Kohl’s kicks off Nationwide “Build-a-List” Tool and Sweepstakes at New York City Holiday Pop Up on November 10, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images for Kohls)
Hawkins is on a global wide tour. The Stranger Things Experience has officially landed in Atlanta, GA after opening in NYC and San Francisco earlier this year. The beloved Netflix series is now paired with an exciting hour-long walk through of Hawkins, Indiana.
We all know the Stranger Things kids are no stranger to danger and if youβve ever wanted a firsthand look at the chaos, then this is your chance. Follow Max, Eleven, Mike, Lucas, Dustin and Erica through Hawkins as they try to defeat Hawkins biggest villains.
Without giving out any spoilers, fans are invited to interact with characters at Hawkins notoriously corrupt science lab, solve mysteries through different challenges and enjoy food and drinks inspired by the show in Hawkins very own Starcourt Mall.
Guests are thrown back to the 80βs where leg warmers and tacky windbreakers are the norm, and Scoops Ahoy employees walk around (adorably) interacting with guests in their iconic sailor uniforms.
Vintage arcade video games like Joust and Dig Dug line the walls of Palace Arcade, and of course there are plenty of opportunities for photo-ops in some. Old-fashioned photo booths. Guest can even explore Will Byerβs living room and then sit and enjoy a drink at The Upside, a neon-themed bar with specialty drinks and displays with real props and costumes from the show.
And it wouldnβt be a Stranger Things adventure without having to run for your lives through the woods at some point.
We got to chat with Netflixβs Marketing Producer Iris Arias about her role as a curator and how the live experience went global.
Interview With Netflix’s Marketing Producer Isis Arias
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The Stranger Things Experience is coming to a city near you and, in addition to Atlanta, is now open in Los Angeles and London. Fans can also visit the website and nominate their cities to be Hawkins next landing spot. Tickets start at $49. Follow Stranger Things Experience for more info.
On Monday, November 14th we were on the scene in Columbus Circle for The Museum of Arts and Designβs most anticipated event of the year: MAD Ball. The gala honored Jeffrey Gibson and Cristina Grajales with a special tribute to Jerome A. Chazen (in memoriam).
Tim Rodgers,Β MADβsΒ Nanette L. LaitmanΒ Director,Β welcomed guests before a conversation betweenΒ Christian Larsen,Β MAD Windgate Research Curator,Β and Cristina Grajales in The Theater at MAD.Β Cocktails were held in theΒ Luminaries Lounge, specially designed with items from theΒ ShantellΒ Martin x HOEK limited-edition collaboration and featuring music by DJ Timo Weiland.
Guests were invited to browse open exhibitions includingΒ Queer Maximalism x Machine Dazzle, Chris Schanck: Off-World,Β andΒ Jewelry Stories, and participate in art-making activities such as fabricating masks withΒ Lexy Ho-Tai, creating brooches withΒ Aimee Petkus, and making jewelry charms withΒ Ashley Khirea WahbaΒ andΒ Ada Chen, in partnership with NYC Jewelry Week.
This event is renowned for the attendeesβ eclectic sartorial attire, and the evening did not disappoint. Bold and expressive colors were the nightβs theme as creative guests showcased their prodigious ability to be eccentric.
New York comedian, beloved cabaret performer, and actorΒ Murray Hill, hosted the benefit ceremony at the museum’s ninth floor restaurant, Robert, overlooking Central Park.
“When I was growing up in Pereira, a small city in the coffee region of Colombia, I never expected that I would be standing in front of all of you at the Museum of Arts and Design,β said Cristina Grajales, upon receiving her award from celebrated art collectorΒ and philanthropist,Β Beth Rudin DeWoody.Β After being introduced by art business advisorΒ Colleen Keegan,Β JeffreyΒ GibsonΒ shared,Β “Being honored by MAD for my work and practice is incredibly meaningful for me. The Museum has shown me support for more than a decade and was the first to show the very first punching bag sculpture inΒ Changing Hands 3Β in 2012. I am grateful to have shared this night with my husband, many supporters, and collectors of my work.”
Led by MAD Board ChairΒ Michele Cohen, the evening included a special memorial tribute toΒ Jerome A. Chazen,Β MAD Chairman Emeritus, who passed away on February 6. In attendance were Chazenβs wife,Β Simona Chazen,Β and their children,Β Louise Chazen Banon, Kathy, and David Chazen. MAD Chairman EmeritusΒ Lewis Kruger, joined by his wife,Β Laura Kruger,Β was celebrated with a cake for his birthday.
Funds raised atΒ MAD Ball, including the proceeds from this auction, help support the Museumβs exhibitions and educational programs.