It’s been 50 years of the Village parade and that means one thing – you have to celebrate the right way. The Dominick, near New York City’s Annual Village Halloween Parade, offers an exceptional experience.
Guillaume Guedj and Alisa Vannah
VIP guests at the Mr. T Los Angeles restaurant’s one-year anniversary bash on September 23rd included Basketball Notables Rudy Gobert, and Derek Fisher with wife Gloria Govan, Soccer Star Javier Hernández Balcázar (Chicharito) of LA Galaxy, Notable French Actor Omar Sy, Melora Hardin, Katie Cassidy, Actor and Director Danny A. Abeckaser, Foodgod, Lorenzo Antonucci, Oliver Trevena, Rob Weiss, Devaughn Nixon, Megan Heaton, Stephen Huszar, Diana Madison, Hilary Shor, Caroline D’Amore, Lorenza Izzo, Nichelle Hines, Larray, Sivan Gold, Nick Benson, Tyler Lawrence Gray, Director Jonathan Baker, Chelsea Lazkani, Candela Marquez, Jonatas Jacque S, Fabian Arnold, Grant Mellon, Lina Escao, Agnese Cabala, Caleb Castille, Nick Cordasco, Ted Skilla, Darren Weiss, Selena Norton, Derrial Christon, Hailee Keanna, Anna Vita, Chase Keith, Neiima Marin, Lola Manzini, Aitana Cardoso, Derek Warburton, Logan Noh, Dominique Defoe, Alyssa Bashford, George Satsidis, Oana Gregory, Emma Westbrook, Melissa Gold, DJ Earry Hall and DJ William Lifestyle plus a bevy of entertainment industry influencers that came out to support owner and creator Guillame Guedj and his wife Barbara Guedj for the exciting evening, and indulge in an evening of delicious modern French cuisine by Executive Chef Alisa Vannah, cocktails, wine and musical entertainment.
Jonathan Cheban, Foodgod
Derek Fisher, Guillaume Guedj and Gloria Govan
Rudy Gobert
Oliver Trevena and Javier Hernandez Balcazar
Katie Cassidy and Danny A. Abeckaser
DJ William Lifestyle, Earry Hall and Guillaume Guedj
El Cristiano
El Cristiano
Partygoers at the anniversary bash of the popular high-end Paris-originated hotspot enjoyed a tasting of Mr. T’s top-level modern French cuisine through delicious passed canopies, paired with top-shelf French champagne, custom cocktails featuring El Cristiano Ultra Premium Tequila from their world-class mixologist, and a premium selection from Mr. T’s incredible wine collection which was relocated from his former two Michelin star restaurant in Paris, Passage 53.
Performances throughout the evening at the transformed venue, with the party inclusive of both their indoor dining room, cocktail bar, private room, custom booths, outdoor patio, and lounge area, included a live jazz band performance and featured DJ sets by William Lifestyle and Earry Hall.
The concept of Mr. T was created by French restaurateur Guillaume Guedj. Mr T. offers French cuisine in a way Los Angeles has never seen before, authentic to the culture of Paris, with a delicious menu of offerings that have its patrons returning regularly to the familial spot. Located in the blossoming Sycamore Street neighborhood at 953 N Sycamore Street, just south of Santa Monica Blvd, of which Guillaume saw parallels to the Marais district of Paris where the original remains an in-demand restaurant and cocktail destination. The restaurant concept was created with partner Chef Tsuyoshi Miyazaki, with a menu inspired by their worldly travels and late-night French discoveries, reflective of classic French techniques with a modern twist. They brought street food to the table in an elegant and elevated interpretation, inviting diners on a culinary journey for the palette, and what they have denoted as “New French.”
Executive Chef Alisa Vannah has led the cuisine at the Los Angeles restaurant location since its inception. In 2021, Guillaume invited Alisa to work with Chef Tsuyoshi Miyazaki at the original Mr. T in Paris, to prepare for the opening of Mr. T Los Angeles, where she oversees the kitchen as Executive Chef. Located in Los Angeles’ chic Sycamore neighborhood, Mr. T Los Angeles at the hand of Alisa, who served as sous chef previously at Republique for a total of 8+ years, with stints at Chi Spacca and Tsubaki, serves up globally-inspired dishes executed with flawless French technique.
If you’re ever in L.A. and want a taste of Paris, be sure to book your reservation and enjoy an amazing time at Mr. T.
I have always been very appreciative of the genre of horror that doesn’t settle for cheap scares and gore, but rather, fear of the unknown— mysterious masks and cults, strange figures and cities, and quiet gatherings that are right on the edge of plausibility.
A dancer, courtesy of Stevan Keane
This is what drew me to accepting an invitation for an event titled A Midsommar Night’s Dream: One Trip of a Party, at The McKittrick Hotel, home of Sleep No More. The look-book boasted images of individuals clad in white robes or floral embellishments, strange deer antlers or hellish bug masks, and even a rendition of the fungal zombies from The Last of Us. A strange party for stranger party-goers? I was in.
Every aspect of the hotel was completely converted into a magical forest, ancient ruin, or deep-city stomping ground.
The decor was fantastic
The first floor was redone to resemble a subterranean rock venue, with a live band and pole dancers adjacent to a well-stocked bar.
The first-floor live band
Attendees had come clad in the most unique outfits imaginable, with antlers and horns making a prominent appearance, large swaths of flowers and embroidery, and several people even adorning their heads with fake animal heads, like ravens and lions. I instantly got the feeling that I was peeking into an event that I did not belong to— some billionaire’s secret guilty pleasure, or a north-European pagan ritual. 
It felt like the crowd would suddenly begin conducting a human sacrifice, and if they did, I would only be half surprised (the half that still remembered that I had been invited to this event, like everyone else here).
The second floor was even more unique. The most prominent feature was a single porcelain bathtub, right in the center of the room. Attendees flocked for the photo opportunity, and I was surprised to see it was functional; a woman got soaked with water as she turned the faucet and a jet of water shot out.
In the bathtub
Otherwise, the floor was decorated with lines of dilapidated brick wall separating the rooms, making it look like I was in an old worn-down courtyard. There was a male dancer wearing a donkey mask shaking his hips on an elevated stage, and an area that allowed attendees to make their own floral wreaths and head covers. Another room had a single ominous baby carriage, illuminated by a deep orange light.
Me, with the baby carriage
Excited to see what the third floor had in store for me, I climbed the stairs.
The third floor was absolutely mental. I walked into a crowded rave, with dozens of people dancing erratically to deep thumping music and constant strobe lights. Even now, I can only recall faint glimpses of that room; simple snapshots only because I was unable to focus on any single thing there for longer than a breath. I slipped into a trance-like state, and I do not even remember how long I spent there. It could have been second, or it could have been an hour.
When I finally left the third floor, I stepped into the exclusive Oz’s Boudoir VIP bar. It overlooked a large club-type setting, with a mix of indie-EDM and classic rock-pop hits blaring over the speakers.
Center stage, courtesy of Stevan Keane
More storage decor…
At the bar, I ordered a fresh cranberry-pineapple vodka, and watched as several people jumped onto a full king-sized bed that was placed right besides the bar.
Oz’s bar, courtesy of Stevan Keane
It felt like something straight from a dream, and I really took a moment to appreciate the craft of those that had put together a place like this; they had gone into the mind and retrieved every small whim or fear that resided on the edge of an individual’s thoughts, and had materialized it.
These people lived regular lives, and worked at regular jobs, but on this night, they could let loose the psychedelic animal within and let it howl.
I greatly enjoyed my experience at The McKittrick, and am excited to see what Sleep No More hits us with next.
The Cinema Center Event Programming Runs Opening Weekend of June 10th through June 18th, 2023.
Eight-time GRAMMY® Award-nominated, multi-platinum singer, songwriter, designer, and philanthropist Avril Lavigne recently announced her first ever alcohol partnership with ready-to-drink cocktail brand BeatBox, donned ‘The World’s Tastiest Party Punch.”
Off Grid racing hospitality group by notable event producer Peter Klein partnered with SLS South Beach in Miami on exclusive programming that took place all weekend long at Hyde Beach celebrating Formula One weekend in Miami, May 5th – 7th, 2023.
Flying Embers hosted The Racquet Club pickle ball tournament with a partner fashion experience, The Trading Post, featuring Vince Camuto and Frye, in Indio at Laguna Seca Estates.
With Patrick Martinez’s grand neon installation offering a backdrop with messages like “We may have all come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now”, the Whitney Museum of American Art’s annual Art Party felt more united in spirit than ever before.
In The Hamptons: Jean & Martin Shafiroff Host Stony Brook Southampton Hospital Summer Party Kick Off
It was another busy weekend in The Hamptons, but we made time to be with New York philanthropist and author Jean Shafiroff, and her husband, vice chairman of wealth management and investment banking firm Stifel, Martin Shafiroff, as the pair hosted the Stony Brook Southampton Hospital Summer Party Kickoff at their beautiful Southampton home on July 29th.
Among the many notable guests were: fashion icon Fern Mallis, Presidential award recipient and former Vicar General for the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, Fr. Alex Karloutsos and his wife Xanthi; Media Personality and TV Host, Valerie Greenberg; TV personality and property developer Harry Rubin, former creative director for H by Halston and TV personality Cameron Silver; celebrity photographer and columnist Patrick McMullan; NY State Assemblyman Fred Thiele; Southampton Town Supervisor Jay Schneiderman, Chief Administrative Officer of Stony Brook Southampton Hospital, Robert Chaloner, philanthropists and Hospital trustees Laura Lofaro Freeman and Allison Morrow.
“My husband Martin and I are so pleased to be able to support the hospital in every way we can. The Summer Party is the hospital’s biggest fundraiser and all proceeds go to the Emergency Departments in both Southampton and the new East Hampton facility. Stony Brook Southampton Hospital is the only hospital on the South Fork and provides first class healthcare services to our community. The Hospital is essential for everyone who spends time here, as no one wants to live in a community without access to excellent healthcare,” says Jean Shafiroff.
“It is wonderful to see so many of our loyal and generous donors together again and to be able to thank so many of them in person for all they do. Our Summer Party, the longest and most successful fundraiser in the Hamptons has been a ‘gala in your garden’ in host-at-home format for the last three years. Next year, for our 65th anniversary, we are planning to be back in person,”adds Robert Chaloner.
Guests enjoyed the beautiful waterfront patio and gardens, as well as delicious catering by Cornelia Guest Events all donated by Martin & Jean Shafiroff. Alex Donner donated the entertainment. In a town of excess and beauty, it is reassuring to know that many people are committed to providing affordable healthcare for all.
Let’s get Red, White, and Boozy