We have to admit that much like The Onion AV Club, we had our doubts about the Air Sex World Championships' abilities to come into town amidst their 15-city tour and leave us with much besides the squirmish feeling that sometimes accompanies other platforms for unbridled exhibitionists (Burlesque nights, improv comedy "jams," etc.). But both the crop of a dozen or so entrants along with the show's energetic and razor sharp co-hosts, Chris Trew and Joel Keith, seriously brought the noise at last night's raunch-fest inside the High Line Ballroom. Even the intermission's air band performance by Category Six left us wanting more.
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BENEFIT: Tonight go out in the name of pot, at the New York Benefit to Celebrate Recent Medical Marijuana Successes. The evening includes music and comedy with the hopes of pushing the cannabis campaign to victory! The Marijuana Policy Project will host the spring soiree, which benefits its "efforts to protect seriously ill New Yorkers from arrest and jail if they use medical marijuana with their doctor's recommendation." Some of the bold face names on hand include: Lewis Black, Tucker Carlson, Michelle Phillips, John Stossel and many many more. And on top of all that: Nicole Atkins will be performing.
We've come around on Hot Chip in a big way over the last few years as they've risen to stateside popularity. Their latest album is a total burner, highlighted by a killer lead single, Ready for the Floor, and the last few times we've seen them live it's been a blast. So needless to say, our expectations for last Saturday night's show at Highline were through the roof. Did they live up to them? Nearly. It was a great time, the crowd was into it and the songs still rule. The band, however, seemed a touch off that night. It may have been a due to the band not having played these songs a whole lot live before, but, especially with the new jams, it didn't seem to flow as well as we'd hoped. Obviously you don't go see a band live to hear them play the songs exactly as they are on record, but their minor tinkering seemed slightly for the worse. That said, a mostly great show, and we can't wait for them to return to Terminal 5 in a few months. (Pic via Ryan Dombal's Flickr)
FOOD: If you haven't been indulging enough this holiday season, have we got a sweet soiree for you. Chocoholics come together tonight to indulge in the finest goodies from around the world. Expect music, cocktails and a giant chocolate buffet.
PARTY: Haven't gotten your fill of holiday office party fun this season? Metro Metro reminds all of its faux-ployees that their office party is tonight! "This is a reminder going out to all fake employees about the Metro Metro Holiday Office Party. Please join us in celebrating the holidays by assuming a fake job title and hobnobbing with fake co-workers over genuine drinks. Need inspiration for potential job titles, such as Associate with the Bad Toupee, or the Wait-Until-You-Hear-How-Smart-my-Baby-Is Co-worker? Check our website for a list."
Stellastarr* are somewhat of a staple in the New York music scene. The Brooklynites are about to record their third full-length release this fall -- having steadily put out impressive tunes ever since Mischa Barton declared one of their first, My Coco, a favorite. One new track, The People, can be listened to here.
MOVIE: The new Hairspray has set up special Sing-A-Long screenings! They begin nationwide today, and there will be three right here in New York. If you don't like rowdy theaters, skip this one!
. Along the way she’s had a divorce and a daughter (Ruby, now 13), married the man who proposed to her back in her pre-Luka days, and been dubbed "The Mother of the Mp3" when her song Tom’s Diner was used as the model for the algorithm that compresses the Mp3!
It isn't very often a Beatle takes a small stage for an intimate show in New York. Last night, this very thing happened...and lucky for those in attendance, that Beatle wasn't Ringo.
- Today on the Gothamist Newsmap: a bank robbery on West 52nd St. and Broadway in Manhattan, a double shooting on Fenton Ave. and Boston Rd. in the Bronx, and escaped prisoners on East 163rd St. and Westchester Ave. in the Bronx.
- Curbed looks at the new Red Hook IKEA under construction, which is starting to become recognizable.
- Paul McCartney is playing the Highline Ballroom tomorrow night in a now not-so-secret show.
- Brooklyn's Smith St. is getting its own Pó, which will open Thursday and is related to the former Mario Batali West Village restaurant of the same name.
- “Just when you think the past is consumed, it rears its lovely head,” says an architect quoted in a New York Times' article on the original home of Tiffany & Co. at 15 Union Sq. West.
- Coney Island Lager––the first of a number of sideshow-inspired beers that will be brewed in Brooklyn and sold to benefit non-profit Coney Island USA.
- A cool collection of penny postcard depicting NYC attractions.
- Did the Sopranos finale leave you in the mood for onion rings? Midtown Lunch offers some thoughts on New York standouts and places that should be ashamed of themselves.
The Citizens Band are a political cabaret troupe that hurled themselves into action after the outcome of the 2004 Presidential election. Both entertainers and protesters, they engage their audience by spinning creative webs that connect music, theater and dance with politics and humor. The band features Karen Elson, Sarah Sophie Flicker, Angela McCluskey, Chelsea Bacon, Duke Bojadziev, Ian Buchanan, Michael Cavadias, Aaron Conte, Jorjee Douglass, Rachelle Garniez, Mike Jackson, Mark McAdam, Amy Miles, Jon Natchez, Rain Phoenix and Ronin. They're performing their newest show, “Masquerading in Paradise,” at the Highline Ballroom tonight. Tickets are on sale here.
Some venues close and reopen in lower rent areas (like Luna Lounge) and some shut their doors forever (CBGB). Most recently, the Roxy called it quits and Sin-e and Tonic have announced their closings as well. Tonic was saved two years ago (we interviewed one of the owners at the time), and they have not yet announced why they're closing for good this time (they'll shut down in two weeks). As far as smaller downtown venues go, we're left with some less than ideal spaces: the Annex, the Delancey and Fat Baby - none of which have ever been a favorite to see a show at. Seems if Pianos, Cake Shop and the recently made-over Knitting Factory can manage to keep their doors open, they'll be the places to go (though the Todd P shows and their ever-changing venues are probably the best option in town).
The much anticipated, David Bowie-curated High Line Festival has finally announced a lineup.


