VELA OPENING 4-1-04
At this point I realized that I didn't feel sick anymore. But the Tussin and large amount of booze in a short period had gotten me drunker than I thought. I got down to Vela and there was a line. I skirted the line and talked with the list holding door keep. I was on the list, under "press +6," which is bizarre, because I was supposed to be on the normal list by myself. I gave him my business card, he went in to find one of the guys and see if I was cleared.
The security on this joint was tight, cause it was an opening. Two guys in line were standing there pissed. "We've been here for an hour man, when are you gonna let us in?" I turned to the guys and said: "Guys, you're wasting your time, if they haven't let you in yet, you ain't ever gonna get in."
"FUCK THIS PLACE!" The first guy said. "Yeah, FUCK YOU VELA!" the other agreed, then they left in a huff. When the list man got back he apologized for making me wait, gave me a free drink comp and let me in.
If you've never been to a NYC nightclub opening, or seen one on SEX and THE CITY or something, I'll try to explain it. This was a small lounge, mostly tables, a see through wall ran down the middle of the space and on the right of the wall was a standing area where the only bar was stationed. In the back there were two steps leading up to a landing with a whole back walled off lounge area. To the left of the lounge area was a small hallway leading back to the kitchen, to the left of the hallway was a raised DJ booth.
The place was packed. I mean packed, packed. Like a rush-hour subway packed. And it was packed with only good looking sexy well dressed white and asian people. People = Models. Music was spinning and the place was jumping. Sexy waitresses with trays of sushi looking h'ordurves nimbly skirted the throngs of black suited hipsters. I had to muscle through the breast implanted waifs to get to the bar and decided to order the most pansy assed but usually expensive drink, the apple martini- because it was comped.
I made my way back to the Brantly and Scott table and greeted Scott and commended him on his shindig. I made small talk with a few other promoters. I met Nightrain another big promoter for Lotus, (one of the only black people in the place), and he commended me on my work. Met a few people from ZINK Magazine, and some other people I recognized from other parties and from presslines.
At this point I was starting to get almost vertigo from my clouded head's pounding and the loud music and beautiful people jostling around with me overheating in my trenchcoat. I slid to the back and tapped on the DJ booth's door, which was stationed on a 3 foot walled off riser. A guy named Justin who was working security on the booth asked what I wanted. I heald my camera up and said I wanted to take a few shots of the DJ for opening night.
He let me climb up, and I took a few shots of the croud from above. I asked the DJ what his name was. I think he said "DJ Todd." I asked him if I could take a picture of him in action. "What is it for?" he asked. "Artsucks.com, It's a webblog I'm launching in October." I said. "No, No..." he said and waved me away.
I laughed at this, cause I was drunk and not expecting it. "Hey man, no problem, you don't want the free publicity, that's your deal." And I hopped out of the booth.
By now my cold was starting to come back, I could feel a coughing fit coming on if I didn't get out of there soon, so I said good bye and thanks to all the people I met, grabbed a cab, and shot off into the night.
Just another day in the life of an Art Juggernaut.
-Cojo
P.S.
I love events like this, and if (by the way) you are a promoter or a club owner/ socialite/ celebrity (what have you), and are reading this, feel free to invite me to your openings, parties, and big events! Just make sure to address your e-mail to me by name, with my name somewhere in the subject line. Make your e-mail out to Artsucks@aol.com. Thanks, and I'll see you there.
P.P.S.You ROCK!