GOTHAM GOSSIP |
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Written by: P: 212-332-9991 718-885-6576 A chatty, informative column of New York events featuring places, people and personalities and celebrities. demetriadaniels@gmail.com
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Wednesday, March 12, 2008
 What a fantastic evening at the ROCK N ROLL HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES event at the Waldorf. Produced by Joel Gallen the amazing evening had PATTI LA BELLE singing as well as JOHN MELLENCAMP, THE VENTURES, and THE DAVE CLARK FIVE, inducted by TOM HANKS, who shook hands with me and others at the private after- party And the superstar of the evening - MADONNA. MADONNA looked beautiful in a very conservative black and white dress. Her speech was amazing. She humbly said that her career was a "collaboration". She told the amazing story how she went to audition for Seymour Stein who was in a hospital bed. He told me at the after-party, that "I knew instantly she would be a hit and I wanted to sign her up there and then". He did sign her to Sire Records, where she stayed for over fifteen years. She thought it was funny at one of her concerts ( back in the days of black leather, fishnets, and studs) "that every girl was dressed like me." She learned how to play drums in a synagogue in NY. When she needed a manager she looked up the one for Michael Jackson , and went to LA to get him. She thanked her long-time publicist, Liz Rosenberg, and many of her managers. Did she make any mistakes? Some. Films, MTV, actress in 'Speed the Plough" on Broadway, singer,director, author,Mother, and wife - has she done it all? I bet there still is alot more to come. There is only one MADONNA and I am thrilled to meet her. Wednesday, March 05, 2008
Run right over and see the New York International Independent Film & Video Festival (NYIIFVF). Founder Stuart Alson has put together an amazing group of 200 films - shorts, docs, features from an international submissions showing at Village East Cinemas ( 12 st and 2nd ave), and ImaginAsian Theater, (239 E. 59 st.) From Greece, "Zoe", about attitude and volunteerism, from Japan an amazing animation "Eagle Talon The Movie:The Chancellor Only Lives Twice", from Australia, Spain, Sweden, Ireland, original films. There are short ones, - "Pop Your Panties with Paris, Lindsay $ Nicole" produced by Itsi Atkins and long features "Journal of a Contract Killer" - a true story about a woman who was hired by the Mafia to kill people., and a very cute one "The Lives of Angels, directed by Stephen Rubin. Lots to choose from. And to celebrate a party tonight , and a Birthday Party tomorrow for Breige McGarity the festival's publicist. Don't miss it. Sunday, March 02, 2008
BAIRD JONES died and all of New York knows. The NY Times gave him a very lovely write-up in the Metropolitan Section, as well as mentions on Page 6 of the NY Post, and the NY Daily News, and Newsday and NY Magazine. For 30 years, Baird was a "celebrity" and on the scene personality. First, with his generous nightclub parties, and then for his assoiciation with the art world, his photographs, his art curating, his own writings. I knew Baird in the 80's. He gave me photographs of artists and gallery owners for my column called "East Village Report" for DOWNTOWN newspaper. His photos could easily fill any New York gallery or museum. And only for Baird, I dragged myself out to the Patterson Art Museum, New Jersey to attend his art openings which he curated there. At his home, he gave me a personal tour of his "celebrity art" . On audio tape, he was telling me how he did a 60,000 email blast with the question "who is the greatest female artist", - part of a show he was curating. His pick was the 96 year old Louise Bourgeois. So he took me around the apartment showing me the art. "When is an artist a celebrity artist" was -Baird's question. He answered - "When the signature becomes an autograph". 'When the signature becomes "loud"". He showed me Warhols, Gloria Vanderbilt, Evil Knevil, Charles Manson, Anthony Quinn.James Earl Ray. "The examination of celebrity art teaches you things about historically significant figures"Just to name a few more - Princess Grace, Kim Novak, Frederico Fellini -"I cant show that - someone would steal it". There were hundreds more. Baird, I'll miss you. |
