Nichelle Newsletter

A Little Word In Your Ear

PVC: Poetry Vs Comedy, originally uploaded by candiedyams.

It's a crazy coincidence that the New York Times recently did an interesting piece about Quickmuse, a website where writers are given 15 minutes each to compose a poem. 

That is exactly what happens at the monthly Poetry Vs Comedy show where the stanzas meet the stand-ups. Come see the show this Thursday!

Cheryl B presents PVC
GALAPAGOS
70 N. 6th St.
JUNE 1, 8PM
FREE

Hosted by Carolyn Castiglia

STARRING:
Comedians
Jen Dziura
Laura Mannino
Allen Warnock

Poets
Brother Earl
Tsaurah Litzky
Lisa Haas

MUSICAL GUEST:
Mindy Raf

Move It

Moving Day 08, originally uploaded by NYC Stygian.

Today, I received an email from my roommate that contained a f@cking pdf attachment notifying me that I have to leave my present apartment by June 30.  I need a new place to call home immediately.  Any leads would be appreciated!

In sweeter news, I received a copy of Ayun Halliday's new book, Dirty Sugar Cookies.  The multi-talented Ayun performed a few weeks ago at Chicks and Giggles' "Got MILF" show.  She also has a new food blog.  Starting June 1st, Ayun will have a virtual book tour visiting a few blogs and will visit Cupcakes Take The Cake on June 6.

Good Day Sunshine

Nichelle, originally uploaded by Dianner.

There are so many bad pictures of me out there on Flickr, but I found this good one from Dianne that was taken last October at the Intelligence Group party at Lolita.

Saturday, there was free pizza eating, Hoegaarden beer drinking and pool playing at Capone's in the WB.

Sunday, I went to the new Vynl in Hell's Kitchen. The mosaics are so fantastic! Make sure you go to the bathroom while there.

I finished reading Tabloid Love and now I am on 4% Famous. I may overdose on gossip books, so please spare me JCo, JOx, Hauslaib and Trent.

I also went to the first rooftop party of the season, and I saw some old friends.

So Fresh So Clean

Fwd: ORAL S@X, originally uploaded by candiedyams.

The best thing about this picture is that I got it from a friend who works at an accounting firm in Australia! Yay Aussies!

Moon Over The Freeway

I found this great band, The Ditty Bops on My Space. Amanda and Abby rock! Currently, they are doing a bike tour on the West Coast promoting their album, "Moon Over The Freeway".  When they come to New York City at the end of the summer, then I will be there!

Three Is The Magic Number

Rachel, Heidi and Nichelle, originally uploaded by La Pauline.

After spending the week at a book reading,  performing at a blogger reading, hanging out after a comedy show, attending two book parties  with friends,  and stopping by a couple of art gallery openings, what's next?

• You spend Friday night in watching Grey Gardens.
• You check out Habana Outpost in Fort Greene on Saturday afternoon.
• You go see Adira Amram Saturday night in the Billyburg and have a drink at Surf Bar.
• You sleep and read books.
• You wish that every weekend was a three-day weekend because you love threesomes!

Party All The Time

Media Bistro played host to a lovely party for Tom Zoellner's book The Heartless Stone at The Bubble Lounge.  It was nice to drink champagne and met magazine writers, authors and friends.

I just remembered this crazy thing that happened at The Bubble Lounge. I was telling this writer/comedy guy that I met Tom and many other writers at a Black Table party about two years ago because I used to write for Black Table.

He said: "So you wrote for Black Table, but Tom's not Black."

I looked at him incredulously and said: "The Black Table was a literary/humor website where many writers wrote  about cool things. It has nothing to do with being Black."

Then I walked away, and he came over to apologize and promised that he would come to Chicks and Giggles.  WTF?! Thinking that everyone who writes for a website named "Black Table" is Black is like saying that everyone who eats at White Castle is White. [Guys like Harold and Kumar would be banned.]  I can't wait for "the ignorance" to stop by Chicks so I can heckle him from my seat.

Later, I walked up Hudson Street with my friends for another party. Bridge's (Bridget Harrison) party for her book, Tabloid Love, was star-studded. I talked to Kyle Smith of Love Monkey and NY Post film critic fame. I saw my new buddy Jessica Seigal of NPR. I talked to my long lost reclusive friend Remy Stern (from Radar, Gawker Media). I hung with my buddies in crime (RKB,Girly NYC and Alice Ayers). I saw the lovely Julia Allison and chatted with the handsome and good author David Goodwillie. I even chatted with old acquaintances Rick and Ilene (on their farewell to NYC tour) and Quentin from Quentin's Friends who knows Bridge H from back in the day. Finally, I met Bridget, her parents and the bouncer from the G Spa at Hotel Gaansvoort who warned me about dipping my toes into the warm waters of the spa.  Carney, Crosley and Spiers were there to make the evening complete. I drank my PINK vodka cocktails proudly and pretended that I belong among the royalty of the British-American media elite.  BTW, I am 100 pages into Tabloid Love and I love it!

Note: Drunk post will fix later.

Update: I have been Gawkered! It may be only reason to go to book parties...

Turn This Thing Up

I have heard about  this music meme on blogs and myspace bulletins but I took the time to do it today. I put my iTunes on "Shuffle" and play 10 songs.  It's the most crazy mix!

1. Attack of The Beatazoids- Danny Breaks
2. Heart of The City-Jay-Z
3. Get Home Safe-Knife Skills
4. Aeroplanes- ReadyMades (from the "I Love Serge"
5. Ps & Qs -Kano (British Grime Star)
6. You're The Best Thing-Style Council
7. Bob George-Prince (from The Black Album) When is Danger Mouse going to do something w/ Prince's Black Album?
8. Love Und Romance- The Slits
9. U-Liliput
10. Slowly Surely-Jill Scott

I am not famous or even presidential but people are concerned with what music is playing on the Clinton's iPods.

Got To Be Real

I found Hillary's clip from when she was on The Gong Show. She beat out Cheryl Lynn, who later became famous for the disco hit "Got To Be Real". You must go buy her book, Queen of The Oddballs, because it's "hilarious and heartbreaking".

Is There Something I Should Know?

Tonight, I am going to Hillary Carlip's reading at the Chelsea Barnes and Noble at 7PM. It's gonna be mobbed, so get there early.

Neal Medlyn + Kenny Melman = Robert Kelly is tonight at Mo Pitkins. I saw the show in April, and I loved it. $10; 10PM

I was racking my brain trying to come up with a clever title for the story about my senior prom that I will be reading tomorrow night at WYSIWYG. Here's my top 3 picks:

• Stag Night.
• My almost threesome.
• Girl Gone Mild.

Wednesday, there are two book parties for a couple of swells Tom Zoellner, The Hearless Stone and Bridget Harrison's Tabloid Love.

Saturday,  Jane magazine favorite and Chicks and Giggles alum Adira Amram will rocking out at Galapagos. Her show, Glitterly Speaking, will be May 27 at 8PM. FREE!

Here I Go Again

driving over the bridge, originally uploaded by Koku.

If my life is just a string of random parties, then I hope the parties never end.  Despite the wacky weather and the subway madness, I made it out to Brooklyn for a housewarming party in Bed-Stuy. The apartment is lovely and close to the train. Then I went to Galapagos for Becky Yamamoto's Birthday Spectacular.  MCC hosted. Funny ladies Lang and Michelle performed three different songs titled "Creep" and later wondered if that was OK.  I guess it was better than singing "Loser". Adira busted out two tunes wearing a gold-sequined top. Stickerbook did some great covers, and they really brought the house with their rendition of WhiteSnake's "Here I Go Again".  [I was totally expecting Tawny Kitaen to jump out of cake or a car, but no such luck.]  It was a fun show!

Lastly, I came back into the city and took the train down to
Tribeca for the Mobile Living opening reception.  Part of Design Week, it's an exhibition of futuristic cars, a tricked-out mobile home and some other design stuff. Sponsored by Budweiser Select, I swear the beer is a wee bit better than a regular Bud, or maybe because it was free.  I got there just in time before the party ended to walk around, check out the exhibit and get a goodie bag (contents: a nice pen, brochures, a key chain and a CD sampler mixed by Nicolay and Mr. Scruff.)

Personally

I'm bringing it to you Personally, personally Personally, yeah, yeah Oooh, I'm bringing it to you I'm bringing it to you.--Karla Bonoff

That song was in my head, and I thought that Olivia Newton John or Dolly Parton wrote it. I had to "google it" to find out that it was Karla Bonoff. Anyway, the song title is perfect for this personal post. I am so disappointed that I did not get this blogging/editing gig which would have covered half my rent. It didn't help that  the almost employer told me that they offered the job to a "friend of a friend". I would have better served without knowing that bit of information, and basically I am pissed. I have $11 to my name until Wednesday. I've lost weight (15lbs) since last summer and some of my skirts hang off me. I don't feel bad for being inside on a nice day, since a smile from me would be almost impossible right now.  This too shall pass, right?

A small rant: In the Playgirl goodie bag, there's an audiobook called Valentine by Emilie Paris which would be cool except for the fact that it is on cassette tapes.  WTF?! Who has a tape player? I can't even put in on my iPod and listen to smut while walking around the city.  I have no monthly metrocard either!

PS. I got the iPod back when I had a salary. I hated the job but loved the salary.

Free

originally uploaded by brianvan.

These are my  friends who flirt, my sisters in slut, my buddies with breasts!  You may see all of us next month at my annual FREE YOUR PU55Y party at Lavagina on Thursday, June 8.  Save the Date!

Last Dance

Prom Party 2005 (56), originally uploaded by qsimmons.

This is not me, but I love a girl who can pull off a lei, a tiara and a RED SOLO CUP.
Next Tuesday, I will be reading my tale of woe of my senior prom at the infamous WYSIWYG talent show.:)

The line-up:
Lang Fisher (dirtyoldpromqueen.blogspot.com)
Jorge Fiffe (www.fiffe.com/diary)
The Vandervoorts (www.geocities.com/vandervoorts)  WTF?! Is a Geocities a blog? [music act = myspace] Some of the members of the band have blogs.
Jason Boog -- The Publishing Spot (thepublishingspot.com) and The Jason Boog Show (jasonboogshow.blogspot.com)
Nichelle (nichellenewsletter.typepad.com)
Jess Hulett of blindcavefish.com

Tuesday, May 23
Bowery Poetry Club
$7; 8PM

Will fix this post and make it pristine when I am sober....later this week.  But come see me. I will wear pearls. Fill my solo cup with VODKA.

BTW...I did my first WYSIWYG two years ago, so I am f@cking old skool. SUCKAS!

Killer Queen

Queen of The Oddballs

I don't have to go down to Book Expo to party with wonderful authors, since everyone comes to New York. Next Monday on May 22, Hillary Carlip will be reading her new memoir, Queen of The Oddballs at the Chelsea Barnes & Noble. In case you don't know, Hillary is the editor of Fresh Yarn.

Gettin Wise

c m-d, originally uploaded by timothy b. buckwalter.

A Weekend Recap with Recommendations...

Friday, I checked out a new exhibit at the ISE Cultural Foundation in Soho. I spotted Jen Bekman there as well as meeting artist Callie Hirsch.  I got even more arty later as I went to see "Art School Confidential" at the Angelika. I laughed at the funny parts but I thought it was an amalgamation of "American Pie", "Scream" and John Water's "Pecker" all round into one movie.

Saturday, I went to the Grand Street Block party and the best thing about it was having a beer at Rose's, a nice little bar at 345 Grand St that I am sure was not there a year ago. I also stopped into Cheeks Bakery and I had one of their buttery cupcakes. [YUM!]  Later I went to two birthday parties. Birthday party season is on!

Sunday, I went to Chelsea for a artist reception. Photograher Larisa Fuchs' work is now on display at Chelsea Market. Larisa's photography is of New York's most eclectic musicians and performers including AdamMatta,Scotty the Blue Bunny, Sxip Shirey, The Wiyos and the Luminescent Illustri. Before the live music began, I treated myself to orange lemon gelato from Jimmy's Gelato. [So good!]

Hip Hop Hooray

Ballroom Blitz

ballroomblitz-flyer, originally uploaded by brianvan.

Come join BVan, me and many of my friends for a fun party next Friday, May 19 at Salon (505 West St at Jane) We are gonna "tear it up"! Open bar from 10-11PM.

Update: Red Gallery is now live.

Crown Royal

I went to an event that I knew very little about but I knew three things were going to be there-- art, Kurt Andersen, and free Campari cocktails.

The House of Campari on West Broadway is celebrating the work of 25 artists who have had their work shown at 25 galleries in New York City. Kurt was on hand to speak about art, design and whatnot. I listened intently because I am a fan of Studio 360, but some of the artsy crowd continued their chatter as they enjoyed Campari martinis. Visibly annoyed, Andersen left soon after he spoke. My friend and I left as well, but not before getting our goodie bags which contained a tiny bottle of Campari, a book with reprints of art and poetry, a key chain and a Campari poster. As we walked west on Broome St, I noticed that Kurt and his wife were a few steps ahead of us, and then I witness Kurt throw away the Campari poster on the street, and then walked to his car and drive home. That is what I call "selective goodie bag retention" since Andersen abandoned the poster and kept the rest of the stuff.  My friend and I laughed so hard that we worked up an appetite so we went to La Esquina to get some tacos.

Fergie! can you send me tag
Originally uploaded by aniger-three.

As we waited for our order, I noticed a pretty redhead being escorted inside to the back room of La Esquina with a handsome man.  

Me: That was Fergie!
Friend: No it wasn't.
Me: Yes, it was. The Duchess of York.
Friend: Oh... I thought you meant from the Black Eyed Peas.
(Doorman walks in.)
Doorman: It's the Fucking Duchess of York.
Me: See! I told you!
Friend: I'm sending Kurt in to Gawker, and Fergie in to Page Six.

 

I Wanna Be Famous

Fame redefined. Mandy Stadtmiller's article in the Post.

Fame animated.  Jessica Delphino is now a cartoon.

Fame by percentages. Deborah Schoeneman's book, 4% Famous is out now.

All I Want

Also in this week's "The Influenzas" issue of New York mag, there is a piece by Julia Allison regarding the afterlife of prom dresses.

Have you heard of this chick? Corinne Bailey Rae's CD is coming to the States in June. Good stuff!

May is mastubation month. May 27 is the Masturbe-a-thon.
Stop by Babeland with your mom on Mother's Day (May 14) and get a FREE vibe.

Children's Story

Once upon a time not long ago,
when people wore pajamas and lived life slow...

On Tuesday, May 11, 2004 at the Laugh Lounge, the first Chicks and Giggles show was hosted by Ellen Lloyd and featured Carolyn Castiglia, Jeannie Dean, Liz Maher, Abby Rosin, Jenny Rubin,Tasha Space and Jill Twiss.  Since then the show squatted for six months in comedy club on the LES, then resided in the basement of an Indian fusion restaurant for a year in the East Village, and now Chicks is living large in the small bar aptly named Sadie's Lounge at Mo Pitkins on Avenue A. 

Chicks and Giggles was an idea I came up with when I first moved back to New York City after a brief stint in Atlanta. At first the goal was, if anything, to entertain myself at night while I toiled away at a Midtown consulting firm. Then I saw the need for a place for women to perform and network with others to perform and produce shows. Two years later, I have a great co-producer and host Carolyn and a community of comedians, women, performers, actors, authors, moms, MILFs,musicians and all-around good folks who come to the show every week.

Come Tonight to our very special "Got MILF" because without the mothers...where would we be? [Happier, more well-adjusted people, but without good comic material :)]

So Fresh So Clean

Keep Clean
Originally uploaded by Qaanaaq.

A weekend recap with both recommendations and non-recommendations, enjoy!
After PVC on Thursday, I stopped by Surf Bar (139 N 6th St) which is a cute bar with sand and surfboards. Wear flip flops and stay for the tropical drinks.

Friday
I stopped by Partners & Crimes (44 Greenwich Ave) for a reading of Dublin Noir edited by Ken Bruen. MJ Rose and Sarah Weinman were there.

Lederhosen (39 Grove St) is an authentic German restaurant in the Village, and the currywurst is delicious!

Went to the Improv and saw some hilarious comics including Hannibal, Mindy Raf, Vijay Nathan and Keith Robinson.

Nonrecommendation: Cinco de Mayo Parties are for amateurs and tequila is never a good fashion statement.

Saturday
Visited the open studios at the ISCP and they served free brunch (quiche, fruit, champagne).  Artists whose work I like include Gabriela Galvan, Harald Hund, Julika Rudelius and Jeongmee Yoon.

Stopped by Smack Mellon's Derby Party in Dumbo in the afternoon.  I enjoyed a small slice of Derby pie.

Nonrecommendation: The nouveau riche who reside in Brooklyn Heights/Dumbo are not very interesting or friendly...

Crashed the BK Fashion Weekend fashion show.  It started late, the opening hip hop acts were not inspiring and someone decided to mop the runway right before the show started. [the tent smelled like Clorox] On a good note, the swimwear line by Roger Gary was sizzling hot!

On the subway ride back from Brooklyn, two very drunk gay men who were wearing funny hats sat next to me and I correctly guessed that they had just attended a derby party.  They were very loud as they said, "We Love You" to me. Later I saw a young man alseep at the bar at Wogies, and his friend had to carry him out to a cab. BTW, the Philly Cheese Steak at Wogies is pretty tasty!

Nonrecommendation: Cinco de Mayo and the Kentucky Derby should never be on the same weekend if you care at all about your precious liver.

Sunday
Spent the afternoon at the north end of Central Park and read Nella Larsen's Passing. Written in 1929 during the Harlem Renaissance, the book is about two women who are both very similar and different at the same time.  A more recent book that explores the same themes of race and color is Danzy Senna's Symptomatic. [If I were still in college, a critical comparison of these two books would be a fun assignment.]

Dear Mama

This is my grandmother who my family calls "Mudear". 
[Mudear’s simply a shortened version of the words “Mother Dear”.] She lives in Birmingham, Alabama. I talked to her briefly today, and she's really sick.  Read my story that I read at WYSIWYG in 2004 about her.  Please send your good thoughts!

Close The Door

For you folks not outside enjoying this beautiful day, here's a true story.

A woman (me) walks into bar and sits down for a drink. [No Joke] Standing near her is an older man dressed nicely with a blue handkerchief folded meticulously in his breast pocket. He is drinking top shelf scotch with water back.  He is reading what looks to be a rough draft of a book. It's not even a galley copy; it is unbound with about 200 pages of double-spaced text.  The woman is really nosy and she asks him if he is editing a book.  He says yes.  He doesn't say the name of the book but when he leaves he places the cover page on top, she sees what it is.  It's a book titled Closure and Simon & Schuster is the publisher.  So the woman decides to "Google" the book two days later and she find it.  The book is about the Ground Zero recovery mission, which is a pretty somber topic.

The one question remains:  How many editors edit while drinking scotch in a dark bar on a weeknight?

Update: It was not the editor, but actually Lt William Keegan,the co-author of Closure, which will be released September 2006.

Marathon Shirt

Photo by Brian Van

Fellow cupcake blogger Allison wears her Cupcakes Takes The Cake T-shirt.  You can order one here! Cupcakes were from Sugar Sweet Sunshine.

We Are The Champions

Photo by Brian Van

Eric "Badlands" Booker won the first ever mini-cupcake eating contest. He ate 29 mini-cupcakes in two minutes. (NO WATER)

Hot Thang

Our lovely cupcake hostess and eating contest emcee, Dottie Lux of the Red Hots Burlesque.  Come check her show out every Sunday night at Rififi.

Eye Of The Tiger

Crazy Legs Conti, Eric Badlands Booker and Tim "Eater X" Janus are all IFOCE eaters and they participated in the first ever mini-cupcake eating contest.

Partyman

Eat This Book author Ryan Nerz, Allen Salkin (Author of Festivus) and Me. When Allen is not out of the country, he is attending parties.  I went to Allen's book party last fall for Festivus and I saw him last week at the Nerve party.

The Sweetest Thing

Mindy Raf is eating a cupcake.  [Hot!] The party for Eat This Book was a blast.  Friends, bloggers, freelance writers, authors and competitive eaters came to celebrate the release of Ryan Nerz's book.  We made history at the Delancey with the first ever mini-cupcake eating contest!

Eat It

Tonight's EAT THIS BOOK party will be the messiest. book. party. ever. The party is tonight at the Delancey! The day is sunny, so it's perfect for a rooftop party.  Come tonight and join Ryan Nerz, Dottie Lux, Competitive Eaters, friends and me for a party you won't forget. We're calling on all photobloggers to come as well!

EAT THIS BOOK Party
The Delancey Rooftop
168 Delancey btwn Clinton and Attorney Sts.
7-9PM

Girls On Film

Questions:

• What do you do when you get on email on a Monday morning asking you to be an extra on a independent film?
• What if the subject of the email is "Please Come To Bed With Us"?
• What if the guys from Yankee Pot Roast are shooting for their movie, American Standard, and the scenes are a lesbian bachelorette party at Bed?

Answer:
If you are me, then you go.:) I have never been an extra before, and it is definitely more waiting than make-believe.  I didn't have a book with me and I don't knit, so I chatted with the other extras as we ate pizza and salad. [Free dinner!]  Later, we finally got into our party scene positions where we pretend talk saying "peas and carrots". Unless I end up on the cutting room floor, I am in two scenes. One in the bathroom primping in the mirror with another girl.  The second scene is me partying with the rest of the bachelorette party and we all have sex toys. I am holding the biggest bottle of Babeland Lube (16oz. and it comes with a handy pump). You can't miss it!