Name:
Reggie
Profile:
Cultural adventurer and social butterfly who enjoys the art and wisdom of good conversation. With a passion for art, film, fashion, and food this ECONISTA loves to travel, take pictures and explore new places. www.reggieworld.com www.thefete.com
Nightlife Archives
My new venture theFETE was hosted at the Palihouse West Hollywood this week. Stay tuned to watch the video footage of our "conversation" on Lipsticktracez when we launch the video section in June. In the meantime, here are some snaps of the after party for Jen's birthday.
Jen Green, Shawn Kaleka, Magda Berliner, Jeffrey Sebelia, Lizz Wasserman, Rachel Pally, Jane and Nick Bower, Alicia Lawhon, Corey Lynn Calter, Shana Honeyman, Jerome Mage & Sunshine, Karen Kimmel, Henry Duarte, Jen Egan, Raymond Roker & Noam Dromi, Wade and Tait Chatmon were all in the house.
theFETE was set up to create a space for conversation.If you want to learn more about theFETE and our gatherings theFETE.com
Special thanks to Palihouse West Hollywood for hosting us and Ashley Bent from Youngblood Cosmetics .
Rumors have it that Andre Balazs Standard nightclub the Boom Boom Room will get a cabaret license. Don't people already dance all over the banquets? Will the fire marshall actually get in through the door to check? Does it really make a difference, it has the view but its never going to be as cool as Area or Studio 54?
NYC in the late seventies was it's own entity. Some say it still is a little island of cool. Back then it was the birth of hip hop, a vibrant creative era and a political enigma. Civic chaos and the style, fashion, music, club culture and dance that came out of it was monumental. Downtown calling tells this story.
The cast includes Mos Def, Maripol, Fab 5 Freddy, Chris Stein, Zephyr, Ed Koch, Jazzy Jay, Charlie Ahern, DJ AM, Arthur Baker, Jaleel Bunton, Dave Sitek, Henry Chalfant, Daze, Johnny Dynell, Bobbito Garcia, Nelson George, Michael Holman and on and on. Debbie Harry narrates. .
Shan Nicholson -- Director / Producer
A lifelong resident of Queens' Long Island City and direct child of its burgeoning art scene, Shan Nicholson was reared on the streets of New York City during the politically turbulent and artistically rich period of the early 1980s. Within the span of his 15-year career as a music producer, renowned graffiti artist and DJ he has worked extensively within the genres that have since dominated the sounds of both the city and the greater world, and continues to record and publish music with his collective, Cloudkickers. Nicholson, initially introduced to filmmaking as a student at SUNY Purchase, first realized the documentary concept, as well as the grand cultural and fiscal opportunity that it presented after his audience gave him continual questions throughout a particularly energetic/successful period deejay set. The artists and music featured in Downtown Calling remain crowd-moving staples within Mr. Nicholson's legendary DJ sets at some of New York City's premier clubs and parties. Downtown Calling is Mr. Nicholson's directorial debut.
Debbie Harry -- Narrator
Most famously known as the lead singer/songwriter for the iconic new wave band Blondie, Downtown Calling's Narrator, Debbie Harry, is recognized the world over as the iconic sex symbol of the year zero punk generation. In addition to writing and performing smash hits like "Heart of Glass", "Call Me", "The Tide Is High" and "Rapture", Harry has acted in over thirty film roles and numerous television appearances.
Ben Velez -- Producer
Ben Velez has turned a lifetime steeped in downtown NYC culture into a craft for launching and growing brands. Known for rebranding and growing the international streetwear brand Triple Five Soul (at which he served first as Global Brand Director before becoming Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations), his career has also included playing an integral role at Burton Snowboards' higher echelon line, Analog and UK luxury streetwear brand, Maharishi. A multi-disciplinary background in deejaying and music journalism to fashion styling and public relations, combined with an anal-retentive professionalism and a lifelong set of strong relationships with peer creatives and businesspeople alike, has led Velez through a successful and renowned career that has traversed the high-end sportswear, streetwear, action sports and music industries. Velez has also spent the better part of his life compiling and curating music for fellow artists, producers and companies, and is currently the owner of his own full-service marketing consultancy and music supervision company. In addition to his corporate skillset, Velez has, over the course of his lifetime, built a strong, personal network of music celebrities and record label honchos upon which he relies upon regularly to combine work and pleasure.
David Viola -- Producer
David Viola, a native New Yorker who has been working in the film business in varying capacities since his graduation from Binghamton University in 1998, is a film producer at Filbert Steps Productions in New York. He is currently in post-production on Trumbo, a film about the Hollywood blacklist and screenwriter Dalton Trumbo's resultant experiences. Featuring Liam Neeson, Paul Giamatti, Nathan Lane and David Strathairn, Trumbo expects to make its world premiere at the 2007 Toronto Film Festival. Previously, David produced Runaway, which premiered to rave reviews at the Tribeca and Toronto Film Festivals and won the Best Narrative Feature award at the 2005 Austin Film Festival. Runaway starred Aaron Stanford (X-Men 2 and 3, Tadpole and The Hills Have Eyes) and Robin Tunney (Vertical Limit, End of Days, The Craft and Fox's "Prison Break"). Before joining Filbert Steps, David's experience included stints at Julia Roberts' Revolution-based Shoelace (now Red-Om) Productions and indie-leading Artisan Entertainment during the Blair Witch Project and Requiem for a Dream projects. He had also freelance-evaluated scripts for independent production companies and studios throughout the city. Viola brings his invaluable, personal industry relationships with top festival programmers, agents, distributors and sales reps to the Downtown Calling production team.
Michael Holman - Producer
Born in San Francisco, Producer Michael Holman has lived, worked and remained a cultural influence in New York City since 1978. An original fixture in New Yor
Here is the run down.(this press excerpt courtesy of HBO)
"How to Make It in America" follows two enterprising Brooklyn twenty
somethings as they hustle their way through New York City, determined
to achieve the American Dream. Trying to make a name for themselves in
New York's competitive fashion scene, Ben Epstein (Greenberg) and his
friend and business partner Cam Calderon (Rasuk)
use their street
knowledge and connections to bring their ambitions to fruition. With
the help of Cam's cousin Rene (Guzman), who is trying to market his own
high-energy drink, and their well-connected friend Domingo ("Kid
Cudi"), the entrepreneurs set out to make it big, encountering
obstacles along the way that will require all their ingenuity to
overcome.
"How to Make It in America" also stars Lake Bell as Ben's ex-girlfriend Rachel, who is concentrating on her own career and a new relationship; Martha Plimpton ("Beautiful Girls," "200 Cigarettes") as Rachel's boss Edie, an eccentric interior designer; Shannyn Sossamon ("40 Days and 40 Nights," "The Holiday") as Gingy, Ben and Cam's artsy friend; and Eddie Kaye Thomas ("Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist," "American Pie") as David Kaplan, a successful hedge fund manager and high school friend of Ben's.
Creator and first-time writer Ian Edelman is collaborating with Emmy nominee Rob Weiss ("Entourage") on many of the show's scripts. The pilot and other episodes of the show are being directed by Julian Farino. Additional writers and directors will be announced as they are confirmed.
"How to Make It in America" is produced by HBO Entertainment; executive producers, Stephen Levinson, Rob Weiss, Ian Edelman, Julian Farino, Jada Miranda and Mark Wahlberg; producer, Jane Raab.
The 2nd Thursday of every month, admission is always free, 12 to 9pm
http://www.downtownartwalk.org/
October 30, 2009-January 31, 2010 Brooklyn Museum Info
Morris A. and Meyer Schapiro Wing, 5th Floor
Who Shot Rock & Roll
is the first major museum exhibition on rock and roll to put
photographers in the foreground, acknowledging their creative and
collaborative role in the history of rock music. From its earliest
days, rock and roll was captured in photographs that personalized, and
frequently eroticized, the musicians, creating a visual identity for
the genre. The photographers were handmaidens to the rock-and-roll
revolution, and their images communicate the social and cultural
transformations that rock has fostered since the1950s. 
The exhibition
is in six sections: rare and revealing images taken behind the scenes;
tender snapshots of young musicians at the beginnings of their careers;
exhilarating photographs of live performances that display the energy,
passion, style, and sex appeal of the band on stage; powerful images of
the crowds and fans that are often evocative of historic paintings;
portraits revealing the soul and creativity, rather than the surface
and celebrity, of the musicians; and conceptual images and album covers
highlighting the collaborative efforts between the image makers and the
musicians 
During the mid nineties clubs become a business. Celebrities and rich people wanted exclusivity and PR companies had products to hawk and shows to promote. Artists, designers, creatives and funky peeps would mingle with fashionistas and investment bankers, but as promoters and clubs realized they could make lots of money- it started to suck. .
There was no paid to appear, no Paris Hilton or that sad excuse for a TV show, the Hills. Unfortunately, the cool people split and clubs became a watered down version of what they were.Bottle tables service, guest lists, a few token celebs paid for their appearance. This is what it has boiled down to today. there are still underground scenes where young people are making it happen. DJ and youth culture will always find a way.
To see great club images and historical photos go to the Blitz Kids. They have the best photos ever from the last 20 years in Nightclub history.
If you want to know more about Michael Alig, my dear friend and writer extraordinaire wrote an amazing expose on him for NY Mag. with the beauty of the internet, you can read it here at this link.
My morbid true crime fascination keeps me intrigued .
Jonathan Van Meter NYmag story about Michael Alig
http://www.geocities.com/lekiltclub/amberfriends.html
Before I moved to NYC in the late eighties I lived in London for a year. These two shots crack me up, Agyness Dyen on top and the kool skool of London Punk on the bottom. Style is always regurgitated and recontextualized by the new generation that make it their own.
My favorite club at the time was Simon's Kit Cat club. There was a lot of Damned, New Order, The Buzzcocks on the wheels of steel. The great Leigh Bowery was out every nite and fashion was at its most creative. 
I think Susan Bartsch took a lot of her inspiration from Leigh and the early club kids definately did. Dressing up and out was hot.
It was the renaissance of new romantic and clubbing. I wasn't quite gothic, but there was a lot of spikey hair and black clothing.My hair and makeup inspirations were Nina Hagen and Debbie Harry. (all pictures in this post from the Blitz kids site)
by. Hello ebay and the old internet is my friend when searching out materials. These are some of the spectra shots I did for Paradise Lost. The show is set in Miami during the drug wars and the disco era. 
Everyone out was stylin, creative, and the energy was intoxicating. Clubs had nothing to do with money. YOu could go out for free. People dressed up, they grabbed what they had. IT was before mainstream discounters like HM. Most people wore vintage. NYC downtown style was like Jamel Jabazz's book Back in the Day.
Back then, downtown was alive. Clubs were a meeting place for all kinds of subcultures. Drag queens mingled with hipsters and pop stars like Nina Hagen, Prince, Big Daddy Kane, Diane Brill, John Sex, Keith Haring, Andy Warhol, and Madonna were out all the time. It was crazzzzzy. Black, White, Latin, RIch and poor. we all came together under the guise of having fun, dancing, and getting inspired.
To see great club images and historical photos go to the Blitz Kids. They have the best photos ever from the last 20 years in Nightclub history.
http://www.geocities.com/lekiltclub/amberfriends.html
a
Don also went on the direct videos for Franz Ferdinand, George Clinton, Elvis COstello, the CLash and more.
Review of Don's book:
As a first-generation British-born black, Don Letts quickly learned to assimilate aspects of Jamaican culture into inner-city urban London life. Leaving school, he gravitated to Chelsea's King's Road, inhabiting the fashion world alongside Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren
As resident DJ at the fledgling punk club The Roxy, Letts pumped a roots-reggae soundtrack to a predominantly white audience that included members of The Clash and the Sex Pistols, forging a link between the two clashing cultures.
A chance meeting provided him with a Super-8 movie camera, the result of which was released as The Punk Movie and set Letts on a career of influential videos featuring Sex Pistols, Pil, the Slits, The Clash, Bob Marley, and even the -platinum-selling Musical Youth. His feature films include Dancehall Queen, the Grammy Award-winning Westway to the World-his documentary on The Clash-and Clash on Broadway. He has recently directed feature documentaries for the BBC on Sun Ra and Gil Scott-Heron.
Alongside The Clash's Mick Jones in Big Audio Dynamite, Letts pioneered dance culture and sampling techniques, hanging out with Africa Bambaataa, Grandmaster Flash, and the cream of the New York City hip-hop scene.
Admired by Fellini, a friend of Bob Marley and John Lydon, and a documentarian of The Clash, Don Letts has never pigeonholed himself. This book is a firsthand account, told in Letts' own words-it's highly visual, revelatory, irreverent, entertaining, and staunchly individual. (amazon.)
Since his first movie, The Punk Rock Movie (1978) Letts has expanded doing documentaries and music videos for multiple bands. But it wasn't till 1997, he traveled to his family's native Jamaica to direct his first feature film, Dancehall Queen. [4] While filming a history of punk in 2001 Don was in New York when the Sept 11 2001 terrorist attacks occurred.[1] His film Westway to the World won a Grammy award in 2003. source: Wikipedia
Patrick has several books out and you can see them on his website. My favorites are Glamour Girls and So 80's.
"If you
don't know Patrick McMullan, you ought to get out more! "--Andy Warhol
A consummate chronicler, Patrick McMullan began his career in the early 1980s shooting the downtown scene alongside nightclub scribe Stephen Saban for the original Details magazine, with nothing more than an Instamatic camera and the encouragement of Andy Warhol. In so8os, he brings us back into the exclusive world of glamour and glitz as it was experienced by the era's greatest fashion, music, and art icons that mixed uptown elitism with downtown eccentricity in New York City's nightlife. Shot in such legendary nightspots as Studio 54, Area, Danceteria, Limelight, and the Cat Club, so8os features unreleased photos from the Patrick McMullan archives.
In these pages, McMullan
shares with us his photographic diary that holds the essence of New York
characters and night crawlers. (source: Patrick's site)
Nina Hagen (first record 1978) was one of the first female punk singers to embrace African music, Opera and crazy downtown style. Beautiful and kooky 
and a combo of punk and disco you don't see so much anymore. In concert she would Spout off Wagnerian lyrics in German and then bang her head on the wall and start rapping, she was a true original. 
"After the show when we are ready to go....." Disco-- but not the look. Glamourous, eccentric and wierd. Frank Sinatra sang it too, but she did it HER WAY.
Just out on DVD, rent it from netflex. Stars a young Laura Dern alongside Steve Jones from the Pistols, a dapper Paul Simonon of the Clash and Tubes singer Fee Waybill.
Diane stars in this influencial cult classic released in 1981 as the leader of a chick punk band. They can't play but have huge style and go on tour with a sex pistols like band. After a TV reporter picks up on them they develop a huge following and have little wannabees at all their concerts and appearances. Fishnets and red bobby socks never looked so sexy.
Directed by music legend and producer Lou Adler. (yes, you know his entitled son Cisco from Us Weekly) I see a fashion story in the making here.
The art direction, styling and hair and makeup are truly Amaaaaazzzzing.
Tony was the shit back in the day. One of the founding father's of skateboarding and a bonafide rock star in his style and attitude, Tony now has a gallery and supports the arts, in addition to being a streetwear and skateboarding legend. Check it. A little history.......
Tony Alva was born in 1957, in Santa Monica California. In 1968, Alva got his first surfboard and skateboard and developed a passion for surfing, skateboarding and rock-n-roll. In 1972, he joined the legendary Z-Boys skateboard team along with Jay Adams and Stacy Peralta. Alva later went on to win the Men's World Overall Professional Skateboard Championship in 1977.
In the
1980s, Tony formed the infamous "Alva Posse" and
sponsors innovative skaters including: Christian Hosoi, Ray Barbee,
Mark Gonzalez, Dave Duncan, Eddie Reategui, Chris Cook, John Thomas,
Jeff Hartsel, Craig Johnson, John Gibson, Bill Danforth, Fred Smith
III, and Jim Murphy.
In 1999, he was presented the X Games Life Time Achievement Award from Tony Hawk, and in 2000, he received the Legend Award from Transworld Skateboard Magazine.
Recently he was featured in the Sundance and Independent Spirit award-winning documentary "Dogtown and Z-Boys" (2002). Tony Alva was an authenticity consultant and stunt coordinator on the upcoming Sony feature film, "Lords Of Dogtown" (2005),
based on his life with the Z-Boys. The first skateboarder to
successfully market himself as a brand name, Tony Alva continues to own
and operate the innovative Alva Skateboard Company in Oceanside,
California. Considered the originator of vertical skateboarding, Alva
continues to develop new technology to advance the sport he loves.
Staying true to his roots, Tony Alva surfs and skates pools almost
everyday. Bio about Tony courtesy of Alva Skates Tony's site
The Raconteurs (Jack White and pals) played a great show. I loved the video projection over the soundstage. 
Nick Cannon DJ'ed. Mark and his gorgeous Lipstick ladies.
lookbook site 
Readers mark their favorites with "hype" and the coolest kids go to the front of the site. Great looking cool kids from all over the world. Amazing style. check it.
The stars of skateboarding were out last night as Tmobile launched their Tony Hawk sidekick. Haven't seen a party like this in a while. PS- Did I mention that skateboarders are the coolest nicest athletes in the world.
Christian Hasoi, Tony Hawk and Tony Alva all under the same roof was a treat. The ginormous ramp was the main attraction as skaters strutted their stuff all night. 
The supreme crew was in the house, Stone Temple Pilots performed forEVA (can we discuss the "droogs" like Clockwork Orange styling?). 
Also in attendance were musicians Incubus's Brandon Boyd and foxy Brett Anderson from the Donna's. 
check out the Donna's site. Not only have they been making hard rockin head bangin tracks for the last ten years, they are hotter than ever. Brett loves art and we love her for that.The Donna's site
Anyone there knows there were a few ce-webrities and publicity hounding reality stars from the Hills (that were friend-less) that really aren't even worth mentioning.
The history of skateboarding rooms were so fun, all the vintage boards a treat to oogle..The fashion statement for the evening was captured best by Cory and Abraham with their overly large Stash facial hair. Cory even has a comb for his.
Mr. Brainwash did a great job designing the space with his Banksy like-pop art. My favorite piece was the Fahrenheit 451 like installation at the opening of the event. 25 feet high and over thousands of books piled up with a small laptop on top.
Made an important statement about the web generation.Needless to say it was a cool shindig. .
The Boneyards launch party was Friday night in LA. The clothing and stores collaboration launched June 21. Punk rock music, smoke machines, hot dog stands and carnival prizes accompanied the launch to showcase the sneakers. The exhibition-installation upped the ante for product launch parties. Much of the inspiration for the installation came from 80's NYC art legend and underground conceptual sculpturer Cady Noland. (more about Cady later) In New York, Kids were waiting in line overnight to see the new line. A mixture of biker, flannel, motorcycle high and low art, tattoos and San Pedro chic . I am proud to say I worked on some of the images in the Boneyards newspaper launch. Location images were shot by art director Rob Abeyta, then converted to analog slides that I projected over the models like tattoo artist, John Hall. Pretty cool. Here are some pics. Official Boneyards site
Danielle Decker and Undefeated's Jupiter, FUCT's Erik Brunetti and myself, Rob and Christina Abeyta with daughter Engracia, a carnival worker from the launch and Skate photographer and Tokyo pal Rip Zinger.
Hollywood Cemetary website
This cemetary is the final resting place for VALENTINO, CECIL B. DEMILLE, DOUGLAS FAIRBANKS, AND JOHNNY RAMONE.
Johnny's grave is signed by Vincent Gallo and John Frusciante, (maybe they paid for it?) Hollywood was established in 1900 with 60 acres developed including 5 mausoleums to maintain. The Cassity brothers took over the cemetary in 1998 and upped the ante for what to expect from a cemetary. Believe it or not, many many industry events take place at this beautiful setting.
Years ago, Rick Rubin held a funeral procession for his record labels "def" when he changed the name from Def American records to American records. The Black Crows played and tons of glitterati attended. It was surreal. Usually around Halloween some rock band does a record release party. Last year it was nu metal band KORN. Although it is a slightly sinister idea, the cemetary is so regal and beautiful you feel like you are in a gorgeous park somehwere with Swans and the famous peacocks walking by
.
Photo Credit: I. C. RapoportIn doing my research on NYC's meatpacking district and West Village I came accross some amazing imagery from the 1960's-1980's. I found this photographer I.C. Rapoport who was a photo journalist during this time . He worked for Paris Match and the Kennedy administration. Check him out.
IC Rapoport photo website
This was the home to the Ramrod, Club 82 (where many punk legends played) and many other gay bars. Whats also interesting is the mob owned many of these clubs and spread a wave of extortion through the west village. Aids changed it all, bars where Tom of FInland fashions were started and a style counter culture that now only exists in the underground and Taschen art books.
The last photograph of elegant drag queens is by Rapaport shot in Times Square area in the early 60's. Flyers and Images from the Ramrod.
Yes, it was a decrepid armpit about 10 years ago and even better when I would lurk home from Mars about 15 years ago after a night of boogie fever. Hookers, hells angels, pimps and the west side transients would congregate after dark. Trudging past drag queens on my way into a cab. Ahh, the early nineties.
What has now emerged is a slick fabulous fashionista and art neighborhood that many top fashion photographers call home. Steven Klein, Dah Len and Christian Witken all have their studios near Gaansevoort. One of my favorite studios to shoot in, MILK studios is on 15th st where Peter Lindberg and Michel Compte create magic when they are in town.
The Hotel Gaansevoort and Soho house are here. The Maritime hotel is a 2 block walk.
meatpacking design site
The clothes are overpriced and so are the antiques, but the neighborhood still has a lot of charm, cool bars and fun hotels. I can't wait until the high line is finished in like 20 years. Check it out.
The incredible punk soundtrack by Jack Nietzsche (no relation to the philosopher) enlisted GERMS frontman Darby Crash to write lyrics. Lionshare was the Germs song. More songs were in the can but Darby OD'd that year. For more on Darby Crash read LEXICON DEVIL-one of the best books about LA punk culture. by Brendan Mullen
r23 restaurant and gallery
http://www.r23.com/
Afterwards head over to Broadway bar. Its fun, cool and has a beautiful atmosphere. There are also a number of nightspots in the area if you want to cruise around.
830 S Broadway (@ Eighth Street)
Los Angeles, CA 90014
Phone: (213) 614-9909
Los Angeles has a youth culture like any other city. Some say better than most. Downtown LA is probably the closest thing you will get to the NY's East Village or LES, London's Covent Garden or Tokyo's Harajuku district. fyi: that is fellow blogger and lipstick lady, Allison and my BFF, Danielle.
I went to Apartment 3's monthly party the other night and there were a lot of cool art students and young fashionistas doing their thing. DJ MIa Moretti was slammin and it was refreshing to see young people put together their style with little or no designer items and look fierce. YOU DONT NEED MONEY TO HAVE STYLE- PEOPLE. Tastemakers already know this.
The big accessory of the night was the giant 40 of JOLT.
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