Top Five NYC Venues List

The Life of a New Yorker.com presents the "Top Five New York City Venues" List. Looking for a sleezy titty bar in Brooklyn? How about a sophisticated open mic in Greenwich Village to showcase your talent? Or what about a bite to eat? All of the above and more are included in this week's top five venue list.

 

The Inspired Word

#1

 

Category: Open Mic Series/Live Music

Where: One on One Nexus Lounge / 116 Macdougal St, New York, NY

When:Every Monday and Wednesday Night

Site: inspiredwordnyc.com/

 



 

Webster Hall

#2

 

Category: Night Life/Club/ Concerts

Where: 125 E 11th St, New York NY

When: Weekends (Thursday night = Ladies night)

Site: http://www.websterhall.com/

 

Uno's Bar & Grill

#3

 

Category: Restaurant

Where: 89 South Street, New York NY

When: Monday-Sunday

Site: www.unos.com/

 

 

Cafe Wha

#4

 

 

Category: Night Life/Live Music/Restaurant/Bar

Where: 115 Macdougal St, New York NY

When: Every Night of the Week

Site: cafewha.com/

 

Pumps Bar

#5

 

Category: Night Life/ Adult/ Exotic Dancing

Where: 1089 Grand Street Brooklyn, NY

When: Weekends

Site: pumpsbar.com/



The "Inspired Word" of NYC

 "Looking for a special open mic in downtown Manhattan?

Come to one of the hottest open mics in the country - a stage graced by Grammy nominated singers, HBO Def Poetry stars, American Idol finalists, Golden Globe Award-winning actresses, and poets from The Best American Poetry anthology." - The Inspired Word Blog

Deemed the "country's top venue of the year" by the annual spoken word billboard awards, the Inspired word is an elite open mic series open to all NYC performing artists. Michael Phillip Geffner (founder, producer, and director of the series) has brought together a family of lyrical, poetic, and musical artists in the tri-state area of New York to create this authentically fulfilling open mic experience.

The Inspired Word Family 10.01.2012

This weekly open mic founded in 2009 lives up to it's name. Performing with the Inspired word family has been continuously educating and inspiring. Several times a week I am provided with the opportunity to show case my talents, network with fellow artists, gain exposure, and perfect my craft/ stage presence.

Performing at the Inspired Word 09.19.2012

My first encounter with the Inspired Word family was on Wednesday, September 19th at their weekly venue on 116 Macdougal St (between Bleecker St and Minetta Lane). It was a cozy little cave in Greenwich Village, equip with a small stage, scattered seating, and full bar. The environment reminded me of a speakeasy,  invoking the feeling of revolutionary secrecy. I had done a little research on Geffner before attending the event and he gave me a firm and pleasant hand shake when I walked in and signed up for the open mic.

The show and overall evening was well worth the 10$ cover charge. I nervously sipped on affordable cocktails and wine from the bar while awaiting my turn to perform. The talent was more and more engaging and amusing as the night went on. There were performances from polished comedians such as David Rey Martinez and Pierre Fontenelle. I was in awe of the amazing featured artists of the night, award winning Mariposa (Maria Teresa Fernandez) and Sandy McIntyre (aka Astmaat). Blown away by the energetic performance by musical artist Keon Torres, I realized I might be closing out the show. Turns out I actually was the very last performer of the night, but I was met with friendly and encouraging applause before and following my performance.

Since that first time I have been faithfully attending the Inspired Word open mic events and performing weekly with my Inspired word family. I can honestly say that I have grown as an artist and a performer by being involved in this series and anyone with 10 bucks and something to say can equally benefit from participating.

The Inspired word weekly venues currently include; 

• 116 MacDougal Street (between Bleecker Street and Minetta Lane), Manhattan NY -- Every Wednesday night 7 - 10pm NO AGE LIMIT.
• One and One / Nexus lounge, 76 East 1st Street (corner of 1st ave), Manhattan, NY -- Every Monday night 7-11pm NO AGE LIMIT.
• Nuyorican Poet's Cafe, 236 East 3rd Street (between Avenue B and C), Manhattan NY - The FIRST Tuesday of every month, 9pm - Midnight NO AGE LIMIT.
• The Gallery at LPR (le Poisson Rouge), 158 Bleecker Street (Between Sullivan and Thompson), Manhattan NY Please check the website: http://inspiredwordnyc.com/ for more info and dates of this venue.
• Soho Playhouse: Titillating Tongues erotic series, 15 Vandam St Manhattan NY. Certain Tuesdays of the month (Check website) 7:30pm - 8:00pm 18+++

There is a cover charge for each venue and for more information visit the inspired word website; http://inspiredwordnyc.com/ or blog; inspiredwordnyc.blogspot.com/

Photo taken by Michael Geffner

Cubbyhole Tuesdays!

Bartender at Cubbyhole

"Wouldn't you like to get away?
Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name,
and they're always glad you came.
You wanna be where you can see,  our troubles are all the same
You wanna be where everybody knows your name. "

Cheers to Tuesdays at the cubbyholebar where margaritas are only 2$ and while not everyone knows your name, by the end of the night you'll all be singing and dancing together like old time friends. This is not an exaggeration, I literally have this pleasant bar experience every time I indulge in what I like to call Cubbyhole Tuesdays. The Cubbyhole is a cleverly named sports bar near Jackson Square acclaimed "New York's neighborhood fusion bar -on the corners of W.12th and W. 4th Streets in the heart of Manhattan’s West Village". Cubbyhole is known for it's largely homosexual atmosphere however everyone is always welcome at this friendly and welcoming establishment. The actual space is small and often cramped due to being regularly packed to capacity with smiling happy faces but finding a stool at the bar is never too difficult if you are patient!

Just another night at the Cubbyhole

My first time experiencing Cubbyhole Tuesdays I went with a small group of friends and wobbled home satisfied full of 2$ liquor! My recent adventure was a solo mission but I gained bar mates within a matter of a few songs and I once again left the bar a few hours later with an undeniable drunken smile. I'd recommend Cubbyhole to anyone searching for a couple good drinks for a quick buck and an open and accepting environment.

I personally have never been to Cubbyhole any other day but Tuesday simply because I'm cheap! If you aren't as cheap as me be sure to check out their drink specials on all the other days of the week!

WEEKLY SPECIALS

Monday   --  Washington Apple --   $3.00

Tuesday   --   Margaritas   --   $2.00

Wednesday   --   Pear Picker   --   $3.00

Thursday  --  Gin Pomade   --   $3.00

Friday   --   Bocce Ball   --   $4.00 (UNTIL 9:00PM)

Saturday   --   Apple Pie   --   $3.00 (UNTIL 9:00PM)

Sunday  --  Bloody Mary   --   $3.00 (UNTIL 9:00PM)

Miller light / Bud light $2.50 ALL NIGHT

For a pleasant evening with catchy tunes, cheap drinks, and a cheerful crowd the Cubbyhole is the place to be...And that's on Tuesday or any other day of the week! Being only a brisk walk from the A, C, E, or L train and the 1,2,3 trains, this cozy little bar definitely is public transport friendly. For more information on Cubbyhole, directions, or upcoming events visit their website at http://www.cubbyholebar.com.

Featured Artist: Supriya Pava

Supriya Pava: Photographer, Fashion Designer

New York has a lot to offer when it comes to culture, diversity, and simply enjoying the arts. There is a ridiculous variety of artists who are creating and shaping pure art with their unique craft everyday in this city that never sleeps. I am talking about youthful, ambitious, and talented individuals whose vision and work line the walls of  galleries in Manhattan or are spray painted rebelliously upon the upper scaffolding of every other building in East New York, Brooklyn. This week the spotlight is on a truly amazing artist, fashion designer, and colleague of mine; Supriya Pava, an established photographer born in New Delhi India but currently based right here in NYC. 

I had the honor of working with Pava for some portfolio work and she made me feel more comfortable than I ever thought imaginable under the lens of her camera. She not only possesses talent, expertise in her craft, and professionalism but also a vision that allows her photos to radiate with creativity and artistry. I am not a model. Needless to say I was nervous that I would be inadequate. It was more than getting my picture taken; I was trying to allow someone to capture my fearless beauty when I was at my most vulnerable and feeling far from fearless! I'm glad that person was Supriya! She saw something in me and knew exactly how to utilize her gift and mold  realty to bring both her vision and that part of me alive through her photographs. After our very first session I needed less direction and it became almost mutually effortless.

 

Supriya is always interested in new subjects and offering her photography services for reasonable and appropriate pricing. She specializes in fashion, portraits, and reportage photography. Pava can also provide more artistic styles and has experience with tasteful nudes, black and white, and abstract photos. With her inner eye and one of a kind vision, amateur and experienced models alike could undoubtedly benefit from working with her. I recommend Supriya for any task that calls for a talented and professional photographer as she is more than qualified.

Supriya is not only a photographer but also a budding innovative fashion designer whose clothing line; "DEZAINA" will be hitting NYC boutiques by Summer 2012. Once again applying her artistic vision along with a natural born talent, the combination is a brilliant and colorful clothing line. DEZAINA includes women's clothing (dresses, blouses, etc) and a beautiful selection of eccentric jewelry (necklaces, bracelets, and rings). The clothing featured is originally designed and manufactured by Pava herself and are fun, fashionable, and diverse. Currently Supriya is in the process of developing an official website however more information on DEZAINA or her Photography can be obtained by contacting her via email.

"In photography, creative inspiration can come from almost anywhere. I am inspired by New York City at large. The life around me compels me to look through the lens and capture a fleeting moment. I'm interested in both documentary and studio photography. One day  I am taking photos on a subway and the other I'll be shooting a model portfolio. I enjoy diversity.

Currently I am working on a "Skyline project", the idea is to photograph NYC skyline at different times of the day in the period of 12 months.

You can check out Supriya's photography at pavaphotography.com, it is currently under construction until May 2012." -- Supriya.

Email Supriya Pava at "pava1@earthlink.net".

Intro

The Life of a New Yorker: New York in a Nutshell

They call it the BIG apple full of BIG cheese! With a mulititude of oppurtunities for both success and personal entertainment, New York is the place to be. And if you really want to see what the big city has to offer you gotta know where to go, who to talk to, and what to say. From the cheapest pizza in Brooklyn, to the best club on lower east side I cover it ALL.

This blog is intended to zoom in on the busy life of a new yorker, from raving reviews to intimate city confessions, from celebrity sightings to advice on the best 2$ margaritas in the city, this is truly New york in a nutshell!