Above: Marky Ramone by Foto di Matti
A great night on the town will answer lots of questions and maybe even raise some new ones. Such is the night. Last night I attended A Sailor Jerry event celebrating the 240th Anniversary of the U.S. Navy. I mean who knew? The event was held at the Schott store at 236 Elizabeth Street I guess because they have these neat Navy style Pea Coats lined in red with a Sailor Jerry Flash old school Naval Ship printed inside. It’s totally cool. I attended because I always support Sailor Jerry events cause they’re swell and I was offered a tattoo from Ink Master judge Oliver Peck. Oliver is the real deal. Besides being a world class ink master he is in the band the Ramonas, a Ramones cover band that wears skirts, bras and long flowing wigs while they 1,2,3,4 through an appropriate punk rock catalog. They’re amazing. One person who didn’t know about Oliver’s Ramonas was my pal Marky Ramone who belly laughed as I described them. I’m having dinner with Mark Monday and I’m going to connect him with Oliver. I admit I tried a cocktail, a Sailor Jerry Rum and Ginger. My close friends and readers know I rarely drink. ..at most 2, maybe 3 times a year, whenever I have sex but Painless Peck as Oliver is known had left an impression on me that needed to be dulled, just a bit.
Above: Oliver Peck Photographed by Nate “Igor” Smith
At the bar I was told about the opening of a Will Ferrell themed bar in the L.E.S. We headed into the night to find it. The Stay Classy Bar had opened a day or 2 ago at 174 Rivington Street. I knew the address but couldn’t remember why. It turns out it’s the old Red Velvet space I designed with Marc Dizon a few years back. It was mostly gutted, our beautiful layered wall treatments replaced with tribute photos and posters of Mr. Ferrell. The bar top was still made of glass cabinets once reserved for luscious cupcakes and such. Last night more bric-a-brac had replaced the red velvets pounding home the Ferrell theme. Somebody asked me if I knew if Will was an investor and I being of a curious mind should have inquired of someone working at the joint. I should have found out… who knew. Yet after taking it all in which took about 3 minutes I spun around and ran headlong into the night, doubtful of a second act. Stay Classy ain’t for me but it was crowded and everyone was friendly. These theme things grow weary.
Another theme place that is much luckier, better, and deserved of your attention is Sushi Roxx 120 East 39th Street. Who would ever believe that I could have so much fun on East 39th Street. Sushi Roxx serves superior Sushi while a hot staff sings and dances to familiar songs. It might not sound so good on paper but it certainly sounded great while I was there. Former “Pussycat Dolls” star Asia Nitollano choreographs and stars in the show. The decor is Japanese camp with images of Sumo wrestlers and anime and such. My party had a blast.
Finally Williamsburg beckoned and we walked through the familiar streets; passed the tattooed and bearded masses lining up to see some good bands at Union Pool and other such neighborhood classics. The CMJ music festival has folks lined up and happy all over town. We passed the car detailing place on the corner of Lorimer and Meeker and noticed a drum kit where a Dodge Charger would normally be. Two very nice young men armed with power tools and enthusiasm were fixing a rather troublesome door. We asked what was up because I have curious mind and usually dig around to let you guys know what’s up. Well it seems this old car detailing place is a new venue just about to open with some unofficial CMJ showcase Saturday. The former Car Wash and hand detailing place has hosted some outdoor events like a BBQ, a comedy show, concerts, a Dinner Lab dinner and a drive in hot rod and motorcycle show. Now that the weather is not permitting they’re getting the 18,000 square foot inside ready. Jonathan Ellison and Bobby Redd are the kind of fellas you need to know. They take “interesting spaces that have been bought by a developer and are sitting vacant pending construction permits and use them for that temporary period for events, film, performance, art installations, concerts, video shoots, etc”. They did that Lutheran church in Bushwhack that was all the rage and that pop up park across from the Domino Sugar Factory. They left the old signs up and are calling it Hand And Detail.
Lastly, some sadder news. The passing of Maurice Caple aka Djsugkat has left a hole in the hearts of all who knew him. I last saw Mo at the Nells Reunion at Up& Down. He was visibly ill but partying with the best of us, like it was 1988. Always a gentleman, always with the cool, cool crowd Maurice lifted me up when I hit bottom. There will be a celebration of his life this Saturday at Le Bain 848 Washington Street.
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