New York Nights: The Year in Review

Over the past year, New York Nights has offered a unique perspective on the issues that affect the culture and business of nightlife. I’m looking forward to offering you more insight and information in 2009 but if you’ve missed any of our weekly features, don’t worry. I’ve provided links to all of them below.

Let me know what you think; what you want to know more about, where you think nightlife is going in the New Year and what you enjoy about NYN. Thank you for all your support and have a great year.

The New York Nights Weekly Recap for March 28, 2008
The New York Nights Weekly Recap for April 4, 2008
The New York Nights Poll: How has the Smoking Ban Affected You?
The New York Nights Weekly Recap for April 11, 2008
The New York Nights Weekly Recap for April 18, 2008
Last Call: A New York Nights Special Report for April 25, 2008
The NYN Weekly Recap for May 2, 2008
The NYN Weekly Recap for May 9, 2008
The New York Nights Insider for May 23, 2008
The New York Nights Insider for May 30, 2008
The New York Nights Insider for June 6, 2008
The New York Nights Insider for June 13, 2008
The New York Nights Insider for June 20, 2008
New York Nights Insider: The Pride Issue
The New York Nights Insider: The Independence Issue
The New York Nights Insider: The Alternative Venue Issue
New York Nights Insider: The Turning Point Issue
New York Nights Insider: The Mid Summer Issue
New York Nights Insider: The Liquor and Sex Issue
NYN Insider: The Down Market Issue
New York Nights Insider: The Image Issue
The NYN Insider: The Common Sense Issue
The New York Nights Insider: The Outside Influence Issue
New York Nights Insider: The End of Summer Issue
NYN Insider: The Down Side Issue \
NYN Insider: The Economy Issue
NYN Insider: The Sub Culture Issue
NYN Insider: The Controversy Issue
NYN Insider: The Woman’ Issue
NYN Insider: The Food and Wine Issue
NYN Insider: The Future Issue
NYN Insider: The Experience Issue (with Election Update!)
NYN Insider: The Crime Issue
NYN Insider: The Election Holiday Issue
NYN Insider: The Music and Fashion Issue
NYN Insider: The Culture Issue
NYN Insider: The Perception Issue

Have fun
Gamal

How Safe Are the Clubs?

By Gamal Hennessy

There is a famous saying in entertainment that "any press is good press." If you don't believe that concept, just look at Paris Hilton. But nightlife operators might not agree with that statement. The past two weeks has produced one missing woman and a shooting associated with local venues. How can clubs maintain safety without sacrificing the party or their autonomy?

Nightlife is often associated with crime, even if the operators and the venue are not at fault or even involved in the actual incident. Plaxico Burress shoots himself in the leg with his illegal gun at LQ. Jennifer Garza disappears after spending time with a sex offender at Marquee. While these events could have happened anywhere, the stories frequently mention the clubs. It’s too early to tell if these incidents will hurt attendance at these venues in the long term, but previous violence with P. Diddy at Club New York was a contributing factor in its demise. Of course, mentioning where a story took place answers one of the basic questions of journalism (who, what, when, where and why) but it isn't hard to imagine that the nightclub angle is played up to 'sex up' the story and perpetuate the concept that nightlife is inherently dangerous.

The past two weeks have been something of an aberration. Compared with the number of people in New York clubs every year (the 2004 estimate is 65 million entries), the number of high profile incidents is low. Reasonable behavior from nightlife natives, a watchful eye by club security and a stiff police presence in some neighborhoods keep serious crime down. This fact is rarely reported outside of New York Nights. Stories like Burress and Garza stay in the public consciousness.

This perception creates a potential threat to the nightlife industry. If negative stories are all that are reported or remembered then that is the image that is going to stick, no matter how infrequent the incidents are. This can lead to liquor licenses being unjustly revoked, abrupt closings and ultimately fewer quality venues in the city.

Operators have to do several things to be successful. They need to attract people to their venue, provide hospitality service, entertain their patrons, make a profit and provide a safe environment. There is a limit to what they can do. They can't keep track of sex offenders who come to the club, they can't control things that go on outside the club and they are forced to tread lightly when it comes to celebrity.

But there are things that are done. Why don't we hear about that? Can the industry show that millions of patrons aren't injured when we go out? It might be helpful for the industry to show the public what is done to keep them safe. Not just after a clumsy athlete shoots himself, but on a constant basis. That way we have a balanced image of nightlife safety, not just the bad news.

Have fun.
Gamal

One Mic Nite: The Art of Giving Back

One of the major themes during the holiday season is the spirit of giving. There is one show in Alphabet City that is dedicated to giving back to the artistic community with money and inspiration. New York Nights is proud to present One Mic Night.

Vital Information

Websites:
www.MarcosLuis.com
www.ThirstNyc.com

Latest Project: is an Evening of One-Act plays/Comedies & live performance of the Soulfolk Experience (Band) followed by an Acoustic-style Open Mic

Next New York Performance: Monday 12.08.08 7:00PM

Hometown: Chicago,IL

1) NYN: Explain the concept and inspiration behind One Mic Nite.

ML: Our community's desire for an elegant and pleasant social environment sparked a need for an alternative to the regular social gatherings and created a point where artists,engaged in music, theatre, spoken word, film,and other genres of art could interact. One Mic Nite was formed as an artistic industry evening, and became committed to giving back to the community with various fund raisers for City & National Organizations through its performances.

2) NYN: How did you move from being in front of the camera in commercials and film to behind the camera and hosting the show?

ML: When the show began, it was a small intimate evening of acoustic music with one singer, Maritri Garrett, and one guitar when I was a manager in a small chic West Village restaurant . As the nite continued each week, we invited our artist friends to network, listen and eventually participate. As the weeks progressed, the crowd grew and as the manager I was forced to re-locate the show to a bigger more accommodating venue. That move allowed me to incorporate more artists.

3) NYN: How did you feel the first night the show went on?

ML: The first night I hosted the show I was nervous, and happy. Nervous because I understood the potential of the show and happy that it had grown to such a beautiful thing. It was also an opportunity for me to step out and return to hosting a weekly show, which I hadn't done in years.

4) What have you learned about New York nightlife from hosting this show?

ML: NYC nightlife is exciting. It gives you a chance to meet and experience some of the most talented people in the world. It allows you an opportunity to be a part of a pop culture that many people can only experience from a distance. When you are here, you can connect to the audience & admirers in a way that is very personal, in essence you can become the personality of the event.

5) NYN: How did you meet the artists for One Mic Nite? If a new artist wanted to perform, what would they need to do?

ML: I have hear all the artists in one way or another. I review their webpages, attend their other shows and I'm always scouting for talent to perform. Our acts range from Grammy Award Winning Artist to polished amateurs, signed and unsigned. New artists & talent can submit website links, via Email to OneMicNite@Gmail.com for consideration.

6) NYN: What is your ultimate goal for One Mic Nite?

ML: The ultimate goal of One Mic Nite is to provide different art to the community on a regular and ongoing basis. It is important to continue to explore and expose the various genres of art to uplift, and help to stimulate more creativity. I want to use art as a means to give back to the community spiritually and financially, where artists participate in fundraisers for other organizations in need. Because art is based on interpretation, I hope each person that comes, leaves with a personal experience and hopefully can return to share a completely different experience the next time.

Please Visit for more Info on Events & Showcases.. http://www.thirstnyc.com/

Check clips of past Shows: www.YouTube.com/MarcAllen8

Have fun.
Gamal