Queen of the Night NYC

Africa Interlude: A quick theatre review before I continue with the African blog post extravaganza.

While I was visiting Tanzania I took my finger off the pulse for a moment, but luckily I always have Evan to fill me in on the latest in arts and culture. Thanks baby! Evan informed me that while I was away a new show emerged by the producers and masterminds of my favorite, Sleep No More. I immediately purchased tickets, since I knew we had to be in NY to go apartment hunting. I'm glad I did because literally an hour later they were sold out.

 Introducing Queen of the Night, a self proclaimed fusion of theater, music, circus, cuisine, design and nightlife. With a strong focus on circus, most of the entertainment is jaw dropping acrobatics mixed with modern Sleep No More-esk dancing. Think a sexually charged Cirque du Soleil with dinner. Thanks to its location right in the heart of midtown, this interactive acrobatic event attracts a much more mainstream crowd than it's parent institution Sleep No More. And an older crowd at that. I was surprised to see a number of Upper East Side housewives as well, but then again we are in Times Square.

Sleep No More has always had a relatively young following, possibly due to the physical feat you must endure in order to truly enjoy its immersive theatrical quality. Running up and down 7 flights of stairs and through different terrain in an old abandoned hotel might be where the older crowd draws the line. After conducting a poll at our table it came to my attention that half of the table had never even seen Sleep No More....what?!? I was almost sure that the SNM cult following would be the majority of Queen of The Night's patrons, I was wrong, it was a completely new crowd, possibly a following of people who enjoy the famous NY restaurants American Cut and Scarpetta, the food connoisseurs behind Queen of The Night's cuisine.
 

 Your first reaction when you walk in is, so I thought they spent $30 mill on this place...? All you see is dry wall and plywood, then you walk a bit further past coat check and you finally realize that the unfinished construction-look is part of the decor, phew!

 

 As you begin to ascend down the marble staircase into the caverns of the Parliament Hotel it then takes on a Phantom of the Opera theme in the form of a large chandler that rests at the bottom of the staircase. Oh, except for the naked woman with the mask on behind the wall of glass with the geometric mirrors, but other than that! Totally Phantom.

Phantom Phantasy...

 This is right around the time when you begin to notice that the touchy-feely chaperons are wearing gaucho capri tuxedo pants with wrist cuffs above the knee, and the coats with tails that have buttons going all the way down the back. And don't forget about the exposed sock stays. The costumes were created by noted mens and womenswear designer/fashion label, Thom Browne, my favorite being the tuxedo shirt turned thong leotard with one sleeveless arm and red pants. Hot!

 Once you're escorted into the main ballroom you come upon the bar, which is more like a chemistry lab with bubbling flasks, tubes, and smoke. I particularly enjoyed the light fixtures that were submerged in gurgling water, and the constant torch blowing of rosemary. On the counter are tons of drinks, pick a drink, any drink, I chose the tall glass, a vodka drink with cherry tomatoes and muddled basil. Peter went with the short glass gin based drink.          
         

The chemistry lab

 
After you grab an artisanal signature cocktail you'll want to direct your attention toward the stage where you'll see all sorts of human defying acrobatics and juggling...and a topless woman laying on a table with a red veil over her body. You'll be encouraged to walk around and take in all the sights, while being offered delicious trays of deviled eggs and foie gras. Once you're let onto the main floor it becomes a free for all to find a seat where you'll dine and stay for the remainder of the show. We shuffled to the left of the stage and sat at a large table with two other couples. Each table is showered in olives, walnuts, grapes, wine and bread. A woman then came to our table and asked us all if we were in love, and I immediately shouted, "love! Oh yes!" She asked how I knew what makes it real love and Peter pulled out his tattoo wedding ring and I pulled out mine. She asked us if we remember the feeling we had when we first feel in love or the first time we met and if we would want to feel that again and I exclaimed again, "oh yes! It was the greatest feeling in the world, one of the greatest days of my life!" This may have been a lot of pressure for the other couples at the table on casual dates... These comments would come full circle later in the show, and I would eventually receive a luscious kiss on the cheek from this woman. The show continues and this is when it starts to get really good, the acrobatics are mind boggling, it bends your perception of reality and what the human body is capable of doing. 

 These talented gymnasts are taking risks, big risks. After a lot of aerobatic-like dance to techno/rave music, naturally, it's time for dinner in the form of a bird cage full of lobster and a suckling pig. Our table was lucky enough to get the birdcage of lobster, which is the best! 

Dinner is served!

Crustacean cage

 Once the bibs are on its time to get to work and crack open some delicious lobster. Before you know it the entertainment is in full swing again, a man with a string and spindle, knife throwers, and impressionist dance. But the question still remains, who is the woman in the mermaid gown?


 



 Later this mysterious woman does a beautiful yoga-sensual impressionistic solo, the dance of love. This was the part of the show that actually got to me and that doesn't happen often, this scene made me emotional because I truly understood it to my core. The idea that love is like a man balancing an umbrella on his head while juggling, love makes the impossible, possible, the mundane and ordinary, extraordinary. It turns every day life into fantasy. It is magic and undefinable. And my eyes filled with tears because I knew it was true and I was so happy and blessed to understand it and experience it. Thank you Queen of the Night for that one moment, for me the entire show was worth it just for that delicate and heart felt scene. The show ended with everyone getting up for a slow dance. I enjoyed how they tried to bring emotions and love out in people, I appreciate that, we need more of that. Then naturally after this love fest they started spoon feeding everyone chocolate cake from the main stage. Mmmmm.

Design:

 

The water closet

 Psychedelic serpent wallpaper in the stalls

Bartenders sport back pleaded kilts

Just like Sleep No More the performers like hanging out at the bar after the show, giving us the opportunity to gush over their superb talent, I even struck up a conversation with one of our servers who was getting a drink after the show. I asked him how he came to work there, and he said he responded to an add on Craigslist for a server in midtown, and a month later he received an email and an interview, they hired him on the spot. Awesome. That's why you have to love NYC, you never know what the heck crazy stuff you could get yourself into.

The bottom line:

All in all if you're looking to be thoroughly entertained and have a unique dining experience you should check this out. I have to admit that I was underwhelmed and a bit disappointed by the music, it was a musical let down after thinking that Mozart's Magic Flute was somehow involved. I secretly kept waiting to hear the 'Queen of the Night' Aria, that never came, but I did hear some Beyoncé... If you're going to drop millions on a renovation and design, go all the way! Get some real musicians in there, geez, with all the talent in this city it's a sin not to use it! At the very least combine pre-recorded electronic music with live musicians. They had a team of talented people design the esthetic, costumes, menu, choreography and theatrics, why allow the music to be an after thought, arrange some techno inspired Mozart!? If that's what it was, I couldn't tell. And you absolutely need a musical act after the show is over. That was a total fail. Showcase musical talent, please!

“Love, love, love, that is the soul of genius.”
 
― Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

New Year's Eve Forever

New Year's Eve

For Peter and I, NYE is one of our most special occasions, it reminds us of how blessed we are to have each other and live the lives that we have set out to live. The end of a year together, growing in love, and the beginning of a complete blank canvas of a year couldn't be more thrilling. We go big every year.

On New Year's Eve 2011 we hadn't met each other yet, that night I was at a Jon Faddis concert at the Kennedy Center with my dear friend Lily and my father, later I found out that my future father in-law was in the audience enjoying the same concert! Our first official New Year's Eve was 2012, and that is when we set the bar.  

New York City. 

Suite at The Bowery. 

Dizzy's Club Coca Cola. 

Wynton Marsalis. 

DVF Red Sequin Gown and Double Breasted Suit.  

Rickshaw ride down 9th Ave. as Times Square was letting out, all the way to the after party at Sleep No More.

 

Bowery Hotel - December 31st, 2011

Dizzy's Club Coca Cola

Jammin' on Cowbell

Even with all of that my very favorite part of the night actually happened as we were leaving Dizzy's Club Coca Cola. As you walk out of the club there are these huge windows over looking Columbus Circle and a woman with her little daughter were looking out at the festivities. The little girl turned, saw me, and she started screaming as she barreled towards me. She kept screaming, "mommy, mommy look!!! It's a princess!!!" As she ran right into my arms, I knelt down and she jumped onto my lap. She hugged me tight and smiled ear to ear. Her mother was a sweet woman, I felt a kind presence from her, as she replied, "Yes, she is a princess and that is her prince,"she wanted her to believe and have hope in something. She kept reminding her daughter to be very careful not to rip my dress, but I didn't care, I wanted to make her night as much as she was making mine. She kissed my face and gently touched the sequins of my gown. There is something indescribable about the pure and untainted joy and innocence of a child. You could tell the woman and her daughter were not very well off, but they had so much love and kindness. I think the sweet lady wanted to show her daughter something special, on such a special occasion. The little girl looked at me and exclaimed, "Are you going to leave in your magic carriage??"I replied, "yes we are." I gave her one last hug, kissed her tiny hand, and Peter and I walked out on to Columbus Circle. Every cab in the city was taken, even Uber was unavailable, then all of a sudden out of no where a man on a Rickshaw offered to give us a ride. We took our modern day magic carriage all the way down 9th Avenue, just as millions of people poured out of Times Square, making it the greatest and most memorable ride of our lives. Some things can't be planned. I was living in a fairy tale bundled up in a blanket with my prince on the back of a Rickshaw. I never saw the little girl and her mother again, but i think of them often. They were the highlight of our NYE 2012.

 

New Year's Eve 2013 is one that will live on in infamy. We started the life changing day by snorkeling around the warm crystal clear waters of St. John USVI. The last place we snorkeled was Waterlemon Cay, one of my favorite spots. As we floated around we gazed at the usual starfish, stingrays, and rainbow parrotfish that inhabit the cay.

Waterlemon Cay

 

Delicious packed lunch from Sam & Jack's Deli at Waterlemon Beach

Then, out of blue, Peter  started to rush me, when really all I wanted to do was take a leisurely swim back to shore. I remember being slightly annoyed that he was hurrying us along on such a beautiful St. John afternoon, but I reluctantly went along with him. He said he had forgotten about a year end work deadline, and needed to hurry back to submit an expense and billing report before 6pm...hmmmm. I was totally clueless. I did however note that he wouldn't let me take his briefcase through security at the airport, even though it made us miss our flight, AND he was abnormally obsessed with the whereabouts of the safe at the villa...

We returned to Daffodil Villa, and just as the sun was setting over the beautiful turquoise Caribbean water, my prince proposed marriage. It was so heavenly and dreamlike that I had to ask him 5 times if it was real and if I was dreaming. He had me believe that we were setting the camera to take pictures of the sunset, and then he pressed record, came over to me, and dropped down on one knee. I will never forget the immense effort that Peter put into making that night perfect and special. From the gorgeous setting, to the loving promises, the delicious home cooked meal that followed, and not to forget the custom designed pear-shaped Padparadsha.

Aside from that very special moment, the trip itself was unforgettable. I loved driving, swimming, and hiking around St. John as we talked about our future together and what we wanted our wedding to be like. It was so much fun. I remember waking up with the sun every morning and having butterflies of excitement in my stomach at the thought of us being husband and wife.
 

Ram Head Trail Summit

Southern most point of St. John, after a gorgeous 45 minute hike.

Salt Pond Beach

North Shore Road, always keep left!

Daffodil Villa in Fish Bay

View of Dittlif Point

Chateau Bordeaux Restaurant

Another memory from the trip that should not be over looked happened on the first day that we were in St. John together for the very first time. Once we finally arrived on the pristine island we relaxed our travel nerves with a lovely dinner at the bar at Asolare, where we met our friend Kim who we later asked to bartend our wedding. I wanted so badly to show Peter the beach that I just couldn't wait until the morning. Little did I know that during a full moon you can see the fish in the water, the trees, the sand, and the gentle lapping of the shore! It was just the two of us at Hawksnest Beach and we felt like we were on another planet, it was magical. Just above or heads to the right, nestled into the lush greenery, was Hawksview Estate, where we would be married 6 months later.

That brings us to the one year anniversary of our engagement, New Year's Eve 2014. We celebrated at Singita's Sasakwa lodge in Tanzania, Africa. (I just learned that Sasakwa was named the #1 hotel in the world by Travel & Leisure Magazine in 2011 and 2012. Hotel, is the last word I would use to describe this place, it is so much more.) They prepared the most romantic and private dinner for us in the library, complete with a roaring fire and the glass door open just enough so that we could hear the rain falling on the plains. 

 

Singita knows how to set a mood

 

A Special thanks to our friend Abraham for making this night so beautiful

My favorite course

NYE African dinner attire

As we reflected on 2013 it was almost over whelming. It will go down in history as the year of love as we  planned every detail of our wedding together, brought our family to St. John, made vows on July 13, 2013, memorialized and celebrated the life of my grandmother, and on the flip side Peter was promoted to Senior Director and asked to lead the NY/London offices,  and last but not least we finished the year deep in the heart of Tanzania for our honeymoon. I've learned, witnessed, and took part in the most love I ever have in my life, and for those reasons it is my favorite year. However, I'm not afraid to see it pass and strive for more. If 2013 was so unimaginable and dreamlike whose to say this is just the tip of the iceberg. 2014 is important and refreshing because it is the beginning of an new chapter, and I'm excited!! For me personally this is the first time I have ever really thrown caution to the wind and let new experiences, places, and people have a part in shaping my future. I want to be influenced by my surrounds and also create a new ripple that will influence and inspire my environment.

 

S+P

   
I've never really had a New Year's resolution, but a few weeks ago I decided that I do have a goal for 2014. I want to create something every single day this year, any thought, feeling, or action that is making something in an artistic manner out of nothing. I started the year off by painting a few watercolors of the unforgettable serengeti-scape, wrote a lot about Africa and the Karibu sana of the Tanzanians, and studied the wild animals of Africa and their unique mannerisms. It's hard to think of a better way to start this exciting new year. It's difficult for me to imagine a more beautiful and awe-inspiring place, not just because it's an immersion into pure nature, but the idea behind the Grumeti Reserve itself and the people that have dedicated their lives to restore and protect the land and it's inhabitants. That idea is the most beautiful part about it, being there and experiencing it is all consuming. My next several blog posts will be dedicated to everything Tanzania.

Every morning should start with Tanzanian Coffee and Watercolors...

"Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." 

- Ralph Waldo Emerson