THE JOLLY ROGER: August in #NYC (from @RSHotel)
Posted on 03. Aug, 2011 by Birdsong in Community, Hotel
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August 3, 2011 – Issue No. 2
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On behalf of the Roger Smith Community, I’m happy to share with you the second edition of The Jolly Roger. Each month we look to share an insider’s perspective on the places and happenings in NYC + hotel news, offerings, and contests. Send us a note about your stay on Twitter or Facebook or review us on Google, TripAdvisor, or Yelp. We would <3 to hear from you.
Use this QR code or click here for 10% off our best room rate!
Sincerely,
John Birdsong, Editor @Johnbirdsong
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by Galo Romero, Sales Manager @RSHotel
Beating the heat with the help of the FDNY
Whether you’re a hard-nosed New Yorker or a thrill-seeking tourist, summer in the city can be brutal and unforgiving. Just walking a few blocks in the sweltering heat can rob you of several liters of water and raise body temperatures to dangerous levels.
Most of us will duck into the comfort and shelter of an air conditioned environment, say in a restaurant or the local shopping mall. I remember that as a teenager, in the dog days of summer, if you couldn’t get a ride to the beach or find a city pool to take a relaxing dip, the best place to find solace from the heat was the local Cineplex. It was the only place I remember shivering during the middle of summer and wishing for a sweater.
For those lacking air conditioning, the local news suggests visiting a cooling center or taking a ride in a subway to take advantage of air conditioning; it made me instantly recall an episode of Married with Children when Al couldn’t afford an air conditioner and decided to move the family into the local supermarket in the episode titled “You Better Shop Around”. Now that was drastic, but I imagine it was a relief. Suffering in the heat is no laughing matter. So what are some simple suggestions one can do to beat the heat in NYC?
#1: Stay Hydrated: This is a no-brainer: drink plenty of fluids, especially plenty of water. Sweating is the body’s cooling mechanism. You’re going to sweat a lot more as the heat index rises so the body will lose water aplenty. Stay away from caffeine and alcohol which stimulates the promotion of urine and thereby dehydration. More info here.
#2: Stay in the Shade: Park yourself under a tree or beach umbrella with a good book, bask under the oblong shadows of skyscrapers, and avoid the UV rays of the sun. It’s cooler in the shade. If you don’t believe me click here.
#3: Dress for the Summer: What’cha wearing? A tight nylon long sleeved shirt? Black wool pants? Who isn’t going to sweat and melt wearing vampire clothing that strangles your skin and absorbs nine tenths of the sun? Dark clothing absorbs the sunlight, thereby increasing your body temperature. Wearing light colors will reflect the sunlight and absorb less heat. Tight clothes…how’s that comfortable? Maybe in winter but certainly not summer. Wear it loose and let the air circulate on your skin. Choose cotton and natural light fabrics over synthetics and heavy fabrics. As for tourists, the order of the day: shorts, t-shirts, and sandals. Less is more.
#4: Take it Slow: New Yorkers should take some tips from our West Coast counterparts and slow down a bit. A laid back attitude may just be the right mental prescription one needs to beat the heat. Then when things cool down again come autumn, we can revert back to the hyper-nuttiness of our lives. For those visiting Gotham… don’t rush, don’t stress, just breathe, relax, and enjoy our marvelous city : )
#5: Take a Cold Shower: Begin the day with a refreshing shower under lukewarm to moderately cool water. Then, at the end of the day, repeat and wash off that sheen of sweat and stress to rejuvenate the body. You’re body will appreciate it. Undoubtedly you may have your own preferred methods of dealing with the heat. Definitely do what’s best for you, but most of all enjoy the summer!
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by Daniel Mowles
Executive Chef, Lily’s Restaurant + Henry’s Rooftop Bar
When life gives you lemons…make soda.
One of the most refreshing drinks during summer is a homemade soda. As more and more food trends begin to grow and reach new boundaries, homemade sodas are making their way on top menus of NYC chefs. If you want to add booze feel free, just pick your poison and add away. Use about 1 part syrup to 4 parts soda, and of course plenty of ice. Here are a few of my favorites to cool off with. Here is a link to a cool soda gun you can pick up and impress your friends.
Directions for all sodas: Place ingredients in sauce pan and reduce by 1/3rd. Strain through fine sieve and chill in refrigerator. Mix a few tablespoons of syrup with ice and club soda or seltzer water. Enjoy.
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Blueberry and Thyme Syrup
2 pints Blueberries
1 qt Sugar
2 qt club soda or seltzer
Water
5 sprigs Thyme
1 tsp Citric Acid
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Lemon and Rosemary Syrup
12 Lemons (peel and juice)
1 qt Sugar
2 qt Water
1 sprig Rosemary
1 tbsp Citric Acid
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Orange and Ginger Syrup
12 Oranges (peel and juice)
1 qt Sugar
2 qt Water
1 knob Ginger (fine dice)
1 tsp Citric Acid
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(win free stuff!)
Stunning steak at Lily’s
Win a delicious prime aged porterhouse steak for two @ Lily’s Restaurant! How to Win: ‘Like’ our FB page here and answer this question with a comment on our wall.
Question: What is a prime aged steak??
One answer per person. Winner will be picked randomly and notified via facebook before September 1, 2011. Good luck!
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by Danika Druttman, The LAB Gallery
Ryan Trecartin messes with your head – click here to view video
Inside:
Where to eat afterwards: Sage General Store
Maya Zack at The Jewish Muesum
Where to eat afterwards: Yura on Madison
Where to eat afterwards: Vero
David Lachappelle at Lever House
Where to eat afterwards: Lily’s at The Roger Smith Hotel
Outdoors:
Where to eat afterwards: Industria Argentina
The Andy Monument by Rob Pruitt at Union Square
Where to eat afterwards: The Coffee Shop
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by Ulrika Bengtsson
Director of Food & Beverage @RSHotel
Lots to do downtown…
When you’re in New York don’t miss the pulse, shopping, and great food around Union Square. From Grand Central it’s just one stop with the Express Trains (4 and 5). Great Shopping on “Women mile”, 5th Avenue between 14th & 23rd Street. Whole Foods on 14th Street between Broadway & 4th is a magnificent grocery store with a wide selection of ready to eat/take out food as well. You can bring the food with you to the park or go upstairs and enjoy the view of bustling Union Square. Filene’s basement on 14th Street, at the corner of Broadway, is an outlet where you can find great bargains. Paragon Sports on Broadway & 18th Street is my go-to store when I am looking for active wear/gear. ABC on Broadway &19th Street. AMAZING. ABC Kitchen is wonderful. My favorites are the Asparagus salad and wild mushroom pizza. Dogmatic 17th between Broadway & 5th Avenue has wonderful hotdogs.
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by James Fox
Director of Sales @RSHotel
Nilaja Sun’s one woman show “No Child”
For theatre fans August is a great month: the annual Fringe NYC is in town. First, three ‘off Broadway’ plays to see before they close on August 14th: First time playwright Zach Braff (he played Dr. John Dorian on the TV series Scrubs) has penned the dark comedy ALL NEW PEOPLE. Set in a New Jersey shore beach house in the middle of January, A heartbroken Charlie (Justin Bartha) seeks solitude but is interrupted by a motley parade of misfits who show up and change his plans. Braff recently tweeted “All New People” is a pretty darn R-rated comedy … So leave the kiddies at home.” @ Second Stage Theatre, 305 West 43rd Street
Nilaja Sun’s one woman show NO CHILD…, examines the New York City Public Education system. Sun portrays the teachers, students, parents, administrators, janitors and security guards who inhabit our public schools. NO CHILD played 311 performances in 2006 and along the way won 17 awards including an Obie Award and the Outer Critic Circle Award. Tickets are priced at $40.00. @ Barrow Street Theatre, 27 Barrow Street at 7th Avenue South in Greenwich Village. www.barrowstreettheatre.com
Academy Award nominee Danny Aiello (Do the Right Thing) stars in Susan Charlotte’s THE SHOEMAKER. The story, as audiences discover about 10 minutes into the play, unfolds on September 11, 2001. Set in New York’s Hell’s Kitchen, the drama focuses on a shoemaker, an Italian Jew, who confronts yet another part of his past, present and an uncertain future. Each performance will be followed with a Q & A with Aiello. @ Acorn Theater, 410 West 42 Street
Opening August 9th for a limited run through September 9th is the U.S. premiere of British playwright Simon Stephen’s BLUEBIRD with Olivier Award-winning actor Simon Russell Beale (Spamalot). Here’s how the Atlantic Theater explains the play: “Jimmy MacNeill (Beale) is a London taxi driver who seems to draw personal stories and confessions from his passengers without even trying. Over the course of Simon Stephens’ meticulously observed and deeply compassionate play, the truth of Jimmy’s own life and secret burdens unfurls with each new fare.” @ Atlantic Theater, 330 West 16 Street. www.atlantictheater.org
The big theatre news is the Fringe NYC, celebrating it’s 15th Anniversary August 12-28, 2011, The two week festival, spread across several Manhattan downtown neighborhoods, is the largest multi-arts festival in North America with more than 200 companies from all over the world. With 200 shows at 18 venues there will be something you will want to see.
With titles like “The Brady Bunch: The War of the Families Partridge and Brady”, “Lipshtick”, “The Miss Teen Jesus Pageant”, and “Zombie Wedding” you can expect a unique theatre experience. On a serious side there is “The Rubber Room” a play about what happens when a teacher in New York City is accused of misconduct or incompetence in the classroom. They are sent to the ‘Rubber Room’ while an investigation is launched. They spend months or even years there getting full pay and doing nothing.
You can review all the shows online @ www.fringenyc.org
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by James Knowles
CEO & Artist in Residence @RSHotel
Anna Burden Sings “You’re Gonna Miss Me” (click here to watch)
Everywhere I look music is playing. This music changes me. Some is tonal, some is percussive, some is voice raised in song, the sound of the poets, the melodic line. Some are the odd sounds of a composer and a player. Someone plays the flute. Street noise, street players, street poets, and some playing musical breakfast songs on orange juice glasses, coffee mugs, cereal bowls and spoons. We see a girl playing on a cup rhythmically singing a song, her video.
“Almost every one of the 800+ videos we have produced for Roger Smith News have a musical element, if not a desire, and a playful connection between musical and visual ideas.”
I’m interested in the sounds of our music. The sounds of our environment. The risks music. The intent to be playful. There’s the development and contribution of the person who puts these musical things together which gives to us all. Some perhaps self-conscious. Some practiced and some full of themselves. Some you can appreciate in different ways, but I’m here to say that I am interested in the music.
I look at my little grandson James. He is listening to Peter and the Wolf. I listen to the crying of new little babies or the early morning singing of my local birds.
This music changes me.
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by John Birdsong
New Media Director @RSHotel, Editor, TheJollyRoger
Henry’s is named after an adorable Boston Terrier. No joke.
Henry’s Rooftop bar has been named by Frommer’s Travel Guide as one of the best new rooftop bars in NYC (article here). Amazing drinks and an innovative menu make this laid-back rooftop bar stand out from the crowd, and with a fresh summer menu focused on hot dogs + beer, Henry’s is the perfect place to unwind after work with good company. Join us! Full menu here.
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http://facebook.com/rogersmithhotel
http://youtube.com/rogersmithnews
http://flickr.com/rogersmithhotel
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mmmm…artery clogging deliciousness
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FYI: When you check-in to @RSHotel or Lily’s Restaurant on Foursquare or FB you unlock a special: Free coffee, tea, or #bacon any time of day ; )
Use this QR code or click here for 10% off our best room rate!
Let us know what you think of The Jolly Roger. Send submissions or suggestions to
Jbirdsong@rogersmith.com or @RSHotel Have a great summer! See you in NYC : )
The Roger Smith is a hub for social media in #NYC. People. Art. Food. Wine. For 10% off our best available rooms rate: bit.ly/RSrooms
twitter: twitter.com/rshotel
fb: facebook.com/rogersmithhotel
blog: bit.ly/RSlife
web: rogersmith.com/
Transitions
Posted on 05. May, 2011 by AdamWallace in Community, Hotel
by Adam Wallace
In the fall of 2006, I came to the Roger Smith Hotel to work with John Knowles to start a video-based website for the hotel called Roger Smith News (now RogerSmithLife). The idea was to create a site that would tell stories through video about all areas of the hotel community. This was certainly an unconventional idea at the time and a forward-thinking investment by James Knowles, CEO (and artist-in-residence) of the Roger Smith. As opportunities on the Internet expanded, the hotel increased its commitment in the online space and I moved into the position of director of digital marketing.
With the combined efforts of many at the hotel including the creativity of John Knowles and his Panman Productions team, Brian Simpson’s passion for connecting with people, a cutting edge arts program run by Matt Semler, and a great community in the social media scene, we were able to build a colorful, dynamic and engaged online presence. The vision, leadership and unwavering support of James Knowles made all of this possible.
Encouraged by this amazing experience with a pioneering team, I have decided to move on to the next adventures. I am excited to watch the Roger Smith Hotel’s online presence continue to flourish. John Birdsong will take the lead on media, website work and online engagement. John Knowles will innovate and lead many of the marketing initiatives at the hotel. Ek Wongleecharoen, Matt Semler and Danika Druttman will also be very involved in the Roger Smith’s online communications.
As for me, I am exploring opportunities both in New York and San Francisco and am looking forward to all that is to come. Below you can find contact information for me and for all who are involved at the Roger Smith.
Thank you to everyone at the Roger Smith Hotel for this phenomenal opportunity. I am proud of what we have accomplished. I will always be a loyal RSH supporter and will always be one of the many “Roger Smiths”.
To all of our friends in the great community that has developed at the hotel, the Roger Smith’s commitment to you and to the online space is strong and continuing to grow. The team at the hotel is looking forward to seeing you all soon at events and around the hotel. (I can assure you that you will find me up at Henry’s Rooftop Bar for a drink this summer).
All the best,
Contacts at the Roger Smith Hotel:
For rooms questions and bookings:
Mai Yoo (mai at rogersmith.com)
For events questions and bookings:
Martha Rodriguez (martha at roger smith.com)
Online Team:
John Knowles: jknowles at panmanproductions.com
John Birdsong: jbirdsong at rogersmith.com
Matt Semler: msemler at rogersmith.com
Ek Wongleecharoen: ek at rogersmith.com
Danika Druttman: danika at rogersmith.com
My Contact Info:
Email: Adam at AdamJWallace.com
AdamjWallace.com
Twitter.com/Adwal
Facebook.com/Adwal
(917) 558 7396
@RSHotel #PingPong4Japan //Charity Ping-Pong + Cash Bar (4/6/11 – 4/8/11)
Posted on 06. Apr, 2011 by Birdsong in Events, Hotel
#PingPong4Japan (please use this hashtag when tweeting)
Come play ping-pong @RSHotel (and do good).
Tonight – Friday
5-9pm
47th and Lexington @TheLabGallery
$10 per game (loser pays winner stays)
Full cash bar
Hosted by @RSHotel and @TheLabGallery
Featuring: Impulse – an installation by Mark Dean Veca (video interview with artist)
Ping-Pong game proceeds go directly to the Japan Society
Donate directly to the Japan Society here
bARTcelona, Barcelona International Contemporary Art Prize 2010
Posted on 09. Nov, 2010 by admin in Arts, Community
by Vicenç Alcalde, from Barcelona
Few months ago we decided to re-launch the idea of expanding the arts outside Manhattan, so we started in Barcelona.
The chosen event was bARTcelona, an organized by a totally reconverted shopping mall in the city that has become a new cultural, technological and artistic meeting point in Barcelona.
Their idea for the event was to take New York to Barcelona (we all know it’s not easy…), but they are trying with new openings of Apple Store, Hollister CO, Guess, Starbucks…
Following with the Roger Smith commitment to arts, we found this event too exciting that we had to participate somehow.
The idea was to combine an open contest for worldwide artists for a showcase exhibition and art battles to put face-to-face street artists from Barcelona and New York.
For the first part of the event, more than 200 pieces of work applied, but only the 20 selected were showed in the shopping mall.
For the second, 4 selected artists from Barcelona and 4 selected artists from New York City were creating live their art, from a plane canvas to a completely deep painting.
It’s been really exciting having the opportunity of taking a close view of the artist’s evolution on the 3 weekends of the event that took place on late October 2010. The artists exchanged their experiences and even coming from very different art scenes, they both did an outstanding job and people loved their performances.
The winner of the Barcelona art battles group is going to enjoy a complimentary stay in one of the Deluxe Suites at the Roger Smith Hotel, as well as the winner of the raffle on the VIP night where many famous designers, like Javier Mariscal or Desigual, shared the stage with Spanish hip hop singers and dancers like Rafael Amargo.
We just can’t wait for the 2011 edition!!
Video of the 1st art battle held on the street before they started on the shopping mall
Link for winners and showcased works
Vicenç Alcalde
Business Development
Archingbridge ˆ team roger smith
Three Day Weekend = Three Cool Friends !
Posted on 28. May, 2010 by BrianSimpson in Community, Events, Hotel
We are lucky here at the roger smith hotel to have an inspiring, creative and passionate group of loyal friends that support us on many levels. As a small token of our appreciation and in an attempt to repay what these people bring to our community, we will be featuring three new people every Friday as our ‘follow Friday’ list. Follow Friday, a concept born from the creative mind of Micah Baldwin, has lost some of what we believe Micah started it for, purpose. Do not get us wrong, when @RSHotel shows up in any #FF or #FollowFriday lists it is an honor. What seems to have happened though is too many people are trying too hard to pay homage to their friends without truly letting us know: who, what or why these ‘lists’ of people are worth following.
Have you ever taken a road trip? Not a day trip. What I am talking about is a multi-day excursion encompassing different states, cultures and obstacles along the way. If you do this alone it can be fun, do it with a group of people and it becomes life changing. In March I was lucky to be a part of an initiative by Chevy in which eight groups from around the country were given the opportunity to drive to SXSW in Austin, TX. There were five of us: Me, two people I knew well, one I had just met and lastly one I didn’t meet until the morning of our departure. Three of these people live in NYC and they are my Follow Friday focus this week. Khayyam Wakil, one of the five will appear in a future post… for now he gets this brief cameo (luv ya buddy)
When you are in a car for four days with people the trials and tribulations can either make you want to kill them, hug them, laugh with them, cry with them and in this case all of the above 
Most importantly you get to ‘live’ with them. Not as acquaintances, not as someone you nod to at a cocktail party – you get to experience their idiosyncrasies – what really makes them click.
I was honored to travel with this group, they added value to my life and have the innate ability to be genuine, outspoken and stand behind their values. For this I applaud them, embrace them as friends and strongly encourage you to do the same.
Sarah Simmons: Hands-down the Matriarch of the Chevy Tahoe. The voice of reason, organizer of insanity and most of all – just one of the most wonderful people to have a conversation with.
Nick McGlynn: Opposite of Sarah – Creator of insanity, A.D.D. overload master and photographer extraordinaire. Nick also possessed a skill none of us could match… he, for some reason, was the ONLY person that could consistently communicate with the On-Star ‘voice’. Thank you N-I-C-K !.
Jessica Randazza: PR and networking genius. Jessica kept us laughing, kept us calm and most of all was the ‘smile’ of the group. Willing to do anything for the cause- dressing in tinfoil, arm-wrestling a diner cook and getting a Chevy tattoo (in Sharpie). Most of all a loyal friend.
As we head into this long holiday weekend remember this:
Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation’s service. Memorial Day is about reconciliation; it is about coming together to honor those who gave their all. I strongly believe the three people I featured this week give there all every day and I am lucky to call them friends.
Have a Safe and enjoyable Memorial Day Weekend.
B
Sarah Simmons:
Sarah is Food and Wine magazine’s Home Cook Superstar. Sarah spends her days crafting new recipes and making instructional cooking videos in the hopes of helping others to become superstars in their own kitchens.
Tell her what you want to make!
Twitter: @SarahmcSimmons
Blog: homecooksuperstar
Nick McGlynn:
Nick currently does freelance event photography for various companies including his own site Random Night Out. Most recent full time job was at Gawker Media where Nick worked in their video department editing clips and managing interns. He also throw a monthly media event called Obliterati.
Twitter: @NMcglynn
Blog: nickmcglynn.com
Jessica Randazza:
A public relations and social media strategist for a global public relations agency with an extensive focus on nonprofit and consumer and currently resides in New York City.Its Jessica’s mission and desire to stay engaged in emerging technologies that enhance the way that consumers and individuals connect online. Which means she spends a lot of time on her iPhone — in fact she never puts it down.
She’s also is co-founder of ColdPavement, an exercise in meeting and talking with people you may or may not know in the communications field.
A graduate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, vegetarian cook extraordinaire, shoe enthusiast, struggling seamstress and yogini.
Twitter: @JessicaRandazza
Blog: jessicarandazza .com
The #140 Conference on Ustream!
Posted on 21. Apr, 2010 by Editor in Community, Events, Hotel
The 140 Characters Conference: New York City (#140conf) will be taking place April 20-21, 2010 at the 92nd Street Y. This event is shaping up to being the largest worldwide gathering of people interested in the effects of the real-time Internet on both business and “we” the people.
Our event is mostly sold-out. The remaining tickets available for #140conf NYC are one day passes to attend on Wednesday, April 21st. If you would like to network with the #140conf NYC community, please consider purchasing a ticket for our networking party on the evening of April 20th. #140conf NYC will be broadcast live in it’s entirety on UStream. Please join the broadcast over at:http://www.ustream.tv/nyc140conf.
The format at the #140conf events is unique. Individual talks 10 minutes, keynotes are 15 minutes and panel discussions are no more than 20 minutes. During the course of the two days more than 140 people will share the stage at the 92nd Street Y in about 70 sessions. To get a feel of the energy you may experience in April, click here to review the videos from the 2009 #140conf NYC.
At #140conf NYC we will be taking a hard look at something Jeff Pulver calls “The State of NOW” and the continued effects the worldwide adoption of social communication platforms such as twitter is having on a number of industries including: Celebrity, “The Media”, Advertising, Politics, Education, Music, Television, Comedy, Real Estate, Public Policy and more.
The take aways from this event will provide the attending delegates knowledge, perspectives and insights to the next wave of effects twitter and the real-time internet will have on business in 2010 and beyond.
#140conf Los Angeles will be taking place October 5/6 and #140conf London will be taking place October 26/27. If you are interested in speaking and/or sponsoring these events, please contact Jeff Pulver.
David Spark interviews @jeffpulver with his take on #140conf and the Real-Time web while at SXSW 2010
Welcoming the Swedish “Chefs of the Year”
Posted on 25. Mar, 2010 by AdamWallace in Hotel, Lily's Restaurant
We are very happy to be hosting the top chefs of Sweden here at the Roger Smith Hotel!
A Picture Is Worth A Thousand ‘Check-Ins’
Posted on 20. Feb, 2010 by BrianSimpson in Community, Hotel, Lily's Restaurant
Last Thursday afternoon I received a call from my friend Julia Roy. Julia had been approached by Susan Dominus, of The New York Times, to participate in an article Susan was doing on the social network FourSquare. Julia asked if it would be O.K. to do the interview at Roger Smith Hotel. Her reasoning was to hopefully include other FourSquare users in the article. (on most nights there is someone here “Checking-In” on FourSquare) This gesture alone shows why people like Julia excel in social media. FourSquare is a way of sharing your dining, shopping, traveling, museum hoping, train riding and sight seeing experiences with other people.
FourSquare is about the strength of community. To quote Kenneth Hartley Blanchard “None of us is as smart as all of us.” Julia could have done the interview on her own and it would have been great. She would have shared it, the twitterverse would have re-tweeted it and the world would continue to spin about one thousand miles per hour. Instead, Julia recognizes the greater strength and potential energy of community. Everyone has an audience: Damien consults on building your companies brand. Clay has studied under Seth Godin and now assists a variety of businesses with their overall strategies. Jill has a loyal community on YouTube as a videographer that surpasses most of its users. I (Brian Simpson) work at Roger Smith, a hotel that has become a go-to business for all types of social media personalities.
Collectively the story became what platforms like FourSquare stand for… connecting friends and strangers with commonalities to create conversation.
Jill Hanner's NYSC Mayorship
It was a great night and we at The Roger Smith Hotel wanted to thank Julia for including us. I/we would also like to thank Jill, Clay and Damien for sharing their unique and individual insights as to why FourSquare is important to them.
“Beyond Twitter: An App That Truly Lets You See City”
JOIN FOURSQUARE NOW: Here
Susan Dominus
Special thanks to: Susan Dominus, writer for the NYT and Nicole Tung Photographer for the NYT
Pedro Sousa Photography Exhibit in the Roger Smith Lobby Gallery
Posted on 30. Jan, 2010 by aleksdegtyarev in Art at Roger Smith, Arts, Hotel
The Exhibit is Open: January 4 – March 12, 2010 Roger Smith Hotel Lobby Gallery 501 Lexington Ave. The Opening Party: 2.26.10 Time: 7:30pm @ Roger Smith Solarium Gallery
Last Studio Visit by Marlo Brown
Pedro Sousa and I have an enduring relationship; for a long time he wanted to kill me. His rage towards me wasn’t unwarranted. If you know anything about me, Marlo, you wouldn’t suspect otherwise.
In 2000 we were both attending Stony Brook University. Pedro had a sweet studio on the fourth floor of Staller Art Center. He was sharing the space with several artists and it was no-holds-barred-art-making-central.
Pedro is a photographer, so naturally he kept his tools at his studio space. Why wouldn’t he? It’s not like anyone went back home in those days or took days off from making art-stuff. While other artists prized their brushes and oil paints, Pedro’s payload was about eight cameras and loads of lenses.
On one particular day I remember visiting the collective studio space. A girlfriend of mine hung out with that crew and she probably wanted to see her ex-boyfriend who shared the studio with Pedro. To say I knew these art-folk would be an over statement. I maybe had met some of them once or twice. It’s a good bet I didn’t know anyones’ name. And if Pedro was telling this story, I’m pretty certain he would stress the exclusive nature of those studios. This was a tight knit community to which I wasn’t even worth spitting on. I was a freshman, but i certainly did not regard myself as such.
Back in those days I wasn’t easily impressed. Everything and everyone, that is, besides me, was “pretentious.” Being in a room of older more “established” males was not doing anything positive for my ego. Clearly these were a bunch of pretentious dicks! With a judgment of that caliber I took out a cigarette and lit it.
I almost remember smoking it out the window…
That was it. The rest was related by Pedro in a death threat back to my girlfriend of that time. He accused me of burning down the studio, but in more visceral words than that. To this day no one really knows if the cigarette I was smoking was the cause of the fire. One party believed it was. I believed otherwise.
What’s more, nobody cared for apologies which later morphed into half-excuses. In fact, certain members of that studio still consider me an arsonist and a prick, and I very well maybe a prick. But, I can tell you dear reader, that it was not my intention to create this animosity nor to burn down any studio.
Why am I telling this story here? Well, it’s a testament to Pedro really. He lost the most in that studio and at the same time he was the first to forgive me. After we moved on beyond that mishap, I was able to clearly see that here was a guy that was neither pretentious nor a prick.
Pedro is one of the most driven guys I know. He’s got the skills to rally people for a cause. To get shit done! Straight out of college he opened a gallery in a dead art zone known as Long Island. It is a miracle that his space held out for six years –packing out the house at every opening.
That was almost all Pedro’s work. While others spoke of a vision he executed his. He enabled other artists and himself by having a space to show work. For artists that is a huge deal! Having an art show means that you must produce. If you keep producing your work matures, you build a portfolio worth showing, collectors become interested, etc. Pedro fostered not only this space but its culture as well. He created a community where people could experiment and show those experiments. I was no exception.
Under terms that I would not burn down the gallery Pedro let me into this culture. I felt a belonging and now other people were looking at me as the pretentious dick. It was a great feeling. We were able to pull off all sorts of great events and spectacles: film festivals, experimental video nights, vaudeville art shows and other performances. The space like the people around it were in constant evolution.
When Pedro closed the gallery it was a surprise, but he listed the fact that he was spending too much time doing administrative work and not enough time producing art as a major factor. Sure, now that I am curating both the Solarium Art Gallery and the Lobby Gallery at the Roger Smith Hotel, I can relate. That is why I proposed an art show to Pedro as well as a co-curatorial role.
That is the relevance of community, of friendship, of culture. It is the ability of relation. To be able to relate is far beyond understanding. That is the torch that we carry and pass to each other. Back and forth it goes…
Julia, a dog named Waffle & The Ghost of Roger Smith
Posted on 21. Jan, 2010 by BrianSimpson in Community, Events, Hotel
Last night in the Penthouse of The Roger Smith Hotel Matt Semler & Danika Druttman, of The Lab Gallery, along with Julia Kaganskiy (MoMA) hosted a gathering of arts and tech enthusiasts. The main purpose was the introduction of smART Camp, a weekend long event in March, that will bring together influential artists, social network professionals and a community of people looking at ways the two are utilized for the exposure, education and sales for the art world.
The hotel, as many of you know, has a mysterious energy that seems to bring out the storyteller in all of its visitors, last night was no exception.
If you are skeptical… don’t believe me, believe Julia, Michelle Adam and a dog named Waffle.
