The Solarium at The Roger Smith Hotel
501 Lexington Ave, at 47th Street, New York NY 10017
Cross Street: 47th Street and Lexington Avenue
Subway: E, 6, V to 53rd and Lexington or 4, 5, 6, 7 to Grand Central
Tickets: $15 (paid at door, cash only)

Reservations: call 212.339.2092 or email rogersmitharts@rogersmith.com
Find more information about the series HERE

The series is co-sponsored by the New York City Classical Guitar Society.

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THE JOLLY

ROGER

a monthly publication by the roger smith hotel

July 1, 2011 – Issue No. 1

“We don’t just

love NYC.

We live here.”

The Roger Smith Hotel is thrilled to present the inaugural online edition of The Jolly Roger, a short monthly newsletter aiming to shed light on the vibrancy and culture of New York City. Inside you’ll find travel resources, tips, restaurant and theater reviews, live music listings, stuff to do with kids, and more. If you are planning on coming to NYC in July, you can use this link for 10% off our best room rate.

Hope to see you soon,

John Birdsong, Editor

@johnbirdsong

“Lobster Hot Dog.”

Kosher Beef Hot Dog with Lobster @RSHenrys

libations

By Kevin Gill, Restaurant Manager – Lily’s Restaurant

+ Henry’s Rooftop Bar

A trifecta of Sixpoint pints

Sixpoint Brewery is a local brewery in Red Hook, Brooklyn founded in 2005. They love Brooklyn and create styles of beer to capture its essence, focusing on the growing community of artists and creative spirit. The Sweet Action Ale is a unique cream ale that focuses on the simple balancing of malts and hops. It has 33 IBUS (International Bittering Units) and an ABC of 5.2%.

What is a cream ale? A cream ale is based on the American light lager, however it is an ale that is finished with lager yeast.  It is generally subdued in the malt and hop characteristics, but Sixpoint decided to break that definition. It finishes its fermentation as a lager but starts as an ale. This gives the beer a crispness that is associated with lagers, and more yeasty flavor normally associated with ales. Enjoy a cold Sweet Action at Henry’s Rooftop Bar. Fact: It’s on the sixteenth floor of @RSHotel.

eat what?

by John Birdsong, Editor

A feast for the eyes and the stomach at Fette Sau

Fette Sau. Hands down the best BBQ in NYC. This Williamsburg, Brooklyn BBQ joint serves up meat like no other NYC establishment. The meats are smoked, which distinguishes it from most other “BBQ” you’ll find in the city. Since Fette Sau is in BKLYN they are able to get around Manhattan fire codes and give meat the wood smoke it needs to taste awesome (tip: try the brisket). With communal indoor and outdoor seating, it’s the perfect place to meet friends or make new ones. Take the 4/5/6 train to Union Square then the L train to the Bedford stop in Brooklyn. Pro – Heritage pork, grass fed beef, a massive bourbon selection, and beer by the gallon Con – It gets super crowded on weekends in the summer and seating can be hard to find Rating: 3 out of 4 rib bones.

Check out our new summer menus for Henry’s Roof-top Bar and Lily’s Restaurant (video)

on the stage

by James Fox, Director of Sales @RSHotel

A scene from Tony Award winning “The Book of Mormon”

After the Tony Awards, the hot tickets are War Horse and the House of Mormon.  These shows will be around for a while and may be hard to get.  Here are some options, good through the summer, that are more accessible and affordable:

Terence McNally’s Master Class returns to Broadway with Tyne Daly as opera diva Maria Callas in a drama of her late-life career as a teacher. Runs through Aug. 14 @ Samuel J. Friedman Theatre.

Hair depicts the birth of a cultural movement in the ’60s as told through a tribe of hopeful hippies living in New York City, while war rages in
Vietnam. Runs from 7/5 – 9/10/11. Rent, Jonathan Larson’s Tony and Pulitzer Prize Award winning musical tells an inspiring story about friends and artists struggling in New York City’s East Village. Rent tackles addiction, poverty, AIDS, and most of all love. At the New World Stages Jul.14-Aug. 11^th

Death Takes a Holiday - a new musical of a 1920s play, made into a film in 1934 with Frederic March and remade as Meet Joe Black with Brad Pitt in 1998 stars British actor Julian Ovenden as Death who arrives in an Italian villa shortly after World War I and falls in love with a newly engaged young woman. Runs July 14 – September 4^th @ Laura Pels Theatre.

Imaginocean – John Tartaglia, of Avenue Q fame, has created a magical musical undersea adventure for kids of all ages. Performed in the dark with black light
puppets taking center stage it is the story of three fish that set out on a remarkable journey of discovery. At the New World Stages – Matinee shows Wed/Sat/Sun through Sep. 4^th

Shakespeare in the Park has one of New York City’s most beloved summer traditions. For 57 years New York natives and visitors alike have been enjoying free Shakespeare in Central Park. Catch Measure for Measure or All’s Well That Ends Well this summer.  Free tickets are distributed via the free lines at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park, and on the web via their Virtual Ticketing system.

kids(what the heck do you do with them?)

by John Birdsong, Editor

Cooling off in summer-time

Since I don’t have any kids of my own (for now) I’m going to leave this one up to the experts at Timeout NY Kids that have compiled this awesome list of stuff to do with the munchkins this July. TimeoutKid’s July List

LIVE music

by Phoebe Knowles, V.P. @RSHotel & John Birdsong, Editor

Stone Temple Pilots stooping it up

John – NYC is a mecca for live music. With venues like MSG, Radio City, and countless others there’s something
for every ear. Blast From the Past. July 25th, Stone Temple Pilots @ Williamsburg Waterfront. OMG. If you’re like me, high school in the 90’s consisted of lots of Nirvana, STP, Soundgarden, (enter random grunge band here). Let’s hope these aging rockers have the energy to entertain a new generation of music lovers. Buy tix here.

Phoebe – Central Park Summerstage – Concerts are free, the beverage sponsors are Magic Hat and City Winery (makes for great drink options!), bring snacks and a picnic blanket (no glass bottles…we learned the hard way), spend the evening listening to cool world music.  For the free events, you can’t reserve tickets, it’s a first come/first served system.  My friends and I got in line around 6:15 for a 7:00 Jarabe de Palo/Ely Guerra/Novalima show…things seemed a little hopeless as the line wrapped way around the park and we couldn’t even see the SummerStage entrance from the line’s end…but sure enough, once people started to move, in we went…along with about 3,997 other Latin music fans from New York!   Here is a schedule of free music events - www.summerstage.org

There are way too many concerts to list here, so we’ll direct you to a few of our go-to resources for concert listings: Village Voice, Brooklyn Vegan, Ticketmaster.

at the lab gallery

Helen Dennis – Projected Drawings – July 8 – Sept 2

Helen’s work is rooted in the built world of the urban environment. She uses architecture to develop her layered drawings, which are entwined into the photographic process and directly used as
negatives to create photographic drawings. Using the space at The LAB Gallery, Helen will push the concept of her process further. Through manipulation of the space, she will project the outside environment directly into the exhibition space, turning it into a camera obscura. From within, her drawings will unfold to engulf the space and thus, magnify the nuances of urban life. The passage of time and movement on the streets outside will be depicted as Helen’s drawings grow over the duration of the project. The Lab Gallery Presents: Helen Dennis Studio Visit (video) Helen Dennis was born in the UK and now resides in Brooklyn, NY. She studied her BA (Honors) at the University of the Creative Arts in Canterbury and achieved her MFA at Hunter College in 2005. Dennis has been awarded a fellowship from Aljira Center for Contemporary Art as well as a photographic fellowship from The International House, NYC. Dennis has attended art residencies in Beijing, Cyprus and most recently Iceland. She has participated in various exhibitions worldwide and in the US with the support of Queens Council of the Arts, Kent County Council, New Jersey State Council on the Arts, South East Arts UK and the National Lottery Arts Fund for the UK. Dennis’ public art installations have been commissioned by the Downtown Alliance of New York and NoLongerEmpty. www.helendennis.com

cesar’s picks

by Cesar Avery, G.M. @RSHotel

You’ll find ‘Paradise’ in the Bronx (if you’re a Yankees fan).

Here are Cesar’s top five things to do in NYC in July/Summer. How many can you do in one day??

1.  Yankees Game

2.  A walk on the High Line

3.  Driving Range at Chelsea Piers

4.  Bowling at Bowlmor in Times Square

5.  Bike ride in Central Park.  You can rent, or bring your own.

at rspop shop:

kt collection

by Melissa Gonzalez,CEO – Lionesquemedia – @Lionesquestyle

Inspired by NYC’s fashion world, Katie knows how to mix the city’s edgy street style with timeless gold and silver designs. She is an expert at hunting down meaningful pieces from her travels and creating classic pieces that can be worn from season to season. KT Collection Opens Shop at RS POP Shop July 2011

Fusing Classic Lines with Urban Flair, designer Katie Thompson is bringing KT Collection to RSPOP Shop for July 2011. Inspired by NYC’s fashion world, Katie knows how to mix the city’s edgy street style with timeless gold and silver designs. She is a expert at hunting down meaningful pieces from her travels and creating classic pieces that can be worn from season to season.

KT Collection (video)

in other awesome news

by John Birdsong, Editor

Rainbowed-out Imperial Guard

New York State just approved same sex marriage!!! The Roger Smith Hotel in NYC is a perfect place to have a small wedding. We would be thrilled to host your special day + we offer
in–house party planning, floral arrangement, catering and wedding videography services. Email Events Manager Martha Rodriguez for a site inspection. What you need to know about same sex marriage in NYC via NYCGo.com

ask an intern

by management trainee Emma Fagerhov

Those are actually our interns.

It’s summer in New York, and with the beautiful weather, the city has a lot to offer. Here come the Roger Smith Interns’ Top 5 things to do in NYC during the summer:

1. Visit Six Flags Great Adventure – All interns

2. Enjoy a run through Central Park in the morning sun – Emma Fagerhov

3. Spend the day at one of NY’s rooftop pools with a drink – Oscar Wallen

4. Taking a walk in Central Park – Javier Bisbal

5. Going to Coney Island to the beach – Marta Ferrando

travel resources

GoNYC.com

MTA.info

Thereare a million things to do in NYC. Book your stay @RSHotel here for 10% off our best room rate.

other places to find us online

http://rogersmith.com

http://rogersmithlife.com

http://rslilys.com

http://youtube.com/rogersmithnews

http://flickr.com/rogersmithhotel

Letus know what you think of The Jolly Roger.

Sendsubmissions or suggestions to Jbirdsong@rogersmith.com

Sky-high dining at Henry’s Rooftop Bar @RSHotel

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/

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December 7th – Part 1

December 7th – Part 2

December 8th – Part 1

December 8th – Part 2

Meet Some of Our Favorite Designers & Musician for the 2010 Holiday Season

Share the gift of being cutting edge! Get a jump start on the holidays at RS POP Holiday Bazaar and shop from the next big IT designer.

www.modalistas.com

But the fusion doesn’t stop at apparel & accessories, with both nights showcasing an invite-only group of artists brought to you by FOLK YEAH! Productions including:

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501 Lexington Ave, at 47th Street, New York NY 10017 (map)

Cross Street: 47th Street and Lexington Avenue
Subway: E, 6, V to 53rd and Lexington or 4, 5, 6, 7 to Grand Central
Tickets: $15 includes cheese and wine (cash only, paid at door)
Reservations: Please contact Danika Druttman on 212.339.2092 or email rogersmitharts@rogersmith.com

Schedule:

September 12^th 2010, 4pm: Simon Powis

A passionate and expressive style coupled with a formidable technique has garnered attention for Simon Powis as a talented soloist, chamber musician and innovator. Growing up in Sydney, Australia, Powis began his studies at the age of five on the cornet. Inspired by his brother’s musical pursuits he took up the guitar at age eleven and began an enduring obsession that would result in performances throughout Europe, Australia and the Americas.

October 10th 2010, 4pm: Irene Gómez

Born in Bogotá, Colombia, Irene Gómez graduated with the gold medal in guitar and chamber music at the Conservatory Claude Debussy in Saint Germain en Laye, France, with maestro Javier Quevedo. She was the first guitarist to graduate from the National University in Bogotá with maestro Ramiro Isaza. Gómez has released four albums with contrasting repertoires that have been highly acclaimed. Irene has toured extensively in France, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Germany, The United States, and Colombia. She has both taught and coordinated the Guitar Program at the National University in Bogotá, and in the fall of 2010 will be relocating to New York to study at The Juilliard School with Sharon Isbin.

November 14th 2010, 4pm: Michael Nicolella

With a repertoire spanning from J.S. Bach to Jimi Hendrix, Michael Nicolella is recognized as one of America’s most innovative classical guitar virtuosos. He has received wide critical acclaim for his performances, recordings and compositions. As a concert artist, Michael has performed throughout North America and Europe as solo recitalist, chamber musician and soloist with orchestra. Nicolella’s most recent album, Shard, was described in Frets magazine as “an exciting textbook on how to honor classical tradition and kick it in the ass at the same time”.

January 9th 2011, 4pm: The Back Bay Guitar Trio

“The Back Bay Guitar Trio can conjure a sweet choir of angels or rip into the strings with the percussive fervor of a jazz drummer.” The Boston Globe

The Trio formed in 2002 and has performed throughout New England from Dartmouth College and Longy School of Music to Berklee College and The House of Blues.  . The BBGT have also been featured artists at the world renowned Boston Hatch Shell, the Boston Classical Guitar Society concert series, and have opened for guitarist Al Dimeola at the Lebanon (NH) Opera House.

February 13th 2011, 4pm: Tracy Anne Smith

Called “a great musician…full of feeling and colors,” by composer Jacques Hétu, Tracy Anne Smith is garnering increasing praise for her expressive performances, rich tonal palette and musical control. Cuban guitarist/composer Leo Brouwer praised her “polyphonic hands” and “tremendous sound” while American virtuoso Benjamin Verdery commended her “ability to express the emotion of a work to its core.” Even 80’s icon Sinbad offered, “I don’t know what she’s doing — but I know it’s deep.”

March 13th 2011, 4pm: Isaac Bustos

Classical Guitarist Isaac Bustos enjoys an extensive performing career that has taken him to Canada, Central America, Europe and all over The United States.  Bustos has gained critical acclaim and is recognized as one of the top guitarists of his generation.  He has made radio and television appearances and has been invited to perform in some of the most prestigious festivals: Guitar Foundation of America Annual Convention, Portland Guitar Festival, Southwest Guitar Festival, Brownsville Guitar Festival and the Classical Minds Festival.  Bustos has appeared as a soloist with the Orchestra of New Spain, The Baytown Symphony Orchestra, The Nicaraguan National Symphony Orchestra and the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Maestro JoAnn Falletta.

April 10th 2011, 4pm: Nicolas Ciraldo

Praised as “an exceptionally musical and accomplished guitarist,” Nicholas Ciraldo is a leader among his generation of American classical guitarists. He has won awards and reached high levels at several prestigious solo competitions, including the Tredrez-Locquemau International Guitar Competition (France), twice at the MTNA Guitar Competition (USA), the Gaetano Zinetti International Chamber Music Competition (Italy), the GFA Solo Guitar Competition (USA), and the Portland International Guitar Competition (USA). Ciraldo has enjoyed numerous solo, chamber, and concerto performances throughout the United States, South America, and Europe, from Boston’s Jordan Hall to Berlin’s Berliner Dom to Brazil’s Teatro José Maria Santos.

May 8th 2011, 4pm: Lynn McGrath

While studying Spanish as a foreign exchange student in Mexico, Lynn McGrath bought a guitar on a whim and asked a visiting professor (Alfredo Sanchez) for lessons, never imagining that years later she would be invited back as a professional musician. Since then, Lynn received her Master and Doctorate of Musical Arts Degree from USC and has studied with some of today’s most prominent guitarists including William Kanengiser and Pepe Romero.  She has performed in many international festivals including the XIX Festival Internacional de Guitarra (Lima, Peru), the Guitar on the Mediterranean Festival (Italy), the Nikšić Festival (Montenegro), the III Muestra de Guitarra Ajijic (Mexico) and the 2009 GFA Convention. In her unique rendition of Platero y yo by Castelnuovo-Tedesco, she has astounded audiences and received critical acclaim by performing the role of guitarist and narrator simultaneously. She serves as the Tour Director for the GFA and presently lives and teaches in Albuquerque, NM.

June 12th 2011, 4pm: John Lehmann-Haupt

John Lehmann-Haupt, a New York based guitarist, has been playing since he was five years old. Known equally for his arrangements of popular and traditional songs, as for his classical interpretations, he has performed throughout the Northeast and in the homes of such prominent New Yorkers as Tom Brokaw, Madeleine Albright, and Donald Trump. His twelve year engagement at Windows on the World (atop the World Trade Center) was cited for musical excellence by The New York Times.

July 10th 2011, 4pm: Scott Borg

Praised as a guitarist with “enormous facility on the guitar, a fluent technique, who plays with total confidence and professional expertise, panache and artful spontaneity”, by Grammy Award-winning guitarist Sharon Isbin, Australian classical guitarist Scott Borg performs extensively as a soloist and chamber musician, he has been a featured artist at major concert halls such as Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center and New York’s Apollo Theatre with rock legend Carlos Alomar. As a winner of Artists International, he made his Carnegie Hall debut at Weill Recital Hall where New York Concert Review described his performance as “well balanced, gracefully presented, and expertly played”. Previous engagements have included performances and masterclasses at the Merida International Guitar Festival in Yucatan, Mexico, ICPNA International Guitar Festival in Lima Peru, Shell Darwin International Festival Australia, the 92nd Street Y, New York City Classical Guitar Society and Sydney Classical Guitar Society.

for more information: 

www.secondsundays.tumblr.com

www.facebook.com/rogersmithhotel

www.twitter.com/rshotel

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Sunday may 23rd, 4pm

Program

Graham Fitkin “Frame”
for six-mallet marimba and flute

Alexandre Lunsqui “Diogenes Lantern.”
for solo marimba

Eric Wubbels “Shiverer”
Members of the Wet Ink Ensemble, Alex Mincek and Eric Wubbels,
join Due East flutist, Erin Lesser.

Bernhard Lang “Difference/Repetition #1″
for flute, piano and tenor saxophone

Lou Harrison “First Concerto”
for Flute and Percussion

The Solarium, The Roger Smith Hotel
tickets $15 at the door, cash only
includes wine & cheese

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Recognized as one of the leading guitarists and guitar composers of the 21st century, Brad Richter has reinvigorated the guitar repertoire with a freshness and unaffectedness that transcends preconceived genres.

Brad began to compose music and teach himself to play guitar age 12. By 18, having had no formal musical training, he was awarded the Presidential Scholarship to the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago where he began performing, composing, and eventually teaching professionally. After completing his undergraduate degrees in performance and composition, Brad accepted a scholarship to the Royal College of Music in London where he studied with guitarist Carlos Bonell. He became the first guitarist in the college’s history to win the coveted Thomas Morherr Prize, and went on to win the Royal College of Music guitar competition before completing his Master’s degree and returning to the US to continue his concert career.

Throughout North America and Europe, Brad has performed as a soloist, with renowned chamber ensembles and in duos with artists such as Grammy winning cellist, David Finckel of the Emerson String Quartet. His performances and compositions are frequently heard on NPR and PBS stations around the United States and he has also written and performed the score for the Emmy award winning PBS television series, The Desert Speaks.

While at home in Tucson, Arizona, Brad teaches music at the University of Arizona and is the Artistic Director of Lead Guitar!, a not-for-profit he co-founded in 2006 which establishes guitar programs in schools around the country with large populations of at-risk-youth. He also enjoys hiking, running, biking and playing his guitar in the mountains and deserts that surround Tucson. The rugged beauty of the American southwest continues to be a source of inspiration for much his music.

“Richter’s compositions carry the audience away into a world of magical sounds. He captures typical American themes and transforms them into imaginative original music. His cultivated playing is as highly developed as the intelligent sound language of his compositions which move the listener with its emotional depths.”

(Concertino 1/2004)

co-presented by the NYCCGS and Roger Smith Arts

The Solarium, 16th floor at The Roger Smith Hotel

Tickets $15, includes wine and cheese

pay at the door, cash only

For reservations, email rogersmitharts@rogersmith.com

or call 212.339.2092.

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The Talea Ensemble, along with the iO Quartet, presents “When Music Becomes Unruly”.  The concert focuses on award-winning composer Jason Eckardt’s 16 for flute and string trio.  Jason writes, “The work’s title refers to the sixteen words that should have been excised from George Bush’s January 2003 State of the Union address: “The British government has learned that Saddam Hussein recently sought significant quantities of uranium from Africa.” This false claim illustrates the policy of deceit typical of the morally impoverished current administration. As an artist angered and ashamed by my country’s actions, my deepest response is expressed in my work and my faith in art’s ability to contribute to, if not transform , society.

Additionally Jason has curated the concert.  Complementing his work will be Brahms’ fierce and tragic c minor String Quartet.  Jason will speak about the ideas of struggle and adversity within a musical work.

The Solarium, The Roger Smith Hotel

tickets $15 on the door, cash only

includes wine and cheese

www.fourthsundays.tumblr.com

For reservations please contact 212.339.2092

or rogersmitharts@rogersmith.com

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As part of the Talea Ensemble’s Out of Italy Festival to celebrate Italian Contemporary Music, the Talea Ensemble has invited Composer Stefano Gervasoni to curate and attend the March 28th concert, which will  feature his viola solo, Tornasole, Franz Schubert’s Quartettsätz and Hugo Wolf’s Italian Serenade performed by the iO Quartet.   Mr. Gervasoni will discuss his work as well as trends in Italian Contemporary Music.

Hugo Wolf Italian Serenade
(performed by the iO Quartet)

Stefano Gervasoni Tornasole for solo viola
(performed by Elizabeth Weisser, Talea Ensemble)

Franz Schubert Quartettsätz
(performed by the iO Quartet)

The Solarium, The Roger Smith Hotel
tickets $15 on the door, cash only
includes wine and cheese

www.fourthsundays.tumblr.com

For reservations please contact 212.339.2092
or rogersmitharts@rogersmith.com

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February 21, 2010 7pm-12am

Roger Smith Hotel | 501 Lexington Ave. New York, NY

16th Floor Solarium Gallery

$20 suggested donation

As Social Media Enthusiasts, The Finderz enjoys doing their “Social Good”. We find what’s interesting in the world and on the internet – which includes finding causes we want to support. After the tragedy in Haiti, we want to gather our resources & spread the word about helping out.

Since the Roger Smith Hotel is so socially connected, we’re honored to partner with them in our endeavor to collect unused or unwanted clothing for Haiti. We’ll be distributing donations to the Red Cross, Yele, and other charitable foundations.

Join us for a night of “social good” with a taste of the arts, drinks, & good company!
————
Dee Nuncio
Social Media Adviser & Writer

Half-to-Help has teamed up with the Roger Smith Hotel, Panman Productions, and Action Against Hunger | ACF-USA to bring you our first Haiti relief art show and concert. The benefit will begin at 7pm. Musicians Margot Leverett and the Klezmer Mountain Boys and Charlene Kaye will be performing. Exhibiting artists include Carl Avidano, Lazarus Nazario, and Shawn Taylor. The artists are donating half of the net proceeds from any art sale to support Haiti earthquake survivors via Action Against Hunger | ACF-USA. $20 suggested donation at the door. 100% of suggested donations will go to Action Against Hunger | ACF-USA for Haiti relief.

Live Video Performance collaboration by FreakCast.

Music:

Margot Leverett and the Klezmer Mountain Boys

Charlene Kaye

Artists:

Carl Avidano

Lazarus Nazario

Sponsors:

Half-to-Help

Action Against Hunger | ACF-USA

Roger Smith Hotel

Live Video:

FreakCast

Panman

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