After the Countdown

On New Year’s Eve I was celebrating with my three-year-old great-niece Brielle, my mother and brother (Happy New Year!) watching the fireworks from atop the Stratosphere Casino, Hotel & Tower from my mother’s kitchen window. If I wasn’t such a wonderful aunt to stay in so my nephew Alex could go out, I would have hit up at least one of three great parties (A Vegas New Year’s Eve 2013) and sipped champagne all night. Instead I opted for a Ciroc Peach martini and some sparkling wine from Trader Joes that’s been in the wine fridge for a while.

New Year’s Eve would have been spent at Bagatelle Restaurant & Supper Club. They held a New Year’s Eve Gala hosted by Robin Thicke. I’ve been a fan of his since the Evolution of Robin Thicke album – 2006. It was a fashionable night with beautiful people.

Robin Thicke performs. Photo Credit: Carlos Larios

Robin Thicke with his gorgeous wife and actress Paula Patton. Photo Credit: Carlos Larios

Lucent Dossier. Photo Credit: Carlos Larios

The celebration kept going the next night at Hyde Bellagio at their “Lost Angles” party, a Tuesday night industry event. Common performed live with The Sayers Club on New Year’s Eve. Definitely a more relaxed night out full of celebrity.

Former mixed martial artist and UFC Heavyweight Champion Tito Ortiz and friends. Photo credit: Hyde Bellagio

Lil Jon parties in a VIP booth with friends. Photo credit: Hyde Bellagio

I love Las Vegas.

Adrienne xo

 

A Vegas New Year’s Eve 2013

If I wasn’t ringing in 2013 my three-year-old great niece Brielle (I happily offered) I would be at one of these great parties. There is always so much to choose from on New Year’s Eve Weekend it’s hard to choose. I picked these three because I’ve never seen any of the hosts live.

Click the flyers for more information.

Common performing live with The Sayers Club at Hyde Bellagio.
A front row view of the Strip, Bellagio fountains and fireworks!

Hyde Bellagio
3600 Las Vegas Boulevard
Las Vegas, NV. 89109
702.693.8700

Bagatelle Restaurant & Supper Club New Year’s Eve Gala hosted by Robin Thicke.  Music and entertainment will also be provided by DJ Stan Courtois and the Bagatelle Bazaar. Bagatelle Las Vegas is located opposite MGM Resort and adjacent to The Tropicana Hotel on the strip.

 

Travis Barker and Yelawolf at Rain Nightclub at Palms Casino Resort. This is the last time the space will be known as Rain Nightclub as the Palms Resort & Casino undergoes a multimillion dollar renovation.
Party starts at 9 p.m.

Palms Casino Resort
4321 West Flamingo Road
Las Vegas, NV 89103
702.942.6832

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

 

No More Love, Peace & Soul

Don Cornelius circa 1970s

I woke up today to a report of the passing of iconic “Soul Train” television host Don Cornelius, “found dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was 75”, according to the Associated Press.

For me, as I am sure for many black people, Cornelius was more than just a host on music television show; he was a visionary opening a door for black entertainers to perform to the masses on their own terms. From the way we walked, talked dressed and lived life, he made being black cooler than ever. Before “Soul Train” all we had was “American Bandstand” and let’s just say it was not about us.

I was born in July of 1970 the same year “Soul Train” began airing in Chicago before going national in 1971, so by the time I was in elementary school it was available everywhere.  Growing up, “Soul Train” was appointment television in the homes of every black person I knew. It was the place to learn the latest dances like the penguin, hustle, robot, bump, locking and the most popular dance of them all, the “Soul Train” line (Cornelius only danced down the line twice in all his years as the host); ‘til this day, I can’t attend a family BBQ, birthday party, wedding or funeral without everyone breaking into the “Soul Train” line before the night is over.

The show was also an outlet to learn what was in or out of fashion. Bell bottoms, gauchos, dashiki and a natural, Afro puffs or micro braids with beads and gold hair accessories? A blowout with big curls and gelled down baby hair will gel, a Cleopatra bob or ponytails? Or heavy wooden platforms sandals and platform tennis shoes with a rainbow sole?

Robin Thicke

“Soul Train” let me hear and see Barry White, Marvin Gaye, Chaka Khan,  Rufus, The Jackson Five, and The Isley Brothers; and blue-eyed soul acts like Tower of Power, Teena Marie, David Bowie and Hall & Oats, long before there was George Michael, Robin Thicke, or a Justin Timberlake.

Don Cornelius

Whatever the reason Don Cornelius decided to take his own life is not important to me. What is important was his contribution to American culture, music and changing the face of television forever. And for this I want to say cheers and you will be missed.

Thank you for reading.

Adrienne xo