Thursday, July 2, 2009

Destinations: Nouvelle Époque at the Players Club


JC Hopkins and Gemini & Scorpio present the Nouvelle Époque party at the historic Players Club on July 17th. Fredo from Loungerati has crafted a specialty cocktail menu for the soiree.

The Players

The legendary Players, boasting such luminary members as Mark Twain, Eugene O'Neill and Ernest Hemingway,is a members-only social club founded by the famed 19th century Shakespearean actor Edwin Booth. The Players' landmarked home is a magnificent Victorian mansion with a wrought-iron balcony overlooking Gramercy Park.

The Cabaret

The Slipper Room's illustrious owner James Habacker presents (and hosts, in guise of Chester Mackerel, charming professor of abnormal psychology), a night of exuberant entertainment to ignite the senses. JC Hopkins' Biggish Band plays rollicking hard bop swing all night featuring guest vocalists tap-dancing sensation DeWitt Fleming Jr, velvet-voiced Jolie Holland, and Tony-nominated downtown icon Justin Bond, in addition to JC's resident front-woman Queen Esther. The always-surprising Julie Atlas Muz (Miss Exotic World 2006), the jaw-droppingly stylish MsTickle, and hilariously naughty Trixie Little & Evil Hate Monkey perform feats of burlesque to live accompaniment by the band all night. In band breaks, 1920s tap sensation The Minsky Sisters amuse and titillate you. The cabaret runs 9pm-1am in the formal Dining Room, preceded at 8:30pm by a complimentary dance class. After the cabaret, DJ Shakey spins a most unique mix of vintage + modern beats to keep you dancing.

After 9pm, the Sargent Room across The Great Hall, named after its three John Singer Sargent portraits (he was an early member), is your salon for cocktails and conversations, as jazz pianist Jesse Gelber sets the elegant mood. A custom cocktail menu will be crafted for Nouvelle Époque by Fredo of Loungerati.com.

VIP Reception

The Sargent Room and its park-facing balcony are reserved for VIP guests 7-9pm for a cocktail reception and a private performance by San Francisco opera diva Marisa Lenhardt, as stylish cigarette girls treat you to hand-rolled cigars and hand-dipped chocolates, courtesy of Velvet Cigars and Desserts by Michael Allen.

Dress code

Belle Epoque - late 1800s to WWI, evening glamour, top hats + tails, feathers + gloves, outdo yourself at your most fabulous.

The Players private club, 16 Gramercy Park S bet Park Ave S & Irving Pl, 21+
July 17th - VIP admission: 7-9pm cocktail reception + regular admission, $30 w/RSVP, $35 door
Regular admission: 8pm-late, $20 w/RSVP, $25 door
Late admission: 12am-late, $10 w/RSVP, $15 door

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