Confessions with Maya & Leah

http://www. confessionsnyc. wordpress. com

Date: Mondays
Time: 10:00pm
Location:Mannahatta (310 Bowery St)
Cost: Free
Open Bar: Vodka, 11-12

"As we are starting to see, Mondays are the new Friday (with a touch of rebellion because you still have to go to the office in the morning). Leah & Maya wanted to keep the party going into the Fall and Winter with our "Confessions" Monday nights at Mannahatta. On the decks: Mr. Randy Watson & Bobby Analog, both with more soul then a pair Dr. Scholl's lifts in James Browns loafers (rip) spinning Old & New Skool R&B, Old Skool Hip-Hop, and Soul." Happy Hour from 4-9pm with $4 drinks and an open bar at 11.
21+

There are so many reasons to love NYC.

Perhaps my favorite reason for loving New York is that you never know where its going to take you. This was the theme of the movie Nick & Nora’s Infinite Playlist which premiered last night at Sunshine Theatre on Houston Street. An event Andrew, Laucus and I accidently crashed.

We didn’t intend to see that particular film, we wanted to see CHOKE. Much to Laucus’ dismay, GEN ARTS was hosting the film premiere, shutting down all of the other film options for a few hours. Not wanting to wait around for another two hours for CHOKE to start again, we chatted up the door people for a moment. They ushered us in and we all got cozy in the back of the theater as the director Peter Sollett thanked everyone for coming out.

The best part of the film was that New York City as it’s backdrop (oh, and it was free). Otherwise it was not the inspiring teen movie of yesteryear. In a time of oversexualized and glamorized Gossip Girl, and unrealistic and coma inducing 90210

please stand by for a small rant by Ms. Contreras:

And by the way, seriously- do they only have one black person cast on each of those shows? And is one of them supposed to be adopted by a white family? What is this Webster meets Different Strokes!?

And now back to our regularly scheduled programing:

there is a longing for a more inspiring whimsical look at the life of a teenager. I believe Nick & Nora was looking to be that tonic, however with its forced random adventures, it’s weak plot line, and it’s dated views of gay boys (yes, it’s cool Mr. Sollett that you made them indie rock kids, but saying “we’re gay” “did you know were gay?” THEN having them have BRA’S in their van? BRAS?  THEN having them all go to an all gay male Christmas cabaret view..I get it…your trying to tell us their gay. Please stop with the stereotypes it’s 2008).

In the voice of two other gay characters portrayed by David Alan Grier as Antoine Merriwether and Damon Wayans as Blaine Edwards doing a Men On Films, “HATED IT!” Is how I felt about the film. Sorry Michael Cera, I do so love you.

With Laucus in near nervous breakdown mode (he wanted to see intellectual film, he didn’t know he was going to get Cotton candy on the screen) he jetted, while Andrew and I headed over to the GEN ARTS after party to crasher their open Gin Bar.
While we were there we meet a few friendly folks, including infamous paparazzo Steve Sands (who has shot everyone in the business from Deniro to Paltrow). After he showed me how to pose for the camera (of all nights to have my glasses on! DAMN!) he asked if he could tag along with Andrew and I for the NYLON party at the newest (newest) hotspot on the Lower East Side CHLOE (on Ludlow by Broome).

CHLOE is supposedly the new Beatrice. Well, I don’t know about that (it seemed more like Schiller’s meets Smith & Mills), but it was a cute vibe, adorable people who didn’t seem to be that interested in dancing. Andrew and I of course remedied that by kicking off the dance party. They next thing you know, there was brake dancing on the floor (the door guy stopped it). Steve noticed that one of the AS FOUR guys were there (now Three as Four). So Steve declared it a hipspot.  I declared that it was in my hood, but still prefer The Johnsons cheap drinks and laid back vibe. Everyone seemed a little too on display for me at CHLOE (even though I thought the door guys were as sweet as sugar).

It was one of those perfect NYC nights.

To quote “Jem & The Holograms” last nights Confession Party was “Truly outrageous, truly, truly, truly outrageous.”

To sum up (because I’m hung over, I will use equations to explain last night) Wall to wall lovely lasses + Dudes trying to get together with said lovely lasses= Leah & I cracking up behind the bar while drinking coffee patron.

IF you haven’t partaken of this exquisite elixir- coffee patron, please, please run out and get a bottle. My new idea of paradise is chilled coffee patron + being sandwiched between Jason Statham and David Beckam (or another David I know, you know who you are DP you sexy beast.) + Barcelona= HEAVENLY DELICIOUS!!!!

The cast of the Real World were also there complete with full film crew. Ah “Reality” Television.

Of course what was better were Keegan & James adding their own special slice of flavor to the party. They are becoming a cult unto themselves and the cast of the Real World couldn’t get enough of them. Once again K&J were flanked by pro-skaters and a rather large entourage of sexy ladies (girls, when are ya’ll going to learn, skaters ain’t making out with you! They are only down for bromance, not romance!)

The booths became make out sessions for some at 310 Lounges with its candle lit setting, the free flowing ginger vodka, and Prince and Apollonia locking lips on the flat screens in the backroom. Jared (aka Mr. Randy Watson) once again brought a GREAT dance party.

Good f*cking times. See you all next Monday!

Iced Coffee Time. Beso- Maya Contreras

P.S.

If you have time I would appreciate if you would vote for me for “best nightlife blog” for the Village Voice Reader’s Poll 2008.

so here is the link:
http://polls.villagevoice.com/polls/bestof2008/

(unfortunately you have to fill out at least 25 “best of’s” and nightlife is the very last category…boo.)

and if you could just cut and paste this link in:
http://www.pmbuzz.com/nycnightlife

Leah and I are gearing up for this weekly Monday party (staring this Monday Sept. 15) at 310 Bowery  (btw 1st and Bleeker) and we wanted to give you all a list of the drink specials so you know what bang you’re getting for your hard earned buck. You’ll see the place right away because it has this big glowing red sign that says LOUNGE on the outside.

Free Admission

Happy Hour 4-9pm
$4.00 wells, wine, & beer
$3 Milwaukee’s Best aka “The Beast” all night
Open Vodka Bar
11pm-Midnight
Free Mandatory Shots at Midnight

The playlist is pretty sick too. On the decks: Mr. Randy Watson & Bobby Analog (aka the Irishman from Derry). Both with more soul then a pair Dr. Scholl’s lifts in James Browns loafers (rip).

looking forward to see you all on Mondays. xoxo- Maya Contreras

http://confessionsnyc.wordpress.com/

September 4, 2008 

Leah and I have had many whimsical adventures this summer.

Everything from the MILK photography studios BBQ to watching MGMT play a lovely rain swept concert at McCarren pool in Brooklyn to discussing build-a-bear & over sized hot-tubs with Gossip Girls‘ Chace Crawford over corona beers in his living room until six in the morning. (Not mention the virtual beat down, and badass detective work Leah and I delivered when my Blackberry was stolen- then recovered. I want to give shouts out to the 7th percent police. Not only are you’ll sassy, but dang ya’ll come out in force!)

For us, it was a summer of daily afternoon iced latte breaks from marathon sessions of painting (Leah) and writing (me), late night dance parties fueled by shots of chilled tequila with great friends like Lauren, Andrew, Beth, Ray-Ray, Lacaus The Greek (yeah, I think I am going to adding ‘The Greek’ to his name), and Kegeen ‘the I’m tiding up‘ Australian. Mechanical Pony rides with endless quarters at Max Fish with Paul (if he wasn’t 21 I would…oh who am I kidding, I totally going ‘cougar’ on that one. Just kidding Paul, don’t be scared) while Shannon observed and shook his head with bemusement as Leah shouted “put another quarter in!!!” and once again I would ride the mechanical pony for all to see.

As summer comes to a close, Leah and I wanted to keep the party going into the Fall and Winter with our Monday nights at Mannahatta LOUNGE at 310 Bowery Street, every Monday Night starting September 15. The playlist will be a night of sexy Old & New Skool R&B, Old Skool Hip-Hop, and Soul. In addition to hosting the party Leah and I will be bartending, serving up our signature drinks such as ‘The Sin-Sin’ and ‘Redemption’. There will of course be drink specials, and mandatory midnight shots.

Good times.

The culmination of this party will occur Valentines Day February 14 with the release of The Him Book (written by yours truly). The art instillation that evening will feature the very talented Australian photographer Andrew Boyle http://andrewboylephotography.com

More info to follow…

For now, we will see you all on Mondays.

xo- Maya Contreras

Monday Nights with Maya & Leah starting September 15th at Mannahatta Lounge 310 Bowery and 1st For more information go to: http://confessionsnyc.wordpress.com/