Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Social Media Day - June 30

The excellent website Mashable has declared today to be "Social Media Day". We've come to the point where we don't have to explain what social media is, and now it even gets it's own "day".
With meetup events in over 90 countries, they are truly using the first two Ws in www.
In New York, the flagship event will be held at The Mean Fiddler in Times Square:

Wednesday, June 30
Mashable Meetup

in honor of Social Media Day


Drink specials:
$4 Domestic Draft Beers
$5 Well Cocktails
$5 Glasses of Wine
at:
The Mean Fiddler
266 W. 47th St.
(bet. Broadway & Eighth Ave.)
New York, NY
(212) 354-2950
TheMeanFiddlerNYC.com




Using various social media at your disposal, you can RSVP via Meetup, follow on twitter @mashSMday, upload photos to Flickr and tag them with #smday, comment via facebook on Smday.com, check-in on foursquare, and even watch the streams live worldwide. Now go to it, you social media bastards!

Saturday, June 26, 2010

World Cup 2010 - Where to Watch in NYC

World Cup action continues now with the second round. The top two finishers in each of the 8 groups advance to the knock-out round. There are sixteen teams left, including the USA.
World Cup 2010Schedule:
Second Round:
Saturday, June 26, 10am - Uruguay vs. South Korea
Saturday, June 26, 2:30pm - USA vs. Ghana
Sunday, June 27, 10am - Germany vs. England
Sunday, June 27, 2:30pm - Argentina vs. Mexico
Monday, June 28, 10am - Netherlands vs. Slovakia
Monday, June 28, 2:30pm - Brazil vs. Chile
Tuesday, June 29, 10am - Paraguay vs. Japan
Tuesday, June 29, 2:30pm - Spain vs. Portugal

Quarter Finals
Friday, July 2 - winners from June 26 & 27
Saturday, July 3 - winners from June 28 & 29

Semi Finals:
Tuesday, July 6, 2:30pm
Wednesday, July 7, 2:30pm

Third Place Match:
Saturday, July 10, 2:30pm

World Cup Championship:
Sunday, July 11, 2:30pm

Check out our special World Cup page, featuring 60 World Cup viewing options in NYC.
If you are lucky, you won't encounter any of those damn vuvuzelas.

Thursday, June 24, 2010

50 Best Jokes - June 24 at 92Y Triceca

NYC comic John F. O'Donnell, co-producer of 50 First Jokes, extends that brilliant concept with his new show: 50 Best Jokes.
Fifty of the funniest comedians in NYC gather at Comedy Below Canal to tell the very best piece of material that they have in their acts. Every comedian will be bringing their A+ game to the table for one epic comedic performance.

The featured comedians are an all-star team of New York City's rising comedic talent. They have been on or written for SNL, Conan O'Brien, Jimmy Fallon, The Daily Show, Comedy Central, VHI, HBO, Letterman, College Humor, IFC, Leno, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Colbert Report, Montreal Just for Laughs Festival, Bonnaroo Festival, The Bridgetown Comedy Festival, Family Guy (say whaaat!?), Last Comic Standing and more.

I attended 50 First Jokes back in January. The jokes were raw, fresh and hilarious. Now, many of the same comics can hit you with their best stuff. So be prepared to laugh 50 asses off.

Thursday, June 24
Atlantic Pictures and Comedy Below Canal present...
50 Best Jokes
Hosted by John F. O'Donnell
The line-up includes:
Tom Shillue, Myq Kaplan, Giulia Rozzi, Mark Normand, Julian McCullough, Claudia Cogan (co-host/producer of 50 First Jokes), Andy Haynes, Mike Drucker, Sheng Wang, Amy Schumer, Brent Sullivan, Andrea Rosen, Sean O'Connor, Brooke Van Poppelen, Mike Lawrence, Dan St. Germain, Jared Logan, Jordan Carlos, Team Submarine, Hari Kondabolu, Matt McCarthy, Vince Averill, Roger Hailes, Ali Wong, Gabe Liedman, Neal Stastny, Pat Dixon, Kurt Braunohler, Rob Cantrell, Sean Donnelly
(that's only 30, so there should be 20 more surprises)
9pm
at:

92 Y Tribeca
200 Hudson St.
New York, NY
92YTribeca.org

Windfall/Whitney's 22nd Annual Booze Cruise

Tonight is the annual cruise hosted by our friends at T.G. Whitney's and Windfall.
Thursday, June 24
Windfall-Whitney's 22nd Annual Booze Cruise

$50 includes unlimited beer & special punch
2 Live DJs
$50 Tickets on sale at: whitney-windfall.eventbrite.com
Enjoy great views of The Statue of Liberty, The Brooklyn Bridge and more as you cruise down The Hudson into New York harbor.
boarding 6:30pm
leaving 7pm
returning 10pm
at:
The Circle Line
W. 42nd St. & Hudson River
New York, NY


Tickets are also available at the bars:
at:
T.G. Whitney's
244 E. 53rd St.
(bet. Second & Third Ave.)
New York, NY
(212) 888-5772
TGWhitneys.com

and...

Windfall Lounge & Grill
23 W. 39th St.
(between Fifth & Sixth Ave.)
New York, NY
(212) 869-4606
WindfallNYC.com




Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Spotlight Artist: 2U

The second in our series of Spotlight Artists, featuring NYC's musical talent. 2U calls itself "The World's Second Best U2 Show". This is, of course, out of respect for the original U2, so you have to admire their confidence. Comprised of music industry veterans, the U2 cover band's leader Joe Cumia was nice enough to answer our questions:

2U's Lineup
Joseph Cumia - guitar and vox.
Gene Marchello - lead vox.
Denis Perry - bass and vox.
Timothy Bellew - drums and sequencing.


How long have you been performing? How long performing in NYC?
10 years! I've been performing in NYC since the age of 17...but with this band, 10 yrs.

Past lives (i.e., previous bands, your early years, etc.):
Collectively throughout the years and all members (past and present):
The Good Rats, Nine Days, Rotgut, Project Floyd, Evolution - The Journey tribute, 2112 - The Rush tribute, Swift Kick, The Young Breed, 40 Ft. Ringo, Blizzard of Oz - Black Sabbath tribute, New Life Crisis, and too many more bands that are notable, but not enough room to list...

What are some of your favorite venues to play?
Disney World Epcot Center (3 years in a row this year), corporate events at major convention centers around the world, Sleepy Hollow Country Club (Hung out with Bill Murray! He jammed with us and did a bunch of Caddyshack schtick...surreal man!!!)

What are some of your musical influences?
Too many to list. Amongst many: Jimi Hendrix, Red Hot Chili Peppers, U2....obviously.

OK, time for some blatant self-promotion. What would you like to plug?
2U is only the first part of the bands full name... "2U-The Worlds 2nd Best U2 Show" is the full name of this band.

[Note: Some upcoming NYC gigs include July 9 & August 13 at Stout, Aug. 20 at Legends. They have a busy schedule, with gigs in several states]

Linkage:
Band website: Notu2.com
facebook: facebook.com/u2tribute2u
Youtube: YouTube.com/notu2dotcom
Twitter: @U2Tribute2U
Myspace: myspace.com/u2tribute2u

Where can we buy your music?
2U playing U2 music is not for sale...that would be illegal.
Oh, right.

Tell us a story or anecdote about performing live in NYC:
Played at Hillary Clinton fundraiser when she was running for president. Got to meet Bill Clinton, and talk health care with him, amongst other stuff, for a good 20 minutes. He then took the podium and said, "Oh My God! Can you guys believe that band 2U??!? That was eerie!! I've seen U2 many times, and I couldn't tell the difference! They even looked like the real thing!!!"

Any advice to someone just starting out?
Don't ever turn down a paying gig... No matter how little the pay...WORK...WORK ....WORK! The money will get there...

Here is a video:

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Spotlight Artist: Midnight Mob

Introducing a new feature on MurphGuide.com: Spotlight Artist
(a.k.a. Artist of the Week, or Artist of the Day, depending on how frequently we update).

Our first featured artist is Michael James and his band, Midnight Mob.
Band Lineup:
Blackey- Lead Vocals
Mickey Squeeze- Lead Guitar
Spydyr- Rhythm Guitar
Michael James- Drums
Carly Quinn - Bass

How long have you been performing? And how long in NYC?
Midnight Mob has been together since Feb. '09. Actually our very first gig was at Klub 45 Connolly's in Time Square in Feb 09'. They put us on at Midnight.

What are your musical past lives (i.e., previous bands, your early years, etc.)

I have been playing out since I was 13 so the past 9 years, and accomplished a couple of regional tours in that time. The younger members of the band: Blackey, Carly, and Spydyr have never performed in a band or had stage experience before joining the group. Squeeze has had a lot of teaching experience, but has been in and out of bands for most of his playing career.

What is your favorite venue to play?
One of our favorites is Crash Mansion on Bowery. It has an awesome atmosphere. The crowd pushes right up to the front of the stage and they absolutely love our blend of psychedelic sex rock.
Where can we hear/buy your music?
You can hear our music streaming at our facebook fan page and on Myspace. We have been in talks with some indie and major labels. Right now we are planning a digital release of our single "Over Drive".

What are some of your musical influences:
Guns 'N Roses, Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, Stone Temple Pilots, Buckcherry, Social Distortion, Joan Jett and the Black Hearts.

Tell us a story about performing live in NYC.
One of our first shows in the city was at a club of some significant prestige. The show was double booked and on top of that the toilet was flooded, so went on at at about 2:30 in a very literal cesspool.

Do you have any advice to share with someone just starting out?
Music is art, Music is passion, but it also is a business. Midnight Mob practices six days a week, promotes endlessly and we still feel we need to do more to become a better unit and get our music out there. Want to be in a successful band? You need to WORK for it and then WORK some more!

Can you recommend another local act we should feature on MurphGuide?
Exemption. Bad ass three piece out of New York. They play Brooklyn and the city all the time. If you dig Midnight Mob you will love these guys. They have been called the heavy metal Beatles.
[update: Exemption was featured here on MurphGuide on Aug. 2. 2010]


OK, time for some blatant self-promotion:
What would you like to plug?

Sunday, June 27th, 8:30pm
Midnight Mob
Live @ Main Stage Webster Hall
Part of Emergenza US Finals
All ages show, get your tickets from the band for $20 or at the door for $25.
at:
Webster Hall
125 E. 11th St.
(bet. 3rd & 4th Ave.)
New York, NY
WebsterHall.com



Linkage:
Website: JointheMidnightMob.com
Facebook: Midnight Mob fan page
Myspace: jointhemidnightmob
Twitter: @midnightmobpsr
Sonic bids: electronic press kit
Youtube: wearethemidnightmob
Blackey on Facebook: facebook.com/midnightmob
email: jointhemidnightmob@gmail.com

Below see the video for their single, "Overdrive":

Credits:
Video by Mark of Suddenly Tragic on Vimeo.
Photos by
Elmer Escobar

Monday, June 21, 2010

Make Music New York - Monday, June 21, 2010

Today is a great day for music lovers in New York City. The fourth annual Make Music New York takes place all day today in hundreds over venues and public spaces throughout the five boroughs.

Monday, June 21
Make Music New York
The annual, live, free musical celebration across the city. Hundreds of public spaces throughout the five boroughs become impromptu stages for over 1,000 free concerts.
Musicians of all ages, creeds, and musical persuasions perform.
makemusicny.org

Highlights of the day include:
- Second Line: A New Orleans-style "second line" jazz parade.
- IAMNY: Interactive Music. Two stages and four demonstration areas in the Meatpacking District
- Xenakis in Central Park Celebrate the music of visionary Greek composer Iannis Xenakis
- Play Me, I'm Yours - A public art installation by British artist Luke Jerram featuring 60 pianos in the parks and streets of New York
- Mass Appeal - Hundreds of musicians to play pieces written for single types of instruments. For example, bagpipers will meet in Herald Square, cellists in Dag Hammerskjold Plaza, French horn players in Madison Square Park, guitarists in Union Square, etc. See the entire list here.
- Play Hard - The MMNY Corporate Challenge pits guitar-slinging office workers from Accenture, Bloomberg LP, and HBO in a battle of the corporate bands.

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Bloomsday in NYC at Ulysses'

There is no better place to celebrate Bloom's Day in New York City than at Ulysses'...
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Bloomsday Celebration at Ulysses'
Celebrating James Joyce's famous novel
and Ulysses' 7th anniversary a day of festivities starting at 11:30am

Bloom's Day commemorates the exploits Leopold Bloom, the protagonist in James Joyce's epic novel, Ulysses. (for more info. on Bloom's Day, check out Wikipedia)

Bloom's Day also marks the 7th anniversary of Ulysses' Folk House. Congratulations to Danny, Mike, Peter, Harry and all of our friends at Ulysses' on their anniversary.
They will be celebrating all day and all night tonight, and believe me, those guys know how to throw a party.
The schedule of festivities includes:
- A carvery lunch: 11:30am - 3pm
- Readings from Ulysses featuring acclaimed novelist Colum McCann: from 2pm
- Anniversary drinks: 4:30 - 6:30pm
- Live music: from 4:30pm
- Music by Ulysses' Mark and DJ Joe Ballance
- Complimentary drinks: 11:30pm - 12:30am
at:

Ulysses'
95 Pearl St./58 Stone St.
(Hanover Square)
New York, NY
(212) 482-0400
Ulyssesfolkhouse.com


But wait, there's more...
For other Bloom's Day commemorations, at American Irish Historical Society, Peter Jay Sharp Theatre, Greg Lord Studios, ETG Book Cafe (Staten Island) and on WBAI 99.5FM radio,
visit: BloomsDayNYC.org

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

R.I.P. The Town Tavern: 2004-2010

R.I.P. to the Town Tavern, the former hot spot on W. 3rd St. in Greenwich Village. They were once known for their creative marketing, wild parties and epic events, such as Halloween and their famous Cinco de Mayo parties, which used to have a line all the way down to Sixth Ave.

Although I will miss The Town Tavern circa 2004-2007, I do not lament the passing of what it had become. They had been going downhill for a while. By 2009, it seemed like they were just phoning it in. When they chose not to celebrate their 5th anniversary last fall, the writing was on the wall. They went out with a whimper (and burned bridges) this past Saturday afternoon. Sad.

The "under new management" sign was placed there by the new tenants. Good luck to the new owners, who also own Off the Wagon and several other bars in NYC.

Off the Wagon
109 MacDougal St.
(bet. W. 3rd & Bleecker St.)
New York, NY
(212) 533-4487
NYCBestBar.com/off

They will close the place for renovations, and open up later this year. I hear it will be called "Three Sheets". I will let you know about it's opening when I find out.

Wednesday, June 09, 2010

Glee Finale at Keats

Keats Restaurant and bar has become one of the top karaoke bars in New York City. So it was a perfect spot for "Gleeks" to gather to watch the season finale of "Glee". Alex from Keats helped keep the the party going by providing Three Olives vodka from 9-10pm


Keats Restaurant
842 Second Ave. (45th St.)
New York, NY
(212) 682-5490
KeatsRestaurant.com
KeatsKaraoke.com

Here is a video of the night, featuring Anne Craig from Fox 5 News:

Tuesday, June 08, 2010

Whisky 101 at St. Andrew's - Tue. June 8

If you are interested in learning more about scotch whisky, what better place to start than at Whisky 101...
Tuesday, June 8
Whisky 101
An all round guide to what's what in whisky, presented by Robin Robins from Compass Box.
The curriculum includes:
Whisky cocktails
Bladnoch
Knappogue Castle
Linkwood
Ledaig
Glen Scotia 18
Hedonism

Ticket price is $55 plus tax and gratuity.
Call 212-840-8413 and ask for Laura or Karoline to make a reservation.
7pm
at:
St. Andrew's
140 W. 46th St.
(between 6th & 7th Ave.)
New York, NY
(212) 840-8413
StAndrewsNYC.com

They say that whisky is an acquired taste. So once you have acquired that taste, you can check out MurphGuide's list of scotch & whiskey bars in NYC.

Monday, June 07, 2010

Taste of Times Square - June 7, 2010

Today, the Times Square Alliance presents the annual Taste of Times Square.

Monday, June 7
Taste of Times Square

Sample "tastes" of delicious signature dishes from Times Square's best restaurants
Enjoy classic New York street performers
Live entertainment:

On the Hard Rock stage:
Toby Lightman (in town for her June 9 appearance at Joe's Pub)

On the World Heritage Cultural Center stage:
A multicultural showcase of some of NY's best artists

Swing 46 presents:
George Gee and the Jump Jive n’ Wailers Swing Orchestra
accompanied by swing lessons provided by The Dance Manhattan Studio.

Taste of Times Square food tickets can be purchased at the event and are redeemable for "tastes" and beverages at each of the booths. Tickets are $1 and tastes cost between 1 and 5 tickets. The main ticket booth at 46th St. and Broadway opens at 3pm;
other booths throughout the neighborhood at 5pm

free admission
5pm - 8:30pm
on:
W. 46th Street
(between Broadway & Ninth Ave.)
New York, NY

Participating Restaurants include:
Angus McIndoe
Applebee's
Aspen Social Club
B. Smith's
B.B. King Blues Club and Grill
Bangkok House
Barbetta
Becco
Bella Vita
Bond 45
Bourbon Street Bar and Grille
Brasserie 1605
Brooklyn Diner
Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.
Carmine's Italian Restaurant
Chevy's
Da Rosina Restaurante Italiano
Dave and Buster's
Dervish
Ellen's Stardust Diner
Emmett O'Lunney's Irish Pub
FireBird Russian Restaurant
Gallagher's Steak House
Gingers at the Doubletree Guest Suites
Hard Rock Cafe
Havana Central
Hourglass Tavern
Joe Allen Restaurant
John's Pizzeria
Junior's Restaurant
Le Rivage
Mama Sbarro
Meson Sevilla
Montenapo
O'Lunney's Times Square Pub
Orso
Pasta Lovers Trattoria
Patzeria Perfect Pizza
Planet Hollywood
Pomaire
Ruby Foo's
Sangria 46
Schnipper's Quality Kitchen
Shula's American Steakhouse (Westin New York)
Sofia Ristorante Italiano
St. Andrew's Restaurant
Swing 46 Jazz & Supper Club
The House of Brews
The Long Room
The View at the New York Marriott Marquis
The Paramount Hotel (Mezzanine Restaurant)
Toloache
Virgil's Real Barbecue

After you have sated your appetite, you can quench your thirst as some of these area bars:
at:
St. Andrew's
140 W. 46th St.
(between 6th & 7th Ave.)
New York, NY
(212) 840-8413
StAndrewsNYC.com

--------------------------------

The House of Brews
363 W. 46th St.
(between Eighth & Ninth Ave.)
New York, NY
(212) 245-0551


----------------------------------
Bourbon Street
346 W. 46th St.
(between 8th & 9th Ave.)
New York, NY
(212) 245-2030
BourbonNY.com

----------------------------------
The Long Room
120 W. 44th St.
(between 6th & 7th Ave.)
New York, NY
212 997-3933
TheLongRoomNYC.com
-----------------------------------
Smith's Bar
701 Eighth Ave. (44th St.)
New York, NY
(212) 246-3268
SmithsBar.com
----------------------------------
Latitude
783 Eighth Ave.
(between 47th & 48th St.)
New York, NY
(212) 245-3034
LatitudeBarNYC.com
------------------------------------

Wednesday, June 02, 2010

Grand Opening Weekend for The Irish Exit: June 3-5, 2010

Our friends at McFadden's & Turtle Bay are opening a brand new bar this weekend, and they asked me to invite the MurphGuide readers (you!)...

The Irish Exit
Grand Opening Weekend-Bash Thursday June 3 through Saturday, June 5, 2010
Second Avenue's newest party pub, from the folks that brought you McFadden's, Calico Jack's and Turtle Bay. RSVP at steph.irishexit@gmail.com or by calling 212.755.8383

Thursday June 3
Grand Opening with Complimentary Drinks
Complimentary Drinks & Passed Hor D'oeurves from 6-7pm
Round 1 of their Cover Girl Contest at 11pm
See who makes it to the Finals hosted by Vanilla Ice
-----------------------------------
and then...
Friday June 4
Grand Opening Presents Lucky Friday
Irish-themed Happy Hour from 6-9pm with:
Leprechauns, FDNY Pipes and Drums, corned beef sliders,
$4 Guinness Pints and Jameson Shots all night long
Late night beer chug contest
------------------------------------
and then...
Saturday, June 5
Stop! Collaborate! and Listen! with Vanilla Ice
Hosted by the one and only Vanilla Ice.
(yes, that Vanilla Ice)
Vanilla Ice will be at The Irish Exit NYC hosting the cover girl finals, rapping and pouring shots of Jagar all night long.

Call Stephanie @ 212.755.8383 to set up your VIP ACCESS and Drink Specials!
Space is limited. RSVP for each night you would like to attend. Your confirmation will be emailed to you.

The Irish Exit will offer an extensive and creative menu of upscale Irish American cuisine. Signature dishes include shepherd’s pie, fish and chips, and of course the Dublin burger topped with a beer-battered onion ring. A traditional Irish brunch menu will also be served until 3pm on weekends, including a prix fix option to include bloody Marys and mimosas.

Open Daily 11:30am - 4am or until the last shot of Jameson goes down!
Serving Lunch, Dinner, and Weekend Brunch
Dress code: casual but neat

The Irish Exit
978 Second Ave.
(between 51st & 52nd St.)
New York, NY
212.755.8383
IrishExitNYC.com




And, they're hiring...
IrishExitNYC.com/employment.php