Tribeca meets Soho at a series of filmmaking events and workshops at The Apple Store, all of which are free and open to the public, during the Tribeca Film Festival. Last week's speakers included actor Clive Owen and "SNL" / "Baby Mama" star Amy Poehler, and the fun continues this week.

Tonight at 6:30, screenwriter / director / producer Tom Kalin will discuss his latest project, "Savage Grace," starring Julianne Moore, and field questions from the audience. Stick around after that to hear from actress Isabella Rossellini (8pm), who is making her directorial debut at the film fest with a series of short films collectively known as "Green Porno," which she also wrote and appears in.  (Get your head out of the gutter--the title refers to the mating habits of various creatures).

Tomorrow night (April 30) at 6:30pm, "Superbad" director Greg Mottola stops by to chat about "Adventureland," a new comedy to be released later this year, and on Friday Beastie Boy Adam Yauch discusses his new film, "Gunnin' For that #1 Spot," currently screening at the festival (May 2, 6:30pm).

Then on Saturday (May 3) Oscar-winning director Paul Haggis ("Crash," "Million Dollar Baby") drops in to speak about his most recent opus, "In the Valley of Elah," and two forthcoming projects, "Quantum of Solace" and "Ranger's Apprentice" (6:30pm).

Finally, on Sunday (the final day of the festival), Matthew Modine--one of this year's TFF jurors--will screen his short film, "I Think I Thought," followed by a discussion and a Q&A.

(Image borrowed from Apple)

Personally, the only draft I care about is the kind that's served in a glass, but football fans might be interested to know that this Saturday afternoon, Southern Hospitality will be throwing a special event to celebrate the NFL draft. Free and open to the public, the pre-draft show kicks off at 11am, with live coverage of the draft itself starting at 3pm. Giants center Shaun O'Hara will be making a special guest appearance, so you can congratulate him in person for the team's  recent Superbowl victory, then go sample some down-home Southern grub prepared by SoHo's new executive chef, Dr. BBQ, and take advantage of draft beer specials all day.**

**Get it? draft beer for the NFL draft? It's a lot funnier when you're as drunk as I am right now.

(Photo borrowed from Downtown Express)

While the film buffs are taking in the cinema, the less cultured are hatching plans to encounter as many celebrities as possible during the Tribeca Film Festival, which began on Wednesday and runs through Sunday May 4th. And though the public screening dates and locations are no secret, if you're looking for the scoop on what events will draw the celeb guests (i.e., what street corners to casually find yourself on), look no further. Here's your chance to snap a few pics of the beautiful people and live vicariously through those of us who were able to wrangle enough press clips to score a pass to the festival--and word to the wise, stick to admiring from afar, and don't even bother trying to finesse your way through the door if you're not supposed to be there.

Tribeca All Access Awards and Party
Tonight at Buddakan ... Arrivals begin at 7pm, and attendees will include Jesse L. Martin and Adam Beach (both of "Law & Order" fame), actress Joy Bryant, Damon Dash, actor Anthony Mackie, Jaime Hector ("The Wire") and more.

"Bart Got a Room" Premiere After-Party at Tenjune
As if Tenjune wasn't hard enough to get into on a Friday night, at 8pm tonight the MePa hot spot transforms into the Cadillac Lounge to host the "Bart Got a Room" after-party. There's lots of buzz about this little charmer, which stars William H. Macy and Cheryl Hines, both of whom are expected to attend the party. (If you're too excited to wait 'til 8pm, you could race over the AMC theater at 19th and Broadway to catch the red carpet arrivals for the screening at 5:20pm, but let's be honest, Macy and Hines are no Brangelina.)

"SqueezeBox!" Red Carpet Premiere and After-Party
The film debuts tonight at Tishman/ New School (66 W 12th Street between 5th and 6th), and at 8:20pm, celebs like John Waters, Debbie Harry, Jesse Malin and Patricia Field will begin to arrive. There's also an after-party later on at the Blender Theater at Gramercy.

Shorts: "Cold Feet" Red Carpet Premiere
Head to the AMC Village 7 (66 3rd Avenue at 11th Street) at 10pm to catch a glimpse of Matthew Modine and Rider Strong--yes, the same one who played Cory Mathhews' best friend on "Boy Meets World"--who was also in attendance at Wednesday night's "Big Mama" fete at the MoMa.

"Hotel Gramercy Park" and "Savage Grace" Red Carpet Premieres
Hotel aficionado Ian Schrager will be on hand at the Village East Cinemas (181 2nd Avenue at 12th Street) on Saturday, April 26 at around 6pm. (But don't bother asking him why you can't get into Rose Bar. Anyone who would ask that doesn't deserve to get in.) Later, "Savage Grace" director Tom Kalin and actress Julianne Moore will walk the red carpet at BMCC/ TPAC (199 Chambers Street), circa 8:45pm.

Mariah Carey and a Bunch of Other People at Tenjune
Technically tomorrow night's event at the Cadillac Lounge at Tenjune is an after-party for the premiere of "Tennessee," but somehow I think no one on the stalkerazzi circuit is as interested in that as in the fact that Mariah Carey, who is in the movie, will be there. Doors at 8pm.

That should be enough to keep you occupied 'til next week, when we'll be back with more  from the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival trenches.

This week we review Bowery Wine Company, the latest in a string of new spots seemingly designed to remind us that the CBGB-era Bowery is dead and gone. But while we mourn the loss of the punk age, it seems that Bowery Wine Company--which is part-owned by Bruce Willis--isn't half bad, at least as wine bars go.

Hits: Despite the fancy digs, inexpensive wine and sangrias are served along with a tasty roster of finger foods and desserts worthy of a multi-starred restaurant.

Misses: If you're allergic to yuppies and foreign tourists, try another wine bar; the surrounding luxury condos feed this high-end haunt with a high-rolling clientèle.

Read our full editorial review of Bowery Wine Company, then peruse other New & Notable bar reviews or check out our list of spots that are too new to review (but not too new to get you hammered).

(Photo by Peter Bixler)

The Tribeca Film Festival is off to a strong start, with the stars turning out for last night's world premiere of "Baby Mama" at the Ziegfeld. We were in attendance at the official after-party, held at the Museum of Modern Art, which could have been mistaken for a "Saturday Night Live" reunion. In addition to Lorne Michaels and "Baby Mama" stars Amy Poehler and Tina Fey, guests at the MoMa included a long list of present and former cast-members, like Jimmy Fallon (who eventually left the party with former "SNL" player Chris Kattan), Rachel Dratch, Jason Sudeikis, Fred Armisen, Molly Shannon and even Chevy Chase. But the superstar of the evening was Steve Martin, who sauntered in wearing a panama hat, spent most of his time at a table with Lorne and Chevy and later departed without obliging the fans who were waiting outside for an autograph. (That said, Martin's role in "Baby Mama" is much funnier than the rest of the movie.)

Other big name guests included Poehler's hilarious husband, Will Arnett, Seth Green (of "Family Guy" / "Austin Powers" / "Robot Chicken" fame), and Dax Shepard (whom I profiled in an interview piece last year), who doted on girlfriend Kristen Bell, star of "Forgetting Sarah Marshall," most of the night.

Several sad people outside were hoping to catch a glimpse of Robert De Niro, who wasn't even there. One such fan informed me he was also there to see Frank Oz (better known as the voice of Yoda), who was my next-door neighbor on the Upper West Side for many years, and who I didn't see at the MoMa. Just as I was breaking the news that the Oz / De Niro gala must have been on the other side of town, Lorne Michaels walked outside. One eager fan yelled, "Lorne, can I get a picture?" to which Lorne responded, "I'm good, thanks," and jumped in a car.

A 30-second clip from inside the party, taken on my date's cell-phone from the future, is below.

It's that time of year again--time for the Tribeca Film Festival, which was established as a means to help rebuild and rejuvenate downtown Manhattan in the wake of 9/11. Since then, it has become an institution of New York arts and culture, set apart from things like Sundance because it offers regular people, not just celebrities, the opportunity to participate. But while the average New Yorker can purchase tickets to any of the 100-odd screenings to be held this year, don't worry about the death of elitism. Thankfully, Graydon Carter and Vanity Fair still understand the value of keeping things exclusive, and they prove it tonight at their annual opening gala, a dinner traditionally held at the NY County Courthouse at 60 Centre Street. Needless to say, we were not invited.

But according to a tipster inside the courthouse, we're not the only ones.

All employees at 60 Centre Street--including all NY State Supreme Court judges--received an email earlier today, politely reminding them to slink out the back door when they leave the building tonight. After all, Vanity Fair would be none too pleased if any of their A-list guests were forced to brush shoulders with commoners ...

April 22, 2008

To:   All Justices
        All Users, 60 Centre Street

Re:  Vanity Fair/Tribeca Film Festival, Seventh Annual Dinner - Today, Tuesday April 22, 2008

 

The City of New York and the Unified Court System have authorized the use of the County Courthouse Rotunda for the Tuesday, April 22nd Annual Dinner of the Tribeca Film Festival. The dinner and festival offer the opportunity to "showcase" Lower Manhattan and promote artistic and commercial enterprise following the traumatic events of September 11th, 2001.

The dinner, sponsored by Vanity Fair, is for festival participants only. We are cooperating with Vanity Fair, which is providing equipment, decorations, meals, etc.  During this evening, the Rotunda, front entrance and the Hamill Place side door will be devoted exclusively to the dinner program. Therefore, court personnel are requested to exit the rear of the building or Pearl Street side door.

We regret any inconvenience occasioned by this worthy cause. Thank you for your cooperation.

We'll leave it to those who did make the guest list to report on tonight's gala, but for your daily dose of the Tribeca Film Festival, check back here starting tomorrow. We'll be on-hand at the opening press conference in the morning--along with Governor Spitzer Paterson, Mayor Bloomberg and others--and tomorrow night we'll be checking out the Baby Mama world premiere at the Ziegfeld Theater and the official after party at the MoMA. 

(Image borrowed from the Unified Court System)

Meet Mickey "MeMpHiTz" Wright, Vice President of Jive A&R, the new face of P. Diddy's latest Sean John ad campaign, and the man responsible for signing T-Pain, J-Kwon and other superstars to the Jive label. With so much on his plate, 2008 is shaping up to be a year of big things for the young record exec, so when we were approached about giving him the opportunity to reach our readers, we were happy to oblige. Read on for MeMpHiTz's list of his favorite spots to get his swagger on in NYC, in his own words ...

CLUBS

Corio
Last summer my boy Ant Rich did a weekly party at Corio (this is where I discovered DJ Love on the Run), and I never missed it. Those were some of my most memorable Summer ’07 nights! It’s the perfect place for a chill vibe with great music. Don’t let the small space fool you though; we got it popping in there! The running burlesque show in between DJ sets is legendary.

GoldBar
Besides the specialty drinks that get right quickly, the room is incredibly fly, the music is always upbeat, and the women dancing to the tunes are some of New York’s finest. Also, the décor is second to none as far as clubs go.

Soho House
The only place in New York where you can have glass of wine from an award-winning selection, order some food at the bar, take the food to a screening room and watch a pre-screening, then go to a rooftop for some more drinks and pool time. It’s a members only club, but Ant Rich (who is a founding member) always takes care of me. 

The Box
Anyone who knows Memphitz knows that I am a HUGE fan of outright outrageousness. The Box falls nothing short of that. The cabaret-style performance coupled with the exclusivity at the door makes for the type of nightlife experience you can only get in New York.

Love
Every Thursday I go to Love and watch Q-Tip, Kid Capri, DJ Premiere, and other legendary DJs put it down. They remind me of when I originally fell in love with hip-hop and why I got into this business in the first place.

Just because John Varvatos is the new CBGB doesn't mean the Bowery is dead. Last week we dropped into the new rock bar Bowery Electric, the latest venture from the owners of East Village mainstays Niagara, Hi-Fi and Black & White.

Hits: It's low-key but not low-class, and with two large, sweeping rooms and ample seating, there's space to rock out or max out as you please.

Misses: The crowd may be a little thin, even on the weekends, but with the other bars intent on measuring success in terms of who they turn away, Bowery Electric is poised to scoop them up and keep them coming back for more.

Read our full editorial review of Bowery Electric, then peruse other New and Notable bar reviews or check out our list of spots that are too new to review (but not too new to get you tanked).

And be sure to bookmark Imbible, and check back regularly--next week we'll be live-blogging from the Tribeca Film Festival, bringing you the latest on the celebs, the films and, of course, the parties ... stay tuned.

Back in late January, I noticed construction underway on my block at Avenue B between 11th and 12th--directly across the street from Panificio, which opened last week--and learned that a cafe was to open, "in early February." Well, a few months later, it looks like a cafe called De Nova is finally getting ready to open its doors fairly soon. The above sign (left) appeared several weeks ago, but after a graffiti writer quickly put the kibosh on that plan, the sign disappeared, then reappeared covered in some kind of plastic sheath that's presumably resistant to Posca markers and such.

The space, formerly home to the Furniture Place (which moved to Great Jones Street after my landlord raised the rent, also forcing out vintage shop Suzette Sundae), is larger than it looks, but it's unclear whether De Nova will be a coffee shop-style cafe posing as a restaurant that serves three squares a day, or whether it'll be more like a real restaurant with a coffee bar. I suspect they don't have a liquor license and won't be able to get one, so I'd say it's looking like the former. I walk by at least twice a day, so unless my rent is next on the hit list, I expect to know as soon as De Nova opens.

New York Magazine is reporting that the East Village Yacht Club has closed--after their landlord doubled their rent to $26,000--and that a new coffee shop-by-day, bar-by-night called Arlo and Esme has already set-up shop in the space.

Calls to East Village Yacht Club yielded confirmation in the form of a recording that says, "Hello, you've reached Arlo and Esme."

The closure of EVYC comes as a major blow to Upper East Side boarding school grads-turned-investment bankers, who could finally relax at a nautically-themed bar in the East Village and play out their "Talented Mr. Ripley" fantasies.

No word on whether NYMag's report that the Yacht Club will reopen soon in a different locale has been confirmed.

(Photo borrowed from Gawker)