10 Stand-Ups Leading a New Comedy Movement

May 1, 2014, 2:00 pm

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As the era of Leno and Letterman makes way for a new generation that looks to Fallon and Colbert, a full shift in comedic perspective and authority is taking place. And between podcasts, YouTube, Twitter, and a revitalized late-night landscape, comedy is enjoying a unique period of prevalence and success. Along with the likes of Jimmy and Stephen, here's a collection of ten stand-up comedians that will helm the comedy world for a new generation.

Nate Bargatze

Current City: LA
Twitter: @NateBargatze
Best Bit: His album's eponymous joke about growing up as the son of a clown -- "Have you ever been yelled at by a clown? It's confusing."
Latest Album: Yelled at by a Clown

Nate Bargatze recently performed across the country as a featured stand-up on Jimmy Fallon's Clean Cut Comedy Tour. See why Fallon -- and Conan -- is such a huge fan here, with this performance from Conan.

Jerrod Carmichael

Current City: LA
Twitter: @NotoriousROD
Best Bit: His bit about Chik-Fil-A and homophobia is understated and brilliant.
Latest Album: N/A

Jerrod Carmichael's hour-long HBO special will be taped at The Comedy Store in New York in a few weeks and will be released later this year.

Michael Che

Current City: New York
Twitter: @CheThinks
Best Bit: His joke about how much money we owe to China -- "We? I don't owe China anything."
Latest Album: N/A

Michael Che's rise in the comedy scene has been meteoric: he started doing comedy in 2009, now he's a widely-acclaimed stand-up and writer on SNL. And in the time since I started writing this article, he's been hired as the newest correspondent at The Daily Show, where he'll start in June. Check out this recent performance he did for the BBC in the UK, above.

Jena Friedman

Current City: NYC
Twitter: @JenaFriedman
Best Bit: "My friend asked me if I was seeing anyone and I was like, 'No, but on the way over here a crazy person chased me into the subway... So, I still got it.'"
Latest Album: N/A

Jena Friedman has written for the Late Show with David Letterman and is currently a producer on The Daily Show. Watch this set from last fall at The Stand in NYC, above.

Ron Funches

Current City: LA
Twitter: @RonFunches
Best Bit: His bit about the dancing Hispanic child in the adjacent apartment complex to his home is delivered in such a unique voice -- you haven't seen jokes told like this before.'
Latest Album: N/A

Ron Funches has appeared on Kroll Show, Conan, and New Girl. Hear his signature tone and delivery here, with this set from the Laugh Factory.

Emily Heller

Current City: LA
Twitter: @MrEmilyHeller
Best Bit: "The only thing that concerns me about gaining weight so quickly is that I've been watching that show I Didn't Know I Was Pregnant."
Latest Album: N/A

UCB alum, writer on FOX's Surviving Jack, and veteran of John Oliver's New York Stand-Up Show, Emily Heller has risen through the comedy ranks quickly in recent years. And her ascent is set to continue -- watch her perform on Conan (above) to understand why.

Ian Karmel

Current City: LA
Twitter: @IanKarmel
Best Bit: "I found out I was sad the other day. You know how? I was at a Jack in the Box."
Latest Album: N/A

A regular on Chelsea Lately, Ian Karmel has also performed in his home city on Portlandia. Watch his performance from last month on Conan, above.

Gabe Liedman

Current City: LA
Twitter: @gabeliedman
Best Bit: "My one complaint about LA is that the weed here is WAY too strong."
Latest Album: Hiyeeee!!

Gabe Liedman writes for Inside Amy Shumer, Kroll Show, Billy on the Street, and Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Check out his recent performance on The Pete Holmes Show, above.

Rory Scovel

Current City: LA
Twitter: @roryscovel
Best Bit: All you need is the setup -- "...You guys ever steal an old person?"
Latest Album: Live at Third Man Records

A South Carolina native, Rory Scovel has recently performed on The Late Late Show, Conan, and Late Night. Watch this bit about yes, stealing an old person.

Nick Thune

Current City: LA
Twitter: @nickthune
Best Bit: "I Bcc Stevie Wonder on all my emails."
Latest Album: Folk Hero

Following in the one-liner footsteps of Steven Wright, Mitch Hedberg, and Steve Martin, Nick Thune carves out a unique place for himself in the comedy world. Accompanied with a guitar, watch him perform at Montreal's Just For Laughs Festival above.

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Sufjan Stevens and Sisyphus' New NSFW "Take Me" Video

May 1, 2014, 2:15 pm

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Sisyphus -- aka Sufjan Stevens' side-project with Son Lux and Serengeti -- have come back fast with another clip from their eponymous debut album. This one aims for the NSFW crowd, but before you go and get a all hot and bothered, we're hard-pressed to find much to get your bosses attention beyond a few pubic hairs and a nipple. That said, the track and video directed by Ryan Dickie might arouse your desire to head over to Cafe Del Mar for a sunset cocktail. Loved the green doorknob.

Louis C.K. Made History on Letterman Last Night

May 2, 2014, 6:00 am

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Louie CK breaks a record on David Letterman, using a phrase that's apparently never been uttered on-air in the history of the show. [Uproxx]
 

Billy on the Street's Meryl Streep-themed "Meryl Go Round" segment is a triumph. [PopCultureBrain]

 

Yep. [TastefullyOffensive]

Handy dandy binge-watching breakdown. [TastefullyOffensive]

A shirtless man asked out a KTLA reporter live on air while she was reporting on a wildfire. Smoooth. [Dlisted]



Dumb and Dumber re-cut as a super-intense drama. [LaughingSquid]

Have a great weekend! [FYouNoFMe]

Top 10 Ways to Celebrate Derby de Mayo in New York City

May 2, 2014, 12:45 pm

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Chase your juleps with margaritas, your tacos with Derby pie because the Kentucky Derby and Cinco de Mayo are upon us. From parties to brunches, we pick the top five Derby Day and Cinco de Mayo events going on in NYC, below.

Kentucky Derby

1. Pete's Candy Store's Derby Party
Get ready to dress to the nines and celebrate the Derby Louisville-style at Pete's Candy Store's annual event. Make sure to pick up a plate of their Bluegrass Blue-Plate Special (homemade bourbon-glazed ribs, Louisville potato salad, and derby pie), sip on mint juleps, and participate in the ladies' millinery competition. It's the perfect time to show off your most extravagant headpieces, because Pete's will cover the the best-hatter's bar tab.
Pete's Candy Store, 709 Lorimer St., Williamsburg. May 3rd, 3pm

2. Kentucky Derby at Maison Premiere
Head to Bedford Ave.'s perennially popular cocktail spot to throw back a few of their signature mint juleps and a half-dozen oysters.
Maison Premiere, 298 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn. May 3rd, 2pm-8pm

3. Slint Documentary Screening (and Derby Celebration) at the Wythe Hotel
Are you more interested in Spiderland than "The Run Of Roses"? Well you're in luck, because The Wythe Hotel is screening the new Slint documentary Breadcrumb Trail, which you can watch while still enjoying Derby favorites like pimento cheese sandwiches, cucumber benedictine, mini hot browns, pulled pork sliders and bourbon chocolate pecan pie. As an added bonus, band members -- and Louisville natives -- Brian McMahan, David Pajo, and Britt Walford will do a Q&A following the screening.
Wythe Hotel, 80 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn. May 3rd, 5:30pm. Get tickets HERE.

4. Kentucky Derby: Pony Joint Pre-Game at Saxon + Parole
Head to Saxon + Parole to get your drink on (and pick up a slice of Derby pie with bourbon whipped cream.) But don't forget to dress up -- the restaurant is giving out complimentary mint juleps to anyone wearing hats or seersucker pants.
Saxon + Parole, 316 Bowery, Manhattan. May 3rd.

5. Brooklyn Derby
Why fly all the way to Louisville when you can have a true Derby-palooza over in Brooklyn? The 11th annual Brooklyn Derby Party features an open bar, southern-style buffet, an official 140th Annual Kentucky Derby glass, and the opportunity to make your very own hat at their Etsy-sponsored DIY Hat Station.
Greenwood Park, 555 7th Ave, Brooklyn. May 3rd, 4pm-8pm. Get tickets HERE.

Cinco De Mayo

Salvation Taco's Rooftop Party
Get ready to kick off the rooftop party season with Salvation Taco's Cinco De Mayo party, where you can down a few frozen margaritas and munch on chicken tinga, chile relleno tamales, and more.
Salvation Taco, 145 E 39th St, Manhattan. May 5th.

Cinco De Mayo Parade
Enjoy the holiday and the (hopefully) beautiful spring afternoon with New Yorkers of all ages at the city's annual Cinco De Mayo Parade.
Central Park West between W. 106th St and W. 92nd St, Manhattan. May 5th, 1pm-4pm

Empellón Taqueria
Throw on your cutest stretchy pants because the good folks at Empellón are rolling out special brunch and dinner tasting menus -- complete with unlimited beer, wine and margaritas -- on Sunday and Monday, respectively. 
Empellón Taqueria, 230 W. 4th St., Manhattan; Make reservations HERE.

New York Comedy Club's Pre-Cinco De Mayo Comedy Show
Before your weekend binge marathon begins, check out NY Comedy Club's special Cinco De Mayo show this Friday featuring comedians Jared Freid, Mike Cannon, Ricky Velez, Kate Wolff, and Chris DiStefano.
New York Comedy Club, 221 E. 24th Street, Manhattan. May 2nd, 9pm. Get tickets HERE.

Cinco De Mayo Party at Posh
Head to Hell's Kitchen's famous gay bar for a celebration that'll be, uh, muy caliente. The party features drag shows; $5 tequila shots, Coronas and margaritas all night; and tunes by DJ Calvin Calvinstein.
Posh, 405 West 51st St., Manhattan. May 5th, 3pm-late

Jay Z, Drake and the Basketball Playoffs

May 2, 2014, 1:56 pm

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(Photo of Drake by Nicholas Hunt/PatrickMcMullan.com / Photo of Jay Z by
Andrew Fitzsimons/PatrickMcMullan.com)

 

With the Brooklyn Nets basketball team on the verge of being eliminated in the playoffs by the Toronto Raptors, it's an opportune time to analyze the subtext of the games -- the battle between Jay Z and Drake.

It's well-known that Brooklyn and Jay Z are inextricably bound at the hip from birth to the grave, his role in establishing the Nets in the mind of Hip-Hop America much larger than the minuscule 0.67% he has since sold. His influence has been enormous as Creative Consultant in the say of Nets' Brooklyn uniforms, the choice of team colors, the design of arena club spaces and the branding of the move from New Jersey to Brooklyn. He often sits in the front row with Beyoncé. Need I say more?

Drake has also become identified with Toronto. He was born in the city and is a front row fixture at Air Canada Centre, a visible presence at the playoffs and a global ambassador for his home city. So much so that when a video of Drake daintily removing lint from his pants using a roller during Game 2 of the playoffs went viral, the Raptors teamed up with a manufacturer to distribute 1,200 Drake lint rollers to fans outside the arena.

In a face-off between Brooklyn grime and Toronto cleanliness there's not much competition unless you bring the comparison to the basketball court where the Raptors are leading 3-2. Jay Z's roots as a drug dealer from the projects make him "hard" whereas Drake's middle class quasi-suburban upbringing and transition from teen actor to rapper make him appear "soft." The basketball teams are similarly aligned. To counter critics who called the Nets soft in the past, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett were brought in from the Boston Celtics, two tough guys from one of basketball's winningest franchises. But Garnett's age has made him a non-factor and except for Game 1, Pierce's contributions have been minimal.

The issue of age also crosses over from basketball to hip hop. Jay Z is old (44), Drake young (27). Jay Z's hegemony and brand of defiant rapping has been on the decline as Drake's more sensitive stylings have redefined the genre. Nets v. Raptors comparisons raise similar issues. As Sports Illustrated pointed out: "The veteran-laden Nets boast plenty of postseason experience, while the Raptors' starting five features three playoff rookies. Can Toronto's youth and enthusiasm overcome Brooklyn's experience and wisdom?" The answer on the basketball court will soon be apparent and I think the writing's on the wall for Jay Z as well.

PS -- And for the cherry on the argument that Toronto measures up against Brooklyn as Drake does to Jay Z, I offer the sad case of Rob Ford, the Mayor of Toronto who not only talks the talk but smokes the crack. Take that for what you will.

Rock Out With Glam Icon Jobriath

May 2, 2014, 2:00 pm

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This, briefly and without doing him justice, is the sad tale of Jobriath: Bruce Campbell was born in Pennsylvania in 1946. After getting drafted, he went AWOL, but was arrested and put into a psychiatric hospital. When he got out, he moved to LA, changed his name to Jobriath and started a band. He announced that he was gay and got signed to a huge record deal by David Geffen's Elektra Records who -- with much fanfare and promotional hype -- released two albums that both stiffed. By 1975 he had retired and moved into the penthouse apartment on top of the Chelsea Hotel. On August 3, 1983, he died of AIDS. Today's oldie-but-goodie was his first public performance, on a TV show called The Midnight Special, in 1974. A documentary called Jobriath A.D. by Kieran Turner screens from May 3rd to the 8th at the reRun Theater (147 Front Street, Brooklyn).

Fight For Your Right to Party at MCA Day

May 2, 2014, 3:00 pm

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(Image via Facebook)

Hey ladies! (And all you male Beastie Boys fans, too.) Tomorrow, May 3rd, is MCA Day. It's been two years since Adam Yauch passed away, and Saturday is the big day that organizers describe as an event "born from a global community built on gratitude to celebrate his life." Here in NYC, people are already out in Union Square and Washington Square to honor MCA, and tomorrow you can head over to Adam Yauch Park (27 State Street, Brooklyn Heights) and then go to Littlefield (622 Degraw Street, Brooklyn) in Gowanus and fight for your right to party from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. There's gonna be music, art, performances and "a boombox." Share the love, yo.

More James Franco Photos from Our Gia Coppola Palo Alto Shoot

May 2, 2014, 12:00 pm

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In celebration of our May issue's big photo spread with the super cute cast of Palo Alto, shot by director Gia Coppola, we're releasing outtakes from the shoot all this week and next week. And today it's Franco Friday, y'all! His very "come-hither" semi-nude Instagram photo may have been pulled but we've got plenty more enticing shots of the actor to fill that void on this sunny, spring day. Check out more shots of Franco, below, and scope more extra-hot bonus photos of co-stars Keegan Allen and Emma Roberts.

James wears a shirt by Topman.



Jacket by Gucci

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The Best, Worst and Weirdest of the Week

May 2, 2014, 4:30 pm

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Best Drake Shirt of the Week: This one. I feel scared of and attracted to his lips simultaneously. -- Gabby Bess

Bro of the Week: This guy. "COME ON PUP LET'S GO LOOK AT THE FIRE. NAH I DON'T NEED A SHIRT. WOW LOOK AT THAT BABE." -- Tucker Chet Markus

Best Collab of the Week: Tracey Emin x Comme des Garcons. Comme des Garcon is known for making garments look more like high art and now they're unveiling the first scent in their artist commissioned fragrance line: Serpentine. The bottle, designed by Emin, is beautifully marked with her signature handwriting. -- G.B.

Hippest Homage to Mickey Mouse: The new Mickey Mouse collection for Opening Ceremony. In celebration of the mouse's first film, Steamboat Willie, the cool-kid clothier translated prints inspired by the film's artwork and stills onto button-down shirts, tees, sweaters and accessories like bucket hats and Vans Classic Slip-Ons. -- Maggie Dolan

FINALLY Star Wars News of the Week: This cast news about Episode VII (Adam Driver! Harrison Ford! Carrie Fisher! Mark Hamill! Max von Sydow!) When I heard all of this, I temporarily lost vision in my left eye and I felt like I needed to go on a run. Is this wut drugs r lyk??? -- T.C.M.

Coolest Fashion-Meets-Art-Meets-Social Media News of the Week: Ray-Ban's brand new "Remix Content Creators" project in which they've paired artists like 2014 Beautiful Person Jeannette Hayes, Vashtie, Harley Viera-Newton and others to collaborate on GIFs, Vines, Instagrams and YouTube videos inspired by the eyewear brand's nine 'remix' models. -- Abby Schreiber

Artiest Retail Moment: M/M Paris' new installation for the Dior Homme Soho Store. The acclaimed design firm created an installation to showcase Kris Van Assche's new art-inspired pre-fall collection. Haute Art. -- M.D.

Best Coolio-Inspired Look of the Week: Rihanna's at the iHeartRadio Music Awards. Coolio hair + an S&M-y ensemble strangely equal perfection. -- G.B.

Best Photo Gallery of the Week: This one from our friends over at Buzzfeed rounding up women and children who resemble Michael Cera. -- A.S.

Coolest Pop-Up Shop Scene: Designer Alex Koutny's month-long pop up shop at 125 Rivington Street. Opening today and running until May 31, the shop will feature Koutny's namesake designs, jewelry and objects along with pieces by Eleen Halvorsen and Tara 4776. Check it ooouuut. -- M.D.

Alan Cumming Is the Host With the Most

May 4, 2014, 1:38 pm

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Bra by VPL and an ascot by Turnbull and Asser.

The Bill: Alan Cumming, director Sam Mendes, costume designer William Ivey Long and co-director/choreographer Rob Marshall reunite to update their legendary 1998 revival of Kander and Ebb's politically minded musical Cabaret, about the fictional Kit Kat Klub in Weimar-era Berlin. Cumming will reprise his Tony-winning role as the sexually ambiguous Emcee and Michelle Williams will make her Broadway debut as the tragic showgirl Sally Bowles -- the role that won the late Natasha Richardson a Tony in 1998.

Star Quality: With a starring role on the CBS hit The Good Wife, a lengthy list of film parts, books, articles, web series cameos and LGBT speaking engagements as well as a provocatively named fragrance, Cumming's become a full 360-degree brand.  

Stage Experience: Cumming's a regular on the New York theater scene, most recently starring in an avant-garde production of Macbeth on Broadway and performing at Town Hall with Liza Minnelli.

Shirt by Moschino, pants by Bless, socks by Falke and shoes by Henrik Vibskov.

On the 1998 revival of Cabaret...  "I can't remember anything about it. I had to go to the Lincoln Center library and watch the video to see what it was like -- which was kind of weird. I was like, 'God, she's dead,' and 'Oh look at them, they're so young,' or 'Oh they're not even in show business anymore.' It was kind of like looking back at your high school photos. I had actively avoided it for so long. I never went to see it. Whenever the soundtrack came on someone's iPod, I'd push it forward. I felt -- not trapped, but when I'd go on talk shows they'd play the Cabaret tune and I just felt so associated with it. I wanted distance from it. Now it feels fresh and new and exciting."

On resurrecting the Emcee... "I'm going into it the same way that I did 15 years ago, thinking, 'I don't know if I can do this.' I'm a gentleman of mature years, and I'm very fit, but I'm like a lead dancer of a Broadway show aged 75. Last time the people in the ensemble were kind of my peers, but now I'm definitely going to be 'Daddy.'"  

On where to find the kit kat klub vibe in NYC.. "The Box. When the Box performers come on, your jaw is on the floor. That spirit of provocation is alive and kicking there and I really like that."

Grooming by Michael Moreno at LVA Artists using Oribe Hair Care. Shot at JW Marriott Essex House.

MORE SPRING BROADWAY STARS

Leighton Meester Makes Her Broadway Debut

May 4, 2014, 1:40 pm

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shirt by Carven, pants by See by Chloé and a jacket by Longchamp.

The Bill: Leighton Meester joins James Franco and Chris O'Dowd in the Anna D. Shapiro-directed revival of John Steinbeck's 1937 play Of Mice and Men as a farmer's pretty wife who causes trouble for two inseparable farmhands.

Star Quality: Meester spent six seasons playing the impeccably styled Upper East Side "Queen B" Blair Waldorf on Gossip Girl and has starred in films like Country Strong, plus The Oranges and last month's Life Partners with husband Adam Brody.

Stage Experience: None.

On being the only girl in an all-male cast... "There's a ton of women backstage, so it's balanced. And onstage, the thing about working with actors is that even though they're supposed to be hard, tough, dirt-caked ranch men, they're actors so they're very sensitive, very in touch, and they're all very musical -- there's a lot of singing and playing instruments backstage."

Hat by Eugenia Kim, dress by Marc Jacobs and shoes by Tom Ford.

On deciding to make her stage debut... "I don't know if this is a good thing or a bad thing, but I barely had to think about it. They called me and said they were thinking about putting Of Mice and Men on Broadway, which was automatically awesome, but then it was with Anna D. Shapiro, great, James Franco, awesome, Chris O'Dowd, brilliant, so it was really a no-brainer. I'm surprised how much I'm still learning and how much I love it. I've actually never felt so full and whole and rewarded from anything, ever."

On growing up after Gossip Girl... "It's been almost two years since the show ended and I'm forever grateful for it, but I'm an autonomous, different person and now I am discovering who I am as a woman and as a person, as a wife -- all of which is meaningful within the play."


Hair by Charles Baker Strahan for Herbal Essences / makeup by Yumi Kaizuka for Chanel Beauté 

Shot at Bill's Food and Drink.


MORE SPRING BROADWAY STARS

Daniel Radcliffe Works His Magic on Broadway

May 4, 2014, 1:45 pm

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Tuxedo by Antonio Azzuolo, shirt by Hamilton Shirts, bow tie by Thomas Pink
and hat by JJ Hats.

The Bill: Last summer's sold-out West End production of Martin McDonagh's black comedy The Cripple of Inishmaan, starring Daniel Radcliffe as Billy -- a disabled man in a small town on Ireland's Aran Islands who dreams of being a Hollywood star-- transferred to Broadway last month.

Star Quality: Since wrapping the eighth and final Harry Potter film in 2011, Radcliffe has costarred with Jon Hamm in a quirky BBC miniseries and played Allen Ginsberg in Kill Your Darlings. This summer he'll star opposite Zoe Kazan in the indie romcom What If.

Stage Experience: Between stints playing boy-wizard Potter, Radcliffe turned to the stage, starring on Broadway in revivals of Equus and the 1960s musical How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.

On learning to play someone with a disability... "I worked on the physicality for about three or four months with a voice teacher, who has a very mild form of cerebral palsy, which is what I had chosen to base Billy's condition on. It's definitely one of the challenges of the part, but I feel good about the place I got to. I see Billy as somebody who does not pity himself; he's very practical. He's an incredibly strong, dynamic character within his disability."

Jacket by Acne, shirt by Lanvin, pants by AMI and hat by JJ Hats.

On social media mixups... "There was one very funny moment where my dad spotted something somebody tweeted about having seen me rehearsing for Inishmaan with a pair of tap shoes. I actually had been rehearsing for something else which required dance, and apparently somebody was like, 'Wait, does he tap in this production?' I'm not sure how much Martin would have approved of my changes to his play if I had been like, 'Hey, can I make this into a jazzy musical number?'"

On spending the summer in New York... "I love just going out and sitting down in the park along with the thousands of other people who apparently have no work to do during the day. People come up to me, but they are generally really nice. New York makes it easier, for me at least. People manage to be enthusiastic and sort of sane at the same time. And that's lovely."

Grooming by Mira at Facepro.co.uk using MAC / hair by Dan Gregory for Man Made London / Stylist's Assistant: Thomas Kikis

MORE SPRING BROADWAY STARS

Nate Berkus Wheels and Deals His Way Through Hs Favorite NYC Flea Market

May 5, 2014, 6:30 am

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Nate wears a jacket by Rag & Bone, t-shirt by AllSaints,
pants by J. Crew and shoes by Céline.

Interior designer Nate Berkus became a household name when he did his first television redecoration project on The Oprah Winfrey Show almost 15 years ago. He's had a full dance card ever since with books, design collections (including a home line with Target ­-- his spring 2014 collection is in stores now) a daytime talk show and a newfound modeling career. (Berkus and fiancé Jeremiah Brent were featured in Banana Republic's "True Outfitters" campaign.) On the eve of the premiere of American Dream Builders, his home-design competition show on NBC, Berkus took a head-clearing trip with PAPER and the Coveteur to his personal sanctuary, also known as the Showplace Antique and Design Center in Chelsea. Here, he points out great finds, gives us a few tips and teaches us how to bargain like a pro.

WOOD IS THE WAY:
Antique or vintage wood furniture is definitely making a comeback. These chairs, which I probably wouldn't have thought were that interesting two years ago, now I look at them and think they'd be great mixed in with a neutral interior that has modern '60s and '70s things. I think we're moving out of the industrial design craze. The high-end design community is moving back towards antiques, which means 100 years or older. And what's great is that the dealers haven't quite caught up to that trend yet, so the pricing is still good -- especially for wood furniture.

TREAT YOURSELF:
I've had my eye on this watch for a while, and I think I'm going to just buy it because my show is premiering tonight and I'm celebrating. It's an Audemars Royal Oak from the '80s. I don't like oversize watches, but they're smaller from that time. I'm going to see if I can take it with me today so I can wear it tonight.

PIECE OUT:
Sheri's Vintage Collection is one of the best places in the city for vintage jewelry. I've stood at this counter for hours, going through bins with my little sister, trying to find the right earrings for a party. I like big, signed pieces from the '50s and '60s by Yves Saint Laurent and Lanvin.

BARGAIN SMART:
The correct way to bargain at vintage and antique stores is first to ask, "Is this price firm," which means that your intent is to bargain but it's a polite way of saying it. Then you say, "What is the absolute best price you can sell this for?" And then usually they'll be willing to negotiate. Pointing out flaws in an antiques or vintage store to get a price down is obnoxious.

EARTH CHAIRS ARE EARTH-SHATTERING:
These chairs are sick. Don't you want to come home and sit in these? It's $5,900 for the two chairs and the ottoman, and I think that's a good price. I've never seen these before.

FASHION IS INSPIRATION:
I find inspiration in vintage clothing, and I love Marlene Wetherell Vintage. Putting clothing and accessories in terms of home design -- every dress or coat becomes inspiration for a pillow or bedding. Like this little laminated Gucci coat from the '60s with zebras. I have tons of animal prints in my collection for Target. When I see a coat like this I think, "This needs to be a pillow." I'd take out the orange stripes to make it look less '60s, but I love the scale of the print.

BASK IN THE GLOW OF VINTAGE:
I think vintage lighting is the way to go, and they have great fixtures here. Even if you rent, just switch out the entry fixture, or the fixture in the living room, and throw the original under your bed. This light is great. It's Italian, '70s, lacquered stainless steel with nine Lucite rods. It's so good. I would pair it with the wood chairs from downstairs.

THE COUPLE THAT DECORATES TOGETHER:
My fiancé thinks I have an animal problem. He's like, "Why do you need to have small stuffed animals everywhere?" My answer for that is, "Why don't you understand how cool they are?" But otherwise we have the same taste. We don't fight about design; we fight about who gets the last piece of pizza. If he eats the last piece of pizza, it's like Divorce Court. We need Judge Wapner.

SMALLS ARE BIG:
The smalls are amazing. It's so fun to dig in the cases here because you never know what you're going to find. It's everything from vintage accessories to pottery to incredible boxes, vases and sometimes handbags. It's also great for finding last-minute gifts. This mid-century candle holder for $125 is an amazing gift. If someone gave you that as a birthday present, wouldn't you be like, "Yes, thank you; I'm really happy I asked you to my dinner"?

Grooming by Steve Berg.

OUR MAY DESIGN ISSUE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE DEVASTATINGLY CHIC FOLKS AT THE COVETEUR! FOR MORE FROM OUR COLLABORATION, CHECK BACK HERE AND ON THECOVETEUR.COM.

Beware "The Beygency"

May 5, 2014, 7:00 am

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Check out Saturday Night Live's hilarious trailer for "The Beygency," a chilling thriller about what happens to those who dare to speak ill of Beyonce. Don.t Do. It.
 

Can we talk about how good Andrew Garfield's Justin Timberlake impression is in this SNL Celebrity Family Feud sketch?
 
An amazing super cut of 90s alt rock vocal hooks. [LaughingSquid]
 

Emcee Joel McHale handed everyone their asses at the White House Press Correspondents' Dinner this weekend. [Uproxx]


How do we hang out with these goats? [FYeahDementia]
 Johnny Weir's Kentucky Derby hat is a MASTERPIECE. Liberace is crying rhinestone tears of joy in heaven. [Uproxx]

Damn. [FYouNoFMe]

This week's motto. Go get 'em, everyone![Mlkshk]

Top 5 Ways to Celebrate Cinco de Mayo Today

May 5, 2014, 10:30 am

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Here's the run-down of the top 5 goings-on happening in NYC in honor of Cinco de Mayo.

1. Salvation Taco's Rooftop Party
Get ready to kick off the rooftop party season with Salvation Taco's Cinco De Mayo party, where you can down a few frozen margaritas and munch on chicken tinga, chile relleno tamales, and more.
Salvation Taco, 145 E 39th St, Manhattan.

2. Cinco de Mayo a B-Bar
Join the fashion and nightlife tribes as they descend on the Bowery mainstay for a party hosted by Tommy Saley, Johnny Christ, Walid Almaaz and Franco V featuring DJ sets by The Misshapes, Mike Nouveau, May Kwok and more. Aside from the beautiful people ogling, there will be plenty of tequila shots, margaritas and tacos on offer.
B Bar, 40 E. 4th St., Manhattan. May 5pm-11pm.

3. Cinco De Mayo Parade
Enjoy the holiday and the (hopefully) beautiful spring afternoon with New Yorkers of all ages at the city's annual Cinco De Mayo Parade.
Central Park West between W. 106th St and W. 92nd St, Manhattan. 1pm-4pm

4. Empellón Taqueria
Throw on your cutest stretchy pants because the good folks at Empellón are rolling out special brunch and dinner tasting menus -- complete with unlimited beer, wine and margaritas -- on Sunday and Monday, respectively. 
Empellón Taqueria, 230 W. 4th St., Manhattan; Make reservations HERE.

5. Cinco De Mayo Party at Posh
Head to Hell's Kitchen's famous gay bar for a celebration that'll be, uh, muy caliente. The party features drag shows; $5 tequila shots, Coronas and margaritas all night; and tunes by DJ Calvin Calvinstein.
Posh, 405 West 51st St., Manhattan. 3pm-late

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Kids N Cats'"Tip Tip" Might Be the Weirdest Music Video of 2014

May 5, 2014, 1:00 pm

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The year isn't even half over and we've already got a serious contender for our 2014 "Weirdest Video" award. And you might as well add it to the short-list for "Most Creative," too. Guess it's because "Tip Tip" is the the first release from a trio called Kids N Cats, so they've got nothing to lose by going 100% freaky; and we've got little to compare it to, except maybe a Ryan Trecartin video. Hard to pick our fave segments, but let's give it a go: hairy lollipop, butt eyes, sitting on strawberries, nose picking, Play-Doh fingers. (In no particular order.)

Three Big Names Lighting Up Broadway This Spring

May 5, 2014, 2:00 pm

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Daniel Radcliffe, the Cripple of Inishmaan


Leighton Meester, Of Mice and Men


Alan Cumming, Cabaret

Hurricane Ashley Ravaged Several Bars Last Night

May 6, 2014, 7:30 am

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There were early reports that Hurricane Ashley devastated several area bars last night during Cinco de Mayo. Watch the full news item above. Our thoughts go out to Ashley's victims. [via Tastefully Offensive]

Madonna Instagrammed a pic of the dress she was planning to wear to the Met Bal but Anna Wintour put the kibosh on it so she decided to stay home. Never change, Madge, never change. [via Jezebel]

Meh. [via Knusprig Titten Hitler]

Mmmmkay. [via F You No F Me]

An illustrated guide to the many faces of Bill Murray. [via Lost at E Minor]

Attention, attention: Adam Levine is now a blonde. That is all. [via Twitter]

Here's a grainy clip of Harry Styles and Niall Horan dancing around in their underwear. [via Buzzfeed]

Yep. [via F Yeah Dementia]

A Guide to Frieze 2014 and the Satellite Art Fairs Taking Over NYC

May 6, 2014, 1:30 pm

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The upcoming FRIEZE Art Fair in New York City is a good opportunity to reflect (briefly) on the crazy valuations of contemporary art and also on how the mega-fairs are affecting art galleries.  The above image is the perfect example of the former.  The unsigned, torn scrap of paper is going to be auctioned on May 13th in New York by Swann Auction Galleries, who estimate its value to be between $4,000 and $6,000. The artist who created this iconic image is, of course, Keith Haring, and his work is instantly recognizable, hence the high price for a fragment of a drawing that the auction catalogue describes as "accidentally destroyed by a falling ladder."

It's been said that the global rise of the mega-fairs like Frieze and Art Basel Miami is financially hurting the traditional, physical outlet for art and for launching new artists: the galleries.  Of course many galleries are also exhibiting at the fairs, but are collectors just saving time and money by taking advantage of the "one-stop-shopping"?  Or maybe everyone is caught up in the feeding-frenzy atmosphere at the fairs and they don't want to fly home without buying something.  Meanwhile the fairs keep growing in size and expanding to more cities: we just received word that the forty-year-old FIAC fair, traditionally held annually in Paris, is going to lauch a spin-off in Los Angeles in May of 2015.


FRIEZE, held on Randall's Island, is the week's main event.  This year's edition starts on May 8th with the collector's preview in the afternoon, the "Private View" from 6 to 9 p.m. in the evening, and then it's open to the public daily from the 9th thru the 12th. Tickets cost $43 (students $27) and the ferry from 35th Street on the East River is $19 r/t.  There's also a bus from the Guggenheim (Fifth Avenue & 88th Street) for $7.  On Monday, May 12, they are offering 1,000 tickets for $10, available only to people between 17 and 25. (The cheapest way to get there is probably to just walk over the footbridge at 103rd Street near the Target store.)

The fair itself will house over 190 international galleries and when you get hungry (or thirsty) stop at one of this year's pop-up restaurants including Blue Bottle Coffee, Furanku, Frankies Spuntino, Mission Cantina, Roberta's and The Fat Radish.  There are also additional installations in the surrounding park, several side projects and talks with interesting people including two members of Pussy Riot on Friday at 4 p.m. And this year, if you are totally exhausted by a full day of art viewing and can't make it home, you can stay in their on-site hotel.  "Al's Grand Hotel" is a re-imagining of an art project created by Allen Ruppersberg in 1971 in Los Angeles, and this version will include only 2 rooms available for overnight stays from May 8 to 12 for $350 a night. Just call 646 578 8471 to book.

SATELLITE FAIRS

NADA New York is back on Pier 36 at Basketball City (299 South Street) from May 9 to May 11 with a VIP preview from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the 9th before it opens to the public the same day at 2 p.m.  It's their third New York fair and over 70 galleries from 31 cities will be on hand.  Be sure to look inside the black '64 Ford Galaxie parked outside the pier: it's a site-specific installation filled with art presented by Shoot The Lobster.

A fair that we loved last year, CUTLOG, returns to The Clement (107 Suffolk Street) on the Lower East Side.  This French "boutique" fair includes over 40 galleries and curators and their VIP previews are on May 7th, and then it's open to the public Thursday thru Sunday.  Tickets are $15 ($10 for students).

PULSE New York 2014 runs from May 8th to the 11th at The Metropolitan Pavilion (125 West 18th Street) with over 50 exhibitors. The PULSE prize will awarded to one of 15 nominees at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 9th. (In December, PULSE Miami Beach is moving from downtown Miami to Indian Creek Park (4601 Collins Avenue) on Miami Beach.)

The annual Outsider Art Fair  is moving to FRIEZE-week this year and will run from May 8 to 11 at Center 548 (548 West 22nd Street), the former home of the Dia Foundation.Thursday's opening is a benefit for God's Love We Deliver and regular daily tickets are $20. Over 48 exhibitors are participating.

Making its debut in 2014 is the Downtown Fair  produced by the folks behind Art Miami, and taking place at the 69th Regiment Armory (68 Lexington Avenue at 25th Street) from May 8 to 11.

The Contemporary Art Fair (269 11th Avenue), "a showcase of independent artists and designers," is also open from May 8 to 11 in the old site of The Tunnel nightclub in Chelsea.

The Pool Art Fair (11 Rivington Street) -- "the premiere fair in the US dedicated to unrepresented artists" -- is open May 9, 10 and 11 at Off SoHo Suites on the LES.

There are also several design fairs around town this week including the Collective 2 Design Fair (360 West 33rd Street) in the Skylight rooms at Moynihan Station open from May 8 - 11; and NYCxDESIGN  with all of it's spin-offs (ICFF, WantedDesign, Sight Unseen and BKLYN Designs) running from May 9th to the 20th.

Sia Taps Dance Mom Star For New Video, "Chandelier"

May 6, 2014, 1:45 pm

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Sia has been crazy-busy penning hits for everybody from Brooke Candy to Katy Perry and Rihanna, but somehow she's still found the time to work on her sixth studio album. This track, "Chandelier," is a taste from that release, now scheduled to come out in the summer. The "star" here is 11-year-old Maddie Zeigler from the TV show Dance Moms. Feel free to go home tonight and swing from a chandelier.