ZONA MACO MÉXICO ARTE CONTEMPORÁNEO

Mexico City y Puebla || April 12-18

So you think you know contemporary art? How about Contemporary Art Event Travel? HELLO!

Now, there's art...and then there's going to where the art & the artists & the art lovers are...in a great destination. As one who prefers to have it all, I prefer the latter. And that is why I bring Pinacoteca to your attention.

Pinacoteca is the brainchild of Anna Di Stasi. Based in NYC, Anna has all the credentials to curate your home or office. And that is part of what she does with Pinacoteca. But she also curates Event-Centric Travel™ And masterfully, at that.

In the near term Anna has put together a brilliant art travel package featuring ZONA MACO México Arte Contemporáneo in Mexico City this coming April. She even has an optional weekend in Puebla for those who need a few more days south of the border. This package is a sterling example of that which this blog strives to showcase: Event-Centric Travel™

VIP acces to this premier Contemporary Art Fair includes the following:

• Guided visits by art historians to modern and contemporary art museums
• Invitations to select artists’ studios
• One day trip to The Teotihuacan Pyramids
• An architectural tour of one of Mexico City’s most innovative studios
• Culinary experiences at award winning restaurants
• Other "By Invitation Only" events

So, brush up on your Spanish and Vamos!

ZONA MACO MÉXICO ARTE CONTEMPORÁNEO: http://www.MacoMexico.com

PINACOTECA: http://www.PinacotecaNYC.com/

SHOWTEL

West Palm Beach, FL || April 8 - 10

Has your endless quest of discovering hip hotels been letting you down of late? Well, here's one way to bring back the wonder of exploring the vanguard of hotel-chic (and attend a very cool art event, at the same time). I can't really tell if you can stay at the Biba Hotel during the event or if there is "no vacancy" on account of these installations. But, I'm sure there are other accommodations nearby and it's a nice time to visit the sunshine state. I'll take the room by the pool. I mean, IN the pool.

From their web site:

SHOWTEL is the only independent alternative art event of its kind: an annual show of site-specific art in all media including installation, sculpture, video, sound and performance art. Each year, more than twenty artists are selected to transform hotel rooms into conceptual art environments on view for only one or two nights. SHOWTEL is the most infamous art exhibition in Palm Beach County. Two thousand people attended the one-night show in 2009. The show continues to be the only recurring exhibition showcasing emerging contemporary artists from the area. Over 200 artists have participated in the exhibition to date. Showtel is curated by Kara Walker-Tomé.

DETAILS: http://artsiteprojects.org/?page_id=11

Vail International Film Festival

VAIL, CO || April 1 - 4

As if you needed another reason to go to Vail before all of the snow is gone! It's not too late to book a last minute ticket to Colorado for this one.

Be on the look out for Jason Braff (Scrubs), Dennis Haybert (24 & The Unit), Ashley Jensen (Ugly Betty & Extras) Patrick Warburton (Seinfeld) and the fabulous Jane Seymour, who I had the pleasure of meeting last September in New York (Thank Jocy). And if you make it out, ask me for connections to any of my many good friends in the Vail Valley. So many good peeps there and I'm happy to introduce.

And although getting there might not be, you'll be happy to know that Vail Film Festival is a Carbon Neutral event. So that's nice!

DETAILS: http://www.vailfilmfestival.org/

CharityBuzz.com

Here's one way to have celebrities support your charitable event. Or, for the consumer, an easy and charitable way to meet a celebrity you admire. Some pretty cool things here. Including lots of bargains on all kinds of experiences and luxury brands put up for auction. I'm thinking about bidding on a few of these myself. Enjoy!

To Benefit PS-41-NYC

Lunch with Donny Deutch

Recording session with Pink Floyd guitarist Jon Carin

Attend a show and meet The Hosts of Fast Money

To Benefit The Center for the Advancement of Women

Lunch with Quincy Jones

To Benefit The Worldwide Orphans Foundation

Meet Daniel Craig on the set of his next film

Meet Sting backstage in LA

Meet Bette Midler at her star-studded Hulaween Ball

Meet Seth Meyers after attending a dressed rehearsal of SNL

And many more, here: http://www.charitybuzz.com/

New York Entrepreneur Week

NYC || APRIL 7 - 13

As I note HERE, events are NOT always "parties". NYEW is an event that speaks for itself. I'm thrilled to know a few of the speakers who will be addressing the attendees and I am looking forward to meeting others. View the full line up HERE. Entrepreneur or not, NYEW is a great opportunity to learn from and connect with leaders of all kinds.

DETAILS: http://www.nyew.org/

Also... My friend Aron has set up at least one extra-curricular event where you can enjoy a Big Apple Martini after a day of learning. Details here: http://doitinpersonlaunch.eventbrite.com/. Use discount code NYEW2010 for 10% off.

2010 GenArt Film Festival

NYC || April 7-13

You've got to love GenArt, especially their annual film festival. I think the best part about GenArt is that they have figured out that films are not an "event" (they are screenings-a kind of performance) but that pre-screening and after parties are events. So they include these experiences (complete with sponsored bars) in the price of admission. Bravo!

GenArt bills their 2010 Film Festival as...

"a multi-genre slate of 14 exhilarating films, seven shorts and seven features, the festival is attended by tastemaker film-lovers, celebrities, critics and industry professionals. Each New York Premiere is followed by an after-party at one of New York's most exclusive nightspots where filmmakers and guests receive the VIP treatment and have the opportunity to mix and mingle with their audience. Each party includes a two hour sponsored bar."

There is nothing about this deal I don't like. The LAUNCH PARTY is March 31st but it is open only to Producer Level members of GenArt, select members of the press and GenArt alumni (with an RSVP, I presume). That's a good reason to join GenArt which supports the arts and charity in a number of ways. Learn more about that HERE and join GenArt HERE.

Las Fallas Festival

VALENCIA, SPAIN || MARCH 13-19

For five days in March, Valencia, Spain is "En Fuego"! Literrally.

Las Fallas is a cultural festival of Christian & Pagan origins which honors St. Joseph. It is a bit of a spectacle (attracting about 2 million people) but I'm quite sure there are many events within the festival that are worth discovering.

For five days the city is festooned with dozens of massive sculptures depicting iconic figures such as celebrities, politicians and athletes. The statues are created by neighborhood groups who work for months on these effigies made of paper and wood.

Each night, these same neighborhood groups compete in fireworks displays, or mascleta, which take place in the Plaza Ayuntamiento. They are vying for "Pyro of the Year" bragging rights, I suppose. The finale comes on the 19th, when the statues are filled with fireworks, and set on fire. Only one is saved, (the best, presumably) and it is preserved in a museum.

So, imagine the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, or the Parade of Roses, (in Spanish) and then, at the end, set it all on fire! HELLO! Do they not have lawyers in Spain? Crazy. I love it

DETAILS: http://www.fallasfromvalencia.com/en/htm/lasfallas.htm

Chandler Ostrich Fesitval

CHANDLER, ARIZONA || March 12-14

This one speaks, more or less, for itself. I'm not so sure it's worth a long flight, but if you are in the Southwestern USA, I might merit a visit once or twice, especially with the kiddies. If you have been, let me know what you think of it. Looks like a silly good time to me. I mean, I could certainly see myself there...if only to eat my fill in ostrich burgers and watch the crazies ride our fabulous feathered friends.

DETAILS: http://www.ostrichfestival.com/

VLOG #3: INTERVIEW with Seeds of Peace - Peace Market Co-Chairs Hattan Jabban & Scott Birnbaum

A little dark on this one. But these guys are studs.

WATCH THE VIDEO INTERVIEW HERE

They assembled a massive host committee and SOLD OUT the event. Also, they loaded the event with feature after feature and all of it was donated. Not THAT'S a fundraiser. See what good event marketing can do? These guys and this organization GETS IT! Bravo!

VLOG #2: INTERVIEW with MARGARET LYDECKER of GreenDrinks NYC

Meet Margaret Lydecker. She founded GreenDrinks NYC in 2002 and produces a monthly recurring event where anyone with an interest in anything "Green" come to meet, mingle and collaborate.

WATCH THE INTERVIEW HERE

Check out their web site for the next event as it is kind of late notice for tonight, March 9th. But, if you are so inclined, do feel free to join us at HIRO @ 16th & 9th in Chelsea at The Maritme Hotel.

These get togethers happen on the 2nd Tuesday of every month, somewhere in NYC. For more details visit www.GreenDrinksNYC.com

The event features and beneficiaries change monthly but there are several common threads:

1. Margaret will be there, and she' super green and ultra cool.

2. A speaker of some kind will present on an environmental, green or sustainability issue.

3. Good people from all lines of work and all kinds of backgrounds will gather, network, share and learn.

I'm about to attend my very first one. Feeling pretty good about it.

A Sort of Homecoming

Friends, Romans, Countrymen...

I'm pleased to announce a new partnership with IN Denver Times and my first story has been posted HERE

I'll be an "Entertainment Columnist" covering EVENTS in Colorado, New York and beyond. Find me in the Entertainment Column.

I'm very excited to be a part of the team at this bleeding edge media that was formed when the Rocky Mountain News shut down. And even more pleased for this "sort of homecoming".

FIRST VIDEO BLOG or "VLOG": WHAT is "Event Savant" and WHY is it great?

Watch THIS VIDEO to find out.

This is a brief, rough introduction to the WHAT and WHY of Event Savant. It is nothing fancy, but to the point for sure. I hope you enjoy, engage and share with others. It was shot out on a frozen lake with my Sony Cybershot. One take. Off the top of my head. On a sunny, but bad hair day.

Charity Navigator

Events, as I define them, are gatherings with a charitable element to them. And events are often used as effective tools to raise funds (and awareness) for non-profit organizations. But not all events or organizations are as efficient as others, in this regard*.

So, if you get invited to a lot of events and you find your budget for them under pressure these days, you want to be more discerning about what events you attend and which non-profits you support. To those ends, Charity Navigator is a great tool for you.

I realize that nobody is going to surf the thousands of non-profits listed and evaluated them to see where they want to send all that money they don't know what to do with. More likely, you'll be solicited for a donation from a friend, associate or organization and you'll use Charity Navigator to help you to make that decision. Or, you are somebody who is a serious supporter of an organization and you would like to keep tabs on how your donations are being spent. The savvy advocate or philanthropist will find the site quite useful, I think.

Their methodology is explained in detail HERE. Simplified, they rate charities on a Four Star Scale. Four Star Charities have the lowest overhead to programming ratios. Meaning, for example, a very, very highly rated charity will use $80 out of $100 for programs (what they DO like feed orphans, protect dolphins or build wells in poor nations) and operate their organization (administrative and fundraising efforts) on the other $20 dollars. A "inefficient" charity may spend 80% of their funds operating the organization and apply only 20% of their budget to programming. That would be something like a One Star Organization.

Whatever cause you support, I'm sure there is a "continuum of efficiency" among the organizations that bring efforts to bare for that cause. Clearly, not all organizations are created (or managed) equally so you may want to use the information you find about your favorite non-profit organization in any number of ways. Your findings might help you to sing its praises, motivate you to encourage a better effort out of its directors. Or you might discover that the charity you've been supporting for years had been grossly underperforming for years and begin to look for a different organization to support.

Like Wikipedia, Charity Navigator is supported by our donations. So, if you use it, you should donate HERE

* For attendees, events (even charity events) are still only one way to support an organization. And, there is much more value to an event than its efficiency as a fundraiser. Think about the fun you have, the people you meet, the things you learn and what you share with others. These are real reasons to attend events, even if it not the most efficient means by which to support an organization or a cause.

Aspen Fashion Week - March 14-19, 2010

Now in it's second year, Aspen Fashion Week beckons you to the snowy surrounds of this hot mountain hamlet for, what else, high fashion. Marketing Director (and dear friend) Frances Gregos and I worked on these two event packages for you to consider, even in the 11th hour. The "FashionSKIsta Package" offers extraordinary access to, well, just about everything except the model tents, for up to four jet setters while the "Ski Bumista Package" offers a more affordable option for those flying solo or on a tighter budget.

And speaking of money, this year's fashionable fête will benefit The FEED Foundation which will be hosting a concert on March 16th @ Belly Up. John Forté is the featured performer. By the way Belly Up is best live music venue, maybe ever.

For those true fashionistas wondering which designers will be showing, well, I guess I'd call it an interesting mix between high fashion, jewelry, ski wear and ski gear. See the bottom of this post for specifics.

ASPEN FASHION WEEK 2010 PACKAGES

The FashionSKIsta Package $7500 DETAILS HERE

Highlights...

(4) Full access VIP passes for the Week of Aspen Fashion Week March 14-19with exclusive table side service with premium viewing at the daily Aspen Fashion Week après runway shows

(4) Premium gift bags from Aspen Fashion Week's participating sponsors + designers
(4) Invitations to all events during Aspen Fashion Week

The Ski Bumista Package $500 DETAILS HERE

Highlights...

(1) access pass for the Week of Aspen Fashion Week March 14-19 with Preferred viewing at the daily Aspen Fashion Week après runway shows
(1) Gift bag from Aspen Fashion Week's participating sponsors + designers
(1) Invitations to several key events within Aspen Fashion Week

If my plate were not so full here in dreary old Manhattan, I'd be there already. But who knows, maybe I'll snag a last minute flight and jet out for some high fashion and Aspen hijinx. However, If I win the power-ball this week, I'm definitely going and I'm going in style with Captain Nick Tarascio aboard one of the many glorious private aircraft Ventura Air Services operates out of New York. And yer invited (while there are seats left). Anyway, if you are headed out (and going big) call on Ventura Air Services. And if you have questions about the packages, call me. 917. 656.4697.

I've been up with Nick once already but it was not in a jet. We went stunt flying in his Super Decathlon (I called it "The Red Baron") over Fire Island. He turned me green in about 4 sequences of multiple spinning, diving, flipping and rolling maneuvers. It was quite a blast though and I highly recommend it. For your viewing pleasure, I've posted some photos of the little adventure HERE and a short video of one of the sequences HERE.

Incidentally, here's how Aspen Fashion Week featured your's truly (an occasional Aspenite, ski maven and all around stylee guy), on their blog.

ASPEN FASHION WEEK 2010 FEATURES

Authier

Bogner

Circe Snow

Dannenmann-Pure

David Babaii

Emilio Pucci

Gabriel Conroy

Gray

Gypsy Jewelry Collection

Heidiskis

Helly Hansen

Henry Hanger

J Crew

Janie Jacobs Creative Collection

Katerina Lankova

Kjus

Marmot

Nobis

Obermeyer

Parajumpers

Ralph Lauren

Rossignol

Sorel

Toni Henkel Handbags

Ugg

Victorinox

VIST

Wolverine

New York: Peace Market-Seeds of Peace-March 10

7 months back into an "Empire State of Mind", I am honored to be a member of the Host Committee for the 2010 Seeds of Peace Peace Market. The event is March 10th in NYC @ M2 Ultralounge. Click on the image to the left for details and tickets.

Why is this a worthwhile event?

Well, consider, for a moment about what this organization does:

They work with young people from regions of conflict to develop the leadership skills necessary to advance reconciliation and coexistence. Think Israel / Palestine and India / Pakistan...etc.

There are now over 4,000 Seeds of Peace leaders making a positive difference in The Middle East, The Balkans, South Asia, Cyprus & The United States. Fund raising efforts like The Peace Market will help to develop the next 4,000 young leaders who WILL make a difference in all of these conflicted regions.

I think that their goals and tactics are, sustainable, intelligent, peaceful, meaningful & effective. And that there are many charities that should take a page out of their playbook. This is the real deal, in my opinion. And the event looks to be outstanding. I'm particularly excited to see John Forté.

When I met Hattan Jabban (he is one of the Co-Chairs of for the event) it was last fall. My Canadian friend Jocelyn Brodeur introduced us. She's one of a kind and so is Hattan. I'd say they "broke the mold" when he was born, but his twin brother Ibrahim "AB" Jabban would disagree. Great guys! I attended a Seeds of Peace event last fall with The Brothers Jabban and we had a blast. This winter Hattan asked me if I would serve on the Host Committee for The Peace Market. And so I am. JOIN US and plant a seed today for an olive tree tomorrow!

DETAILS: http://www.seedsofpeace.org/peacemarket2010/