Oooohhh Family!
Last night I attended the 30th birthday party for Grammy Award winning producer Brian Michael Cox. My publicist called me about the party and I had to "google" him because I had no idea of who he was....well Mr. Man's list of credits are quite extensive, he's got THREE Grammy awards AND he's written and produced for some of the best in the business...from Jagged Edge to Mariah Carey & Mary J. Blige!! You KNOW I can't WAIT to work with him!
The event was being held at The W Hotel at 17th Street & Park Avenue South and the evening was to be hosted by Russell Simmons with Q-Tip as the guest DJ. So I was kinda amped up to be attending. Since Mary couldn't attend the event with me and I HATE going to events alone...I asked my friend Jacqueline if she'd accompany me....and with a promise of an abundance of Margarita's...lol...she happily obliged.
We arrived at The W at nearly 10pm (the event began at 9:00), took the elevator to the 2nd floor, checked our coats and entered the ballroom. The press area was to my immediate right when I walked in the door but because I'm a punk (yeah...I said it) and am still new to the whole "walk & wave" thing and I still don't think that people know who I am (lol...I know Mia!! I'm being silly!) I decided to watch the OTHER red carpet arrivals for a while....The first person I ran into was Former Vibe Fashion Editor-at-Large Beverly Smith...
I haven't seen Miss Bevvie in a minute, so we chatted for a moment before I began checking out the red carpet.
On the red carpet I saw a really nice looking brother who I KNEW I knew but I just couldn't remember where I'd seen him....he was really cute though. He was followed by a duo who called themselves "Black Buddafly"...I am not sure if they were singers or not but they sure enjoyed posing for the cameras. After a few minutes of watching I decided I was thirsty and Jacqueline and I headed into the main room in pursuit of Margarita's...and the first person I scoped out was guest DJ...Q-Tip...who for some strange reason felt the need to wear a winter ski hat...indoors...lol. The party was sponsored by W Hotels, Men's Vogue Magazine, Jose Cuervo Platino & SESAC. After we got our drinks....we both decided to try the signature drink of the evening....The Platino, it was supposed to be similar to a margarita but it had grapefruit juice in it...and after a few sips we both declared it to be interesting but not interesting enough to keep...I turned on my camera and made my way to the DJ booth.
I waited a few moments for him to actually SEE me before I approached him and I politely asked him if he'd mind if I took his picture...he said yes but he looked so forlorn that I had to ask him "What is THAT face about??? What is wrong with you tonight?" He smiled and apologized because he was coming down with a cold and wasn't feeling too hot. Anyway I took my photo and he was nice enough to pose with me too!
At that point we headed to the EMPTY bar at the far side of the room for new drinks...a margarita for Jacqueline and a glass of bubbly for me! We hung out in the "reserved" area and then I spotted the young man I saw on the red carpet with the face that I couldn't place. I signaled for him to come over and asked him why he looked so familiar to me....it turns out that I recognized him from American Idol Season 6...he was a top 24 finalist and his name was Jared Cotter...I remember him because he's a cutie and he sang "Let's Get It On" during one show. He was also friendly and kind enough to take a very special self portrait with The Runway Diva.
Now you know if I'm drinking...I gotta be eating too...not a good look for me to be stumbling home drunk after drinking on an empty stomach! The food was delicious too! Steak on bamboo sticks marinated in God only knows what...but it was GOOD!!! Crab cakes galore, mini BLT's (I wasn't supposed to...but I HAD to try one...and it was really yummy!...brought back many pork memories for me..lol).
As the night went on, everyone was eagerly awaiting the arrival of the birthday boy! Meanwhile Miss Jacqueline made it her business to make sure that I got those photo ops so she went to find out who was handling this and returned shortly with Osayamen Asemota (my contact for the evening) in tow...she thanked me for coming and quickly put my behind on that red carpet in front of those photographers...once I was "in" the moment...lol..I was fine.
The Birthday boy arrived close to midnight with his entourage in full swing! He was dressed to the nines as well....I met the young man who designed his clothing...although his name escapes me...his clothing (including the outfit HE was wearing) had a sort of Ozwald Boateng feel to it...and I absolutely LOVED it! Brian took the mic, thanked everyone for coming and then DEMANDED that we all get down and party! At this point Q-Tip began pulling records from the back of the crate (Engine, engine number 9, on the NY transit line, if my train rolls off the track...pick it up, pick it up, pick it up!!!!) and the party was on and poppin' with Brian leading the way on the dance floor! Now you know I pretty much have retired my dance shoes but I couldn't resist getting my dance on in my own little space on the side..lol. I managed to make my way over to Brian, introduced myself to him, sent greetings from Mary Moore, took a few photos and decided to call it and evening.
After about oh...my 4th glass of champagne...I noticed the caterers bringing out Red Velvet Cupcakes w/cream cheese frosting and Brian's initials on them (BMC). I grabbed a cupcake...but decided that I wanted to eat it later and headed to the kitchen to get some foil to wrap it in....I asked for the foil and then headed to the bathroom while I was waiting for someone to find me some. Well when I got back to the kitchen, the cutie in the back had put THREE cupcakes in a lovely box for me!
We finished our drinks and began making our way to the coat check when I nearly crashed into a little white man...lol...I took one look at him and realized immediately it was Paul Shaffer, the musical director for The David Letterman Show! I introduced myself and told him he HAD to take a pic with me...and he did...happily!
Well, just when I thought my evening couldn't get any better, as Jacqueline and I entered the lobby I ran right into Colin Farrell...with his CUTE self....I was thisclose to getting him to take a pic with me but the paparazzi drove him out of the hotel....so I ran to his car and managed to snap a photo right before he drove off....it will have to do until I see him again....and I WILL see him again ya'll
By the time I got home it was well after 1:00am but I had a great time and so did Jacqueline.
Hmmm...you know...I never did see Russell Simmons....
Thanks for the invite Brian and Happy 30th Birthday!
“Love life, engage in it, give it all you've got. Love it with a passion, because life truly does give back, many times over, what you put into it”
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