This Image By Chris Lavado, All Other Images By Gail
New York is an influential state and city, with millions of tourists flocking there year after year so that they can experience the Big Apple. This is because New York is known for and famous for a variety of things such as its iconic Statue of Liberty, exciting Broadway performances, and exclusive shops. The state and city have captivated people all over the globe, and it’s showing no signs of lessening its grip and influence on the rest of the world.
What about New York and the music scene, however? New York and music go hand-in-hand, with some of the biggest bands and musical performances coming from this high-rise city. In 2021, New York is still influencing the music scene.
This image of the late Joey Ramone wearing a pair of Boxing Gloves was created to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of The Ramones debuting at CBGB. The mural went up on September 3rd, 2015 but it took me a few weeks to get around to seeing it for the first time, in early October, which is when I took this photo while (literally) standing in the middle of the street between idling cars that were waiting for the light to change at the corner of Bleecker and the Bowery — directly across from the former location of the legendary music venue, which is now a John Varvatos Clothing Boutique. The mural was painted by Solus and John CRASH Matos, who you might remember from This Post.
Update: As of August 24th, 2017 The Joey Ramone Mural has been Replaced by a Mural of Blondie’s Debbie Harry.
Jamie and I were walking down Ninth Avenue towards 14th Street to catch the bus after having a fun time at the opening party for Chris Stein’s new exhibit of Debbie Harry Photos, which was held at the fabulous Dream Hotel on West 16th Street, when we passed by the headquarters of the Google. I was, of course, immediately attracted by their hugeNeon Google Doodle sign on the wall of the building’s lobby, which I was able to shoot through the locked revolving doors with a little adjustment of the camera lens. Very Nice.
Hilariously, just a few feet down the road, we saw the neon sign pictured below, which I discovered (via Google – Ha!) is by Lower East Side icon Clayton Patterson. Apparently, “Elgoog” is a thing, but I don’t feel like going into that right now.
Debbie Harry Photographed By Chris Stein (All Event Photos By Gail)
The Morrison Hotel Gallery, in conjunction with the Dream Downtown Hotel is currently presenting a collection of fine art photographs by legendary Blondie guitarist Chris Stein. A student of NYC’s School Of Visual Arts, Chris started taking photographs in 1968. In 1973, he met and began working with Debbie Harry and together they founded the band Blondie. Chris was always taking pictures in the environment that surrounded Blondie and, lucky to be on the inside, was able to mingle with many pioneers of the new wave and punk music scenes.
Stein’s photos of Deborah Harry helped establish her as an international icon. This exhibit, celebrating Blondie’s 40th year as a band, focuses exclusively on his photos of Debbie; some that will be familiar and others that we are seeing for the first time.
Last Friday, the Dream Downtown Hotel hosted a fun party to kick off the exhibit the night before its official opening on Saturday, May 10th, and what fun time it was! Here are some photos of the evening.
This awesome DJ warmed up the room with an incredible set of classic punk and new wave that included bands like The Clash, X-Ray Spex and The Buzzcocks. As his song selections advanced through the years, at one point he played The Smiths’ “This Charming Man” followed by The Charlatans’ “The Only One I Know” and Blur’s “There’s No Other Way,” at which point my head exploded.
There was an open bar for at least part of the evening, which served a very potent Texas Cherry Limeade.
My friend Jamie and I toast to a fun evening!
The Rational Animal charity organization had a Booth where they sold raffle tickets to win a guitar, with proceeds going to help Animals. They also gave away these cute and yummy dog cookies (Clarification: Cookies shaped like Dogs, not Cookies for Dogs) which Jamie and I played with before eating. The frosting had a bit of orange zest in it – very tasty!
Here are some more pictures of Debbie.
Debbie on The Bridge
Debbie in the Subway
Debbie at the Airport, she looks amazing!
The light wasn’t great in the space, but you work with what you have.
Debbie in Her Underwear
Chris Stein is releasing a book of photography later this year and you’ll be able to own it and have these photos (and others) of Debbie all to yourself.
I’m not sure how long Blondie 4(0) Ever will be on exhibit, so you’ll have to investigate further on your own to find out. Here is where you need to go:
The Dream Hotel Downtown is Located at 355 West 16th St, Just East of 9th Ave, New York, NY.
The art of Dylan Egon is most captivating to me for the way he marries art and design. In American Holy Relics, his second solo exhibition at Jonathan LeVine Gallery, Egon combines functional objects with a variety of mixed media works to create a visually dynamic and conversationally topical show.
Birth of a Religion (Debbie Harry) Functioning Speaker Cabinet
Through his work, Dylan Egon exemplifies his appreciation for American culture and craftsmanship. American Holy Relics includes ready-made sculptures, sound installations and functional art objects such as three skateboard deck editions and custom yardsticks that sheathe hidden swords. Additionally, Egon has released a print and vinyl figure based on Saint America, one of the paintings in the exhibition. The credenza in the above photo is also being reproduced for sale by ABC Carpet and Home. I would like to own it.
This sculpture, a custom-built motorcycle inspired by a rare 1934 Harley Davidson speedway racer bike, was a big hit at the opening reception. The bike is fully functional, brass-plated and fitted with holsters for both a gun and whiskey bottle. A stuffed crow sits perched on the handlebars and you’ll also notice a pair of brass knuckles mounted near the front.
In Target Moon, a circular panel contains a full moon background layered in assemblage with elements of cut brass, collage, white butterflies, honeybees, matchsticks, pills, pencils, knives and other objects along with the phrase Inter Spem et Metum — which translates from Latin to: Between Hope and Fear.
Skate Deck and Victrola
Extinction II (Triceratops)
This Tricerotops Skull collage piece is created from hand cut pieces of brass tacked down with thousands of hand driven nails.
99 + 1 = US
Here’s one that New Yorker’s especially can relate to.
American Holy Relics by Dylan Egon will be on Exhibit Through May 3rd, 2014 at Jonathan LeVine Gallery, Located at 529 W 20th Street, 9th Floor, in the Chelsea Gallery District.
The Out 100 Awards is an annual awards show put on by Out Magazine, which honors LGBTQ people who have fought to make a positive impact in the year. This year’s event took place at Terminal 5 concert venue and was produced by BMF Media (who also brought you the Lady Gaga ArtPop Pop Up Store and Gallery) recently featured on The Worley Gig!
In the photo above, you can see BMF co-founders Bruce Star and Brian Feit with Blondie’s Debbie Harry, who performed at the event, and Mariah Carey, who accepted an award on behalf of her good friend, Producer Lee Daniels who couldn’t attend that evening. I just love Debbie’s taste level (looks at those colors!) and great style, which is always spot on. She looks fantastic!
Miss Guy has been an icon of the NYC downtown music scene forever: not only as the dynamic lead singer of the awesome NYC Rock Band Toilet Boys, but also as possibly the best authentically Rock & Roll/First Wave Punk Rock club DJ on the circuit. In Miss Guy’s new video for “Tonight” (the second single off of his new EP God Save New York, which features guest appearances by Debbie Harry of Blondie) the Bowie/Blondie influences abound! Enjoy!
