We are in the thick of holiday party season…and only in New York…can you be partying
with almost 100% Russian folks…then an hour later….partying with almost 100% Indian
folks. I revel in NYC’s diversity…because you really can sample the world in a day . This weekend…I headed east to Brighton Beach a.k.a. the Russian mecca of Brooklyn. I tore up the rug at Rasputin Cabaret…which was a 20 course meal…dance party…variety show…poofy hairdos…big shouldered
suits…vodka vodka vodka…all wrapped into one. At times…it felt a time and geographical warp to Moscow circa 80′s…but for most of the night…I was mesmerized by all the lavish costumes and the impressive production value of all the dance numbers (complete with trapeze!). WOW. I tell you what…some Broadway shows could use Rasputin’s help in jazzing up their production. The high tech lighting (3D effect in some cases!)…and hundreds of intricate costumes (not to mention nano second outfit changes!)…were all very entertaining. Back in Manhattan at Soho House…Jay-Z & Punjabi MC’s addictive tune “Beware” was one of the many songs that had revelers throwing and twirling their hands up in the air. Leading the pack…birthday girl, Roshini Raj! Yes…Dr. Raj of Fox 5 and the Today Show (check out her book “What the Yuck!”). Fashion Front: Truly Julie’s Dress, Nina Ricci (available at RentTheRunway.com) and shoes, YSL.
I zipped up the weekend by catching an Alvin Ailey performance. As always…it left me awestruck…and wanting to do sit-ups (Ailey dancers have the sickest bodies!). Please try to catch the Takademe performance while you can! It redefines the word unique. Click here to see what I mean! So…did I get my dose of culture this weekend? Да. हां. Yes.
Click on the picture gallery to see more from Rasputin Cabaret.
