Swanky SmAlbany?
By Genn Shaughnessy
New Year's Eve is not usually my most favorite occasion to celebrate. I often find myself at home with a bottle of champagne and a blanket on my couch. I also find myself watching everyone else crammed the streets of New York City celebrating New Year's Rocking Eve and flipping the channels to see what else is on. This year I decided to do it differen. After getting an invite from a very close friend to see her husband's band soul session play I was debating whether or not to actually go out. Said friend made up my mind for me by getting our tickets and nailing me down to go.
It always seems like the best part about going out is the pre-party when getting ready. Being a makeup artist one of the reasons why don't usually like to go out on holidays is because I'm so booked fully during the day that by the time is to get ready to go out I'm unusually beat. This year I decided to make my day shorter, take on less clients and allow for myself to finally have fun. Already being proactive on my New Years resolution to be truer to myself and make more time for myself, I was proud.
I met Penny at the hotel where we decided to pre-party and drink a couple bottles of champagne whilst getting ready. After six costume changes, two hours of makeup and one hour & 15 minutes of being stabbed in the scalp with bobby pins, we were finally ready to head out.
The night was already beginning so perfect we walked outside from the hotel looking amazing, and unbeknownst to us the venue we were looking for was literally right in front of our eyes as we walked across the street. The air was crisp and there was so much excitement we both couldn't stop smiling, either that or the champagne was already working.
After living in New York City for so long and experiencing some of the hottest parties that ever happened there, it was really hard to imagine the experience I was about to have this New Year's Eve 2009. Upon walking up to the front door I was already impressed by the red carpet arrival and ropes to the entrance. The doorman were extremely polite & courteous, not the typical meathead attitude I've usually encountered in most places in downtown Albany. However, I would expect nothing less for $350 a ticket.
I was even I-D'd which is always a bonus when you're in your 30s and trying to hold on to your 20's. As we walked in the front we were pleasantly greeted by a lovely girl who took our jackets for us we then walked through the smoked entrance directly into the party the hors d'oeuvres. Most of you who know me are probably already snickering, no I did not start eating immediately, I made my usual rounds, scoped out the crowd and checked out the bar situation.
It was reminiscent of my first experience in a club in NYC. I was taken aback by the pumping sound system, the lights flashing, people dancing, champagne flowing and sexy people everywhere. Within our first 15 minutes we were invited into 2 cabanas, "the vault" and ran into numerous people we were acquainted with. Not to mention a Sassy Scotsman in a kilt.
Soul Session outdid themselvse with their signature style and I was pleasantly surprised to hear their own rendition of "(Junk) in a box". Tim Williams had me thinking I knew how to Salsa dance when he rocked out whatever latin tune that was. My girlfriend and I were twirling away like little Latina's in a Cantina, again forgetting I was in Albany.
During the midst of all this madness the lights were briefly turned on, then dimmed for the surprise performance of 2 Cirque Du Soleil Entertainers. This lovely little due created magic with their moves and amazed the crowd at what they could do with the arms, legs and muscles I never even knew existed. This sexually suggestive performance was jsut what this crowd needed to get into the mood for kissing at midnight and dirty dancing the rest of the night. Not to mention the heightened excitement from the full moon.
The music was going all night and you could tell even those who were usually on the dance floor were taken in like little puppets on strings. There was so much going on at all times it was just enough to keep me occupied and not too much to throw me into sensory overload. It was the perfect remedy for a perfect night one that I'll never forget.
Check out more photos by Tom Wall HERE
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Pictures@DarkShadowsMedia.com
VENUE 11 North Pearl
CATERING Classe Catering
Photography Tom Wall
BAND Soul Session