After too many months away from monthlies, I'm thrilled to tell you all that The Jackie Factory's Chi Chi Valenti and Johnny Dynell are back at it with a glittering new obsession: The Jewel Box. This "Last Sundays" soiree promises glitz and glamour sans the repellant Page Six hype. "Expect jewel-like brilliance, much-needed feathers, beads, shows, disco synths and a fabulously mixed crowd," the duo tells us. Aahhh, exactly what we've been missing!
When I inquired about the night's creative origins, Chi Chi explained, "The Jewel Box was inspired by George Balanchine's dazzling ballet Jewels, and takes one gemstone as its theme every month, inspiring shows, costuming and suggested dress." The series begins with the dazzling opening night theme of "Diamonds," featuring guest performance artiste Julie Atlas Muz, House of Domination beauties Heaven Leigh, Jessica Rabbit and Vangeline Domination. Those marquee names alone should be enough to lure hibernating fans out into the late-winter night but there will be more, further adding to the evening's luster. DJ Johnny Dynell will spin the eclectic soundtrack while The Jackie MCs man the microphone. Don't arrive too fashionably late, as performances will begin at 10pm. However, if your disco nap causes you to oversleep a bit, do not despair, as they run through 1:30am, and Dynell will keep the dance floor moving till 4. Since the venue boasts Dynasty-tinged decor, an intimate stage with excellent sightlines, reasonable drink prices and a much-missed clubby feel, guests are urged to show up inspired and ready to shine. Wear diamonds, white rhinestones, CZs or paste. "Dazzle us!" says Chi Chi, as well you should!
Explaining what tempted them back into more-oft recurring events, Ms. Valenti tells us, "For Johnny Dynell and myself, the dearth of small stages in NYC clubland has more or less pushed us into bigger and bigger rooms for our events. These tend to be once-a-year spectacles like Night of 1000 Stevies or Low Life @ Howl Festival. We developed the Jewel Box concept a while ago, and have been looking for a good home for it. The Royale appealed because it has a cabaret license AND a nice-sized stage was actually built during the renovation; both are rarities these days."
Jewel Box's "Last Sunday" appellation describes a meeting of the minds, as Chi Chi and Johnny join nightlife impresarios Mr. Patrick Duffy and Nicky Balestrieri for their newly transplanted The Sunday Party, the freaky-chic weekly that recently wrapped up a six-year run at APT. Illuminating the club's provenance, Chi Chi explains, "David Baxley, the owner of fondly remembered house-music club CentroFly teamed up with Brit DJ-producer Terrey Casey to open Le Royale in the old Luke + Leroy space. Music directors are GBH, the team that brings rock and electronic talents-like their current resident DJ, Moby-to the weekly Cheeky Bastard party at Hiro Ballroom. The revamp of the club into Le Royale, which opened in late December 2007, includes a complete re-decoration in a campy, Dynasty-meets-Warhol style." And putting in a plug for the club's other mainstay parties, she continues,"The weekly Robot Rock has moved from Movida to take Friday nights and, of course, The Sunday Party rules Sundays."
It's exciting to see a club booking creative nightlife again and though we may long for the beloved weeklies of Mother, Chi Chi explains why monthlies are far more doable. "A monthly is a good timeframe for the production we like to do. We've done weeklies for many years and are not in a hurry to get back into that grind! We are looking forward to working with some of our favorite performers for these Last Sundays, and feel that our crowd has been hungry for something like this for a long while." No argument there!
We are uber excited to drag out our drag and get on the dance floor. The Jewel Box will be every Last Sunday of the month. The second edition, "Rubies," is March 30.
• EROTICA / ZINE
