1OAK - Behind Closed Doors

When Nightlife Institution 1OAK approached me to take creative control of a new night, I was trepidatious to say the least. Not because of its reputation for being a hotspot frequented by Leo, or as the original concept for the “Models and Bottles” Nightlife model, but because I felt we wouldn’t align on vision. Sitting around the table of our first meeting at Butter Group HQ, I learned the meaning of “You can’t judge a book by Its cover”. The team was comprised of Nightlife Visionary Steve Lewis, Hector Longoria, Richie Ramero, Downtown Cool Kid Matty Sav, and the worlds oldest 30something, Jonas Young-Borra.

We all agreed that some of the magic that was Old NYC was disappearing, and that we had an obligation to revitalize it. The New York where limitless possibilities presented themselves as the sun set on the Hudson, the one where being out at night was electrifying because of mixing of all sorts from across socio economic borders, one where the Artist rubbed elbows with the Financier alongside the aspiring actress, with enough of the downtown cool kids, queer culture, and bizarre to make it an authentic experience.

We entangled the hippest of the new generation, with nightlife personas like CT, Linux, and Radical Pomme. We brought in Legends like Amanda Lapore to host, just because we adored her. When you have someone as prominent as Steve Lewis backing your party, it attracts its own attention, with the likes of Richie Rich, Kiss from Patricia Field, Saturday, Elena Lee, and Deedee Luxe all in attendance.

My team and I handled the Creative Direction and Project Management for programming for the evening including concept, casting, decor, wardrobe, rehearsals, stage management, and accounting.

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