Nite-Time Kicks Off Summer at The Octagon NYC!

Date: 5.21.2011

Location: The Octagon NYC, Roosevelt Island, NY

Purpose: To open the pool and kick start the season!

It was a gorgeous Saturday afternoon that came on the heels of about two straight weeks of rain in NYC (at least it felt that way). The good folks at The Octagon on Roosevelt Island took a chance on the weather and threw a huge shindig to get the summer season started with a bang. Luckily, the blue skies held on long enough to really make it a bash. With a scaled down version of Nite-Time in tow, Yves and I headed to the island. Believe it or not, in all my years in NYC, I’d never ventured to Roosevelt Island. I’m ready to move in! The Octagon NYC is on the northern part of the island. It was built onto the Octagon Tower, which began construction in 1837 and completed in 1839 to be the main administrative building of the lunatic asylum that was housed on Roosevelt Island in the 1800′s because “the pleasant island surroundings were thought to be conducive to both physical and mental rehabilitation”.

The building is full service and so was the party. They had an amazing spread of food, sangria, beer and soda. A cotton candy machine and snow cones for the kids and, of course what summer spectacular would be complete without a giant bounce house and petting zoo?

I’m not going to say there’s some kind of trend forming, but this is not the first party we’ve been a part of in the last year that had a petting zoo! (Check out “The Theme Party is Alive and Well” Sept. ’10)

So, back to the music. On the opposite side of the courtyard we could be heard rocking out to Motown, Classic Rock, R&B and Soul. We had to throw a bit of Jimmy Buffet in as well, just to fit the summer jam theme!

We had a great time and can’t wait to party with the folks at The Octagon NYC again. And hey, if you’re looking for a place… you should totally check them out. They throw one hell of a party!!

The Empire Room Rocked!

Thanks to everyone who came out to The Empire Room in NYC on Saturday. It was our first time there, and hopefully it won’t be our last. The place is beautiful and we all had a great time playing there. If you weren’t able to make it out, we will of course keep you posted on the next one, but you should definitely stop by The Empire Room for a drink if you get a chance. The atmosphere is great, the staff was really cool and the vibes are just overall good in there.

We started out the night with some easy soul and Motown hits that really fit in with the tone of the venue, and then we ramped it up to some current hits and classic rock. There’s not usually a dance floor at The Empire Room, but there was on Saturday night! Thanks to Dave Cervini and the New York Social Network for throwing such a rockin’ event and for having us there to help with the rockin’! Hopefully we raised some money for a good cause and gained some new Nite-Time fans. Until next time…

A Thank You Note from Josephine.

Last winter we played Josephine’s sister Alexandra’s 21st birthday party. Not our usual type of event, but it was a great party downstairs at the Ella Lounge. Usually our audience ranges in age from 20′s on up. At Alexandra’s birthday party the room was filled with mostly 20-somethings and they loved classic rock and r&b. We played one amazing two hour set and everyone was dancing. Yves got this email from Josephine the monday after the party…

Hey Yves,

Thank you soooo much for Saturday night! The band really was amazing and you left a wonderful impression on everyone there. People were shocked how great you guys sounded and especially the birthday girl was in heaven. You really are an outstanding band! I hope to encounter you once again, but I’ll definitely be referring you to everyone I know. I hope you enjoyed yourself as well.

Sincerely,

Josephine

The Theme Party is Alive and Well!

September 5, 2010 – Long Island, NY

For several years now Nite-Time has been happy to call the owners of Arizona Iced Tea clients and friends. These people really know how to throw a party. Labor Day weekend is always the biggest of the year at their place and the theme is different every time. Last year it was Woodstock, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the famed music festival. It was a great event and we really enjoyed playing all the hits from 1969.

This year’s party was on September 5th and the theme was hillbilly hootenanny, it was incredibly well styled, and totally fun for all, even us!

Everything from vintage pick up trucks to car seat “furniture” was represented. The property was transformed, and the irony of holding the entire party in the driveway was not lost on us. We provided bluegrass banjo and fiddle players to greet guests as they arrived at the entrance to the event seated in a countrified 1946 Dodge Power Wagon on a couple of bales of hay. 

Down the driveway a bit was a full scale petting zoo with goats, sheep and the cutest pigmy donkey I’ve ever seen (OK, the only pigmy donkey I’ve ever seen).

On the main stage we started with Danny on solo guitar, he’s a little bit country and a little bit rock and roll all in one! Oh, and no need to adjust your screen folks, that is chicken wire he’s playing behind – too funny!

After about an hour we all joined him and kicked some vintage country including, Patsy Cline and Johnny Cash and of course, the theme from Rawhide!

The next act on the bill was Screaming Queens Entertainment. They sent over two amazing drag performers who performed songs by Dolly Parton and Carrie Underwood. They brought it big time and were kind enough to pose for photo-ops afterwards. We couldn’t help ourselves…

After another set by us, we turned the mic over to Chart Guthrie, square dance caller extraordinaire for a fun bit of group dancing. The crowd did a great job and it was a nice switch for us to be entertained for a while. The square dancing led nicely into the Hillbilly Beauty pageant portion of the night. The prizes ranged from Russell Stover chocolates to a Swarovski crystal Mickey Mouse watch. There were some hilarious costumes and it was tough to choose a clear winner…

I really thought “Mustache Rides” guy should have taken it. I believe he was disqualified though…

Howdy Nite-Time Pardners!

After the contest concluded Nite-Time took the stage again, this time we did our thing. We hit a full list of classic rock, 80′s and dance music. The party was rockin’ so we played an extra hour and everyone took to the dance floor fueled by Patron Tequila JELL-O shots and some of the best mac and cheese around!

Words cannot adequately describe the scene that night, but further photo highlights will speak volumes.

Pre-party shot of the decor...

Every party needs a few sheep!

Clothesline on the way in, of course.

Why don't y'all just set a spell?

...and I - ee - I will always love You - ooo.

my personal favorite costume

Careful! Your head might end up up there.