Merry Christmas & Happy Hanukkah from Anya and Dee!!!

Dee Snider popped into Irving Plaza before the holidays! I couldn't help snapping a picture with him!!

Hope you all have a happy, healthy and prosperous 2011 :-)

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Bob Dylan at Terminal 5 in NYC

One of the greatest perks of working in the entertainment industry (especially in the area of touring and venues) is that every once in a while, you get a hook up and don't have to pay the outrageous prices that tickets have become.

Ari and I in the 2nd Mezz at Terminal 5 for Bob Dylan - Nov. 23, 2011

Well during an insane stretch of shows, I had some karma shine down on me! While working at an Allman Brothers show, I met an old-school security guy, Heed, who mentioned that he was going to be working the Bob Dylan concert run at Terminal 5 at the end of November. Not missing a beat, I asked him if he would be able to get me and one of my friend's in during our one night off. He said no problem, and so began one of the greatest 24 hours of my life!

Right before showtime at T5 for Bob Dylan - Nov. 23, 2011

Ari and I were slightly nervous as we approached the venue because T5 is known to be completely hardass as far as comps are concerned. Plus, Dylan's security is known to be notoriously NOT nice when it comes to any sort of issue and or drama. When we saw Heed at the door, we knew we were golden! We walked right up to him and gave him a big group hug as the velvet rope lifted and we were let it, no questions asked. Just like that, she and I managed to sneak in to see the legend that is Bob Dylan. It was exhilarating, to say the least.

Quick pic from the VIP Side Area at T5 of Bob on the keys - Nov. 23, 2011

This was the second night of his NYC run and unlike last year, when I attended all 3 of his local shows, due to work obligations this was the only night I could make it. Though there were certain songs I was dying to hear (some of which I had never heard live) I was just happy to be inside.

Set List:
1. Gonna Change My Way Of Thinking (Bob on keyboard)
2. This Wheel's On Fire (Bob center stage on harp)
3. Stuck Inside Of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again (Bob on guitar)

Bob on his ax - Nov. 23, 2011

4. Just Like A Woman (Bob on keyboard)
5. Rollin' And Tumblin' (Bob on keyboard, Donnie on electric mandolin)
6. Simple Twist Of Fate (Bob on guitar)

Bob on his guitar again!! Nov. 23, 2011

7. Things Have Changed (Bob on guitar)
8. A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall (Bob on keyboard, Donnie on electric mandolin)
9. High Water (For Charley Patton)(Bob center stage on harp, Donnie on banjo)

Bob center stage - Nov. 23, 2011

10. Masters Of War (Bob on keyboard)
11. Highway 61 Revisited (Bob on keyboard, Donnie on violin)
12. Workingman's Blues #2 (Bob on keyboard then center stage on harp)
13. Thunder On The Mountain (Bob on keyboard)
14. Ballad Of A Thin Man (Bob center stage on harp)

(encore)
15. Jolene (Bob on keyboard)
16. Like A Rolling Stone (Bob on keyboard)

Bob Dylan and His Band - Nov. 23, 2011

One For Woody II - Allman Brothers and Government Mule at Roseland Ballroom

On the second night of my crazy stretch (Nov. 22) , I worked box office and guest list at Roseland Ballroom for the One For Woody Benefit Concert, featuring the Allman Brothers and Government Mule.

While I missed the majority of the Mule set, I did manage to sneak up upstairs and see something VERY cool:

Artimus Pyle sitting in with Mule at Roseland...

After my shift was done, I was handed a working pass and allowed to stay for the remainder of the show, which included the full Allman Brothers with several surprise guests. The show ended well after 2am. How did you spend YOUR Monday night?

(My friend Ariele and I being silly at the show!)

Furthur at MSG :-D

One of the craziest stretch of shows in my life began on a reasonably warm November weekend. Furthur was playing Madison Square Garden (The World's Most FAMOUS Arena) Saturday (20th) and Sunday (21st). As I was working on Saturday, Sunday night was my only chance to see how a "Dead" show would play out at MSG.

(The Empire State Building in neon lights for the Dead... under a full moon!)

The Good:
My brother, our friends and I saw a GREAT set, with a chance to hang out! Plus, we got to see one of our favorite bands under the retired numbers and championship banners of our favorite hockey team: the New York Rangers!

(My brother's NY Rangers Dead shirt)

The Bad:
MSG was hardly sold out... in fact, the entire 400s level was blacked out. In all the years that I have been going to this amazing venue I have NEVER seen anything like it! I felt that the energy of the crowd was depleted by the lack of people.

(Empty bleachers of MSG)

But alas, not the worst way to spend a November Sunday :-)

(My brother Slava & I at MSG for Furthur)

The Wall at MSG!

If you saw the show, you are in the know.... If not, enjoy one of the greatest stories ever told in these pictures!

(End of The Wall I)

(pics by Joe)

The Giraffes... one LAST time! (though I hope not...)

I am officially the saddest girl in Brooklyn. The Giraffes, my absolute FAVORITE Brooklyn band, "supposedly" played their "last" show (**fingers crossed** that it's NOT true...) at Mercury Lounge in late August. I wont lie, I think the bands' Jim Morrison-esque lead singer Aaron Lazar is the hottest thing in Rock N' Roll. The Giraffes played a fast, wet and memorable set for an excited audience that went crazy at the sound of the first note.


Dry Aaron... Mercury Lounge, Aug. 22, 2010

Their set list (which of course I snagged at the end of the show, as usual...) was loaded with crowd favorites including "Done", "Prime Motivator" and the never-boring and always ironically relevant in NYC, "Medicaid Benefit Applique."


The Giraffes performing "Medicaid Benefit Applique" at Mercury Lounge on Aug. 22, 2010 **WARNING: I am NOT a film maker OR sound engineer (phone camera), but I had to get this song live. Apologies for the poor quality in advance!

My friends and I have been seeing Aaron, Paris, Jens and Andrew for years now and have come to adore them. One of the many reasons is of course their us-against-the-world energy, but primarily because they encourage their audience to pelt them with beers. Axl Rose they are not: you are guaranteed to be just as drenched as the band once the booze starts flying. They WILL throw drinks right back at you. They WILL flip you off (see Aaron in the video) and maybe, if you piss them off enough, they will even SPIT at you.


Wet Aaron, mid-show... Mercury Lounge on Aug. 22, 2010


Andrew drummin' away as the beer cups accumulate... Mercury Lounge, Aug. 22, 2010

It is horrible to think that on the verge of exploding, this awesome band may no longer play as the group we know today. Let's hope that these rumors are just rumors. In the meantime, I hope you all enjoy these images (and video, though horrific in sound) of what many consider to be the Best Band in Brooklyn for the last decade.


Post-show debauchery... Mercury Lounge, Aug. 22, 2010