Rockin' Fillmore Thief

I decided to tell you all the tale of an interesting night I recently had at the Fillmore. On a wonderfully warm Tuesday in March (the 9th to be exact) Gogol Bordello played a sold out show at Irving Plaza. I was excited when a coworker asked me to cover her shift as I was going to attend the show anyways...

As many of you know, I have been Coat Checking at the venue for about a year and always have a tale of robbery or douchery to tell. Well the other night, I was once again robbed.

After checking in the 10th or so coat, I decided to empty my Karma Jar as we often have patrons who nip off the top (and then use those singles to pay for their coats... nice right??). Lo and behold, my tips were all gone!! ALL GONE. Every. Last. Dollar. My girl Ariele immediately said it was the two girls who handed me their coat, giggling (and I agreed as their behavior was amateurish and suspicious).

I was upset beyond belief =( These two cleaned me out.... that's balls!

The Mayor of Irving Plaza (you'll have to figure out that one on your own) happened to be passing by our window and I quickly filled him in on what just went down. He insisted that I go with him to find our little Fillmore Thief so we could toss them out. When I got upstairs, into the main room, there was barely anyone there. I found the Fillmore Thief quickly and asked to see her coat check ticket. When the numbers matched the coat we pulled, the Fillmore Thief was perp-walked out by the Mayor and another big security guard.

The manager was called immediately and after I informed him that the Fillmore Thief emptied my tip jar, he asked her to leave. She started crying, admitted that she took the money and offered to give it all (plus double) back... he said NO WAY and she was gone.

A note to all amateur concert goers: DON'T ROB THE VENUE.

On a bright side, here is a pic of Ariele and I on a break later on that night, looking good =)


Anya and Ariele at the Fillmore NY

By the way, the show was GREAT and Gogol rocked. The crowd was in the greatest of moods and the chillest of vibes.


Gogol Boredllo at the Fillmore NY @ Irving Plaza: March 9, 2010

*sigh* Selena Gomez (yea you read that correctly...)

A few weeks ago I agreed to take my two teenage cousins to see Disney star Selena Gomez at the Gramercy Theatre where I work. There was a meet n' greet before the show and Selena was a total sweetheart! She posed for pictures with fans and signed autographs. We were the last ones and the girls were ecstatic to say the least. Here's a pic (and yea I cut their faces out since they are minors and my aunts would kill me)


Selena Gomez with us! Feb. 2010

After some opening band (do you really care?) Selena played for about an hour. Her set-list included covers and a few songs off her debut album, which she was promoting.


Selena on stage with her band! Feb. 2010


Miss Gomez, Feb. 2010

I waited for the girls downstairs by the merch (VERY expensive) and when they popped up after the show, we braved the snow back to Brooklyn on the subways...

The Giraffes... AGAIN!

Well it's official: if you do not go see the Giraffes play, you are uncool. Seriously guys, this is the BEST band in the world that no one seems to know about. If you need proof of the type of band these guys are, read my previous blog posts!

In late January, an email went around inviting us to see the Giraffes headline another night at Mercury Lounge. Those in the know filled the room (Max. Capacity 200) for what is ALWAYS an incredibly fun show. From the very start, as the beers flew on stage the band didn't flinch and continued playing hard. Being a smart-ass, I decided to fling the remnants of my beer at Aaron Lazar, the band's gorgeous lead signer, only to have him throw one back at me. Of course THAT was followed by a lovely spitball directly at me (once again, Aaron... who can get away with murder if he wanted to...)


The Giraffes on stage at Mercury Lounge, NYC, January 2010

The drinking and debauchery was endless and my friends and I, as always, had a blast with our fellow rock n' rollers who know how to have an incredible New York time. After the show, we visited Aaron by coat check where he was selling the bands' merch. We hung out for a bit, bought the bands ridiculously good album "Prime Motivator" and were gifted with awesome Giraffes buttons... I don't have the set-list for the show, but it was GREAT!


Aaron feeding Damien some of G-Ds nectar ;-)

Next time, do yourself a favor, and COME TO THE SHOW! You will not be disappointed =)

Cheap Trick at The Fillmore NY @ Irving Plaza

Sorry that it has taken me so long into to 2010 to update this fantastic blog but I have been super-busy... and primarily way to broke to attend shows. However I did get to see two FANTASTIC shows (well 1 full one and 1 that I worked but was able to sneak away to revel in the fun!) in January. Hoping for a fabulous, rockin' spring, for the time being, enjoy reading about my fabulous adventures thus far this year =)

In late January, Cheap Trick played a crazy show at the Fillmore at Irving Plaza in New York City. To say it was the hottest ticket in town would be an understatement! Luckily, I was working coat check that night and was able to part of the set upstairs from the VIP balcony.


Cheap Trick on Stage at the Fillmore, January 2010

The set-list pleased those in attendance and can be seen below:

1) Way of the World
2) Come On Come On
3) If You Want My Love
4) I Want You to Want Me
5) These Days
6) Baby Loves to Rock
7) Sleep Forever
8) Heaven Tonight
9) Miss Tomorrow
10) Miracle
11) Just Got Back
12) Sick Man of Europe
13) Closer -The Ballad of Burt & Linda
14) Surrender
15) Dream Police
16) Auf Wiedersehen
17) He's A Whore
18) Good Night

After the show, I hung out by the dressing rooms for a bit with friends before heading home. There were rumors swirling that Little Steven was floating around. The guitarist for Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band and Sopranos star (love ya Silvio Dante!) came out from the dressing room and was clearly in the center of attention with the VIP crowd. Joey, my fabulous photographer, introduced me to him and I blurted out that "the River show at the Garden was one of the greatest concerts I have ever been to!" He smiled and said "Yeah, that was a very special night for me too." He was immediately rushed out by security so no picture (unfortunately)...

As we were walking out the back door, I realized we were following Cheap Trick's legendary guitarist Rick Nielsen! He was kind enough to pose for a picture with me before getting into his car and riding off! A great night all around =)


Anya with Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick, January 2010