IIDA NY's Annual Color Invasion Event Was a Mas... %%page%% %%sep%% %%sitename%%

Photograph by Johnny Wolf. IIDA Color Invasion 2019 — IIDA NY’s Color Invasion 2019; Photographs by Johnny Wolf.

Just last week, the International Interior Design Association’s New York Chapter (IIDA NY) hosted their 17th-annual Color Invasion event to record-breaking success at Center415. With over 1,500 attendees, the design and architecture community came out in full force for this year’s Sweet Dreams-themed affair. Aptly decked out in fancy and imaginative pajamas, party-goers helped to support the local chapter’s initiatives and the Pajama Program, a non-profit organization dedicated to delivering pajamas and books to at-risk children in the hopes of creating “Good Nights for Better Days” for kids in need of a positive bedtime experience.

IIDA NY's Color Invasion 2019; Photographs by Johnny Wolf. — IIDA NY’s Color Invasion 2019; Photographs by Johnny Wolf.

Just as dreams are rooted in the subconscious, this year’s Sweet Dreams event was a fantastical landscape brought to life. From the Beauty Bar (sponsored by Mercer Hamilton) with its plethora of lashes, braids, eye gems, and tattoos, to an Andy Warhol-inspired Pillow Room (sponsored by Maars Walls), and a Bed Sheet Maze (sponsored by Carnegie) that instantly recalled the haphazard fort-building fun many of us experienced as kids, there was no end in sight to imagination gone wild. In addition, a meandering enchanted forest led to catering stations including a Bed Buffet (sponsored by ProSec), a party-sized Cereal Bar (sponsored by InsideSource), and Raid the Fridge (sponsored by Framery)—an area chock-full of party favorites such as mini personal pizzas, sesame noodles in Chinese take-out containers, and meatloaf sandwiches.

Guests danced the night away to the tunes of one metallic glitter-covered Sandman DJ (sponsored by Milliken) under a full moon and with the help of some liquid courage provided by the Under the Stars Bars (sponsored by Arper and Clarus). While Moon Lyre dancers weaved through the party, various other sections drew crowds. The Movie Theatre, Concession, and Bar (sponsored by Andreu World and NJM), offered an escape from the crowds with incredible dream sequences being played out on the big screen. Meanwhile, The Cloud Room (sponsored by Humanscale), was a serene sky-like space enhanced by a dancing cloud that brought the otherworldy-like feel to life.

Around the corner, a Psychedelic Dream Room (sponsored by Urban Office, Infinium, and Svend Nielsen) offered live music, a black-light experience, and so much more. All in all, it was a master class in how to throw an imaginative, sensory-filled party. It also happened to yield approximately 2,000 units of pajamas and books ready for donation in support of the program. To donate or read more about Pajama Program, please click here.

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Photo: By Clay Williams/Photo Courtesy of Sid Gold's Request Room — Photo: By Clay Williams/Photo Courtesy of Sid Gold’s Request Room

A week ago, when my friend Mark asked when we were going to Sid Gold’s Request Room (165 West 26th Street), I did not know what he was talking about.

After a few minutes of searching the web, I learned a number of facts that made this a must-visit establishment:

It is co-owned by “Loser’s Lounge” founder Joe McGinty and Beauty Bar owner Paul Devitt.
Creative input for the establishment was provided by Fountains Of Wayne bassist Adam Schlesinger.
Andy Boose of AAB Productions also acts as a creative partner.
Sid Gold’s Request Room is a modern take on a piano bar with a proper food menu.
There is an actual Sid Gold.

Photo by: Clay Williams/Courtesy of Sid Gold's Request Room — La La Books of The Crystals performing with Joe McGinty. Photo by: Clay Williams/Courtesy of Sid Gold’s Request Room

Joe McGinty took the time to do some Q&A about the piano bar, which just opened this month. It is open between 5:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m. seven days a week, although as Joe notes below, the vibe changes a bit around 9:00 p.m. each evening.

Downtown Magazine’s Darren Paltrowitz: Where did the idea for Sid Gold’s Request Room come from?

Sid Gold’s Request Room’s Joe McGinty: It was always a dream of mine to have my own piano bar. Luckily, Paul Devitt [of the Beauty Bar] shared the same dream. He approached me in the fall of 2013 about partnering up to open a piano bar, and of course I enthusiastically said yes. And that’s when it all began. A year and a half later, Sid Gold’s Request Room is now open for business!

How would you describe Sid Gold’s Request Room to someone who has not yet been there?

J: Sid Gold’s features a retro “deco” vibe, where one can sit and enjoy some cocktail piano in the earlier part of the evening, or join in with the piano sing-alongs that occur every night at 9:00 PM.

How did Sid Gold first react when finding out about this venue?

J: Sid Gold is very excited. He’s a showbiz vet and has already stopped in to sing some showtunes!

What is the most surprising thing that you have learned so far in co-owning a club?

J: The amount of work involved, and the amount of things that can go awry. Though I’ve been playing in clubs for years, I never realized all of the things that go on behind the scenes to open a bar and to keep it running. Paul Devitt is a master at all this.

Are there any plans for the Request Room to expand into a proper venue for touring artists, beyond being a piano bar?

J: We would love for the Request Room to be a go-to spot for touring artists to do intimate shows. Or for their after-parties. We recently hosted an after-party for The Damnwells after their Irving Plaza show, and it was great fun!

What’s your favorite thing on the menu?

J: It’s hard to pick! There’s so much good stuff. I have to say, the Veggie Pigs In A Blanket are kind of amazing, and there’s something special about the French Fries. The Steak Tartare is also a favorite.

-by Darren Paltrowitz