Long gone are the days when Downtown was dominated by the financial industry and the sidewalks were rolled up at 5:00 p.m., after the final call of the day. New businesses like Condé Nast, Seaport, Group M, Spotify, 10 Corso Como, Uber, Zola, have brought a vibrant, young and family-focused workforce with them.
Once again, Downtowners have banded together to send a message to the world. We have been publishing for 11 years now, and the changes we have witnessed and been a part of are epic. It’s difficult to report on the tragic news but, with tragedy, there is always triumph. Here in Lower Manhattan, like the rest of New York, we bounce back.
“Lights of Hope” Buildings in Lower Manhattan to Shine in Red, White, and Blue
Photo by Kirit Prajapati
One World Trade Center, Pier 17 at the Seaport District, Brookfield Place, 111 and 115 Broadway, 55 Water Street and 20 Exchange Place will be lighting up in red, white, and blue to show hope and solidarity, while other Downtown buildings are working to join them over the next several days. Buildings throughout the entire city are encouraged to follow suit and add their own “lights of hope.”
“This is a moment to band together, show pride in a tough time, and light up the Lower Manhattan skyline with hope,” said Jessica Lappin, President of the Alliance for Downtown New York. “Whether it’s red, white and blue or with a single white beacon, buildings across Lower Manhattan will light themselves in honor of our determination to endure and recover.”
One of the initiating property owners offered this:
“In this time of need, we as New Yorkers and Americans are looking for symbols of hope – both in our communities and across the country,” said Saul Scherl, President of the New York Tri-State Region of The Howard Hughes Corporation. “We Wanted to unite our community and light up the buildings of Lower Manhattan together to show our solidarity, our resiliency, and our persistent hope for the future.”
We as a city and world have gone through a lot in the past 20 years, the greatest trait is that we always come out on the other side stronger and better than before. Thank you to our leaders mentioned in this piece, and thank you to all who believe in hope!
It’s time to bring out that red, white, and blue spirit and celebrate freedom – but where can you find a last minute outfit? Dresses are always a go-to during the hot summer days and there are many ways to casually dress in spirit of Independence Day.
Here are 5 dresses for those scrambling for a last minute Fourth of July outfit and also appropriate to beat the heat.
Derek Oliver began his A&R career with Atlantic Records in the late 1980s. He became Vice President of A&R at Atco Records shortly after and then Senior Vice President of A&R at Elektra Records. His next destination was Roadrunner Records’ A&R department. Notable artists that Derek signed and/or worked with include Pantera, Dream Theater, Mötley Crüe, Metallica, AC/DC, Bad Company, The Cult, and Better Than Ezra.
After leaving Roadrunner in 2007, Derek launched his own record label, Rock Candy Records. While most labels aim to discover new talent, Derek takes a different sort of path with Rock Candy, reissuing titles from other record companies that have since gone out of print. In turn, he has released hundreds of albums, including work from Sammy Hagar, Rick Springfield, Survivor, Quiet Riot, Damn Yankees, Ratt, The Babys, and REO Speedwagon. Upcoming releases include music from Mahogany Rush, Alannah Myles, Dokken, and Bad English.
Downtown caught up with Derek to learn about his music industry journey, which included plenty of years in New York. Rock Candy Records can be visited online at www.rockcandyrecords.com and followed via Facebook.
You worked in A&R at Atco Records, a New York-based label. Is there anything you miss about living and working in New York?
DO: All I miss are my friends and colleagues. New York and London share the same manic pace so the difference is minimal.
DO: It would have to be MSG or the Beacon, of course.
Is there a signing from your Atco days that you are most proud of?
DO: All of them were very precious to me. Of the ones that hit big, I’d say Pantera and Dream Theater. Of the ones that got away, they would be the Mother Station and Jamie Kyle.
What led you to decide to move back to England? Did Rock Candy factor into that?
DO: I felt that I’d run out of track in New York City and there were mitigating circumstances personally that assisted the transition. Rock Candy was always in the back of my mind so yes, in all fairness it was a contributing factor.
What was the first album put out by Rock Candy?
DO: That would be Riot Narita — CANDY001. Oddly, nobody had reissued that record previously. It was a top seller for Rock Candy.
How many titles has Rock Candy put out at this point? Seems like there have been hundreds of releases…
DO: We’re up at about 325 with many more in the pipeline. 2017 will be a great year what with the U.S. expansion and some other projects in the pipeline.
As a reissue label, I’m assuming there’s criteria for what you put out to have had some success beyond being great music. Are there still a lot of titles left to reissue?
DO: If I live to be 150, I still won’t have enough years in me to reach the point where there is nothing left to reissue. There are so many great records in my collection that crashed and burnt and remain hidden from the masses. My mission in life is to shine a spotlight on every single one of them.
Rock Candy has released vinyl titles for the band Angel, but I’m not aware of Rock Candy putting out too many other vinyl releases. What is it about the band Angel that drew you to them?
DO: Angel were a unique band with a brilliant catalogue. They should have been massively-popular but they never broke through despite having everything in place, including an amazing look. Truly one of the greatest loses to mankind as far as I’m concerned.
Rock Candy started up a North American operation back in October. Does that mean that there’s an office in New York? Or you just have a distributor here?
DO: No office. I have consultants and the distributor RED handles all the nuts and bolts. Staying lean and mean is very much the way forward in this day and age.
What’s coming up for Rock Candy in the coming months? Any new releases or merchandise you can talk about?
DO: Well, we are scheduling releases from a number of class acts including Mahogany Rush, Warrant, 707, Creed, Valentine, D’Molls, Alannah Myles, Malice, Shaw Blades, Dokken, REX, Bad English, Bang Tango, King Kobra and a host of others.
When not busy with music, how do you like to spend your free time?
DO: I don’t have any free time. Rock Candy is my life. Building the brand is my main concern. I have no other interests.
Rock Candy aside, do you have a favorite new release of 2016?
DO: New music is pretty much a waste of space. The frontline business, as I knew it, is over — anyone can record in their bedroom and release the tracks online. The majesty and mystery of creating and unleashing new music has been drained to the point where anything that is good is hailed by internet trolls as the second coming. I have no interest in joining in with the great unwashed.
Frankly, I grew up listening to some of the greatest rock music of all time — Little Feat, Steely Dan, Kansas…even the hair-metal was incredible. Early Mötley Crüe, Dokken, Scorpions, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest. They were artists to celebrate. It was a time when great music rose to the top by virtue of originality rather than through digital marketing campaigns.
Finally, Derek, any last words for the kids?
DO: Make every day count and listen to every piece of pre-internet age music you can possible find.
There is no doubt that red is one of the greatest colors of fall. But this year’s red is the shade we have been waiting for to help brighten up the cold weather. The shade is warm and vibrant, proving that fashion’s heart is strong and beats even in the cold.
Blood red shades hold a lethal fascination this season which can be seen in many head-to-toe scarlet trench coats, knits and leathers. By starting with staples as simple as your iPhone case, the Burberry embossed check card, or the Valentino scarf with lace, you can easily add a little shine to your day. If you want to go for a bolder look, we suggest the patterned Balmain silk-georgette blouse to go from work to a great dinner at Locanda Verde at Greenwich Village, or even drinks in Catch. And don’t forget the bag! The traditional Givenchy Antigona is what we have been longing for in our closets.
Check out DOWNTOWN’s choices of blood red to help brighten your fall!
No 4th of July celebration would be complete without the perfect beverage to keep you cool and refreshed, as roaring fireworks boom left and right in the New York sky.
From decorations to tableware, appetizers, and wardrobe, everything seems to be decked out in red, white, and blue. In trying to keep up with the patriotic spirit, choosing the right drink to invigorate your night may be difficult. Thanks to Nutrition and Lifestyle Coach, Linda Wagner, and cooking enthusiasts Maria & Josh of Two Peas & Their Pod, we have two refreshing drinks to spice up your 4th of July.
You can’t help but stay loyal to the red, white, and blue on this American holiday. If you’re looking to sip on something tasty, even though you’ve dedicated the summer to staying healthy, this festive Fourth of July Cocktail is the perfect drink for you. The best part is that this drink can be made with or without alcohol, so it’s completely kid-friendly. The drink is composed of Sparkling Mineral Water to provide a bubbly taste tweaked with flavorful ingredients such as lemon and mint. The cocktail can be topped with organic blueberries and organic strawberries to keep it fun and festive. By adding a little bit of vodka to your mix, you can give a little kick to your drink. Head to Linda Wagner’s website for the full recipe! Or follow her on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram for daily (and tasty) updates.
Photo by Two Peas and Their Pod
If you’re looking for a sweeter beverage, the Pomegranate Blueberry Float is the perfect pool-side treat for your 4th of July celebration. All you need is three simple ingredients to make the perfect combination for this refreshing, summertime delight. Pour something bubbly into a chilled glass. Then, treat your tastebuds by topping off your float with vanilla ice cream. You’ll feel happy and satisfied, without feeling guilty about it. This drink can be enjoyed at any age, so it should definitely be added to your 4th of July menu! Head to Two Peas & Their Pod for the full recipe! Or follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
These two recipes are must-haves for your weekend celebration. They’re tasty, delicious, and 100% festive!
Chef Mario Batali and Master Meat Purveyor Pat LaFrieda are painting New York City (RED) as they host this years EAT (RED) DRINK (RED) & SAVE LIVEScampaign, the newest initiative by Bono’s (RED) to help #86AIDS.
EAT (RED) DRINK (RED) & SAVE LIVES takes place June 1-10 and features restaurants that transform a dish or a cocktail on their menu into a signature, (RED) creation, with participants making a donation to the Global Fund, an international financing institution dedicated to attracting and disbursing resources to treat AIDS.
On Monday night, guests were invited to Eataly’s Rooftop Birreria to enjoy music by guest DJ Questlove and sip on signature Belvedere (RED) cocktails and Peroni Nastro Azzurro, the official beer of the (RED) campaign. Other attendees included Julianna Margulies, Ian Somerhalder, Neil Patrick Harris, Marcus Samuelsson, Wylie Dufresne, and more.
When you buy something (RED), 50 percent of the proceeds are donated to AIDS research. All of the money (RED) raises is used to fund HIV/AIDS programs in Africa, making it possible for the world to diminish the transmission of HIV from mothers to their offspring.
Batali is excited about the effect the campaign will have and wants to help in any way possible. “Wherever the (RED) campaign is involved I want to be there. I want to eat red, I want to drink red, and I want to help save lives,” said Batali.
Chef Mario Batali.
Batali was interested in the campaign from the beginning, but once he heard of the opportunity to be paired with Pat LaFrieda, he knew he couldn’t miss out. “I’m dear old friends with Bono and all of the people involved here,” said Batali. “When asked if I wanted to join I said I would need someone just as involved as me. That someone was Pat LeFrieda; we both got together and concluded that this would be a great idea.”
LaFrieda knows that the (RED) campaign has an impact on a number of children born with AIDS every day and that was his biggest motivation to join the movement.“Mario explained to me what the cause was about and the idea that 700 children are born with AIDS every day. This can get that number down to zero and deliver the first generation of children without it; that was my inspiration,” said LaFrieda.
Pat LaFrieda and CEO Deborah Dugan.
LaFrieda and Batali supplied restaurants with meat and ways to turn their menus (RED). “I immediately thought of supplying restaurants with meat in a very inexpensive way and basically giving it away so that they could all participate,” said LaFrieda. “We were able to get 500 food establishments in 120 different cities to partake in the movement. It’s amazing.”
Deborah Dugan, Chief Executive Officer of (RED), explained that the idea behind the campaign was finding a common interest among people today.“We kept thinking of food like the new fashion,” said Dugan. “It’s such a craze and a part of people’s lives and (RED) tries to go where people’s passions are. We do art, design and music, but when the question rose of how to do food, we went to Mario Batali, who knows just how to do food.”
Dugan is thrilled with the outcome of the event and hopes that this is something that will continue throughout the years.
“We are moved and humbled by the whole thing. We’re very happy,” said Dugan.
– Jordan Tidwell
– Photography by Eddy Garay
Steve Higgins.
Chef Marcus Samuelsson and wife Maya Haile.
Michael Pierce and actor Ian Somerhalder.
Chef Anne Burrell.
Grace A. Capobianco, CEO of DOWNTOWN Magazine, and Marsha Wright, Production Director of Zac Posen.
