Hottest party of the year...well so far

Well my new thing for 2007 is not partying in the Raleigh Durham Area. Okay let me explain. I was at the hottest party of the year…well so far. Gilbert Arenas 25th birthday party at Love in DC (If you don’t know Google it)! So my best friend calls me and says I can get you an invite to the hottest party and I’m like yeah whatever, I’m not doing anything so why not. When I get to DC my friend gives me the invitation, and it has my name on a credit card—yes a credit card no actually an Arenas Express Card like an American Express. Okay, so maybe I’ve underestimated the magnitude of this soiree. On the way to the party my friend has to explain to me who Gilbert is and why he is such a big deal. We get there and arrive at what is clearly the VIP entrance where Hummers, Lexus, Benz, and any other luxury car you can name are being valet parked for about $60 per ride. We drive by in our Hyundai and find a parking space in the back for 10 bucks. As we are walking up my friend spots NFL player Jason Campbell; she walks back to get a picture. Next thing we know Gilbert pulls up driving a Ferrari and his entourage follows in a Bentley and stretch Hummer. We get to the doors, after we walk around the block to the “regular peoples’” entrance, past the other people who don’t have an invitation and can’t get in. I’m hoping they don’t take this fly invitation from me, luckily they don’t. So I proceed into the club (past the ice sculpture of Gilbert) under the tent and Li’l Wayne is performing on stage. As we walk onto the carpet past the photographers who are not trying to get a picture of me and my girl, we pass a crew of strippers dressed in gold and silver Lycra. We make our way to the front of the stage easing on through the crowd. With cameras in hand I’m thinking to myself this is really a big deal. As we get closer we realize that the Ferrari is parked in front of the stage where there is VIP section and off to the side I think I see Vince Carter. After Li’l Wayne’s performance, T.I. comes on stage and performs. I’m beginning to think that I am in the spot when (drum roll please) Puff Daddy walks on the stage and wishes Gilbert a Happy Birthday. Okay, this is definitely the place to be! After he gets the crowd hyped the entourage and others start moving. Busta Ryhmes is up next to perform. But I’m star struck so I’m following the crowd. Me and my girl lay out the plan to make it to the fourth floor of Love. We bogart our way up the crowded stairwells without VIP badges acting like we are somebody or at least with somebody. When we make it to the top; heaven only knows we find out it is an open bar…that means free! Gilbert is in the room along with a bunch of other celebrities and T.I.’s girlfriend from Xscape just walked by looking mad. I feel like my night is success. So it’s back to Raleigh-Durham and the parties here probably won’t meet the same level so why try…at least for now I’m still hype about it and its been two weeks. But now I understand what some of these party promoters are going for when they put together these upscale events. Gilbert’s party did a lot for the DC area and the club Love. Even though it’s not likely, maybe some of our own local celebrities will throw a big “FREE” bash. I’m sure it does wonders for the social economy…including my pocket and my ego, especially if I get an exclusive invitation. Well that’s whats good for now.

PS. Check out West Side Stories on Saturday and don’t forget the usual Aries on Fridays



Nicole@CalvinTylerBaldwin.com

Black Ties....or just.......Plum Crazy

Wow RTP, this is about life here and what you make of it. It is utterly amazing how many events have popped up in the three years since I graduated from college and returned to my hometown. I remember when the only place to really club was Black Ties and I think Plum Crazy, but don’t quote me on that. There is so much to do in the Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill area, it blows me away. So, we now have a choice…? Maybe not every night of the week but at least from Thursday to Saturday there are consistent spots. I am a young professional, teacher, by day and professional partier by night (or so I’d like to think!) I believe that you should enjoy life and sitting at home on the weekends doesn’t do it for me. Since moving back here from Virginia, I have progressed from the Chapel Hill college town parties to the professional parties thrown in the Raleigh-Durham area. Plus there are more men in Raleigh than Chapel Hill it’s a proven fact! I am that friend that could tell you where to go almost every night of the week depending on what you are in the mood for. I will keep you updated on what spots are hot and why. My tastes are diverse from the “white” bars with DJs like Bogarts or to tha’ hood parties like Club Fiesta. Of course I have an opinion about everything but I am very invested in supporting my fellow African Americans in their financial endeavors. A lot of us are throwing parties as a side hustle or supplementary income because of the amount of money you can make from parties. Plus it’s a great way to network. All I’ll say for now is live life to the fullest, do it in your own way, be young, and have fun. I can tell you what’s good in your hood and why!