As counter-programming to the whole Manhattan St Paddy’s Day festivities, I went out with my friends in Brooklyn. First we grabbed dinner at Henry St. Ale House in Brooklyn Heights. They have a turkey sandwich with apple and brie that is just divine. Then we caught a cab to Southpaw to see BoySkout and Brassy. The bands started late, so we had time to kill, and my friends suggested that we stop by Café Ma on Bergen St. The lounge is cozy and cool, and they make delicious and exotic cocktails, like a Bubble Tea with vodka. After one round of drinks, we head back to Southpaw to enjoy a great show. BoySkout is a girl band with a Joy Division sound and I highly recommend getting Brassy’s latest CD, “Getting Wise” . It’s funky!

Have you heard of Brassy? Do you live in a cave? Brassy is a quartet who play pop/hip-hop/punk! Lead singer Muffin Spenser and the gang are playing tonight at Southpaw. My friends and I are going and we plan to “Shamrock” and roll! I hear that tickets are $8, so you can enjoy a few beers and concert with change to spare!

The Official Brassy Web Site

with green beer & cheer,

Niche

My buddy Sean Murphy from Murph Guide has spent countless hours preparing this document which is the St. Paddy’s Day Bible for drinking, dancing and debauchery. So grab a shamrock, and go!

The Ultimate NYC St. Patrick’s Day Listings -2004

With love, lube & gratitude,

Nichelle

Did you know that McDonald’s delivers up in Harlem? I found out when a delivery girl erroneously ringed my buzzer of my apartment Saturday morning! Obviously, she had the wrong address, and I directed her to peddle that Egg McMuffin elsewhere. By the way, how lazy do you have to be to have McDonald’s delivered to your home?! The closest one to my apartment is one block away, but you’d have to travel some distance to get a good grocer with fresh fruit and veggies. No wonder obesity is an epidemic here in the United States. France’s Marie Antoinette was rumored to say, “Let them eat cake”; and we Americans “Would you like fries with that shake?” Funny, huh?

I am anxiously waiting to see the Sundance award-winning documentary, SuperSize Me, which will open May 7, 2004.

With love, lube & gratitude,

Niche

niche_step@yahoo.com

Thank God it’s over! It has been officially declared that the Uggs boots are so last season. Please stop wearing them! You have been warned by the fashion cops. Spring is on our doorteps, so break out the kitten-heel flipflops or the yoga sneakers. Cool! Washington Square News

With love, lube & gratitude,

Niche

Brooklyn, have you heard the news about Halcyon? One of my favorite places to lounge and listen to music is closing in April. They promise to re-open in 2005 into a larger space, but my spot at 227 Smith Street is closing. I am little sad!

According to the email I received from the list-serv, the owners said, “we’re gonna blow the roof off this mutha before we let her go! For the final stretch we’ve lined up some amazing talent… Every night from here to April 1st is going to be something special so we hope you make an effort to roll through and share a last good time on Smith St. After officially closing, between April 2-17, we are throwing a series of blow-out weekend keg parties with all of our stuff cleared out of the space, just like we used to back in the day…”

With love, lube & gratitude,

Niche

niche_step@yahoo.com

I am so shy about promoting my own events which is pretty silly, but I gotta do it! I am tooting my horn to say that I came up with either brilliant or asinine idea to hold an open-mic for bloggers. So here it goes!

Nichelle’s Sunday Night Social Presents “The Blog That Ate Sunday!”

It’s an Open-Mic for Bloggers on March 14. Bring your latest and greatest posts to share with the parasitic and enthusiastic people of New York’s blogger community. Sign-up is at 7PM and you get 3-5 minutes to be a star or bore us! We will blog until 10PM. Afterward, I will post the entire list of contributor URLs on my blog, Nichelle Newsletter, so you’ll get a free plug.

Light snacks and refreshments will be provided until they run out!

Site: Empire Dance Studio 127 West 25th Street, 11th Floor between 6th & 7th Avenues Buzzer 17

Time and Date Stamp: Sunday, March 14 7PM-10PM

Fee: a mere $5

With Love, Lube & Gratitude,

niche_step@yahoo.com

What’s Next? If you’re looking to get the hell out of Gotham, you can check out the SXSW in Austin, Texas next week. The good music you won’t hear on Clear Channel will be featured at this indie festival. Some of my favorites artists are playing like Stiffed, Andrew Bird and Har Mar Superstar.

The music portion is from March 17 through March 21.

When that adorable John Mayer penned that luscious tune, did he have Tom & Sally’s delicious products in mind? You and your “fun buddy” can get your “Willie Wonka Chocolate Factory” freak on with stuff from this small Vermont business based in the heart of Howard Dean country. Tom & Sally’s Handmade Chocolates has Chocolate Body Powder, Edible Tattoos, Sweet Body Paints and Heart-shaped Belgian Milk Chocolate Thongs. Whew! I am getting a sugar rush just I am typing this posting. Sweet!

Holla back at nichellenewsletter@yahoo.com

I spent Friday at Natchez, which was supposed to be lovely dinner with my friends and their parents who were visiting from Manchester at a new Cajun place in the East Village. Well, after a laborious two-hour wait and having two rounds of watered-down vodka cocktails, we left. Then we stopped by one of old favorites, Supper. It is one of the best Italian restaurants in the city. The staff is superb, and the food and wine are divine! We even saw a member of the Strokes hangin’ out with a petite blonde and some other friends.

Supper is located at 156 2nd Street between A&B. Even if there’s a crowd, you can always enjoy a glass of Cupertino at the wine bar next door! The bartender is the best! <a

For more reviews of New York’s best dining check out Guy’s New York Guide

Holla back at nichellenewsletter@yahoo.com