Stonebridge & Crystal Waters Take on ICON

Stoney, Nick, Atilla and I

It was 100% pure love under last night's supermoon at Nick Lion's club, Icon, in Astoria. Some of international clubland's most talented and charming personalities were in the house.

Starting at 8 pm, Icon was open for a press conference with dance-music producer Sten Hallstrom (known professionally as StoneBridge) and dance diva deluxe, Ms Crystal Waters.

I first met StoneBridge and his protege, Dj Atilla, outside the club before doors opened. They are simply the nicest, funniest two gentlemen you'd ever hope to encounter. We were then joined by promoter Barbara Sobel, who stepped from her cab fashionably chic with a lovely new 'do and glam black blouse/skirt ensemble.

I introduced myself to the divine Ms Waters shortly after she entered the club. We'd already done an interview regarding her new song, "Be Kind," that she did with Stoney and is destined for the top of the charts at clubs and on dance radio. Crystal is an absolute doll and it was a pleasure and a privilege to meet her in person.http://djbuddybeaverhausen.blogspot.com/2014/07/new-crystal-waters-interview-exclusive.html

Once the press conference officially began, I asked Sten why he took on the name StoneBridge. Well, wouldn't you just know that Sten means "Stone" in Swedish. Holy Smiles of a Summer Night! And Bridge is an audio mixing term. Get it?

I learned from Sten and Crystal that, although they'd known about each other for ages, they met for the fist time at a club in Amsterdam in 2010. They have now recorded 14 tracks together. If "Be Kind" is any clue as to their collaborations, these songs must all be brilliant. Sten informed me that Crystal has an upcoming album, working with various producers, and some of his tracks will be on it. Already, I want to hear the outtakes!

I told Crystal I'm now a Brooklynite and asked if she ever performed there. She happily replied that she has performed at Brooklyn Pride. She also performed at the old Spectrum club in Brooklyn with its iconic dancefloor (filmed in Saturday Night Fever). I told her that, in the '90s, I used to come into Bay Ridge from Manhattan, with friends, to dance there.

As we were side by side at the buffet supplied by Icon for its VIP guests, ready to chow down, I asked Crystal about her being the youngest recipient (at a mere 14) of the American Poetry Society. "My mother found my poems and submitted them," she informed me as she put a turkey/chesse-on-crusty-Italian on her plate. Was she eying the potato salad or getting inspired to pen a new song? Or both?!

Roped into the VIP area, it was a delight to schmooze with Nick Lion and guests like Get Out Awards 2013 Award Winner, Eric Alan, the club's Marilyn Monroe, Barbara Sobel and others.

Resident dj Ian Ford started the night and ushered in the excitement after doors officially opened. Then Dj Atilla brought everybody's booties to the floor and finished his dynamic dj'ing once the very physically kinetic StoneBridge took over with rock keyboardist moves behind the booth.

StoneBridge opened his set with "Be Kind," which brought the booties to the dancefloor en masse. There is no way this can't be a huge, global hit! Crystal's best song ever! And THAT is saying something!

Party pictures:

Go Go God

Young Icon clubgoers

Me & Crystal Waters

Ian Ford

Eric Alan & I

Inaya Day Made Some Noise to Usher In LGBT Pride Month

Inaya Day made some noise Saturday night (technically, Sunday morning) to a packed house at Icon, Astoria, Queens and blew us all away. It was the six-month anniversary of the club and a celebration of Queens LGBT Pride Day which was Sunday, June 1.

My friend, Kevin, made the trip from Bay Ridge to Astoria with me. We each had a flute of pineapple champagne in his place before going down for our car which was more than 20 minutes late. Traffic was a mess getting out of Brooklyn and we arrived later than expected but, thankfully, our diva went on later than expected, too.

Nick Lion instantly welcomed us and made us once more feel at home in his plush club. The joint was jumpin' to the dj and it was body-to-body.

I was able to go downstairs, to the club's "green room," to meet Inaya, her promoter and my friend Barbara Sobel, dance diva DeVonde Williams, who I will be interviewing shortly, and some of Inaya's inner circle.

Shortly after I was back upstairs and comfortably seated on a banquette, the diva emerged to take to the stage. And let me say, Day is like a force of nature. What an incredible, powerhouse voice. Amazing! And if you ever have the chance to hear her live, people, don't miss out.

Inaya sang "Movin' Up (Take My Problems to the Dance Floor)" and got us all movin'. Up, down, sideways and swirling around to that great Mike Cruz club smash from '97. It hasn't aged a day as a rousing dancefloor tune. She followed that her latest # 1 Billboard club hit with Dj Escape, "Make Some Noise," and fabulous noise it was. Dj Buddy B was making his own noise at the sheer joy of  experiencing that live.

After showtime, it was "go" time for Kevin and I. We simply hailed a cab outside and were back in Bay Ridge in record time. Thanks to Nick, Barbara, Inaya and all those sexy go-go gods and waiters for a terrific time. Another great Iconic night with a true icon of club music, Inaya Day!

Inaya Day at Night

Brooklyn's Inaya Day will head to Queens on Saturday, May 31, to perform at the fabulous, swank new hot spot, Icon. Doors open 9 pm. The internationally renowned singer is best known as the lead vocalist for her long string of house music hits that include "Keep Pushin'," "Horny," "Movin' Up," "Feel It," "Can't Stop Dancin'," "I Am tha One," the dance cover of "Nasty Girl" and, most recently, "Make Some Noise" with Dj Escape.

Ms Day has performed on Broadway (understudy to Stephanie Mills in "The Wiz") and starred in the Dorothy role on the road. She is an accomplished song writer and has written songs recorded by the likes of Missy Elliott, Bootsy Collins and Randy Crawford. As a session singer, she has appeared on tracks by Michael Jackson, Queen Latifah, Al Green and many others.

It was indeed a privilege to have interviewed Inaya Day this past December:
http://blabittobeaverhausen.blogspot.com/2013/12/inaya-day.html

This amazing Billboard-charting artist will kick off a series of vocal performances by various dance-music artists at Icon, courtesy of Barbara Sobel and Sobel Promotions. There is no cover charge on May 31. "Drink specials and GoGo Gods will make Club ICON the only place to be as we celebrate Pride!" boasts the club proudly.

Of course, Buddy Beaverhausen will be there and hopes to finally meet the diva in person. Dj Ian Ford will be in the house, bringing up the energy and kicking off LGBT Pride in high style. This will be a major event for June, which is LGBT Pride Month. Manhattan's Pride celebration (June 29) will traditionally climax with the pier dance followed by fireworks. The diva for the annual dance on the pier will be Demi Lovato. Frankly, I much prefer seeing -- and hearing --Inaya Day!

"Club ICON in Astoria Queens is the ONLY Place to be!" exclaims Barbara Sobel. Absolutely right on! And celebrate the Queens LGBT Pride March the following day, June 1st.

Latest Interview at Blab It to Beaverhausen

You won't want to miss this interview with promoter songwriter/ producer/ entrepreneur Nick Lion @ Blab It to Beaverhausen! Amazing, very cool guy.

 http://blabittobeaverhausen.blogspot.com/2013/09/q-with-love-goddess-and-icons-nick-lion.html