It is with a very heavy heart that we mourn the loss of a true Manhattan Icon. Zelda Kaplan, a fixture of NYC nightlife for more than four decades, passed away February 15th.

The subject of countless newspaper and magazine profiles, Ms. Kaplan was introduced beyond her NYC stomping grounds in the 2003 HBO Documentary, “Her Name Is Zelda.” While recognized locally as a social butterfly, her influence reached across the world with humanitarian efforts in Africa and Southeast Asia. Her global attitude was obvious in her remarkable and recognizable sense of style, designing her own wardrobe in bold African prints purchased from local weavers during her various trips, completing the ensemble with oversized glasses and one of her many matching toques.

Born Zelda Berkowitz in Flemington, NJ on June 20, 1916, Ms. Kaplan found her way to the city after her divorce from Dr. Samuel Kaplan in the late 60’s. Her love of dancing led her to become a ballroom dance instructor, and she could often be found at parties demonstrating the fox trot and other dance standards. Later living largely off family inheritance and investments, she began to travel the world in search of the elements that made up her unique style while also spreading humanitarian efforts through the World Culture Society, the organization she both founded and financed.

Much of her wonderful life can be summed up in her wonderful quote, as reported in the NY Times: “I’m a curious person. I want to keep learning until it’s over. And when it’s over, it’s over.”

All of us at Metronome Hospitality Group celebrate the life of Ms. Kaplan, while mourning the loss of such a wonderful and dynamic individual. She was not an uncommon sight at Providence, our venue in the same building that Ms. Kaplan called home, and a number of our employees have fond memories of meeting her and witnessing the near aura of her brilliant presence. Rest in Peace, Zelda. We will miss you dearly.

Metronome’s own Crimson in NYC was host to the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue launch party!

Are you ready to book one of the hottest and most amazing event spaces in Manhattan for your private or corporate event? Metronome is here to make it amazing! Give us a call to hold your Manhattan private party or NYC wedding reception at any one of our brilliant private event spaces!

Want to see more?

http://photos.denverpost.com/mediacenter/2012/02/photos-sports-illustrated-swimsuit-launch-party-2012/29439/#name%20here
http://celebrity-gossip.net/sports-illustrated-swimsuit-issue-2012/2012-sports-illustrated-swimsuit-launch-bevy-beauties-585518
http://socialitelife.com/photos/sports-illustrated-celebrates-its-2012-swimsuit-issue-in-new-york
http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/xw6rjdav2jW/SI+Swimsuit+Launch+Party+Hosted+Crimson+New

American Cancer Society presents ENCORE For Hope

Tickets on sale now for NGLCCNY members
Lower Level Tickets: $175, Upper Level Tickets: $75
Tickets include access to pre-show cocktails reception with open bar and passed hors d’oeuvres and gift bag for lower level seated ticket purchasers

Requirements; minimum of 3 years nightclub bottle and cocktail service and availability to work both Friday and Saturday nights. For immediate hire.

Please send photo and resume or attend open call Thursday, January 26 5pm-7pm at: Crimson, 915 Broadway at 21st Street.

Metronome hosts the NYFCC Awards at our Crimson venue!

Some of the hottest of Hollywood celebrities were in attendance at the 2011 NYFCC Awards, with Brad Pitt taking home the award for Best Actor (for the movie “Moneyball”), Meryl Streep getting the nod for Best Actress (“The Iron Lady”), and Best Picture going to the silent film “The Artist.”  Metronome is honored to have been chosen as host for the event again this year, and we are always excited to roll out the red carpet and welcome such great celebrities to Crimson!

In case you didn’t make it to Crimson for the awards, below are some photos of the guests arriving and posing in front of our Metronome and Crimson logo wall.  We would like to thank NYFCC and all the wonderful attendees for making Crimson their home for the evening!  Special thanks to Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie for stealing the show.  It was wonderful getting to see Meryl Streep, Jessica Chastain, Aaron Sorkin, Berenice Bejo, Viola Davis and everyone else that joined us.

More pics:

CBS News
Just Jared
Celeb Plus
Hindustan Times
Stylist
Associated Press
Zimbio
Daily MailE
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How do you assemble the perfect holiday party with no time left on the clock?

“Most organizations book their year-end holiday parties well in advance, with some starting as early as January,” says Alli Hertz, Director of Special Events at Metronome Hospitality Group, a full-service event planning company that owns and operates a number of private event spaces in Manhattan.

“Typically, if a company or planner is looking for a specific date or specific venue, they’re likely to start planning next year’s party before the last guest leaves the party this year. It’s always best to reserve as early as possible, especially with some of the more popular dates and locations.”

But what about those that still want to have a holiday bash and have been putting off reserving a space? Or maybe the boss just dropped a last-minute holiday party idea in your lap, or your original venue fell through, and you’re certain it’s too late in the game to make it a successful party. According to Hertz, there’s almost always still time to pull it off.

“While most companies do pick the date and reserve the venue several months in advance, easily a third of our holiday bookings at Metronome fall into the ‘last-minute’ category. In larger cities like New York, where our venues are located, we consider it a last-minute booking when there are less than 4-6 weeks from the first contact to the actual event date. Every year is a little different, but it averages about 30-35% of our December bookings.”

“Because we do it regularly, we’ve made it our mission to assist our clients with “outside the box” holiday parties. We can accommodate eleventh-hour holiday party requests in about 95% of cases. Sometimes it takes a bit of creative planning and logistics, but we always get it done.”

According to Hertz, there are a few “insider tips” which will increase your chances of landing a great party venue, even for a prime date this late in the season, and save some money in the process:

Dedicated event spaces are usually better and can be less expensive.

“For many people, their first thought for a holiday party space is a hotel or conference center, but there are absolutely better options. Venues which are designed specifically for special events, can be far more exciting for the guests, much more elegant, and – believe it or not – can be less expensive than conference centers.”

“The uniqueness of our dedicated spaces is a real draw for corporate clients who are sometimes used to the generic and bland décor of places like hotels and conference centers. We’ve got multiple levels, state-of-the-art lights and sound systems, DJ setups and full dance floors, even multimedia presentation equipment. But the biggest advantage is the fact that we also handle catering, we’ve got our own on-site wait staff, and we’ll even book the entertainment. We’re truly a one-stop shop, which is a priceless advantage when booking so close to the holidays.”

You can still get the perfect date, even at the last minute.

“This late in the game your first date choices may be reserved, but don’t be afraid to think outside the box,” suggests Hertz. “In the corporate party world, the two weeks just before the 25th are the busiest for parties. Within those two weeks, Thursdays always go first, followed by Wednesday, Friday and Tuesday, in that order. But if you’re late pulling the trigger, and you still want one of those prime days, you could still be in luck.”

To grab one of those coveted days at the eleventh hour, Hertz recommends planners inquire about other time slots on those days.

“Prime time for holiday parties is usually 6:30 pm-10:30 pm, which still leaves plenty of time for your holiday party to be a holiday luncheon instead, and that will typically save 25-35% over an evening party.”

You can save big on catering by “piggy-backing.”

Booking earlier time slots is not only a great way to get the date you want, it’s also a great way to save a significant amount on your food costs.”

“It’s actually one of the best-kept secrets in the event planning industry,” Hertz explains. “When you book an earlier time slot and there is an evening event after yours, you’re essentially sharing the day with the other parties scheduled for that day. Talk to the catering director at the venue, and if you’re willing to choose an identical menu, the venue saves money on the food costs and should be willing to pass those savings on to you.

“They don’t all do it.” warns Hertz. “But, we definitely take care of clients that way at our venues, and we recommend it in almost every eleventh hour booking.”

In any case, booking a large holiday event in a rush can be a very difficult and stressful task, but it’s not impossible.

“The best bet is always going to be finding a true event venue that offers one-stop shopping from planning to catering to entertainment,” says Hertz.. “However, it’s important to remember that these venues are still out there and available for your holiday party— even if you’re planning at the last minute.”

Metronome hosted a rockin’ superhero-themed party for the Media Mind “Rich Media Awards” with 600 guests in attendance.

Highlights of the party:

• They brought in London-styled phone booths
• Their cupcakes incorporated Media Mind slogans
• A skit was performed featuring Superheroes
• A rap created by Media Mind was performed
• There was a makeup artist giving Superhero makeovers to attendees

Plan your party with us! 212.505.7400

What better way to send off 2011 than with the largest New Year’s Eve Party in Atlantic City?

This year’s bash at Providence will offer a ridiculously sexy human ball drop at the stroke of midnight along with a massive eruption of confetti and balloons to ensure 2012 arrives with a bang. Mixes by renowned Heavy Hitter DJ Big Ben will keep the crowd dancing all night, while acrobatic performances by world-class pole performer Colleen Piquette and Contortionist Rebecca Star — stars of the critically-acclaimed Accused Show: Nightlife on Trial — will add a thrilling theatrical touch of sexy and dramatic.
Providence is also offering special New Year’s Eve VIP packages that include a 5-hour open bar, hors d’oeuvres, premium spirits, a midnight champagne toast and VIP seating.

Tickets can be purchased at ACBalldop.com, where visitors will also have a chance to win two free VIP tickets to the event. Tickets packages begin at $149, and VIP packages cost $198.

A New York-style nightclub that opened its doors in 2007, Providence, at the Quarter in the Tropicana Casino and Resort, is leading the way in Atlantic City nightlife. The club features three bars on two levels, a state-of-the-art dance floor, and two majestic DJ towers. Venue accommodations include chic furniture, wrap-around balcony, and VIP seating. Providence also offers a perfect setting for bachelor(ette) parties, private parties, corporate events and other group outings.

Celebrities and media were out in full force for the opening party celebrating the revival of The Miracle Worker on Broadway.

Nick Cannon showed up at Crimson for a photo shoot, amidst a throng of fans who pressed in to get a glimpse.