For my 30th birthday last November I hosted a concert at The Box featuring some of my favorite performers whom I’ve met during my twelve years in New York. I’m blessed to have been introduced, exposed to, crossed paths with and befriended such talented kids. There are a great many personalities in this town and they don’t all necessarily appreciate the same kind of performance. I was a bit nervous as to how my friends from all walks of life would react to each other. In the end, everyone fell in love with at least one new artist they had not experienced before that night.

That was the goal. An introduction and an exchange of work, progress and passion.

To keep that spirit going I decided to put my studio to work and continue hosting performances. Once a month I ask a friend to perform in my studio for friends and colleagues. Nothing fancy, just a rug, a spotlight and many bottles of wine. For June’s salon, the audacious and completely unpredictable Bridget Everett, accompanied by Mike Jackson on guitar, was kind enough to put on a show right here in Chinatown. Her ability to NOT blush while sitting on a stranger’s face astounds me. - Matthu Placek

Portraits of Bridget, Matthu’s guests, and performance shots
photographed for EVB by Allison Michael Orenstein

This week’s East Village Boy of the Week is Nick, from New York
Photographed exclusively for EVB by Allison Michael Orenstein