5) The Downtown Diaries: http://thedowntowndiaries.com/
Event planner and nightlife enthusiast Kristina Marino started The Downtown Diaries a little less than a year ago to promote her event-planning and spread the word about her friend’s projects. The blog has grown rapidly since, and has made a name for itself in NYC nightlife.
The Downtown Diaries showcases nightlife events under What’s Goin’ Down, local shows in Mark it Down, and Williamsburg news in The Williamsburg Word.
Kristina's goal is to use her blog to host monthly events showcasing her favorite DJs and performers. She has the attitude that “the sky is the limit” as far as blogging goes, and could see a book deal or TV show in her future. On living life as a blogger/event planner Kristina states that “It takes a lot of will and passion to not work a typical 9-5 and make boatloads of money, and pursue your passions. It's hard, but also fun.”
6) Modern Mystery: http://modernmysteryblog.com/
Modern Mystery is an indie music blog featuring interviews with bands, tour dates, music news, concert reviews, set lists, and photography. Founder Melissa Nastasi started the blog after seeing videos of The Morning Benders on Fuse while at home sick. She fell in love with the band and felt that the world needed to know them. What was intended to be one post has transformed into a successful blog with 11 contributing writers and photographers in New York, California, Texas, and Boston.
The best part of Modern Mystery is their band interviews. Two weeks after starting the blog Nastasi was invited to interview the bands playing New York’s CMJ Music Festival. Nastasi feels interviews allow her to “get on a personal level with the bands, and see a side of them that not many people get to see.” She has interviewed members of Matt Pond PA, Bishop Allen, Chairlift, and The Dandy Warhols. On how blogging has affected her life Nastasi says “This blog has become bigger than I’ve ever imagined, and sometimes I still can’t believe it. I’ve met some of the greatest people to walk the earth. Musicians that I admire more than anything.”
7) New York Daily Photo: http://newyorkdailyphoto.blogspot.com/
New York Daily Photo is a blog featuring photos of New York City, posted every weekday by founder Brian Dube. Brian was inspired to create the blog after coming across a similar blog for Paris, France. Each photo posted is accompanied by a story about the photo’s topic.
Brian’s photos are often of everyday things we see in the city but don’t usually think twice about. Through pictures and stories Brian makes us see these everyday images in a new light. Brian recently posted a picture of a fortuneteller’s storefront with a costumer inside. Under the picture he reveals that in 1999 the average fortune teller’s salary was $200,000! Crazy stuff!
Brian says that it is too difficult to choose just one of the thousands of photos he has posted as his favorite. However he is planning an entire re-design of the website soon which will include sections with photos and stories he likes the best.
8) Times Square Gossip: http://www.timessquaregossip.com/
Time Square Gossip is a celebrity gossip blog from a New York perspective. Founder James Edstrom covers Hollywood, NYC, Atlantic City, Broadway, and the Hamptons. He writes about celebrities of all ages, and told me that he is frustrated with current celebrity journalism because it focuses only on young stars.
Edstrom has been taking photos of celebrities for 30 years, and was the on set photographer for both the Joan Rivers Show and The Jerry Springer show. He notes major changes in photography over the last decade, with a photo that used to go for thousands of dollars being worth only hundreds. The changing nature of the industry is what led him to start Times Square Gossip. “I started my blog because I wanted to write about anyone I wanted to, without some young photo editor telling me “who the hell are they” when i called about a older celebrity”, says James. “I also saw a need for nice gossip, which almost no one is doing”.
9) Adaumbelle's Quest: http://adaumbellesquest.com/
Adaumbelle's Quest is a blog dedicated to NYC performers, from Broadway, to comedy, to music. It's founder, former comedian Adam Rothenberg, created the blog due to his love of performance and journalism.
Adam interviews performers weekly, asking them what he refers to as the “burning questions” everybody wants to know. He likes to showcase established artists that he admires, as well as talented artists who are up and coming. In between interviews Adam posts information about upcoming performances in the city.
Adam told me that he is living his dream and that performers taking time out to make his dream come to is “wonderfully delicious.”
10) NYC Theme Party: http://nycthemeparty.blogspot.com/
I couldn't resist including a Themed Party blog to the list. I guess I have a soft spot or themed parties with our Aurora Nights Zodiac and Prom celebrations coming up soon. But really, who doesn't love themed parties?
NYC Theme Party is a brand new log – it's first post was a little over too months ago. However, I feel it could really take off as there really isn't anything else out there like it (that I could find at least). Blogger Damien has already posted on an “Arabian Nights” themed party, a “Jungle Wrestling” theme (hm..), as well as Christmas and New Years events in New York. It's a good blog to check out if you want to branch out of your normal bar scene and try something a little different.
A major component of the FAME platform is its ability to let skillful and passionate artist develop a
