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December 23, 2009

2009 Invitation

Friends, we rapidly approach the unofficial end of what shall historically be considered one of the most jackass decades in recent history. Were this decade a type of person, it would most certainly have been a ten-year-old bully who uses your own fist to punch you while urging you, over and over again, to "stop hitting yourself."

Shall we be sorry to see our bully go? I think not. But perhaps we can take a certain joy in celebrating the eve of the eve of his sendoff with The Triumphant Return of The Night Before New Year's Eve after a two-year hiatus. I am thrilled to announce that the fete is also back in the fashionable district of TriBeCa for the first time in half a decade, and is "old school" -- which is to say, no admission charge, and no nudity involved. Or at least, planned.

Since either 1992 or 1993, The Night Before New Year's Eve has offered a select group of premium people the chance to acquire just the hangover they needed for a perfect New Year's Eve Day. Please join us in the resurgence of this annual tradition.

THE NIGHT BEFORE NEW YEARS EVE:
THE TRIUMPHANT RETURN
Or, "When Doves Cry"

DATE: Wednesday, December 30, 2009
TIME: 8:00pm until the bartender feels we have imbibed sufficient alcohol to survive 2010
DRESS CODE: Intolerable
LOCATION: Ward III, 111 Reade Street, TriBeCa
It's like Grace, only much, much better!

NB: For those attend or performing in the fabulous Revealed show at The Kraine Theater -- and a I certainly recommend you do -- never fear! You may join us after, for the party shall continue well into the night.

Posted by JVG at 10:27 AM | | Comments (29)

December 20, 2007

2007 Invitation

Friends, with a certain amount of swelling of the chest, and perhaps other parts of the body, we announce that our famed annual feté returns to the borough of Manhattan for the first time since 2003! With that migration comes a revival of the glory days of the celebration, in which one need neither travel to Red Hook nor pay an admission fee to attend.

In a stunning departure from previous years, however, 2007's event will be split into two distinct celebratory sections, an "early" (commencing 7:00pm, appropriate for those with early bedtimes -- yes, Preggie, I'm looking at you), and a "late" (commencing 11:30pm). Wherefore this disjunctive merrymaking? Read on, young friend, the reason shall become clear.


So please, won't you join us once again for...
THE NIGHT BEFORE NEW YEARS EVE 007
Or, "Orbis Non Sufficit"

If we cannot say with certainty that this is the 15th year since we began celebrating the event, we can at least be assured that it is the 5th year since we first celebrated the 10th anniversary of the event.

DATE: Sunday, December 30, 2007
TIME: 7:00pm-10:30pm, 11:30pm until such time as we are forced to evacuate the premises
DRESS CODE: Vintage '03!
LOCATION: RiFiFi, 332 East 11th Street, East Village, Manhattan
Though blessed with a bartender much cuter than that of our last Manhattan venue, this location also boasts the constant threat of closing.

AGENDA:
» The party shall commence at 7:00pm, and continue in fine form for 3.5 hours.
» At 10:30pm, NBNYE shall take a short recess as I (and any who care to join me) retire to the back room to watch the burlesque show (Those wishing neither to participate in this portion of the event nor to leave the party may remain in the front room and continue drinking)
» At some point during said show, let's call it 11:15pm, I shall attempt to convince the hosts to allow me to sing the official NBNYE anthem ("Fairytale of New York") live on stage, accompanied by as much of the audience as cares to join in
» At approximately 11:30pm (or show's end), NBNYE shall resume with a renewed fervor and enhanced drunkenness

RSVP, why not? NB: This event was, due to unfortunate circumstances, cancelled.

Posted by JVG at 11:29 AM | | Comments (27)

December 18, 2006

2006 Invitation

Dearest Friends,

It is, once again, "that" time. The holidays are upon us, and a New Year approaches with the spotted inevitability of plaid boxer shorts. If the New Year approaches, New Years Eve approacheth that much more quickly. And if New Years Eve approacheth quickly, what can be inferred about the rate of approach for The Night Before New Years Eve? Only this:

With these, the golden years of the famed party, comes the inevitable decline of the event into depravity and filth. In much the same way that the lovely Alexis and Corie hosted the party last year, and Kim hosted in 2000, our good friend Wasabassco offered to host the party this year. But there's only one type of event Wasabassco knows how to produce: a burlesque show! Yes, friends, you heard it right: this is the year that NBNYE becomes a party AND burlesque show. Since we've been throwing this shindig for so many years, Wasabassco was kind enough to ask us to emcee the show. So, please join Jonny and Nasty (though many of you may know us by different names) for...

UnionHallNBNYE.jpgTHE NIGHT BEFORE NEW YEARS EVE BURLESQUE SHOW
produced our good friend and hot sauce Wasabassco
(Followed by the Night Before New Year's Eve Party)

The festivities remain in Brooklyn for the second year in a row, but move to a far more accessible venue: the ultra-hip Union Hall in Park Slope.

Extra 2006 Bonus Features Include:
- NBNYE favorite "Fairytale of New York" -- now performed live!
- As always, plenty of attractive people -- this year, they get nekkid! (Somewhat.)
- Admission charge! (For the show part) -- Still cheaper than a cab ride to Red Hook!
- No need to bring booze -- you can buy it there!
- Hot sauce!
- Invitation illustrated by Bill Morton!
- Indoor bocce courts! (That's right PW Cross-Country team, I said BOCCE COURTS. Will you accept the challenge?)

If you've never been to an NBNYE celebration, this is the perfect time to start. It's the only party that gets your New Years hangover started early! If you've never been to a burlesque show, ditto. If you've never been to an NBNYE burlesque show... how can you miss it?

The rundown for Saturday, December 30th...
9:00pm: THE NIGHT BEFORE NEW YEARS EVE GO-GO
10:00pm: THE NIGHT BEFORE NEW YEARS EVE BURLESQUE SHOW
11:30pm: THE NIGHT BEFORE NEW YEARS EVE PARTY - no admission charge for this part, kids!
Union Hall: 702 Union Street, Brooklyn, between 5th and 6th Aves
Convenient to Q, R, 2, 3, 4, 5, and not too terribly far from the F

RSVP here.

Posted by JVG at 02:12 PM | | Comments (8)

December 14, 2005

2005 Invitation

Friends, I bring sad news: Grace Bar/Restaurant/Ritual, the location of the NBNYE from 2001-2003, and TDBNBNYE 2004, has in the year 2005 lost its "ritual" status with the departure of JJ (aka "No Ass O'Barkeep"). Therefore, it will no longer play yearly host to this eagerly-anticipated annual event every twelve months.

But with every sadness comes a silver-lined storm cloud, for with the loss of the Tribeca location, NBNYE - in celebration of the 13th (or possibly 14th) Anniversary of the event — returns to the Broken Land, and gains a new co-host!

So, please, won't you join JVG, Xina, AVR, and Callalillie for...

The Unluckiest Ever 14th Anniversary
NIGHT BEFORE NEW YEARS EVE
In Which Pooh and Piglet Go Hunting and Nearly Catch a Woozle

This year, for your convenience, the party has been relocated to nearby Red Hook, Brooklyn!

Easily accessible by car, car service, taxi, cruise ship, OR city bus #B61 (The ONLY city bus with a bar AND a website named after it!), Red Hook has recently been targeted by developers, so the NBNYE may well be your last chance to see the neighborhood before it is razed and replaced by an Ikea (“affordable solutions for better living”.) It also serves as the home of soon-to-be-married Lex & Corie, and it is in their new apartment that the festivities shall be held.

For those who have not previously attended the event, enjoyable aspects of NBNYE include:
• No resolutions! --in fact, no promises of any kind
• No champagne! --plenty of other booze
• No pressure to enjoy yourself! --please, don't
• Attempt in vain to remember how many previous NBNYEs you have attended! --much easier for those attending for the first time
• Begin New Years Eve Day wth a vicious hangover!

The evening shall also serve as a celebration of the 6th night of Chanukah, AND as Lex & Corie's semi-housewarming party and long delayed Chip & Dip party. So bring booze, dreidels, latkes, booze, chips, dips, housewarming gifts or booze to supplement the evening.

In Brief: THE NIGHT BEFORE NEW YEARS EVE 2005
Friday, December 30, 2005 @ 7:00pm
Continuing until such time as Lex & Corie are requested, by their landlord, to remove themselves from the building permanently.
259 Van Brunt St #4, Red Hook, Brooklyn 11231

Why should you not RSVP?

(Fine print: For those to whom it applies, take an allergy pill before attending, as the Red Hook ecosystem supports over 60 pounds of cat.)

NEW THIS YEAR: NBNYE invitation archives all the way back to 1999, here! Add your comments about previous NBNYE parties! Do you have an old NBNYE invite not included on these pages? Send it my way!

UPDATE: Lock supplies photos from the event.

Posted by JVG at 02:47 PM | | Comments (39)

December 20, 2004

2004 Invitation

Since many of us (including yours truly) will be out of town this Night Before New Year's Eve (those of you in Hollywood on Dec 30 can join us for NBNYELA), the management of the popular NBNYE festivities have decided to usher in a brand-spanking-new tradition for 2004:  the first annual first annual "Ten Days Before Night Before New Years Eve" gathering!

The specs:

JVG & Xina, in association with AVR, are pleased to invite you to:

The First Annual First Annual TDBNBNYE Party

Date:  Monday, December 20
Time: 7ish, 8ish, until such time as you stumble home, lamenting
Location: Grace Bar/Restaurant/Ritual
Where every man is a king, and every duke a banana
114 Franklin Street
bet. Church & W. Broadway
Subway:  (1,9 to Franklin, A, C, E to Canal)
Dress Code:  Retro futuristic

Exciting party features include:
• Buy-your-own Drinks!
• Friendly barkeep, no visible posterior
• Mention of Book of Ages: verboten!
• Burlesque performances? No, probably not
• Quiet contemplation of year to come while listening to the holiday favorite “Fairytale of New York” by The Pogues
• SPECIAL BONUS: Tuesday Hangover!

 RSVP, if necessary

Posted by JVG at 01:08 PM |

December 30, 2003

2003 Invitation

Well, friends, as another year draws to a close, I can state with reasonable assurance that this — unlike last year — is ACTUALLY the tenth year since I first hosted the annual celebration of pre-new year’s decadence.

Therefore, I am pleased to announce:

The Second Annual, but most likely more accurately named
10th Anniversary Night Before New Year’s Eve Party
Or, What The Butler Saw

“With an ‘amiable air of devil-may-care,’ and a guest list ‘so exclusive as to defy the imagination’, the NIGHT BEFORE NEW YEAR’S EVE party is the ‘fête to beat!’  You’ve ‘never experienced New Year’s Eve’ until you’ve started it with an ‘ intensely painful post-NBNYE hangover.’” —2003/2004 Zagat New York City Nightlife Guide

DATE:  December 30, 2003
TIME:  8:00pm
DRESS CODE:  Pret-a-Porter
LOCATION:  Grace
A dingy little watering hole in the up-and-coming "Tribecca" section of Manhattan
 114 Franklin St
between Church & West Broadway
Tel: (212) 343-4200

1, 9 to Franklin or A, C, E to Canal

RSVP, if you would be so kind

Posted by JVG at 01:15 PM |

December 31, 2002

2002 Recap

"Final Analysis: With such a top-notch guest list, how could NBNYE2002 be quantified as anything but "classic"? The only thing missing was the people who didn't show up."

Full recap available here

Posted by JVG at 01:52 PM |

December 30, 2002

2002 Invitation

THE 10th ANNIVERSARY NIGHT BEFORE NEW YEARS EVE PARTY
 8:00 pm on Monday, December 30, 2002

Has it really been ten years since I began hosting a gathering to celebrate New Years Eve Eve?  Possibly.  It may have been nine.  Certainly isn't eleven.

At any rate, as we prepare to leave this last palindromic year for over a century, the NBNYE celebration falls once again on a day appropriate for Grace, my favorite Bar/Restaurant/Ritual. Which means that, just like last year, I'm very generously _not_ providing the alcohol. What a guy!

Feel free to bring friends, loved ones, and detritus.

And remember, there’s no better way to start New Years Eve day than with a serious hangover.

With affectation,

Jonathan Van Gieson

Succinctly:
10th Anniversary NBNYE
Dec 30, 2002 @ 8:00 pm

Grace
114 Franklin St
between Church & West Broadway
Tel: (212) 343-4200

1, 9 to Franklin or A, C, E to Canal

RSVP, if you would be so kind

Posted by JVG at 01:17 PM |

2002 Reminder

THE 10th ANNIVERSARY NIGHT BEFORE NEW YEARS EVE PARTY
 8:00 pm on Monday, December 30, 2002

The time is now, or nigh, depending on when you read this email.  Be sure to join us for an evening of enjoyment.  Dov has apparently arranged something resembling hors d’oeuvres, which is more than I could get off my ass to do. On the other hand, who would you ask to design your website?  Me, or Dov?  I thought so.  (Do all of you know Dov?  Everybody, meet Dov.  Dov, meet everybody.)

For those of you who have already RSVPed regrets, this email will serve to remind you of the wonderful time you’re missing. Schedule now to be available for NBNYE ‘03.  (“The Rockin’est NBNYE EVER!”)

For those of you who have been asking about couture:  Haut.  Or at least haughty.
For those of you asking if you can bring friends:  Yes.
For those of you who go to Australia and don’t bring your co-producer:  Dead.

If I don’t see you tomorrow, have a wonderful new year, despite the chilly silence to which I will subject you for missing my damn party.

With love like lightning,

JVG

Succinctly:
10th Anniversary NBNYE
Dec 30, 2002 @ 8:00 pm

Grace
114 Franklin St
between Church & West Broadway
Tel: (212) 343-4200

1, 9 to Franklin or A, C, E to Canal

RSVP, if you would be so kind

Posted by JVG at 01:00 PM |

December 30, 2001

2001 Invitation

Friends,

This year, in a fit of laziness (and lack of anyone I could sucker into hosting the party,) my annual night-before-new-years-eve-party has been demoted to a night-before-new-years-eve-get-together-at-a-bar.

What does this mean for you, the partygoer?

* No 5-flight walkup
* No train ride to Brooklyn
* No slight discomfort at being the only one in the room that no one knows.
* No opportunity to destroy my mom's couch.
* No embarrassing hours spent waiting for the bathroom as one of the hosts "washes his face."

And, most importantly,
* No free alcohol.

Sound exciting? It sure does. So be sure to join me on Sunday, December 30th we count down the hours to New Years Eve Day.

Get your hangover started early with the
FOURTH ANNUAL FIFTH ANNUAL NIGHT BEFORE NEW YEARS EVE PARTY

8:00 PM
@ Grace Restaurant
114 Franklin Street
Between Church and West Broadway
(Nearby Trains: 1,2 to Franklin, A, C, E to Canal, walk downtown.)

Please feel free to invite friends. After all, it's a bar.

Warmest Regards,

JVG

Posted by JVG at 01:23 PM |

December 30, 2000

2000 Invitation

Friends,

Word on the street:
The Night Before New Year's Eve Party will be happening again this year, in a brand-new borough: Brooklyn. By our best estimations, this is either the 3rd Annual 5th Annual Night Before New Years Eve Party or the 4th Annual 5th Annual Night Before New Years Eve Party.
While the location may have changed, you can expect the same rockin' good time that has accompanied previous NBNYE parties.

Highlights from previous years inculde;
• New Best Friends! (1999)
• JJ Keeps His Pants On (1994, 1997-1999 inclusive)
• A Good Time Was Had By All (1996)
• Wine, in addition to beer, served (Beginning 1998)
• Vodka Not Spilled on Couch (1995)
• Party Held During Wrong Month (November, 1997)
• Paul Simon Music Played for SIX HOURS STRAIGHT. (1994-1995)

Once again, the The Night Before New Year's Eve party will be held on December 30, the night before New Year's Eve. Save the date.

More information to follow.

Smoochies,

JVG (& mystery co-hosts!)

Posted by JVG at 01:45 PM |

2000 Reminder

The Night Before New Year's Eve: Now with Helpful Info!
The new location is Chez de Maison de Kim et Chandler in Brooklyn, just seconds away from the F train. A good time will be had by most.

Saturday, December 30th
9 pm - Dawm
212 Prospect Park West
Brooklyn, NY

718.768.3181

take f to prospect park - 15th st stop - the house is on the corner of prospect park and 16th street - the door is on 16th street, it's a blue door with lovely graffiti on it

Be there or miss it.

JVG
(with special co-hosts Kim, Chandler, and Alexis)

Posted by JVG at 01:26 PM |

December 30, 1999

1999 Invitation

You're Invited:
nbnye1999.png A low-key-pre-new-year's-eve-event. Bring a friend. If you'd like, bring two. Three would be pushing it.

Hosts: Jonathan Van Gieson & Christina Nicosia
Location: Bank Street, NY, NY 10014
Nearby Subways:
1, 9, 2, 3 to 14th Street.
A, C, E, B, D, F Q to West 4th Street.
Time: 8 pm EST.
RSVP
Need more information? Email me.
Sign the Guestbook I mean, why not?

Bring some booze, if you feel like it. If not, that's fine too.
n.b. Most links now inactive

Posted by JVG at 01:42 PM |