• by Kelly Samardak , May 13, 2009

Dell Urban Meet Up, HomeStudios, Inc, New York
May 12, 2009

What exactly is an urban meet-up, you ask? It's moot if it's in an urban setting -- I mean, isn't it just a meet-up at that point? Either way, the invitation promoted Dell's Urban Meet Up featuring the intersection of design, contemporary art, and technology. The directions read "873 Broadway at 18th Street," which told me it would be AT 18th street. When I got there, it was a deli. I walked across the street for the panoramic view and still couldn't find Home Studios, Inc. Thank goodness for my defective BlackBerry -- I googled the place and called, saying, "now I know you're not a deli..." and they told me where to go, once again making me wish I made everyone's invitations. I would include important details like "entrance between G Star and the deli - may be hard to find because of construction scaffolding or because your face is buried in your mobile device."

Now, the other part that perhaps I would have included in the invitation was what I encountered when I entered the party -- and that was a sign that read... wait for it... "Back to school Dell Urban Meet Up." Back to school? Say what? It's May -- isn't it time to graduate or start packing for summer sleep-away camp? So odd.

People were sort of gathering around monitors that were supposed to be displaying art, but there weren't any signs on what exactly to DO. And, placed on colorful square tables were a herd of opened laptops. But no "yes you can totally touch these without ticking off a hipster in the middle of his t-shirt design" signage. I don't require much in the way of handholding, but it's common learned behavior not to fiddle with a random laptop out in the open.

Let's talk about food and people.  I vote for more cones of shoestring fries at events. In fact, I vote that they become the new cocktail wiener because I am SO OVER cocktail wieners. Bring on the cones of crispy fried potatoes. I found Zach Honig of PC magazine basking in the glow of a display monitor, and across the room I found Sarah Anderson, John Burek, and Matt Safford, all wearing badges stating "Computer Shopper." Whether that's a company (it is,) or a lifestyle, I suppose they were in the right place.

My favorite discovery of the night was meeting founder of Whyville, a social network for children, Jim Bower. Within five minutes of talking to him and his guest I had visions of him returning to Pasadena in a retro VW van pumping Fleetwood Mac and the "Star Trek" theme song. I left them, sadly, to take a picture of the bartender manning the open bar, which makes everyone happy. Everyone except the bartender, who shied from the camera.

While taking a shot of Dell Design Studio Artist Deanne Cheuk and some pals, I noted the unmistakable odor of truffle oil. I chased it and found instead Ken Sander, whom I'd recently met at the Conair Clean Head event. We had a bizarre conversation where it became apparent that his memory of the night was a touch different than mine. Is it easy to confuse a blow dryer with a head shaver? Just asking. I never found the mac 'n' cheese drizzled with truffle oil, but that's about the time I found my way out the door. 

Home Studios, Inc. was a great space, if we're ending this on a high note -- the big honking slabs of art work and the paper ball ceiling lamps added a chill artsy-fartsy atmosphere. In fact, if more cybercafés felt like this and less like dirty underground spy operations, I might find myself in more cyber cafes. Still, it was just really unclear what guests were supposed to walk away with -- other than Dell indoctrination. 

Throwing a big Internet Week NY bash? Invite kelly@mediapost.com!

Photos!