• by Kelly Samardak , April 5, 2010

Spring Party Season
NYC

If you're in NYC today, I hope it's having the same effect on you as it is on me. I can't stop smiling, I want to hug every flower and weirdo, and I can't think of any other place to live and work. I'm excited about hopping back into the fickle media and advertising party coverage scene, which seems so much more enjoyable when, at the end of the night, I can walk home with the warm breath of NYC nudging my neck under the never dark enough sky. I have one two-word request for all of you event planners this summer: Boat Parties.

This week's coverage starts on Wednesday April 7^th with the ANDY awards. I know, you're thinking, "how can an award show be that fun?" It was that fun last year because - and you can ask anyone that went - the open bar was practically illegal. That and whoever thought to include the subway performers is/was a genius. It was quirky, it was delicious, and it was entertaining as all hell. To top it this year will be a challenge and it's already working against the the strike of being held in The Times Center, a sanitized sort of place where the award space is two flights away from the party space. At least that was the case with The Shorty Awards. I'm sure the guests, whose brains will no doubt be frothing over with burbling creativity, will make it a fabulous evening. Learn more about the awards at http://andyawards.com/

On Thursday April 8^th, I can FINALLY attend an Upfront. I don't know why television has to act like sharing photos and experiences from big promo type events like Upfronts isn't a good thing. That's right - every single Upfront invitation that has hit the MediaPost office does not allow photography. But guess who is? Discovery! So hooray, I'll be over at Frederick P. Rose Hall around 3:00p.m., keeping the ole camera under wraps until the reception. I'll be sure to gush to every Discovery employee how obsessed I am with Life. So glad the boy bought our HDTV instead of groceries.

What's that? Another event on Thursday you say? That's right! After the Discovery Upfront I'll be heading over near my own 'hood for the Media Tasting at Exchange Bar & Grill, a new spot harnessing the reverse approach of Wall Street - where the drinking wisdom of the crowds benefit the crowd. "Market" prices are broadcast on a big ticker along with buzzed guests' contributions like "icu at the end of the bar w/ur face in plate of wingz, my kinda gal." Invitees will not be tasting Media types, thank goodness. They'll be tasting the menu and the liquid courage available.

Next Monday the 12^th starts the week dialed up to 11 with a star-studded gala at City Center New York with Good Housekeeping celebrating the most influential women of the past 125 years. I have absolutely no idea what I'm going to wear, but it will no doubt look like a potato sack compared to whatever Meryl Streep will be wearing. In fact, even if she wears a potato sack, I'm screwed.

On Tuesday the 13^th IFC is hosting a blowout at Santos Party House revolving around two of my three great loves in life: food and music (technically a premiere event for Food Party and Dinner With The Band). Whackadoo musician and white jeans wearing Andrew WK; Thu Tran, creator and host of what Gothamist proclaims as "quite possibly the only cooking program you should be watching," Food Party, and Sam Mason, food dealing host of IFC's Dinner With The Band, host a mashup of munchies, cocktails, and musical artistry on the IFC dime.

Let's just stop at next Tuesday so we don't burn out too quickly. Who's with me this week or next?

Send invitations to kelly@mediapost.com!