• by Kelly Samardak , August 2, 2010

Sounds Of Summer, New York
August 2 - 6, 2010

The greatest thing that ever happened to my soul was HBO's "Treme." What was not only an honest, heart-breaking, and shackle-raising glimpse into post-Katrina New Orleans, was also a beautiful discovery for me of the music born from the area and coursing through its people probably since the moment they shot out of the birth canal.  What this has to do with Just An Online Minute, well, it's a stretch, but it has weaved its way into this week!

If anything, my experience with "Treme" speaks to the power of quality TV programming with constant musical tie-ins via street performers, live sets, and recording sessions.  I researched the musicians, I paid more attention when my dude talked about his long weekend at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. I added a Dr. John station to my Pandora QuickMix, which has further exposed me to artists, and now, tonight, based on recommendation from a friend who saw me tweet my Dr. John obsession, I'm actually seeing Dr. John and the Lower 911 at City Winery tonight! I expect to be blown away.

Tuesday, as it is with living in this day and night Dr. Jekyll-Mr. Hyde city of New York, I'll be flipping the pancake to a softer, more fluffy side, with a party at Soho House.  And the party, my friends, is going to be a doozy.  Oxygen Media is launching Social TV with "Bad Girls Club" season 5.  I confess without regret that before I even worked in media, I watched "Bad Girls Club," so don't get all "you're only saying you love it because they invited you to a party."  Seriously, my dude and I DVR it, yell at the TV, and pass out with laughter every time it's on.

Thursday I'll be surrounded by Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia (MSLO) editors and bloggers and 300+ RSVPs on the private deck of MSLO.  300+!?  This is only slightly terrifying.  I hope the roof and the weather hold up, because nothing delivers better photos than a sleepy sun and the Hudson River.  The hashtag is #marthablogger if you want to follow any livetweeting like "Those shows with those cupcakes? FAIL!"

Friday I'm off to the wilds of Swansea, Mass. for a walkathon for a woman in dire need of financial help due to the wallet/life strain and trauma of organ transplant.  I agree, other people have real problems that don't revolve around irrelevant pitches, posts, and mushy sandwich bread.

August is looking pretty empty starting next Monday -- which is great for life, but sad for this column (which, by the way, THANK YOU, has grown in readership over the past couple of months).  This is very exciting for me, which also means I get a little squirrely about delivering fun content to you on the regular.  I'm hoping some low-key (or hardcore) happy hours and networking events sprout up for the people who aren't summering in the Hamptons or Iowa. But if not, don't leave. Party season never truly dies, it just goes to rehab.  

Catch up on recent party coverage and delicious photos!