• by Kelly Samardak , October 27, 2008

Perez Hilton's One Night In NYC, Citrine/Highline Ballroom, New York
October 24, 2008

You don't have to like Perez Hilton (born Mario Lavandeira). You don't even have to admit that you might just head over to his blog when you hear a juicy celebrity rumor. It's fine, I lived in secrecy for a stretch of time, too. Then I embraced the fact that sometimes, it's really fun to numb your noggin with Britney's shaved head when the noise of reality gets to be too explosive. And hey, since his evil beginnings, the self-proclaimed gossip gangsta (and piler of money due to selling every inch of his blog as ad space) has toned down the mean and zippered in real news and opinions with a strong dose of charitable cause promotions. So now, you can come out of your gossip closet. And while you're at it, head on over to Citrine with me and see who else fearlessly flaunts their fame fascination.

Ok it's too late, the party already happened, so don't head to Citrine tonight. What I'm talking about is the "One Night In NYC" pre-party that prepped and lubed the crowd with passed platters and premium open bar this past Friday. Greeting guests at the entrance to Citrine was a table full of rolled-up pink T-shirts and purple bracelets, which came in handy for Perez's showcase at HighLine Ballroom afterwards. I have to admit, I was surprised to discover everyone fully dressed. Understand, in Manhattan it doesn't matter how cold it is, you will always find a gaggle of girls in sequined backless "tops" and sticky-note-sized skirts. Duh, the tall boots are for warmth!

Nestled in a corner was a crew of four who looked really familiar to me, so I had to pop over and attack! Turns out, they were Israel Mirsky, Jeff Melton, Michelle Shildkret, and Chris Frederick -- all with 360i, whose party I covered the night before! I moved from group to happy group, finding that everyone was getting their drink and their dance on, and gently mobbing Perez Hilton whenever he emerged. He was extremely polite, shaking hands with and listening attentively to every "I read your blog every day!" Happily, there was never an obscene pile-up at the bar and I had visual confirmation of passed food. The vibe was bright and everyone was there to have fun, not to engage in TMZ-on-the-street starlet warfare. We even got a few adventurous amateur table-dancers.

Perez announced that big black Suburbans were coming to shuttle guests (yeah!!) to Highline, but I decided to walk -- but not before running into Rita Kandamkalam, Assistant Network Buyer, Kristi Diaz, Assistant Account Executive, Jonathan Sumler, Account Executive, and Anna Pogosova, Assistant Account Executive, all with Deutsch NY, and all equipped with dancing feet.

Off to Highline Ballroom! The show was set to begin at 11 p.m., and since my +1 and I were a little early, we popped into Boss Tweeds. Who do I run into but Mark Schulze, Business Develoment, Quantcast Corporation. We met at OMMA Global Hollywood and he's here in New York on business. Small world, right? Fortified with a tasty Bud Light, my +1 and I headed back into the night and ran smack into the long line outside Highline Ballroom. But guess what, kids, purple bracelets moved to the head of the class! Up and into the venue we went, skittering unnoticed up the stairs to the open bar and great view awaiting us. See, I'm a big fan of NOT cramming up against 300 other sweaty weirdos. Well, I guess it depends on the level of sweat multiplied by weird. 

Ryan Katana, Sales Director/Account Management at Agent M, and partner in crime from the Facebook GenerationNext wrap party of Advertising Week kept me and my +1 in Heinekens while the spark plug, gotta-keep-moving, dance machine that is Sharon Jones (and the Dap Kings) lit up the stage, followed by Yo Majesty, who I wasn't much a fan of, but the group redeemed themselves with my favorite guy, the lanky piece of super hero meat in white spandex and a cape, flailing about the stage like a meth-crazed butterfly.

After Yo Majesty disappeared, the snotty Semi Precious Weapons grabbed the audience in their glittery grasp of glam/emo/punk/something rock while ending each phrase with an endearing and sneering "bitches..." The night ended with the modified-bathing-suit-sporting Lady GaGa, who is like the offspring of a young Madonna, an older Christina Aguilera, and perhaps some genetic dabbling of Kylie Minogue. You don't have to like Lady GaGa's music to be entertained. I'm a sucker for organized dancing in front of swirling vibrant light installations all slathered up and sealed with some tummy tucking dance beats.

Cliff's Notes: Perez Hilton's pre-game: Hey hey! Line at Highline: Hiss! Cutting to the head of line due to purple bracelet: Hey hey! Not allowed upstairs due to lack of pink bracelet: Hiss! Getting up anyway by latching onto large camera crew: Hey hey! Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings: A little Dap'll Do Ya! Yo Majesty: meh! Semi Precious Weapons: Lipsticky! Lady GaGa: GaGa indeed! BlogAds's Nicole Bogas: Curly-haired fantastic as always. Friday night's lounge/ bar/ food/ people/music quagmire: Big pink glittery gossip filled media ruling thumbs up!

It should be noted that I went deaf in my left ear for the final half hour of the night due to my placement directly in front of a large speaker. I can hear you now, though.

Celebrating with wiggly superheros? Send invitations to kelly@mediapost.com and get in Just An Online Minute!

More Lady GaGa awaits in the online photo set!