ZERO + MARIA

Last week toddlers to women of a "certain" age warmed the new home of Zero + Maria Cornejo located at 33 Bleecker Street in Manhattan's East Village. As several languages filled the air and prosecco swilled in flutes, well heeled guests acquainted themselves with the label's minimalist spring and fall 2009 collections. While guests crammed between grecian columns in the front of the store, the label's namesake chliean born Maria Cornejo gave patrons a personal tour of the collection in the back. Judging by the vast turnout, Zero + Maria Cornejo is a welcomed addition to it's new neighborhood.

Brandy of the Damned (Mark Ronson Remix) (feat. Wale) - Nickel Eye

HOW DO I LOOK

A couple of weeks ago I attended a screeing of German born director Wolfgang Busch's post Paris is Burning documentary How do I look at the Jewish Community Center on Manhattan's upper west side. The film is a celebration of the underground lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered and even (don't gag) heterosexual Ballroom scene. Before the documentary was shown, the diverse audience enjoyed a reading (no shade) of Emanuel Xavier's poem inspired by the iconic Peppa Lebeja. Immediately following Xavier's heartfelt words was a performance by the House of Ninja.