Scene Stealers: A Legend Returns to New York

Video Song : "Copacabana" - Barry Manilow (Remix)

____________________________________________________________________

At the Copa (CO!), Copacabana
Music and passion were always the fashion
At the Copa.......

Willie Colón & half of our Boss' face lol

Haha...Hey Guys!

As you can tell this post is all about that legendary club, the club that's been a household name for the past 72 years. It was the place where all A-list celebs attended. I was soooooo hyped to be a apart of the Grand Opening on Tuesday July 12th! That evening Hennessy presented - musical icon -Willie Colón to inaugurate the new COPACABANA! The historical spot reinstated that Latin flair that the venue is known for - with the Latin icon's performance. La Mega's (97.9FM) very own DJ Lobo, the #1 Tropical DJ, was on the 1's and 2's spinning the best of Latin music. Laura Stylez (The Hennessy brand ambassador) was also in attendance. After working the press, I hung out with Ms. Stylez and LBoogs in the VIP section! All VIPs were treated to food, complimentary Hennessy drinks (aka open bar) and good timess!! Paco Navarro was also there amongst other industry people...The vibe was fabulous, my parents even went, sharing this moment with them made the night for me! However, something was missing and that was my event-partner in crime Jessica :/. Nonetheless, the evening truly gave off that unforgettable and a "Yup, we are back" feeling. Copacabana's new home is now in the heart of Manhattan's Times Square (268w. 47th St. at 8th Ave). The biggest names in Latin music will grace the stage at the brand new Copacabana. Log onto www.copacabanany.com for the upcoming schedule of performances.

I was in charge of the Press/VIP list for the night, it got pretty hectic but it worked out and the outcome of the opening night was a grand success!! (I also greeted and welcomed Willie Colón, which was a sweet experience). Now a little bit about the spot...

Original Copa dancers with owner

The renowned three-floor Copacabana contains the famous disco floor along with the exquisite Copacabana Dancers directed by Melanie Torres and Copacabana Orchestra led by musical director Richard Gonzalez. The modern venue comes with a beautiful glass-enclosed rooftop that overlooks the Big Apple's gorgeous skyline (scheduled to open in the fall). The newest attribute to the world famous nightclub is the restaurant, the Copacabana Supper Club. The Copacabana Supper Club, led by Cuban Chef Alex Garcia (Calle Ocho, Patria), offers authentic Latin cuisine focused on the specialties of regions where Chef Garcia's food memories are strong and personal. The Copacabana Supper Club will restore that charm and excitement of a bygone era with its soul-satisfying Latino cuisine, engaging atmosphere and live music nightly. The venue's interior design draws inspiration from the history of the Copacabana and the famous Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Prior to this relocation, the Copacabana, operated for many years on West 34th street, West 57th St, and East 60th St. Barry Manilow sang it: "Music and passion were always in fashion at the Copa...." Check this site out with clips from the Copa back in the 40's. There is no doubt in my mind that the new Copacabana will continue to be a scene full of glamour with amazing entertainment and delicious food.

"This Copacabana is a welcome addition to the scene, offering a chance to experience nightlife in one space as it use to be ...gourmet food, dancing, live music and lounging... who could as for more?" - Owner, John Juliano

Ladies it's 21 and over and fellas, you have to be 25 and over (No little boys allowed, only real men ;). The dress code is also super strict -- no jeans, hats or sneakers allowed)

Ok well that's about it! Make sure you send us your e-mail to Nyscenestealers@gmail.com if you want to get the inside scoop of whats going on with the Copa! :)

My parents and I <3

P.S - Que Viva Colombia HP ;)! I hope all my fellow Colombians stacked up on the aguardiente this week. The Colombian independence day is on July 20th! Even though we didn't have our annual festival in Queens or won the Copa America -__- .. we still have to party it up and celebrate the beautiful country!! Where else to begin the festivities other then the Copa!?!?! Alex Sensation will be spinning Tuesday night and celebrating his 20th yr at the Copa (for those who don't know he began his career there at the age of 17). Try to stop by!!

XO, Samantha

Song of the week - Copacabana - Barry Manilow

____

What's Up,

I didn't go to the Copcabana Grand Opening for personal reasons, but here's a brief history on the venue:

The world-famous Copacabana, a mainstay of New York nightclubs, came to symbolize everything that is glamorous and elegant. No other club has had a more profound effect on the public recognition of a performer and their roster reads like a who’s who of show business and the music industry.

The club opened November 10, 1940 at 10 East 60th Street in New York City. Although Monte Proser's name was on the lease, he had a powerful partner: mob boss Frank Costello. Costello put Jules Podell on the scene to look after his interests, and within a few years Proser was out and Podell was the official owner.

Many entertainers made their debuts at the Copacabana and helped to develop the unparallel reputation. Harry Belafonte headlined the club the 1950s. Sam Cooke performed there on July 8, 1964, resulting in the LP Sam Cooke at the Copa. Sammy Davis Jr. shattered attendance records with his run in May 1964 and in 1965 The Supremes made their debut there in July, resulting in Motown Records booking The Temptations, Martha and the Vandellas, Marvin Gaye in the next few years.

Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis were frequent performers at the club, and did their last performance there as well, on July 25, 1956, which is seen in the 2002 TV movie Martin and Lewis.

This nightclub achieved a degree of notoriety due to a May 16, 1957 incident involving members of the New York Yankees. One evening, Mickey Mantle, Whitey Ford, Hank Bauer, Yogi Berra, Johnny Kucks and Billy Martin, along with their wives arrived at the nightclub to celebrate Martin's birthday. Sammy Davis, Jr. was the headliner. During the performance, a group of bowlers, apparently intoxicated, started to interfere with Davis' act, even hurling racial slurs at him. This behavior incensed the Yankees, especially Martin, since his club roommate was catcher Elston Howard, the first African American to join the Yankees. Tensions erupted between the two factions, and the resulting fracas made newspaper headlines. Several of the Yankees were fined. One of the bowlers sued Bauer for aggravated assault, but Bauer was found not guilty.

In keeping with the trends of the time, in the mid-1970s, the Copa became a discothèque. It was closed for three years in the 1970s after the owner died. The 1978 Barry Manilow hit song "Copacabana" is about the nightclub.

In 1992, then-owner Peter Dorn moved the club from its original location of over 50 years, to 617 West 57th Street. Dorn charged landlord Nicola Biase with "not liking Hispanics," the stated reason for the move.

In 2001, the club was forced to move a third time to West 34th Street and Eleventh Avenue, when its landlord terminated its lease early to build office towers on the site. Since the early 2000’s the club has been a home for hip-hop, salsa and other Latino acts. In June 2007, the club closed due to the expansion of the New York City subway. El Gran Combo was the final performer.

Part of the 2003 Yerba Buena song "Guajira" is set there. The Copa was used as a setting in the films Goodfellas, Raging Bull, Tootsie, Carlito's Way, Martin and Lewis and Beyond the Sea, as well as several plays, including Barry Manilow 's Copacabana (musical).

It is with great excitement that the Copacbana reopens in its fourth location in Times Square with three floors including a supper club by Chef Alex Garcia, a live music/club venue and a fourth floor boosting a retractable rooftop space with views of the city no matter the season.

Song of the Week: "Birth of the Blues" - The Rat Pack

xo, Jessica

_____________________________________________________________________

Become our friend on Facebook

Meet up with us on FourSquare

Check us out on