On Thursday, April 6th, Site-Specific Dances, co-founded by dancer/choreographer Michael Spencer Phillips and South Africa-born architect Dino Kiratzidis premiered at the Paul Taylor Dance Studio in lower Manhattan with an exceptional immersive experience that includes live dancers, a 16-musician chamber orchestra under the masterful direction of
Wonderland, is NYC’s newest nightclub and adult nightlife hotspot. Located in the Chelsea area of New York City, at 20 West 20th Street, the venue held a grand opening hosted by Rick Ross, as well as sword swallower Le Reine The Thrill and ax juggler Sam Urdang.
Photo Credit: Andrew Werner
Sushi Roxx is one of NYC’s most unique dining experiences. The trendy Japanese eatery is also a theater of sorts with nightly performances by some of the city’s most talented singers and dancers, who also happen to be part of the wait staff. In between courses, your server may be belting out a classic on the mainstage or twirling around the room in an intricate dance number. We attended a performance once before and were delighted to return to preview their latest show and sample a few new menu items. Among the new menu items are grilled shishito peppers, a spicy light alternative to classic edamame and four new sushi rolls. The new rolls feature an assortment of delectable ingredients such as caviar, crispy nori, snow crab, and lobster. We highly recommend the Van Halen, its a sweet fresh roll with just a hint of spice. We washed down the tasty treats with a few specialty cocktails. One of the newest on the menu is the Black Panther a gin and berry cocktail that is aromatic and refreshing.
There are three different themed performances on their weekly schedule. Wednesday nights you can catch their “I Love Roxx and Roll” compilation of hits. Thursday evenings are an homage to classics with their throwback set playfully entitled “Boogie Nights”. Lastly, starting April 13th Friday and Saturday nights will be devoted to “We Will Roxx You” their latest show of choreographed dance numbers and popular covers. The setlist for this show includes well-known hits from Aerosmith, Van Halen, Journey and Lenny Kravitz to name a few. Sushi Roxx is an entertaining evening of food, cocktails, and music that will leave you hungry for more. Visit SushiRoxxNYC.com for reservations.
Location: 120 East 39th Street, New York, NY 10016
Cuisine: Sushi
Best Dish: Although the restaurant is known for its creative sushi, the lobster mac & cheese is the stand out star.
Price: $$
Overall: The best kitschy dinner and show you didn’t know you needed to experience.
On Thursday, we celebrated the two year anniversary of Sushi Roxx and the opening of its new show “Love Roxx.” The midtown east eatery, which is designed with animated Japanese wall décor, paper lanterns, and prominent hues of red, is the concept and dream of owner Jason Apfelbaum. Along with the help of his talented, theater-trained wait staff, Apfelbaum has created a space where he says they are “not in the restaurant business,” but rather in “the feeling business.” And currently, that feeling is all about love.
Instead of the usual dinner and a movie, take a walk on the sexy side and give The Midnight Experience a try. Just this Tuesday we were treated to a preview of what promises to be one of the hottest shows in town. The Midnight Experience is a no holds barred Burlesque, Aerialists, and comedy program.
Location: 603 W 45th Street
Cuisine: American Steakhouse Items: 2 appetizers, 2 cocktails, 3 entrees
Best Dish: One of the best New York Strip Steaks in the city. The Executive chef loves to prepare steak and it shows!
Overall: Robert’s Steakhouse was surprisingly comfortable, with superb customer service and amazing atmosphere. This is ain’t your run of the mill Gentleman’s Club expect to be treated like royalty.
Whenever a great friend and fellow foodie joins me for dinner, our initial expectations command a nice relaxed space with an interesting menu. The words Gentleman’s Club never even come to mind, and yet that’s exactly where we met on a rainy Friday night. I stood outside the doors of the space on the midtown’s west side wondering if I should bail, honestly the thought of random nipples invading my eye sight while enjoying my meal didn’t seem at all appealing.
We are always on the search for the next great talent and one person in particular recently caught our eye when we stumbled upon his videos on youtube and later noticing him dancing behind some of our favorite artist. His name is Brandon Barton and he hails from Kingston, GA. He has worked with every artist across the board from hip hop, pop, r&b, musical, and dance. Some of his credits include Missy Elliott, Janet Jackson, Beyonce, Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Pussycat Dolls, Usher, Chris Brown, Ciara, Brandy, Jennifer Lopez, Kylie Minogue, Justin Timberlake, Mariah Carey, and the list seriously goes on and on. Brandon has appeared in countless commercials (K-Swiss, iPod Shuffle, GAP, and Burger King), movies (“Blades of Glory” & “Malibu’s Most Wanted”), TV Shows (“Nip Tuck” & “Just Jordan”), award shows (“American Music Awards”, “MTV VMA’s”, “Grammys”, and “Academy Awards”), and concert tours around the world.
Brandon currently resides in California where he is planning to take over the world with his talents. We recently spoke with Brandon about the industry, becoming a chef, and becoming the next music sensation.
What made you first realize your passion for dance and pursuing a career in it? How did the venture into music come about?
Brandon Barton: I WAS A COMPETITIVE GYMNAST IN MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL. I WAS STATE CHAMPION AND REGIONAL CHAMPION. I WAS PRETTY GOOD, HOWEVER I GOT BORED AROUND MY JUNIOR YEAR WITH IT AND QUIT. ME AND A FRIEND JOKINGLY TRIED OUT FOR THE HIGH SCHOOL DANCE TEAM, AND WE MADE IT!! LOL. AFTER ONE OF OUR PERFORMANCES, ONE OF MY CLASS MATES MOM ASKED ME IF I EVER THOUGHT ABOUT BEING A PROFESSIONAL DANCER. I HADN’T. I WANTED TO BE THE FIRST BLACK PRESIDENT, DAMN YOU BARACK, LOL. OR DO SOMETHING WITH BROADCAST JOURNALISM. HOWEVER, FROM THAT MOMENT ON I COULD NOT GET THE NOTION OF BECOMING A PROFESSIONAL DANCER OFF MY MIND…SO I JUST STARTED PAYING ATTENTION TO TELEVISION AND WATCHING ALL OF THE MUSIC VIDEOS SO I COULD SEE WHO WAS DOING WHAT.
MUSIC HAS ALWAYS BEEN A PASSION OF MINE. I GREW UP IN CHURCH. MUSIC IN BLACK CHURCHES ARE THE MAIN FABRIC OF THE CHURCH AND CELEBRATION. I SANG IN THE CHURCH CHOIRS. I’VE ALWAYS BEEN MUSICALLY INCLINED, I PLAYED THE PIANO AS A KID FOR A BIT. THEN IN MIDDLE SCHOOL I PLAYED THE TUBA AND BASS DRUM. I’VE ALWAYS WROTE POETRY AND SONGS. I GOT INTO MY GROUP, “THE LAB”, IN 2008. PRIOR TO THAT MISSY ELLIOTT MENTIONED STARTING A GROUP TO ME AND INQUIRED IF I WANTED TO BE APART OF IT. I WAS DANCING FOR HER AT THE TIME. HOWEVER NOTHING MATERIALIZED OUT OF THAT SITUATION. SO ME AND ANOTHER FRIEND DECIDED TO START THE GROUP WITH US TWO THEN WE WENT ON THE HUNT FOR THE 3RD MEMBER. ONCE WE WERE COMPLETE AS A 3 MAN GROUP WE BEGAN TO WORK HARD ON CRAFTING OUR SOUND, PRODUCING AND WRITING SKILLS, AND JUST BONDED WITH ONE ANOTHER. THE 3 MAN GROUP DIDN’T LAST THOUGH. WE ARE A STRONG 2 MAN GROUP AT THE MOMENT.
Thinking back to your childhood, what was your first experience with dance?
BB: I WAS IN KINDERGARTEN AND WE HAD A COMMUNITY TALENT SHOW, AND I PERFORMED. BACK THEN BOBBY BROWN WAS MY IDOL AND HE COULD DO NO WRONG. I USE TO GET GIRLFRIENDS CAUSE THEY SAID I LOOKED LIKE BOBBY BROWN. LETS BE CLEAR THAT THIS IS WHEN HE STILL LOOKED DECENT AND WAS IN HIS PRIME NOT LIKE THE BLOATED MESS HE IS NOW. LOL. BUT I DANCED SOLO TO BOBBY BROWN’S “EVERY LITTLE STEP I TAKE”. I WON!!!
What song do you remember most as a child?
BB: THIS IS REALLY BAD BUT ALL THE 90’S SONGS LIKE “TOOTSIE ROLL”, “WHOOP THERE IT IS”, “DONKEY”, AND ANYTHING MICHAEL JACKSON, OF COURSE “THRILLER”!!
What do you think your biggest break or greatest opportunity has been so far in your dance career?
BB: MY BIGGEST BREAK WAS WHEN I FIRST MOVED TO LOS ANGELES AND WITHIN 3 WEEKS I BOOKED MY 1ST NATIONAL COMMERCIAL AND MY 1ST MUSIC VIDEO WITH AALIYAH FOR “WE NEED A RESOLUTION”. IT GAVE ME A GOOD MOMENTUM IN THE GAME BEING THAT I WAS NEW AND COMPLETELY UNKNOWN BUT I SOMEHOW MANAGE TO BOOK THESE 2 JOBS OVER ESTABLISHED TALENT.
Who has been your favorite artist to perform with?
BB: KYLIE MINOGUE, JENNIFER LOPEZ, QUEEN LATIFAH, CHRIS BROWN, JENNIFER HUDSON, AND CHERYL COLE
How would you describe The Lab music for the public audience if they have never seen or heard of you before?
BB: OUR MUSIC IS BEST DESCRIBED AS ONE BIG ASS ORGY!! LOL. ITS A SMORGASBORD OF A LOT OF DIFFERENT SOUNDS AND GENRES OF MUSIC..WE ARE INFLUENCED BY ALL STYLES OF MUSIC. WE DESCRIBE OUR SOUND AS “LAB BOY MUSIC”……WE RAP. WE SING. WE DANCE. WE PERFORM. ABOVE ALL WE ENTERTAIN!!!
Who are some of your musical influences?
BB: SO MANY….MARVIN GAYE, KANYE WEST, MISSY ELLIOTT, SMOKEY ROBINSON, MARILYN MANSON, HALL & OATES, LUTHER VANDROSS, OTIS REDDING, THE NEPTUNES, LAURYN HILL, LIL WAYNE, BEL BIV DEVOE, REBA MCINTYRE, TENNA MARIE, MICHAEL JACKSON, TLC, AALIYAH, DRAKE, BABY FACE, JIMMY JAM AND TERRY LEWIS, PRINCE, WHITNEY HOUSTON, JANET JACKSON, OUTKAST, TIMBALAND, EARTH WIND AND FIRE, HEATWAVE, THE JACKSONS, MARY J BLIGE, BRANDY, AND THE FUGEES TO NAME A FEW.
What are your immediate music career goals?
BB: TO DOMINATE THE WORLD, TOUR THE WORLD PERFORMING OUR MUSIC, AND CONTINUE TO PROGRESS WITH MY WRITING AND PRODUCING.
What has been the biggest challenge for you?
BB: MY BIGGEST CHALLENGE IS DEALING WITH THE FAKE PEOPLE IN THIS ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESS. PEOPLE ARE SOOOO WISHY WASHY AND NOT AUTHENTIC AND FOR THE MOST PART NOT GENUINE. ITS A LOT OF THAT SMILE IN YOUR FACE, BUT THROW DAGGERS IN YOUR BACK. I’M FROM THE SOUTH WHERE EVERYONE IS GENUINELY NICE, BUT NOT OUT HERE IN LA LA LAND!!!! BUT IT’S SOMETHING THAT COMES WITH THE TERRITORY SO YOU DEAL WITH IT. I JUST HAVE TO CONSTANTLY BREATHE AND WOOO SAHHHH….LOL
Do you have other interest or talent?
BB: I’M A RENAISSANCE MAN..LOL. I DO A LOT OF THINGS: CHEF, WARDROBE DESIGNER, INTERIOR DECORATOR, NEXT LEVEL INTELLECTUAL (LOL), A STUD, IM GOOD AT ALL SPORTS, AND IM AN EXCEPTIONAL WINE DRINKER!!
How do you feel about reality competition shows like The Voice, X Factor and American Idol? The same for reality cooking shows? Do you think it’s necessary or it has changed the industry?
BB: IM NOT REALLY A FAN OF THE MUSIC REALITY COMPETITION SHOWS. I LIKE “THE VOICE” THE BEST OUT OF ALL OF THEM. IT AT LEAST HAS CREDIBLE AND TALENTED SINGERS. I LOVE ALL OF THE FOOD REALITY SHOWS!! MY FAVORITE IS PROBABLY “CHOPPED” AND “MASTER CHEF”.
How long have you been cooking? What’s your culinary background?
BB: I HAVE COOKED ALL MY LIFE. I WASN’T ALWAYS A GREAT COOK. WITHIN THE PAST COUPLE YEARS I FINE TUNED MY SKILLS. I’M SELF TAUGHT. TAUGHT BY MY WORLD TRAVELS. I’M FROM THE SOUTH SO ITS LIKE YOU COME OUT THE WOMB MAKING CORNBREAD AND GREENS. LOL
What’s your favorite thing to cook?
BB: I’M INFLUENCED BY A LOT OF CUISINES, BUT MY FAVORITE THING TO COOK IS: ITALIAN, ASIAN, AND SPANISH. I MAKE GREAT OXTAILS & SHORT RIBS WITH BACON ROASTED BRUSSELS SPROUTS, SOUTHERN THANKSGIVING DRESSING (BLACK PEOPLE VERSION OF STUFFING), A SALT DOME FISH (A WHOLE FISH BAKED INSIDE A SEA SALT DOME), APPETIZERS FOR ENTERTAINMENT, OVEN CHICKEN, FRIED SEAFOOD, CURRY, CEVICHE, SPICY TUNA BITES, SOUTHERN SALMON CROQUETTES, ENCHILADAS, PASTA, AND COOKING VEGGIES ALL SORTS OF WAYS.
Say you want to impress your date by cooking, what would be on the menu?
BB: I WOULD START OFF WITH A NICE GLASS OF CHILLED PINOT GRIGIO OR A NICE RED SHIRAZ OR PINOT NOIR, FOLLOWED WITH CHEF BLOVE’S BRUSCHETTA & ASIAN MEATBALL SKEWERS WITH PINEAPPLE, THEN I’D MAKE PAN SEARED SALMON FILLETS WITH A PAN SAUCE AND OVEN ROASTED HERB POTATOES-YAMS-PARSNIPS, AND AN ARUGULA SALAD WITH SHALLOTS-TOMATO-FRUIT-QUESO & A CITRUS VINAIGRETTE.
You seem like a very stylish guy? Describe your personal style and what are some of your favorite labels?
BB: MY STYLE IS WHATEVER THE HELL I FEEL LIKE WEARING THAT DAY. I’M INFLUENCED BY A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS: THE 80’S, 90S GRUNGE, PREPPY LOOK, UK/EUROPEAN STYLE, AND STREET STYLE FROM PLACES LIKE JAPAN, KOREA, NYC. ETC. I ACTUALLY HAVE A LOT OF MY CLOTHES CUSTOM MADE FOR ME. I HAVE A LINE ‘ IS IN THE BEGINNING STAGES CALLED “D4YL” WHICH MEANS “DRESS FOR YOUR LIFE”. I’M NOT SUPER INTO LABELS. I LIKE WHAT I LIKE. I LOVE VINTAGE STORES, THRIFT STORES, SWAP MEETS, 
SALVATION ARMY, GOOD WILL, THE KOREAN STORES ON EBAY, AND THERE’S A GREAT WEBSITE CALLED ALIEXPRESS.COM. IT’S THE CHINESE EBAY. THEY’RE A LOT OF AMAZING THINGS FROM CLOTHES, TO SHOES, TO ACCESSORIES TO FABRIC AND JEWELRY. I LOVE FASHION AND CLOTHES. ITS THE FIRST THING PEOPLE SEE WHEN THEY SEE YOU.
If you were not in the entertainment business, what would you be doing?
BB: I WOULD BE A FULL TIME CHEF, A TEACHER, A FASHION DESIGNER, POLITICS, OR A PORN STAR!!
You have heard of starving artist before, how do you cope with major obstacles?
BB: I’M FROM THE SOUTH. I DID NOT GROW UP WITH A SILVER SPOON IN MY MOUTH SO STRUGGLE IS SOMETHING THAT I CAN IDENTIFY WITH. MY CHILD HOOD PREPARED ME FOR THE OBSTACLES THAT COME ALONG WITH BEING IN THIS BUSINESS AND THE VARIOUS PERSONALITIES WHO HAVE TO WORK AND DEAL WITH.
What advice would you give to someone trying to break into the music or dance industry?
BB: MY ADVICE IS TO MAKE SURE THAT IT IS SOMETHING YOU REALLY TRUTHFULLY WANT TO DO. THE ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESS IS A TOUGH ONE. REQUIRES A LOT OF TRUST, SELF BELIEF, DISCIPLINE AND GETTING USED TO HEARING THE WORDS “NO”!!! YOU HAVE TO HAVE A THICK SKIN AND BE READY TO DEAL WITH REJECTION. FOR EVERY YES YOU GET FOR A JOB YOU HAVE PROBABLY GOTTEN 10 REJECTIONS!! HOWEVER, IF ITS SOMETHING YOU TRUTHFULLY WANT TO DO AND YOU REALLY GO FOR IT, THE HARD WORK WILL PAY OFF AND THE FEELING OF ACCOMPLISHMENT IS AN AMAZING FEELING.
Check out Mr. Barton in action with Jennifer Lopez
The LAB latest viral music video “Jump On It”:
Stay connected with Brandon Barton:
Twitter & Instagram: @bbartoncuzz
