Halloween is around the corner and that means time to squeeze back into that Batman or Spiderman costume. Join the 35^th New York City Village Halloween Parade for a celebration of ghost, goblins and more.

October 31, 7pm

Spring Street to 21^st Street along 6^th Avenue / 10010

Click Here for More Info!

October 8, 8:30pm / $22

Blender Theater at Gramercy / 127 E 23rd St between Park and Lexington / 10010

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Sept. 23, 8 pm / $39.50

Blender Theater @ Gramercy / 127 E 23rd St. / 10010
www.irvingplaza.com

Sept 19, 9pm / $20 (pre-sale tickets)
Blender Theater @ Gramercy / 127 E 23rd St. / 10010
www.irvingplaza.com

This February, sip on the 16th annual Hot Chocolate Festival at The City Bakery. Each day of the month features a different flavor, both classic and exotic, and each year a brand new flavor is introduced. Last year’s list included beer, Earl Grey tea, lemon, and chili pepper. “The flavor in 2007 was Save the Polar Bear Hot Chocolate, a white chocolate hot chocolate whose proceeds were donated to the Natural Resources Defense Council,” says general manager Sara Weeks Dima. Lemon Licorice was just announced as the luscious flavor for 2008. Whatever your pleasure, have your cocoa the way you like it, with or without the bakery’s handmade marshmallows. If you’re looking for something more substantial, The City Bakery also boasts a full menu of confections like cheese danishes, lemon tarts, and their famous pretzel croissants – as well as salads and entrees. Check up on this year’s calendar in 10011, and treat your taste buds to a cup of dark delight that will warm you from the inside out.

www.thecitybakery.com

3 West 18th Street, 10011

Looking to add a little color to your life? The specialists at Three Custom Color custom blend cosmetics to create a color all your own. Whether it’s a discontinued eye shadow or your own perfectly concocted lip rouge, you’re sure to stand out.

New York City is not only home to some of the best partygoers, it houses some of the best party spaces. Taj is an exotic lounge reminiscent of the Far East, smack in the middle of one of the clubbiest blocks in the city. Book out the entire space, reserve the mezzanine for your friends only, or set up a guest list. “It’s a really sexy room. It’s the atmosphere of a bigger club, but it’s still got an intimate feel,” says Ruth Tranter, Taj Events Director. Dine on the Indian/French/American fusion cuisine, then dance to the DJs all night long.

48 West 21st Street (between 5th and 6th Avenues), Manhattan

(212) 620 3033
www.tajlounge.com

EXTRA: How To Get On The Guest List

Guest list limbo has affected many New Yorkers. Inside the club, there’s a rager. Outside, there’s a line of party-hopefuls who are anxious to get in. A few “chosen ones” are ushered past the discerning doorman, but everyone else is left huddled in the cold. How can you get into some of the most exclusive places? Get your email address on a promoter’s distribution list, and you’ll regularly receive party invites. You can start by contacting Marc Siegel, a seasoned promoter who handles guest lists for Guesthouse, The Grand and Retox. Once you’re in, work the crowd. “Having a relationship with the promoters helps,” Siegel reveals. People that show up at the same spot and chat up the party-throwers are more likely to get special treatment. Of course, that doesn’t help if you’re at a hot new venue for the first time and the bouncers are giving you lip. “You’ll get into a place faster if you buy a table, bring a group and dress the part,” Siegel says, who mentions that “stylish and proper” usually does the trick. Arriving with a mixed group of girls and guys is ideal, but there are exceptions. “Guys should break up into groups and go early, but a group of girls will have less of an issue.”

To do away with door policy dramatics, or to start throwing parties of your own, contact Siegel at marc@L1Events.com.