A few weeks ago, I was trying my luck at a blind date. I figured if someone wants to get to know me, why not accompany me to an event? I'm not sure if it was the brightest idea having someone meet me at Hearst Tower for an Esquire Magazine celebration, as if 1st dates aren't overwhelming enough. I was thankful to cut the tension when I bumped into Justine McCarthy from Simply Chic PR. When my date inquired, "So, who are all these people and how did they get invited?" Justine promptly introduced us to Robin Ross of YOUAREONTHELIST.com.

SBS Readers- Here is the WWW.:

Scene B Seen: Robin, you are the founder of YOUAREONTHELIST.com, when and why did you start this site to provide insider access to some of the most exclusive events in NYC and LA?

Robin Ross: Because why shouldn’t everyone experience the best events that are out there?! I am spoiled and have been to all the best events from Sundance to the Academy Awards to backstage at Fashion Week etc., as well as, shopping with designers at their showrooms and getting insider pricing at hotels and spas... So, I wanted to bring that to those who want it and can afford it, but do not know how to do it!

SBS: So, how does it work?

RR: Well we have an annual membership for the Invitation Only list for $500. Then we send out invites and after you RSVP, we get you on the list.

SBS: What’s the difference between being on The List and Invitation Only List?

RR: The List is a complimentary service, where you receive invites to open events, our e-list newsletter and clipboard photos. The more exclusive or sought after events are only available to our Invitation Only List members. The Invitation Only List membership is $500 a year for access to all the exclusive events in NYC and beyond. Plus insider pricing on spas, hotels, fashion etc. You receive save the dates about upcoming events and on-site assistance at all the events to guarantee entry. Also for Fashion Week, only Invitation Only List members have access to the events- unless you buy one of our Fashion Week Packages. Privileges are listed on www.youareonthelist.com/invite_only

SBS: Speaking of... Have any hot parties lined up for Fashion Week?

RR: Yes of course! Check out the entire fashion calendar- we have access to it all. We are offering our YOUAREONTHELIST.com Fashion Week Insider Pass, which get you access to some shows at Bryant Park and other venues, after parties, a membership to YOUAREONTHELIST.com, as well as, amazing gift bags. We also have other surprises with a portion going to charity for the arts. We are only offering 15 of these and we are not taking new memberships during fashion week. The only way to be a member and attend the shows is to purchase the package. You can visit www.youareonthelist.com/dates or email us at events@youareonthelist.com for details.

SBS: That sounds like a stellar deal! I'm so curious what the parties are going to be like considering this is the So Long Bryant Park Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. Do you think the NYC Scene has changed in the past few years?

RR: OMG! Yes and NO!

SBS: Ha! How?

RR: I grew up in NYC on the Upper East Side, where going out at night to clubs bars like Odeon, Studio 54, Xenon, and Dorian’s, was just like going to the movies or the mall. We always got in and we always knew where to go. They weren’t websites that told you every night what was going on- you were only in the know or you weren’t. Nowadays, the really exclusive events are few and far between. So we try to have access to those and the more publicized events. What's funny is that some of the same venues are still popular like Dorian’s. Every Tuesday, it's mobbed with young hip professional for their karaoke night.

SBS: Seriously? I suppose Karaoke is a healthy and cheaper alternative... With the economic state of affairs this past year, there’s been an influx of independent promoters trying to fill clubs via email lists and Facebook, should guests be wary of such things?

RR: Yes, you should... but not all promoters are bad or shady. I see a lot of the reputable promoters on Facebook as it has become the new marketplace to advertise and promote your business, and nightlife is no different. YOUAREONTHELIST.com is all things social media! Facebook page and twitter...

SBS: So, what separates YOUAREONTHELIST.com from those types of promoters?

RR: I am not a promoter, not that’s there is anything wrong with that, but we are a service that provides access to events and experiences in NYC and beyond. We do not work for the venues, clubs, or restaurants. We work for our members, to provide them with experiences they would never know about or are too busy to find out about and get them access. YOUAREONTHELIST.com is like a best friend who knows everyone and takes you with them.

SBS: Love it! What’s in the future for YOUAREONTHELIST.com?

RR: We are rolling out to other markets YOUAREONTHELIST.com Boston, Chicago, Miami, SF... We are excited to be launching YOUAREONTHELIST.com KIDS. So that kids can be on the list too!!

SBS: A kids list? That rocks. How fun is that?!

RR: Plus in NYC we will be creating YOUAREONTHELIST.com pop-up lounges at marquee events in NYC and this summer in the Hamptons. So- SBS Readers will have to see where we will pop-up next!

Photo 1: Robin Ross and Tracy Stern
Photo 2: Ryan Nicklaus of Ryan Darius Salon and good friend TJ enjoyed Front Row at Russell Simmons courtesy of YOUAREONTHELIST.com
Photo 3: 901 SILVER TEQUILA LAUNCH PARTY, NYC June 13, 2009: Actor and promoter Danny A with the beautiful people

Tuesday evening on the Upper East Side, sipping champers and shopping. A lovely way to celebrate the glorious dance career of New York City Ballet's Darci Kistler. The kick-off event for the NYCB's Annual Luncheon, Saying Goodbye to Darci, was held at the Valentino Boutique on Madison Ave. The cocktail party hosted gorgeous guests, including several NYCB dancers all dressed from head to toe in Valentino.

Ms. Kistler, known as the last of the "Balanchine ballerinas", will be retiring after 30 years years with the Company. Peter Martins, Ballet Master-in-Chief, and the Annual Luncheon 2010 Chairmen will host the NYCB Annual Luncheon on Wednesday, February 10th at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center. The luncheon will tribute Ms. Kistler's remarkable life as a dancer, Mother, and teacher.

The afternoon program will include dance selections with Ms. Kistler and students of The School of American Ballet, as well as excerpts from Anne Belle's 1989 film, Dancing for Mr. B: Six Balanchine Ballerinas.

The Luncheon will also recognize this year's Janice Levin Dancer, Kaitlyn Gilliland.

For more information or to purchase tickets for the New York City Ballet Annual Luncheon 2010, please call the Special Events Office at 212.870.5585

To view more photos from Kick-Off event, please click HERE

December 10, 2009- Afternoon Delights Holiday Show, a private viewing and sale featuring Ariane Zurcher's Transitions Collection and the Maggie Norris Spring 2010 Collection, was held at Suzanne Latapie’s Upper East Side eatery Chat Noir.

Socialite Somers Farkas came out in support of Designer Maggie Norris, wearing the designer’s stunning Admiral Jacket in navy duchess silk with red lining and silver embroidered cuffs. The Spring 2010 Collection offered an array of colorful cummerbunds as well as the designer’s signature corsets. Sketches of her latest creations adorned the display of the gorgeous line, which also included a variety of shirts and unique cuffs from her Bespoke Shirting Collection.

Ariane Zurcher's Transitions Collection features 18 karat brushed gold, both white and yellow gold, and polished platinum necklaces, bracelets and earrings, all offered with removable gemstones that are interchangeable between pieces. Gemstones include rubies, sapphires, diamonds and a gorgeous Paraiba from Mozambique. The uniquely designed collection, provides interlocking pieces that allow for the ultimate versatility in a luxury line- a change in length, as well as, the addition or removal of gemstones.

Additional items included delicately crafted bangles, earrings, brooches and rings in both brushed and polished gold with an array of gemstones. Model Samantha Youseff wore a stunning 18 karat brushed gold bib with rubies and white sapphires accented with 18 karat brushed gold and emerald drop earrings.

Guests enjoyed Ms. Latapie’s specially selected Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Cinzanno Proseco, and Chateau Saint Georges Bordeaux, with bites of Chat Noir favorite- truffled french fries.

Click HERE to view Afternoon Delights SBS Photo Gallery.

Ariane Zurcher's jewelry can be found at arianzurcher.com. For a private viewing contact Sfumato Artist Management, LLC at sfumatopr@gmail.com

Maggie Norris Couture by appointment only, please contact: 212.239.3433

Avenue Antiques & Art at the Armory celebrated its opening night preview Wednesday, December 2nd, once again at the Park Avenue Armory on New York’s Upper East Side. This year’s show, which will be running and available to the public December 3rd through the 6th, kicked off it’s annual event with a private and highly exclusive cocktail party to benefit The American Cancer Society’s HOPE LODGE Jerome L. Greene Family Center (NYC).

Among those in support of last night’s cause and luxuries were New York’s social elite, Avenue Magazine Publisher Julie Dannenberg, benefit chairs Cricket Burns, Diana & Richard Feldman, Richard & Marcia Mishaan, and Pamela Gross. A special appearance by Gossip Girl’s Kelly Rutherford (Lilly van der Woodsen on the CW hit series) was also part of the evening’s festivities as she celebrated and previewed her December cover of New York Family Magazine.

With over 70 exhibitors lining the walls and filling the room at the lofty and extravagant Park Avenue Armory affair, one couldn’t help but envision a headline that reads, “Where the Upper East Side Does Happy Hour”.

Dealers specializing in antique English and American silver shared the space with an assortment of dealers showcasing contemporary and vintage jewelry, antique American, English, and Swedish furniture, American, Asian, and European porcelain, Russian antiques, antique flags and rugs, rare books, and other objets d’art. Designed for consumers and aficionados who regularly pursue the best of everything, last night’s Avenue Antiques & Art at the Armory was also catered toward those in the gift-giving mindset, with this year’s date running along side the holiday season. Richard Mishaan, one of New York’s most prominent interior designers, and Creative Director for the event stated, “A well-decorated home is filled with pieces of all periods and prices. It is the mix that creates excitement."

With several full bars and multiple hors d’oeuvre stations sprinkled throughout the venue as well, attendees, consumers, and exhibitors alike were in for a night of luxury and opulence that both satiated the eye and the pallet... and let’s not forget the wallet. 

Official Charity, HOPE LODGE NYC provides cancer patients and their loved ones a free, temporary place to stay when their best chance for effective treatment and hopeful recovery requires them to be in New York City.

Official Sponsors of this New-York-elite event were Brooks Brothers, The Pierre New York, Great Performances, Champagne Ayala, and Xavier Flouret wines.

Exhibitor’s List:  http://avenueshows.com/exhibitor-list.php
Website:  http://www.avenueshows.com/

*photo 1 courtesy of WireImage  (by Joe Kohen/WireImage): Kelly Rutherford

*photo 2 courtesy of Getty Images (by Amy Sussman/Getty Images): Kelly Rutherford and Julie Dannenberg

*photo 3 courtesy of Getty Images (by Amy Sussman/Getty Images): Kelly Rutherford

The designated New York City interior landmark Gustavino's, held the 30th Annual Dinner, Dance and Awards Ceremony last night for The Carter Burden Center for the Aging.

Supporters and friends gathered under the soaring granite arches and catalan vaulted tiled ceiling to celebrate Heroes for Hard Times: Strength & Resilience, to support The Carter Burden Center's continuous efforts to help older people of Manhattan's Upper East Side to live independently, safely and with dignity.

I had the pleasure of being introduced to William J. Dionne, Executive Director and Marlena Vaccaro, Director of Volunteer Services. Mr. Dionne was being presented with the Humanitarian Award for Staff during the awards ceremony which also honored; Lilliam Barrios-Paoli, Roger Altman, David V. Pomeranz, Regis High School, and Sally Bott.

Mr. Dionne and Ms. Vaccaro informed me of all the opportunities and programs The Center offers including; social activities, meals, adult day care, counseling, events, home services, and support groups. Through speaking with them, I learned one of the most important benefits of the center- choice. Mr. Dionne, who has worked at The Center for over 15 years, explained how the programs have altered since The Center was founded over 35 years ago. "That generation was known as the G.I. Generation. They were used to being told what to do and when to do it. Now, people like to have a choice of what to eat or what activities to do."

Ms. Vaccaro adamantly agrees, "They don't want to be put in a bracket just because they are of a certain age." They told me a lovely story about a visit Ms. Vaccaro had recently with a woman who is an artist, like Ms. Vaccaro (who also heads the making Art work studio and gallery). After perusing some of her art work, Ms. Vaccaro innocently proclaimed that she would like to be her friend. The women paused and said, "Wouldn't that be amazing? To make a new friend at my age."

That is exactly what The Carter Burden Center for the Aging offers; possibility, friendship, and independence.