Holiday Cocktails: Part I

The weather is finally hitting the big chill and with snowflakes in the air, nothing will thaw you out faster than a warm glass of spiced wine! Try out our Choice-tested and tasted recipe now!

Holiday Mulled Wine:

2 bottles red wine

1/4 cup Cointreau

4 cinnamon sticks12 crushed Juniper berries1/2 tsp freshly ground nutmeg

1 cup sugar

1 1/2 cups water

1 orange studded with cloves

*Put the sugar in a pan with water. Add the cinnamon sticks, juniper berries, nutmeg, and one orange slice. Heat gently to dissolve the sugar. Bring to a boil, then turn off the heat and let stand for 10 minutes to allow everything to infuse.

*Add the liqueur and red wine and heat through gently, then pour into a jug. Add the remaining orange slices and serve.

Shakin' It in Times Square

In early November, Choice staffer and office staple, Ashley Kirchner, could be found dancing in NYC's Times Square. But she surely wasn't alone! Ashley and 500 other professional dancers were part of the Microsoft Kinect for Xbox 360 Launch Party. Microsoft debuted it’s long awaited and highly anticipated Kinect motion-control system at midnight on November 3rd with a huge dance party! This controller-free gaming system, gave NYC a reason to party with performances from Ne-Yo  and Lady Sovereign and having fans literally dancing in the streets.

Kinect is a new way to game; its technology allows users to operate the Xbox free from wands by being motion sensitive – sounds like something fabulous and fun for the office!

Check out the below video and keep your eyes out for Ashley’s hot dance moves during this mega event!

Decked Out!

It’s finally arrived, the season to be decking the halls with holiday cheer! But what if you’re looking for something a little more updated than ye olde boughs of holly and have a Tiny Tim budget? Don’t sweat it, Choice is here to help with some fantastic décor ideas! So go on and dust off your glue gun; we’ve got some tricks up our sleeve that will put Santa’s elves to shame!


Festive Holiday Gift Boxes:
To make the pine and holly box, start with a gift box of any size. Using a hot glue gun cover the bottom portion with plain brown paper (a cut up paper bag or butcher's/mailing paper work well), tucking and trimming the inner corners as necessary. Cover the lid in a similar fashion using gold wrapping paper. To complete the look, glue faux pine bough pieces to the top of the lid and top with holly berries and a cinnamon stick. Lastly, a simple twine bow ties up this chic and rustic effect!
 
For the Kris Kringle treatment, simply cover the bottom half of the box in red fabric; a repurposed Christmas stocking from the craft or drug store works perfectly. Using the white furry material from the leftover stocking, cover the lid to make a perfect topper!


Shining Star Ornament:
Using a star-shaped cookie cutter as a mold, bend silver floral wire around the edges a couple times. Finish at the top and create a looped hanger by twisting and trimming the ends of the wire with a household wire cutter. Create the shimmering center by wrapping gold-tone jewelry wire around the star in a crisscross fashion, twisting the ends around the star frame to hold in place. String several onto ribbon for a brilliant garland or adorn your tree directly!

Cinnamon Votive Holder:
For this fragrant candle holder, attach cinnamon sticks (found in grocery or craft stores) to the outside of a glass votive holder using a glue gun. It’s ok if the cinnamon sticks overhang the top of the holder. Hot glue star anise (also available at grocery or craft stores) to the outside for a decorative touch. Drop a tea light or votive in and set the room aglow!

Anna Zoe + Kickstarter.com = One Amazing Album!

Anna Zoe, one of Choice’s very own, needs your help! She has just 40 days and 40 nights to raise enough funds to release her first full length album! Anna is hoping to raise $7,500 by December 29, 2010, with the help of the website Kickstarter.com. After being in her 5th year of such a long journey to get an album out, Anna would like your help to reach this goal in just a few weeks!

Besides supporting Anna and her amazing music, there are plenty of reasons for you to contribute. First of all, when you donate, you help Anna release an eco-friendly digi-pak. This means there is no wasteful shrink wrap, all paper is recycled, and using vegetarian ink and recycled plastic bottles!  Choice LOVES this!

But there’s even more…
Depending on the amount you pledge, Anna will give back with amazing rewards! This could include a digital copy of the album 1 week prior to its release, an autograph of the physical copy of the album, an eco-friendly t-shirt, having your name in the Thank You section of the album, or having a full set played by Anna Zoe herself in your hometown! And those are just a few of the many perks you can get.

So help Anna out, and spread the word! Let's get get our pledge on!!

MADE it!

Get ready to set your DVR and boot up your computer because MTV has premiered a new episode of MADE, featuring Choice fave, Edara Johnson. Showing off her signature style and awesome energy, Edara lends her musical talent as the MADE coach for aspiring singer, Alyssa. Tackling roadblocks along the way, the episode tracks the progress Alyssa and Edara make in transforming Alyssa from an offbeat high schooler into a confident singer with a voice. Under Edara’s watchful guidance, Alyssa eventually conquers her hang-ups and assembles her own band and gets to penning her own songs. Of course, having a MADE coach as kick-ass as Edara doesn’t hurt progress!

Currently, Edara rocks the house as one of the lead vocalists in the New York City-based band, Shinobi Ninja. She is truly a standout artist and Choice could not be happier to have her on our team. Her high energy, incredible talent, and persistence in pursuing her career is truly insipirng! Congrats, Edara!

MADE - MTV Shows

Sizzlin' Hot

Choice Productions encourages everyone out in the web world to check out this must see video! This is the sizzle reel for the new upcoming reality music competition series, Break’n Through. This came to our attention through the Tao Experience and needless to say, we are hooked! Choice Productions cannot wait to see the outcome of this exciting series hopeful.

With all proceeds of this competition going to the VH1 Save the Music Foundation, we found the talent, style, music, and variety of artists to be enough for this show to become a potential new favorite in the office.

The competition is focused around thousands of unsigned artists in New York City trying to "break through" and make it big! From alternative, unplugged, indie rock to R &B, pop and hip hop, this competition covers it all. Not to mention the series’ special guest performances and major recording artists’ appearances. But these artists only have one shot to make it and it is now.

So check out the video, pass it along, and have Break’n Through be the buzz of your office – it is here!

Hallow-Harvest is Here!

Here at Choice, we spiced up our holiday season with the First Annual Pumpkin Carving Party! Gathering everyone together as a way to meet new staffers and catch up with familiar faces, Choicers found this party to be a hit. Our office was transformed into a harvest wonderland, complete with Shipyard Pumpkinhead Ale, plump pumpkins ready for some creative carving, and topped off with crawly spiders and webs.

As the time of year where everyone recognizes what they are thankful for approaches, we can’t help but give thanks to the amazing staff we have!

So, make sure you join us next year for pumpkin carving again, as we plan to make it an annual event! But until then, stop into the office to grab a beer and help bring in the many more holiday festivities that are to come! 

Go Long!

We are thrilled to congratulate a member of our Choice team, Brad Schmidt for his performance in the Broadway play, Lombardi! Trust us, you needn't be a football fanatic to root for this play!
Lombardi is focused around the extraordinary life of NFL legend, Vince Lombardi. A part of the famed "Seven Blocks of Granite" during his college career at Fordham University, Lombardi has been honored many times over, one of the most prestigious being the Super Bowl trophy named after him. From the living room, to the locker room, to the gridiron, Lombardi goes all the way!
Lombardi just hit the stage here in New York and will be running until February 20, 2011 at Broadway's Circle in the Square Theatre. But don't wait! Get your tickets today, as this play is sure to be a runaway hit!

Hot Times and Cold Drinks

Looking for a Mexican getaway? Well, you needn't go far! Just stop in Pelea Mexicana, the newest south of the boarder restaurant located downtown. Whether you're looking for a sit-down dinner with the family or having an unbeatable happy hour experience, Pelea is the place to go.


From homemade masa tortillas, made-to-order guacamole, mouth-watering quesadillas and mahi-mahi, this downtown hotspot is sure to hit your culinary spot. But perhaps best of all is Pelea’s amazing tequila library, featuring over a hundred tequila selections!


From the live Mariachi bands to the Mexican imagery spread out across the walls, you will feel like you have been swept out of Manhattan and been taken to a fiesta far, far away!

Will you be my Pumpkin?

Here at Choice, we've caught...pumpkin fever! Needless to say, the fall atmosphere came pouring into New York City and we've been hit. Bring on the fall scarves, boots, and cozy sweaters. But most of all, throw pumpkin flavored–anything our way…we mean it! From pumpkin bread, pie, icecream, pancakes, shakes, and muffins... we love it all. Starbuck’s Pumpkin Spice Latte is a hit in our office (make it a Venti, please!) and even pumpkin butter stirred up taste buds this past weekend for Jeanette, who is also a self-proclaimed “pumpkin-holic.”

But if you ask anyone here in the Choice office what our absolute favorite pumpkin flavor item is, you would get a unanimous vote for…Shipyard Pumpkinhead Ale! Yes, pumpkin beer is a hit here and is conveniently chilling in our office kegerator. So, come by for a visit and pour yourself a fall-flavored glass and join the pumpkin-obsessed!

Salley's Shoes Are Made for Walkin'

This month, the Choice planner we all know and love will be strapping in and lacing up for the annual Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. Trekking an impressive 39 miles over the span of two days starting October 16th, Salley will join thousands of others in a city-wide march to raise funds for medically under-insured men and women and to support ongoing research for a cure, not to mention raising awareness for an amazing cause.

As many of us have unfortunately experienced, Salley’s brush with breast cancer touched close to home. Just before her junior year of college, Salley received the devastating news that her mother had been diagnosed with breast cancer. Thankfully, the shock came with an optimistic prognosis and her mother successfully made it through chemo, surgery, and radiation and continues to live in remission.

So here’s where you step in! Salley needs your support to reach her fundraising goal of $2400 before her walk, a BHAG for sure, and we love it! So, jump in and pony up – every donation helps and brings us all one step closer to putting an end to breast cancer!

Check out Salley’s profile and make an online donation by clicking here! Below, Salley (right) with her sister and  survivor mother!

Cocktails and Culture, anyone?

Last Tuesday, Choice staffers were on hand at the Guggenheim Museum for a cocktail reception held in honor of the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates. Here, the staff had the chance to be around many prominent speakers, delegates, and missions from around the world, while taking in the stunning pieces of artwork on display. While greeting guests, Choice’s staff was thrilled to be a part of such a “worldly” event!


Some of our lovely ladies are seen below at the event, waiting to greet guests!

Choice "Shows Hope"

On September 24th, Choice Productions paired up with Truth be Told PR and SKYY Spirits for this year’s Show Hope event. All ticket proceeds from last night's event went to the American Cancer Society, helping facilitate cancer patients and caregivers traveling to NY for treatment. This year’s Show Hope event was held at the Cassa Hotel & Residences which featured décor of the tri-level Showtime House. Each room was decorated and themed with one of the network’s original series - Dexter, Weeds, Nurse Jackie, and many others


Our Choice bartenders manned the bars for each penthouse floor and rooftop, mixing up the night's signature themed cocktails. Guests enjoyed the drinks, hors d’oeuvres, silent auction, and exciting music that was provided at the event! Most of all, Choice Productions was thrilled to Show Hope!

An Event to Remember : Billy Bates!

Choice is once again making it on the big screen! James Wirt, one of Choice Production’s very own, was featured in the new independent film, Billy Bates. Inspired by a man’s true story, Billy Bates was directed Jennifer DeLia and Julie Pacino. This film was produced by Poverty Row Entertainment, a must see!

Earlier this month, Choice provided production, staff, catering, and the “works” to the pre-launch party for Billy Bates. The event was located at the Damon Dash Gallery where our staff was ecstatic to support the launch of the film, and of course, Jimmy!

To view more photos of the event, visit our Facebook!

Happy Friday!

Choice Production’s staff has been swinging in and out of our office today! The office has been buzzing with funny stories and swamped with familiar faces. What a fantastic way to end the week by catching up and comparing the ridiculous situations that can be endured on New York subways and trains.

New York is crazy and fast paced, which is what our self proclaimed, “Jersey Girl” intern, is learning this semester. Lindsay who is in our office twice a week this Fall, is learning that no two days at Choice Productions are the same!

Other news in the Choice Office: We are happy to have Sarah, who is an important staple in our Choice family, back after having her wisdom teeth pulled. Yay for a quick recovery!

Choice Productions would like to wish everyone out in the “blogger world” a Happy Friday!

It has to be LOVE.

Choice Productions is proud to be a part of this year's US Open. No, our staff is not actually on the courts, or swinging a tennis racket while diving at intense speeds...Choice Production's staff is located in Madison Square Park today for the US Open Live that is being projected right in the park! Choice Productions is extremely excited to join forces with Momentum World Wide in the promotion of American Express's new Zync card.  Our staff will be in Madison Square Park until September 12th. So, come by and check out some tennis and the new Zync card... we promise it will be LOVE.

Satur Farms!!

Satur Farms, owned by chef Eberhard Müller and his wife Paulette Satur, is dedicated to growing the finest vegetables and culinary ingredients which give life to Choice Production's events. It began when they purchased their original farm on the North Fork of Long Island in 1997, with the intention of growing some vegetables and herbs for Chef Müller's restaurant.  The produce is organic, sustainable and well nurtured all the way to the plate of our event attendees. Satur Farms grows specialty salads, leafy vegetables, heirloom tomatoes, root vegetables, and herbs.  We are very lucky to be affiliated with Satur Farms because it encompasses everything Choice believes in and not to mention we get to visit the farm and try freshly picked produce...yummers! 

Congratulations, Adam!!

Adam Scorgie, one of Choice's biggest fans, recently reached his $24,000 goal of fundraising for his production company, Score G Productions.  He partnered with the website Kickstarter.com in an attempt to raise the money by August 26th, an ambitious goal for sure, but Adam did not let us down.  Seen here representing in his Choice tee, Adam interviewed the "Algonquin Assassin", retired NHL enforcer Gino Odjick. Odjick will be featured in Adam's upcoming documentary, Ice Guardians.  The film will be an in depth look at the role of the enforcer in the National & American Hockey Leagues. We at Choice are so proud of Adam's continued efforts to put the "indie" back into independent films!  Check out Adam's kickstarter site to learn more about his work and stay tuned for updates on the finished product!

Summer Streets

This summer, the NYC government shut down Park avenue from 7am to 1pm on August 7th, 14th and 21st.  This initiative was strictly to accommodate all the bikers, runners and rollerbladers that reside in this beautiful city who have no traffic free streets to roam.  After watching the turn out it makes us at Choice realize how many active people there really are hiding in the woodworks!  We would like to propose to those who utilized Park being shut down as their stomping grounds for the month of August to continue this initiative in other traffic free areas of the city. Dot (the group in charge of Summer Streets) has partnered with local community groups and merchants to create Weekend Walks continue the initiative that Summer Streets started! So grab a friend, throw on some running shoes and get walking people, this amazing weather has an expiration date in our near future!

Beat The Rainy Day Blues

When the weather isn't on your side, don't let it get you down.  Today is a perfect day to throw on your favorite hoodie and see a movie that will empower you, inspire you and give you those familiar goosebumps that make your arm hair stand on edge.  Eat Pray Love, based on Elizabeth Gilbert's real life experience of her year long travels, is a tale of a woman on a mission to find the missing pieces of her life.  She ends up eating her way through Italy, learning how to center herself at an Ashram in India and finding love again in Bali after her recent divorce.  She learns many lessons from her travels; such as the importance of not losing yourself in love and that no pizza compares to that from Naples.  We at Choice always recommend reading the book first, so find a used paperback at half.com ($7.99) and get reading, bookworms!

Mile High Music Festival

This past weekend Choice headed out west to Denver, Colorado to continue on our campaign trail with American Express, promoting their new Zync card.  The Zync Zone was a major hot spot  at the Mile High Music Festival in Dick's Sporting Goods park and our staff was ready to take on all of the foot traffic.  The festival's line up was stacked with amazing artists such as Dave Matthews Band, Jack Johnson & Train.  Choice Productions and American Express are now in 'zync' and ready to take on our next event with gusto!

Farewell, But Not Goodbye

As the summer approaches its end, the time has come to say so long to our wonderful interns, Katie and Ryan. We couldn't have had such a successful and eventful summer without them and we are so grateful for all of their hard work. From crucial research and after-hours industry events to the christening of the office kegerator, our lovely ladies have stuck around for some great times! We wish them the best in their future endeavors and they will always have the Choice family in NYC!

Thank you, Katie and Ryan, for everything!!

For the Love of Design

The New York Post recently put to press an article about the return to extravagance in entertaining. With talents which were so aptly described as “sumptuous, scrumptious – and totally fabulous”, acclaimed NYC party planner, Jonathan Mariano, is the talk of the town. Choice’s collaborations with Key Winstead Catering often incorporate Jonathan’s over-the-top designs and floral arrangements to bring extra pop to the party. Making Choice events even more colorful and vibrant, Jonathan never fails to work his magic!

Work It, Girl!

Choice is representing on the silver screen catwalk!  Our very own Eyen Chorm can be seen on one of our absolute fave shows, Project Runway.  Last night, the show kicked off its 8th season with a whole new crew of talent, drama, and fabulous clothes. Thanks to her designer, Mondo Guerra, Eyen was looking fierce and more importantly, safe from getting the well-heeled boot from Heidi. The pair struck gold and left their competitors green with envy in the premiere episode when the contestants were challenged to create a look by piecing together belongings from their own suitcases.  Be sure to tune in each Thursday at 9pm to root for Mondo’s designs and keep Eyen in the game!

YouTubular!

Today the Choice team released the debut video on our brand new YouTube channel!  On the Choice Productions channel, you can keep tabs on all the impressive events we produce, staff, and cater and so much more.  Using our handy dandy Flip Cam, we’ve begun streaming video to show off our skills, starting with Boston.  Our first video captures the fun styles of the Choice crew mixed with Passion Pit promoting at the Zync Zone. Stay tuned at http://www.youtube.com/user/ChoiceProductionsNYC for future installments!

Bottle it Up

Did you know Choice Productions not only can fulfill your every culinary desire, but also provide distinctive flair when it comes to your drink menu? Choice beer guru, owner Matt Rachocki, has created a new twist on our favorite bubbly beverage. For years, Matt has brewed his own specialty beers and with each one, adds a certain kick to it by conjuring up different flavor combinations. From Mint Chocolate Stout to Cucumber Hefferveisen, these delicious drinks will quench the most ferocious of thirsts. The most recent brew, Lychee Pale Ale, offers a smooth and delicate change of pace for the summer. Give us four weeks’ notice and Matt will give you a custom crafted microbrew for your next event!

Feeling parched? Cosmo, anyone?

A few members of our Choice staff recently lent their smokin’ good looks to poolside staple, Cosmopolitan Magazine.  Though Shakira rocked the cover, in our opinion it was Warner Washington and Manny Ramos who stole the show on the pages of the July 2010 issue.  Stylin’ it up with steamy shots, our guys continue to bring the heat wherever they go.  Keep your eyes peeled because you never know where you’ll see our Choice staffers next…possibly at your next event!

Not Just for Deep Dish Pizza

This past weekend, Choice trekked it out to the Midwest to continue our national campaign with American Express.  The great state of Illinois was taken over by our staffers to promote the Zync Zone in style.  Bringing a fresh breeze to the Windy City, Choice staked out at the Pitchfork Festival in Chicago’s Union Park and got to work getting the good word out.  The three-day event was jam packed with various activities, vendors, and over forty independent music artists, including heavy hitters like Modest Mouse, LCD Soundsystem, and Sleigh Bells.  Sounds good to us!

Feelin' Hot, Hot, Hot

Summer threads never looked—and felt—so good.  Throughout the sizzling season, the Choice staff will be decked out in snappy lightweight grey polos, taking the place of our traditional dressy black attire.  These seasonal duds are sure to keep everyone cool while looking perfectly collected!

Beating the Heat...Beer Fest Style!

Daily hydration just got a whole lot more interesting! The newest addition to the Choice offices may be parked beside the trusty water cooler, but it’s far from plain and tasteless. Yes, that’s right, we now boast our very own kegerator! After all, being in the event production business, it’s important to personally taste all the different varieties of beer that we provide, right? We thought so too. With Brooklyn Lager officially on tap, now who wants to drop by the office?

Worth Your Spare Time

Choice veteran, Jeff Greene, offers up a little Spare Change to eager audiences, taking on the role of Executive Producer in Writer/Director Azariah Gunn's debut feature.  The dramatic film follows Trey Dice, is a successful musician living the high life who is forced to take a reevaluating look at his life that has the power to change everything that he knows.  Jeff's newest film is being screened at the New York International Latino Film Festival at the end of July.

Catch Spare Change’s screening at 7:00 Wednesday, July 28^th or at 10:30 Saturday, July 31^st.  Hit up the Film Festival’s website for more information and to purchase your tickets now!

Top of Our List

Last week, Choice combined efforts with Swank Productions to debut our exclusive contract with an exciting new venue in a convenient central location.  Top of the Garden boasts a cool, chic vibe with crisp white décor touches and expansive skyline vistas, everything you need for a summer getaway spot.  At the launch event, summer was definitely in the air alongside tropical floral arrangements, fruity shaved ice cocktails and Cointreau creamsicle shots.  With warm breezes and views of the West Side and Madison Square Garden, guests experienced firsthand the city’s newest exclusive event space.  Top of the Garden is on top of our list and sure to be remembered in planning your next party!

All That Shimmers Is Silver and Gold

Last week, Choice brought the bling to Tribeca Rooftop for Dahlman Rose’s annual Marine Money Week Conference. Staffing the event with our lovely ladies decked out in platinum and 24-karat costumes, Choice completed the Studio 54 fantasy theme with lamé to spare. Throughout the evening, guests were treated to dancers, contortionists, and a comic performance by the Dan Band of The Hangover notoriety. As the event finally winded down, it became clear that disco was far from dead and when it comes to silver and gold, more is definitely more.

Summertime and the Livin's Delicious

The heat is on and Choice is at the ready with just the right eats to set your stomach a growlin’. With the summer months in full swing, our chef’s thoughtful and innovative creations continue to tempt and tease guests’ tastebuds at all of our events. At a recent event, mouthwatering fare such as chilled melon soup shots with watermelon caviar were on hand to cool guests down when the mercury rose, while Chinese black rice cakes topped with crab salad and lemongrass aioli offered up a light and savory crunch. With Choice in the kitchen, summer never sounded so good!