A clandestine French cabaret, with live music, burlesque and variety acts, followed by late-night dancing and lounging in the softly-lit loft, absinthe and other special libations at the bar, and kissing on the sprawling roof. Our house band will be playing three full sets to swoon, sway and dance to, with deliciously naughty performances in between. It's also our annual Birthday celebration: we turn 12 this year!
Featuring:
Minor-key strains of sin and salvation by Eli August & the Abandoned Buildings
Saucy and seductive dance by Jenny Rocha & Her Painted Ladies
Risqué burlesque by glamorous Lily Faye and daring Dame Cuchifrita
Hosted by dashing & dangerous magician Eric Walton
Nouvelle chanson to electro-swing mix by DJ Poodlecannon
Dress code (as usual, required): Cabaret through the ages (turn-of-century Belle poque La Goulue cabaret, 1920s Josephine Baker cabaret, 1930s Marlene Dietrich cabaret, 1940s Edith Piaf cabaret, 1950s Jacques Brel cabaret, 60s and beyond cabaret lounge, anachronistic punk cabaret); "Cabaret" the movie; vintage or modern high style; dressy & classy.
Tables: We have four tables with four seats each that can be reserved. Those tickets are sold in pairs for $80 ($40 ea).
Press: "A Pigalle-style playground with can can dancers, cabaret acts and vintage gypsy jazz" - TimeOut NY. "If there's one team of party planners we trust with throwing a stunning clandestine French cabaret, it's Gemini & Scorpio." - Flavorpill.
Valentine's Day, Sat 2/14, 7pm-2am, 21+ with ID (25+ suggested) Brooklyn Banya, 602 Coney Island Ave bet Beverley Rd & Ave C, Kensington, BK (map) 2 blocks south of Prospect Park/30 min from midtown--NOT in Coney Island Q to Beverley Rd, cross Marlborough/15th St & walk 5 blocks, left on Coney Island Ave
Break out your bikini or swim trunks, and join our hand-picked crowd of artsy, funky (and nearly naked) New Yorkers for the glorious return of Gemini & Scorpio's legendary Russian Baths party.
We will have the newly remodeled & sparkling clean baths to ourselves, with a few hand-picked professionals on hand for the optional platzas and massages. Enjoy: Russian, Turkish and Swedish steam rooms, jacuzzi and cold plunge pool; poolside dance floor; authentic and delicious Russian food in a private restaurant room with a view of the dance floor.
The Hungry March Band, Brooklyn's own legendary street brass marching band, will get you sweating faster than the saunas, and DJs will keep the dance floor sizzling after with irresistible ethnotek till 2am, while we dole out pierogies for everyone. There will be an open vodka bar 9-10pm.
This is the kind of party you always imagine, but can never quite find in real life...and may be the only one you'll come out of cleaner than when you came in.
"Best (and Only) Russian-bathhouse Dance Party" - Village Voice "Best of 2006" "A night of steamy fun" - TimeOut New York "Your Perfect Weekend" pick "Epic"..."One of the coolest cheap activities posted to our recession-proof list" - Brooklyn Based
Only 150 spots are available, and the 9pm tickets usually sell out in advance (we keep a small handful for the door, for friends of ticketed guests). 11pm tickets always available at door. Stay tuned to the mailing list and Twitter for ticket availability. Buy tickets now.
Show/hide notes and instructions on attenidng this event. You MUST read this if you're joining us.
Dress code:
Bring a bathing suit, towel (at least one) and flip-flops (you must wear footwear at all times). Some towels will be available. Outside the steam rooms, you may want to have an extra layer, so think plush robes or flirty sarongs--or anything else easily removable and water-friendly. Lingerie is great, or fun accessories. Remember, this is a G&S event, and that means that dressing up is highly recommended--however little you choose to wear. Think fun head gear! It's recommended you have your head covered in the steam rooms anyway. As for nudity, it would be highly unsanitary in the common pools. Please be considerate of other guests.
What to bring:
Things you MUST bring: bathing attire or other small-wear for steam rooms; towel(s); flip flops. Optional-but-wise: soap/body wash, lotion, deodorant, plus any other items from your beauty regime you want to indulge in. Eucalyptus and other oils are great for the steam room. You can always bring bodywork treats to share with other guests.
Schedule:
Doors will officially open at 7pm for VIPs and 9pm regular admission, and all non-G&S guests will exit by 10pm. Please arrive no more than 15 minutes before your assigned ticket time. VIP dinner is served at 8pm -- don't be late. Open bar is 9-10pm, and the band plays at 10pm and 12am. Pierogies will be served after 11pm. We must leave the baths by 2am, so everyone must exit the main floor by about 1:30am to have ample time to get dressed, get your valuables from the counter & check out. The facility is usually maxed out for this event, so please be patient with the inevitable lines and tip the hard-working staff.
How this works:
Upon arrival, you will check in at the counter and deposit your valuables (NOT your cellphone, unless it's off, and you won't be using it during the party) in a safety box in exchange for a locker key. At the end of the party, you return the key and get your valuable back. All services/food/drinks get charged to your key, and you pay the full bill & tip (15-20%) when you check out.
Note for VIPs / 7pm tickets:
VIPs each get own locker. Important: the dinner table will be set by 8pm in the dining room. We suggest arriving exactly at 7pm in order to have enough time to change & join the dinner.
Note for 9pm & 11pm tickets:
Both ticket levels use shared lockers, though availability not guaranteed for 11pm ticket holders. If you're sharing with someone you know, please arrive at the same time, or keep your phone with you so they can find you when coming in. Otherwise, you will be sharing with the next person in line. For a male-female couple sharing a locker, change in the correct room, then hand your clothing to the other person after. If you're running a joint tab, you can both charge to the same lock number. If you're keeping two separate tabs for one locker, make sure to give your name along with your lock number to wait staff when ordering anything. Please remember to tip (15-20%) when you check out.
If you're an 11pm ticket holder, please bring a large bag to contain your clothing & shoes. This is what you'll use if we run out of lockers. You'll still check in the same way, and get a wristband with a number you'll be ordering everything to.
A few important notes:
- DRINK WATER!!! Steam + alcohol = dehydration. Please watch out for yourself and your friends. You'd be surprised how long you can go without noticing how dehydrated you are.
- We don't recommend spending more than 15 minutes in the saunas: it's stressful for the heart and dehydrating for the body.
- Gratuity for open bar, drinks and food service is NOT INCLUDED. Please remember to tip the bar + wait staff at the end of the night when you check out. 15-20% of your food/extras bill is recommended, or, standard bar tipping, $1/drink (obviously, more for open bar).
