I was working in New York in the early seventies, walked into a club, and heard this. It’s been in my head ever since. I knew the song because it had been launched in the UK by The Shadows some ten years earlier, but this blew it away. Africa Bambaataa and Kool Herc and others gave me a new direction.

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If you’d like to expand your social network, not in front of your computer but over a delicious meal, then try Colunching. After huge success in New York and Paris, the trend is now expanding to Australia. It’s totally free to join and you can become an organiser, choosing your favourite restaurant or just participate at the lunches, dinners, or brunches already planned. Bon appetit.

Do you ever get bored of just going out to the same old clubs and events and wish for something with a little more pizazz? Shien Lee, the glamourous mastermind behind Dances of Vice knows just how you feel. Since 2007, Shien has been bringing her sparkle to the nightlife of New York, to create fun, memorable events that attract people from all walks of life.

Each event comes with a theme and Lee carefully curates the acts who will lend their talents to each one. Enthusiasts from around the world arrive in elaborate costumes to be dazzled by burlesque performers, vaudeville acts, and entertainers of various other stripes. You never know who you’ll run into there and I’ll never tell. I can also guarantee that you’ll never forget.

For many of us the act of traveling by air — whilst not a daily activity — is now a regular part of our lives. Whether it be for pleasure or business, this very unnatural experience of being transported from country to country, or even continent-to-continent, at speeds of many hundreds of miles and hour, has become an accepted part of our social life.

Says Phillip Kalantzis-Cope of this series: ‘When we climb to 30,000 feet, our perspective becomes that of a deity, with the rules of time and space altered as we rush over the earth. In flight we are able to view the most remote corners of the natural world and the vast spread of the world we have constructed. It gives us the unique perspective to look at the interaction of the natural and constructed in a truly holistic way’.

Bored of the too-easy point/click way we find new music, I decided to make my own songs harder and more interesting to get hold of. I spent a year hiding CDs with my music on in cities around the world (with a little help from friends). I filmed the whole thing, including the responses I got, and edited it to a song from my new EP, Realityicide.

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Any tried and true foodie in Buenos Aires is an assiduous follower of Chef Diego Felix’s’ closed door restaurant, Casa Felix. Typically, however, his inspired pescatarian eats are only available a few months out of the year in Buenos Aires while the rest of the time, the Felix clan travels through Argentina, San Francisco, New York, Puerto Rico, and Latin America, generally, hosting closed door diners around the world. Luckily for all of us here in Buenos Aires, his contemporary yet distinctively regional fare can now be found in private events around the city as well thanks to the super exclusive Oasis Clubhouse.

Every other Wednesday in Oasis’ Palermo Soho location, Chef Felix is in-house serving-up a tapas menu perfect for accompanying cocktails. Rather than a sit down meal, these smaller events allow his strong Latin American influences to transform into an inspired selection of seafood tapas and finger foods, giving his loyal followers a new and exciting sampling of his culinary skills.

As with any Felix menu, ceviche is a must. His Peruvian causas with white fish ceviche and fresh apricots, in particular, does not disappoint. Succulent corn and grouper fish cakes awaken your appetite and the anticipation of more treats to come. On a recent visit, the surprise of the night was Colombian inspired steamed areppas with fresh fish, Portobello mushrooms, and cilantro. The savory selection finished with a white bean spread on homemade toasted bread with curated sardines, diced beetroot, and dill. For a touch of sweetness, the evening drew to a close with fragrant shortbread cookies and lavender ice cream. Throughout the evening Chef Felix helped serve his guests and make the rounds giving details of his food and inspiration, making it a one of a kind event in Buenos Aires and the perfect opening to an exciting summer season of eating.

When you’re an established creative space considered to be one of the most significant art institutions of the modern era, it would seem a little superfluous to commission a commercial advertising agency to execute your design and promotional work, right? That would be why the Museum of Modern Art in New York has their own Department of Advertising and Graphic Design. Tune in to their website for a little gander at their archive of promo tactics inside the gallery and out on the pavement for everything from their exhibitions, and special programmes, to their opening hours and general branding.

I really like the illustrator Tania Willis’ work and now she’s teamed up with Mio Debnam to produce these kid’s guide books. Avoiding the trap of thinking parents know best, they’ve asked kids in the various locations what their favourite days out, experiences, food, and so on are. So far they’ve covered Bali, Sydney, Hong Kong, Phuket, London and New York. My lad gives it 5 stars after a recent trip to Bali.

I have seen recent work of Yuri Leonov at the White Rabbit Lounge in New York and was completely mystified. He is tremendously talented, both traditionally and conceptually.

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Weegee’s harrowing images of life and death in 1930s New York were given added depth after I listened to his recording on the 1958 record “Famous Photographers Tell How“. Weegee describes his techniques, divulges charming anecdotes, and makes some truly illuminating metaphors about his style of picture making. He describes what he said to a captured jewel thief to convince her to pose for a picture.

‘You have your choice. Do you want your picture to appear in the papers, a rose gallery picture with your number underneath it? Or, would you let me make a nice home portrait study of you using nice, soft lighting like Rembrandt would have done?’ But I feel his most poignant advice goes to the budding photographer: ‘Go out and photograph strangers. I know you’re afraid to do it at first, I was scared stiff myself, but you have to do it’.

Section 2 of this new-ish New York park will be opening to the public this month. If the first expanse of this park, which is housed on reclaimed elevated train tracks that were originally constructed in the 1930′s, is any indication, this will continue to be one of the City’s most interesting and unique settings. The High Line is full of lush flower beds, walkways, quiet areas to sit and relax, and it sits just above the hundreds of art galleries that call Chelsea home.

One of things I love about living in a big city like London or New York is that there is always something new to check out. Generally, that something tends to be an attractive man. Actually, he doesn’t even need to be that attractive. Checking out guys is just kind of fun when you are a sweaty, over-crowded central bound train at 8am in the morning and you need to find away to pass the time.

Since I’m out of the city for a few weeks and deprived of my daily beady-eye scout, I found a new way to get a fix. Behold Tube Crush, where my fellow London sisters upload sneaky photos of unsuspecting male commuters. Anyone is welcome to submit their own photos, although to avoid some awkward glances (or worse, accusations), don’t whip out your camera phone if subtly isn’t your strong point. New Yorkers can get the same enjoyment with the stateside version, Subway Crush.

Only in New York! I encountered this guy, and his friendly, well-balanced cat Nicholas, yesterday at the intersection of Houston and Broadway where he was only too happy to pose for a photo in exchange for a crisp dollar bill. Wonder if Nicholas got to spend any of it?

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People care about a world crisis, until the next thing comes along. The Social Tattoo Project addresses this by tattooing volunteers with issues that the Twitter community votes deserve to be made permanent. Our brave volunteers know nothing about the tattoo they will receive, but dedicate their skin for the sake of empathy. Our last tattoo over Japan took place at the Social Tattoo Project gallery in New York City.

Plastic Robot is a diverse artist working with photography, painting, drawing and collage. Commonly found throughout his artworks are highly personal subjects. He generously allows us into his world of love and defeat, beauty and misconduct. His artworks are directly inspired by, and connected to, his personal life and he creates with clarity and compassion. And never without bite.

During the Fountain Art Fair in New York, hot new DUMBO, Brooklyn-based street art gallery, Mighty Tanaka, released a line of pillows designed by world-renowned artist, JMR.

This limited prototype run has multiple designs, fabrics and colors. And they’re selling off the last of their stock of these exclusive pillows for $50 each. If you want to get your hands on these limited edition “puff” pieces, email gallery owner Alex Emmart, and keep your fingers crossed!

Our friends, who are also fellow Miamians, are building Rainbow City in the lot on 30th St in the Chelsea art district. We were lucky enough to experience it during Art Basel Miami. The 16,000 square foot playground installation runs from June 8 until July 5. Enjoy!

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We love Aesop. We love their aesthetic (the stores are literally out of this world), their products, and their name. So we’re buzzed to be able to tell you that they’re seeking applicants to join their retail network. Current vacancy locations include (but are not limited to) Sydney, New York, London and Paris. So if you’re in the market for a new challenge and you have a demonstrated ability to engage and respond to people, a positive attitude, and willingness to understand the world of Aesop, then this could be the new career for you. Oh, and you’ll have clearer skin than all your friends. Bonus!

Come out to a gallery in Soho, New York, on Saturday afternoon and purchase art for your home for a good cause. The one evening event Dear Japan has been organized by a group of Japanese artists who live in New York. It features 170 illustrators and fine artists, and all the works are $200 or under. It’s a small portion of what most of the participating artists would normally sell their work for. Of course, I am donating for this good cause, too.

Dear Japan
June 4th, 2011, Saturday 4-8 PM
Purchase by cash or cheque.

Art Connect New York Gallery Space
491 Broadway, 5th Floor
New York, New York 10012

Did you know that interracial marriage was illegal in the United States until 1967? A Supreme Court case, perfectly named Loving vs. Virginia, ended those laws. The anniversary of that case is now celebrated as Loving Day. The flagship celebration in New York on Sunday, June 12, will feature DJ Spooky, free BBQ all day, and free beer courtesy of Asahi.