By Benjamin-Emile Le Hay 1/08 7:15pm

Shindigger

John Legend and Chrissy Teigen (Getty).

Going Buck Wild: New Yorkers Bullish on Rodeo Riders

Every year, after being inundated by the various social responsibilities of the holiday season as well as various boisterous New Year’s soirées, the city’s movers and shakers take a perennial pause. Jet-setters dash off to the Caribbean, fashion mavens begin migrating to Milan and Paris, and socialites take to the slopes of Deer Valley and Aspen. Shindigger, your genteel stalwart, was in search of VIP action last week, but immediate options were scarce. That is, until we received a welcome “howdy” to partake in the Professional Bull Riders’ VIP schedule of events. Was Shindigger ready to exchange hefty pours of Veuve Clicquot for Pabst Blue Ribbon? Why the hell not?

On January 4, outfitted in our finest Western attire, we trotted into a clandestine palatial lounge space in the bowels of Madison Square Garden. (Yes—Shindigger does own a cowboy hat and some flannel for times such as these.) This was the Professional Bull Riders’ opening night VIP reception, hosted by model Chrissy Teigen. Top-ranked bull riders L.J. Jenkins and J.B. Mauney and NASCAR star Kyle Busch—ever the rebel, he uses his full name as opposed to rodeo-friendly initials—also made brief appearances at the opening festivities.  Read More

By Charlotte Lytton 11/15/12 6:02pm

FRENCH FANCY

Dom Perignon Presents "The Power Of Creation"with A Private Performance and Dinner by Lang Lang and John Legend

Champagne in Church? Don’t Mind if We Do

As we entered the dimly lit foyer of St. Bartholomew’s Church on a cold November Wednesday, there was a certain eeriness in the air: perhaps God was frowning upon Dom Pérignon’s choice of venue for a Champagne soirée. But it would seem that He soon warmed up to the idea as the party quickly accelerated into full swing, with the fizzy stuff flowing at every corner, and the suited, booted and fabulous of Manhattan supping from glasses in every alcove of the byzantine building.

The evening was sophistication itself, with the flavor of the Champagne enhanced only by a collaborative performance from soul singer John Legend and concert pianist Lang Lang. Mr. Lang told The Observer that the duo had been preparing for the brand’s “The Power of Creation” event for three days, and their hard work undeniably paid off. The pair were the toast of the evening, and happily milled around the reception, Mr. Legend looking particularly loved up with his model fiancée Chrissy Teigen. Read More