One of the things I admire about singer-songwriter Nicole Atkins, aside from her silky-yet-raspy-raw vocals, is the Everywoman appeal that manifests itself in her chameleon-like stage presence. One minute the New Jersey native is wearing a ladylike dress and pumps, belting out a torch song on Dave Letterman, or demurely answering Scott Simon’s civilized questions on NPR. The next, she’s flinging the F-bomb while dancing teasingly around a nightclub stage in a neo-hippie caftan. I had the pleasure of watching her do the later on a recent evening at Slims in San Francisco—a wet, windy, badass night on which many of her fans would’ve been justified in staying home and keeping dry. But they came anyway, because, well, their diva had just blown into town.

Atkins made venturing out in the rain—on a weeknight, no less—worth their while. “It’s a Monday night and you guys came out—I’m gonna cry,” she purred into one of two microphones set up on the small stage, which during songs she’d been moving back and forth between, like a woman torn between two equally desirable lovers. “It’s not even my birthday this time. But you still shoulda brought cake.”

The 35-year-old Italian-American singer spent the bulk of the show performing songs from her recently released third album, Slow Phaser, her first … //READ MORE

Everybody likes a good party. But everyone loves a party that has the potential to become legend.

Whether you’re throwing a cozy shindig at home for a small group of close friends, or a formal dinner-and-dance extravaganza at a popular venue, you want your event to be memorable. How can you do this? By making sure every detail—from the signature drink to the music in the air—is fun and original. As you plan your upcoming spring celebration, consider these red-hot party trends for inspiration. 

Turn to pop culture. A few years back, at the peak of its popularity, the hit TV show Madmen sparked a major trend toward theme parties based on popular shows or films. Suddenly 1960s parties featuring beehive hairdos and retro cocktails (Sidecar or Cuba Libre, anyone?) were everywhere. Then, when the Baz Lurmann’s remake of The Great Gatsby hit theaters last year, roaring twenties bashes were all the rage. To some extent, party planners are still riding the Gatsby wave, calling the latest events “speakeasy” or “prohibition” parties. Bottom line: If you’re short on party themes, tap into pop culture for inspiration. It won’t be hard persuading fun-loving guests to don a vintage costume and step into a different … //READ MORE