Patrick Soluri's SALON Series Evokes Playboy Clubs of the Swinging '60s With Sophisticated & Titillating Musical Soiree at The Players Club Tonight

This could be a party that would make even Hugh Hefner blush.

Tonight, October 2 from 7 pm to 12:30 am at The Players Club, Patrick Soluri's Prohibition Productions Series, THE SALON, will present an exclusive "Antique Cocktail Party" celebrating the Playboy Clubs of the 1960s. The event will feature live music, DJs, classic burlesque, antique cocktails (made from unopened vintage bottles of 1960s spirits), and of course BUNNIES, all in honor of the book release of "PLAYBOY SWINGS: How Hugh Hefner and Playboy Changed the Face of Music" written by Patty Farmer and Will Friedwald.

Serving as the iconic "Playboy Mansion" will be the beautiful & historic olde-world private club, The Players on 16 Gramercy Park South (between Park Ave and Irving Place on 20th Street). Like each Playboy Club of the era, guests receive a key upon arrival and have three rooms to frolic, dance and imbibe--THE PLAYPEN, THE LIVING ROOM, and THE LIBRARY-during what promises to be a sophisticated and titillating soiree.

At THE PLAYPEN, there will be dancing, burlesque, and live music from Matthew Piazzi (in photo top with Bunnies from left to right: Scout Opatut, Karina Libido, Velvetina Taylor, and Georgie Smith) and The Debonairs (8:30-11:45 pm), featuring 1950s & 1960s Doo Wop, '50s pop, and Rhythm & Blues and Soul. Piazzi is a vocalist who was also a Top 10 Finalist on "America's Got Talent." DJs Jack Fetterman & Gina of the Jungle will be spinning music of the 1950s and '60s, including Exotica, Bachelor Pad, Electro Lounge, Bossa Nova, and similarly sultry soundtracks. Classic burlesque will be represented through the unique talents of Gal Friday, Hazel Honeysuckle, and VooDoo Onyx, in addition to vintage Go-Go Dancing Bunnies with a "Bunny Hop" lesson from Bunny Voon.

At THE LIVING ROOM there will be lounging and live music featuring Alexis Cole and Eric Yves Garcia, pianists and singers who are very popular in jazz and cabaret circles.

THE LIBRARY will feature conversation, cabaret and more live music, highlighted by a "Playboy Swings" Panel Discussion (7:30-8:15 pm), moderated by preeminent Jazz scholar and co-author of PLAYBOY SWINGS, Will Friedwald, who with special guests will discuss the Playboy Clubs and how they influenced the music and culture of the era. Between 9 pm-12:15 am, the headliners will be Professor Cunningham and The Hef-Tones, an all-star band led by Adrian Cunningham, playing music of the 1950s and '60s including Jazz, Soul, Broadway, Cabaret, The Great American Songbook, and more with guest vocalists Lianne Marie Dobbs, Christine Pedi Show Biz, and Brianna Thomas.

Dandy Wellington will be on hand as MC, as well "Bunnies" Velvetina Taylor, VOODOO ONYX, Karina Libido, VAVA VOON, GEORGIE, and SCOUT.

Guest bartenders mixing the Antique Cocktails made with vintage spirits from the 1960's ($25 in advance (pre-order)/$30 at bar) will be Damon Dyer (Clover Club, Rum House, Flatiron Lounge) and Fredo (Loungerati). In addition to the Antique Bar, a full "regular: bar will be serving on each floor all night. No food will be served at this event. VIP Tickets (see more info below) include one Antique Cocktail of your choice, and a one-hour 'regular' open bar. Antique drinks will be available for purchase at the event, or in advance at a discount. The organizers encourage guests to pre-order antique drinks while purchasing tickets as there are limited quantities of these rare and fine spirits.

By the way, the event's classic cocktail menu made from unopened bottles of vintage 1960s liquor is the same stash used as props on the set of the Award-winning TV series MAD MEN (and purchased directly from the props department by Edgar Harden of Old Spirits Company). The cocktail menu is designed based on those served at the early Playboy Clubs. In addition to these full-size antique cocktails, straight pours of select antique spirits will also be available neat or on the rocks.

Is there a dress code? Did Playboy Magazine have centerfolds? Proper attire is requested and can be 1960s formal or casual, Retro Chic, Vintage, Suits, cocktail attire, or business casual . . . think "Mad Men!" No sweats, T-Shirts, baseball hats, or overly casual attire.

Only 250 tickets are available for this event and pricing subject to change based on demand. Tickets & info at http://www.thesalon.biz/General admission tickets Antique Drinks during checkout at a discounted rate. $59 - Advance Ticket (until Oct 2nd) $69--Door (cash only at the door). VIP tickets include VIP admission to the event, skip any lines at the door, ONE Antique Cocktail drink ticket, one-hour 'regular' Open Bar from 8:30-9:30 pm, and reserved Tables w/VIP Bunny. You may also pre-order additional Antique Drinks during checkout at a discounted rate. $109 - Advance Ticket (Until Oct 2nd); $119-Door (cash only at the door).

THE SALON: Playboy Swings, Friday, October 2nd, 2015, 7:00 pm--12:30 am, 21+

THE PLAYERS: 16 Gramercy Park South (between Park Ave and Irving Place on 20th Street) NY, NY. Directions: N/R/6 subway to 23rd Street, or 4/5/6/L/N/Q/R subway to 14th St Union Sq. www.ThePlayersNYC.org

All photos by MICHAEL SOLURI / ©2015 Prohibition Productions

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