Sigh... A Sad So Long To Long Island City's Five Pointz

And just like that, the whole damn thing was white-washed. The famed city-sanctioned Graffiti Mecca Five Pointz in Queens' Long Island City that was centered across a 200,000 square-foot building, has vanished overnight.

Developers Jerry & David Wolkoff intend to raze the former water plant and replace it with a 1,000-unit apartment complex, comprising two high-rise luxury apartment buildings, 47 and 41 stories tall.

For the last 20 years, Five Pointz has served as an outpost for writers and artists from around the world. More than 1,500 panels of art by 300+ artists from around the world were painted over November 19, as protesters rallied unsuccessfully to save the landmarked locale.

The nabe there is still pretty shady, but like much of New York, boutiques and creative restaurants have been inching in, likely because of the presence of the mammoth Citibank office complex just blocks away from Five Pointz. Sad, yes, but such is the price of gentrification. Take a look at Manhattan's Bowery district if you want to see the ultimate gentrification....

I visited Five Pointz for the first time in April 2013, when Ayhan Sahin's Young Pals Music lensed a dazzling music video for Erica Jacob's launch single "Run" around the colorful motif. It was, indeed, an amazing spectacle.

Just below: Five Pointz now... Below that, more from April. *

Happy Pre-New Year's Eve!

Ayhan hosted a festive gathering in the East Village Friday night for longtime friend Ulf, who was an Ambassador to Sweden in Turkey when Ayhan first composed his musical "Swedish Style." Ultimately, their connection led to Ayhan meeting Bjorn & Benny from ABBA, one of the highlights of his career.

Ironically, his equally long-lived pals Emrah and wife Punar from Turkey were simultaneously in NYC... It was, in fact, Emrah who collaborated with Ayhan to connect with the Swedish Embassy at the time... Quite a reunion, complete with a spread of combination Swedish & Turkish culinary delights. *

Birthday Bonanza: Four Famed Musicians Born On September 16

Geez, God certainly aligned the galaxy for artistic creativity on September 16. Three biggies: Blues great B.B. King was born this day in 1925; Grammy-winning singer/songwriter Richard Marx came along in 1963; and vocalist Marc Anthony in 1968. And bringing up the newer generation, Jonas Brothers' Nick Jonas dropped from the sky in 1992. Mercy, that's a lot of talent in one blessed day... Let the starfucker photos rain down! *

Once Again, Lina Koutrakos Storms Joe's Pub, NYC

It's been over a year since Lina Koutrakos performed in New York: May 11, 2011 at Joe's Pub. Before that, it was New York's Iridium in November 2010.

She certainly hasn't mellowed one iota over time, with a rollicking encore performance Saturday night back at Joe's Pub. In attendance: visiting pals from Virginia Donna Mae Moose & her hubby Cecil, and Ayhan. I teared up, I howled, I laughed, I loved. *

Universal Records' Artist Karine Hannah's Stunning Photo Session

Longtime fave chanteuse Karine Hannah, who has placed numerous songs in my year-end Taylor Top 40, is preparing her Universal Records debut in 2012. I tell you what, it's about time a major label (also) recognized just how talented this/R&B vocalist is.

Karine has recorded three previous projects with Ayhan Sahin, in which he produced and co-wrote a consistent collection of wondrous songs perfectly suited to her stellar range and beautiful vocal versatility; while she has performed numerous times at New York's Metropolitan Room to sold-out audiences. I am thrilled to know that the best is yet to come... And now, Karine posted some fantastic new photos on Facebook, which I'm thrilled to share, along with my digitally toying. All so beautiful. *Above, the originals... Below, my take.

'Swedish Style': Transported Back To The '80s (For One Day, Anyway)

Monday was like a weird, wondrous flashback to the early 1980s, as I delivered a PR package to Ayhan for his upcoming full-length theatrical rock musical Swedish Style, based on the break-up of super group Opus 10, a quartet in the spirit of ABBA.

After writing a press release, liner notes for an upcoming double-disc soundtrack, a website post, bios and synopsis treatment, I descended upon the Times Square off-Broadway theater where Ayhan and Chris H. were filming a promotional video for the production—complete with period costumes—to serve as photog for the session. The ensemble acted out a number of the musical numbers for Chris' film, as I snapped away. Ah, the '80s... If only music were as good now (said Grandpa)...

'Another+Another': Talent Tidal Wave At BK's 2C Studios

My ears were flopping gleefully in the wind Thursday as Ayhan recorded a song he wrote with Ghia Gabriella Szwed,  "Another + Another," sung by Karine Hannah.

Ayhan's Young Pals Hosts Reading Of His Rock Opera 'Gods'

Today, Ayhan hosted nearly a dozen folks for the preliminary reading of his musical Gods, which was originally heralded in the 1990s as "Turkey's First Rock Opera." His new version is a collaboration with Wally Wilhoit, which they have been working on for months.

The millennial incarnation will be more of a traditional musical, featuring a mythological story of tragic love and a contemporary pop/rock score. Ayhan invited a posse of fellow musicians and creatives for the reading, followed by a hands-on critical analysis of this work in progress. Great stuff.

Abby & Spencer With Papayhan

Emre Revs Up For First Turkish Single Release 'Kaderin Yerine'

Our good buddy Emre has been traveling between the U.S. and Istanbul to work on his first Turkish single. And now the moment has arrived: "Kaderin Yerine," which roughly translates to "I owe all my success to Chuck," is available here for only 1,96 TL (I have no idea what that is).

In fact, I did collaborate with Ayhan and Emre on the latter's first English single "Only Yesterday," which, um, you can purchase here. Yeah, man.

A video clip from the recording session for "Kaderin Yerine" is below, along with the stunning artwork for the single cover above and below. Find out more on Emre's Facebook page here! Congrats to a talented artist who deserves global success.