Newsworthy | Agent Bianca Balconis’ Birthday Dinner

To celebrate The Wall Group Agent Bianca Balconis’ birthday, we had dinner at Pulino’s in Nolita last night with artists Keith Carpenter, Emily Barnes, Rob Kassabian, Losi, Wesley O’Meara, Katey Denno, Adrian Clark and Seiji Yamada. On her actual birthday two weeks ago, Bianca was in Greece. On the way over from our office she showed me a video of a traditional Greek dance held in honor of her birthday around the hotel pool, after a dinner and a toast organized by the hotel. It looked magical, like a scene straight from a movie.

We had few rounds of drinks- my favorite was the “Eastside” cocktail that was a light shade of absinthe-like green made with rum and honey dew. “You started a trend,” Keith, on my right, whispered to me, pointing at an entire end of a table filled with the same cocktail after discussing his meditation practice. He said, to effectively meditate one has to find a place in your home where no one will intrude and sit for 20 minutes, connecting with the “self that dreams”, focusing on your heart, and going in between your thoughts as they pass through your mind. We then discussed the ego, and whether or not there exists a “healthy ego” or if the ego’s nature is unhealthy. On my left was the flawless Katey Denno who always radiates such positive, calming energy. Every time I see her I’m floored by how perfect her skin is and am motivated to commit to an all natural beauty routine. For the past few weeks Katey’s cut out all sugar, wheat, alcohol and caffeine which she says has not only cleared up her skin but also made her feel rejuvenated.

Across from me was the poised and elegant Emily Barnes, with whom I had a fascinating conversation about Shanghai where we both lived at one point in our lives over a delicious Burrata. Speaking with Emily was one of the highlights of my night, it felt like there wasn’t one topic we didn’t cover.

After our dinner of pasta, pizza, striped bass and scallops, we all sung happy birthday and Bianca blew out the pink candle presented in a raspberry panna cotta. I began talking to Losi who was seated next to me, who was one of the very first artists represented by The Wall Group since it opened in 1998. “I’ve known Brooke Wall since 1989, we used to manage Oribe together in New York,” said Losi. It’s truly the most amazing and unbelievable moment to know the history of how things fell into place to create how things are in the present. I found that to be the mysterious common thread between all the artists I spoke to that night. Pieces came together and opportunities aligned in each of their careers to take them to where they are today. I suppose the key is to be receptive to opportunities.

Doesn’t Bianca look radiant? Happy Birthday!

Permalink Background Photography: Photographed by Marlene Marino for Purple Magazine. Makeup by Katey Denno.