{{Short description|American party promoter}} {{Infobox person | name = Seva Granik | image = Seva photo Rebecca Smeyne.jpg | caption = Seva Granik | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1975|4|20}} | birth_place = Tashkent, Uzbekistan | occupation = Party promoter | spouse = Kay Gabriel }} '''Seva Granik''' (born April 20, 1975 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan) is a New York City-based party promoter. He is married to the writer Kay Gabriel.<ref>{{Cite web |title=PIN–UP {{!}} FEELING EVERYTHING AT THE PERFORMANCE SPACE GALA |url=https://pinupmagazine.org/articles/performance-space-gala-feel-everything |access-date=2026-04-23 |website=PIN–UP {{!}} FEELING EVERYTHING AT THE PERFORMANCE SPACE GALA |language=en}}</ref>
== Background == Born in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Granik immigrated to Brooklyn, where he became involved in Brooklyn's underground techno rave scene.
Dubbed "the reigning king of NY nightlife"<ref>{{Cite web |title=meet seva granik, alexander wang's go-to party guy |url=https://i-d.co/article/meet-seva-granik-alexander-wangs-go-to-party-guy/ |access-date=2024-11-13 |language=en-GB}}</ref> by ''i-D Magazine'', Granik has since become an event producer known for holding parties for queer Brooklynites as well as the international world of high-end fashion.
== Nightlife and events == In 2005, along with his roommate and friends, Granik started the email listserv and experiential events company MyOpenBar,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kurutz |first=Steven |date=December 4, 2005 |title=When It's Always on the House |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/04/nyregion/thecity/when-its-always-on-the-house.html |access-date=November 13, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Buckley |first=Cara |date=January 2, 2009 |title=Web Site Points the Way to Where Drinks Are on the House |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/03/nyregion/03bar.html |access-date=November 13, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |first=Jen |last=Carlson |date=2005-11-22 |title=My Open Bar, Your Open Bar, Our Open Bar |url=https://gothamist.com/arts-entertainment/my-open-bar-your-open-bar-our-open-bar |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=Gothamist |language=en}}</ref> which published information about open bars and notable nightlife events, and produced parties featuring experimental performances in off-the-grid settings. Between 2005 and 2009, MyOpenBar opened offices in Austin, Miami, Los Angeles, Seattle, Boston, and Washington, D.C.
Following the closure of MyOpenBar in 2009, Granik and ex-MyOpenBar editorial director Rebecca Smeyne launched ABRACADABRA,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Caramanica |first=Jon |date=2010-10-21 |title=Distracted With Salem at CMJ |url=https://archive.nytimes.com/artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/10/21/distracted-with-salem-at-cmj/ |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=ArtsBeat |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=sandberg |first=patrik |date=2010-10-21 |title=Salem, the Sound of Givenchy |url=https://archive.nytimes.com/tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/10/21/salem-the-sound-of-givenchy/ |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=T Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-06-20 |title=Don't Leave Me This Way Baby! Crystal Ark Take Over Retro Disco in Bed Stuy |url=https://observer.com/2011/06/dont-leave-me-this-way-baby-crystal-ark-take-over-retro-disco-in-bed-stuy/ |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=Observer |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-12-14 |title=The Party Artists: ABRACADABRA and the Science of Creating a Scene |url=https://observer.com/2010/12/the-party-artists-abracadabra-and-the-science-of-creating-a-scene/ |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=Observer |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Bash Compactor: Bikini Stuy |url=https://www.nypress.com/news/bash-compactor-bikini-stuy-IDNP1020100720307209997 |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=www.nypress.com |language=en-US}}</ref> a boutique underground performative events agency that showcased left-field and unusual talent in unsanctioned venues.
In 2010, Granik joined the curatorial committee at MoMA PS1's ''Warm Up'' event series as Bookings and Production Manager.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Warm Up: Peter Zummo Ensemble / Glissandro 70 / Peter Gordon & Love of Life Orchestra / Tim Sweeney |url=https://www.moma.org/calendar/events/5724 |access-date=November 13, 2024 |website=MoMA}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-03-01 |title=No Matter How Many Times Your Band Plays MoMA, You'll Never Be an Artist |url=https://observer.com/2011/03/no-matter-how-many-times-your-band-plays-moma-youll-never-be-an-artist/ |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=Observer |language=en-US}}</ref> He quit this position the following year.
In 2013, Granik partnered with the NYC nightlife personality and event producer Ladyfag on the launch of SHADE,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wie Seva Granik das New Yorker Nachtleben neu erfindet - WELT |url=https://www.welt.de/iconist/article137024840/Wo-Miley-sich-raekelt-muss-die-Party-gut-sein.html |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=DIE WELT |language=de}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-09-26 |title=The Everything Guide to Dancing -- New York Magazine - Nymag |url=https://nymag.com/guides/everything/dancing-2013-10/ |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=New York Magazine |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-09-08 |title=NYFW: Nicki Minaj, Rihanna, and Hello Kitty at Alexander Wang's After-Party |url=https://www.elle.com/fashion/news/a23667/alexander-wang-party-nicki-minaj-rihanna/ |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=ELLE |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-10-30 |title=The future of NYC's queer techno scene |url=https://theface.com/music/nyc-queer-techno-scene-lqbt |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=The Face |language=en-gb}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-06-19 |title=Celebrate Queer Pride This Weekend At An NYC Nightlife Icon's Warehouse Rave |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/ladyfag-pride-shadey-o_n_7623346 |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=HuffPost |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Siegler |first=Mara |date=2013-11-20 |title=Shade party shut down by cops {{!}} Page Six |url=https://pagesix.com/2013/11/20/shade-party-shut-down-by-cops/ |access-date=2024-11-13 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Physical Therapy Made A Mix Of Forgotten Club Sounds From New York |url=https://www.thefader.com/2015/06/16/physical-therapy-shade-mix |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=The FADER |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-08-28 |title=Inside Club Shade, Brooklyn's Biggest DIY Nomadic Dance Party |url=https://animalnewyork.com/2013/08/28/club-shade-brooklyn/ |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=ANIMAL |language=en-US}}</ref> the first queer underground rave event series in New York. Granik and Ladyfag also produced New York Fashion Week parties, for such clients as Givenchy, Alexander Wang, Dsquared2, and magazines such as Maurizio Cattelan and Pierpaolo Ferrari's ''Toilet Paper''.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bernstein |first=Jacob |date=2015-09-12 |title=Fashion Week Parties: Night 2 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2015/09/12/fashion/fashion-week-parties-night-2/s/0912-IFW-GIVENCHY-PARTY-SS01.html |access-date=2024-11-13 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-09-12 |title=39 Photos From Givenchy's After-Party |url=https://www.thecut.com/2015/09/best-photos-from-givenchys-after-party.html |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=The Cut |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-09-07 |title=Photos: Miley Cyrus Danced Topless in a Tiger Mask |url=https://www.thecut.com/2014/09/miley-cyrus-danced-topless-in-a-tiger-mask.html |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=The Cut |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-02-15 |title=Fashion's Best After-party Featured Cage Dancers and Solo Cups |url=https://www.thecut.com/2015/02/wang-party-featured-cage-dancers-solo-cups.html |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=The Cut |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Barasch |first=Emily |date=2015-10-26 |title=Naomi Campbell, Binx Walton, and Lexi Boling Celebrate Dsquared2's One-Year NYC Anniversary |url=https://www.vogue.com/article/dsquared2-new-york-city-naomi-campbell-halston |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=Vogue |language=en-US}}</ref>
In 2015, as an employee of the fashion PR and events agency KCD, Granik acted as the senior producer on fashion runway shows for clients including Derek Lam and Narciso Rodriguez.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=Jessica Iredale,WWD |date=2016-02-14 |title=Derek Lam RTW Fall 2016 |url=https://wwd.com/runway/fall-ready-to-wear-2016/new-york/derek-lam/review/ |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=WWD |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Phelps |first=Nicole |date=2016-02-14 |title=Derek Lam Fall 2016 Ready-to-Wear Collection |url=https://www.vogue.com/fashion-shows/fall-2016-ready-to-wear/derek-lam |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=Vogue |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=Bridget Foley,WWD |date=2016-02-17 |title=Narciso Rodriguez RTW Fall 2016 |url=https://wwd.com/runway/fall-ready-to-wear-2016/new-york/narciso-rodriguez/review/ |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=WWD |language=en-US}}</ref>
The aforementioned seminal event series SHADE ran for three years and was shut down in the fall of 2015 as Granik's next underground queer rave project, UNTER, was already underway.
Eschewing press and media coverage, UNTER<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Harley |date=March 23, 2016 |title=36-Hour Party People |url=https://www.spin.com/2016/03/36-hour-party-people-bunker-unter-techno-party-volvox-bryan-kasenic-benjamin-damage/ |access-date=November 13, 2024 |website=SPIN}}</ref> was an underground techno rave project that frequently moved between unsanctioned locations and spawned several spinoff event series highlighting the diversity of musical genres in the dance music underground, such as gabber, "slambient," House music, and faster strains of techno.
Throughout this time, Granik contributed his writing and voice to various print and online publications<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Andy P. |date=2018-01-15 |title=Ten Years of Music in Williamsburg 2002–2012: An Oral History |url=https://medium.com/@apsmithnyc/ten-years-of-music-in-williamsburg-2002-2012-an-oral-history-7fa2ac083470 |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=Medium |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Granik |first=Seva |date=2016-05-03 |title=I Went to a Steampunk Rave in Bushwick and Learned to Accept Gentrification |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/steampunk-rave-brooklyn-bushwick-gentrification/ |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=VICE |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-05-23 |title=The Man Behind The Lights |url=https://gayletter.com/the-man-behind-the-lights/ |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=GAYLETTER}}</ref> such as ''Medium'' and''Vice''.
In 2018, Granik was invited by New York University to write a syllabus for and teach a course on producing electronic dance music events.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ReMu Talks: How To Make Money In Nightlife |url=https://tisch.nyu.edu/clive-davis-institute/events/remu-talks--how-to-make-money-in-nightlife |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=tisch.nyu.edu |language=en}}</ref>
In the fall of 2023, Granik shut down the UNTER project. Two new underground party series were launched in the spring of 2024: Faggots Are Women (with his partner Kay Gabriel and friends), and Zero Chill.
In the fall of 2024, Granik co-produced FKA Twig's Eusexua Brooklyn event,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bloom |first=Madison |date=2024-10-22 |title=Hard Beats, Bondage, and Body Paint: What Went Down at FKA twigs' New York Eusexua Rave |url=https://pitchfork.com/thepitch/hard-beats-bondage-and-body-paint-what-went-down-at-fka-twigs-new-york-eusexua-rave/ |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}}</ref> a dance party and an installation that sought to promote the artist's eponymous new album.<ref>{{Cite web |title=I experienced "eusexua" at FKA twigs' exclusive Brooklyn rave |url=https://www.thefader.com/2024/10/21/fka-twigs-brooklyn-nyc-eusexua-rave-report |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=The FADER |language=en}}</ref>
In 2025, Granik cofounded the Queer Nightlife Community Center (QNCC) with Michael Falco.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wille |first=Matthew |date=2025-11-20 |title=This New York Nonprofit Wants to Help Nightlife Workers Keep the Party Alive |url=https://www.them.us/story/qncc-new-york-queer-nightlife-community-center-nonprofit |access-date=2026-04-23 |website=Them |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Art == In the summer of 2023, Granik partnered with the NYC-based trans artist Ruby Zarsky on "ALL DOLLED UP,"<ref>{{Cite web |last=Byron |first=Grace |date=2023-09-12 |title=LOVE IN THIS CLUB |url=https://www.artforum.com/columns/inside-new-yorks-first-all-doll-pop-up-strip-club-252974/ |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=Artforum |language=en-US}}</ref> a one-night immersive art installation of NYC's first and only Trans-Women Dancers Strip Club featuring all trans women performers.
In the fall of 2023, Granik produced and co-directed "CHOKE HOLE,"<sup>[13]</sup> a queer drag wrestling show.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Frishberg |first=Hannah |date=2023-10-12 |title=Scenes from Choke Hole: 'Raw, queer strength and talent on full display' |url=https://www.bkmag.com/2023/10/12/scenes-from-choke-hole-raw-queer-strength-and-talent-on-full-display/ |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=Brooklyn Magazine}}</ref>
== References == <references />
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Granik, Seva}} Category:1975 births Category:Living people Category:People from Tashkent Category:People from Brooklyn