GEORGE WAYNE IN THE RAW

AS THE AXIS TURNED

FEBRUARY 1990 -- Let me be the first to tell you that New York nightlife in the 1990s will revolve around the Umeda/Almada axis, the two club entrepreneurs who will have leading stakes in New York nightclubs of the future.

Toshiaki Umeda, the Japanese wizard, is financing club ventures all over Gotham. The venerable Rudolf and the other Japanese brainchild, Yuki Watanabe, are also participating in Umeda's club conglomerate. Umeda, who it is said, buys his wardrobe straight off the runways of the European Menswear Collections, shares the force with Carlos Almada--the CEO behind the club concept that is going to revive the glamour of New York nightlife to the heights of early '70s and the glory days of Studio 54.

The Argentinean Almada is buoyed by three New York club whizzes of the future-Howard Shaffer, Chuck Crook and Patrick Moxey. Yes, it has taken four minds to replace Steve Rubell's genius. The upcoming Almada club, in an old Con Ed power plant, is called Powerhouse, but it will sport a different name for each night of the week. You had best try to become a part of New York club lore and show up the night it premiers in February, they hope.

© PAPERMAGIZINE 1990