Queens Scene

Local-Express

Pamela Primi

 

 

Pamela Primi grew up in Bayside and Little Neck. “Great neighborhoods!” she says. Pamela and her sister Christine both went to PS 94, MS 67, and St. Francis Prep.

Pamela studied international political economics and creative writing at Fordham on academic scholarship, commuting from home in Queens and working full time.

Pamela got her first job in nightlife at a club called Life on Bleecker Street, $40 an hour cash to do the guest list at the door. All her friends “came for free, VIP, free drinks, everything, a really sweet gig”. She was hooked after that and has been involved in nightlife ever since.

Meanwhile, Pamela also had a 20-year career in finance. She worked on the FX trad­ing floors of Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan, then went on to the regulatory side. She worked as a product manager for top institu­tions that took quadrillions of dollars of de­rivative risk out of the global economy, making the financial world far safer and helping protect the most vulnerable countries from economic crises.

 

 

In 2020, right before the pandemic, hav­ing accomplished all her goals in finance, Pamela was ready to move on. On the nightlife side, Pamela loves to book indie rock bands and host and promote under­ground parties.

Her grandfather, John Primi’s family em­igrated from Italy to Manhattan and then Bayside. He was a filmmaker for Paramount. Her grandmother Eileen Primi was a model and socialite who lived in Ozone Park. Her other grandfather, Herman Breden grew up in the South Bronx, where his dad owned an ice cream parlor. He became a farmer, then joined the NYPD. Her other grandmother, Mary Breden was the woman’s basketball coach at NYU. Her step-grandmother Norma Primi emigrated from El Salvador and was a hairstylist. Her mother, Pat Primi, was an en­vironmental scientist for the NYS AG’s of­fice.

Her father, John Primi, is a motivational speaker. “A colorful lot, all and were in­volved in community service and loved cel­ebrations.”

NB: What are some of your favorite ven­ues and parties in Queens?

PP: I LIVE for Rockaway and spend as much time as possible there in summer. I do band booking out there as well and the bands always love it too. Favorite spots are Rippers, Rockaway Beach Surf Club, Low Tide Bar, Rockaway Brewery, Whit’s End, Sayra’s Wine Bar, The Wharf, and Bungalow Bar. The new Rockaway Hotel has a pretty sick rooftop bar too. Every one of these places hosts live bands. I like spending time in Ridgewood too. TV Eye, The Keep, Trans Pecos, and The Wind Jammer are all great. I also adore the Paper Factory Hotel in LIC. Gorgeous space, we have had some great burner parties there. Bayside and Little Neck have some great Italian food. Il Bacco, Il Toscano, Il Sapore, and VIP Pizza on Bell Blvd for the perfect slice.

NB: What advice do you have for read­ers hoping to work in finance?

PP: I will say that the professional and business training you get in the financial world is second to none, and will benefit any other endeavor you take on. I would say, this is an industry in flux. Try to push for positive change, social and environmental responsi­bility, and be on the right side of the line wherever possible.

NB: What do you love most about Queens?

PP: Queens is a unique borough in that we have so much pristine parkland and na­ture reserves, but the urban / suburban aspect is never far away either. You can get totally lost on a walking trail in some of these places and feel like you’re alone in another country, and 15 minutes later you’re on Northern Blvd in front of the Q12 and McDonalds and there’s music blasting, school kids screaming and street life unfolding. I really love that du­ality. Many parts of Queens are also quite di­verse, racially and class-wise, and that melting pot is the heart and soul of what NYC is all about!

NB: What are you grateful for these days?

PP: On the nightlife side, I love having the platform and social network to book indie rock bands and host and promote under­ground parties. I am grateful for my upbring­ing in Queens, my wonderful family, my amazing boyfriend Jimmy, my unstoppable party animal spirit, the NYC nightlife com­munity, and all I have triumphed through. If you can make it here, you’ll make it any­where. It’s true!

—Nicollette Barsamian with contribu­tions by Annette Alberts

This column was originated in July 2013 by Nicollette Barsamian

For the full interview, visit QGazette.com.

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