THE NICOLE BELAFONTE

Welcome, darling. Pour yourself something nice, and let me tell you a story...

It was December 1958, and if you listen closely past the hum of the record console warming up, you might hear how this all began.

My name is Nicole Belafonte, and along with my darling husband Walter, we don't just appreciate the era between the 1930s and early 1960s—we live it. This isn't a costume we put on for the camera. This is our home, our wardrobe, our values, our life. The dresses hanging in my closet, the records stacked by the console, the way we speak to each other—it all feels right to us, suits our disposition as artists. We believe that if enough people genuinely live this way, the era never really ends at all.

The Lounge you see on your screen? That's our actual living room, where time moves like honey through a dream and the moonlight always finds a place to dance.

The Music

Walter and I have spent years building our collection—thousands of records spanning shellac 78s to 12-inch LPs. While Jazz and Swing are the heart of what we do (this is a jazz lounge, after all), our collection wanders beautifully through Blues, Boogie Woogie, Country, Crooner standards, Doo-Wop, Easy Listening, International flavors from German to Japanese, Latin rhythms, Broadway shows, and yes, even early Rock'n'Roll.

You might hear Ella Fitzgerald followed by Patsy Cline, Duke Ellington sliding into André Kostelanetz, or Benny Goodman making way for The Ink Spots. Each record tells its own story, and I'm honored to share them with you.

Our Community

Since we opened the velvet rope in '58, this little corner of 1963 has become more than a broadcast—it's become a social club, a gathering place for hep cats and swell kittens from around the world. From the United States to Germany, France to Brazil, you've found us, and more importantly, you've stayed.

The awards and recognition—like our Hidden Gem nomination at The Streamer Awards—mean the world to us, but honestly? What matters most is hearing from the wallflowers who finally feel welcome somewhere, or the folks who tell us we've helped them through difficult times just by playing old music and being ourselves.

The Extended Family

After the Lounge closes each evening, many of you slip over to our sister channel, DuMontAfterHours, where Walter curates classic films to keep the vintage evening alive. It's all part of the same dream—creating a space where people can step away from the hustle and bustle of modern life and find some simple happiness.

Speaking of Walter (my co-founder, moderator, and the gentleman you'll sometimes see helping behind the scenes), he's been my partner in this grand experiment from the beginning. My Mr. Farnsworth, as some know him, handles everything from the technical side to the artwork you see. We're very much a team, in this and in life.

The Dream

This broadcast is more than entertainment for us—it's a laboratory, a way to test the waters and see how others feel about this lifestyle we've chosen. Because someday, we dream of creating a tangible community where like-minded individuals can live this way together. Not because we want to escape reality, but because we believe there's value in slowing down, in craftsmanship, in genuine connection.

Quality over quantity. Even if we only find a few eccentric friends along the way, we'll be happy we tried.

Join Us

Every Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evening (Eastern time), the glasses are gleaming, the record console's warming up, and there's always room at the bar for one more. Whether you're here for the music, the conversation, the aesthetic, or just some company on a quiet night—you're welcome here.

Thank you for being part of this. Truly. We wouldn't be here without you, and that's not just something people say. I mean it with all my heart.

With gratitude and moonlight,
Nicole Belafonte
Mistress of Ceremonies