the long day closes

A Night On The Town With Darling........

Last night was just too amazing.....there were three events one after the other.

First was the premiere social party for MAKE UP FOREVER, for professional makeup artists only. They were promoting their latest range of lipsticks called ROUGE ARTIST INTENSE, which are amazing......50 highly pigmented shades (my favorite was a violet color #15 which I think I will use in my makeup design for one of the fashion shows coming up for Spring 2011) which were truly divine. The event was held at their charming little boutique on E.12 St. just off Fifth Ave.and the place was packed with so many beautiful artists trying out all the fabulous colors. Michael DeVilles of THE POWDER GROUP invited me and didn't he look dashing in his new black and silver facial hair.


I was featuring a new look myself having recently tinted my hair a lavender silver shade. I wore a deep silver gray silk suit with a matching gray vest embroidered with purple flowers and a cravat of iridescent violet. Hmmmmm there's something about that color.....can you tell? It must be in the air, along with the rain that night.


I couldn't stay very long though as the humidity was so intense plus I needed to get to the Leslie-Lohman gallery in Soho to attend photographer MIKE RUIZ photo exhibit "TRANSFORMATIONS". The camera crews and paparazzi were in full force as I arrived interviewing Mr.Ruiz in front of giant blowups like the beauty shot above. Mike is still the most handsome guy in town and so talented. But again the heat and humidity was so overwhelming from the lovely crowd of fashionistas I was forced back outside to find some cool air.

Just in time to give a kiss to 60s Icon Linda Morand of THE SUPER MODELS HALL OF FAME before jumping into a taxi to go off to Amanda Lepore's after party at the nightclub Carnival in the "BIG TOP" room which was over flowing with freaks, geeks, and Go-Go boys all to celebrate Mike Ruiz triumphant showing.

Finally after shaking my bootay to the retro disco hits it was time for me to go-go home.

Another Poseidon

Poseidon of Herring Cove

America's 10 Dying Cities

By Tony Adams

If you are planning to visit Albany or Buffalo, you might want to wear something funereal.

Gobo and the Empire State Building's Lights

By West Village Bill

Yesterday evening, my squeeze Tony, my buddy Lou, and I had a terrific dinner at the West Village outpost of Gobo, a mostly vegan restaurant at which I relished almost every dish. And my dining companions enjoyed everything they had.

To begin, we shared a plate of Avocado Tartare with Taro Chips. I asked our waiter why it wasn't vegan; this dish was the only one I saw on the menu with a note indicating that it wasn't. He said it was because there was honey in it. I imagine that was in the fruity sauce beneath the pile of avocado.

For our main course, we shared three of the items the menu indicated were gluten free or could be made gluten free with minor adjustments: Grilled Oyster Mushrooms with Asparagus, Vietnamese Stir-Fried Rice Noodles, and Butternut Squash Risotto with Toasted Almonds. (Tony can't eat gluten or dairy. *sigh* He's still a keeper, though. :-) ) I'm not a huge fan of mushrooms in general, so I tried one of the 'shrooms and focused on the asparagus and the other two dishes. I especially enjoyed the risotto even though it seems early in the year for something winter squashy. Which leads me to believe Gobo doesn't use locally grown produce. Which is mildly disappointing.

poseidon awaits

All This Bronx Girl Ever Wanted Was To Be A Cop

By Tony Adams


“It’s all in my high school memory book where I said I wanted to become an undercover agent, a detective and a member of a SWAT team. I accomplished my goals. Now I’m 40 and things didn’t work out the way I thought, but I know who I am and I have never been happier.”

Christina Rodriguez is able to say this wistfully but without anger or bitterness while describing her life as a Hollywood, Florida policewoman in a profession that some might call a deck stacked against her because she is a woman, a Latina and a lesbian.

Originally from the Bronx and of Puerto Rican descent, Christina grew up in south Florida where she was a popular girl who had a passion for physical activity and for helping others. She did not realize her passion for women until she began dating one within the ranks in 2003. 

Check out the rest of the article in the latest SFGN.

FLASH IN THE PANIC! this Wednesday...

By Charlie Vázquez

I’ll be happy to be hosting FLASH IN THE PANIC! this coming Wednesday, an experimental reading that will feature various queer poets, writers, and other text-shapers who will strive to dazzle you with one page (and only one side of that one page) of their words. If you can make it, feel free to come see and hear the razor-sharp edge of New York flash fiction, spoken word, and other experimental and erotic genres, plus fun music afterward!

The readers will include: Rachel Kramer Bussel, Tod Crouch, Garrett Ford, Matthew K. Johnson, Patrick Kelleher, Tomas Rafael Montalvo, Jennifer Ortiz, Gabrielle Rivera, Meriam Rodriguez, Roberto Santiago, Charlie Vázquez, and John Williams

Nowhere
322 E 14th St (1st/2nd) – East Village, NYC
Wednesday, August 25th
8PM, Free, 21+

everyone gets nostalgic for something

Practicing Safe Ex

By Tony Adams

(A hat tip to a friend who suggested this subject and title but had only examples of horribly Unsafe Ex illustrating what to avoid but not what to practice.)

 As the highest form of animal life on the planet, we ought to wonder why no species performs worse than we do at ending relationships. In our evolution, have our relationships become too complex for us to handle? Have our pairings evolved (devolved?) beyond our natural capacity to manage them? If so, we ought to do one of two things: improve the quality of our relationships (our general and ordinary preoccupation) or master the fine art of becoming an Ex, which is the subject of this post.

Here are my ten rules.

Cabin Fever

By Knucklecrack

At first they were just bug bites. Simple bug bites. They were a part of urban lore. Something that would happen to a friend of a friend of yours and finish stories that began with "So I know this guy who went home a girl and..."

But then they started to appear.

My first experience with bedbugs was three years ago when a coworker curiously noticed itchy bites on the back of his neck. It was the dead of January. "That's odd," I thought "what kind of bug bites in the winter" and continued typing. How funny not to think anything of them then. It only dawns on me now that's that what those bites were. The beginning of it all.

Over the years the stories grew more frequent. They seemed to heighten during the summer. The friend of a friend became your friend and the consequence for drunken one night stands now included the only STD you could get without actually having sex.

Soho was the first to be hit. A giant warehouse sized clothing store shuttered for business because of these "little critters." They were nothing at the time. A minor inconvenience. But then South Street Seaport became infested. The expensive clothing stores were quick to act. They covered all stock clothing in plastic garment bags. Their newspaper ads touted "plastic encased clothing" in the same sunny manner as things like "free range chicken" or anti-bacterial soap. But then the New York Times and The New York Post reported stories of people leaving movie theaters with bites. Soon it was less about where you were shopping, and more about where you were going, and who you were seeing.

The bites continued. People stopped riding the subway. They stopped getting in cabs. The risk was potentially everywhere. People began wearing garbage bags over their clothing. Some even went as far as putting surgical masks over their mouths. The paranoia was setting in. And then, as if it were ordained, they began to appear. They flooded the city.

The laundromats and supermarkets were the first to be looted. Food and water was ironically much less of a commodity than containers and anything plastic. People started running for the exits with such haste they forgot about Manhattan being an island. The subways stopped running. The traffic clogged the tunnels. Ferries capsized due to overcrowding. People jumped into the Hudson. The power went out.

That was four days ago.

someone to watch over me

Ganymede Unfinished and Remembering John Stahle

I remember when the late John Stahle contacted me back in 2008, as I was establishing my queer reading series PANIC! and blazing my own trail through the labyrinthine New York City gay literary world. Mr. Stahle’s publication GANYMEDE was a huge boost for my work, as I was suddenly published alongside names like Edmund White, David Sedaris, and Oscar Wilde (¿que carajo?), and pieces such as my short story “An Old Man in Paris,” were published with contextual photographs that brought the words to life in a way I had never experienced. This was John Stahle’s magic…

Well, we lost him earlier this year and writers Bryan Borland and Matthew Hittinger stepped up to the plate to finish and publish the issue John had been working on at the time of his death. It has been published as GANYMEDE UNFINISHED, a 298-page paperback book including the edgy works of a couple dozen or so gay writers and artists. A tribute to John Stahle has been organized for September 18th, 2010, at the LGBT Center on West 13th St and Seventh Avenue, and several people, me included, have been asked to read in his honor—the honor being all mine, of course.


Memorial details:

September 18th, 2010
2:30pm - 4:30pm
LGBT Center
208 West 13th Street
New York, NY

(This tribute memorial of readings, reflections, music and visual art will honor the life and work of John Stahle, writer, graphic designer, and editor of Ganymede, a journal devoted to gay men’s art, literature and culture based in New York City.)

Canned Ham

"Canned Ham" at The Art House, Provincetown, MA, August 15, 2010

Like every good actor in New York, Tom Judson has written a one-man show based on his life as an actor in New York.  He does have a good gimmick, particularly suited for this summer run in Provincetown, that he spent a number of years as a gay adult film star under the suitably butch name of Gus Mattox.

There are elements of Mr. Judson's story with a sad, but familiar note - his lover fell victim to AIDS in the mid-90s.  This becomes part of his road to porn.

The script itself, is still a work in process as Mr. Judson has published on his own blog promoting the show, Canned Ham.  Mr. Judson, remarkably handsome as you can see here, is a capable actor and a talented musician (which you can't see here).  The story provides an opportunity to demonstrate his skill one a number of instruments from the accordion to the clarinet, sometimes simultaneously.  In this, he seems to be trying just a bit too hard.  Moments described of significant pain come across occasionally glib, whether from him not wanting to make the audience too sad, or just spilling all the words out to get to the next line.

Nonetheless, there are plenty of laughs and he certainly enjoys that part the most.  This is when he is the most charming.

Credit to William Ivey Long for selecting the jockstrap and wifebeater.  Credit also to David Drake for producing this engagement.  It's excellent summer fare at the "gay national park" that is Provincetown.

Canned Ham runs Sundays and Mondays through September 6, 2010.

Kronos Quartet with Gamelan Galak Tika World Premiere -Christine Southworth’s Super Collider.

by baad lamb

Kronos Quartet has always been the string quartet as enjoyable to watch as they are to listen to. Their cool clothes and hip hairstyles once seemed revolutionary, and garnered as much attention from critics as their completely original approach to contemporary classical music.

Last night's free concert at Lincoln Center Out of Doors in Damrosch Park bandshell continued their tradition of pushing musical boundaries, but their fashion-forward role was usurped by their collaborators, Gamelan Galak Tika, collectively in wine and gold colored Balinese robes and headdresses.

This world premier piece, which closed last night's show, is called "Super Collider", by Christine Southworth, who is also the general manager of Gamelan Galak Tika.

Two more vids from this piece, and more, after the jump

the metropolis

Balkan Beat Box and Mucca Pazza Live at Lincoln Center Out of Doors

by baad lamb

“It’s just not a party unless people dance!”

I don’t remember when I first heard this, or if I fully believe it, but I do agree with the reverse corollary: If everyone’s dancing, it must be a good party. So Balkan Beat Box threw a great party last Saturday night.

There were two bands at Damrosch Park Bandshell for Lincoln Center Out of Doors on a sticky summer night in August.

Mucca Pazza, left;  MC Tomer Yosef of Balkan Beat Box, right

Mucca Pazza, the opening act, was entertaining in a novelty way: competent, fun, funny and fully entertaining. Their geeky routine consisted of knowledgeably eclectic musicians wearing high-school band uniforms, playing music and jumping about the stage accompanied by four cheerleaders. If a category had to be assigned them, perhaps it would be Om-Pa-Pa-Klezmer.

Their set was just the right length – ending before enjoyment of their novelty wore off.  Most fun (or most gimmicky, depending on your perspective) was an audience participation number where the Band’s “Conductor” directed us, along with the musicians, and we all became his own personal instrument. He literally throws his whole body into this, so we appreciate the effort and play along. And, this being New York, listen as what could be just a single shouted crowd note in other venues becomes a four-note harmonic chord here, even briefly surprising our conductor...

This, plus pix and five live Balkan Beat Box videos after the jump

The Pied Pipers of the Lower East Side

"The Pied Pipers of the Lower East Side" presented by The Amoralists Theatre Company at PS 122, July 31, 2010

(photo: Larry Cobra)


Returning to the NYC stage after an earlier successful run, The Pied Pipers of the Lower East Side tells a tale of a poly-amorous foursome led by an ersatz Che Guevera wannabe, Billy (James Kautz).  His housemates/lovers include Wyatt (Matthew Pilieci), Dawn (Mandy Nicole Moore) and Dear (Sarah Lemp).  Dear and Wyatt run a vegan restaurant on the street level of the building in exchange for free rent of the apartment.  Dawn was accumulated by the three others when living on the street, singing songs for tips.  She continues this as the group's only source of cash.  Billy's brother Evan (Nick Lawson) turns up for a visit, bringing an added level of chaos to the proceedings.

Brooklyn Living

Sure, they're all the same, except for the giant satellite dish.

Lemon Verbena Ice Cream

By West Village Bill

The summer has been flying by, and what with my crazy move, I've been too busy to make ice cream or get to the Jersey shore. To rectify the latter situation, I'll be heading to Cape May with my New Jersey buddies Dan and Paul on Friday. Woot! And over this past weekend, I made my first ice cream since the official start of summer. It was flavored with lemon verbena, and it was fantastic.

I first made Lemon Verbena Ice Cream last summer after seeing a sign at the Berried Treasures stand at the Union Square Greenmarket suggesting that that herb was terrific in ice cream. Berried Treasures is the only stand I've come across that offers LV, maybe because around here it has to be overwintered inside. Or so I've read on the Internets. I should ask the woman from BT whether she does that or protects it from frost in some other way.

See Tommy G for all your Stained Glass Needs

By Beau

(Artist: Elizabeth Devereaux, St. Thomas More Parrish & Newman Center)

Once again I'm reminded that unlike just about anywhere else in the world, including Tampa where I've been since May for work, if you need something, you can most likely find it in New York City (or Brooklyn, if you're willing to travel).  Case in point, I've had a bug up my ass to do some crafty shit with collaged items between glass slides soldered together and worn as a necklace.  Or something sort of like that. I don't know why these things occur to me but it becomes something akin to taking the train to crazy town until I actually try it (and more typically fail at it).

Cellar Door

What lies beneath the blue tile door?

The People I’ve Slept With – A Crayon Mona Lisa

By Tony Adams

What is it about gay indie films that keeps us coming back despite frequent disappointment? Their style is usually not refined because their budgets are small and their makers are relatively inexperienced with the machinery of filming. Usually, their subject matter is naïve love and first awakenings because their makers are often young and inexperienced as lovers.

When I watch an indie film, my expectations are therefore low, but I always hope to find something of promise that will bode well for future viewing. I hope to be arrested by writing that is not studied in a popular style, by unsophisticated but clever cinematography, by surprising directorial perspective, intriguing new music and fresh artistry. I look for performances that are wise beyond the age of the actors delivering them.

The People I’ve Slept With is a charming romantic romp with some of those elements that I hope for in a gay indie film. It is about a young Asian-American woman named Angela who has a picaresque sex life and a best gay friend named Gabriel.  Angela is an unknown/unshown artist  who uses crayons and is a sexual conquistadora. Gabriel is sparkly cute guy with a winning smile and a twinkish mind that match like a sweater set on Archie’s Betty. Both of them change for the better in the course of the film. If the maturity lessons of the young are of no interest to you, you should skip this movie and rent Autumn Sonata, but I can give you several reasons for seeing The People I’ve Slept With.

The River Garden at the Union Square Greenmarket and in Martha Stewart Living

By West Village Bill

Before I moved to Manhattan, I was only slightly acquainted with The River Garden, which has, hands down, the most beautiful display of flowers at the Union Square Greenmarket. I'd occasionally catch these flower farmers at the market on a Friday when I was off or able to leave work early. Now that Union Square is my local Greenmarket, I've come to realize that TRG is here every day the market is open: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday.

The August issue of Martha Stewart Living has a wonderful, eight-page article on TRG, which is in South Cairo, New York, and its owners, Bernadette and Walter Kowalski, who met cute while manning neighboring stands at a farmers market 20 years ago. (There's no link to the story on marthastewart.com. And TRG doesn't seem to have a website of its own.)

TRG's Union Square stand compels you to approach. There's such a tremendous variety of beautiful colors, and the mixed bouquets are so striking and imaginative. At today's market, I bought a bouquet of pink and green zinnias for my bedroom and some sunflowers, which I paired with some unusual-looking rudbeckia from another stand, for my living room.

A Little Night Music (revisit)

"A Little Night Music" at the Walter Kerr Theatre, July 30, 2010

(photo: Joan Marcus)

With an impressive pair of replacements, I returned to see ALNM.  I'm so glad I did.  As much as I enjoyed the original cast (review: here), it is so nice to see how a change of actor can enhance a show.

Taking on the mantle of Madame Armfeldt from Angela Lansbury, Elaine Stritch gives a two-level performance, though perhaps unintentionally.  It reminded me of when I saw the revival of "Nine" a few years ago and Eartha Kitt had taken over the role of Liliane LeFleur from Chita Rivera.  Then, Ms. Kitt as Ms. LeFleur was dreadful, BUT Ms. Kitt as "Eartha Kitt as Liliane Lefleur" was fabulous.  The effect is similar here with Ms. Stritch.  Her classic deadpan line readings don't quite deliver the sophistication one expects from Mme Armfeldt, but taking the performance as a whole, she does make a success of it.  There were a few bumpy moments along the way in "Liaisons" but only the truest fans who have the score memorized would have realized it.

weather vane

PROP 8 Overturned by Federal Judge

by Maurice Michaane

Earlier today the Prop 8 ballot initiative was overturned by a Federal Judge in California. The picture above is of the NYC Pride March Director and his partner at the kick-off of the 2009 NYC LGBT Pride March. It's court rulings like today regarding marriage equality that make the images of pictures like this even sweeter! This is what we are fighting for, the liberty for all people, gay or straight, to love without prejudice.

Algae in the City

Perry Brass: Lost Gay New York: Truckin’ at the Trucks

1970s picture of the trucks in the Village

I heard about the trucks my first summer in New York, in 1967. One of my older friends from Julius’s informed me that guys went to a certain street on the west side of the West Village “to suck cock. It’s sometimes called, ‘the Express,’” he informed me. So you might hear men say, “I’m taking the Express tonight.” Meaning, they were dispensing with all the folderol of going to the bars, and just getting down to business at the trucks. 

It’s kind of hard to imagine, in this age of the very yuppified West Village (we’re talking $7 mil duplex apartments on West Street) what the area was like when it was still working class, you could buy a whole building for $70,000 (the going rate in the mid-60s), and there were warehouses along the waterfront, which necessitated working loading docks for—what else?—trucks.

The interesting thing I always thought about the trucks was that they were left open at night after they were unloaded, so guys could play in them. I didn’t actually go to the trucks until somewhat later, after I had joined the Gay Liberation Front in 1969, when GLFers used to leaflet them. This was again another interesting aspect of “the trucks,” a generic term that specifically referred to these huge open empty Mack rigs where scores of guys went to congregate and have sex. (In other words, you had “the trucks” just like you had the “tubs,” another simple term for the baths.)

Anyway, another interesting aspect of the trucks was that lots of men went to them for social purposes as well as the obvious sexual one.

after the storm