Gay Rapper AB Soto Brings his Tricks to the Resurrected Phoenix

by Charlie Vázquez


One of the East Village’s most notorious haunts is now featuring live (and queer at that) entertainment in addition to the standard “DJ” culture that gay bars have locked themselves into. Back during Pride Week the Phoenix unveiled its new house with a bill entitled “Gay Rage,” which showcased four of New York City’s up-and-coming queer music acts. Since then a few others have followed and more are on the way (see below).




In-house star DJ Larry Sparkman’s Saturday night party, “Suspicious Package,” has developed a strong following all its own, and how could it not with such compelling graphics to seduce the restless queer eyes (also see below)? On Saturday, September 11th (10PM), he’ll be presenting Los Angeles-based gay rapper AB Soto, an internet and social media sensation both whimsical and sexy. I’ve included a video for your perusal:








Upcoming concert dates for the Phoenix:

Thursday, September 9th:
Little Victory and Brothers
9PM, no cover, 21+


Thursday, September 16th:
TBA


Thursday, September 23rd:
Horoscope and Sammy and the Supremes
9PM, no cover, 21+


Thursday, September 30th:
Skeleteon Head and Zbörnak
9PM, no cover, 21+

Gay Lost New York: Radio City Music Hall, Bed of Debauchery

The year: 1966. Bob Schwiller, my 42-year-old room mate on Central Park West, told me about New York during World War II.

“They had black-outs all the time, and the black-outs were fantastic for sex. Guys would go into Central Park and do each other behind the lake or the boat house, behind benches, behind anything they could get in back of. Including each other. We had orgies in the park, and there was nothing the cops could do about it because they weren’t a lot of them—so many guys were in the service—and there were too many other things to worry about. Like staying alive. Having a ‘roommate’ became normal because there was such an apartment shortage, and even straights would end up rooming with queens and enjoying it.”

Bob was into straight men. At a time of specialized gays, he told me that his specialty was married men.

“I like ‘em because they’re nicer than queens, and more grateful for anything you give them. Give ‘em a cup of coffee, a sandwich, and a blow job and they’re yours for life.”