More photos of the parade are here.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
A Classic Glimpse
When I paused to get this photo, the Baad Lamb said that this view of the Empire State Building from DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) is perhaps one of the most photographed spots in NYC. Nevertheless.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Live With Regis and Kelly Halloween Studio Audience
Usually it's just a long line of Canadian tourists on the corner of Columbus and 67th, but this morning's hopefuls for the studio audience were in costume for the annual Regis/Kelly Halloween show. This always makes going out for coffee a colorful event.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Halloweenix Madness!
by Charlie Vazquez
This just in from the wild East Village...the refurbished Phoenix, the East Village's premier gay bar, will be presenting a Halloween "freak fest" like only the queers know how to make it happen. DJ ChaotiQueer (aka Kirk Wagner) has informed me that his band Skulk the Hulking, an electro trio (see video below) will be joined by the edgy underground comedy troupe Murder Fist (also see below) for a night of irreverent revelry and more. And plus, there will be a costume contest around midnight and I can't wait to see what the neighborhood creatures will concoct for this! I'll be the scared guy drinking a beer in the dark corner...
HALLOWEENIX!
Sunday, October 31, 2010
The Phoenix NYC
447 E 13th St
New York, NY 10009
(212) 477-9979
Doors open at 9pm
This just in from the wild East Village...the refurbished Phoenix, the East Village's premier gay bar, will be presenting a Halloween "freak fest" like only the queers know how to make it happen. DJ ChaotiQueer (aka Kirk Wagner) has informed me that his band Skulk the Hulking, an electro trio (see video below) will be joined by the edgy underground comedy troupe Murder Fist (also see below) for a night of irreverent revelry and more. And plus, there will be a costume contest around midnight and I can't wait to see what the neighborhood creatures will concoct for this! I'll be the scared guy drinking a beer in the dark corner...
HALLOWEENIX!
Sunday, October 31, 2010
The Phoenix NYC
447 E 13th St
New York, NY 10009
(212) 477-9979
Doors open at 9pm
"What Is a Gay Book?"
by Maurice Michaane
"What Is a Gay Book?" by David Pratt (Bob the Book)
I recently attended an Alumni event for Hamilton College where I met author and fellow alum, David Pratt. Upon a meaningful conversation, I was intrigued to read his new book, "Bob the Book." Although one might be thrown off by the title, Pratt's work is to the point and sort of reminds me of the movie Trick, where a young gay male is searching for the right "boi". It reads smoothly, but has a lot of allusions not easily picked up by the naked mind!!
The narrative is funny, poignant, lovable, and a great read! I had an instant attraction to the main protagonist, Bob the Book. All walks of life, gay or straight, will instantly connect with Bob and the story he tells. By using a book to talk about life, Pratt transcends the normal everyday boundaries we lock ourselves into. Art does imitate life in this book. As we have seen over the past several weeks, gay teen suicides have been on the rise, and Bob deals with issues of bullying and intimidation. Growing pains, relationships or just life issues in general, Bob deals with an assortment of issues and the book has it all.
According to the publisher "David Pratt, whose new book 'Bob the Book' is an original and fanciful tale of same-sex attraction among books in a bookstore, discusses gay literature inside and out with Christopher Bram, author of Gods and Monsters."
If you would like to know more/meet the author, then attend the Author Discussion/Book Signing with David Pratt:
Wednesday November 03, 2010 7:00 PM
@ Barnes & Nobles - 82nd & Broadway
"What Is a Gay Book?" by David Pratt (Bob the Book)
I recently attended an Alumni event for Hamilton College where I met author and fellow alum, David Pratt. Upon a meaningful conversation, I was intrigued to read his new book, "Bob the Book." Although one might be thrown off by the title, Pratt's work is to the point and sort of reminds me of the movie Trick, where a young gay male is searching for the right "boi". It reads smoothly, but has a lot of allusions not easily picked up by the naked mind!!
The narrative is funny, poignant, lovable, and a great read! I had an instant attraction to the main protagonist, Bob the Book. All walks of life, gay or straight, will instantly connect with Bob and the story he tells. By using a book to talk about life, Pratt transcends the normal everyday boundaries we lock ourselves into. Art does imitate life in this book. As we have seen over the past several weeks, gay teen suicides have been on the rise, and Bob deals with issues of bullying and intimidation. Growing pains, relationships or just life issues in general, Bob deals with an assortment of issues and the book has it all.
According to the publisher "David Pratt, whose new book 'Bob the Book' is an original and fanciful tale of same-sex attraction among books in a bookstore, discusses gay literature inside and out with Christopher Bram, author of Gods and Monsters."
If you would like to know more/meet the author, then attend the Author Discussion/Book Signing with David Pratt:
Wednesday November 03, 2010 7:00 PM
@ Barnes & Nobles - 82nd & Broadway
Monday, October 25, 2010
Bear City - See It In NYC thru Thursday
We attended the New York opening of Bear City at The Quad on Friday. (Check the linked schedule of showings because there are afterparties with the cast at different bars throughout the week.) The 9:30 showing was sold out to an extremely appreciative audience. My husband poked me every time I appeared on screen and I am delighted to report that this is a funny movie containing an unforgettably hilarious three-way-in-a-shower scene that alone will justify the price of admission. I hope Doug Langway will make more movies. Here are my photos of the evening.
Haunted House Season in NYC: Blood Manor
by Maurice Michaane
Tis the season to enjoy a good haunted house in your neck of the woods. This QNY blogger paid an enjoyable visit to "Blood Manor" at the old Spirit Club in Chelsea (West 27th). I highly recommend this 30mins adventure (recommend getting the RIP tix to save yourself the wait in line).
Went with my partner Michael last night, and it was very packed. Jim Lorenzo, a party promoter in NYC, does an amazing job for the 7th year in a row in setting up this amazing, fun filled haunted house. From live action actors, to a 3D experience, Blood Manor will leave you SCARED!!
Friday, October 22, 2010
The Final "He's a Rebel" / DJ La Rubia Turns 31!
by Charlie Vázquez
Just in via "cable" from the East Village...
DJ La Rubia (aka Zan Amparan) takes his name from the famous female matador(ess) and for good reason; his audio concoctions of Motown, vintage rock-n-roll, and British Northern soul will swoon and seduce you before going in for the kill. DJ La Rubia turns 31 tonight and he will also stage his final "He's a Rebel" vintage rock party at Nowhere (10PM) before cocooning to reinvent himself yet again. According to his invite/press release (he's also the singer for local queer rock group Little Victory):
"The fun starts at 10 and goes til 4. Late night happy hour is from 1:30 to 2:30. That's half price well cocktails and domestic beers so drink up, Mary."
And see me you will...
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Marga Gomez and Mike Albo Team Up for Gotham - 10/28
by Charlie Vázquez
Don’t let the change of season get you down, Queer New York. There’s a fantastic show happening next Thursday at the Gotham Comedy Club—Mike and Marga Make Comedy. These two award-winning, acclaimed performers are teaming up for a night of queer comedy that is sure to make you wet your pants. So bring some extra paper towels and join in on the laughter. I have seen both of these groundbreaking performers do their thing and was left crying in their wake. If you feel like doing something new, this is for you. See you there. Info/tickets here.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Playwrights Horizons Discount Offer - After the Revolution
· $40* (reg. $55) for the first week of performances Oct. 21 – Oct. 28
· $45 (reg. $55) for all performances Oct. 29 – Nov. 28
HOW TO ORDER:
· Order online at www.playwrightshorizons.org. Use code APGR.
· Call Ticket Central at (212) 279-4200 (Noon-8pm daily)
· Present a printout of this blog post to the Ticket Central box office at 416 West 42nd Street (Noon-8pm daily).
*A limited number of $40 discounted tickets will be available for purchase. Subject to availability. Valid only in select rows.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Rabbi Breaks With Paladino Over Apology From THE NEW YORK TIMES By ELIZABETH A. HARRIS
Well, that didn’t last long.
"The alliance between the Republican Carl P. Paladino and an Orthodox rabbi from Brooklyn has fallen apart, with the rabbi denouncing Mr. Paladino on Wednesday for his apology over remarks he had made about homosexuality on Sunday.
Rabbi Levin said he was especially upset that Mr. Paladino gave him no notice that he planned to back away from the comments.
“I was in the middle of eating a kosher pastrami sandwich,” Rabbi Levin said. "While I was eating it, they come running and they say, ‘Paladino became gay!’ I said, ‘What?’ And then they showed me the statement. I almost choked on the kosher salami.”
Mr. Paladino, of course, had not become gay, but had announced that he wanted to clarify that he embraced gay rights and opposed discrimination. In explaining his views, Mr. Paladino and his aides noted that he had a gay nephew who worked for the campaign."
He discovered now he has a gay nephew? the Rabbi said. Mazel tov! We’ll make a coming-out party! Yeah right!
"The alliance between the Republican Carl P. Paladino and an Orthodox rabbi from Brooklyn has fallen apart, with the rabbi denouncing Mr. Paladino on Wednesday for his apology over remarks he had made about homosexuality on Sunday.
Rabbi Levin said he was especially upset that Mr. Paladino gave him no notice that he planned to back away from the comments.
“I was in the middle of eating a kosher pastrami sandwich,” Rabbi Levin said. "While I was eating it, they come running and they say, ‘Paladino became gay!’ I said, ‘What?’ And then they showed me the statement. I almost choked on the kosher salami.”
Mr. Paladino, of course, had not become gay, but had announced that he wanted to clarify that he embraced gay rights and opposed discrimination. In explaining his views, Mr. Paladino and his aides noted that he had a gay nephew who worked for the campaign."
He discovered now he has a gay nephew? the Rabbi said. Mazel tov! We’ll make a coming-out party! Yeah right!
Thursday, October 14, 2010
LOGO Looking for HIV+ Athletes
LOGO is looking to find healthy, active & charismatic HIV+ male athletes to star in an upcoming PSA series to coincide with World AIDS Day. The details are below.
Click the image to enlarge if it is hard to read.
Click the image to enlarge if it is hard to read.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
A Gay Pride Response to Carl Paladino
by Maurice Michaane
As a former Director of the NYC LGBTQ Pride March (Gay Pride Parade as most people call it) for 2 years, I took New York Gubernatorial Candidate Carl Paladino’s recent comments about the LGBT community personally. Paladino’s comments on “Gay Pride Parades” and Gay people were completely and utterly shameful. More importantly, his incendiary and debasing comments have no place in a society that should value equality for all.
In 2003, I moved to NYC as a newly minted college graduate. That summer I volunteered for the NYC Pride March. Having never been to a gay pride march/parade prior to that, I was somewhat overwhelmed with emotions on my way to the event that day. I wasn’t sure what the experience would be like, how the onlookers would react, would there be any protesters, and would I have fun. I can honestly say, volunteering for a gay pride parade is something every person (gay or straight) should do in their lifetime. First and foremost, I learned that the NYC Pride March is one of the largest LGBTQ civil rights marches in the nation, hence why it is called a “march” and not a parade (until the day there is full equality for all LGBTQ individuals). NYC Pride 2003 was an amazing life experience for me in more ways than I can recount, but most importantly it helped me feel confident as an out and proud gay American. The network of friends I made, the diversity of the community and the millions of spectators of all walks of life were extremely reassuring for a timid 22 year old that just moved to the Big Apple.
As a former Director of the NYC LGBTQ Pride March (Gay Pride Parade as most people call it) for 2 years, I took New York Gubernatorial Candidate Carl Paladino’s recent comments about the LGBT community personally. Paladino’s comments on “Gay Pride Parades” and Gay people were completely and utterly shameful. More importantly, his incendiary and debasing comments have no place in a society that should value equality for all.
In 2003, I moved to NYC as a newly minted college graduate. That summer I volunteered for the NYC Pride March. Having never been to a gay pride march/parade prior to that, I was somewhat overwhelmed with emotions on my way to the event that day. I wasn’t sure what the experience would be like, how the onlookers would react, would there be any protesters, and would I have fun. I can honestly say, volunteering for a gay pride parade is something every person (gay or straight) should do in their lifetime. First and foremost, I learned that the NYC Pride March is one of the largest LGBTQ civil rights marches in the nation, hence why it is called a “march” and not a parade (until the day there is full equality for all LGBTQ individuals). NYC Pride 2003 was an amazing life experience for me in more ways than I can recount, but most importantly it helped me feel confident as an out and proud gay American. The network of friends I made, the diversity of the community and the millions of spectators of all walks of life were extremely reassuring for a timid 22 year old that just moved to the Big Apple.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Two Free Tix To See Dar Williams at City Winery
Hey QNYers, we've got two free tix to see Dar Williams at City Winery this Saturday. (Her Friday show is sold out.) Leave a comment by Thursday at noon with an email address if you'd like a chance at the tix.
I saw Dar Williams many moons ago when she opened for Joan Baez in Northampton.
Dar’s eighth studio album, Many Great Companions comes out Oct 12th (Razor & Tie). Disc 1 is an acoustic collection of her classics with musician friends like Sean and Sara Watkins of Nickel Creek, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Patty Larkin, Motherlode, and Gary Louris of the Jayhawks, who also produced the album.
The bonus disc, Best of Dar Williams, is a musical journey through Dar’s career, following Dar as she transforms from a folk singer just starting out to the seasoned musician she is today.
PS: Also, she’ll be doing a little intimate performance of a few songs at Housing Works in Soho on Sunday at noon – a little nod to her coffee shop roots!
Update: Don't miss her Friday 12:30PM EST livestream session: www.livestream.com/darwilliams.
Dar’s eighth studio album, Many Great Companions comes out Oct 12th (Razor & Tie). Disc 1 is an acoustic collection of her classics with musician friends like Sean and Sara Watkins of Nickel Creek, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Patty Larkin, Motherlode, and Gary Louris of the Jayhawks, who also produced the album.
The bonus disc, Best of Dar Williams, is a musical journey through Dar’s career, following Dar as she transforms from a folk singer just starting out to the seasoned musician she is today.
PS: Also, she’ll be doing a little intimate performance of a few songs at Housing Works in Soho on Sunday at noon – a little nod to her coffee shop roots!
Update: Don't miss her Friday 12:30PM EST livestream session: www.livestream.com/darwilliams.
Kiss and Say Goodbye. An entirely different meaning of "tighty-whities"
One of the most inevitable aspects of riding the subways (New York or elsewhere), is the busking for bucks by individuals or groups. Want to "see" a collective, but silent groan? Look around when that loud scratchy voice begins "Ladies and gentlemen, I am not a drug addict, but..." The flip side is the enjoyable site of costumed Mariachi bands, holding hats and guitars as they run from their played-out car to a fresh one, or the flip-fantastic feats of b-boys, head-spinning with feet in the air, perfectly missing poles and people as they perform.
Delightfully unexpected this Saturday, Tony and I were on the way to Greenpoint mid-morning, when over the quiet murmur of the weekend workers on the 1 train came a high sweet voice, accurately sustaining and accenting the first word "I.....had to meet you here today..."
As four aged men shuffled through the car, they stumbled over the words and repeated phrases in the wrong order, but the quality wasn't important, the mid-70s flashback had begun, and the tune stayed with me the rest of the day.
Naturally, I wanted to see those giant collars and big-hair heads, and slow, uniformly precisioned steps and hand movements, but also to hear the breathy, quiet spoken-word confessional intro that sets the premise for the song. And then just had to share it. Enjoy.
Delightfully unexpected this Saturday, Tony and I were on the way to Greenpoint mid-morning, when over the quiet murmur of the weekend workers on the 1 train came a high sweet voice, accurately sustaining and accenting the first word "I.....had to meet you here today..."
As four aged men shuffled through the car, they stumbled over the words and repeated phrases in the wrong order, but the quality wasn't important, the mid-70s flashback had begun, and the tune stayed with me the rest of the day.
Naturally, I wanted to see those giant collars and big-hair heads, and slow, uniformly precisioned steps and hand movements, but also to hear the breathy, quiet spoken-word confessional intro that sets the premise for the song. And then just had to share it. Enjoy.
Monday, October 11, 2010
My Favorite Block in the City: West 10th Street Between 5th and 6th Avenues in Manhattan
By West Village Bill
My favorite block in the city is one I routinely walk along on the way from my apartment to Union Square: West 10th Street between 5th and 6th avenues. It's my favorite mostly for a simple and shallow reason: It's so beautiful in terms of both architecture and greenery. And it feels like home: It's where I would be living now if I'd actually gotten together with that heart surgeon/gourmet chef with inherited Old Money that I was supposed to have met right after I first moved to the city. :-) Oh, and one more thing: hound-dog fence-post statuary!
My favorite block in the city is one I routinely walk along on the way from my apartment to Union Square: West 10th Street between 5th and 6th avenues. It's my favorite mostly for a simple and shallow reason: It's so beautiful in terms of both architecture and greenery. And it feels like home: It's where I would be living now if I'd actually gotten together with that heart surgeon/gourmet chef with inherited Old Money that I was supposed to have met right after I first moved to the city. :-) Oh, and one more thing: hound-dog fence-post statuary!
Sunday, October 10, 2010
A Little Night Music 2.0 - A Review
Posted by David
I recently had the pleasure to attend a performance of the current revival of Stephen (can we just canonize him and be done with it?) Sondheim's musical A Little Night Music, performing at the Walter Kerr Theater. The production originally opened starring Catherine Zeta-Jones along with Angela Lansbury. These two leading ladies have left the production and their roles are now being assayed by Broadway veterans Bernadette Peters and Elaine Stritch, respectively.
I did not see the production with original cast of Zeta-Jones and Lansbury, so I cannot compare the current incarnation to the previous, and perhaps that is for the best as I would have hated to have that little comparative voice whispering in my head throughout the performance and spoiling my fun.
I recently had the pleasure to attend a performance of the current revival of Stephen (can we just canonize him and be done with it?) Sondheim's musical A Little Night Music, performing at the Walter Kerr Theater. The production originally opened starring Catherine Zeta-Jones along with Angela Lansbury. These two leading ladies have left the production and their roles are now being assayed by Broadway veterans Bernadette Peters and Elaine Stritch, respectively.
I did not see the production with original cast of Zeta-Jones and Lansbury, so I cannot compare the current incarnation to the previous, and perhaps that is for the best as I would have hated to have that little comparative voice whispering in my head throughout the performance and spoiling my fun.
The Divine Sister
Posted by Mondschein
Charles Busch returns to the NY stage with his latest effort, leading his mash-up tale of nuns in a Pittsburgh convent. The Divine Sister plumbs the borders of The Sound of Music, Agnes of God, Doubt, Song of Bernadette, and Nunsense wrapped up in a strong dose of Where Angels Go Trouble Follows.
The jokes are broader than the Hudson, and the "broads" are among the widest Mr. Busch has written to date.
The absurd plot, of a convent/school in early 1960s Pittsburgh on financial skids includes a new member, Sister Walburga (Alison Fraser), imported from Germany to help with fund-raising )or does she have a plan of her own??). Mother Superior (Mr. Busch) and her BFF and second in command, Sister Acacius (Julie Halston) have decided to approach the rich Jewish, agnostic widow, Mrs. Levinson (Jennifer Van Dyck) to donate her home to the order until a new school can be built. One problem facing the order is that the postulant Agnes (Amy Rutberg) has a tendency toward miracles, healings and stigmata-ism, bringing unwanted publicity. Like any good catholic story, there are multiple mother-child relationships hidden behind secret adoptions, accented by occasion musical numbers dubbed as badly as any Italian western out there, and a couple of flashback scenes to Mother Superior's previous life as a crime reporter in the 1940s. Plots twist and all is revealed to a comic effect only conceivable by Mr. Busch - a lost book of the bible, the Gospel of Saint Gladys which tells the story of the Jesus' sister Joyce - the titular Divine Sister. Brilliant!
Saturday, October 9, 2010
John Lennon's 70th Birthday. Strawberry Fields in Central Park.
Early in the morning and the crowd had already begun to swell.
More photos, and video of the crowd singing "I Should Have Known Better", after the break.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Newtown Creek Water Pollution Control Plant
Is this not the best thing built in New York City in the last 5 years?
In anticipation, I dug up some photos I took during previous pilgrimages to this Polshek Partnership (now "Ennead") award winning stunner, New York City's largest waste water treatment plant.
From Long Island City looking across the Newtown Creek.
Lots more photos after the jump; Embiggen them all for full screen display and detail.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Joey Arias in Concert this weekend!
I saw Joey's birthday show last Saturday. I was completely blown away. Joey's voice is an incredible whiskey soprano. His band for this show is more than just good--they're on the cutting edge. The guitarist in particular brought a style that I've never heard before. When he and Joey start vamping together, trading musical growls and squeaks, you'll marvel at hearing something that sounds genuinely fresh and unique, at least to my ear. The lighting design, while spare, was interesting and did a good job of showing off the bizarrely fascinating costumes, one of which is entirely unexpected. And on top of all that, Mx. Arias effortlessly delivers in high heels that look taller than some stilts.
Most of all, Joey knows how to enrapture an audience. No matter whether the song was upbeat, slow and sad, or just off the wall--I couldn't look away and didn't want it to end. Newer and younger performers would do well to emulate his classic demeanor while telling stories and interacting with the audience--somehow Joey is self-deprecating with pride, filthy with decorum, catty with love, and vulnerable with grace and strength.
I became a fan when I saw Arias with a Twist, and now I may become a groupie. Earl Dax pads his reputation for producing solid events, and Joey Arias and his band deliver one of the most musically innovative concerts I've heard in years. Don't miss it.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Gramercy Tavern and Pure Food and Wine
By West Village Bill
I enjoyed memorable dinners this week at two highly sophisticated yet decidedly comfortable restaurants in the vicinity of Union Square: Gramercy Tavern and Pure Food and Wine.
On Sunday, Bob, Jen, Tony, and I had dinner at Gramercy Tavern to celebrate my birthday, which was earlier in September, and Bob's birthday, which is early this month. Last year, when Bob and I both turned 40, I gave him a bottle of 1969 Beaulieu Vineyard Georges De Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. We said then we'd have to go to a fancy restaurant sometime soon and see whether the bottle of wine had held up as well as us. Or at least me. Ha!
It took us almost a year, but we finally had that dinner, thanks to Jen's initiative. (J&B have young kids, so it was always easier to eat pizza and everyday red wine at their place.) Jen sent an e-mail to Bob and me four weeks ago with the subject "'69 was a very good year": "sept 25 is about in the middle of your birthdays. let's say we go out and drink some 41-year-old wine? invite tony and we'll have a wild and crazy time." Gramercy Tavern has a strict "no wild and crazy time" policy, but we still had a wonderful evening. A day later than that planned date because GT was filled up on that Saturday.
I enjoyed memorable dinners this week at two highly sophisticated yet decidedly comfortable restaurants in the vicinity of Union Square: Gramercy Tavern and Pure Food and Wine.
It took us almost a year, but we finally had that dinner, thanks to Jen's initiative. (J&B have young kids, so it was always easier to eat pizza and everyday red wine at their place.) Jen sent an e-mail to Bob and me four weeks ago with the subject "'69 was a very good year": "sept 25 is about in the middle of your birthdays. let's say we go out and drink some 41-year-old wine? invite tony and we'll have a wild and crazy time." Gramercy Tavern has a strict "no wild and crazy time" policy, but we still had a wonderful evening. A day later than that planned date because GT was filled up on that Saturday.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
A QNY interview with Austin Armacost
This is in addition to what I posted below. One of the interviews I did with the cast of LOGO's new gay reality series, A-List. A very guilty pleasure.
photos by QNY's Darling!
photos by QNY's Darling!
The A-List - Don't Hate Them Because They Are Beautiful
by Tony Adams
With QNY's Darling!, I attended a mixer at Therapy with the cast of LOGO's new gay reality series The A-List. Great fun. These guys are gorgeous, successful NYC socialites who are enjoying lives that they had barely dreamed about in the smaller towns of their childhood. There's romance, sex, jealousy, back-stabbing and everything else you'd expect from a show described as "Housewives. With balls." I taped the interviews with the cast in the low light of Therapy but when I get a moment I'll put up the audio. I came away liking these guys who are very grateful for their good fortunes.
With QNY's Darling!, I attended a mixer at Therapy with the cast of LOGO's new gay reality series The A-List. Great fun. These guys are gorgeous, successful NYC socialites who are enjoying lives that they had barely dreamed about in the smaller towns of their childhood. There's romance, sex, jealousy, back-stabbing and everything else you'd expect from a show described as "Housewives. With balls." I taped the interviews with the cast in the low light of Therapy but when I get a moment I'll put up the audio. I came away liking these guys who are very grateful for their good fortunes.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Orlando
(photo by Joan Marcus)
Virginia Woolf's tale of an Elizabethan nobleman, who lives as a man until age 30, then wakes from a 6 month coma to find he has become a woman who lives another 370 years without aging comes to Classic Stage Company care of Sarah Ruhl. It's an aggressive challenge to take on a work that Ms. Ruhl herself describes as "...language...so exquisite it would have seemed like a terrible bastardization to just leave the narration behind and make up dialog." Despite the over theatricality of the novel's premise, that quality doesn't guarantee great theatre. Ms. Ruhl, in apparent deference to Ms. Woolf's erudition, gives us an evening that is part acting, part exposition where the characters recite their activities in third person more often that portraying a role. In the end, it feels more like a writing exercise than a play.
Theatre Review: Fat Kids on Fire
Posted by David
Pipeline Theatre Company returns to the stage with Bekah Brunstetter's new play Fat Kids on Fire, currently performing at Wings Theatre, in the West Village, through October 2. This new play follows the adventures of a slighly chubby high school girl who is sent to fat camp, where she learns that in the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.
Bess is an earnest, insecure young woman trying to navigate the treacherous multi-tiered society of high school. She longs to be accepted among the "beautiful" people but finds herself thwarted by her physical appearance and her neediness. When her over-achieving and fitness-obssessed parents send her off to a motivational camp that specializes in overweight kids, she suddenly finds herself much higher up on the social totem pole than she has ever been, and the height, while at first intoxicating, causes her to lose her moral balance. Brunstetter's play is both bruisingly funny and painfully accurate in its depiction of the ruthless jungle of teenage social politics. Her language never rings false nor does she allow easy endings for her characters. Actions have consequences and there is little room for second chances.
Pipeline Theatre Company returns to the stage with Bekah Brunstetter's new play Fat Kids on Fire, currently performing at Wings Theatre, in the West Village, through October 2. This new play follows the adventures of a slighly chubby high school girl who is sent to fat camp, where she learns that in the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.
Bess is an earnest, insecure young woman trying to navigate the treacherous multi-tiered society of high school. She longs to be accepted among the "beautiful" people but finds herself thwarted by her physical appearance and her neediness. When her over-achieving and fitness-obssessed parents send her off to a motivational camp that specializes in overweight kids, she suddenly finds herself much higher up on the social totem pole than she has ever been, and the height, while at first intoxicating, causes her to lose her moral balance. Brunstetter's play is both bruisingly funny and painfully accurate in its depiction of the ruthless jungle of teenage social politics. Her language never rings false nor does she allow easy endings for her characters. Actions have consequences and there is little room for second chances.
Nicole Spiezio and Sydney Matthews
AB SOTO at Phoenix
By Tony Adams
Taking the recommendation of QNY's Charlie Vázquez, we stopped by Phoenix to catch the performance of LA gay rapper AB SOTO, and we are glad we did. Be patient with the sound quality of the video (after the break, with more photos) and enjoy the AB SOTO and backup boys' footwork that reminds me of VogueBallroom X Rap X DaLipstyxx (And whatever happened to that great downtown threesome DaLipstyxx? I did a search, but most of what I found is at least a few years old.)
AB SOTO is energetic, banjee, kiddy-clown-with-a-dick and fun. I was expecting a west coast version of Cazwell, but that is not AB SOTO. I hope he keeps making music. It will be interesting to see where he goes.
AB SOTO is energetic, banjee, kiddy-clown-with-a-dick and fun. I was expecting a west coast version of Cazwell, but that is not AB SOTO. I hope he keeps making music. It will be interesting to see where he goes.
Monday, September 27, 2010
PANIC! and Skeleton Head (How's that for a headline?)
by Charlie Vázquez
Rolling right into fall and all of its inspiration…
Never a dull moment in the East Village—where nighttime usually finds me—and there are a couple of things I wanted to share with you happening this Wednesday and Thursday should you be interested (or already in the hood with us). Myself and some readers I’ll be hosting this Wednesday for the always explosive HISPANIC PANIC! readings I curate at Nowhere were featured in the Daily News a couple weeks back, if you’d like to read that here. My reading series PANIC! showcases various queer writers from NYC’s massive LGBT literary underground. Nowhere is at 322 E 14th St (1st/2nd), 8PM, free, 21+!
And on the following night, the 30th the Phoenix will be hosting two queer live electronica bands. Skeleton Head, which is fronted by the rather handsome Leo Torres, mixes the grooves of 1980s electronic and synth music and tops it off with a laid-back contemporary polish. The group Zbörnak will also perform. Below is a Skeleton Head video for you to look over in the event you want to come hang out with us. Beers. Boys. Music. No drama, no attitude. This is DJ Damian's hot new rock party, Courage, My Love, and he will spin tunes before and after the bands!
Hope to see you soon...xo
Phoenix (13th St/Avenue A, East Village)
Thursday, September 30th:
Skeleton Head and Zbörnak
9PM, no cover, 21+
You Cannot Catch HIV Through A Trial Vaccine.
If I learned nothing else last Friday night in Harlem, I did get that message loud and clear.
The Baad Lamb and I walked across Central Park in tranquil early evening light and went uptown on the 6 train. We attended the screening and announcement of the winning Generation V videos sponsored by the New York City HIV Vaccine Trials Unit. This event was held at The Poet’s Den, 309 East 108th Street.
We met some very talented and beautiful people, including these men, SeanMichael Rodgers, CEO of EMBRACE TV, and his partner, the performer/songwriter Dy’Ari. Their video won the Valor Award for best video targeted to gay men. My interview with them and more after the break.
Laurie Anderson's Delusion: Living,Waking and Dreaming
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| Photo credit: Leland Brewster |
On Saturday Sept, 25, 2010, Tony and I attended “Delusion” Laurie Anderson’s most recent multi-media work that received its world premier at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. Many of the stories recounted are from her newest release Homeland, and deeply explore themes of how humans cope with the realities of everyday existence, including the distrustful nature of memory, the blurry lines between waking and dreaming states, and the delusions we engineer to navigate love and loss, life and death.
Delusion unfolds at the BAM Harvey Theater, (an acclaimed Majestic Theater renovation by Hugh Hardy in 1987) a fitting surrounding for this show, since the grand building is more decayed preservation then renovation; the old columned and arched interior looks to have been heavily shellacked in the moment just before collapse.
As the performance begins, a small window high on a wall allows a glimpse of autumn leaves blowing across a grey sky, while an Arabic woman chants and wails (a lament of grief over death?).
Laurie enters dragging her bow across her violin, adding to the sorrow. “I want to tell you a story/about a story…”, she begins, and we soon learn her life of accomplishments is based on her internal construction of tasks and rewards, a carrot and donkey system that served her well. “Then one day, my donkey died”.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Overheard In Central Park This Morning
A young lady to her companion, a young man walking their dog:
"This morning will be beautiful only if you praise me incessantly throughout it."
"This morning will be beautiful only if you praise me incessantly throughout it."
QNY Theater Review: Lost and Found
Posted by David
The Fringe Festival may technically be over, but I had the opportunity to attend a performance of Lost and Found, a new play by John Pollono, as part of the Fringe Encore series.
Lost and Found is a kitchen-sink family dramedy about an Italian-American family living in Boston and deeply embedded in the police community: the son is a cop, the daughter is dating a cop, and their deceased father was a cop. The mother is a tough-as-nails police widow. Life is very combative in the Broncato family household as familial obligations, pressures and expectations ricochet amongst the family members who all live tenuously under one roof.
Into this volatile mix comes an outsider who turns out to be not so "outside" afterall. If this weren't enough, the new next-door neighbor has stumbled into the lives of the family as well. Tensions mount and secrets are concealed, revealed, and brandished as weapons as each individual tries to find their footing in a family home that is now situated on emotionally tectonic plates.
The Fringe Festival may technically be over, but I had the opportunity to attend a performance of Lost and Found, a new play by John Pollono, as part of the Fringe Encore series.
Into this volatile mix comes an outsider who turns out to be not so "outside" afterall. If this weren't enough, the new next-door neighbor has stumbled into the lives of the family as well. Tensions mount and secrets are concealed, revealed, and brandished as weapons as each individual tries to find their footing in a family home that is now situated on emotionally tectonic plates.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
8th Annual OpenHouseNewYork Weekend - Oct 9-10
Always a fun and informative way to explore NYC places that are never otherwise open to the public. And free! Each year, the list of places available to tour includes some repeats and some new options. You could never see everything they offer in just one weekend. Check their site for times and places. Maybe QNYers can make this a group outing? Any interest?
Delusion, by Laurie Anderson at BAM Harvey Theater
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Photo credit Lou Reed
And since you shouldn’t either, I’m happy to announce that QNY has 2 free tickets to give away to a lucky commenter to this post (details and available dates after the jump).
I've been happy to catch her performances many times over the years, from indoor multi-media computer-tech enhanced events (Calvin Theater, Northampton, MA) to minimalist outdoor collaborations with Tuvan Throat Singers (Prospect Park Bandshell). Why am I a fan? For more than 40 years, Ms. Anderson has channeled her relentless creativity into musical innovation and mixed media performances that prick up our ears, exercise our minds, and both soothe and startle our eyes. She has invented new instruments, collaborated with everyone ever described as avant-garde, influenced everyone else, and is quite likely the first name you’d think of if asked to describe a “Performance Artist”.
Laurie Anderson also completely captivates with her distinctive brand of quietly spoken, matter-of-fact stories, often self accompanied by her MIDI-enhanced violin. With the gentleness of a protective grandmother, she slowly spins poetic yarns that point out the painful and the poignant, the obvious and the absurd of life’s quotidian queerness (in the traditional sense), often with a twenty-first century twilight zone twist that usually packs a sucker-punch wallop or induces head-scratching wonder.
The when & where details:
Delusion by Laurie Anderson at BAM Harvey Theater (651 Fulton St)
Sep 21—25, Sep 28—30, Oct 1 & 2 at 7:30pm
Sep 26 & Oct 3 at 3pm
Tickets start at $20 http://www.bam.org/delusion
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
New! Shiny! Clean!
Gutting a kitchen in a per-war building in Manhattan is not for the faint-hearted and it helps that I have a husband who is handy. The new floor is done. For the abbreviated saga, go here. Part of the problem is the tendency of contractors to promise the world, demand astronomical fees and then disappear into outer space. I've been managing this myself and have an electrician and a plumber who know the building and have the super's approval. Here's a photo of the spacers between the new tiles. Eerie.
Monday, September 20, 2010
American Idiot
"American Idiot" at the St. James Theatre, September 12, 2010
Green Day comes to Broadway with this staging based on their 2004 album of the same title, broadening the original concept into a story of three friends, Johnny (John Gallagher, Jr.), Will (Michael Esper) and Tunny (Start Sands) who plan to abandon their small-town, suburban upbringing for the bright lights of the big city. Will gets shot down before the trip begins when he learns his girlfriend is pregnant. Johnny and Tunny make the trek, but Tunny joins the military in the aftermath of September 11 and ends up in Iraq. Johnny falls victim to the lure of drugs under the spell of his dealer, St. Jimmy (Tony Vincent).
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Friday, September 10, 2010
Cabfare for the Common Man
"Cabfare for the Common Man" at The Crowne Theatre at The Producer Club, September 16-18, 2010
I'll be appearing in the last act of the first half, a piece called "Passed Hordes" with the lovely and talented Sandy Trullinger, directed by the lovely and talented Brad Caswell, courtesy of Sweet & Tart Productions. Tickets available at www.theatermania.com.
Bring your friends and neighbors!
I'll be appearing in the last act of the first half, a piece called "Passed Hordes" with the lovely and talented Sandy Trullinger, directed by the lovely and talented Brad Caswell, courtesy of Sweet & Tart Productions. Tickets available at www.theatermania.com.
Bring your friends and neighbors!
To Celebrate Fashion Week at Lincoln Center
Young guys get away with murder. Did this Lincoln Square Starbucks patron deliberately mismatch his socks? Is the LEGO backpack ironic? None of the colors he chose (or did not choose) relate well. The hat is an odd hybrid of military/engineer with a preppy tan band. The beard/sideburns are hesitant. The whole composition works because it appears to be careless, although he may have spent significant time making it look that way. It also works only because he is young and cute. His day will come when he will be forced to match his socks before appearing in public. I'd say he has another ten years until that day arrives.
Upper West Side Housing
Having ripped out the kitchen sink and dismantled the range and D/W and busted up all the old cabinets, I slog onward through the lowest point in the journey to new kitchendom.
My situation made me empathetic when I saw this Upper West Side "residence" on Central Park West.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Daniella, Why You With That Felluh?
Here's a sweet song with a plaintive Appalachian lesbian vibe by the group Hurray For The Riff Raff. They are veterans of the LGBTQ scene, performing every year at Idapalooza, and also at GayBiGayGay at SXSW. Ani Drifranco is a huge supporter and comes to all of their shows in New Orleans.
Hurray For The Riff Raff is currently on tour (Here are the dates), I am terrifically looking forward to seeing them in Brooklyn at Coco 66 on October 15th.
Listen to Hurray For The Riff Raff's Alynda Lee Segarra sing Daniella. Pure and Classic.
Hurray For The Riff Raff is currently on tour (Here are the dates), I am terrifically looking forward to seeing them in Brooklyn at Coco 66 on October 15th.
Listen to Hurray For The Riff Raff's Alynda Lee Segarra sing Daniella. Pure and Classic.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
TONY WARD ~ DOLCE&GABBANA
Model Tony Ward has been tapped by D&G to be the face of the brand’s new, sixth Anthology scent. The scent, called 11 The Force, was described as a blend of spice and vanilla bourbon and adds to the existing five scents with names that reference tarot cards.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
OMG! Colton Ford on the Subway!
By West Village Bill
Earlier tonight, when Tony; Nick and Jason, his visiting friends from Buffalo; and I were on the 1 train, former porn superstar Colton Ford got on at 18th Street. We all got off at 42nd but unfortunately not in that way. Man, I so wanted to take a bite out of him.
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