Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Monday, July 30, 2012
Richard Willett's "Tiny Bubbles"
The Baad Lamb and I attended this play and recommend it. The theater advance would make you think it is a "gay" play, but it is not. The two lead characters happen to be gay but their sexuality is almost incidental. The play is about the impact of change in a relationship and also about the sort of "truth or illusion/Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf?"thing. With nary a misstep, it kept me awake and engaged. (I know that sounds like faint praise, but I fall asleep easily during Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Nile Rodgers and Chic at Lincoln Center
Great performance. At one point, Nile Rodgers pointed out the building on West 62nd Street in which he had written most of Chic's hits.
After the jump, video of Chic doing Le Freak earlier tonight.
After the jump, video of Chic doing Le Freak earlier tonight.
Third Section of High Line Acquired. Design Presentation On Monday.
MAYOR BLOOMBERG, SPEAKER QUINN AND FRIENDS OF THE HIGH LINE ANNOUNCE THE CITY’S ACQUISITION OF THE THIRD SECTION OF THE HIGH LINE FROM CSX
CSX Donates Rail Yards Section of the Elevated Railway to the City of New York, Clearing the Way to Start Construction Later This Year
Big news regarding the High Line Park.
There will be a design presentation on Monday July 30, 6:30-8:30PM, 14th Street passage.
Check out the extensive QNY coverage of the saving and reconstruction of the high line, including:
Phase 2 Is Open
What A Difference A Year Made
Clever High Line Benches
CSX Donates Rail Yards Section of the Elevated Railway to the City of New York, Clearing the Way to Start Construction Later This Year
Big news regarding the High Line Park.
There will be a design presentation on Monday July 30, 6:30-8:30PM, 14th Street passage.
Check out the extensive QNY coverage of the saving and reconstruction of the high line, including:
Phase 2 Is Open
What A Difference A Year Made
Clever High Line Benches
Friday, July 20, 2012
Editta Sherman's Portraits Are Breathing At 25 CPW Gallery
And so is Editta!
I was delighted to pass by the corner gallery at 25 Central Park West and find it open and graced by the presence of Editta Sherman who was graciously willing to talk about the celebrities she has photographed over a span of 50 years (1940-1990)
First, I toured the 75 portraits in the exhibit, and as is always the case, excellent prints sized extravagantly are what make going to a photo show worth the trip. These celebrity portraits really seem to breathe. Portrait photographers each bring a distinctive style to their depictions. Editta doesn't seem to ask the subject for anything and she doesn't do much set-up. Her approach carefully captures all the details of the subject's face with an infused radiance that is missing from current photographic processes. She works like a map maker. In the room was the gigantic wooden camera she used. A digital camera that fits in a shirt pocket will simply never do what that behemoth can do, and I doubt the disposable Nan Goldin would find much here to appreciate.
I asked Editta to tell me about Frank Morgan (The Wizard of Oz.) She said, "He was a gracious and wonderful man. My husband and I had just set up shop in Martha's Vineyard when we heard he had arrived on someone's yacht. That is why he is dressed like that in the portrait. My husband hurried down to the dock and asked him if I could photograph him and he agreed. His wife said, 'If there's a camera in the room, Frank will go for it.' Later we all went out to dinner and had a great time."
When I remarked about a more recent celebrity among the vintage stars, Tilda Swinton, Editta said,"When she came to my studio she looked at this dress I had on a hanger and she liked it and asked to try it on. That's what she is wearing in the picture. When we were done, she asked if she could buy the dress from me. I had just purchased it. I didn't know what to say. She offered me $500 and I said okay."
When we discussed Photoshop and the need to produce portraits that flattered the client, she mumbled something about Mary Martin demanding an extreme amount of retouching. That portrait looks like something from Madame Tussaud's.
when I told Editta that I wished she were still working, she said that she has plans to photograph Mario Testino who is himself a famous celebrity photographer. Editta is 100 years old.
The gallery is located at 25 Central Park West and 62nd Street. On July 24th, they will screen the documentary movie Lost Bohemia directed by Josef Astor about the eviction of the residents of the Carnegie Hall apartments.
I was delighted to pass by the corner gallery at 25 Central Park West and find it open and graced by the presence of Editta Sherman who was graciously willing to talk about the celebrities she has photographed over a span of 50 years (1940-1990)
First, I toured the 75 portraits in the exhibit, and as is always the case, excellent prints sized extravagantly are what make going to a photo show worth the trip. These celebrity portraits really seem to breathe. Portrait photographers each bring a distinctive style to their depictions. Editta doesn't seem to ask the subject for anything and she doesn't do much set-up. Her approach carefully captures all the details of the subject's face with an infused radiance that is missing from current photographic processes. She works like a map maker. In the room was the gigantic wooden camera she used. A digital camera that fits in a shirt pocket will simply never do what that behemoth can do, and I doubt the disposable Nan Goldin would find much here to appreciate.I asked Editta to tell me about Frank Morgan (The Wizard of Oz.) She said, "He was a gracious and wonderful man. My husband and I had just set up shop in Martha's Vineyard when we heard he had arrived on someone's yacht. That is why he is dressed like that in the portrait. My husband hurried down to the dock and asked him if I could photograph him and he agreed. His wife said, 'If there's a camera in the room, Frank will go for it.' Later we all went out to dinner and had a great time."
When we discussed Photoshop and the need to produce portraits that flattered the client, she mumbled something about Mary Martin demanding an extreme amount of retouching. That portrait looks like something from Madame Tussaud's.
when I told Editta that I wished she were still working, she said that she has plans to photograph Mario Testino who is himself a famous celebrity photographer. Editta is 100 years old.
The gallery is located at 25 Central Park West and 62nd Street. On July 24th, they will screen the documentary movie Lost Bohemia directed by Josef Astor about the eviction of the residents of the Carnegie Hall apartments.
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
The High Cost Of Marriage Inequality - Read It And Weep
After the break, you'll find a clear depiction of the overall pain.
Monday, July 16, 2012
Central Park Summertime Sky
by baad lamb
Though summer storm clouds threaten, they provide a dramatic backdrop as the late afternoon sun illuminates the Beresford on high and the bike boys below.
I snapped this on June 25th from the newly restored Cherry Hill, looking northwest. Embiggens nicely.
Though summer storm clouds threaten, they provide a dramatic backdrop as the late afternoon sun illuminates the Beresford on high and the bike boys below.
I snapped this on June 25th from the newly restored Cherry Hill, looking northwest. Embiggens nicely.
Monday, July 9, 2012
Summer News
Via the West Side Rag.
I want to protest the fact that a couple got arrested for dancing on a subway platform on their way home from Mid Summer Night Swing. Honestly, officer.
I want to protest the fact that a couple got arrested for dancing on a subway platform on their way home from Mid Summer Night Swing. Honestly, officer.
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Tony Wants Company on Brooklyn Waterfront Tour
by baad lamb
Last May, I jumped at the chance to take a Working Harbor tour deep into the heart of the Newtown Creek. It was easily one of the most fascinating and informative 3 hours I've ever spent. Those 600+ photos deserve a post of their own, but, alas... ( damn that full-time job!)
Since I'll have to miss this Tuesday's Working Harbor opportunity to tour the Brooklyn waterfront, I've "suggested" Tony go for me (and bring extra camera batteries). But he wants some company. So if you've got this Tuesday evening open, there's no better value for your $30. If an evening on the harbor on a yacht exploring the history and future of the working Brooklyn waterfront isn't its own incentive,
Here's the details from the Working Harbor website:
Brooklyn Waterfront Tour featuring Brooklyn's Maritime Heritage and Future- This tour starts by going up the East River to the former Brooklyn Navy Yard, passing under the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges. The Navy Yard has three large graving docks and an active shipyard, as well as the home port of FDNY's fireboat division. We then travel south along the Brooklyn waterfront, passing the new Brooklyn Bridge Park and the Red Hook Container Terminal, Atlantic Basin, and Erie Basin, home of Hughes Brothers Barges and Reinauer Tugs. We continue into Gowanus Bay and along the Sunset Park waterfront, home of the former large Bush Terminals. We then cross over to the Statue of Liberty at sunset and pause for a moment to allow passengers to take photos before returning to Pier 16.
Dan Wiley is a Community Coordinator for the Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez in southwest Brooklyn, NY. He is also an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Columbia University in the Urban Design Studio. Working in the Congressional office since 2000, he has coordinated planning projects and initiatives spanning waterfront communities from the Brooklyn Navy Yard and downtown Brooklyn southwest to Red Hook, Gowanus and Sunset Park, Brooklyn. Dan will talk about the changing face of the Brooklyn waterfront, the proposed plans for the future and take questions from the audience.
Do it! Ticket Link
I'm looking forward to Tony's pics, but I do still have a ton of photos I took over the years from various water taxis, trips to Governors Island, Open House New York, or aimless wandering on the land and street side of things:
Old cranes "cross swords" at Brooklyn Navy Yard (left)
Navy Yard, from Newtown Creek tour last year (right)
Preview a whole lot more after the jump...
Young Dancers Enjoy Midsummer Night Swing
by baad lamb
At this Saturday Night's rendition of Midsummer Night Swing, with JD McPherson providing his distinctive retro-contempo swing, an enthusiastic group of youngsters show off their collective dance moves outside the paying walls. Although the steps they were all practicing look like a Broadway chorus line routine, it's clear they are trained in classical ballet. Perhaps they're summer term students at the School of American Ballet?
Since I'm not a regular ballet attendee, maybe a few of them will defect to the contemporary dance scene, and with luck, I'll be applauding one or two of them in a few years down at the Joyce.
I'm pretty sure that is the dance instructor Adam Lee, Lindy-Hopping with a partner in between views of the kids.
At this Saturday Night's rendition of Midsummer Night Swing, with JD McPherson providing his distinctive retro-contempo swing, an enthusiastic group of youngsters show off their collective dance moves outside the paying walls. Although the steps they were all practicing look like a Broadway chorus line routine, it's clear they are trained in classical ballet. Perhaps they're summer term students at the School of American Ballet?
Since I'm not a regular ballet attendee, maybe a few of them will defect to the contemporary dance scene, and with luck, I'll be applauding one or two of them in a few years down at the Joyce.
I'm pretty sure that is the dance instructor Adam Lee, Lindy-Hopping with a partner in between views of the kids.
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Canoeing on the Gowanus Canal
by baad lamb
Back in May, on a beautiful sunny Saturday, my aimless wandering of New York's industrial fringe found me in Gowanus, at the dead end where 2nd Street meets the Gowanus Canal. The two gentlemen sitting in folding chairs off to the side were not immediately visible as I contemplated the posters displayed in the upright old dinghy. Before I could read beyond "BROOKLYN'S COOLEST SUPERFUND SITE", one of the men approached. Would I like to canoe the canal? Hell yes!
Paddling a canoe alone on the canal while trying to take pictures and video can be challenging, especially with the constant breeze wanting to spin the boat in circles anytime I put the paddle down and picked up the camera. Adding to the fun, occasional forceful discharges from invisible pipes would spew questionable liquids, creating a sudden current on what was, not long ago, largely a stationary cauldron of chemicals and waste-water (reactivating and upgrading the pumping station has begun to change that). I didn't have enough time to explore as deeply as I wanted; the area south of the Smith and 9th Street F & G trains viaduct still beckons. Can't wait to go back, but I'll bring the reluctant "why-are-you-taking-us-to-another-industrial-area?" husband, so one can navigate while the other films.
In the video above, note the car that backs up on the 3rd Street Bridge; we exchanged waves, although they are too far away in this video to see the arm come out the window; I guess they could not believe they just saw someone leisurely exploring this NYC waterway!
The Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club sponsors public canoeing on Saturdays, from March to October, 1PM to 5PM, and Wednesday evenings, 6PM to 8PM, May to August. The canoeing is free, but your much appreciated donation will be be put to good use (you can even become a member).
Check out ten more photos after the jump...
Back in May, on a beautiful sunny Saturday, my aimless wandering of New York's industrial fringe found me in Gowanus, at the dead end where 2nd Street meets the Gowanus Canal. The two gentlemen sitting in folding chairs off to the side were not immediately visible as I contemplated the posters displayed in the upright old dinghy. Before I could read beyond "BROOKLYN'S COOLEST SUPERFUND SITE", one of the men approached. Would I like to canoe the canal? Hell yes!
Paddling a canoe alone on the canal while trying to take pictures and video can be challenging, especially with the constant breeze wanting to spin the boat in circles anytime I put the paddle down and picked up the camera. Adding to the fun, occasional forceful discharges from invisible pipes would spew questionable liquids, creating a sudden current on what was, not long ago, largely a stationary cauldron of chemicals and waste-water (reactivating and upgrading the pumping station has begun to change that). I didn't have enough time to explore as deeply as I wanted; the area south of the Smith and 9th Street F & G trains viaduct still beckons. Can't wait to go back, but I'll bring the reluctant "why-are-you-taking-us-to-another-industrial-area?" husband, so one can navigate while the other films.
In the video above, note the car that backs up on the 3rd Street Bridge; we exchanged waves, although they are too far away in this video to see the arm come out the window; I guess they could not believe they just saw someone leisurely exploring this NYC waterway!
The Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club sponsors public canoeing on Saturdays, from March to October, 1PM to 5PM, and Wednesday evenings, 6PM to 8PM, May to August. The canoeing is free, but your much appreciated donation will be be put to good use (you can even become a member).
Check out ten more photos after the jump...
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
If You're The Top
of the real estate market or you're the bottom, your news is good:
Prices and sales volume for Manhattan real estate continued to hold relatively steady in the second quarter of 2012, because of a continued decline in inventory, low interest rates and increased foreign investment.
Relatively good, that is, but the effect of foreign investment may be bad in the long run. Even so, let's have no pity for the folks of East Hampton who need help:
When one thinks of the Hamptons, what jumps to mind are masters of the universe and their mansions by the sea. But a strong, steady stream of immigrants has been flowing to the area for years, drawn by a service economy that demands hedges be trimmed and houses be cleaned. In the Springs, a hamlet in the town of East Hampton, where most of the houses are small and the year-round population is relatively large, the Hispanic population has tripled in the past 10 years — and tension has emerged.
Some longtime residents of the Springs and similar areas complain that homes are being illegally crowded, that houses with half a dozen cars parked outside are a blight on the street, and that the many children living inside are overwhelming the local schools and causing property taxes to rise.
The Russians may be here to spend money, but the Guatemalans are here to work, and that is how and why the Irish and the Italians got here a century ago.
Prices and sales volume for Manhattan real estate continued to hold relatively steady in the second quarter of 2012, because of a continued decline in inventory, low interest rates and increased foreign investment.
Relatively good, that is, but the effect of foreign investment may be bad in the long run. Even so, let's have no pity for the folks of East Hampton who need help:
When one thinks of the Hamptons, what jumps to mind are masters of the universe and their mansions by the sea. But a strong, steady stream of immigrants has been flowing to the area for years, drawn by a service economy that demands hedges be trimmed and houses be cleaned. In the Springs, a hamlet in the town of East Hampton, where most of the houses are small and the year-round population is relatively large, the Hispanic population has tripled in the past 10 years — and tension has emerged.
Some longtime residents of the Springs and similar areas complain that homes are being illegally crowded, that houses with half a dozen cars parked outside are a blight on the street, and that the many children living inside are overwhelming the local schools and causing property taxes to rise.
The Russians may be here to spend money, but the Guatemalans are here to work, and that is how and why the Irish and the Italians got here a century ago.
Monday, July 2, 2012
Spain vs. Italy
by baad lamb
Watching yesterday's Euro 2012 final, it was clear Italy never had a chance. Spain dominated the ball from the beginning, and the Azzurri looked tired chasing it around the field. But a few hours before the first kick, I staged a more shallow competition to familiarize myself with all the players: Which team was prettier? As I compared my top three from each team, La Roja barely edged ahead and won this game too, but it was much closer and perhaps more exciting than their easy 4-0 victory in Kiev. (All pics by others, from google image search; click links on NAMES below to bring up all their images and decide for yourself.)
SPAIN:
ITALY
Watching yesterday's Euro 2012 final, it was clear Italy never had a chance. Spain dominated the ball from the beginning, and the Azzurri looked tired chasing it around the field. But a few hours before the first kick, I staged a more shallow competition to familiarize myself with all the players: Which team was prettier? As I compared my top three from each team, La Roja barely edged ahead and won this game too, but it was much closer and perhaps more exciting than their easy 4-0 victory in Kiev. (All pics by others, from google image search; click links on NAMES below to bring up all their images and decide for yourself.)
SPAIN:
ITALY
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Harlem Kiki Reincarnated Today
UPDATE: Just got word ( kiki heads) that they have changed the date to July 15.
If you are in the city this evening, 6-11PM, have a kiki!
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Triassic Parq, The Musical
If you're looking for a bit of cool summer froth, head downtown.
Mixing the metaphors of Gregory Maguire (Wicked), Mark Hollmann and Greg Kotis (Urinetown), and Douglas Carter Beane (Lysistrata Jones), creators Marshall Pailet, Bryce Norbitz and Stephen Wargo spin the tale that "...is not Jurassic Park..." from the perspective of the dinosaurs.
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Monday, June 25, 2012
Pridelicious!
After three years of marching, the QNY crew and associated digital activists sat this one out and returned to our favorite NYC Gay Pride Parade observation corner of Christopher and Gay. The diverse crowd was loud and proud, the parade's pace was proper, and the weather was perfect.
Here are my photo highlights:
Here are my photo highlights:
 |
| Grand Marshal Cyndi Lauper |
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Ben Cohen In The NY Times on Pride Sunday
Saturday, June 23, 2012
NYC Pride Rooftop Saturday Party at Hudson Terrace.
With Joe Jervis and the Baad Lamb, I attended today's NYC Pride and Rafferty/Mazur Events' "VIP Pride Rooftop Party" at the fabulous Hudson Terrace high above 621 W46th Street.
Corey Craig, The Freemasons and Moto Blanco pumped out the music for a gorgeous horde of boys (and one or two girls who would perhaps leave early to attend the women's event, "Rapture On The River.")
All three levels of the rooftop were mobbed. The crowd was very young, very pretty, with little pockets of insecurity here and there. Relax, boys! Enjoy your season! The "Grindr Extra" dancers certainly were!
All three levels of the rooftop were mobbed. The crowd was very young, very pretty, with little pockets of insecurity here and there. Relax, boys! Enjoy your season! The "Grindr Extra" dancers certainly were!
more pics and two videos after the break:
Rainbow Cubes
If you've lived in Manhattan for years, you might overlook the festivities of any particular weekend. For many, however, the NYC Gay Pride March is an annual event to remember the struggles of years past and a symbol of how far the gay community has come since the 1969 Stonewall Riot. Yes, there are many parties and eye candy all weekend long, but the true beauty lies in the honesty of those who dared to express their difference individuality.
Friday, June 22, 2012
Kiehls, Cyndi Lauper, JMG, Ally Sheedy, Pride = Great Night!
As JoeMyGod's plus-one, I attended the Heritage of Pride VIP party at the Kiehl's mothership on 3rd Avenue last night for a kick-off NYC Pride event hosted by Chris Salgardo, CEO of Kiehl's. As you may know, Kiehl's is my church and its products are my sacraments. I was in heaven. And then Cyndi Lauper came in!! Ally Sheedy was there with her daughter. And Mike Ruiz, Gerald McCullouch, Santiago Felipe and Zachary Barnett. And some plaid-rockin' power bears whose names escape me, sorry to say. Open bar. Another New York night.
More pics after the break.
More pics after the break.
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
A Dolphin In The Hudson
Via the West Side Rag: A dolphin was spotted on Monday in the Hudson River, making its way from Harlem down to Chelsea. It passed through the Upper West Side sometime between 2 and 4:30 p.m. If you see it, call 631-369-9829 — wildlife experts are trying to determine if it needs help. (DNAinfo)
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Rodiney Santiago and Ryan Nickulas of Logo’s The A List: New York.
Rodiney Santiago and Ryan Nickulas of Logo’s The A List: New York will be gracing the Time Warner Cable car in the NYC Pride March this coming Sunday! The show is over, but—lucky us—Rodiney lingers.
Bronx Zoo
We went to the Bronx Zoo yesterday via the #2 train. We walked a bit through Belmont with its abbreviated Italian neighborhood. At the zoo, I loved the giraffes, snakes, cranes, butterflies and the meadows of strutting peacocks, with the males raising and fanning their tails for the benefit of the peahens who tried to pretend not to be impressed. All photos by the baad lamb except the last one.
Folsom Street East 2012
Maybe it was the rumor that this would be the last year for FSE on 28th Street given the puritanical gentrification of the neighborhood, but the event was mobbed. You literally could not move. After the break are more pics and some NSFW videos.
Here's QNY's baad lamb with Rollerina.
Here's QNY's baad lamb with Rollerina.
BLOWOFF Artist Linas Garsys
You'll want to read this Q&A with the artist who does the BLOWOFF posters.
And, go to Blowoff.us and find out how to win a very limited edition BLOWOFF poster.
See you at BLOWOFF at the Highline Ballroom this Friday!
And, go to Blowoff.us and find out how to win a very limited edition BLOWOFF poster.
See you at BLOWOFF at the Highline Ballroom this Friday!
Monday, June 18, 2012
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
2012 Tony Award results
2012 Tony Award Winners
presented June 10, 2012
Well, let's see how I did, shall we? My votes are bolded. The actual winners are underlined.
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Friday, June 8, 2012
The Cast Of "A Letter From The Bishop" On The Will Clark Show
While Will Clark (who plays Father Mark) emceed his lively weekly Thursday P*rno Bingo show at The Ritz, and while I called the bingo numbers, the rest of the cast, including QNY's Jimmy Moon (Father John), Ken Averett (Father Ed) and Dean Wrzeszcz (The Bishop) worked the crowd, including the newly crowned 1st Runner Up in this year's International Mr. Leather Contest and his consort.
Love, Christopher Street
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Friday, June 1, 2012
The 4 Parts Of Perry Brass: King Of Angels
Here's my review.
For more information about Perry and his books, or to purchase King of Angels, go here.
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Rapture, Blister, Burn
"Rapture, Blister, Burn" at Playwrights Horizons, May 26, 2012
Pulitzer prize nominee Gina Gionfriddo returns Off-Broadway with a sharp look at feminism, presented in a semi-scholarly love triangle. Catherine (Amy Brennerman) has returned to take care of her mother (Beth Dixon) after a heart attack, also in the same town where her college ex-boyfriend Don (Lee Tergesen) now serves as a dean at a local liberal arts college and is married to Catherine's college roommate Gwen (Kelley Overbey).
In college, Catherine chose a life of academia and has published several high profile books on popular culture and the role of women. Gwen never finished her degree, taking the path of wife and mother, instead. Don, once with great scholarly potential and a desire to teach, has fallen into the path of inertia, working only as hard as he needs to, to make ends meet. His position as dean pays better than teaching, yet requires less mental engagement to get the job done.
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Cast Appearance At The Will Clark Show
Meet the cast of A Letter From The Bishop on June 7th at the Ritz. The cast includes QNY's Mondschein (Jimmy Moon) as the lovable Father John!
Monday, May 21, 2012
Playwrights Horizons discount
Regular run:
May 18-June 24, Tues 7, Wed-Fri at 8, Sat at 2:30 & 8pm, Sun at 2:30 & 7:30pm
Additional Monday evening performance June 11 at 7pm.
Order by June 5 and use the code RBBLOG [note two B’s]
$40 (reg. $70) for all performances May 18-27
$50 (reg. $70) for all other performances May 29-June 24
Online:
https://www.ticketcentral.com/Online/default.asp?doWork::WScontent::loadArticle=Load&BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::article_id=10613999-17A1-44C0-9B55-02D6C3534E5E&sessionlanguage=
Call Ticket Central at (212) 279-4200 Noon to 8PM daily
In Person: Ticket Central Box Office, 416 W. 42nd Street between 9th & 10th Avenues
A QNY Beautiful Moment
Via the West Side Rag:
At a street fair on Amsterdam Avenue today, two men broke out in an amazing dance in front of the former Blue Donkey Bar on 83rd Street to the song “MacArthur Park” by Donna Summer, who passed away last week
Not so many years ago, two men would be arrested for doing this, even privately. Today, and here on the Upper West Side, the men watching cheered and women did not shield the eyes of their children. You'll love the move at the 1 minute mark!
At a street fair on Amsterdam Avenue today, two men broke out in an amazing dance in front of the former Blue Donkey Bar on 83rd Street to the song “MacArthur Park” by Donna Summer, who passed away last week
Not so many years ago, two men would be arrested for doing this, even privately. Today, and here on the Upper West Side, the men watching cheered and women did not shield the eyes of their children. You'll love the move at the 1 minute mark!
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Why Are We Giving Obama So Much Credit for So Few Empty Words?
By West Village Bill
Everyone is falling all over themselves praising President Obama for saying what we can be pretty sure he's believed all along, despite his bullshit talk about how his views are evolving on the issue: He's got no problem with gay and lesbian couples getting married.
I'm not arguing that it isn't a significant development for a sitting president to endorse gay marriage. But let's not forget the other, all-important thing he said about same-sex marriage: It should be left up to the states to decide. So even though he believes it should be allowed to happen, he's not about to impose it on states that are repulsed by the very thought of it. And he's tacitly making the argument that the U.S. Constitution doesn't grant LGBT citizens the right to marry whoever they want. I'd like to ask him why states should get to decide this matter but not whether citizens of different races should be allowed to marry. And I'm saddened that it's mostly conservative and libertarian voices who are pointing out the ridiculousness of that part of Obama's statement.
And of course, he said this a day too late to have any effect on the opinions of the people of North Carolina, who enshrined discrimination against lesbian and gay couples into their state constitution.
Ultimately, it's just empty talk in an election year. Just like this too-little-too-late election-year spin from Harry Reid on how he was wrong to let the Republicans play him for a fool.
Obama still doesn't plan to sign an executive order banning discrimination against LGBT workers at companies with government contracts. That's something he could do right now that would have a definite, positive impace on people's lives.
And we can't overlook the fact that Joe Biden's response to a question forced Obama to make a statement now. I don't buy the story that the White House was planning to endorse marriage equality sometime before the election.
And we also must not forget the all-important issue of money. Donations from deep-pocketed LGBTers were down, and he probably thoughtthis action these words would get the checks rolling in again. And he's almost certainly right about that.
We have to demand more from this self-described fierce advocate of our community. Despite his occasional public complaints about Wall Street behavior, the banksters have gotten everything they've wanted from Obama in return for heavily donating to his first campaign. Why do we LGBT citizens happily settle for so little?
Crossposted at Hawleyblog
Everyone is falling all over themselves praising President Obama for saying what we can be pretty sure he's believed all along, despite his bullshit talk about how his views are evolving on the issue: He's got no problem with gay and lesbian couples getting married.
I'm not arguing that it isn't a significant development for a sitting president to endorse gay marriage. But let's not forget the other, all-important thing he said about same-sex marriage: It should be left up to the states to decide. So even though he believes it should be allowed to happen, he's not about to impose it on states that are repulsed by the very thought of it. And he's tacitly making the argument that the U.S. Constitution doesn't grant LGBT citizens the right to marry whoever they want. I'd like to ask him why states should get to decide this matter but not whether citizens of different races should be allowed to marry. And I'm saddened that it's mostly conservative and libertarian voices who are pointing out the ridiculousness of that part of Obama's statement.
And of course, he said this a day too late to have any effect on the opinions of the people of North Carolina, who enshrined discrimination against lesbian and gay couples into their state constitution.
Ultimately, it's just empty talk in an election year. Just like this too-little-too-late election-year spin from Harry Reid on how he was wrong to let the Republicans play him for a fool.
Obama still doesn't plan to sign an executive order banning discrimination against LGBT workers at companies with government contracts. That's something he could do right now that would have a definite, positive impace on people's lives.
And we can't overlook the fact that Joe Biden's response to a question forced Obama to make a statement now. I don't buy the story that the White House was planning to endorse marriage equality sometime before the election.
And we also must not forget the all-important issue of money. Donations from deep-pocketed LGBTers were down, and he probably thought
We have to demand more from this self-described fierce advocate of our community. Despite his occasional public complaints about Wall Street behavior, the banksters have gotten everything they've wanted from Obama in return for heavily donating to his first campaign. Why do we LGBT citizens happily settle for so little?
Crossposted at Hawleyblog
Thursday, May 10, 2012
A Letter From The Bishop
If you plan to be in New York City on Monday June 11th, you are invited to attend the reading of A Letter From The Bishop. Free admission, but reservations are advised.
When Your Lover Comes Back As A Bird
Sy (Seymour) Lemler, who lives in Hollywood, Florida, loves
the nearby nude beach at Haulover where he has been a regular for many years.
In 2008, when Bobby, his partner, died, Sy, who is now 80 years old, forced
himself to return to that beach alone, continuing the almost daily ritual he
had shared with Bobby during their years together. On that day, Bobby came back
to Sy. At the nude beach. As a pigeon. With rare exception, Bobby has perched on Sy’s knee every day
at Haulover for almost four years.
Read the rest of the story on sfgn.com
Maurice Sendak has died.
From Bensonhurst. His partner of 50 years died in 2007. From his NYTimes obituary:But he cherished the letters that individual children sent him unbidden, which burst with the sparks that his work had ignited.
“Dear Mr. Sendak,” read one, from an 8-year-old boy. “How much does it cost to get to where the wild things are? If it is not expensive, my sister and I would like to spend the summer there.”
Listen to his voice in this interview with Terry Gross.
Sunday, May 6, 2012
The Musik/Dance/Love Of Andy Kuncl
by Tony Adams
How did a boy from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, who
memorized Janet Jackson dance routines and learned to dub his vocal creations
on a dual cassette tape boom box, who became an organic farmer because of a
romantic attachment to a man, and who became a professional back-up hip-hop
dancer for a San Francisco drag queen before returning to his musical roots,
find himself living in the Bushwick neighborhood of New York City with a
gorgeous new five song EP on his own label, 3KB Records, entitled Musik/Dance/Love that fuses the major
elements of his life?
When Andy Kuncl tells you how this all came to pass, you
begin to doubt his age—a mere 36. No slouch, he is also not hyper. He has a calming
personality and a serenity of heart. All his energy gets fed into his art
rather than the talking about his art. He is lanky, pale and with a strokably
bushy red beard and merriment in his eyes. He is the kind of man that
boyfriends might describe as sweet, low-maintenance and easy-going. (The Bushwick
boyfriend of five years was not asked to verify this guess.)
A tour of the bare facts of his life seems colorized even in
outline form.
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Dickey Betts: Heaven is the sound of this man's fingers
by baad lamb
Heaven is the sound of this man's fingers.
Just heard about this, but tickets are still available! Dickey Betts and Great Southern TONIGHT at Society for Ethical Culture Concert Hall.
Besides attendance at a late 70s outdoor gig with his band "The Allman Brothers" (perhaps you've heard of them), I caught him at BB King's eight or 10 years ago and shared a table with strangers, nearly in the front row. That concert was fantastic: the band was tight; the music compelled you to move and groove. The fans were fanatical, friendly and fun. And Mr. Forrest Richard Betts, in his unmistakeable jazzy-bluegrass-country-blues, played his bittersweet life up and down the neck of his Gibson. When Dickey plays, every note drips with pathos, yet every melody and improvised lead makes your heart soar. The blues have never sounded so happy.
Flashback to I don't know when, but this amazing clip of a long-ago performance illustrates exactly what I mean. Listen to the rich, warm, controlled happiness pouring out of that lead between the verses of this old-style country-sad song. Pure heaven.
Another video treat after the jump...
Heaven is the sound of this man's fingers.
Just heard about this, but tickets are still available! Dickey Betts and Great Southern TONIGHT at Society for Ethical Culture Concert Hall.
Besides attendance at a late 70s outdoor gig with his band "The Allman Brothers" (perhaps you've heard of them), I caught him at BB King's eight or 10 years ago and shared a table with strangers, nearly in the front row. That concert was fantastic: the band was tight; the music compelled you to move and groove. The fans were fanatical, friendly and fun. And Mr. Forrest Richard Betts, in his unmistakeable jazzy-bluegrass-country-blues, played his bittersweet life up and down the neck of his Gibson. When Dickey plays, every note drips with pathos, yet every melody and improvised lead makes your heart soar. The blues have never sounded so happy.
Flashback to I don't know when, but this amazing clip of a long-ago performance illustrates exactly what I mean. Listen to the rich, warm, controlled happiness pouring out of that lead between the verses of this old-style country-sad song. Pure heaven.
Another video treat after the jump...
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Monday, April 23, 2012
Ghost, the Musical
Posted by Mondschein
Yes, another Whoopi Goldberg film has made its way onto the stage, landing at the Lunt-Fontanne laden with scads of sparkling, flashy lights and some remarkably clever stagecraft. Yet, like its predecessors (The Color Purple, and Sister Act), the results are mixed at best. (Full disclosure, I did not see The Color Purple.)
Bruce Joel Rubin's cursory book remains true to the film, telling the story of Sam (Richard Fleeshman) and Molly (Caissie Levy), young lovers parted by Sam's murder at the hands of a hired thug. Unable to move "into the light" Sam eventually connects with Oda Mae (Da'Vine Joy Randolph), a two-bit psychic with heretofore unrealized abilities.
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