Category Archives: Movers and Shakers
Quentin Crisp Scores at Tribeca Film Festival
I have been waiting for this movie for over a year! It’s finally here – and getting good reviews!
Michael Musto reported at the Village Voice this week, “Quentin Crisp was the frilly British poufter who ceaselessly spouted aphorisms, his wit hiding the fact that he had come of age through oppression and abuse in puritanical England. In the ’70s, he came to New York to do a live show and stayed, showering us with his wisdoms, hats, and weird viewpoints.
And now, he’s come back to rule at the Tribeca Film Festival, where those later years have provided fodder for a fascinating film. I just saw An Englishman in New York, which is about Quentin’s Gotham years, with John Hurt–who already perfected him in the 1975 TV movie Naked Civil Servant)–as the epigram-spewing, gracious, yet sometimes offensive Brit.
The film accurately shows Crisp’s immersion into the gay New York culture as an observer (and critic for the New York Native), and also documents his tripping up by labeling AIDS “a fad,” adding that homosexuals are always complaining about some ailment or other. Much like that other queen–the one played by Helen Mirren–he then finds hhimself in an ethical quandary as to whether to undo his gesture, apologize for it, explain it, or let it be.
Hurt is absolutely brilliant in the role, as expected, capturing all the grandeur, charm, and defense mechanisms. The only drawbacks are that Crisp’s witty sayings sometimes seem contrivedly woven into conversation (though that’s usually how he DID talk). And that Cynthia Nixon tends to downplay the abrasiveness (and I’m using that word in a good way, sort of) of performance artist Penny Arcade. ( And NICK ADAMS, who we adore! makes an appearance!! ) Still, I’m very glad this Englishman came back to New York one more time.
The Best of Gay New York
Laurie Krauz Wins 2009 Bistro Award from Back Stage
NEW YORK singing sensation Laurie Krauz and her TAPESTRY REWOVEN show is being honored by the prestigious industry publication, Back Stage, with a 2009 Bistro Award which will be given during the annual gala event in New York City.
More than 30 of cabaret’s brightest stars will be honored at the 24th annual Bistro Awards, which will take place on Tuesday, April 28 at Gotham Comedy Club. International singer-songwriter-actor Charles Aznavour will be honored with the Bob Harrington Lifetime Achievement Award. Liza Minnelli, Tony-, Oscar-, and Emmy-winning performer, will be recognized in the category of Enduring Artistry. Each of these stars will present the Award to the other–a Bistro first.
Tapestry Rewoven, is a jazz re-imagining of the Carole King classic, which has been playing to packed houses and standing ovations with buzz that’s been, literally, off the charts! Her show has been playing at New York City’s fabulous IRIDIUM JAZZ CLUB and the critics rave!
Laurie Krauz thrills audiences with her award-winning, blues-influenced jazz vocals and her powerful emotional range. Blazing new musical territory, Laurie combines improvisational elements with the passion and sensuality found in other forms of music to create a unique, soulful jazz – “she creates a mood and weaves a musical story with every cell of her being.” She was recently named one of the top jazz vocalists of all time by noted jazz critic, Scott Yanow. In 2007 and 2008 Laurie was named best Female Jazz Vocalist by the Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs (MAC).
Laurie explains how the whole idea of re-imagining the classic Tapestry came to be..”About four years ago I was at the gym listening to You’ve Got a Friend from Carole King’s legendary recording, Tapestry. From out of nowhere the phrase “Tapestry Rewoven” came into my head. At first I thought about singing this tune, which I had never done. As I continued my workout I realized that the phrase meant something much more—that I could approach the entire album and re-imagine it from a jazz sensibility.
The idea excited me musically and emotionally. For women of my generation, Tapestry was more than just a great album. It was virtually our religion!”
Laurie is currently doing some shows in Los Angeles and Chicago and will be back at the Iridium May 5th, June 2nd, July 7th and August 4th, with 2 shows each night!
“… a masterwork not unlike her idol’s,” David Finkle, Back Stage
WATCH A CLIP OF LAURIE KRAUZ ON HER SITE
Bistro Awards Gala Tickets
The Best of Gay New York
Jesse Archer – Jess on the Brink! The Breeders Are Coming!
NEW YORK CITY
is full of great writers and actors!
One of our favorites is JESSE ARCHER.
Jesse Archer grew up in the beaver state of Oregon, which inspired him to get around. He has since lived and worked in Los Angeles, Paris, Buenos Aires, Capetown, and New York City.
Since graduating from the University of Southern California with a bachelor’s degree in Theatre, Jesse traveled the world before landing in New York City. He appeared in the Off-Broadway hit Birdy’s Bachelorette Party and on film in Boy Culture. Jesse also stars in the gay romantic comedy favorites Slutty Summer and A Four Letter Word (which he co-wrote with director Casper Andreas).
Jesse also writes freelance, including a monthly column for Out magazine. His first book will really make you appreciate flush toilets. You Can Run: Gay, Glam, and Gritty Travels in South America (Out in the World) is based on the intrepid two years Jesse spent sparkling through South America.
His recent entry in OUT, really made me laugh. Titled DIRE STRAIGHTS, it discusses this new trend of straight people taking over gay bars!
He observes”Are they lost? May I point you in the direction of the nearest Irish Pub? But they are not lost. Straights are here on purpose, flagrantly flaunting their otherness. The best gay dance club in Berlin today is half straight. Even in our own country, drag dens, once regularly raided by police, are now raided by the roiling hotbed of estrogen known as the bachlorette party, full of women armed with penis straws and pecker necklaces.”
“We must draw the line in the glitter,” he adds. “How to defend our formerly unspoiled territory. Curious customers gladly pay admission to see inside P.T. Barnum’s circus sideshow. The general public has become increasingly fascinated with our community folklore.”
And my partner and I see this all the time, in cities everywhere. Friday and Saturday nights bring out what we like to affectionately call, the bridge and tunnel crowds. The sightseers. The suburbanites. Who want to hang with the gays and get fall-down drunk, and try to lick the muscle boys who have their shirts off. Enough already! I believe a gaggle of women should not be allowed in gay bars, unless accompanied by at least one gay friend. We know a bar in Chicago that requires each woman, be accompanied by at least one gay man. No groups of women are allowed.
Like my Mother-in-Law used to always say, “What are you gonna do?!”
Currently Jesse clings to the fringe of Manhattan, at the end of Alphabet City. Check out his blog and his writings!
“If you’re not sparkling, what the are you doing?! ”
Jesse on the Brink Jesse’s Blog Jesse on MySpace
More of Jesse Archer at OUT Magazine
The Best of Gay New York
Broadway’s Adams, Holbrook & Hughes Featured in PAPER Mag’s ‘Beautiful People’ Issue
Broadway HOTTIES Nick Adams, Curtis Holbrook and Van Hughes are featured in the April issue of PAPER MAGAZINE on stands now. The talented trio are included in the magazine’s 12th annual “Beautiful People” issue.
Nick Adams , who I am in love with 🙂 , is currently starring as Liver Lips Louis in the revival of “Guys and Dolls“, is best known for his role as Larry in the recent Broadway revival of “A Chorus Line” opposite Mario Lopez. Later this year, he will also appear in the film, “An Englishman in New York,” starring John Hurt, Cynthia Nixon, and Swoozie Kurtz.
Curtis Holbrook is getting acclaim for his work as “Action” in West Side Story at the Palace Theatre in New York City.
Van Hughes will soon be seen in the new Broadway musical-comedy, 9 To 5: The Musical starring Allison Janney, Stephanie J. Block, Megan Hilty, and two-time Tony Award nominee Marc Kudisch which will begin preview performances on Tuesday, April 7, 2009 and will open Thursday, April 30, 2009, at the Marriott Marquis Theatre (1535 Broadway). 9 To 5: The Musical marks the Broadway debut of seven-time Grammy Award winning singer, songwriter and musician Dolly Parton as composer and lyricist.
See the Beautiful Broadway Boys at Paper online!
The Best of Gay New York and The New Gay Travel Guide
Make Me A SuperModel Ronnie Kroell at SPLASH BAR
RONNIE KROELL –
former Make Me A SuperModel contestant,
is in New York this week performing at SPLASH BAR.
Wednesday March 18th at the SIX DEGREES PARTY.
Meet Ronnie and hear him sing his first single, “Miserable Attraction.” 10pm.
Ronnie Kroell, most recently of Bravo’s “Make Me a Supermodel” season one, is one of the most motivated, creative, and talented artists of his generation.
Not only has he moved from Chicago to NYC to pursue his dream of being a Supermodel, but he now has become a triple threat as he explores his acting and musical career.
The Best of Gay New York
New York Fashion Week in Bryant Park…Who Will Win Project Runway? And Who Will Be A Hot Tranny Mess?
The fashion industry’s finest, and the celebrities who love them, are descending on Bryant Park for Mercedes Benz Fashion Week all this week, from September 5-12, 2008.
On Thursday night the 11th, last years winner Christian Siriano will be showing his collection.
Then Friday morning, 3 Project Runway finalists from the current season will be showing their goods.
Who will be in?
and who will be a hot tranny mess??
We’ll have to wait a couple more weeks to find out!
All of the hottest designers are showing their Spring 2009 collections to celebs and fashionistas in the tents in Bryant Park on 6th Avenue between 40th and 42nd Streets.
The Best of Gay New York and the New Gay Travel Guide
