Category Archives: News and Happenings
Get Your Hairline Back with SMP
Scalp micropigmentation (SMP) is the modern way to combat male hair loss. Also known as a ‘hairline tattoo’ – the treatment involves applying natural pigments to the epidermal level of the scalp. This makes it easy to replicate the natural appearance of real hair follicles. As a non-surgical treatment it is tailor made to suit your exact requirements. They treat each hairline differently based on the extent of your hair loss.
Skalp® are the leading practitioners of this groundbreaking SMP treatment. Their micropigmentation NYC clinic has helped thousands of men to recover their confidence. All their practitioners are fully qualified in applying scalp microgpigmentation treatments. Read on below to discover more about this amazing hair loss solution.
How much does it cost?
Scalp micropigmentation is the most cost effective hair loss solution due its longevity. The price is very much dependent on the amount of treatment required. On average SMP costs range from $1500 to $4000 for standard male pattern baldness. The higher end of that scale recreates the full hairline, side profiles, top of the head and blending to cover for future hair loss.
Spending $4,000 on a hair transplant would only cover a tiny fraction of the same area. Scalp micropigmentation is not only cheaper way to deal with hair loss. It is also a permanent solution while transplants do not provide that same guarantee.
Is scalp micropigmentation safe?
This is a non-surgical procedure and completely safe. Receiving scalp micropigmentation treatment causes no harm to your skin or your health.
Skalp USA® adhere to the standards set out by the local hygiene regulatory bodies. Only sterile medical gloves are used during the procedure. All single-use needles used are immediately disposed of into sharps containers.
Skalp USA® practitioners have all gone through an advanced in-house scalp micropigmentation training program. They have also all undergone the procedure themselves. This means they can provide first-hand experience about the experience. They also carry full practitioners insurance to provide extra peace of mind.
How long does it last?
There are two options available for scalp micro pigmentation. You can opt for semi-permanent or permanent.
A semi-permanent treatment allows you to try out the service before committing long-term. However, when it starts to fade it can leave the treatment looking patchy or unnatural.
Skalp USA® in NYC provide only permanent solutions as it is more cost effective. This means you will not have to return for regular top-ups and treatments. It also reduces the amount of time you have to take out of your work. This also cuts down on travel time and accommodation costs you may have to incur.
Still unsure? Then try their free virtual hairline mock-up service
Changing your appearance takes trust in how it will look, especially when it comes to your hair. Before you commit to SMP treatment you can try their free virtual hairline. This free mock-up will show how your hairline will look after the application of the solution. You remain in control of the hairline shape, height, density and colour. Their professional team will then produce a professional photo realistic image. Take your time to take in and come to a decision that suits you best.
To find out more contact their scalp micropigmentation clinic in NYC by dialing 855-752-5787.
You can also arrange a free consultation with Skalp USA® online here.
Lady Bunny Special Engagement
So excited to return to the legendary Stonewall Inn for my first ever Christmas show! Expect plenty of raunchy version of Christmas carols, side-splitting one-liners and pop parodies to boot. And you’ll get to meet E-Bunny-Neezer Scrooge, in a demented skit with a cameo by the one and only (thank god!) Bianca Del Rio. Well, not in person, but via recording from LA. Drag Race favorites are skewered as well, and you must meet Lardi B, my version of hip-hop sensation Cardi B.
Christmas Leftovers is a last minute endeavor which came together after seeing a supremely silly performance at Joe’s Pub by my friend John Roberts, who does the voice of Linda on Bob’s Burgers. I also miss Stonewall after my long run of Trans-jester! So I’m back, with a hodge podge of both old and new favorites. Why watch Mariah Carey butcher All I Want For Christmas when you can see me struggle for to hit those high notes? The news is currently so wretched that I just wanted to bring you some holiday glad tidings.
6 shows only beginning December 22nd at 7PM. $25 + 2 drink minimum. 21 and up.
For more info/tix, please visit: https://www.brownpapertickets.
Rebuild Collagen From Within – Peptides
I used to work in advanced skincare at Neiman Marcus in Chicago. I was there for three years. Seemed like every other month, some new product would come out, claiming to be revolutionary! Well it makes sense; Skin care is a $121 BILLION industry globally, and an $11 BILLION industry in the US. And it shows no signs of slowing down. People care about their skin and companies spend millions in research and development, searching for the “fountain of youth”. Or at least products the slow down the aging process.
Skin care awareness and consciousness are some of the driving forces behind the booming industry, says Kathleen Zacrep, MarketResearch.com.
Although older consumers are still key to marketing efforts, younger consumers are becoming more aware of the value in taking care of their skin, notes Zacrep. (read more about the markets and trends here.)
I was at a party recently and someone was talking about collagen supplements. “Injestibles” vs topicals. I guess they have been around for a few years, but I had not heard of them. It’s all about healing and repairing from the inside.
While collagen supplements have long existed in specialty vitamin stores, in the past couple years they’ve expanded to drug and grocery stores and are proliferating rapidly. The promise of all these pills, powders, and drinks is enough to get anyone’s attention and sounds too futuristic to be real: You can swallow a pill and turn back the clock, not just by plumping fine lines for a few hours or days, but by causing your own body to rebuild its collagen from within.
It is backed with clinical research. Research seems to indicate that there’s something real to those claims. In a large double-blind, placebo-controlled study published in early 2014, women took 2.5 g of a particular hydrolyzed collagen peptide once a day; after 8 weeks, researchers measured a 20% reduction in wrinkle depth around the women’s eyes.
I am all about turning back time!
After doing my own research, I found this company, Vital Proteins.
They say, “Vital Proteins helps people feel better and live fuller lives through sustainably-sourced nutrition products, promoting health, fitness and natural beauty. We do that by providing nourishing collagen and promoting our production of collagen – an essential nutrient stripped from our diets by modern food-processing.
We know that while our bodies’ collagen production slows as we age, our need for it only grows as our bodies become less efficient and we maintain a vibrant life. And Vital Proteins believes that if you want to, you can make the most out of every moment you’re given – that your body shouldn’t be a limitation, but a catalyst.”
QUALITY – “Our products are natural sources of essential proteins, sourced from pasture-raised cows in Brazil and New Zealand and wild-caught fish in Hawaii. Why go so many extra miles for these sources? Because there’s nothing more important than one’s health, and we believe the body needs and deserves high-quality building blocks for life’s adventures.“
So I decided to give it a try. Not only is it supposed to be good for your skin, but helps your hairs, nails, bones and digestive system.
The company arranged for me to try a 30 day kit. It included 2 pills; Beef liver capsules and Beauty Boost Capsules. A box of Collagen peptide powder – that I made a drink with. And Collagen Creamer to add to morning coffee. It was a 30 day supply but I did miss a few days. So it lasted about 40 days. I can honestly say, and I was not paid to say this, I thought my skin had improved and looked better, it had a bit of a “glow”, my hair felt thicker, and my digestive tract felt like it had improved. (I am 53, by the way).
And you don’t have to take my word for it – this company has been featured in many prominent articles.
I strongly encourage you to check these products out! – we give it 5 pink crowns!
Broadway Cares holiday CD
Dear Evan Hansen, Come From Away, Hamilton, Waitress and A Bronx Tale.
The Christmas season is in full show tune swing now that the 19th volume of Broadway’s Carols for a Cure has arrived. The latest compilation from the beloved series continues Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS’ tradition of pairing the casts from award-winning Broadway musicals with seasonal songs that are both classic and new. Once again, the result is pure magic and is sure to help make the 2017 holiday season shine brighter than ever before.
“These are all new, original recordings, creatively arranged and performed by the incredibly talented performers and musicians from the 2017 Broadway season,” explains producer Lynn Pinto who, once again, collaborates with engineer Andros Rodriguez on the album. Pinto allows each company a great deal of freedom in choosing the material and the style of the arrangement. She adds, “We record the musicians and singers in layers, utilizing isolation booths for a higher quality recording. It gives the album a unique sound from most cast albums and allows us to showcase some of the best voices and instrumentalists in the world.”
The first Broadway’s Carols for a Cure album debuted in 1999, making this year’s album the 19th in the annual series. Fans of Broadway will be overjoyed to hear recordings from Tony Award winning casts of Dear Evan Hansen, Hamilton, Come From Away and many more:
Highlights are copious but include Billy Porter and the cast of Kinky Boots singing an all-new, rockin’ version of “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” and the cast of A Bronx Tale performing “I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day” in a New Yawker-style that will have listeners humming for days.Additionally, Meghan Toohey (Sara Barielles’ long-time guitarist) serves up a lovely 1960s-style original song, “Wonder What You Got For Me,” featuring the talented Anastacia McCleskey and the rest of the company and band from Waitress; and Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens, the composer/lyricist team behind Anastasia perform their original carol, “All Those Christmas Cliches,” along with their award-winning cast.
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is a nonprofit organization that helps individuals with serious illnesses including AIDS receive the health care and support they need. In addition, they provide financial support in the form of grants to AIDS and family service organizations throughout the country.
“The 19th volume of Broadway’s Carols for a Cure is the best yet,” promises Lynn Pinto. “It exudes such warmth, like a cozy blanket on a snowy Winter’s day.”
The 2-CD set is in the web store at BroadwayCares.org or by calling Broadway Cares at 212-840-0770.
Rick Skye as Liza! Nov. 25th
RICK SKYE STARS AS LIZA MINNELLI
IN
DON’T TELL MAMA’S NEW HIT SHOW
BAZAZZ!
A SEQUINED VARIETY
Saturday, November 25th
Rick Skye, who won the 2017 MAC Award for “Best Impersonation,” opened Don’t Tell Mama’s new monthly variety show Bazaaz! A Sequined Variety last month to a sold-out audience and the media is buzzing. In New York magazine said, “There’s a new sequined variety show in town that is a must see!”
The show features Skye’s heralded impersonation as Liza Minnelli singing in his own voice and showcases award-winning impersonations, guest performers and Skye’s Kit Kat Boyz. Bazaaz! A Sequined Variety will next play on Saturday, November 25th at 8:00PM.
Liz Smith said, “Save your Saturday nights every month, from now on. Why? Because down at New York’s famous Don’t Tell Mama cabaret,Rick Skye is the host with the most at Bazazz! A Sequined Variety. Skye’s impersonation of Minnelli is sensitive, boisterous and moving although ’impersonation’ is too banal a word for his affectionate, on-target work.”
Skye is well-known in London and New York for having written and performed in a series of outrageously comic, award-winning shows including The Flip Side of Neil Sedaka, which earned him a Bistro Award, A Slice O’Minnelli and The War of the Mama Roses. His show Its Madame with an E! played Atlantic City and Las Vegas and brought him to television where he appeared on Watch What Happens, Live! With Andy Cohen and Celebrity Apprentice as well as Fox & Friends and the WB. His most recent success was Judy and Liza Together Again which closed after an unprecedented seven-year run at Don’t Tell Mama’s and garnered two MAC Awards.
He has performed in many shows as Liza Minnelli in a number of hit shows that played internationally. He co-starred with Steven Brinberg in the London production of Barbra and Liza LIVE! which played the Dublin Gay Theater Festival and he toured with Liza LIVE! playing the New Players Theater in London and many spots in England. A Slice O’ Minnelli enjoyed successful seasons at the Apollo Theatre in London’s West End, The Dublin and Edinburgh Festivals, and from cities New York to Chicago. Critics called Skye “Masterful…Astonishing…
Skye’s special guests in November’s Bazaaz! A Sequined Variety will include Steven Brinberg as Barbra Streisand and entertainer Sidney Myer. Cabaret favorite Rick Ritzel is the evening’s Musical Director.
Bazaaz! A Sequined Variety will also play on:
Friday, December 29 – Guest stars TBA
Sunday, December 31 – Guest stars TBA
Don’t Tell Mama’s is located at 343 West 46th Street in New York City. There is a $20.00 Cover/2 Drink Minimum (Cash only). Reservations can be made at www.donttellmamanyc.com.
Louis Vuitton Exhibit thru January 2018
As travel changed, so did luggage.
That’s the story told by an elaborate exhibition about Louis Vuitton, the luxury luggage and fashion brand.
The exhibition, free to visit and on display in Lower Manhattan through Jan. 7, is called “Volez, Voguez, Voyagez,” which means fly, sail, travel. It showcases the company’s history, products and craftsmanship, demonstrating how designs changed with the evolution of travel. Luggage was designed first for transport by wagon, then for travel by sea, on trains, in cars and planes.
Trunks and bags are shown behind glass like works of art in a series of museum-like galleries. Lids open to reveal intricate compartments as if they were the contents of treasure chests. Included are cases and carriers designed for everything from toiletries to hats, from picnics to art supplies. Trunks with small drawers protected fragile objects; standing trunks had roll-out wardrobe racks so clothes could be hung, not folded. A plane is on display, along with a boat.
LOUIS VUITTON EXHIBITION: 86 Trinity Place, through Jan. 7. Free. Tickets not required but timed reservations are available at https://ticketing.louisvuitton.com/content/ticket-options . Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Sundays 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Check website for holiday hours. READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE.
Torch Song with Michael Urie
Michael Urie takes on Harvey Fierstein’s epic play
Harvey Fierstein’s Torch Song was originally written as a trilogy of three plays, but is now more commonly performed as one play in three acts. Centering around a gay Jewish drag performance artist and torch singer as he searches for love, purpose, and family, this epic, four-hour work focuses on three different periods in Arnold’s turbulent life. Dealing with heartbreak, bigotry from close quarters and raising a family, this touching drama first premiered in 1978, Off-Off Broadway. Torch Song will be helmed by Moises Kaufman and star Michael Urie, the Drama Desk, Lucille Lortel and LA Critics Award winning actor of Buyer & Cellar.
An iconic play returns to New York
Fierstein’s drama arrived on Broadway in 1982, winning two Tony Awards for Best Play and Best Actor in a Play (Fierstein) running for an epic 1,222 performances, before being adapted for the silver screen in 1988, also starring Fierstein, Matthew Broderick and Anne Bancroft, and directed by Paul Bogart. – As a young boy seeing this in 1982, I was awestruck and emotionally moved! And to see it with Matthew Broderick and Estelle Getty! What a cast!
Michael Urie first came to international prominence in the hit TV show Ugly Betty, and has since appeared as an immature NSA contractor on The Good Wife. On stage, he is most well-known for his one-man led show Buyer and Cellar, which premiered Off- 2013 to rapturous reviews, winning the Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Solo Show. Urie’s performance was universally praised for playing multiple roles in the show, including Barbra Streisand! Now he is set to take on the role that Fierstein wrote and originated himself.
More info at 2ndStage
Rainbow Flag Dedication
RAINBOW FLAG TO BE DEDICATED ON WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11,
AT STONEWALL NATIONAL MONUMENT
ON MANHATTAN’S CHRISTOPHER STREET
NEW YORK CEREMONY MARKS FIRST TIME
THAT THE INTERNATIONAL LGBT SYMBOL
WILL BE DISPLAYED PERMANENTLY ON FEDERAL LAND
The Rainbow Flag, the international symbol of LGBT liberation and pride, will be unveiled in a special ceremony on Wednesday, October 11 at 12:00 Noon at the historic Stonewall National Monument, where, thanks to the efforts of activists, it now claims a permanent home. This historic event marks the first time that the LGBT flag waves over federally-funded land, under the permanent stewardship of the National Park Service.
Stonewall National Monument is located in Christopher Street Park in New York’s Greenwich Village. The park is on the corner of Christopher Street and 7th Avenue South.
The event will be emceed by Gay USA television co-host Ann Northrop. Performers will include Telly Leung, who plays the title role in Disney’s “Aladdin on Broadway” and Cantor Steve Zeidenberg of Congregation Beit Simchat Torah. Speakers will be Leslie Cagan, an organizer of the 1987 March on Washington for LGBT Rights, National Park Service’s Chief of Interpretation, Education and Visitor Services Barbara Applebaum, Kiara St. James, Executive Director of New York Transgender Advocacy Group, and LGBT and AIDS activist Michael Petrelis who spearheaded this initiative.
“It is a victory for our Community to have these symbolic colors flying majestically over our Stonewall, designated as a National Monument by President Obama, even as our LGBTQ brothers and sisters are under attack by the current regime in power,” said Michael Petrelis. He went on to say, “As we gather today, we are reminded of another October 11, thirty years ago, when the names of our fallen comrades were symbolically celebrated on another national monument – the AIDS Quilt — during the reign of another President who waged an attack against us.”
October 11 marks the thirtieth anniversary of the historic 1987 March on Washington for Lesbian Gay Rights–when the NAMES Project AIDS Quilt was unfurled on the National Mall. The date also marks the annual National Coming Out Day, a day celebrating the idea that all members of the LGBTQ community should be able to live their lives openly, honestly, and with pride.
The flag, which was originally designed by the late artist and activist Gilbert Baker, consists of six stripes: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet. The flag is typically flown horizontally, with the red stripe on top, as would appear in a natural rainbow.
Support for the ceremony is being generously provided by Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS helps men, women and children across the country and across the street receive lifesaving medications, health care, nutritious meals, counseling and emergency financial assistance. broadwaycares.org
Gilbert Baker died in New York City on March 31 at the age of 65. Memorials to the internationally known activist were held across the globe in subsequent weeks.
The Stonewall Inn was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1999.
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is one of the nation’s leading industry-based, nonprofit AIDS fundraising and grant-making organizations. By drawing upon the talents, resources, and generosity of the American theatre community, since 1988 BC/EFA has raised more than $300 million for essential services for people with AIDS and other critical illnesses across the United States.
Cher Show Heading to Broadway
It’s official – the new musical using Cher’s songs to tell her story — with three actresses playing different aspects of her life — is heading for Broadway 2018.
“The Cher Show” will play first in Chicago, beginning performances June 12 at the Oriental Theater and running for five weeks. It will then transfer to the Neil Simon Theater on Broadway, opening next fall, the producers, Flody Suarez and Jeffrey Seller, said Thursday.
“We have been discussing this musical for 10 years,” Cher, a pop star and Academy Award-winning actress, said in a statement. “It’s exciting and scary.”
The musical has an unusual approach — it will be structured like a variety show, nodding to “The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour,” which helped propel her to celebrity in the 1970s. The show currently features all or part of 35 to 40 of Cher’s best known songs.
“The Cher Show” is one of many jukebox biomusicals now in development, including “Summer: The Donna Summer Musical,” also featuring three actresses playing the title role, which is scheduled to run this fall at La Jolla Playhouse in California; “Ain’t Too Proud — The Life and Times of the Temptations,” now playing at Berkeley Repertory Theater in California; and “Tina: The Tina Turner Musical,” which is scheduled to open in London next spring.
Best Scalp Hairline Tattoo in New York!
USE YOUR HEAD WITH SKALP®
Hair loss is a difficult subject to broach for many people. It is a topic that can cause embarrassment and social awkwardness, creating undue pressure and stress. Hair loss is as old as mankind itself but still far too many people are left to deal with this unfair stigma in silence.
While the scientific search for a permanent cure for baldness continues, recent advances in medical technology has seen an exciting new treatment become available that was never before possible. This simple technique has changed the lives of thousands of men and women in both the UK and America.
The Skalp™ Micropigmentation solution has revolutionised the hair restoration industry, offering people the chance to regain their hairline and, just as importantly, their confidence. This breakthrough procedure avoids the need to undergo invasive surgery and its adaptability allows it to be applied to men, no matter their age, colour or stage of hair-loss.
Skalp™ lead the way in breaking down outdated taboos and fears associated with hair loss. You may have read about their amazing technique in Men’s Health, or seen their exclusive features on ITV and Channel 4’s Bodyshockers in the UK.
What makes their micropigmentation treatment so effective is the ability to offer such consistent coverage. A front, side or rear hairline can be simulated to give the look of a full head of hair. It can also be used to complement a recent hair transplant operation, or help to camouflage any scarring, alopecia or birthmarks.
How it works couldn’t be easier. Using a micro needle application, Skalp’s fully qualified and highly skilled practitioners are able to create a permanent medical hairline tattoo, which in most cases only takes 2-3 sessions to complete. In order to create the most realistic finish to match the existing texture of your hair follicles, 3-4 pigment shades are used to ensure the best accuracy possible.
Best of all, it doesn’t matter if you are in the early or latter stages of hair loss because the Skalp™ Micropigmentation treatment can perfectly restore a full or partial hairline.
There are six stages involved, with each one carefully implemented to guarantee you get the most out of the application. Skalp offer a free consultation as the first step so you can find out everything you need about the process, while their staff talk through the best options available to you. If you decide to proceed, you will then see an invaluable and free virtual hairline mock-up of how it will look once finished.
The treatment process itself is spread across 2-3 sessions, with each one lasting up to 4 hours, depending on the depth of micropigmentation required. Once perfection has been reached the service doesn’t stop there. Their aftercare support provides detailed advice to help customers keep their scalp in the best condition.
With clinics located in the UK and US in New York, Skalp™ is an accessible procedure open to a vast majority of the country. Rather than just take my word for it, get in touch and discover how it can change your life.
For more information call Toll-free 1-855-752-5787 or email usa@skalp.com
New York LGBT Memorial
From the governor’s office:
“This stunning design complements the landscape and communicates a timeless message of inclusion, and this monument will serve as an enduring symbol of the role New Yorkers play in building a fairer, more just world,” Governor Cuomo said. “From Stonewall to marriage equality, New York has always been a beacon for justice and we will never waiver in our commitment to the LGBT community and to creating a more just and inclusive society. This new monument will stand up for those values for generations to come.”
Following the tragic shooting in Orlando, Florida on June 12, 2016, Governor Cuomo issued Executive Order No. 158, establishing the LGBT Memorial Commission, with the mission to design and build a new memorial in honor of the LGBT community and the victims of the Orlando shooting. The Commission issued a request for proposals in October 2016, and all submissions were judged on their interpretation and clarity of the theme, creativity and originality of depicted theme, quality of artistic composition, site compatibility, and constructability, among other factors.
The site specific design works in harmony with the existing attributes of Hudson River Park and promotes thought and reflection while encouraging people to unite in a communal environment. It will feature nine modified boulders, some of which are bisected with a clear, laminated, borosilicate-glass with refractory components that act as a prism to create subtle rainbow patterns on the surrounding lawn and nearby objects.
Said Goicolea:
“I am honored to join Governor Cuomo and the LGBT Memorial Commission on this important project to remember those who have been victims of hate, violence, and intolerance, while celebrating the beauty of the LGBT community. This monument will serve as a communal space filled with light, color, and hope where the visitors can sit, mourn, love, and remember for years to come. I am grateful to the Governor and his administration for the opportunity to be a part of this historic moment.”
Max Emerson’s HOOKED June 26
Max Emerson & NewFest to Debut the U.S. Premiere of Hooked , An Original Film on LGBT Homeless Youth
Instagram Icon Max Emerson (@Maxisms) will premiere his crowdfunded film Hooked in New York City on Monday, June 26th.
The feature film Hooked , written and directed by Instagram superstar Max Emerson, will make its U.S. premiere on Monday June 26th at 8pm. Hooked received its world premiere last month at Toronto’s Inside Out Festival, propelled by more than $200,000 in crowdfunded donations from over one thousand participants.
The premiere is presented in partnership with NewFest: New York’s LFBT Film & Media Arts Organization and the Ali Forney Center.
Hooked tells the story of Jack, a homeless teenage prostitute with a smart mouth and impulsive tendencies. He battles through a violent world of reckless “Johns” between New York City and Miami, desperately seeking a better life with his boyfriend Tom. This timely narrative feature debut from Emerson poignantly captures the under-covered plight of LGBTQ youth. Funded through crowdsourcing and a commitment to donating to LGBTQ organizations, Hooked is proof that cinema can tell powerful stories of underrepresented populations while directly giving back to the community. Half of all proceeds from Hooked will be donated to LGBTQ homeless youth shelters including Ali Forney Center, Albert Kennedy Trust, LA LGBT Center and Lost N’ Found.
All proceeds from this evening will benefit homeless LGBTQ youth via the Ali Forney Center. The film premieres at 8:00pm, preceded by a 6:30pm cocktail reception. Tickets are $25 ($15 for NewFest Members) and can be purchased
here: newfest.org/film/hooked . VIP tickets are also available for $75 and include a “meet and greet” with Max and a gift bag. Both tickets include cocktail reception.
There will be a talkback directly following the screening with Max Emerson and the cast and crew.
The film stars Conor Donnally, Katie McClellan (NBC’s Believe) , Terrance Murphy (USA’s Burn Notice ), Sean Ormond, Jared Sandler (CBS’s Kevin Can Wait ), Casper Andreas (Kiss Me, Kill Me) and Steve Hayes (Trick). Max Emerson and Melissa Llewellyn serve as producers, alongside executive producer (and GLAAD Board Member) Anthony Watson.
Writer & Director Max Emerson says: “I couldn’t be more excited to finally be sharing this piece with my community. Working with NewFest and Ali Forney Center is such an honor, and has been nothing less than a pleasure. It’s taken countless time and effort from everyone involved in this project, so it’s a real treat to finally be able to put this little melodrama out into the world.”
“NewFest has a long history of supporting emerging filmmakers and community partners,” said Robert Kushner, Executive Director of NewFest . “Max Emerson’s poignant debut feature Hooked is an opportunity to celebrate a new voice in filmmaking, while shining a light on marginalized members of the LGBT community via The Ali Forney Center for homeless LGBT youth.”
“As longtime partners with Max Emerson, the Ali Forney Center is humbled and honored to be a beneficiary of his first feature-length film, which we have so proudly watched grow from idea to reality,” said Carl Siciliano, founder and Executive Director of the Ali Forney Center . “Support and generosity from individuals like Max helps educate people worldwide about the perils of LGBTQ youth homelessness, and for that we are most grateful.”
Max Emerson ( @Maxisms ) is an actor, model, YouTuber, activist and media personality. Well known in the gay and entertainment landscapes, he’s built a rabid fanbase among his 750,000+ Instagram followers with his adventurous spirit, good looks and fearless attitude. Max has been seen on numerous TV shows including ABC’s The Real O’Neals and FOX’s Glee, and is often recognized from ad campaigns with major brands like Abercrombie and Target. He recently wrote, directed and produced his first feature length film Hooked and is the author of Hot Sissy, now available via his website: www.maxismsmedia.com.
Founded in 1988, NewFest is a non-profit 501(C)(3) dedicated to giving voice and visibility to the full spectrum of the LGBT experience through year-round screenings, community empowerment programs, and our signature annual event, New York’s LGBT Film Festival. As the largest convener of LGBT audiences in New York, we proudly shine a light on the diverse stories that make our community unique, while nurturing and supporting the filmmakers whose work inspires dialogue, shifts cultural bias and creates positive
change. For information on our programs, partnerships, or how to support, visit www.NewFest.org .
The Ali Forney Center ‘s mission is to protect LGBTQ youths from the harms of homelessness and empower them with the tools needed to live independently. Since AFC’s launch with just six beds in a church basement, the organization has grown to become the largest agency dedicated to LGBTQ homeless youths in the country—assisting nearly 1,400 youths per year through a 24-hour Drop-In Center which provides over 70,000 meals annually, medical and mental health services through an on-site clinic, and a scattered site housing program.
INFORMATION ABOUT HOOKED:
www.HookedProject.com
Trailer: http://bit.ly/HookedTrailer Photos/Poster: http://bit.ly/
INFORMATION ABOUT MAX:
www.youtube.com/TheMaxVicious www.instagram.com/Maxisms www.maxismsmedia.com
Bette Midler Wins TONY Award
CONGRATS TO BETTE!
Great speech and she took time to honor Carol Channing and Pearl Bailey, it’s and class!
She shuts down the orchestra!
See Glenn Close present Bette Midler with the Tony Award for Best Performance By An Actress In A Leading Role In A Musical for her work in Hello, Dolly! WATCH.
CHER on Broadway 2018
A musical based on Cher‘s life is slated to debut on Broadway in 2018. The singer confirmed the news on Tuesday night on her Twitter account.
“Just got off phone w/Writer & Director of musical,” Cher wrote. “There will [be] performance in theatre with actors, dancers, singers!! It’ll be on Broadway 2018.”
News of a possible musical production tracing Cher’s life – and using Cher’s extensive catalog of pop hits – surfaced in January, when the singer attended a read-through of the production. According to The New York Post, Jason Moore, known for Pitch Perfect, will direct. Rick Elice, of Jersey Boys, penned the musical. Three different actresses will portray Cher at various points in her life. At the read-through, one of the actresses was Tony Award-winner Lena Hall.
After Cher attended the event in January, she tweeted her support for the project. “Just walked [off] the musical,” she wrote. “I SOBBED & LAUGHED & I WAS PREPARED NOT 2 LIKE IT. AUDIENCE CLAPPED AFTER SONGS & GAVE IT STANDING OVATION.”
Earlier this year, the singer accepted the Icon Award at the Billboard Music Awards. “I’ve wanted to do what I do since I was four years-old,” she said during her speech. “And I’ve been doing it for 53 years … I’m 71 yesterday. And I can do a five-minute plank, ok? Just saying.”
Gilbert Baker Rally and March June 14th
To Honor the Late Gilbert Baker, Rainbow Flag Creator,
On Flag Day: Wednesday, June 14
Followed by Protest March to Christopher Street Pier
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A celebration of Gilbert Baker in San Francisco, his home for decades and the site of the creation of the Rainbow Flag in 1978, will happen Thursday, June 8, at 7:00pm at the Castro Theatre, 429 Castro Street, San Francisco, CA 94114. People globally are urged to hold their own protests and memorials.
Baker was born in Chanute, Kansas, on June 2, 1951. He served in the US Army 1970-1972, which stationed him in San Francisco just at the start of the gay liberation movement. After being honorably discharged, Baker stayed in San Francisco and taught himself to sew. He began creating flags for civic and state events, most notably the 1984 Democratic National Convention.
In 1994 Baker created a mile-long Rainbow Flag for the 25th anniversary of the Stonewall Riot 1969 in New York City. Carried by 5,000 people, it was the world’s largest flag before Baker broke his own record in 2003 with a new flag created for Key West Pride that extended from the Atlantic Ocean to the Caribbean Sea. Baker also created a series of Rainbow Flag-inspired paintings for galleries and museums internationally. The Rainbow Flag is in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art. Most recently, Baker completed a new nine-color Rainbow Flag, adding a lavender stripe for diversity.
Gilbert Baker leaves behind mother Patricia Baker and sister Ardonna Baker Cook.
