Category Archives: News and Happenings
XL Nightclub Presents The Orion Experience
New York’s Fabulous Lady Bunny – Take Me Up High
response that we’re already working on a follow-up single. So stay
tuned! And if you like dancing to this kind of music, please request
“Take Me Up High” on the radio, at the club or wherever you listen to
dance music.
Special thanks go to:
Steve Willis for directing the video and creating it’s concept.
Post production by Cody Swanson (editor), Shannon Laskey (graphics), Dustin Wadsworth and Thomas Ramsey (post effects).
The
groovy dancers in the video are Princess Lockerooo in red, C.J.
Quinones looking all sexy in the tank top and Muffinhead Daehniffum in
all white.
Milk Studios in NYC for donating their exquisite space to a zany drag queen and crew!
Bobby Shaw for everything! And all the DJs who have supported us on our intergalactic quest to make the universe dance.
Billy Erb (NYC) for his amazing album cover photo.
My
friend/phenomenal singer Phillip Ramirez for introducing me to
Wayne/Lybra Records and for always encouraging me to sing and write
music.”
Lybra Records: http://www.lybrarecords.com
+ Pool Will Become a Reality in New York’s Hudson River
It’s going to happen! A pool in the Hudson River! It started with a vision – not it’s going to become a reality!
for everybody to swim in clean river water right here in NYC.
river, what if you started by just cleaning a small piece of it?
what if you could change how New Yorkers see their rivers, just by
giving them a chance to swim in it?
A Kickstarter fund drive was launched with goal of $250,000, “we’ll be able to build the 35′ x
35′ Float Lab off the Brooklyn shore this August, giving everybody a
chance to see and learn about how + POOL will clean the rivers.” – As of July 20th, $273,000 has been raised!
+ POOL is driven by the supporters, backers and collaborators that want
to see the pool in the water as much as we do. So we thought, what if
we broke the pool into bite-size chunks and gave everybody a way to
claim a piece of the pool for themselves?”
Find out how to own your own piece of the pool at Kickstarter!
New York Will Refund Estate Taxes Paid before DOMA Ruling
GOOD NEWS for surviving gay spouses that had to pay estate taxes in New York!
The woman who brought down the Defense of Marriage Act will soon get back thousands of dollars her same-sex marriage cost her.
Following Edie Windsor’s Supreme Court victory last month challenging
DOMA, which denied federal recognition to same-sex couples, Democratic
Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday announced New York would refund estate
taxes paid by surviving spouses of same-sex marriages. The refunds will
be offered to those whose spouses died as recently as 2008, reports the Daily News,
three years before New York legalized same-sex marriage. As the
governor’s office points out, three years is the typical limit for a
taxpayer to file an estate tax claim, credit, or refund.
Cuomo called the compensation “one more step toward justice” in a press release.
Umami Burger Comes To New York City
IT’S HERE! From the West Coast to the East Coast, New York gets its first Umami Burger on Monday, July 29th. A juicy beefy tasty burger with some neat seasonings added make it the best burger around, around to most Californians.
burger and a tuna burger, are some that are special to New York: a duck
burger and a French-dip sandwich.
with a full bar, has waiter service.
SPLASH Bar Announces It Will Close its Doors
Read the exclusive interview with QUEERTY
coming through the doors to take a piece of Splash with them. People can
take a piece of the sheet rock or steal a chair, or take some memory
home with them.
Gay Pride and Health Fair in the Bronx with Hundreds of Entertainers
The new Bronx LGBTQ Center (the “Center”) is pleased to announce final details of its
Gay Walking Tour: New Yorks Grand Central July 29th
..
Did you know
that the current Grand Central building is actually the 3rd incarnation
of the historic building on that site? The current building was also
inches away from the wrecking ball not too long ago! Learn about secret
platforms, top secret rooms and interesting facts and surprises during
this adventure filled with exploring, socializing and learning.
Your professional tour guide
will also share photos from the late 1800’s and early 1900’s that
will amaze you and change your perspective on the building and the
neighborhood surrounding it. Sign up today and meet other
dynamic people in our group while really getting a different
perspective on one of New York’s most famous landmarks. Following the tour the group is invited to stay together for food and drink at a local tavern.
6pm check-in, 6:30pm tour
$15 GET TICKETS
TONIGHT! Boycott AMWAY at CITI Field
New York City Gay Hockey Games Coming Up
The New York City Gay Hockey Association (NYCGHA) is New York’s first official gay hockey organization.
Hockey International and is a Nonprofit Organization under IRS code 501(c)(3).
Developmental teams:
The Hotshots and
Polar Bears
consist of new skaters, beginning players, and a few intermediate players. The
teams are coed and compete in Sky Rink’s Developmental Division.
Novice and beginner players may try out to join a team at
season breaks. Games are always free to spectators, and everyone is welcome to
cheer them on and meet the players after the games.
Recreational teams:
The Boxers,
Westies, and
Wizards
are coed teams consisting of intermediate players competing in Sky Rink’s
Divisions Seven and Eight. The teams play most Saturday nights and all are
welcomed to cheer on the teams and meet the players after the games.
It’s free!
Competitive team:
The NY Lions play a more
intense game than our developmental or recreational teams. The competitive
teams are coed and consist of intermediate and advanced players. Playing most
Friday nights, the NY Lions compete in Sky Rink’s Division Six. Skilled players
are welcome to try out and join the team. Everyone is welcome to cheer on the
team and meet the players after the games. It’s free.
Tournaments:
Players from our competitive and recreational teams compete in international LGBT
tournaments in Boston, Denver, Los Angeles, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver, and
Washington. Schedule
of Upcoming Tournaments. Additionally, we host NYC’s annual Chelsea
Challenge tournament the weekend before Gay Pride. The NYCGHA generally fields one
to three teams at most tournaments. The level of play at the tournaments ranges from
competitive (including former Division 1 and Junior Pro players) to recreational and
novice divisions. Recreational, skilled and highly-skilled players are encouraged
to try out and join a travel team.
More info online NYC Gay Hockey
4th Annual Barclays Oasis Summer Benefit July 17th
Gay New York Resort Cherry Grove gets Historic Recognition
Decades before the 1969 Stonewall riots in New York City, lesbians
and gay men were living freely and openly in a place called Cherry
Grove.
The seaside resort on Fire Island,
about 60 miles east of Manhattan, was known as far back as the late
1940s as a sanctuary where gay writers, actors and businesspeople from
the city and beyond escaped to relax, hold hands and show affection in
public.
“It’s
probably one of the earliest examples of don’t ask, don’t tell,” Carl
Luss said after learning in June that the Cherry Grove Community House
and Theater, opened in 1948, added to the National Register of Historic
Places. The theater was cited for being the oldest continuously
operating gay and lesbian theater in the United States.
“The message is, we have arrived, finally,” said Diane Romano, president of the Cherry Grove Community Association.
READ MORE
New Yorks THE CENTER presents Drag By Definition
Drag by Definition
Tuesday, July 23, 7 p.m.
Tickets: $5
Click here to purchase tickets.
Think you know “ferocious?” How about “legendary?” Or are you serving “circus drag?”
We’re having a kiki with Phi-Phi O’Hara and Titania Steele, two of today’s hottest drag queens (you may have seen Phi-Phi on a little show called “RuPaul’s Drag Race”) to talk the queen’s English and give you the inside scoop on drag performance. We’re serving up “Drag by Definition.”
In partnership with Eachone.com featuring photographer Paul Brickman’s
online art exhibition, “Paul Brickman’s Drag by Definition,” we’re
hosting Phi-Phi and Titania, along with the artist and his curator, Jasmine Wahi. Come hear these legendary queens as they discuss drag culture and what it takes to be a drag superstar.
About the Exhibition
“Paul
Brickman’s Drag by Definition” is an online art exhibition exploring
contemporary drag culture featuring today’s hottest drag queens,
including Sharon Needles, Phi-Phi O’Hara, Ivy Winters and many more.
Check it out and purchase the artworks exclusively on Eachone.com, June 26th – August 6th, 2013.
Get Dragged Up!
You can participate in this exhibition by taking a picture of yourself in drag and posting it to Instagram with the hashtag #dragbydefinition. At the end of the exhibition Eachone.com will select their favorite entries. Winners will receive a free print of their choice.
Sand Blast Returns to New York / New Jersey July 19-21
One Perfect Beach Getaway: Sand Blast in Asbury Park!
http://sandblastweekend.com/
Music by DJs Tony Moran, Hector Fonseca, Eddie Martinez, Phil B, Nina Flowers & more!
July 19-21, 2013
Celebrate Sand Blast Weekend with your friends as
4,000 revelers head to The Jersey Shore for three hot days & nights
of fun.
Tony Moran & Hector Fonseca heat up Saturday’s Sand Blast Beach Party. http://sandblastweekend.com/
Spend Saturday night with 1,000 shipwrecked men at Deep Blue w/DJs Phil B & Nina Flowers or stripped to your skivvies at Urge Underwear Party with DJ Grind & The Maverick Men.
Sunday’s Riptide Pool Party & Tea Dance w/DJs Eddie Martinez & Steve is a total blast.
Can’t come for the entire weekend?
The Saturday Pass is perfect for 24 hours of non-stop fun.
http://sandblastweekend.com/
Take the NJTransit train from NYC Penn to Asbury Park in just
111 minutes for $15. SO EASY! Driving? Get directions below:http://sandblastweekend.
Stay with us at The Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel. Call 407-677-2506 and use Promo Code: Sand.
Gay New York City Lawmakers Meningitis Bill
Openly gay New York City legislators have passed legislation to expand
access to meningitis vaccinations, in the midst of an alarming and
deadly outbreak of the disease among men who have sex with men.
“Allowing
pharmacists to administer the meningitis vaccine will help us stop a
wider outbreak of this deadly disease which is evolving into a serious
public health concern for the NYC LGBT community,” said Senator Brad
Hoylman, who introduced the legislation, known as S.4881A/A.7324A. “The
best way to prevent illness and death from meningitis is to be
vaccinated. As we’ve seen with the flu vaccine, when pharmacists have
the authority to administer a vaccine, immunization rates increase.” Read More on EDGE
Statue of Liberty Re Opening
IT’S A BIG DAY TOMORROW
The
reopening of the Statue of Liberty on July 4, 2013 brings brand new, larger
security screening facilities with 40% more available state-of-the-art
equipment.
Liberty Island will be opened to visitors for the first time since Hurricane Sandy. Visitors will
have access to the Statue of Liberty’s crown, pedestal, observation deck,
museum and grounds.
“Visitors shall experience much faster and more comfortable security
processing prior to boarding at Battery Park and Liberty State Park,”
says Michael Burke, Chief Operating Officer for Statue Cruises.
Tickets and can be purchased
online at
www.StatueCruises.com or by phone (201) 604-2800. Online reservations at www.StatueCruises.com are strongly
encouraged. School groups and tours operators can call (551) 655-3310.
GOVERNOR CUOMO ANNOUNCES Launch of New “I LOVE NY LGBT” Tourism Website
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the launch of a new “I Love NY LGBT”
website, a one-stop tourism portal into all that New York State has to
offer LGBT travelers. The website’s launch comes on the heels of the
Governor’s pledge to grow tourism and jobs in New York State, including
the launch of a new “I Love NY LGBT” initiative. The niche LGBT tourism
segment accounts for approximately $70 billion in tourism spending in
the U.S. every year.
The new website provides
information and suggestions to help LGBT travelers plan their New York
vacations. The campaign is represented by the iconic I LOVE NY logo with
a rainbow colored heart.
“As part of our efforts to boost
the tourism industry in New York, this pride month, we are launching the
“I Love NY LGBT” website to highlight all of what the state has to
offer to the LGBT community,” Governor Cuomo said. “New York State has a
tremendous variety of ‘must see’ destinations for all travelers of
different interests – whether they are wine connoisseurs, history buffs
or outdoor adventurers. The website will be an important tool to help
attract visitors, encourage spending in our communities and create jobs
in the industry. New York has a proud history of welcoming the LGBT
community, and whether you’re planning a weekend trip or a destination
wedding, I encourage all to come explore the Empire State.”
Last month, Governor Cuomo invited
hundreds of tourism experts to Albany to discuss new ways to bring
tourists to every corner of the state. At the conclusion of the Summit,
the Governor Cuomo announced the launch of New York’s largest tourism
campaign in decades, committing nearly $60 million to grow New York
industries, create jobs and attract even more visitors to the Empire
State. Marketing New York State to the LGBT community was a part of the
Governor’s commitment to further growing the job-creating,
revenue-producing tourism industry.
“The LGBT market is of such
immense value to the tourism industry, so New York is to be commended
for launching this cutting-edge niche tourism initiative,” said Cristyne
Nicholas, Chair of the New York State Tourism Advisory Council and CEO
of Nicholas & Lence Communications, a New York based strategic
communications firm. “Because so much of LGBT marketing can be done
through free or low-cost avenues, the cost/benefit ratio on this project
is particularly attractive, allowing for a big bang for the buck.”
The new website features topic
pages covering areas such as Arts & Culture, History, Food &
Drink, Shopping, Relaxation, Family Fun, Outdoor Adventure and
Nightlife. There are regional travel highlights, lists of local LGBT
events and resources, and a wedding guide providing tools for same-sex
couples to plan a wedding in New York State.
The larger I LOVE NY LGBT tourism initiative will also be well-represented at New York City’s Pride Parade this Sunday, June 30th,
with marchers donning I LOVE NY rainbow heart t-shirts. There will be
promotional giveaways and a booth at the PRIDE Festival to provide
additional information about locations to visit.
“Many LGBT people, both in and out of state, simply aren’t aware that New York has an I Love Lucymuseum,
more ski slopes than Colorado, 250 wineries, the site where the women’s
rights movement was born, one of the largest outlet shopping centers in
the world, an annual festival celebrating the Wizard of Oz,
a natural park larger than Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon combined,
some of America’s best-rated beaches and so much more,” said Ross Levi,
Vice President of Marketing Initiatives for Empire State Development,
and the former Executive Director of New York’s statewide LGBT civil
rights organization. “Before selecting their next travel destination, we
want LGBT people to think of all of the world-class vacation
opportunities there are for them right here in New York State.”
For more information on LGBT travel, visit New York State’s new iloveny.com/lgbt.
WE THREE LIZA’S at Joes Pub July 15th
Escape the New York summer heat with “Christmas in July” at Joe’s Pub at The Public where Chicago’s About Face Theatre in association with John Sanders presents a concert version of WE THREE LIZAS, the new hit holiday musical that wowed Chicago audiences this past winter. WE THREE LIZAS plays Joe’s Pub (425 Lafayette St., New York) one night only on Monday, July 15 at 7 pm.
Tickets, priced at $20, are available at www.joespub.com and 212-967-7555.
Created by Scott Bradley (book/lyrics) and Alan Schmuckler (music/additional lyrics), WE THREE LIZAS is
a magical musical fairy tale set in the queerest of lands in which an
embittered designer’s mid-life crisis leads to divine intervention by
Liza Minnelli. And Liza Minnelli. And Liza Minnelli.
The Joe’s Pub concert is staged by director/choreographer Devanan
Garnering sold-out houses and critical acclaim, About Face Theatre’s world premiere production of WE THREE LIZAS premiered in December 2012 at Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre Garage.
BEST GAY CHICAGO.com said, “BRILLIANT. This is a Must see show!”
Time Out Chicago said “We loved this holiday tale,” naming We Three Lizas the #1 Critic’s Pick in both its Theatre and Gay & Lesbian sections, calling the show “undeniably original and joyously queer.”
Chicago Reader’s Culture Vulture called it “the holiday musical comedy of my dreams” and NewCity hailed its score as “a buoyant gift wrapped in a melodic, dramatically well-conceived bow.”
*PHOTO-Dani
A high wire walk Between the Empire State Building and Chrysler Building?
WOW. Talk about a dare devil!
“If
he gets permission, the walk would be 4,000 feet, more than triple the
length of his Grand Canyon stunt. He gave no indication if he had yet
made any attempt to get permission to perform the feat.”
NY Mag adds:
“It would also be about twenty times the distance between the Twin
Towers, a space that Philippe Petit traversed in 1974, during a rogue
walk that was later the subject of the Oscar-winning documentary Man on Wire.”
My Big Gay Camp Talent Show June 24th
A
One-Night-Only Cabaret
Hosted
by Philip Mutz, Ken Urso, and Christian Mansfield
Directed
by Phillip Fazio
YouTube
sensation Tyler Marcum will be performing his original interpretive dance
“20/30” to the Dixie Chicks song “Landslide” as part of a one-night-only
cabaret titled My Big Gay ‘Gay Camp’ Talent Show, playing at the Laurie
Beechman Theatre in NYC on Monday, June 24 at 7pm.
Since posting
the mash-up video of his current day 30 year old self dancing in unison with a
video of his 20 year old self, Marcum has raked up almost half a million views
on YouTube. This will be the first time he performs the dance live.
Marcum’s
touching viral dance video can be seen at: http://youtu.be/u2ICgup4GDY.
Marcum’s performance
during New York’s Gay Pride Week will feature him dancing live to his original
choreography in front of video of the same performance from age 20.
Kicking off
2013 Gay Pride Week, this cabaret night will feature 10 of New York’s finest
singers, dancers, improvisers, and stand-up comedians all vying for the
audience chosen ‘Best in Camp’ Award.
Joining Marcum
onstage will be Broadway’s Nadia Quinn (Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson), singer/actress
Mariand Torres (Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812; Elphaba
Stand By on the First National Tour of Wicked), stand-up comedian Marc
Maietta (Laugh Attack Comedy Festival) and dancer Lawrence Neuhauser
(National Tour of Movin’ Out).
Following the
sold-out run of the new play Gay Camp as part of the 2012 New York
International Fringe Festival and Fringe Encore Series, comedic actors
Christian Mansfield (Broadway Bares; National Tour of 42nd
Street), Ken Urso, and Philip Mutz (also co-author of Gay Camp) will
reprise their Gay Camp roles as hosts of the cabaret evening. My
Big Gay ‘Gay Camp’ Talent Show is directed by Arizona-native Phillip Fazio
(Gay Camp; Arizona premiere of Grey Gardens and August: Osage
County).
It’s gay;
it’s camp; it’s My Big Gay ‘Gay Camp’ Talent Show!
My Big Gay
‘Gay Camp’ Talent Show
will perform on Monday June 24th at 7pm at The Laurie Beechman
Theatre, downstairs at 407 West 42nd Street, NYC.
My Big Gay
‘Gay Camp’ Talent Show
runs 60 minutes with no intermission.
Doors open at
6:15pm. Show starts at 7pm.
Reservations
can be made by calling (212) 695-6909.
Tickets are
$15 (plus a $15 food/drink minimum).
For more
information on My Big Gay ‘Gay Camp’ Talent Show,
visit our website at www.gaycamptheplay.com
