Monday, December 31, 2007

Friends. . . . And Divas!

Ya Gotta Have Friends! "Friends. . . And Divas" was the title of a Cabaret performance with Celebrity Impersonators dong tributes to Famous Divas at the legendary Cabaret venue, Don't Tell Mama located on Restaurant Row in the Midtown Broadway Theater district on Saturday December 29. The event was produced and hosted by Howie V who does a flawless Cher impersonation. Music was provided by RUB Robert Urban Band with Robert Urban on guitar and vocals, Steve Sullivan on Bass, Anthony Maulella on drums and filling in on piano and vocals was Dan Manjovi. The crowd went wild as the band geared up and started to play "If I Could Turn Back Time." I did my "Carol Channing" impersonation and sang "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend" after telling my usual jokes about the importance of Ladies to get jewelry. I explained that Carol was the original gold-digging Blond who sang about "Diamonds" on Broadway before Marilyn Monroe, Madonna and Nicole Kidman ever did. The showed opened with hilarious jokes by "Phyllis Diller" portrayed by Stephen Carey from Province town MA. "Bette Midler" played by Delfinia Best did a rowdy and rambunctious medley number. Travis Laughlin sang out a rockin' and crazy "Janis Joplin" production, complete with the necessary screaming, twisting and shouting. - Not to mention the Southern Comfort sipping!! Rich Renner impersonated "Elton John" with the usual funky sunglasses and sang the appropriate "Bitch is Back" as a duet with "Cher." But it was "Robert DeNiro" amazingly impersonated by Joseph Manuella who had the crowd laughing hard when he announced that he was "the butch part of the show". "DeNiro" later shook golden maracas and performed an Italian/Latin comedic tune about "My Cousin Vinny." The sold-out house rocked that evening with a very responsive and fun crowd. It was Hollywood on Restaurant Row in New York that evening.

Photos: (top left)Travis Laughlin as "Janis" Delfinia Best as "Bette" and Clover Honey as "Carol"; (Bottom) Clover Honey and Stephen Carey as "Phyllis Diller"; Howie V as "Cher"; Clover/Carol performing; Joseph Manuella as "DeNiro" and Clover Honey as "Carol"; Rich Renner as "Elton" and Stephen Carey as "Phyllis"; Howie V as "Cher" with Band members Anthony Maulella, Robert Urban and Steve Sullivan.










































Jim Caruso's Cast Party at Birdland

On December 17, I had the pleasure of performing at Jim Caruso's Cast Party! It was so much fun to add a little of my special kind of glitz and glamour to the famous party held at the legendary Birdland Jazz Nighclub! I performed my honeyed rendition of "My Heart Belongs to Daddy" while modeling some of my bejeweled collection. Jim Caruso's Cast Party is a wildly popular weekly soiree that brings a sprinkling of Broadway glitz and urbane wit to the legendary Birdland in New York City every Monday night. It's a cool cabaret night-out enlivened by a hilariously impromptu variety show. Showbiz superstars hit the stage alongside up-and-comers, serving up jaw-dropping music and general razzle-dazzle.

For the past five years, it's been the ultimate spot to mix and mingle with Manhattan show folk and their fans. Caruso guides the entire affair like a bubbly cruise director, musical genius Billy Stritch holds court at the ivories, Steve Doyle bops on bass, and the audience is invited to participate in the festivities! It's the party that would happen if somehow David Letterman and Ed Sullivan threw a hip house party around the nine-foot concert grand piano!
















Monday, December 24, 2007

The Glamazons

"Big Girls Don't Cry!" We ROCK!!! On Thursday, December 13, I went to the calendar release party for the amazing Girl Group called the Glamazons! The event took place at the West Chelsea hot spot, Retox. The Glamzons are a plus-size and sexy singing sensation and I had to support my fellow big-boned girls. Although the Glamazons are GGs (Genetic Girls) and Female at birth, they still have fun partying with TGs (Transgender Girls) and their first song was a joke on how they are often mistaken for Drag Queens. The Girls gave a fantastic performance and were introduced by the original Village People Cowboy - Randy Jones! Lady Finger, Candy Apple and Carmella are the Glamazon Girls who rocked the City that night! In 2007 the Girls rocked to the top 8 on the reality show NBS's America's Got Talent! We can't wait to see what 2008 has in store for all of us! Other on the guest list that evening were Out R&B/Dance singer/songwriter Ari Gold, who is a relative of Glam girl called Lady Finger. Also present were Out singer/songwriter Josh Zuckerman, Keith Collins of Fuse TV, Stephen Schulman of SaSI PR, Rich Overton of RJO Artists, Cher Impersonator Howie V and many others.












David Barton Gym Toy Drive

Toyland, Toyland, good little girl and boy land! New York City's hot Celebrities, Hipsters, Dragsters, Models, Muscle-Men and Nightlife folks gathered for one of the City's largest and most fabulous charity Toy Drives and cocktail parties. The event, held on Tuesday December 11th, was given by David Barton Gym and premiere party hostess Susanne Bartsch. The glitterati mobs partied and donated over 2,000 Toys for needy families with children the Holiday season! I gave the most fabulous Barbie dolls that hopefully will make some youngster very happy. I'm used to buying Adult toys of a much naughtier nature! But it was refreshing to purchase G-rated toys for a change! I had the chance to once again meet stars like Sarah Jessica Parker, Debbie Harry, Marc Jacobs, Fred Schneider of The B52s, Porn Czar Michael Lucas, Drag Legend Flawless Sabrina, Hedda Lettuce, Village People Cowboy Randy Jones, Cher Impersonator Howie V, Dirty Martini, David Barton and so many others! The DJ for the event was Johnny Dynell and he kept everyone hopping while he performed his spinning magic!
























































Stonewall Democrats - Holiday!

This Holiday, we were dreaming of Equal Rights and Legal Same-Gender Marriage along with the traditional White Christmas! On Thursday, December 6 I made a special appearance at the annual Holiday Party held by the Stonewall Democrats NYC. Hundreds of supporters, Elected Officials and Political activists gathered in a large lofty room at The LGBT Community Center of NYC to spread Holiday cheer while we had some cocktails and indulged on the scrumptious dessert buffet. I reminded everyone that working for Equal Rights was a perfect way to burn off calories while we had our satisfied our sweet cravings. I can't think of a better way to celebrate the season than having a chocolate canolie while chatting with a Congressman! The mission of SDNYC is to advocate for legislation that guarantees equality and fairness for the LGBT community in New York City, and to support openly LGBT and gay-friendly candidates for greater representation in the political process. Attending were NY City Council Members Alan Gersan, Bill DeBlasio, Rosie Mendez, NY Senator Martin Connor, NY State Assembly member Mika Kellner, Queens District leader Danny Dromm, Stonewall President Matt Carlin, Dirk McCall, singer/songwriter Lovari, Cher Impersonator Howie V, Judicial Delegate Melissa Sklarz and many others.


























Sunday, December 23, 2007

Stage Art and Dirty Little Drawings

I had a fabulous time at the book release party for Dirty Little Drawings at the famous Leslie Lohman Art Gallery in SoHo! The book contains illustrations of nude men drawn at the Queer Men's Erotic workshops featured at the Leslie Lohman Gallery. My friend Evan Laurence, from Sexahol Review was one of the artists! The fascinating book has different takes on the male nude body from the perspective of many different artists. From looking at the pictures, I was wondering if there were special instructions for fitting a large penis on a small piece of paper. Plus, considering how attractive and nude the models were, I also wondered how they were able to concentrate on drawing at the workshops. Displayed on the walls of the gallery was a show called Stage Stuck, a display that celebrates the creative genius of dozens of set and costume designers - all of whom happen to be Gay - working with authors, composers and choreographers who are also Gay. Original sketches, models and props have been gathered from a variety of sources, including numerous private collections and many from the designers themselves. Seeing the book, the exhibit and so many friends made for a delightful evening! I loved running into gallery and foundation Director and Founder, Charles Leslie, Frank DeCaro (Sirius Radio), photographer and designer Ray Dragon, artists Richard Rodgers, Shree/Derick Newman, Paul Eggman, Porn Star Spike, Mark Schulte, Matif from Desilicious and many others.


































Friday, December 21, 2007

OUT Loud - Holiday Performance


On Monday, December 4th, I rocked the house with a musical number as part of the OUT Loud Musial Performance night at the famous performance venue on the Lower East Side, Rockwood Music Hall. The event was produced by OUTMusic, an organization of Lesbian, Gay, Bi and Transgender musicians and supporters. The goal is to promote, share music and provide support in a safe, welcoming community. I got some great laughs as I did my rendition of Santa Baby, the Holiday classic, perfect for a fun and flirty Diva like myself. The OUT Loud evening was hosted by the fierce and ultra talented Deepa Soul aka Diedra Meredith who is not only a passionate musician and performer, but OUTMusic's new executive director! Robert Urban, Gordon Smith, Howie V, DJ/VJ Reed McGowan, Robert Anton, Dan Manjovi, Mary Edwards, Frank Grimaldi, John Raymond Pollard, Michael Lynch, Robert Anton, Morrey Campbell and others also gave some excellent musical performances. The event is produced by the handsome PM Magazine columnist Jed Ryan, who is also adorable besides being an avid music lover and supporter!