Monday, March 31, 2008

Night of 1,000 Gowns

If there's ever been a big event where you can polish your jewels, shine up the sequins, get all dolled up to see and be seen, it at the annual fundraiser, Night Of 1,000 Gowns. The formal black-tie gala of Drag Queens with their friends and admirers throw the most glamorous charity ball right in the middle of Times Square! The posh event was held on March 29 at the Marriott Marquis hotel. The event drew over 900 people and raised over $250,000 for AIDS charities. The performers included recording artists Ari Gold, who performed his new single "Where the Music Takes You' and Megan McCauley. Kathy Brier from Broadway's Hairspray and TV's One Life To Life also performed. Near the end of the evening, the great Diva Fran Joli brought down the house with an amazing performance of her classic Disco hit, Come to Me. Cynthia Nixon was also there and said that the event had more excitement than her show, Sex and the City. She also confided that, in solidarity with most other guests, she was wearing fake boobs under her beautiful Halston gown. Other stars I had fun with included Robin Strasser and Catherine Hickland from One Life to Life, Ryan Wolowski from Out and About TV, Drag Divas Lady Bunny, Peppermint, Flotillia Debarge, Jacqueline Jonee, Lady Julie, Millie Shyaintwright and Rollerina, Burlesque Diva Dirty Martini Royalty from NYCGMC Queen Ermin Muff and Sir Ted, singer/songwriter Lovari, actor/playwright Anthony Wilkinson, journalist Winnie McCroy, promoter/columnist Will Clark and many others.
After Midnight was the time for the coronation of new monarchs, Emperor Rob Hunter De Woofs and Empress Charlene Chivoe. Emperor Rob had a magnificent crowing parade with attendees in jungle themed costumes and music form The Lion King. Empress Charline had the best and most fabulous coronation march ever! In keeping with her Southern roots, she incorporated themes from Jezebelle and Gone with the Wind, with waltzing belles stunned to see the new Empress make an entrance is a glaring red hoop gown with Tara's theme playing as she most grandly floated down the runway!



























A Four Letter Word - Premiere!

A Four Letter Word, the hit Queer Romantic Comedy film had its Cinematic release and I was thrilled to host a special premiere screening for Drag Divas on March 28 at Chelsea Clearview Cinemas. I also have a small role in the movie, in a hilarious cross-dressing wedding shower scene. The cinema was packed and with people including my girlfriends from CDI (Cross Dressers International) who attended and co-sponsored the event. I was also fantastic to re-connect with the stars of the film, who were present at screenings and at the glamorous Premiere opening night gala at HK Lounge. I had a great time with Casper Andreas, the film's co-writer, director and producer, the film's stars - Jesse Archer and Charlie David, (also of Dante's Cove) with other actors from the movie including Virginia Bryan, Allison Lane, Margarate Echeverria, RJ Rolley, Mich Lyon, Madelyn Madelaine, and make-up artist Chad Hayduk. During the Q & A, there was a lot of laughs and discussion about the me and Drag Queen wedding shower scene as my bright red spangled dress kept making noise that interfiered with the recording of the film! The periels of working with Drag Queens! Of course, the scenes of the nude male yoga classes also offered a lot of full-frontal fun. It is always a big thrill to see yourself on huge cinematic screen, much larger than life. And it was a bigger thrill that so many of my friends came out to see it with me, including Rita Petite, Pettie Pie, Nancy Lamar, Rebecca, Rita Knight, JoAnne Nobel, Amy, Trish, Howie V, Rich Z, Mikey, Brandon, Walter, Nick, Hal, Danny, Carla Milo, and others. A Four Letter Word opened in NYC as the highest grossing film that weekend at Chelsea Cinemas, receiving rave reviews in HX magazine and New York Times. It also opened in several other cities in the USA.


























Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Comic Soup at The Duplex

The Duplex, Downtown's legendary Cabaret Showroom in Greenwich Village -NYC, held an evening of Comedy, Dance and song to benefit Stone Soup Theater Company on Saturday evening March 15. I was happy to be included in the line-up. The room was packed with a lively and responsive audience, who took to me like a candle to a flame! I've always been flaming!! And the recent political scandals gave us plenty to joke about! The Show was produced by DR Hanson and included Comedians Matt Florio, David "The Voice" Stein, Sarah Speigleman, the the hilarious and fabulous and my favorite petite brunette Carla Milo. There was also music by scott and two liveley dance numbers choreographed by Nikki Allred with herself and two gorgeous male dancers Micheal Domingues and Aengus Ortiz. My friends Lovari, Mark, Sabrina, Jean and Howie stopped by and after the show we stayed in the upstairs lounge or a few extra cocktails.































Tranny Pins at Hard Rock Cafe

History was made right in the heart of Times Square! On March 9th, the legendary Hard Rock Cafe of New York City's Times Square issued its very first pin featuring a Transgender Rock performer! And I was thrilled that the performer was my fabulous friend, Tina Benez, a fierce and talented Drag Diva rocker who recorded Glamor Overdose from her Love Mr or Die CD! We had a fantastic time celebrating with Tina at the historic Pin Release Party. Everyone at Hard Rock in Times Square was so much fun! The beautiful enamel pin was so fabulous and makes a perfect fashion accessory. The Hard Rock Cafe has issued Gay Pride pins, but never before had there been a pin with a Drag or Trans artist! Tina also was on One Life to Life as a Drag Diva who helped Marcy hide out with her baby. She also made headlines when she sued a Shock Jock who insulted her for being Trans and smashed her CDs on the air. Being a journalist, I went there with Tony Sawicki and a camera crew to produce a news segment for Under the Pink Carpet. Howie V also came to help and to join in the fun. We met several people who traveled from around the world who call themselves "Pin Heads." They are collectors of the Hard Rock pins and many have thousands included in their personal ensembles. Many people feel that the first Tranny Rocker pin will increase in value! Either way, it's a beautiful pin that would complement any outfit and I highly recommend going to Times Square and purchasing one! And you should also check out the music of Tina Benez with her unique high-energy, ultra glamorous rockin' style!

Sunday, March 23, 2008

Porno Bingo

It was Will Clark's Birthday and his 150th Porno Bingo fund raiser show , so on March 5th, we just had to attend the special event, especially since sexy and taleted recording artist, Fagapalooza Creator and good friend Kris Landherr flew in from Dallas and was a special guest star and performer for the evening. The stud of the week was Raging Stallion exclusive Victor Steele in the flesh! Victor was drawn by NYC famed artist William Donovan and the piece was auctioned off at the end of the night to benefit the charity du nuit, Visual AIDS. It was a fun evening with Will, AB, Andy, Manny, JC Faust from the Nekked rock duo, recording artist Lovari, Tre Xaivier, Damien Cross, Peter Lau, Joe Fiore (Dance 208), Jeff Eason, Sam Champion and many others.




















Sundays In The City Film Festival

Sundays in The City Film Festival is a screening series for independent filmmakers, produced by filmmakers for filmmakers, who want to screen their films in a non-competitive and fun environment, which provides networking with industry, actors, and fellow filmmakers. On March 1st, I was thrilled to be a performer at the Sundays in The City opening night gala, held at the posh Club Nation in Midtown Manhattan. I vogued and danced with the sizzling singer/songwriter recording artist Lovari. Lovari sang a medley of his original music and then drove the crowd wild with his version of Spanish Guitar. The gorgeous Jed Ryan, from PM magazine and Out Loud concerts at Rockwood Music Hall was also there to help us kick off the festival along with the original Cowboy form The Village People, Randy Jones, promoter Keith Collins, the legendary Joe Franklyn, R&B Artist Tomas and many others. In between musical and comedy acts, we enjoyed clips form upcoming movies that will be screened at the festival held at Tribeca Cinemas.















Saturday, March 22, 2008

Sexahol Review

On February 27, I was part of another scintillating, tantalizing and almost tantric evening of Comedy, Music and Burlesque pleasure, the monthly cabaret comedy series, Sexahol Review at the East Village hotspot, Jimmy's 43. The Improv Comedy and music performed by Evan Laurence and David F. Slone was superb. Singer/Songwriter Lovari gave an energetic, sexy and amazing performance. The Comedy Due called Fantastic Genius had everyone rolling in the isles with their hilarious skit comedy and shocking new video. The beautiful Gabrielle Sternbenz did an erotic dance. I added some glamor and comedy with my Stand-Up material and I performed two classic comedy numbers from Broadway "Adeline's lament" and "Can't Say No."












Valentine show @ Don't Tell Mama's

On Valentine's Day I was delighted to be in a special Cabaret Show at the legendary showroom Don't Tell Mama on Restaurant Row in the Manhattan Theater District. In the show, called Blinka's Lessons of Love, Even Laurence introduced his new character "Blinka" a cousin of Bjork, in the fun Valentine's Day event. I sang classic Cole Porter tunes including "Let's Do It" in keeping with the Holiday tradition and performed my comedy about love, romance and sex between the Genders. Other performers showcasing an evening of comedy, song and shenanigans included David F. Slone, the hilarious dance team of Kicker and Turner and the sultry sound of "Power Girl" Tawnya Manion. There were also many contest where participants won delicious chocolate while they had fun. Jed Ryan, Howie V, Cleopatra, Queen of Denial and other friends come by to help celebrate the Holiday of Love with us all.