Holiday at Rockefeller - Saks Fifth Avenue

The Yuletide Holiday Season in New York City would not be complete without a visit to the magnificent Christmas Tree and decorations at Rockefeller Center and seeing the glitter-glam window displays at Saks Fifth Avenue department store.

Decked OUT Holiday

I had the most merry time at the official after-party celebrating the annual concert at the legendary Birdland jazz club Daniel Reichard's Decked Out Holiday Party.  The after-party took place at the Midtown Manhattan/Hell's Kitchen nightclub called Atlas Social Club at 735 Ninth Avenue.  Daniel Reichard (Jersey Boys, Midtown Men, Forbidden Broadway, Candide) gave a wonderful performance backed by a seven piece band. 

Frozen Fruit at Nuyorican Poets Cafe

I was so thrilled and honored to be part of the performance of the annual Holiday soiree of the Fresh Fruit Festival called Frozen Fruits.  The event was held on December 10th at the famous Nuyorican Poets Cafe, a cultural icon on New York City's Lower East Side/East Village since 1973.  The Nuyorican presents groundbreaking works of literature, music, theater, performance art, poetry slam, hip hop and visual art from established as well as rising artists from every background.  The Fresh Fruit Festival, now in its 12th year, is a celebration of LGBT arts and culture. I wished everyone a Drag Queen Christmas filled with tinsel, glitter and bows and there was food, drink, music, performance, poetry and laughter to light up the season.

Holiday Sweaters and Toys at Townhouse

What a fantastic, festive time I had at the annaul Boy Toy Dive and Ugly Holiday Sweater Party at the renowned hotspot called The Townhouse on Midtown Manhattan's East side at 236 East 58th Street on December 3rd.  The party was sponsored by The Men Event, a Gay social and business networking company and everyone donated toys to make a child's Christmas bright as we showed off some crazy but cozy sweaters.  My woolen blouse was bejeweled and beaded as I belted out "Santa Baby" and other seasonal songs while music director/entertanier Eliot Paul played the grand piano in the elegant lounge.  Famous Event/Media photographer Rick Stockwell took everyone's pic as we partied the night away.

Glamazons at Empire Hotel Penthouse

I had such an amazing time with my dear friends in the plus-size girl group The Glamazons as we celebrated the official release of their latest music video Movie Star!  The gala was hosted by actor, promoter and heartthrob Keith Collins at the ultra glamorous Empire Hotel Rooftop Penthouse club called Level R at 44 West 63rd Street in New York City on December 4th.  Movie Star, written by Michaelangelo Sosnowitz and produced by Lemon Shark Productions, is the newest, is the newest single from The Glamazons and was released to rave reviews.  The much anticipated official music video was directed by A.J. Mattioli with Mattioli Productions.  I had a bast with Emma Craig and Tina Jenson of The Glamazons, producer/TV personality Tony Sawicki (Urban Animals), producer A.J. Mattioli, Editor/Publisher Evron "Mello" Andrews (Full Blossom magazine), model Michele Hilton, Jonathan Santos and many others.

RED Ball - World AIDS Day

I had such am enthusiastic yet emotional time at the first annual RED Ball, a gala event held in commemoration and celebration of the 26th annual World AIDS Day.  The RED Ball was an opportunity for us to celebrate life while remembering friends we've lost in the fight against the HIV epidemic.  The event was presented by the New York City Department of Health and held at the lavish OUT Hotel resort in the Times Square/Hell's Kitchen area of New York City on December 1st.  World AIDS Day is an opportunity for people around the world to speak out in support of our brothers and sisters living with HIV and AIDS, remember those we have lost, and to reaffirm our commitment to fight against the disease.  This year we had extra cause to celebrate since the NYC Department of Health released a new report declaring that New York HIV diagnoses have reached an all-time historic low.

I had a blast on the red carpet, on the dance floor and on the cat-walk runway as we celebrated in the style of a House Drag Ball with hip-hop, disco and rap music, fierce glamour and lots of energy and vogue-ing.  The guestlist included: NYC Commissioner of Health Mary Travis Bassett who was in the spirit with a crown, necklace and scepter made of condoms, NYC Assistant Commissioner of Health Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, Ana Matronic of the hit pop group Scissor Sisters ("Let's Have a KiKi"), recording artist Lovari ("Touch Me"), Dashaun Williams, DJ Seth Ninja, dancer Joshua Jemini Whitley, Empress Twinkle Montgomery of the Imperial Court of NY, CEO of GMHC Kelsey Louie along with Andrew McPhail and Anthony Hayes of GMHC and many others! 

Bobbie Horowitz Tribute

An extra-special event was held to honor and pay tribute to the legendary award-winning Performer/Producer/Singer/Songwriter/Actress/Comedienne Bobbie Horowitz at the renowned Cabaret venue The Metropolitan Room in New York City on November 24th.   Bobbie has not only been an amazing entertainer, but a loving friend and mentor to so many artists for so many years.  The room was packed to capacity with people from the entertainment industry and Cabaret community whose lives have been enriched by Bobbie's friendship, generosity, talent and expertise.  Speeches and performances were enjoyed throughout the evening.

The multi-award winning cast included Tony Award winner Chuck Cooper, Corrinna Sowers-Adler, Elaine St. George, Rob Langeder, Stacie Perlman-Langeder, Adam Shapiro, Dana Lorge (who did a hilarious impersonation of Bobbie), Reverend Yolanda, Sue Matskui, Sidney Myer, Stacy Sullivan, Richard Skipper, Diana Templeton, Warren Schein, David Slone, Mark Nadler and many others.  Musical Direction was by Bill Zeffiro and the event was hosted by Bernie Furshpan.  

Lily Putian's School for "Girls"

I had a blast at the Graduation Gala Celebration for the students of Lily Putian's School for "Girls" at the glamorous Club BPM, Part of The OUT NYC, Gay Hotel Complex at 512 West 42nd Street in the Times Square/Hell's Kitchen area of Midtown Manhattan, New York City on November 22nd.  If you're dying to do Drag and don't know how or where to start, Lily and her fierce facility show aspiring Queens the ropes from contouring make-up foundation to walking in heels.  The place was filled with my dear friends from the New York City Gay Men's Chorus, both in and out of wigs.  We all had the the best time enjoying the jewels, glamour and fun that Drag brings.

Had a fabulous time with Drag Sisters Lily Putian, Steady Mess, Loopee Chenille, Amanda Poupon, Tipsy Von Tart, Ginger Meringue, Heady and the glam graduates with Butch Eddie Ruiz, Alan Anderson, NYC Gay Men's Chorus Executive Director Peter Criswell and many others.

Transgender Day of Remembrance

I was honored to take my place on the steps of New York City Hall as elected officials, community leaders and political activists gave vital speeches at a Press conference and memorial vigil to honor National Transgender Day of Remembrance.   The event was hosted by the New York City Council LGBT Caucus.  City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, City Council Majority Leader Jimmy Van Bramer, City Council Members Rosie Mendez, Dannny Drom, Corey Johnson, Andrew Cohen, NYC Public Advocate Lititia James and others took part in the touching and important event.

The National Transgender Day of Remembrance occurs annually on November 20th, is a day to memorialize those who have been killed as a result of Transphobia (the hatred or fear of Transgender and gender non-conforming people) and to bring attention to the continued violence endured by the Transgender community.

Others at the event were Empire State Pride Agenda Manager of Government Affairs Matthew McMorrow, Judicial Delegate / Political Director Melissa Sklarz, Brooke Cerda Guzman of Transgender / Cisgender Coalition, Tracy Hobson of Center for Anti-Violence, Glennda Testone, Executive Director of The LGBT Center of NYC, Lobbyist Julian Kline, Tristan Powell of ESPA and many others. 

Village Halloween Parade

Thrilled to take my place in New York City's 41st annual Village Halloween Parade, the largest All Hallow's Eve celebration in the world!  Every year thousands of Zombies, Ghosts, Corpses, Monsters, Skeletons, Vampires and other characters parade up Sixth Avenue (Avenue of the Americas) in Downtown Manhattan's Greenwich Village on the spookiest night of the year!  The City's artists, dancers, circus performers, puppeteers and drag queens create a creature-feature pageant that's a graveyard smash!  Met up with friends at the apartment of Ryan Wolowski of MTV networks and then marched in the parade looking for Tricks AND Treats.  

"Till Death Do Us Part" Halloween Penthouse

I loved making an appearance at a wonderful Halloween-themed make-up and hair design fashion show extravaganza in a luxury Times Square Penthouse nightspot on October 28th.  The event was called "Till Death Do Us Part" and was a thriller night of Zombies, Corpses and sexy scary models, as Tawni Michelle of Team Dramatizon Make-up design transformed them into Creatures of Halloween.  Fallon Fitzpatrick Hair Design turned out some awesome over-the-top Hairstyles on the spooky macabre models!  The famous Sky Room of New York City at 330 West 40th Street was a perfect venue with the breathtaking panoramic views of Manhattan, towering above Times Square.  I had a blast with photographer Rob Ordonez, Howie V as "Cher" models Thomas Cole, Arkaduusz Rogala and many others.