Fresh Fruit Awards ("The Fruities")

I was thrilled and honored to host the 13th annual Fresh Fruit Awards gala, more affectionately known as The Fruities on April 13th with MC Frank Cala at the legendary Bowery Poetry Club at 308 Bowery, New York City.   The Festival is presented by All Out Arts is a non-profit dedicated to "Fighting Prejudice through the Arts." Our mission is to support LGBT arts & artists in all walks of life, and the ongoing Fresh Fruit Festivals are the prime expression of that mission. This is the 13th annual Awards Show honoring performers in the last Fresh Fruit Festival, along with Community activists and supporters. Awards were presented in a variety of performing and visual arts categories, including Theatre, Film, Dance, and Music in a gala ceremony with entertainment from the various categories.  I loved seeing dear friend Dirk McCall getting the prestigious Harry Weider Award for Community Service.  Had a wonderful time with festival founder Carol Polcovar, NYC Council Member Danny Dromm, cabaret diva Teresa Fischer, Jonathan Pearson, Joseph Trefler, Ryan Michael Haase, Nick Curto, Hal Rainbow, Jeff Leeds, Keith Taylor, executive director Louis Lopardi, artistic director Liz Thaler and many others.