Sexahol Review

A new show with Comedy and Music celebrating the joys of sex, alcohol and everything else that feels good was performed as the newest edition of the Sexahol Review took off on Sunday, June 8th, at The Parkside Lounge on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Evan Laurence and David Slone did some Improv Comedy and acted out a mini play of several characters. Schizophrenia can really pay off if you know how to work it!!! :-) Evan also premiered his new Queer hit, "If I had the biggest Thing in the Forest". Kyle Supley performed some music and the hilarious Feminist Icon, Leibya Rogers sang some original folk songs about the joys of Female empowerment and vegan dieting "My Nipples taste like Tofu." I added my camp, comedy and a bit of glamor to the showcase, with my own version of the joys of being a Woman - or a Lady!!

Staten Island Pride!

Under beautifully blue skies, on June 5, LGBT Staten Islanders and their friends from across the region had a Pride parade marching a mile or so from the Ferry Terminal at St. George to the location of their Pride Festival in Tompkinsville. After initial disputes over whether the police department would provide the necessary permits, the Fourth Annual Staten Island Pride Parade proved a success. I was thrilled to be part of the line-up of entertainers of the Staten Island LGBT Pride Festival which followed the parade that took place at the beautiful Cromwell Recreation Center on Pier 6 in Tompkinsville. Other performers included Telling On Trixie, AmberRose Marie, Avon Junkies, Lindsay Drew, Ron B as Tina, and others. Donna Maxon performed a fabulous imitation of The Divine Miss M and invited myself and Latin Drag Diva Appolonia Cruz on stage with her to do a crazy "Gotta Have Friends" number ending with us waving Roses as "Bette" sang The Rose. I also performed with Billboard recording artist Lovari, voguing and dancing to his flawless vocal rendition of Spanish Guitar. Lovari also drove the crowd wild when he performed his original hits with backup dancers Lana and Andrew. Staten Island is a beautiful and Proud borough of NYC and getting there on the Ferry is fabulous way to travel.

Film Screening - Its Me, Matthew!

Film is a wonderful genre and I just attended a Private Film Screening for a new Indy short film written, produced and directed by dear friend Michael Ferreira, who many people know as the alter-ego of Drag Personality Carmella Cann. Michael also stars in the film. The film was wonderful and moving. Its a psychological drama based on a true story and titled It's Me Matthew. The film is also the dramatic acting debut of Village Voice columnist Michael Musto (La Dolce Musto). He also writes for Out magazine and is a pop cultural commentator on MSNBC and several other channels. The film also stars Paul Anthony Stuart of CBSs Guiding Light and child actor Eric Wilke. The screening was held at new Midtown hotspot 123 Lounge and was attended by many local celebrities. No Divine Miss M, but tribute artist Donna Maxon was the next best thing. Tony Sawicki, Stephanie Butler and Robin Cloud from Under the Pink Carpet were there with me and we created a wonderful news segment.

Queens Pride !

A crowd estimated at more than 25,000 enjoyed sunny skies and revelry at the 16th annual Queens LGBT Pride Parade and Festival, on Sunday June 1 in Jackson Heights. I was thrilled and honored to be a featured performer at the Festival. I had most wonderful time with Queens District Leader and Pride Founder Daniel Dromm along with Congressman Anthony Weiner, NY City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, NYC Comptroller Bill Thompson, NYC Council member Rosie Mendez, The Center Executive Director Richard Burns and others. The entertainment line-up featured original Village People Cowboy Randy Jones plus recording artists Lovari and Amber Rose Marie, T Boy, Israeli Pop Singer Shiko Aviance, Kate Riggstage, Anthony Rodriques, Appolonia Cruz and others. I did some of my Stand-up routine and also danced during Lovari's amazing singing performance with dancers Andrew and Lana. Queens is the second largest borough of NYC and considered to be the most ethnically diverse county in the USA.

O69? Center BINGO!

BINGO games are a traditional way for people to have fun, gamble and raise money for Charities. The LGBT Center of NYC has a monthly BINGO game and on May 16, I had the pleasure of being the official BINGO number caller for the evening. I had a blast with the fantastic audience of game players who had the chance to hear many of my jokes before I try them out at Comedy Clubs. I added my own brand of humor, glamor, and fashion sense to the traditional game of chance and had a wonderful time doing it. I told everyone that gambling while helping the Center is much better that going to Foxwoods!! I called BINGO before at Will Clark's Porno BINGO. There were no Porn stars at The Center event, but there was a cute young hunk who sold cards with no shirt on! I was told that the female bikini clad BINGO card beauty wasn't able to make that evening, so all the female beauty responsibility was hoisted on me! Thank goodness I was able to pull it off!

Fresh Fruit gala

In order for Fresh Fruits to grow into a bountiful harvest, funding is needed. On May 14th, the Fresh Fruit Festival had a gala at the beautiful loft restaurant Arium in the Meat-packing district in the West Village of Manhattan to honor funders and to receive donations. The entertainment was provided by Jacqueline Jonee', the world's foremost Drag Diva concert pianist! Ms. Jonee' had three gorgeous musicians backing her up add so much excitement and glamor to the evening. Guest included All Out Arts President Nick Curto, Fresh Fruit Fest Artistic Director Carol Polcovar, Drag Video Verite curator Dr. Joe E. Jeffreys, puppeteer Hal Rainbow, Rita Petite, Walter Gaborski and many otherrs.

Liberal Democrats and Queer Folk

On Thursday, May 8, The Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club held its annual Pride Reception at Elmo's restaurant in Chelsea NYC. The event honored my dear friend, philanthropist and entrepreneur, Scott Talbot, the star of Queer As Folk, Peter Paige and others. Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club strives to provide a progressive and independent approach towards legislation focusing on civil rights equality and advocacy. I have a seat on the boad of JOLDC, providing a Transgender viewpoint. Among those who I had a great time with were JOLDC Pres. Alan Roskoff, NYC Council Member Rosie Mendez, NY State Assembly Members Dick Gottfried (D-Manhattan) and Matt Titone (D-Staten Island), Phyllis Steinberg of PFLAG (Parents, Friends of Lesbians and Gays), Queens District Leader Danny Dromm, Stonewall Pres. Matt Carlin, Dirk McCall, Television Host Robin Byrd, Hedda Lettuce, Caprice Bellefleur, Yetta Kurland, Michael Colosi and others.

Models in Underwear

I usually wear pretty lace panties, but when fashion designer Andrew Christian gave me a pair of men’s briefs at a recent promotional Summer Fashion Preview gala, I still appreciated receiving them. The event took place on May 4th at the Hot Mess party at Porky’s in Chelsea where Andrew Christian, Sweat Ink and Close Up Clothing fashions were modeled. There was no fashion runway, but some underwear-clad models improvised by walking across the top of the bar. Thank goodness I didn’t spill my diet coke! Seen: Sweat Ink’s Shana Comacho, Close Up’s Michael Van Bemmel and Joe Sylvester, James Coppola, photographer Jeff Eason, Howie V, Drag Divas Spicky Hilton, Logan and Chandelier.

Happy Birthday, Miss Understood

In 1969, Drag Queens at a Greenwich Village bar called The Stonewall Inn threw a riot that sparked the modern LGBT civil rights movement. This month, Drag Queens at The Stonewall threw a riotous birthday bash for infamous and colorful sister diva, Miss Understood. “Miss U,” as she is called by her friends, has been a fierce Drag performer for over a decade and is the proprietor of Screaming Queens Drag and entertainment agency. Queens, friends and admirers came from near and far to sink their teeth into a piece of understandable birthday cake! Sweetie is the MC of the weekly show called Riot and the performances that took place that evening were a delightful demonstration that was so over-the-rainbow!! Joe Birdsong of Capture Café danced in a number with Miss Understood that had his pants sliding down to reveal a little too much. Seen: Daniel Nardicio (The D List), James Coppola (Hot Mess), Trina Rose (Modern Gypsy) and Drag Divas Zondra Fox, Madelyn Madelaine, Manila Luzon, Cathy Valdez, Iggy, Olivia Satine and others.

Madonnas at The Monster

Some people who were among the many who couldn’t get a ticket to the sold-out Madonna concert at NYC’s Roseland Ballroom on April 30th did the next best thing. - They enjoyed themselves at The Monster nightclub for a Madonna-thon of the Material Girl’s music, videos and a live show with City’s top Drag Queens and Madonna-wanna-bes impersonating a night of Vogue and Hard Candy! I created a sexy fetish “Justify Your Love” look and ran into my girlfriends Madelyn Madelaine, Madison Mansfield, Laverne and Michelle who were filled with Blonde Ambition. Jesse Volt hosted the show that included a madonnalicious performance by Laritza Dumont who was visiting from Florida. Also seen: TV reporters Ryan Wolowski (Out & About) and Syk Palkowitz (Delusional Diva), Broadway’s Beth Sacks (Phantom of the Opera), owner/manager Charlie Rice and many others!