Drags & Dolls Burlesque

Drags & Dolls is the name of the newest Performance Art Burlesque show that is taking Downtown by storm! The show, produced by Vera Wylde celebrates Femininity through the arts of Burlesque and Drag/Female Impersonation. Drags & Dolls takes place monthly at the Gene Frankel theater in NYC. The audience had fun tying to tell who was a GG (Genetic Girl) and who was a TG (Trans Girl). Weather they could or not, we all had a great time! The performers besides myself included Alexia, who although born female, loves being a Drag Queen, sometimes called a Bio Queen. Other sexy and beautiful performners were Tina Cione, Layla Lepore and Vera Wylde! We had so much fun in the backstage dressing room, not to mention the fun being on stage, teasing all the Guys with our sexy moves!

New Jersey State Pride

New Jersey, the Garden State, is the birthplace to many international celebrities including Frank Sinatra, Bruce Springsteen, Whitney Houston, Jon Bon Jovi, Debbie Harry, Gloria Gaynor and many others- including myself, Lady Clover Honey. That is just one of the reasons I was delighted to be a performer at the State of New Jersey’s official Gay, Lesbian, Bi and Trans Pride festival on September 14. The event was held in Mill Hill Park in NJ’s capital city, Trenton. Thousands of people came from all over the central NJ area to take enjoy the festivities which included picnics, vendor and exhibition tables, political speeches by NJ Senators and Congress members and powerhouse musical concert performances. Other performers included singer/songwriter recording artists Lovari, Nhojj, Thomas, Carrie Ashton, The Swippers and physique model/dancer Tass. The event called NJ Capital Rainbow Fest was hosted by Lady Diana and helped to celebrate the rich heritage of LGBT people and their contributions to NJ and to society at large.

Howl! Downtown "Low Life" fun

A crazy atmosphere reminiscent of an old-fashioned carnival was the order of the day in Tompkins Square Park on Sunday, Sept. 7. Tony Sawicki and I trekked to downtown Manhattan and stopped backstage at the annual Howl! Festival, named in honor of the groundbreaking poem by Allen Ginsberg.

AKA Howlucination! Low Life City, this outdoor theatrical showcases the urbane culture of Manhattan ’s Lower East Side –- and especially the Bowery — in decades past. Ragtime music alternated with modern experimental rock. Performers sported period costumes characterized by top hats and tails for the men and ostrich plumes, lace and gowns for the ladies. The stage crackled with avante garde energy.

Backstage frenzy prevailed with performers dashing about frantically in various stage of undress, some rehearsing last minute dance moves while others swapped spit with old friends and colleagues. Flashbulbs popped as photographers from the local press captured the madness for posterity. Tony and myself oscillated between taking stills for DishMiss, shooting video for Under the Pink Carpet, and generally having a blast with a colorful posse of downtown pals, including Adam Joseph (who appears with us on A Four Letter Word DVD), Nasty Canasta and Johnny Porkpie (who perform with me at Sexahol Review) Chi Chi Valenti, Johnny Dynell, World Famous *BOB*, Michael Formika Jones, Epiphany, Acid Betty, Dirty Martini, Hattie Hathaway, Joey Arias, puppeteer Basil Twist, Tigger, Trina Rose, the Dueling Bankheads and many others.

Legendary diva Lady Bunny even made a surprise appearance, not soooo surprising since Tompkins Square Park was the original home to her Wigstock Drag Extravaganza!

4 Letter DVD Release Party!

The hit Gay romantic comedy film which I make a fun and glamorous appearance in, A Four Letter Word was released on DVD with a huge celebratory bash at XES Lounge in New York City. The movie, produced and directed by Casper Andreas received rave reviews during its international cinematic release. The crew and cast including Jesse Archer, J.R. Rolley, Virginia Bryan, Allison Lane , Margret Echeverria and others involved in the film were all present to join in on the fun. I was also there on hand since I played a small part in the film as an attendee at a Drag Queen Bridal Shower for a Fag Hag - what perfect casting!! I also hosted a special Drag/Transgender New York City premiere screening of the film last year. Adam Joseph, who performs his song Faggotty Attention in the movie, was DJ-ing. A special feature on the DVD is the Under the Pink Carpet report where Tony Sawicki conducts hilarious interviews the A Four Letter Word cast discussing various topics including the importance of male full-frontal nudity in Gay movies!

Fire Island Pines, Vampires & Chorus Men

All good thins must come to an end and what better way to say good-bye to Summer 2008 than to party on an island beach resort with others who work in Gay Media and Television. I hopped on a boat and sailed with my entourage of guys to Fire Island Pines to attend a bash at a luxurious beach house called 13 Summer House promoting the The Lair, a Gay Vampire serial broadcast on the Here! TV Network. I had a wonderful time with the series’ new star, the incredibly sexy Colton Ford. Colton plays the Sheriff and not a Vampire, but is grateful since the blood-suckers on the show often get steaks driven through their hearts. His paternal instincts were brought out by someone’s Chihuahua that was black and grey haired like him. Colton spent much time snuggling with the dog, making others jealous. I also had fun with Andrew Kirtzman, political reporter for WCBS TV New York and anchor of Inside City Hall on NY1 local news cable station. All the art and design items inside the Summer House were auctioned off and proceeds benefited Ali Forney Center, which provides housing for homeless LGBT Youth. Drag Diva Mimi Imfurst was the fabulous auctioneer. Heavy-duty cocktails were provided by SKYY Vodka. The guest list included: Singer/songwriter filmmaker Lovari, Trans DJ Lina, Ryan Wolowski of Out & About TV, Mark Schulte, Next Magazine staffers, members of NYC Gay Men’s Chorus, caterer Lou Delvecchio and many others! I also had the best time at another party in the Pines with my dear friends from the NYC Gay Men's Chorus at their house, aptly called Chorus House. The property included a plush swimming pool and I got comfortable enough (or drunk enough) to join my pals for a cool swim without wearing my wig, make-up or jewelry for impromptu skinny dipping fun.

Quentin Crisp film

A new feature film on the life of legendary Quentin Crisp is being produced and I'm so excited to be a part of it. I was cast as a Drag Queen nightclub patron in some of the movie scenes. Quentin Crisp was a celebrated openly-Gay personality famous in the 70s through the 90s and passed away November 1999. He was a colorful, flamboyant and charming character and I have such fond memories of having fun with him at parties in the 90s. The new film is being called An Englishman in New York, which is also the title of the song Sing dedicated to him. Quentin is being played by actor John Hurt who also played Quentin in The Naked Civil Servant. John Hurt was also in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Also in the film is Cynthia Nixon from HBO's Sex in The City.

Photo: Lady Clover Honey and Quentin Crisp at the Leslie Lohman Art Gallery, New York City, August 1998.

New York University!

You've got to love College Students with their youth and exuberance, eager to learn and gain life experience! I had the pleasure of giving a Comedy performance and to Host a BINGO game for the Students of New York University on August 27th. The wonderful kids packed in to play BINGO in the Eisner Lubin theater on Washington Square South in NYU's Greenwich Village campus. The over 700 students who showed up were a wonderful audience that included Straight, Gay and questioning young adults. I told everyone that I felt just like Elle Woods of Legally Blond, being a pretty California blond at Harvard University. Only I was a pretty New Jersey Blond at New York University. This was part of a special week of Student activities before classes start. This was also the first time many of the students were away from home and in a big City. Some have never seen a Drag Queen in person before! I hope I made a positive and lasting impact on the impressionable young minds. Or at least taught them a lesson on what a fashionable chic Queen looks like!

Sexahol Review

Sex and alcohol, two of the most sinfully decadent pleasures in life are celebrated every month at Evan Laurence's Sexahol Review. The Cabaret series features Comedy, Improv, Song, Burlesque, Vaudeville and more! I was so happy to be part of the August 24th performance as it was also the one year anniversary! Evan Laurence and David Slone did some of their sharp Improv comedy and some songs. Jared Rydelek, a fierce contortionist performer did some amazing feats, escaping from a Straight Jacket and slipping hid body through an unstrung tennis racket! My dear friend Rita Petite performed some hilarious Stand Up Comedy and I also showed off some Comedy and Musical renditions. The event took place in the performance theater in the back of the Parkside Lounge on Manhattan's Lower East Side.

Jersey City Pride!

Weather I move to New York City or anyplace else in the world, I will always be a Jersey Girl at heart. Being a Native New Jersey child, I was thrilled to be a part of the Jersey City LGBT Pride Festival on August 23rd. The event held on the Hudson River Waterfront at Exchange Place in Jersey City with breathtaking views and perfect weather attracting thousands of people. There were keynote speakers, elected political officials, vendor booths, DJ, dancing and with live entertainment on a tremendous concert stage. I performed with my friend singer/songwriter recording artist Lovari as he sang "I Feel You" and his fabulous new song "Work it Out" that he dedicates to Drag performers. I also performed in my own number a special remix of the classic "My Heart Belongs to Daddy" with modern house music sounds mixed by David Slone with the sexy model Tass posing and playing as my temptation during the number. Other performers who graced tha stage included Ben Lerman, Jackie Monahan, Tom Goss, Lori Michaels, Naommon, Marlina Downer and others. Jersey City Mayor Jarramiah T Heal gave a welcoming speech. The event was produced by Jersey City Lesbian & Gay Outreach, Inc. (JCLGO) and the theme was "Keeping the Vision Alive." A photo of me and Tass appeared in The Jersey Journal, the premiere Jersey City/Hudson County NJ newspaper.
Photos by Angel. Lady Clover Honey performing with Lovari (black jacket) and Tass (shirtless)

Porno BINGO says bye to Bistro

The 9^th Avenue Bistro, a Gay bar frequented by both locals and tourists in Midtown Manhattan’s Hells Kitchen area closed its doors for business on August 24th. From 2/26/05 to 8/20/08, the Bistro was home to ever popular Will Clark’s Porno Bingo, a weekly Bingo event with Gay Adult media prizes raising over $67,000 for local GLBT charities. Male Adult Video Stars often made live appearances as well as local Singer/Songwriters, Drag Queens, Comedians, Actors, Cabaret and theatrical performers, artists and promoters. Porno Bingo took place every Wednesday evening and on August 20^th, a hugely celebrated final Bingo at the Bistro event took place with concert musical performances by JC and Sinn of Nekked, Morry Campbell, Baron, Roger Kuhn, Dan Manjovi and Terry Christopher. Hot go-go model Mike Dreyden also added to the festivities by stripping and doing some other very naughty (but delightful) deeds! Among those in attendance were: Porn Stars Tre Xavier and Taino, Drag Divas me - Clover Honey and Amanda Takehometomother, Promoters Joe Fiore (Dance 208) and Max Scott (Woof!), writer Jed Ryan (PM Magazine), Barbara from SagingPlaces.com, graphic designer Muffin Taco, singer/songwriter Lovari and Gordon Smith of Rubberlegs and hundreds of others. Tons of kisses and gratitude goes to Will Clark for producing and hosting Porno Bingo and for raising much needed funds for the Community. Will is currently looking for a new venue for Porno Bingo. I am proud that I was a guest number-caller and BINGO hostess at Porno Bingo several times.

Photos by Jed Ryan: [top] (Amanda Takehometomother, Mike Dreyden, Clover Honey); [bottom] Clover Honey and the boys; Clover Honey and Nekked

Drag Queen Cook Book

DRAG QUEENS CAN COOK - Recipes to Sync Your Lips Around is the title of a new cookbook that contains delicious recipes submitted by famous Drag Queen performers. I am delighted to be included in the publication by sharing my sweet and tasty recipe for Clover Honey Buns. Proceeds from the book sales benefit the Elmer A. Lindsay Memorial Medical Center, the Cherry Grove Doctor's Fund on Fire Island. The book was created by doctors and life partners Rick Byrd PhD and Patrick Fratellone MD and designed by the Moderns Staff under the creative direction of Janine James and Kevin Szell. Other Drag Personalities in the cookbook include Brini Maxwell, Dixie Longate (Tupperwear Party), Hedda Lettuce, Porsche and many others on the over 200 colorful pages of beautiful, outrageous and mouth-watering Divas and recipes! The publication not only contains everything form appetizers (Pre-Show), main courses (Main Stage) and desserts (After Party), its sure to always add a bit of spice (and fun) for years to come!

To purchase the book visit www.dragqueenscancook.com

Village Voice - La Dolce Musto

La Dolce Musto, the world-famous celebrity, entertainment and gossip column in The Village Voice by Michael Musto, the renowned expert writer on culture, especially Downtown urbanity, prominently featured ME, along with a fierce photograph by Andy Krupp in a recent issue!(July 23 - 29) Michael Musto attended the premiere of the Strike A Pose! Gender 2008, Art Gallery group show at the Leslie/Lohman Gallery in SoHo. While he was there he interviewed me and also gave some great interviews to television crews that were reporting on the event. I wish that the artists could capture how tickled pink I am to be mentioned again in such an esteemed column in a celebrated and famous newspaper like The Village Voice!

Here is the online link to the article:

http://www.villagevoice.com/2008-07-23/columns/dolly-parton-s-boobs-and-pharrell-williams-balls/2