You know, it's never the weeks when you have the time for everything to be crazy that things do indeed get crazy.. it's always the weeks that are already off the hook that somehow magnetize even more craziness ... but you know, that's how the world works and at one point you just have to give in to it and accept that ones evening is just going to go off the rails. March 21st was kind of like that.
I originally had booked Pete Finland for the night and then CB Kirby (my sometimes partner in Bingo who was on board representing the Tom of Finland Foundation who are based in Los Angeles) booked ventriloquist April Brucker for the evening. Somewhere along the line AB suggested that I book Lailah Lancing and since it'd been ages since we'd all seen her, I thought "why not?".
It was at this point in the planning process when DJ Chris Padilla announced that March 14th would be his last night as he needed to devote the rest of his month to packing and moving. Understandable. And then out of the blue DJ Chauncey Dandridge dropped into our lives (courtesy of AB btw, thanks AB!) which really saved the Pieces staff from having to dash back and forth to and from the DJ booth during the evening.
Then, my best friend Matthew (who lives in San Fran and comes to call a round when he comes to visit New York) announced he would be arriving directly from the airport to our show! And yes then there was Christopher from the Saint at Large who joined us for the fourth and final week selling the final round of fortune cookies to benefit Braking the Cycle. And oh yeah, AB announced before the start of the show that it would officially be Chauncey's birthday at midnight... but that he had it covered. Plus, we had a new waiter who was in his second week and the previous waiter, Josh, was now our bartender.
See? At one point I just had to give in to the madness and accept that it was going to be one of Those shows where it all kind of happened and everyone had a good time but I couldnt really tell you what order everything happened because it became a bit of a mash. Surely there should be an ap for this.
Along the way Lailah sang happy birthday to Chauncey while AB had cupcakes, the new waiter, Peter, stripped Pete who later sold his jockstrap to one of our patrons, while another patron was super generous and matched funds with the bidding of the jockstrap.. so a $200 jock became a $400 jock. And that's not even including the rest of the money that was raised from Bingo cards... so that is some serious awesomeness right there. :)
By the end, we weren't exhausted at all but energized by the fun we'd had and the money we'd raised. As we do nearly every night after Bingo, we stopped off at Julius' afterwards for more drinks and cheap grub (I have always thought it would have been fun to do an "After The Will Clark Show" show there).
I have a habit of celebrating my birthday not just for a long weekend but sometimes for weeks - and one memorable year I celebrated for two months solid - from the first dinner to the last party.. it was quite an extravaganza. This year it was a little more sedate which means that I celebrated like normal people do - just on the day and maybe a little bit extra.
The party on Wednesday March 7th at The Will Clark Show was the "little extra". And boy was it a blast!
I don't think I could have packed more into the night if I had tried - four guests - Amanda Takehometomother visiting from LA on her way to a week-long nudist event, Justin Luke who joined us with the very first advance copy of the just published GULLIVER TAKES MANHATTAN (formerlly titled GULLIVER TRAVELS), the incredible Kylie Edmond who has been having an amazing year after founding Rock and Rawhide and traveling to Australia (where she had a run in with a kangaroo) and our beneficiary, singer Terry Christopher who, this year, is riding in the Wisconsin AIDS ride which is kind of neat since I'm originally from Wisconsin. :) Plus, Christopher from the Black Party was back selling fortune cookies to benefit the New York ride, Braking the Cycle!
Plus Bingo friend CB Kirby dropped by to present me with a certificate of appreciation.. which is a pretty awesome thing.
But the biggest thank you for the success of the night goes to my cohort AB who arranged for the guests to bring special items (like Amanda brought handi-wipes given my advanced age! LOL) and arranged for DJ Chris Padilla to play some of my favorite tunes and, best of all, arranged to bring cupcakes with happy birthday candles.
Most of all, thank you AB for not bringing 48 of them. We would have burned the place down! Seriously, I'm glad that I don't have to face the good times or the challenging times without my pal, AB... and that's a fact.
And you know, I am one of those entertainers who couldn't care less if you know my real age.. I've never shied away from it ... especially when many people in our community didn't get to have many of the birthdays I've been enjoying (and hope to enjoy in the future). You and I owe it to all those that have died because of AIDS or hate crime violence to lead full, amazing, fun lives. You and I owe it to them to live as long and as healthfully as possible. You and I owe it to them to treat life like a banquet. RIGHT?
Every once in awhile it's great to do something a little different and when the beneficiary for Wed February 29th had to drop out a couple weeks before the show due to circumstances beyond their or my control, I decided to KISS, keep it simple stupid, and make the night a Jackpot Bingo night. Jackpot Bingo is our semi regular "cash prize" night where there are no guests and no beneficiary - just the Bingo team... which because DJ Chris Padilla was in Australia, was just AB and I... and since AB was co-calling the whole night with me (and that's never not a fabulous time!) he didn't get a lot of pics.. but that's OK. Click here for the gallery.
It was, in retrospect, a good thing to do because from what I know of the upcoming schedule, I don't know when we'll be able to do this again (we will eventually but it'll be quite some time, I think).... and it was nice to be at Pieces, with the staff, friends and other regulars just having a totally kind of low-key night where we could gab to our heart's content in a different sort of way.
We also started our four week Black Party promotion that night - a fundraising idea by the Saint at Large folks to give away tickets in fortune cookies with incantations written by the always fabulous Bianca Del Rio and tickets to the various BP weekend events (Hookies, Expo and the BP itself). The money raised from the promotion went to our friends at Braking the Cycle.
This past Saturday night was New York's infamous Black Party held at Roseland, a big dance/concert space in midtown. Whether you were up for it or dead set against it you were certainly aware of it -(and I met both in my travels - it's sort of like the Oscars - everyone likes to bitch about it but everyone still watches).
Because there were no cameras or cellphones I did a little drawing of a Black Partygoer (and truth to tell, I saw only three guys on their cells while I was there.. it was heavenly to see people actually invested in each other rather than cruising on Grindr).
For me, the day, Saturday March 24th, really started Friday night. My best friend Matt was in from San Fran and as a birthday present, took me out to dinner and drinks. We considered going to the Hookies (the escort awards also at Roseland) and I was excited when I saw host Alec Mapa scrambling up 9th Avenue towards the venue around 9:30 (the show started at 10 so I was like "well, that's not starting on time") but once we started hanging out at Posh and I Jolened a cute guy that we shared a couch with we just couldn't tear ourselves away from the place, the music was excellent - we got drunk, er, uhm 'had birthday drinks' and lipsynched to "Vogue" (not surprisingly we both know the little monologue interlude thing down pat) and Black Box's "Everybody Everybody" (from their Dreamland album which is pretty awesome- probably one of the more underrated from the early 90s.. and yes I have it on cassette and it's in the drawer next to Bananarama, Climie Fisher and... Rick Astley DON'T JUDGE ME!! LOL btw their version of Earth, Wind and Fire's "Fantasy" is really awesome - see below).
The next day at the Black Party Expo, I ran into my studly friends from the Eagle as well as Colton Ford (who has a new single coming out from a forthcoming album), Kennedy Carter, CB Kirby and watched as various rent boys took the stage to show off. It's a fun daytime event for the gays who want to meet and meat the porn stars and see them perform without paying the $140 for the Black Party ticket.
Lots of leather companies represented and a few video companies (and fewer bareback companies than I'd noticed in previous years - Lucas Entertainment still dominates though - I can't imagine why Raging Stallion and their crew aren't represented but then, I guess the economy - and pirating - has really fucked over the entire industry). I knew it was time to leave when I got invited to participate in a jello wrestling match. Just say no, just say no I heard Nancy Reagan whisper in my ear.
After a generous disco nap, I got up around 4:30 in the morning, showered and got dressed in a kind of super slo-mo "I don't know or care when I'm arriving" kind of way. I ended up arriving around 6:30 and spent three hours dancing, schmoozing and, in one case, making out with the boyfriend of a friend of mine. I felt like a whore but I think that's the whole point of the Black Party.
Along the way I watched a bukkake scene on stage that I would later christen "Bukkake Kubuki" (since the whole evening had a Japanese theme) which one friend suggested should be the name of a weekly event (I agree). My friend Barbara who smudges the place beforehand showed up in a black wig that made her look less like a Geisha and more like Snooki (not the intended effect I think). I was also amused to catch one partygoer wearing a Girl Scout skirt. At first I thought it was a utilikilt until I saw the plaid pattern and then realized that it was an actual skirt. I would have asked him for a Dulche de Leche but in the context I think I would have been back at the Bukkake scene (not that there would have been anything wrong with that mind you).
I realized just how many people in New York I actually know now as at every turn I was running into friends or colleagues and in some cases, finding them in a uhm compromising position - you know the kind you want to see your friends in but you wouldn't want them to know you'd seen it (yeah, I know that's what XTube is for).
You know, like cruising a friend on Manhunt. You're both sort of embarrassed but both secretly wonder if it's worth ditching the friendship for a quick roll in the hay because you didn't realize that he had THAT under his clothes.
For the first couple hours, the music had been kind of all Junior Vasquezy - monotone beats for hours (someone actually made up a sign and held it up and walked around Norma Rae style that read: MUSIC IS BORING and I wondered if he meant ALL music or just what was playing? I was going to ask but my mind wandered and I started planning the first week of Bukkake Kabuki instead) :) but then thankfully a new DJ got on board and started playing actual songs with lyrics... and melodies. The first one was Whitney's "Greatest Love of All".
Naturally when you're dancing with 4,000 of your closest friends and a sentimental song comes on, you feel a little goofy about enjoying it...the man gene is strong ... But then suddenly the gay gene overrides that and once again you are lip-syncing with the song and doing a happy dance... and you know, feeling it. A couple of those types of songs and I was back in the glory days of the 90s when all the clubs played actual songs with lyrics and melodies - and I am pretty sure it's why I liked going out then more then than I do now, when it seems that partygoers have to do incredible amounts of drugs just to get the same happy thrill that was accomplished by one Whitney song (and of course the irony in that is not lost on me either). :)
One of the many side effects of crystal meth in the gay culture is the legacy of grim and yet jittery club goers who mechanically get through a night while simultaneously chewing off their lips. Thankfully it's fewer out on the dance floor than it used to be but it's a remarkable ripple effect when the DJ plays anything with a lyric, the whole place transformed and kind of wakes up (yes, just in case you didn't know it, I'm one of those fags that finds more happiness in the song sung by a pop culture diva than in a snort of something or popping of a pill).
Anyway, there were tons of other events happening last night after the Black Party but I couldn't be bothered, I had had fun and was done. Once I'd arrived home around noon and made lunch, I was happy just to spend the cloudy, slightly rainy Sunday indoors, on the couch and loafing for all I was worth. And I did, I sure did.
Finally, here's the version of "Fantasy" by Black Box's Dreamland album... still holds up 20 years later!
Calling all leathermen (and their admirers!) join us tonight for a hot n smoky show with internationally known stud PETE FINLAND as he joins us for a sexy night of Pre Black Party realness. Singer LAILAH LANCING and ventriloquist APRIL BRUCKER will join us to entertain you throughout the evening as we play four rounds of Bingo and raise bux for the Tom of Finland Foundation!
It's going to be a packed night featuring the final round of fortune cookies (or is that "fortune nookie"?) sold by the sexy Christopher from the Black Party to benefit Braking the Cycle - even if they are no longer raising funds for the Center, they are still front and center in the fight to raise funds for an AIDS related charity (their new beneficiary will be announced any day now).
Cookies are 3 for $5 and you might get a free ticket to this Friday night's Hookies (hosted by Alec Mapa!) or this Saturday day's Black Party Expo (hosted by Acid Betty) or the Black Party itself (not hosted by anyone - and by the way, this year there are NO CAMERAS and NO CELL PHONES allowed - and really, are you that important that you can't be away from the tweets and twits for just one night?).
You can still get your Black Party ticket by going to http://www.saintatlarge.com OR if you come tonight, you might be able to pick up a ticket to the event through a special auction that'll benefit the Tom of Finland Foundation! And of course we'll have some Tom of Finland goodies throughout the night. :)
It all starts at 8pm and lasts til 10 sharp!! PLUS I'm happy to welcome DJ Chauncey Dandridge to our event as our new music mixologist! That's at Pieces located at 8 Christopher Street!!
And if you wear your leather, you just might go home with an admirer!!
My friends over at Snaxx (that would be the party for McBeardy's run by super sexy Rich King) have announced a special offer for those of you who are planning on going to the Black Party this Saturday
night but for some inexplicable reason still haven't bought your ticket... as of today tix have been raised to the normal $140 price... but if you act quickly, you can still knock $15 off that price by using the Snaxx code: SITUATION when you order your ticket through the Saint at Large website. You have to buy before midnight tomorrow, Tuesday March 20th night (so, you know, get it together already).
Snaxx is, of course one of many dance parties happening before and after the Black Party which is, in itself not merely a dance party, but basically an out of body experience. If you're on the bubble, just spend the money and go. If you've never been, this is something you shouldn't miss (every gay man should go at least one point in their life) and if been before, it's time to go back.
Anyway, Snaxx is doing a Meet and Greet (probably more of a Meat and Greet, but I digress) dance party on Friday night at the Monster and then a big 'after' dance party on Sunday evening starting at 6pm also at the Monster. I think "greet" is a euphemism for 'fuck' btw just in case you had visions of dignitaries in long flowing robes welcoming you with a mint. :)
Admitting one knows what PI Day is would be social death any other day, but tonight I'm bringing in the Geeks Out guys for a night of fundraising so it's OK. There'll be a whole bar full of guys just like you and
me who understand that March 14th is referred to as Pi Day (ie 3.14). And if you don't have a clue what I'm talking about when referring to Pi, just drink your juice of the vodka plant and enjoy winning some gay porn.:)
Tonight, I've got two really awesome guests - the one and only PEPPERMINT who is excited about returning to the show (and so are WE) and Marvel Comics editor DANIEL KETCHUM who will talk about all things gay and comic-booky including the newest issue featuring Young Avengers featuring a same sex smooch between two male characters (whom, to be fair, have always been an 'out' couple but up til now have not shared an on-panel kiss). That this is still a big deal is rather lamentable but understandable - we are still starved to see ourselves in our media and guys kissing each other is still a big deal to others so it is of course still a big deal to us.
PLUS, The Saint at Large's Chris will return with fortune cookies (3 for $5) that will go towards Braking the Cycle. The cookies feature either fortunes written by Bianca Del Rio OR passes to the March 23rd Hookies, the March 24th Black Party Expo OR the March 24th/25th Black Party itself! See the Saint party website for the deets of all these events.
Anyway, I'll have giveaways from ManTagged, Nancy Boy and the usual bags of erotic stuff on hand and of course there's cheap drinks.
On a personal note, I'm sad to say goodbye to our DJ Chris Padilla tonight as he leaves to live in Florida for the forseeable future. Next week, DJ Chauncey Dandridge will join us! More on that in the coming days.
Thanks to all of you who sent birthday greetings last week and over the weekend via Facebook, Twitter, email and I even got a couple old fashioned snail mail greeting cards.. the birthday itself was spent doing a lot of things that I love doing in New York followed by dinner and seeing CARRIE: THE MUSICAL at the
Lucille Lortel on Christopher Street with friends. It was a pretty great way to spend the actual day and the weekend was filled with a visit to family I have in Connecticut. :)
This week we inch closer to the March 23rd/24th Black Party weekend and with it the expectation of parties and crazy events.. just how crazy? Well, the Black Party people have put together a trailer for the event - it's pretty 'out there' but then again, I don't think a Black Party trailer should play it safe and in my opinion, it wouldn't be a good trailer if I didn't come away from it feeling at least slightly disturbed. And this is not only pretty disturbing (I think it's work-safe however) the music is pretty loud (so before watching, you might want to turn the volume down on your computer).
This year they are enforcing a strict "no cameras, no cellphones" rule which I heartily agree is a great idea... I mean, who do you really need to call while you're ripped to the tits at 5:30 in the morning? Besides, all the guys you'd be interested in on Grindr would read "five feet away" :)
Finally, you've got six more days to get BP tix for $125 (they go up to full price starting on March 19th) so Mary, get on it!
It'll be birthday suit central at Pieces tonight as I celebrate my 48th birthday with four big guests, three new sponsors and the first of three 'goodbye' shows for our awesome DJ Chris Padilla as he prepares to move to Florida next month!
The guests are some of my favorites - singer Kylie Edmond (who runs the hot new non-profit Rock and Rawhide which brings toys to rescue animals in shelters as they await adoption), author Justin Luke (whose revised version of last year's GULLIVER TRAVELS will hit the stands in just mere weeks), drag queen and former Will Clark Show regular Amanda Takehometomother (flying into New York especially to appear at Bingo on her way to a nudists weekend) and singer Terry Christopher who is riding in the Wisconsin AIDS Ride - and awesome guy that Terry is, he's whipped up a group of raffle prizes that will knock your socks off - including two tickets to Priscilla!
But that's not all - our funds tonight will instantly be matched - so everything we raise goes twice as far! Now how can you pass that up? You can't so don't try! LOL
On top of everything else, I've got three new sponsors - ManTagged, Nancy Boy and the Saint at Large. The Saint is of course promoting their annual "Black Party weekend" which includes the Hookies on Friday March 23rd, the Black Party Expo on Saturday March 24th and the Black Party itself which starts the night of Saturday March 24th and ends sometime in 2014. :) You can recover while watching the two hour season 5 premiere of MAD MEN conveniently scheduled for Sunday night on AMC. If there's not a gay man at the helm of that decision I'll eat my hat. :) "Must. Have. Something. To. Watch. After 20 hours of dancing.. ahhhh Don Draper... ugghhh my feet" :)
Anyway, tonight we have prizes, guests, cheap drinks and probably someone handing me a chicklet and dental floss (I think there's a Kim Cea joke in there somewhere) and wishing me a happy birthday which I will heartily accept (the actual birthday is this Friday March 9th btw)
That's at Pieces located at 8 Christopher Street between Gay and Greenwich; we start promptly at 8 and end at 10. There's no cover and dollar Bingo cards will be on sale for all four rounds of the All American game with the All Adult Twist! :)
Because although it's a great idea, simply wearing nothing to the Black Party will get you arrested on New
York City streets - so help the guys at the Saint at Large design a sexy tee and while you're at it, help them raise some bucks for the LGBT Center here in New York.
The rules are simple - create a design and submit (you all know about submitting, I'm sure!) and if your design gets picked, you will not only get to bask in the glory of seeing your work stretched over the bulked up bodies of Black Party attendees, but you'll also get a couple of tickets to the Black Party itself on Saturday March 24th (that's 60 days from now in case it's too early in the morning for mad math skills).
