Will Clark World

TONIGHT, JUMPSTART MEMORIAL DAY WKND WITH WILL CLARK & BROOKLYN PRIDE #brooklynpride #willclark

Start the weekend out EARLY and RIGHT by joining us at Bingo for the rev up to your holiday with Brooklyn Pride and Tina Turner impersonator, Ron B! XXX flicks and theatre tix plus much more!

PLUS we have Jackie Beat tix as well as tix to a new off Broadway show, BIG EXCELLENT 20TH REUNION starring Bianca Leigh!

Cheap booze, hot men and Bingo Bingo Bingo!

About Brooklyn Pride

Brooklyn Pride is a 501(c)(3) wholly volunteer-managed, tax-exempt, non-profit organization working for and on behalf of all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Brooklynites and all others who support the struggle for equality of this community. In the spirit of Stonewall, Brooklyn Pride welcomes the participation of all the residents of Brooklyn and the outer boroughs, regardless of age, creed, gender, gender identification, HIV status, national origin, physical, mental or development disability, race religion or sexual orientation.

About Ron B

2012 Co-Host of the annual Brooklyn LGBT Pride Twilight Parade

"Tina Turner" celebrity impersonator and "No Boundaries - Up Close & Personal" MNN TV host

Ron B., is a nationally known Tina Turner celebrity impersonator and TV host of her own show, "No Boundaries - Up Close & Personal" on Time Warner Manhattan Neighborhood Network (MNN).  Ron B. graces the entertainment stage as host and is a recognized major motion film actor appearing in such recent films such as “Arthur”,  ‘Angels In American”, “Man on a Ledge”, “Another Night In Suck City”,  and on television, special guests appearances include ‘Law and Order Special Victims Unit”, “Smash”, “30 Rock” and “Sex In The City” to name a few!

Ron B. has led the inaugural march of the Screen Actors Guild National LGBT Committee in the Heritage of Pride produced, “Pride March 2011”, has served as host and Official MC for Brooklyn Pride Parade and for many years has performed her energetic show for the millions who attend Pride festivals across the nation.  As an accomplished theater actor,  Ron B. has made appearances in a series of staged short plays written by notable playwright Lawrence Schwabacher on the Journey’s of women particularly playing a Transgendered woman whom embraces whom she really is.  Always one to support New York area red carpet mega-events, just recently Ron B gave a command performance for the Bronx Pride Center Gala held at Slate and performed for Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz at the kick off of Brooklyn Pride at Brooklyn Borough Hall.  Noted performances included supporting GRIOT Circle and SAGE and nightclub appearances at the legendary Ice Palace for “The Fire Island Invasion”.

A Staten Island native, Ron B. in using her celebrity in a positive light, strives to serve as an advocate to ensure equality across the board for the LGBT Community and to provide a positive role model for Transgendered people, in hopes to make inroads toward equality and understanding. Ron B. states, “I am most proud as a firm supporter of equal opportunities for my Transgendered brothers and sisters, to have been selected to sit on the distinguished LGBT Panel held at Pace University along side Kate McDonough, lead organizer of the Empire State Pride Agenda.  Selected to impart in "Gender in the Binary" was a defining moment for me.  My message is simply that, “There are No Boundaries if you believe in yourself.”

Visit Ron B. on facebook or in person at the Brooklyn LGBT Pride Twilight Parade on Saturday, June 9th.  The fun kicks off at 7:30 pm til 9:30 pm along 5th Avenue continuing down Union Street, with the reviewing stand at 4th Street and 5th Avenue.

About Vanessa Valtre

Vanessa Valtre has been entertaining audiences in the Tri-State area for almost 13 years. What started out as a Halloween joke has now made her a very well respected entertainer with a plethora of attributes.  As a former Ms. Big Apple and Miss Tri-States, she now hosts her own show at the Albatross Bar in Astoria and Drag-oke. in TJ's one's every other month.  Though life has thrown her a couple of curve balls, her high resiliency factor has helped her maintain a respectful, humble and professional outlook in her work.  Now participating in her second year at NYC PRIDEFEST, she’s been given the honor to be one of the hostesses at several PRIDEFEST Celebration in New York City and other pride events .

Journal: Yolanda Makes Merry (or is that "Mary!"?) at Duplex #yolanda #theduplex

Lately it seems as though many of my pals are facing their careers head-on and I couldn't be happier. Whether it's that my friend Kylie Edmond's Rock and Rawhide is now an official non-profit or that Molly Pope is making numerous appearances all over town, it's great when my artist friends are making it happen for themselves!

Add to this list the amazing n awesome Roger Yolanda Mapes (my last guest on The Will Clark Show before we moved to The Rtiz) -- he has put together the first installment of his newest creation, a drag gospel show! And it's playing one more night - Sunday June 3rd at 6:30pm at the Duplex.

The past two Sunday's Roger has been knocking it out of the park with a tune filled show featuring real gospel numbers Roger sings himself while accompianied by guitar, cello and two awesome backup singers as well as the incredible Kenneth Gartman on piano - this is two parts gospel, two parts cabaret mixed together for a delightful evening's aural confection.

Plus, there are short/bite-sized homilies on getting a better life - a product of Roger's own ministry - he  graduated recently from the One Spirit Institute here in New York.

Delightfully drected by Rev. Shawn Moniger, it's a testament to the sincerity of Roger's performance that songs focusing on God don't feel campy just because Roger is dressed up in drag (and quite fabulously I might add). Plus, hey Lucie Arnaz was in the audience to give the evening a bit more fabulousness than it already had. :)

Cost is $20 plus a two drink minimum (click here for reservations) and the profits from the June 3rd show will go to benefit Sanctuary and Rev. Jane Galloway will be Roger's musical guest.

Will Clark's Journal: First Night at The Ritz April 19th, 2012 #theritz #dallasdubois #justinlukenyc #willclark

First off I want to thank drag queen extraordinaire Dallas DuBois and author Justin Luke (who's book, Gulliver Takes Manhattan, is out now) for being my guinea pigs, er my first brave guests at the new location on Thursday April 19th. And thanks too to our first beneficiary - the incredible Cheer New York crew who always bring a sense of occasion with them.

Truth to tell, it hardly seems as though that was nearly six weeks ago now as I write this on a rainy Monday.... Time seemed to sort of slow down and speed up simultaneously as soon as the move to The Ritz got underway in earnest and there were a couple weeks in there where it seemed as though only two or three hours elapsed between shows..... thankfully it's all evening out now and I can go back to the gym and back to eating a full meal or two a day... (knock on wood)

Yes, I will readily admit that the move was a tad more complicated and involved than I expected but after a few weeks, we're doing well and it allows us a lot of room to expand. We're still looking how to make the most of the room.... but we're getting there.

You can click here to see the free gallery of images from our first night - thanks to AB and Chauncey for coming along for the ride in the new space... we've had a lot of changes these past couple months but we're hanging in there and throwing a weekly party that you are invited to!  (and thanks to AB for continuing to take pretty awesome pics for us!) :)

TONIGHT ON THE WILL CLARK SHOW - SHERRY VINE, 7 TO 9! #sherryvine #willclark #theritz

TONIGHT: from 7 to 9pm - the incomparable Sherry Vine returns to The Will Clark Show for a night of erotic prizes and fundraising for the AIDS Service Center

You know her, you love her, you probably have done her (at least in your head) - she's the hostest with the mostest not safe for work music videos on You Tube - she's the one and only SHERRY VINE!

As regular Bingoettes know, the AIDS Service Center helps HIV/AIDS inflicted homeless people with food and clothing, the essential materials for this part of our community to re-enter the job market.

And you can help those in need by bringing in those soaps and shampoos that you get when you go to hotels on business trips. ASCNYC has an ongoing need to have these on hand.

See you tonight at The Ritz located at 369 W. 46th Street from 7pm to 9pm!

TONIGHT ON THE WILL CLARK SHOW - TIARAS AND JOCKSTRAPS! 7PM TO 9ISH

It’s our official grand re-opening night and what better way to celebrate in a grand way but to have the Empress and Emperor of New York’s Imperial Court join us as our guests! Witti Repartee and Ritz Kraka will be on hand to officially launch THE WILL CLARK SHOW FEAT. P*RNO BINGO in it’s new home at The Ritz!

Plus! Our very good friend and New York’s best stripper Jay Roth will be joining us to help us christen the new space (although instead of a bottle of champagne on the bow of a ship, we may just spank Jay’s behind.. potayto patahto)

Erotic prizes, mid-town men and Happy Hour drink prices and 100% of what we raise will go to benefit New York’s Imperial Court’s charities!

Will Clark's Journal: On April 11th, We Said Goodbye to Pieces #willclark #yolanda #thewillclarkshow

It's a couple weeks later and I'm sitting here at home on W. 102nd Street looking at the clock. It's just after 2amEST Thursday morning as I write this and I realize that last night was Wednesday night and I didn't head downtown to do the show at Pieces tonight.

Yeah, I sort of felt this way last Wednesday but I had too many butterflies in my stomach over the first Thursday show to really be able to reflect in the right way.... and I don't know if I was ready to completely let go.

You know how it is, right? You do something long enough - and three and a half years at one venue is a lifetime in New York's gay nightlife world - and you never really realize that you've become family until someone says it on your way out the door. We didn't sing "It's a Long Way to Tipperary" but there was a moment when I knew that although I was doing the right thing, it was still somewhat melancholy and I would miss some things about the place - the back room where our stars would occasionally get dressed, getting constantly tangled in the streamers along the back of the stage and of course doing an ongoing show on Christopher Street - the most historic street for the LGBTQ community this side of Castro Street.

The night was full of special moments - I had invited Roger "Yolanda" Mapes to be the sole guest weeks before I knew that it would be the final night there and, in retrospect, it was fitting. Roger has been a good friend to me ever since I did the weekly talk show at View Bar (RIP) back in 2004. We've both seen our share of changes, peaks and valleys and twists and turns. And, fittingly, he sang "We Are Angels", not only one of my all time favorite songs, but also one that Roger wrote.

But he didn't just perform it, no, Roger, sat on stage with me and took my hand and sang it to me as a beautiful serenade. I literally couldn't have been happier. The world sort of vanished for those couple minutes. The best part is that I can relive it anytime I want, as AB got video of it (and it's posted below). BTW you can check out Yolanda's newest show, a Drag Gospel Hour at the Duplex on May 13th and 20th. Will post info closer to the date. :)

Speaking of AB, I took the opportunity to celebrate his birthday - you know, the one that happens in January every year. I totally dropped the ball four months ago mainly because I was not well for a couple weeks but couldn't not do the event .. so I owed him a birthday celebration. I brought cupcakes and tapped singer Terry Christopher to sing happy birthday to him.

Now it's significant that Terry joined us impromptu-like for the final night at Pieces as he was one of the first guests at Pieces when we moved there in September 2008 - and his ride for Braking the Cycle was our last beneficiary at the old 9th Ave Bistro. So Terry has a little bit of history with the show and I was really thrilled that he could join us and have some fun with us especially so soon after he had done such a bang up job a few weeks ago at the birthday bingo. :)

Naturally the night was also a benefit for the Bear Den, and we raised funds for their meeting space at the Queens Pride House. :)

Later, after the end of the game, a few of us did what we did for nearly every week for the past couple  years - go get bar food over at Julius' and rehash the show - the good, the bad, the hilarious (intentional and otherwise). I always wanted to do an Oprah-like "After the Show" show. That would've been kind of fun. :)

Anyway, I will also miss the Julius staff - they were consistently great to us whenever we'd come in and the chicken fingers never failed to satisfy the late night munchies.

Farewell 8 Christopher Street  - thank you for three and a half great years!

Click here for the gallery from this fabulous night (photos by AB)

Catch The Will Clark Show every Thursday from 7pm to 9pm at The Ritz located at 369 W. 46th Street near Ninth Ave on Restaurant Row.

Catch Yolanda's Gospel Hour at the Duplex May 13th and 20th. Deets at http://www.yolanda.net

 

 

 

THE WILL CLARK SHOW'S NEW ERA BEGINS AT THE RITZ 2NITE AT 7PM

As you can imagine, myself, AB and Chauney are very excited to be starting our new adventure tonight at the Ritz starting at our new time, 7pm! A new venue, a new night and a new time - it's a lot of change for us but the one thing to be sure of is that this will be the great show it's been for over 7 years! Fabulous guests, erotic prizes and, as usual, whereever we have landed, cheap drinks!

Tonight, I'm welcoming author Justin Luke (GULLIVER TAKES MANHATTAN) - Justin also produces/promotes his "Boi Party" nights around town - and the always gorgeous Dallas DuBois!

Naturally since this is our first night, I wanted it to benefit one of my favorite groups - and I can't think of any other group better to launch us off with a bang than the men and women over at Cheer NY who just a few weeks ago at the old place raised a big chunk o change for Camp CHAM, a summer camp for kids with diabetes.

There's happy hour drink pricing and the usual fabulous Ritz bartenders at the helm and of course great erotic prizes for the winner of each round.

Looking forward to starting this new adventure with all of you on board!

We've Been To The Bistro, We've Gone to Pieces, Starting Thursday April 19th, It's Time to Move To The Ritz

Hey peeps! I am very proud to announce that as of Thursday April 19th, The Will Clark Show feat. P*rno Bingo will be moving to it's new home, THE RITZ!! (located at 369 W. 46th Street near Ninth Ave. along Restaurant Row, look for the blue awning)

A new home, a new night and also, a new time - 7pm to 9pm as we become the first Happy Hour show in New York's mid-town! :)

Long time friends and fans know that I used to produce/emcee Micky's "Cocktails with the Stars" back in my West Hollywood days and ever since I moved back to the city in 2003, I have been on the lookout for an opportunity to do a Happy Hour show. And ever since the 9th Ave. Bistro closed in September 2008, I've been missing working in midtown. So am I pleased beyond belief that now I'm able to make both of these desires reality!

As for the first show, I've booked the fabulous Dallas DuBois and author Justin Luke - plus we'll have a visit from New York's Cheerleading group, CHEER New York!

I hope you all will join myself, my awesome Ed McMahan - aka AB and the newest member of the Will Clark Show team, DJ Chauncey Dandridge, for this fabulous show and our first night in our new home!

Coming up on April 26th: Lucas Entertainment stud Vito Gallo, the award winning Terese Genecco & Shaynee Rainbolt raising funds for Marriage Equality New York!

I want to give a huge shoutout to Eric and the guys at Pieces - you've been terrific to work for/with and I wish you much happiness and success in the years to come at both the current Christopher Street location (which is slated to be open for a good long time to come) and the new location, Hardware, on Tenth Ave. between 47th and 48th opening later this spring.

Will Clark's Journal: Gay Geeks Go Wild at Bingo! #geeksout #willclark

March 14th was a night when the GeeksOut group came out to play with us at Bingo - and we featured Marvel Comics editor Daniel Ketchum (what a cutie!) and drag superstar of New York, Peppermint! I indulged in some super geeky conversation with Daniel about comics (so rare when I get to have a conversation like that :( ) and then got a chance to talk with Peppermint about her recent community event at XL (some people spend their birthday raising money at a bingo event, Peppermint spent hers emceeing a town forum type of event). And yeah, the picture here pretty much sums up the great mood of the night! LOL

It was also DJ Chris Padilla's final night with us. Originally scheduled to be with us for three months back towards the end of 2010, Chris enjoyed the show so much that he stayed on for nearly a year and a half until he decided to leave our fair city for Florida where he has new opportunities awaiting for him. I am grateful for all the great sounds he gave us over the time he spent with us. Best to you, Chris!

You can click here to see the gallery from the night. Photos by AB

Will Clark's Journal: Celebrating the Big 48 at the Will Clark Show #willclark #bingo #kylieedmond #justinluke

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?

On that note, enjoy the pics by clicking here .. and thanks AB for taking so many GREAT pics!!