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A transgender-themed drama is currently scheduled for off-Broadway starring two divas who have long been known to be friends of the LGBT community: screen, tv and stage star (two-time Tony nominee) Kathleen Turner and singer/stage star/recording artist/ Grammy nominee Deborah Cox. The world premiere is coming to New World Stages, just west of Worldwide Plaza, it was announced yesterday by the Associated Press.
The play, Would You Still Love Me?, is written by John S. Anastasi and will be directed by Nona Gerard. Previews begin the 26th of this month.
No, Kathleen does not play Caitlin Jenner, though she did guest appearances as Chandler's transgendered dad on tv's Friends, and gender-bending is very much in vogue nowadays. She, in fact will play the mother of a daughter, in a lesbian relationship, who decides to change her gender. Holy Chaz! We'll see how Kathleen compares to Cher under those circumstances.
I have previously seen Ms. Turner on Broadway in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and High, and she is just astounding on stage. I saw Ms Cox a few years ago, on the pier at Pride when she opened for Cher. She, too, was amazing.
Don't hesitate to reserve, as tickets are currently on sale for previews and it will be a limited run.
Through this Polar Vortex, divas are still heating up NYC dancefloors according to the Billboard Dance/Club chart end-dated February 1st. And who's absolutely on fire? None other than Scary Spice herself, Mel B, who flares up from last week's 22nd spot to this week's 13th with "For Once in My Life," a brilliant, uplifting and energetic new number.
Cher also blazes ahead, now at #2 with "Take It Like a Man," the second huge hit, after "Woman's World," off her new album. Seems gender is a hot ticket lately. Let's see if it trounces Demi Lovato's "Neon Lights" from the #1 roost next outing.
Last week's #1, Deborah Cox's "Higher," simmers in the 11th position. And club queen Kristine W pulls off a fairly rare event by moving back up the chart. This hot number radiated enough interest to take it from 19th place to 17th. It's been on the chart for 11 weeks and peaked in 2nd place.
Lady Gaga's "Do What U Want," from the new ArtPop album, is upwardly mobile in the 9th spot. The last time we looked, it was #11.
Meanwhile, PrideSource recently asked none other than the divine Patti Labelle about divahood. I love what she had to say in her interview with Chris Azzopardi. Here is that portion of their interview: For you, what does it mean to be a diva? [Patti:] That word is used so loosely that I don't even consider myself a
diva. I always considered myself a woman who sings her heart out and who
gives 120 percent. "Diva" is a word that I wouldn't wanna call myself
because it's so loosely used. It's not cute anymore. Is there a negative connotation to it now? Yeah, because all these little heifers who can't sing are called
divas! It doesn't mean anything to me and probably to some of the other
ladies who have been doing it for as long as I have: Gladys Knight,
Aretha Franklin, Dionne Warwick. You know, I'm speaking for me - I don't
know if they like to be called divas - but I know I wouldn't call them
divas, because it's not in good company. But it used to be a respectable term at some point.Well, for opera singers, and for ladies who earned it, but that was
way, way back when. Now you can look up to them, but you might not see
what you wanna see. A hot mess! People who are doing it and doing it
with about 40 people on stage with them to hide their pitifulness -
that's not a word, but you know what I mean.
And so, until next time, m dance music diva lovers, Dj Buddy Beaverhausen says keep warm and embrace your inner heifer. Uhhh..., I meant your inner diva, of course!
In an obvious attempt to appeal to the gay market, Lay's decided to pitch Doritos to gay men. Well, you don't know how many times I'm at a party or scoffing up snacks at happy hour in a gay bar and desperately search for that salty, nacho-flavored junk food, hoping to raise my blood pressure to new heights as I sip my salt-rimmed margaritas! And, of course, there's always cool raunch ~ err, I meant ranch. And hot wings or chipotle bbq flavor.
Lay's went over the top with the delightful, impish Leslie Jordan (best known for his recurring guest role on Will & Grace, perhaps, but also for Sordid Lives and the movie, The Help). That said, this is a pretty "out" there ad and we applaud Lay's Doritos for it. See for yourselves!
By the way, in the latest Billboard club/dance music news, Deborah Cox's "Higher" reached the #1 spot on that chart! Big woo for the diva, who I so enjoyed seeing at the pier dance last Pride in NYC, opening for Cher, whose "Take It Like a Man" has skyrocketed to third place in just 6 weeks. http://djbuddybeaverhausen.blogspot.com/2013/07/on-pier-with-cher-and-hot-cox.html
Celine Dion's "Loved Me Back to Life" peaked at numero tres but holds onto the top ten at #10. Lady Gaga's "Do What You Want" is upwardly mobile at #11. Kristine W's "So Close to Me," which once held the #2 spot, down but strong at #19.
This week, it was evident on the Billboard chart end-dated January 18, and on some promos that came across my desk and Internet, that there are some major, power-house divas ready to reclaim the discos! 2014 is starting off with a divalicious bang.
Deborah Cox's "Higher" (featuring Paige) is now #2. Ms Cox, who performed last summer at NYC's awesome Gay Pride pier dance, opening for Cher, http://djbuddybeaverhausen.blogspot.com/2013/07/on-pier-with-cher-and-hot-cox.html is always a welcome figure on the charts. Hopefully, she'll be taken even Higher next week to the heavenly #1 spot.
As for Cher, "Take It Like a Man," from her fab new album, is currently on the rise at #7, thanks to a bevy of robust remixes. The best of them is no doubt Tony Moran's Destination mix, a big-room rouser. I also particularly recommend UK's 7th Heaven EuroNRG revamp.
At #3, we have none less than Celine Dion, buoyed by the remixes of "Loved Me Back to Life." She is seriously loved back to life by club-goers with this one. Although I prefer an unreleased LFB mix I heard months ago, it seems the only official remix is Dave Aude's club version. Good, mainstream remix for sure; it's a guaranteed floor-filler.
Kristine W, a diva's diva, peaked at #2 with "So Close to Me." Nine weeks on the charts, it currently hangs onto the top ten in the 9th nook.
And Donna Summer is back for the dancefloors via new dj-promo remixes of "MacArthur Park" by Rosabel, Laidback Luke and Frank Lamboy. Rosabel's mix gallops along nicely for contempo clubgoers; one of the more successful efforts to come off the recent remix tribute album. Laidback Luke's re-do, however, is a tinny calliope-like mess while I found Frank Lamboy's version a busy and belabored one. "MacArthur Park" is currently #14 on Billboard's club chart. Joel Dickinson recently informed us he has a remix forthcoming in a second wave. Seriously looking forward to that!
Lady Gaga's "Do What U Want" is on the rise at #19. And Jody Watley seems to have peaked at #18 with "Nightlife," dropping now to 22nd place when it really deserves to go higher. But major diva power is the trend right now on US Billboard's dance/club chart for certain.
Meanwhile, not on the chart but hopefully headed there, the upbeat and quite winning club number from Spice Girl Mel B ("Scary Spice"), "For Once in My Life," given new life by Dj Pornstar from Sobel Promotions.
And I received 7th Heaven's club mix of Dario G featuring Dame Shirley Bassey's "We Got Music" ~ and it is as fabulous as you might hope! Always a pleasure when Bassey returns to the dancefloors. Lisa Stansfield is also back! Moto Blanco (who can virtually do no wrong) has a club mix of her "Can't Dance" that will transport you to the floor in soulfully divine disco style. "We're gonna crucify the dancefloor!" And Ms Stansfield is back in full vocal range and all her glory!
Lastly, Sanna & Petron do a nice job of remixing Australia's Tina Arena, whom we've missed, with "Reset All." The diva returns in fine voice, though the song, as written, may not be catchy enough to catch on, at least in the USA where she is not a household name.
But the divas are distinctly back in force at the top of the year. Let's hope this is the trend for 2014!
The Pet Shop Boys' latest album, Electric, is surely something they could do in their sleep at this point of their career. Nonetheless, it is not to be ignored and should appeal to contemporary clubgoers and dance fans despite -- or, perhaps, partly because of -- its distinctly '80s flavor. The album will be available in the USA on July 16. It is the first album released on their own label and it's produced by Stuart Price.
Electric opens with the largely instrumental, "Axis," already a Billboard charter as is the ultimate number, "Vocal." The latter is a very hiNRG dance tune that should infuse everyone with the desire to shake his/her moneymaker.
Bruce Springsteen's anti-war "Inside a Dream" gets a clever disco makeover. "Bolshy" and "Love Is a Bourgeois Construct" seem to refer to a gay love affair in Russia, very timely regarding the release date of this album. "Bourgeoise" has a very strong male chorus in the background with a distinct Russian echo to it.
Only the number "Shouting in the Evening" was too cacophonous for me. (What were they thinking when they arranged this? Appealing to a heavy industrial techno crowd? Do they still exist?!) "Thursday," the penultimate track, is classic PSB, but with a nice tweak via a brief interlude by rapper, Example. Would make a fine single with remixes.
All in all, a successful outing but don't expect anything revolutionary. The Pet Shop Boys have had a winning musical formula with few variations for over 30 years. And it still serves them well.
There were a couple of other hot dance tunes I enjoyed on promos this weekend: Deborah Cox's "Higher," featuring Paige, is a solid number for the diva who
performed it as part of her act on the NYC Pier Dance last month.
Wrapped in an electro arrangement of drums and a swirl of keyboards, her
vocals burnish through to make this a summer hit. You can hear it below.
And Mariah's
back with another dancefloor tune for her fans. Suitably Latin but to
an upbeat House production in the fabulous Big Kid and Brian Cua remix, which is the way to go on this one. The song is called "Almost Home" and
it's a winner.
I squeezed into the throng of sweaty gay men on the TriBeCa pier yesterday, immediately picking up on the smell of testosterone and Calvin Kline's Eternity, and just in time for Deborah Cox to appear. I was so far from the stage and yet the acoustics were excellent, thankfully. It's difficult to get a good view of the pier diva, despite the elevated stage, when one's vertically challenged and standing behind some towering heads and shoulders.
Ms Cox was in great voice and gave, virtually, a full concert of about a dozen numbers, including "Nobody's Supposed to Be Here," "Absolutely Not" and "If It Wasn't for Love." I did manage to see the diva was in a spangly silver top with white hotpants and a pair of white scarves to her back, fluttering in the breeze off the Hudson, looking befittingly fierce. Follow that, bitch! She had flung down the gauntlet.
The boys were thumping, fists were pumping (in the air, of course). Packed like sardines, it was impossible not to feel some bumps and grinds, both unintended and deliberate, and things turned touchy-feely in the crowd at times. I twirled through a few dance partners, some shirtless, armpits in my face but, hey, this is what I signed on for. I even got a phone number during this swirl, all the while being entertained by Cox. Ms Cox I mean.
When I previously informed Dr Spinelli I was going to the Pier Dance this year, he warned, typically, "Be safe!" Safe? At my age? What could I do that's not safe?! Experiment with crystal meth at this point in my life? Get too drunk? (I mean, you have no idea how long I stood on line to get one single cold beer during that whole concert!) Do poppers? (I did smell amyl nitrate along with the Eternity and, honestly, it lowers blood pressure (amyl; not the Calvin Kline cologne).) The worse that could happen to me nowadays would be slipping a disk or breaking a hip from too much booty shaking!
And then there was Cher! Yes, the Diva of Divas, finally at the LGBT Pier Dance in NYC! We were so aglow at her grand arrival onstage, some big dude actually gave me a big bear hug. You could almost smell the euphoria -- yes, along with the Eternity (and I could smell that big bear's natural scents; no Calvin).
Cher was introduced by none other than Whoopi Goldberg (a complete surprise). The eternal pop goddess opened with her gay-favorite club hit, "Strong Enough" from the Believe album. The 67-year-old diva then followed that up with her mega-hit, "Believe," and ended with the single off her new album, "It's a Woman's World." She appeared in a white and gold fitted suit and a long red wig.
She had just the three-song set that left some wondering if her act was Long Enough. But, as for myself, I had no problem as I left during the fireworks with a big smooch from a handsome stranger. It was a great Pride weekend and I went home with a happy face on. Thank you, Cher, Cox and all the big boys.
This morning, it became clear what I'd be doing this year at New York City's LGBT Pride Day (the original). It was announced on Cher's official Facebook Page that the diva would be performing at the annual pier dance. O! M! G! Drop everything and order a ticket! That's what I told myself and, honeys, that's just what I did!
When Heritage of Pride announces its annual events (including the March, known by many as the Parade, now that it includes floats, marching bands and on-the-street merchandising), it includes information about the Pier Dance. So we know who the Djs are, we know the start and end times, we know the fabulous, climactic fireworks from a barge off the Hudson River will be back. But it's not until the event draws near that the live appearance by the diva -- always a gay icon -- is announced. Whitney Houston appeared one year! Janet Jackson! Martha Wash! Madonna! You just never know until the last minute. This year, a double-diva delight: Cher, promoting her new album, and Deborah Cox!
So I'll be there, I'll be queer, they'll be fabulous. Originally, I just thought I'd go into the City from Bay Ridge and watch the Parade until I got bored (GayDD setting in). Now, I think I'll go in late for my date with the Divas! This is the 27th year of Dance on the Pier, again serving as the official closing to NYC Pride's official events. Hudson River Park’s Pier 26 in TriBeCa is the new home for this event; entrance at North Moore and West Streets. Do you Believe it?
Let's work our way up the chart this week as I comment on the tracks I deem noteworthy. For the full club play top 25, go to Billboard.com.
Always a pleasure to see Erasure represented, and this week their song, "Be with You," nicely skips to #22 from 24th place last week. Gravitonas hangs in there at #23 with "Everybody Dance." By the way, the Swedish electro duo is the latest incarnation of producer/songwriter Alexander Bard of Army Of Lovers ("Crucified") and BWO fame. Gravitonas' vocalist Andreas Ohm is joined by Russian pop star Roma Kenga on this track. Good stuff!
The dreamy "Drifting" by Plumb en-trances as it drifts up from 23 to snag spot #20, while the Ultra Nate-meets-Destiny Child's Michelle Williams number, "Waiting on You" does its disco damnedest as it jumps from last week's 21st spot to #17. Lots of nice remixes to choose from for this one, too.
Traci Lords' "Last Drag" peaked at fourth place. It was at 10 last week, and now finds itself parked at a still-respectable #16. Lady Gaga drops to sixth place with the rousing "Marry the Night" (my favorite track off the "Born This Way" album), having captured the numero uno position last time we took a look. Rising from #9 to #7 is the sticks-in-the-head dance track, "Let Me Be Myself" by Rosabel featuring the divine club diva, Tamara Wallace.
"Shake It Out," Florence + the Machine, shaking it up to #4. Brilliant party song, brilliant band, glad to see it doing so well! Up one spot as well, Gloria Estefan's "Hotel Nacional," swinging Dr Buzzard-style with the #1 spot a real possibility at this point.
But this week's #1 song (and diva) is none other than "If It Wasn't for Love" sung by Miss Deborah Cox. I fell in love with this Janice Robinson-penned number from the start, before it entered Billboard's chart. Hello, Deborah; so nice to have you back where you belong! (You so deserve your spotlight.)
By the way, big thanks and kisses out to Slovenia! (You guys are crazy!) And love all around this world to all my friends, readers and party people. Until next week, keep on dancing!
Deborah Cox is back, big time, on Billboard! Not only that, she's returned to the club music chart with a fantastic, new song written for her by Janice Robinson. That's diva-to-diva, party people, as Janice is best known in dance-music circles as the voice that fronted Livin' Joy in the '90s, on the amazing song, "Dreamer." Now, for those too young to recall, Livin' Joy was a house music group from Italy who released two very successful dance hits: "Dreamer" and "Don't Stop Movin'." (Tameka Starr, however, replaced Janice, who left the group for a solo career, on the latter number.)
"If It Wasn't for Love" is a powerful song with a melody that stays in your head. Cox's voice has never sounded better. It shot up nine points from last week alone and is currently in the #18 spot. Kudos to Deborah and Janice, and congratulations! Don't be surprised, everybody, if Ms Cox takes this all the way up to #1. It's a killer tune!
The club mix by Mixin' Marc & Tony Svejda can be found below, via Youtube. Support our great LGBT-supportive artists by legally downloading their music. "If It Wasn't for Love" can be officially downloaded from iTunes.
Florence & the Machine, who will appear Monday (Dec. 19) on VH-1 Divas Celebrates Soul, nationally in the USA, follows in the next slot (#19) with "Shake It Out," up from 26. Another good show!
Miss Tamara Wallace, singing with Rosabel, goes up to 21 with the exciting "Let Me Be Myself" while, at 22, Cirque du Soleil and Zarkana's "Whenever" stalls from last week.
LeAnn Rimes is up again this week with "Give," at #13, and, as I said last time, the Almighty remix is the way to go with this one. They've done wonders with Missy Rimes before and this is no exception, everybody. Give it a whirl. (On the dance floor, that is.)
The Top Ten this week is brightened by some recent entries doing well. Erika Jayne's "Party People" enters at 8 from 12 last week. "Last Drag," by ex-porn queen, Traci Lords, hits 6 from 11. The fab Wynter Gordon all the way up at #2 with "Buy My Love" (never mind her love; lots of club djs buying her record, looks like). And Beyonce, who looked overlooked last week, when Enrique Iglesias seemed to have snatched the ring at #1 from her ascent, is now at the numero uno spot after all with the fun floor-filler, "Countdown" while Enrique makes a precipitous drop with "I Like How It Feels," landing in 7th place. Not sure he likes the feel of that!
Until next time, get thee to a club, be yourself, express yourself, lose yourself in the music and remember, music is a great uniter and dance music = love for all of us, all over the world. Cheers!
If John Waters thinks Baltimore is offbeat, he should visit Bay Ridge. And let me tell one and all, I'm thrilled to be living here in an apartment five or six times my Village digs in Manhattan. Windows, windows, windows; closets, closets, closets! I'm still stunned by the grandeur of it. An entire "dressing room?" You bet. (And you know I'm feeling all Crawfordy over it!)
But what would Mr Waters (who is doing a Christmas act at BB King NYC on Dec. 19 & 20) think about this area's being the home of the 99cent stores as well as home to the illegal u-turn and 3-point turn, which occur, indiscriminately, every minute it seems? Not to mention the huge, white turkeys stalking about in the florist window display directly across the street from me!
I went over to watch the nonchalant birds Sunday morning as a Brooklynite guidette mama (perfectly made up, coiffed and dressed in a belt-hugging minidress, for churchgoing) of two young ones purred a'la Fran Drescher on The Nanny, "Oooooh, my God, kids! Look! Turrrrkeees! Reeeel turrrkeys! Can ya fuckin' believe it!" (Why am I certain she received holy communion shortly thereafter?) She took a pic with her cell. How could I not fall in love with this burg?
This weekend was very productive. Kitchen bulletin board's up, as is rubber-ducky shower curtain & bath mat. Mainly, I hooked my audio system up and created my first promo cd since September.
April's Fagtastic promo still remains a popularly requested cd-r; so here comes Fagtastic Too in the same spirit. First up is the Betty White version of "I'm Still Hot" by Luciana, which hit #1 on Billboard's dance chart.
I followed that with a club mix of Adele's "Someone Like You," followed by a promo I have of Madonna's new number, "Give Me All Your Love" (Saint Ken mix), bound to reach your dancefloor and radio in December.
Then, another advance preview of Deborah Cox's latest outing,"If It Wasn't for Love."
Kathy Sledge, of Sister Sledge ("We Are Family") follows with her Billboard dance charter, "Give Yourself Up," preceding the unreleased Almighty 2010 remix of Cher's "Believe."
Other highlights include Erasure's "Be with You," already a dance smash in Europe; Selena Gomez's catchy "Love You Like a Love Song," and the divine, hi-nrg "Love SOS" by the stalwart Pepper Mashay.
Bay Ridge inspires me; more space assists my work; I expect the neighb influence will only make me more edgy and adventurous (though upbeat) on future cd-r promos.
I'll hate to see those turkeys go. Maybe they'll bring in elves for the next display. We'll see.
