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Showing posts with label Gay Pride New York. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gay Pride New York. Show all posts
LGBT Pride Month begins June 1st, which is Marilyn Monroe's birthday. And LGBT Pride in June celebrates the political liberation that was initiated during the Stonewall riots on June 28, 1968 -- the day after Judy Garland's funeral. Coincidence? I think not. Both icons cherished and were supportive of their legion of gay fans.
LGBT Pride Day, in city after city around the world, will embrace dance-music divas. They're the idols of the post-Stonewall age. These divas will be on parade floats! In clubs! In cabarets! And even right on the streets during Pride Days internationally. Oklahoma City Pride this year will feature the double-powerhouse appearance of Taylor Dayne and Martha Wash, for example. Lucky city! As is Milwaukee, where that burg's PrideFest has the divine Debby Holiday onstage ahead of comedy divas Sandra Bernhard and Lisa Lampanelli.
Here in New York City, Queens Pride kicked off June 1 with the fabulous Inaya Day belting out her Billboard club hits, "Movin' Up" and "Make Some Noise" 1 a.m. at Icon in Astoria. The Pier Dance in Manhattan will be on Sunday, June 29. This year, the Pier Dance diva will be Demi Lovato who is not enough of a draw, personally, to bring me to that event. Last year, I was there with bells on (only figuratively) to see Cher and Deborah Cox. What an amazing show that was! http://djbuddybeaverhausen.blogspot.com/2013/07/on-pier-with-cher-and-hot-cox.html
So, what diva or divas are appearing at your city's event? Dj Buddy Beaverhausen would love to hear from you, all over the world. Don't be shy. Enquiring minds need to know. Wishing a happy Pride Day to all, wherever you might be!
Inaya Day made some noise Saturday night (technically, Sunday morning) to a packed house at Icon, Astoria, Queens and blew us all away. It was the six-month anniversary of the club and a celebration of Queens LGBT Pride Day which was Sunday, June 1.
My friend, Kevin, made the trip from Bay Ridge to Astoria with me. We each had a flute of pineapple champagne in his place before going down for our car which was more than 20 minutes late. Traffic was a mess getting out of Brooklyn and we arrived later than expected but, thankfully, our diva went on later than expected, too.
Nick Lion instantly welcomed us and made us once more feel at home in his plush club. The joint was jumpin' to the dj and it was body-to-body.
I was able to go downstairs, to the club's "green room," to meet Inaya, her promoter and my friend Barbara Sobel, dance diva DeVonde Williams, who I will be interviewing shortly, and some of Inaya's inner circle.
Shortly after I was back upstairs and comfortably seated on a banquette, the diva emerged to take to the stage. And let me say, Day is like a force of nature. What an incredible, powerhouse voice. Amazing! And if you ever have the chance to hear her live, people, don't miss out.
Inaya sang "Movin' Up (Take My Problems to the Dance Floor)" and got us all movin'. Up, down, sideways and swirling around to that great Mike Cruz club smash from '97. It hasn't aged a day as a rousing dancefloor tune. She followed that her latest # 1 Billboard club hit with Dj Escape, "Make Some Noise," and fabulous noise it was. Dj Buddy B was making his own noise at the sheer joy of experiencing that live.
After showtime, it was "go" time for Kevin and I. We simply hailed a cab outside and were back in Bay Ridge in record time. Thanks to Nick, Barbara, Inaya and all those sexy go-go gods and waiters for a terrific time. Another great Iconic night with a true icon of club music, Inaya Day!
Tonight was the second of John Waters' two shows at NYC's City Winery. It seemed the perfect entertainment for Gay Pride Eve.
Director Waters (no relation to Crystal or Ethel) is a great monologist who can beguile a crowd, generating spontaneous laughter and applause, simply by talking for a full 90 minutes followed by a generous Q & A.
He appeared in a fire-engine red suit, red sneakers, a white shirt and black tie to discuss his favorite obsessions: bouffants, bears (the gay kind), kinky sex, Baltimore, gay marriage, movies that are in exquisitely questionable taste (his own and by others), Justin Bieber, Chaz Bono and Pia Zadora. He also praised actress Mink Stole, part of his repertoire, for her singing (favorably comparing her to Julie London) as well as John Travolta as Edna Turnblad in the movie musical "Hairspray," and said the scariest person he ever worked with was Susan Tyrell.
Waters' performance was well scripted and beautifully rendered to a full house of fans. There seemed to be no stage direction, however, as Mr Waters positioned himself too often where he could only be partially seen by various parts of the audience.
John Waters has been described as a "raconteur." But he is much more than that. He is a full-fledged comic with a famously offbeat sense of humor that hep audiences can really dig. His show is a true, modern happening. And what better groove to be into, in NYC, on the night before Pride?
My friends from Connecticut were wild about the act (as was I) and about the chic yet warm ambiance of City Winery. Afterwards, we moved on to a roadhouse-styled Prince St. bar, across the street from my first NYC apartment. (Tub in the kitchen.) At the bar, we grandly entertained ourselves. Gay Pride weekend kicked off in high style and a euphoria of good feelings.
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?
June is Pride month and it's busting out all over! Ninety-plus degree weather in NYC, coming out of a chilly, damp spring, and it's time to celebrate. President Obama issued a Proclamation today that began: "The story of America's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT)
community is the story of our fathers and sons, our mothers and
daughters, and our friends and neighbors who continue the task of making
our country a more perfect Union. It is a story about the struggle to
realize the great American promise that all people can live with dignity
and fairness under the law. Each June, we commemorate the courageous
individuals who have fought to achieve this promise for LGBT Americans,
and we rededicate ourselves to the pursuit of equal rights for all,
regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity."
Meanwhile, in Beaverhausen World, my blog has hit an all-time high regarding views for the month of May! 13,338 views, topping my previous monthly high of 12,529 for December. I love the international stats reflecting my audience; you guys (and gals) are fantastic! It's a disco world & we're all united. Dance on, dance for peace, for equality, for love and for a positive future!
For Pride, I highly recommend reading my ongoing Q & A with classic-disco producer Bob Esty, as he talks about Donna Summer, Cher, Giorgio & much more:
And, post-finally, Hildegarde! (Are we sure she and Christine Jorgensen aren't the same person? Have you ever seen them together?) Enjoy this and Happy LGBT Pride to all:
When the parade passes by 12 Fifth Avenue today, Sunday, LGBT Pride Day in Manhattan, I won't be there. For the first time in 19 years, I will not be in front of that building, with friends and neighbors, as the floats and bands and organizations, the go-go boys and drag queens, the club divas, Dykes on Bikes and even grand marshal Cyndi Lauper go by. You see, I've decided to sit it out.
Now, don't cry for me, New York City. The truth is that's the way I like it, uh-huh, uh-huh! I had a rough year's end to 2011 with my Mom unexpectedly passing on October 1 and then, at the same time, my 12 /5 landlord informed me the building was being sold and huge renovations were being planned for my rent-stabilized apartment which would be very disruptive to my day-to-day living and to my dj-ing.
But a miracle came to me: for only a little over $100 more a month, an entire floor-through apartment in Bay Ridge became available. I was living in a cramped, anachronistic studio where I still had to pull on a chain to turn on the ceiling light because the landlord refused to install a wall switch. ("Too costly.") In Bay Ridge, I'm comparably living like a movie star. And the only other tenant in the building is my long-time good friend in the floor-through below, with a deli on street level. I finally have a place for everything. Can I get everything in its place?
But Happy Pride to everyone gathered in Manhattan today, whether watching or marching! Let the sunshine beam down upon it all once more. I'll catch you next go-round!
When I first heard "Dive" (Chris Cox remix) in a club eight years ago, I had to know who this diva was! Thus began my love affair, dj-wise, with Debby Holiday. Mention "Joyous Sound" to most gay men and they kvell! The Tony Moran/Warren Rigg mix of "Surrender Me" still sends chills up my spine. So it is a special pleasure to interview the one, the only, the fabulous ... Ms Debby Holiday!
Dj Buddy B: Debby, I've been such a big fan of yours since I first heard "Dive," so
it's particularly sweet that you would do a Q and A for my blog in
time for Pride. Thank you so very much!
Debby Holiday: Aww, my pleasure!
DBB: What are your Pride plans, with so many Pride celebrations around the world? Will you be performing?
DH: Oh, yes indeed! I'll be at Seattle Pride this weekend! Can't Wait! Lots of friends there AND I'll have a chance
to hug Phil B,who's spinning!
DBB: You and Dj Phil are a winning couple, musically. Love out to you both!
Debby, we adore you in NYC! Will you be doing a show here any time soon?
DH: Oh, bless you -- I tell ya, I am WAY overdue for a NY show! Hmmm - gotta ask one of my agents about that. [laughs.] I will however, be performing
at Cobalt in DC on July 14th and Rehoboth Beach at the Blue Moon on July 15th. Both
venues are new to me, so definitely looking forward!
DBB: We will so be loving you once you get here!
It's so great to see you on the Billboard dance chart so frequently
lately! You just had a top-ten charter with producer Phil B ("Never Give
Up") and, now, your song with John LePage, "Key to Your Soul" is climbing
up. You actually had two numbers on Billboard at once. How did that feel? And
to what do you attribute this recent Billboard boost?
DH: Well, it took me about two weeks to even remember that! "Hey, wait a minute, is my name on two singles at once?" [laughs.]
Definitely a pretty cool feeling. I've been very blessed so
far. Eleven singles all in the top 25! I attribute that to a lot of hard
work AND working with great people! "Never Give Up"and all !! :)
DBB: Billboard said you straddle the fence between soul, rock and disco, yet you always seem outside the box. Could you tell us a little about your musical influences and background?
DH: Oh, very eclectic. From David Bowie and AC/DC, Janis Joplin
to Tina Turner, Prince, Lenny Kravitz, Aretha Franklin ... and ...
Chopin. My father had every possible kind of musician traipsing
through our home as a child so I learned to appreciate and love a lot of
different styles of music. Oh... and the first live show I saw ... Bette
Midler!
DBB: It is the rare dance diva who writes or co-writes most of her material, but you are one of them. How do you feel about that?
DH: My father [soul legend Jimmy Holiday who co-wrote "Put a Little Love in Your Heart" amongst others] wrote a few huge hits, so song writing is an honored
art form in my heart and mind. It means a great deal to me -- to have
the pleasure/honor of sharing thoughts -- especially the uplifting songs
because I know music saved my life many times. [Mine, too, Debby. ~ Dj Buddy B] When I felt no one
understood, music was my constant solace.
DBB: You did a fabulous, blow-the-roof-off cover of "Heaven," produced by
LePage and LFB, a classic 1990's club hit originally recorded by Sarah
Washington. What was it like to tackle something that already had the
status of this sort?
DH: Well, it was very
odd at first. I mean, come on, Sarah Washington is amazing! So, I tried
to stay true to her passion while making it my own. I had a blast and
am really thankful John suggested the whole idea.
DBB: It turned out wonderfully!
I'll ask you about other disco divas, now, if you don't mind. For
example, Cyndi Lauper is NYC's grand marshal in our march this year. In July, I have the opportunity to see Nona Hendryx (of Labelle). Like
you, she definitely is on the edge of the soul/rock/dance scene. In
August, Martha Wash. I wanted to get your take on these women with
powerful voices who, like you, have guided us to the dance floor and
made us wanna sweat.
DH: Not much I can say except: all hail those beautiful women! Strength,
grit, tenacity ~ adore each and every one of them!! It's a good thang
to sweat! Ohhh, yes!!
DBB: The club world has had some terrible losses recently; I'm referring
especially to the deaths of Whitney Houston and Donna Summer. What
effect did these events have on you?
DH: The loss of such powerful voices and spirits always makes
me reflect on why we are here, how short our journey is and that we
MUST try to cherish every minute. The ups -- the downs -- all of it! I
will be forever in awe and grateful to the musical voices that were
here with us ... lifted us up, gave us hope, made us dance, smile, FEEL Life.
DBB: Last questions. Care to comment on the President's stance on marriage
equality? And anything special you'd like to shout out to your gay fans
all over the world?
DH: I am SO proud of our President. It took a great deal of
courage to be the first American President to say it! I know he lost a
lotta Bible Belt folks over speakin' his truth. To my gay fans/friends, I
say ... I love you! We are all equal, PERIOD! We will continue to spread
a message of love and equality and strength and unity. One mind,
one open heart at a time ... we Belong! Each and every one of us!
DBB: We
love you, Debby. And thanks so much for your time and for sharing your
thoughts and feelings with us. Happy Pride and have a great summertime! You are beautiful, inside and out!
DH: Thank you for having me! I feel very fortunate to know some delicious beings like yourself. Big ol' hug to ya!
Debby Holiday, available on iTunes. Support our artists that support us. Happy Pride to all! Good luck, Debby, in Seattle! xxxx!
Let's talk highlights of the Top 25 Billboard Dance Chart ending the week of June 16, shall we?
While poppy little boppers One Direction took over the top nook with "What Makes You Beautiful," Rihanna sinks like yesterday's beleaguered Battleship to 4th place while Toni Braxton's "I Heart You," however, nicely keeps up its momentum, going from #6 to #3, hopefully on its way to #1, where it deserves to be.
"Dance Again," also once #1, stays put at 8th place, a hit for sure with eight weeks on the chart so far. If I were into numerology, I'd give Missy JLo a head's up about the number 8. Behind it, "Menergy," the Ralphi Rosario remake featuring Shawn Christopher, leaps from 15th place to 9th. Pumping menergy for sure! Many a dj likes Eva Simmons' "I Don't Like You," now in the 10th spot. I don't like her (or it).
Canada's Carly Rae Jepson is at lucky number 13 this week with "Call Me Maybe," babies. But Katherine McPhee's "Smash" hit, "Touch Me" steams its way up the Dance chart from #24 to #13! Can't touch her, she's smoking hot!
Ok, I didn't need a deadline for my "NYC Pride Anthems 2012" promos (my oversight not to establish one) because I received three correct answers shortly after I announced the totally free giveaways. The promo-only cd-r's mail out Monday to:
AJ, USA
David, USA
Lucho, Brazil
Congratulations winners & thanks to all who participated!
And Happy Gay Pride to everyone on the planet, damn it!
Cyndi Lauper has appeared at Gay Pride marches in New York and around the world before. This year she will be a grand marshal at the original New York City event on Sunday, June 24th. As reported in the Huffington Post: "The 2012 New York City LGBT Pride March will shine brighter than ever this year, with a little help from a legendary pop diva.
"Heritage of Pride has confirmed to HuffPost Gay Voices that Cyndi Lauper will serve as a grand marshal in the 43rd annual event, scheduled for June 24."
"'Our choices for this year's Grand Marshals embody everything we look for in representatives that give back to the LGBT community and have made a huge impact on the overall movement,' Mike Dunlap, March Director, said in a press release.
"Joining Lauper will be Kiehl's Since 1851 President Chris Salgardo, as well as Phyllis Siege and Connie Kopelov, who became New York's first-ever same-sex married couple on July 24, 2011 after 23 years together.
"'Chris Salgardo's consistent track record on corporate responsibility, Cyndi Lauper's True Colors Fund, and Connie & Phyllis' symbolic, newly legalized union further prove that the LGBT movement is alive and well,' Dunlap continued."
"The 58-year-old Lauper, a Queens native, said she was thrilled by the choice. 'Pride is one of my favorite times of the year, and as a lifelong New Yorker, I am excited to get to celebrate it in the greatest city in the world,' she noted in a press release. 'I look forward to marching down 5th Avenue arm and arm with my brothers and sisters in the LGBT community as we let the world know that we will not rest until equality for all becomes a reality.'
"Lauper -- whose sister Elen is a lesbian
opened the True Colors Residence in Harlem, the first permanent housing facility in New York state specifically for LGBT youth between the ages of 18 to 24, last fall. She also started the Give a Damn Campaign as part of an effort to educate heterosexual people about the issue."
"'As a mother, I could never imagine throwing my kid away for any reason, let alone over something like their sexual orientation or gender identity,' she [Lauper] wrote in a blog for HuffPost Gay Voices. 'It would be like ripping out a piece of my very own soul.'"
Below, Cyndi appearing on the American version of the series, Queer as Folk, with a remix of her anthemic "Shine":
Sunday, June 26 turned out to be a particularly euphoric Gay Pride event. You see, I consider myself very lucky as the parade (by which, of course, I seriously mean the march) passes right by my building. It was a beautiful day weather-wise and the mimosas (champs with red grapefruit juice) and strawberry wine flowed freely. The marriage equality law had just passed the previous Friday evening (a b.f.d.; "Happy gays are here again," said Jon Stewart on tv), the weather was beautiful and friends Tracey & Merv just returned from a five-year hiatus in Arizona, returning to Connecticut before they got caught in one of the crossfires out there. It was our first Pride at my place since they'd left. (Tracey didn't know the march now turns off Fifth at the wider 8th St. venue rather than Washington Square South; that's how long it's been.)
I called my mother in Florida to say "Happy Pride Day!" Said my mother: "Friday? I thought it was Sunday!" Sigh.
Kevin marched with his church group but ditched them at 10th St. to get in the queue that would take him on the sidewalks to my place. My friend, Delores, was there, as were Merv's daughter, Shannon and her friend. And on the stoop is where I get to schmooze with neighbors I only otherwise say hi to in passing. Photographer Patrick McMullan was there as was the old lady with the turban, face full of make-up and zipped-up caftan. "I have nothing on under this," she loudly whispered to me for God-knows-what-reason as the parade passed us by. It was the too-much-info moment of my day. When she saw the hottie on a float, shaking his money-maker while wearing a thong, she added, "But I don't like when it gets dirty." I wanted to say, "But he's wearing underwear! It's all he's wearing, but he is wearing underwear!" However, my lips stayed zipped as did her caftan, thankfully for both.
Zipping my lips for the Moment of Silence, the one minute during which we honor those whose lives ended too soon due to the AIDS crisis, is always so difficult. I never realized how hard it is for me to shut up for a full minute -- or, for that matter, how long a minute can seem -- until this time arrives every year and all goes silent. But I managed it as I do every Pride Day. My body was wracked with serious aches and pains that joyous day, too, because I, who am unofficially "domestically challenged" (upgraded from "domestically disabled" when I reached my deepest nadir), spent over a week cleaning my ridiculously tiny studio. That's how much I love my friends; there is nothing I won't do for them, including scrubbing tile (but only in my own apt, f.y.i.). In the end, it may not have sparkled but it shone; no span but plenty of spic!
So, the following Thursday, feeling less sore, I went to Rainbows and Triangles (New York's "gay general store," as the owner, Steven, likes to call it) in Chelsea, then hailed a cab home to the Village. (Rainbows has the best dance music collections on cd, I swear. Check 'em out.) The driver, a Carribean man, stared at me for a while in the rear-view mirror. "You know who I thought you were?" he asked, at last. That opening line is, for me, always an invitation to trouble so I just said I had "no idea."
"He's about your age" (Uh-oh, we're going there!) "And he's gay, too...." What!?!
Gay, too?!? Frankly, I don't recall coming out to him inside his cab, as if it were a confession booth on wheels. "Gay too"! The cheek!
Then the name dawned on him, and he grinned. "Elton John!"
Excuse me? Elton fucking John?!? Despite my black shirt, gold sharkskin tie & sunglasses (not outrageously large), I thought I looked better than Elton John! My ego was deflated. But perhaps, in an alternate reality somewhere in London, a cabbie is telling Elton John that he looks like me. And Elton is braying out from behind famously gapped teeth, to David Furnish, no doubt: "Dj Buddy fucking Beaverhausen?!?" I mean, you just never know about these things.
But, honestly, at this point, I'm all fagged out. For now. And the only thing sore is my psyche.
