On the Town with Buddy Beaverhausen: MargOh Channing at Pangea

Joined Nick Lion for a night loaded with laughs and great fun all around at Pangea in the East Village.

MargOh Channing was starring and she performed in character, in a slyly sloshy style

What a great room Pangea is, full of kind, prompt service and it's handicap-friendly. It was my friend, Kevin Scott Hall, who, amongst others, convinced the owner, Stephen Shanaghan, to open the dining room as a cabaret. Wonderful idea!

"UnCorked" was the title of MargOh's show and she shared the stage with the sexy Man-ee Champagne on background vocals and, sometimes. as lead or solo  singer. Songs ranged from classics like "I Got You Babe" to "I've Written a Letter to Daddy."

None other than the great Nellie McKay (pronounce Kye, gov'na!} was MargOh's special guest for her final show for now at Pangea, at least for a while. She had a great, satirical political number, "You Govern," and joined MargOh in a duet by singing "Over the Rainbow."

I was the evening's paparazzi. Snap, snap, snap for this ingenious and snappy production at this idyllic, intimate room. Tracy Stark was accompanist, astounding as always on piano and there was a terrific drummer onstage as well.

After the show, after Nick and I had a drink and free shot at the bar, we went home. On the street outside, Nick first ran into Flotilla DeBarge, out of drag, soon to appear at Pangea cabaret in his own show on Valentine's Day night. Expect new Q&As with both MarGoh and Flotilla very soon!

Special thanks to Nick's better half for driving me home to Bay Ridge!

Our sexy waiter, Venny!

The sexy manager, Stephen Shanaghan

Tracy Stark, Nick Lion, Margoh

Flotilla & Nick

Exclusive Q&A with Diva Impersonator Dorothy Bishop

I interviewed Dorothy Bishop over the phone. Ms Bishop has a rare talent: she is a woman who impersonates women. Her show at NYC's Metropolitan Room has been bringing in a growing audience and receiving wider attention. 

My friend Nick Lion tipped me off to Dorothy's show, and I will be going to see Dorothy perform on December 23rd at 8pm. Here, then, is our Q&A, with Dorothy asking me the questions at the outset:

Buddy Beaverhausen: So good to finally get to talk with you, Dorothy.
Dorothy Bishop: Same here. What is your background? Were you ever an actor?
BB: No. I studied acting at HB Studio briefly, but I've mostly wanted to write. I did have a cabaret act  during the '70s.
DB: Oh, great! What venues did you do?
BB: Rose's Turn on Grove Street when that was called The Duplex. The Bushes of CPW, The Ballroom in Soho, and some other joints that, offhand, I forget the names of.

BB: When I think of women who are celebrity impersonators, I think of Debbie Reynolds, Edie Adams and, certainly, Marilyn Michaels. Did any of these ladies influence you and your work?
DB: Well, yes, they were all influential to one degree or another. Especially Marilyn Michaels, who is my absolute idol. I've friended her on Facebook and keep inviting her to come. I'd love it if she could. It would be a dream come true!

BB: I interviewed Marilyn Michaels and she told me she developed her talent to impersonate as a teenager. When did you start to realize your talent at impersonations?
DB: Oh, much later! I began doing my show as a singer when I was performing in. I have a background in opera at Yale. But I found that when I threw an impersonation or two into my act, it helped bring in more of an audience. So that's really where my impersonations shows were born.

BB: Have any male impersonators influenced or impressed you?
DB: Oh, wow, yes indeed! All the drag queens. I've learned so much from them.

BB: You have quite a residency at the Metropolitan Room. What other rooms in NYC have you played?
DB: The Iguana originally. I've performed on Celebrity Cruises and the whole NYC cabaret circuit, actually, before ending up at the Metropolitan Room, where I'm very happy to say I have that monthly residency now.

BB: What makes the Metropolitan Room home to you?
DB: Well, first and foremost, Bernie and JoAnne have been so generous and wonderful to me. They are so rare and refreshing in what can sometimes be a cutthroat business. Most clubs function on the idea that if you don't bring in a crowd at your first show, that's it for you! But Bernie and Joanne are completely supportive and smart in the sense that they realize it takes time to build up an audience, which is so unusual in the cabaret world.
BB: They have been very supportive of me and my blog as well, so I know just what you mean.
DB: They're great! And I'm happy to say that my audience has grown and we're pulling in bigger crowds all the time.

BB: It looks to me as if you'll be booked there well into 2016. Am I correct?
DB: Yes. I'm thrilled!

BB: What dozen divas do you plan on presenting at your holiday show on December 23rd?
DB: Without giving too much away, I think you can count on my doing Madonna, Cher, Joan Rivers -- whom I didn't do for a while after she passed -- but now I think it's ok to bring her back. and Shirley Bassey, who is new to the show.

BB: How many outfits does this take?
DB: I have one versatile outfit with various accessories onstage as well as a clothes rack. Plus I might go backstage, during a video, to change.

BB: I was introduced to your show through Nick Lion. How did you two connect originally?
DB: Through Facebook actually. We were planning on my performing at his club, Icon, in Astoria. But we've stayed friends and he has come to many of my shows at the Metropolitan Room and is an ardent supporter. I adore Nick!

BB: Did you ever try to impersonate a diva and, for whatever reason, it didn't work out?
DB: Yes. A few were out of my range. I tried doing male divas, too. Doing Steven Tyler wrecks my voice, but I can do a mean Freddie Mercury!

BB: I understand you have a very large gay fan base. Gives new meaning to the term "Friends of Dorothy." Anything you'd like to say to them?
DB: Where would I be without you? I've learned so much from my gay friends. They taught me so much about doing my make-up and wigs! They've been so very supportive and I'm so, so thankful!

BB: Any last shout outs about anything we may not have covered?
DB: Just that I'm very grateful to be able to do what I do. Come see me at the Metropolitan Room on December 23rd at 8:30. Again, thanks to Bernie and Joanne and the remarkable technical crew and staff at the club, and thanks to you, Buddy, for doing this Q&A with me!

BB: Dorothy, I thank you for your time and your patience in pulling this together. So nice talking with you and I look forward to seeing you on the 23rd and in the new year as well. And then I get to write about you all over again!
DB: Look forward to seeing you!

On the Town with Buddy Beaverhausen: Julie Budd, the Boys & the Booze

Me, Julie, Nick (l. to r.)

Julie Budd returned to the Metropolitan Room to belt out Frank Sinatra and Sinatra-associated tunes last night. She was delightful as always from start to finish.

Her talent to amuse was evident, from start to finish, in her patter. It was a night of both laughter and thunderous applause. The joint was jumpin'!

Ms. Budd was in no-holds-barred mode. When she finished off with "I'll Be Seeing You," Nick and I both wept because it was a favorite tune of our mothers -- who left us exactly two and three years ago to the day.

Julie's heartfelt renditions are her forte. Although her voice is frequently compared to Streisand's, Nick and I agreed Julie's voice is even better as it rarely slips into vibrato mode.Viva la Julie!

Incidentally, I thought Julie's guitarist, Sean Harkness, bore a strong resemblance to my doctor (Spinelli), so I asked him if we could take a picture of us together. Honestly, Dr S and he could be twins!

After the show, Nick and I went down to our haunt, The Monster, on Grove Street in the Village. Must have been my lucky night as I met two very tall, good-looking young men who took a distinct interest in me for whatever reason.

The first guy (left) lives in neighboring Bensonhurst. I make it my policy not to take people home on the night that we've just met. Besides, my house was kind of messy, but a date is in the cards. I offered him a ride back in the cab with me, but he declined. I also got mystery date #2's phone number. My pheromones must have kicked into high gear after Julie's show! Just some innocent fun at Nick's and my after-party.

By the way, Nick and I had VIP seating at the Metropolitan Room, thanks to both club manager Bernie Furshpan and performer Dorothy Bishop. The cheese platter was fabulous! I was scrupuously clean-shaven tonight at Nick's insistence as, in my last photo with Julie, I was a little grungy under the chin line. Thanks once again to friend Richard Skipper, Julie's press manager, for inviting us... and for taking our picture (at top)!

As for tonight, how much more fabulous could it get?! Seems I'm officially back On the Town again.

Julie's new album, Remembering Mr Sinatra, is available on cd and for downloading on-line. It can be purchased through Barnes & Noble, Amazon, iTunes and CD Baby.

Julie will return to the Metropolitan Room on December 10. The club is already taking reservations.

https://juliebudd.com

http://metropolitanroom.com

http://www.richardskipper.com

On the Town with Buddy Beaverhausen and The "Marvelous" Marvelettes at the Metropolitan Room NYC!

I was greeted in the Metropolitan Room's lobby by the graceful Joanne Camilleri-Furshpan, owner Bernie's wife, and ushered in by her. I love her gentle accent! It was the first time we met in person.

Lead vocalist Denise Spann-Morgan later appeared on-stage in a sparkling beige, sleeveless gown between her back-up "Marvelos" Marvelettes (who sometimes got a chance to also snag the lead), the magnificent Annette Bland McCoy and LaRita Gaskin. Ms McCoy wasn't coy at all, it turned out, when she bitched that the stage lighting was making her sweat too much under her wig. She quickly removed it, revealing her real hair pulled back into a bun, walked out into the audience and put it on the head of yours truly!

On a scale of 1 to 100, this show was 110. The packed house was joyously jubilant in its wild enjoyment. Not only is Ms Morgan a powerhouse belter of a singer, but she is a hilarious raconteur and monologist; as raw and raunchy as any diva working today, putting Ms Midler to shame.

The ladies opened with "The Hunter Gets Captured By the Game," then moved on to "Playboy" and "My Baby Must Be a Musician." Towards the end of the act that had the girl-group doing a very upbeat, soulful version of "Please Mr Postman," Denise had given me a personal shout-out and club owner Bernard Furshpan thanked me for bringing the group to the club, calling Buddy Beaverhausen Metropolitan Room's "matchmaker and yenta."

The song set included Baby Washington's "That's How Dreams Are Made" and Otis Redding's "Try a Little Tenderness," both expertly interpreted. A perky "Beechwood 45789," "Too Many Fish in the Sea" and "Don't Mess with Bill" rounded out the night to lots of audience clapping along, applause and bopping around in our seats; even getting to our feet to dance a little.

The "Marvelous" Marvelettes blew the roof off Metropolitan Room and the Metropolitan Room loved every minute of it, it seemed. My friend Nick Lion and I had to later go for a couple of cocktails at The Monster just to recover from our cabaret experience, and to rave -- and share photos -- with everybody about what we'd just seen. Truly, The Marvelettes are one of the best-loved girl-groups of all time. Denise even told her audience that they were Motown's #1 girl group; not The Supremes. Motown's dirty little secret! Hallelujah and amen from your little old yenta, me!

This was the first night of The "Marvelous" Marvelettes' residency at Metropolitan Room. It was also Denise's birthday, by the way. The diva was thrown a little surprise party when the audience sang The Birthday Song and the club served cake to all. An extremely touching moment, especially for our star.

I'll be back for the next "Marvelous" Marvelettes show for sure. http://metropolitanroom.com/enhancedCalendar.cfm

Midler on the Roof at NYC's Metropolitan Room

Carly Ozard is a cabaret treasure, and that she proved last night at the Metropolitan Room where she revived -- and revised -- her show, "Midler on the Roof."

I saw Carly perform this act at The Triad last October. It cleverly intertwines Miss M's songbook with autobiographical tales, the heartbreaking, uplifting and the completely inspiring.

The Divine Miss O -- who brought this show to town for LGBT Pride week and a day before Bette herself performs at Madison Square Garden -- was certainly in fine fettle last night with a powerhouse voice that sometimes felt like a refreshing summer storm had been unleashed. The crowed adored her and expressed as much with thunderous applause.

"Midler on the Roof" was directed by Kristine Zbornik and musically directed by Steven Ray Watkins (on piano). Tim Lykins was on drums and Daniel Fabricatore on bass. Back-up vocals were supplied by Karen Mack and Jennifer Haber. Kudos to all for outstanding work.

Ms Ozard is not a Bette Midler impersonator but a powerful interpreter of her idol's songs. Those songs included Midler favorites like "Delta Dawn," "The Rose" and "Shiver Me Timbers."  The "Hello in There/Wind Beneath My Wings" medley was extremely moving. Disco Bette Carly-style rocked the house with "Knight in Black Leather" "I'm Beautiful, Dammit!" and "Married Men." "I Put a Spell on You" (from the film Hocus Pocus) also excited the crowd with its ferociously upbeat energy.

Carly closed with "Friends" and belted "Rose's Turn" out of the park, so to speak, for an encore.

A delightful and, really, flawless performance right down to the technical aspects of light and sound. Thank you, Richard Skipper, for inviting my friend, Nick Lion, and I to the event. And thanks to the staff at the Metropolitan Room for providing first-rate, attentive service.

On the Town with Buddy B: Sally Kellerman Takes NYC by (Snow) Storm

Sally Kellerman brought her considerable talent and charm to 54 Below last night to a crowd of appreciative fans that included columnist Michael Musto (who sat at the table behind us), jazz great Annie Ross, music producer Nick Lion and myself.

Kellerman was cool and casual, strutting about the stage, still a willowy beauty, dressed in a silky white tailored shirt over blue jeans. She was accompanied by Ed Martel on piano, a guitarist and drummer.

Composer and pop music producer Ken Hirsch took over the keys for a couple of numbers while the band took a break, with Sally singing "Still Miss You," a song by Mr Hirsch and Paul Williams, and the extremely affecting "If I Could."

Sally is one of the few artists who can get away opening a song while lying on the floor. A moment distinctly not music directed by Bob Esty back in L.A. And she sure knows how to work a fedora! When she pondered why she never slept with Marlon Brando when she had the chance and he was still thin, she was completely, disarmingly charming.

Ms Kellerman opened with the jazz tune, "Somebody Call the Cops." Her sets included many great standards of the '50s, '60s and '70s including "The Look of Love," "Spooky," "Love Potion #9" and the raunchy blues number, "Sugar in My Bowl."

From the start, I felt Sally's voice (by the way, she claimed not to be enamored of her first name, which she thinks is too "poofy") reminded me of Peggy Lee's. And damned if she didn't do a memorable interpretation of "Is That All There Is?"!

Sally had a clearly drunken fan in the house, a bit too vocal, leaning toward heckling. When he became truly overbearing near the end of the act, Sally said with sweetly delivered sarcasm, "Have another drink, sir."

In the lobby after the show, this man lurched toward Sally after she and I spoke. My friends, Nick and his life partner, Benjamin, gentlemen that they are, quickly escorted her back into the club. And the club personnel (always gracious and attentive at 54) escorted the sod to the street.

After we left, Nick, Benjamin and I stopped for a drink at the jam-packed The Ritz club on Restaurant Row. There's a photo of Nick and I with another giant drag queen that Benjamin took and I'll share on Facebook. Those great guys drove me through the snow (that started really coming down) to Bay Ridge. Safe passage to them, going back to Queens, and to Sally, on her way to PA for her Saturday show.

On the Town with Buddy B: Life Inside Out at The Quad Cinema

What a great event tonight! Attended the 7 pm screening of Life Inside Out with my friends Nick Lion and Kathy Towson. It was followed by a Q&A conducted by Richard Skipper with producer Tessa Bell and the film's star, Maggie Baird, and her real-life husband, Patrick O'Connor, who plays the music-store owner in the film. Ms Bell quoted part of my review in which I described Mr O'Connor's character as the film's "fairy godfather." I may not be getting young again but I was feeling mighty Jungian when I made that comment.
http://djbuddybeaverhausen.blogspot.com/2015/01/cine-beaverhausen-life-inside-out.html

I spoke with the Juilliard schooled actor after the event, in the lobby of the movie house, and he proudly took on the archetypal mantle I bestowed. During Richard's Q&A, I learned that this independent feature took three years to put together although, amazingly, it was filmed over only 16 days. Not surprisingly, sadly, despite its film festival awards, distributors were not interested in this feature, claiming it non-commercial. In fact, the full house at tonight's screening were wowed by LIO and applauded it enthusiastically. I assume anything wthout sex and/or violence is "non-commercial" these days.

This is a movie that's about something real we can all of us relate to and that touches the heart. During tonight's screening, I was moved by the realistic mother-son relationship. The depiction of a working mother's self-sacrifice was very Mildred Pierce! And, of course, I couldn't help but think of my own mother and how she sacrificed a lifetime for my brother and I.

This project was a labor of love, said Tessa Bell, and many of the talent involved worked for free because they believed so strongly in its story. A dvd distribution deal has been done. Ms Baird also mentioned that her co-starring son couldn't be at the event because he's cast in a new tv series, currently shooting its second episode. (She could divulge no more at the current time.)

Who was there? Who wasn't! The NYC theatrical glitterati attended! Sybil Bruncheon was in the house, giving a heartfelt reaction, from a gay man's perspective, identifying with the movie's themes. Everyone was verklempt

Carly Ozard and Kim Grogg -- two of my favorite live performers of 2014 -- were there and posed together! http://djbuddybeaverhausen.blogspot.com/2014/12/goodbye-2014-buddy-bs-favorites-n-years.html

Nick & I posed with Maggie Baird, despite being severely overly lit. (I posted a candid shot of us instead.) I asked Ms Beard if anyone besides myself ever told her she resembles Leslie Ann Warren. "Oh my God," Ms Baird replied. "I hear that A LOT! The other day, a delivery man said, when I opened the door, "You're Leslie Ann Warren!" And I had to tell him that no, I'm not."

And Ms Baird generously shared her cinnamon roll recipe on the back of flyers for the film.

An Evening with The Salvatones at St. Peter's Cathedral

Christmas season is both exhilarating and exhausting. Just when you thought all your Christmas cards have been sent, your mail is full of more people's holiday wishes and these folk were not on your list this year, were they? Better make out those "Happy Holidays" cards and wish them a Happy New Year.

New York City is glistening on the surface but sizzling with last-minute season's jitters underneath. Today was just a swirl of mailing out what I thought, at least, was the last of cards and packages. I very much looked forward to getting together with my friends Kathy, Nick and Richard Skipper at The Salvatones concert at St. Peter's historic church down near the World Trade Center site.

Sometimes I feel like I don't get low enough in Manhattan. Seriously, all the good, bohemian, arty stuff is down there below Canal. Including tonight's choral concert in a Roman Catholic Church. Quite respectable and, yet, with a distinctly very-downtown air about it all.

I knew St Peter's was a Catholic church because, before you can enter, you have to do the penance of climbing the long, steep cement stairs. Mia culpa! And thank God for handrails.

I arrived, after cocktails, with my friend Nick Lion. (We doubted they'd be serving drinks at the church -- and we were correct in our presumption). We joined my longtime friend, Kathy, and her mother (who survived WWII in Germany to come to the States) in a pew near the front of the church. Kathy and her mom are such a cute team, they deserve their own reality tv series.

The Salvatones performance was absolutely cathartic for us all. Nick and Kathy lost their mom and dad, respectively, in 2012 and I lost my mother in 2011. The opening songs inspired us to pull out the Kleenexes. A mix of grief and joy, it was the spiritual beauty that connected with us and perhaps our memories of Christmas with loved ones through the years.

I recalled my childhood days of going to church with my Mom, and of the music (along with incense and stained glass windows) that filled my formative life with a kind of erotic/spiritual passion. Bible? Who knew what was in the Bible? I had my Catholic missal (Cliff Notes for Catholics) to explain and interpret it all.

Now, with our groovy, new Pope whose positive presence for change in the world I'm very much enjoying, I felt no guilt in my devotion to the hymns, carols and string orchestra moments (with and without chorus). Oh, those divine violins!

Opening with Handel's "Messiah," and closing with the composer's  "Joy to the World" (before an encore of "We Wish You a Merry Christmas"), this dignified and respectful 90-minute performance offered many highlights, like "Carol of the Bells," a joyous "We Three Kings" and a swing arrangement of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen."

Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future filled the cathedral, it seemed, and the audience appeared, overall, to be genuinely moved on a deep, primal level. There is something unusually resplendent about a concert, unplugged and without microphones, where the acoustics are the music and the voices bouncing off cathedral walls, stirring the emotions.

So, blessed are the Salvatones (Sal, loved your solo), the New York Virtuosi (strings), organist/ arranger Stephen Fraser and musical director Daniel Brondel. And thanks and happy holidays to promoter Richard Skipper (who greeted us after the concert) for recommending this beautiful tour de force. Richard invited everyone to dinner at Odeon, Nick invited me to join him and his partner for dinner, but an early morning obligation directed me to hailing a taxi and be homeward bound via the nearby Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel.

As I left St. Peter's (with a $10 Salvatones album on cd in pocket), tripping merrily down the cement steps, it really felt like Christmas had arrived. God bless us, everyone!

TRIo Creates an Unforgettable "Happening" at The Village Underground

Below street level, a major party was going on last night. The joint was jumpin' as Ria Alexander, Toni Menage and Inaya Day played to a wildly enthusiastic packed house as the girl group known, collectively, as TRIo. Menage exclaimed their music would not be "put in a box" and that was the understatement of the evening.

Accompanied by an amazing live band and two back-up girls under the musical direction of Jared "Red" Jacobs, who produced the group's wonderful e.p. cd (available at CD Baby and Amazon), it was a privilege for me to be at this performance (along with friend, club impresario Nick Lion).

The night's set, like the six-track recording, opened with the dance-club-ready, gospel-influenced "The Source" and ended with "Did I Forget to Say Thank You?" The ladies took turns on lead vocals, running the gamut from house to funk-rock.

Personal favorites of the evening included "Wallflower," "Hollywood" (featuring rapper Peter Gunz) and the wry "Rabbit in a Pot" (influenced by the film Fatal Attraction). Add to these the bonus of hearing Inaya sing her house classic, "Horny," live. That song segued into a gospel-influenced cover of "Gypsy Woman" that gave me goosebumps! While Inaya handled the refrains as only she can, Toni and Ria provided the classic girl group-styled chorus of la-da-dees and -das.

It was apparent the three divas (and band) were having as good a time as we, the audience, within the cozy, brick walls of The Village Underground. The club not only boasts a friendly and efficient staff, its sound system and lighting are top-notch. Three incredible female voices last night turned the venue into a true NYC happening.

So Gay So What! My Night at ICON

It's all fun and games until somebody arrives home at almost 3 a.m. to discover he doesn't have his house keys and thinks he must have lost them in the sedan (to or from the club) or at said club. Fortunately, the door from the street was open and I was able to curl up to sleep on the hard, cold, cracked terrazzo of the foyer for a few hours (still unable to get through the inner doorway to the house), then get breakfast and toilet privileges at the downstairs deli once it opened at 7 a.m. I have one neighbor in the building, my friend, Kevin (he lives on the 2nd floor & I on the 3rd), whom I phoned upon waking but whose voicemail took over. So I sat in the sunshine, still in my fleece-lined dungaree jacket until Kevin happened to come down about 10:15 a.m. Know what? I'd left the keys in my apartment all along. Big Duh!

But fun and games -- and entertainment, and social soiree and benefit for So Gay So What -- it was last night at my favorite club, Icon, in Astoria, Queens. As you can see, pictured at left, there I was with So Gay founder, the quite bewitching Darren Melchiorre and my brother from another mother, club owner Nick Lion. The event was on national Coming Out Day. The irony wasn't lost on me, you know. Plus, Icon has added video screens! All deliciously devoted to its promotion of events!

And, again at left, my son from another daddy, Martin, was there, looking cute cuz the boy can't help it. Tony Mansfield, another good Icon buddy was also there for to schmooze with. It looked like a good time was being had by all and the house was jam-packed with the typical, friendly see-and-be-seen and sparkle, Neely, sparkle Icon crowd.

I met three of the performers from the Haus of Mimosa; Nick and his life partner, Ben, and I toasted to their recent anniversary and to my retiring from my day job (to have more time for the nightlife I love). Billboard dance diva Rachel Lorin sang her hits beautifully and paid tribute to So What by doing a dance version of Cyndi Lauper's "True Colors" on the Icon stage. Get Out Award-winning sexy bar staff, and those hot, hot Icon go-go gods!

Oh, and then there was that giant drag queen....

EXCLUSIVE Q&A with SO WHAT SO GAY Founder, Darren Melchiorre

Darren Dj Buddy Beaverhausen: Thanks for doing this interview, Darren. I look forward to your benefit night at Icon, NYC's hottest club, on Saturday, October 11! What can you tell us about it? Darren Melchiorre: The SO GAY SO WHAT campaign is all about recognizing and celebrating the role models in the LGBTQ community. People who participate in our photoshoots range from artists to celebrities to everyday people. We celebrate who they are, their individuality and their inspirational story! When I first went to ICON in Astoria, NY, I immediately felt like I was at home. Nick Lion, the owner, was so warm and gracious and greeted us. He got to know who we were which I haven't experienced at a gay club in years.  It reminded me what I used to love about nightlife: the community.  I was looking to highlight an LGBT club in the campaign for some time and I knew right away that Nick Lion and ICON were the perfect fit. They were ALL role models to me; Nick, the staff and everyone there. I didn't feel like I had to impress everyone. We were all stars that night, there to dance and have a good time. So the Oct. 11th party is about celebrating ICON! We have a whole week of the campaign planned to highlight Nick and the ICON staff! I cannot wait! DBB: When did you start up SO GAT SO WHAT  and why did you feel there was a need for it?  DM: WHAT campaign actually started by accident. I was working on an LGBT concert promotion and being the designer that I am, I needed something different to promote the concert and get people's attention. I thought, why not highlight the artists who are not afraid to stand up and be who they are.  I needed to get the ball rolling so I asked seven friends to be in the campaign and it snowballed from there, catching the attention of many prominent LGBT figures like Jason Walker, Ari Gold and Michael Musto. You know, today we get so caught up in celebrity hype with the Kardashians and reality tv that sometimes we forget who the true role models can be; everyday people. When I was coming out, I didn't know who I could tell or who I could trust. There were three people whom I will never forget who helped me in every step of the way of my coming out. It was my intention to always be that for someone else. So I wanted this campaign to be that, to highlight the everyday role models in our community who are proud of who they are in hopes of inspiring courage in others. We need to remind ourselves that role models don't necessary walk the red carpet. They are our all around us and in each other.  DBB: I know that you live in NYC? Did you grow up here? DM: I actually grew up in New Jersey, but I always found myself coming to New York City while growing up.  New York City is very much a part of my youth and to see it change over so many years (for the better and not) has really been a big part of my growing up as an artist. DBB: I'm a Jersey boy, too! From 20 miles outside. Same thing about my attraction to the City since I was a kid. Went to college in Boulder, Colorado, but rocks didn't do it for me. You're quite young still. How did you pull this all together? DM: I never sleep! Ask any of my friends and colleagues! No, seriously, if there is one thing about me that I love its' that when I am passionate about something, I will throw myself 200% into it, making it happen and making it shine. And I had a lot of help from my friends who also love the campaign. This campaign truly has my heart in it and I make an attempt to get to know the story of every single person who participates in it. Everyone who does the campaign is considered family and I didn't want it to be where you just came in, got your picture taken and that was it. No, I wanted to know what motivated them to do this. In the end, it is the person's story that I cherish the most and that is what is reflected in the photos. That is the heart of the SO GAY SO WHAT campaign. Nick + the boys DBB: When did you first know you were gay? DM: I first knew I was gay during my senior year in high school. High school was a rough time for me because I really didn't know what I was experiencing. No one talked about being gay in my high school and if people knew you were, you were teased and bullied. I put up with more teasing and bullying in high school than I want to remember.  In a way, I was very lucky I discovered I was gay at the time I did because I could go to college and really discover and accept my sexuality. Little did I know that more intense bullying would happen in college in the form of an extremely homophobic roommate. Thankfully, three people took me under their wings and made me feel safe while coming into my own at college. I will never forget them for that. DBB: What were your formative years like? Your growing up? DM:  I am the middle child in my family and I have complete middle child syndrome. I always wanted to be heard and then at times I would go into my own world and be quiet and creative. I was good at art so that was my escape. I was sick with really bad asthma growing up so I couldn't really participate in sports and do a lot of things because of my asthma. So when I was sick, I would either throw myself into work or go and create something, whether it was a drawing or building with Legos or anything. Who would have thought that would lead to a career in graphic design.  DBB: Favorite divas? DM: Wow! So many. I think my favorite divas are the people who stand the test of time, who create something and it's as fresh as it was 20 or 30 years ago. I am a huge Cyndi Lauper and Melissa Etheridge fan. Their music, especially their lyrics, kept me going in so many ways. I want to work with them someday!  DBB:  Who inspired you the most in your lifetime? DM: I am beyond fortunate to have the most amazing parents and they have inspired me for most of my lifetime. My Dad is the smartest person I know (and he still is) and he taught me to be smart, always ask questions and to discover new things. My mother taught me how to love, and I truly cherish that. DBB: Gay people have made many advances since Stonewall. How much further do you see our progress in the foreseeable future? DM: Oh, we have such a long way to go, even though I am so beyond proud of what's happening now, especially with so many states embracing marriage equality. On the other hand, as strong as our community is, we are our own worst enemy. We are the first people to come together and we are also the first people to tear each other down. And that's what has to change.  DBB: Any last shout-outs to the LGBT community around the world? We are one. DM: Yes! If you can be anything to anyone in this world, be a role model. The best thing you can do for someone is to be a role model for them. Take someone under your wing. Give them guidance and opportunities they may not be able to get for themselves. To me, that has always been a great privilege. DBB: Thanks, Darren, see you on October 11 and can't wait to meet. DM: THANK YOU!

Stonebridge & Crystal Waters Take on ICON

Stoney, Nick, Atilla and I

It was 100% pure love under last night's supermoon at Nick Lion's club, Icon, in Astoria. Some of international clubland's most talented and charming personalities were in the house.

Starting at 8 pm, Icon was open for a press conference with dance-music producer Sten Hallstrom (known professionally as StoneBridge) and dance diva deluxe, Ms Crystal Waters.

I first met StoneBridge and his protege, Dj Atilla, outside the club before doors opened. They are simply the nicest, funniest two gentlemen you'd ever hope to encounter. We were then joined by promoter Barbara Sobel, who stepped from her cab fashionably chic with a lovely new 'do and glam black blouse/skirt ensemble.

I introduced myself to the divine Ms Waters shortly after she entered the club. We'd already done an interview regarding her new song, "Be Kind," that she did with Stoney and is destined for the top of the charts at clubs and on dance radio. Crystal is an absolute doll and it was a pleasure and a privilege to meet her in person.http://djbuddybeaverhausen.blogspot.com/2014/07/new-crystal-waters-interview-exclusive.html

Once the press conference officially began, I asked Sten why he took on the name StoneBridge. Well, wouldn't you just know that Sten means "Stone" in Swedish. Holy Smiles of a Summer Night! And Bridge is an audio mixing term. Get it?

I learned from Sten and Crystal that, although they'd known about each other for ages, they met for the fist time at a club in Amsterdam in 2010. They have now recorded 14 tracks together. If "Be Kind" is any clue as to their collaborations, these songs must all be brilliant. Sten informed me that Crystal has an upcoming album, working with various producers, and some of his tracks will be on it. Already, I want to hear the outtakes!

I told Crystal I'm now a Brooklynite and asked if she ever performed there. She happily replied that she has performed at Brooklyn Pride. She also performed at the old Spectrum club in Brooklyn with its iconic dancefloor (filmed in Saturday Night Fever). I told her that, in the '90s, I used to come into Bay Ridge from Manhattan, with friends, to dance there.

As we were side by side at the buffet supplied by Icon for its VIP guests, ready to chow down, I asked Crystal about her being the youngest recipient (at a mere 14) of the American Poetry Society. "My mother found my poems and submitted them," she informed me as she put a turkey/chesse-on-crusty-Italian on her plate. Was she eying the potato salad or getting inspired to pen a new song? Or both?!

Roped into the VIP area, it was a delight to schmooze with Nick Lion and guests like Get Out Awards 2013 Award Winner, Eric Alan, the club's Marilyn Monroe, Barbara Sobel and others.

Resident dj Ian Ford started the night and ushered in the excitement after doors officially opened. Then Dj Atilla brought everybody's booties to the floor and finished his dynamic dj'ing once the very physically kinetic StoneBridge took over with rock keyboardist moves behind the booth.

StoneBridge opened his set with "Be Kind," which brought the booties to the dancefloor en masse. There is no way this can't be a huge, global hit! Crystal's best song ever! And THAT is saying something!

Party pictures:

Go Go God

Young Icon clubgoers

Me & Crystal Waters

Ian Ford

Eric Alan & I