Click Your Heels Three Times: Pride Comes to Manhattan!

We're one week away from Manhattan's Gay Pride March and celebrations (notably the Pier Dance) that culminate in fireworks over the Hudson.

Judy by Avedon

But today, June 22, is the day Judy Garland came to the end of her rainbow. It's said her passing helped spark the Stonewall Riots. There are, respectfully, many Gay Pride celebrations internationally but it all originated in Manhattan, NYC, at the Stonewall bar that still stands at its original location on Christopher Street in the West Village.

Hot time, summer in the city, back of their necks getting dirty and gritty... especially if they had wigs on! The Stonewall patrons lost their icon, Judy G, and were NOT having it that night in 1969!

Today, however, a very fair one in NYC, Folsom Street East, an outdoor LGBT fetish festival, was celebrated. The tres-gay event for "sexy kinksters" took place on west 27th Street between 10th & 11th Ave. after a hiatus last year.

The time is right to come out, come out wherever you are in NYC! Pride is in the air!

Inaya Day at Night

Brooklyn's Inaya Day will head to Queens on Saturday, May 31, to perform at the fabulous, swank new hot spot, Icon. Doors open 9 pm. The internationally renowned singer is best known as the lead vocalist for her long string of house music hits that include "Keep Pushin'," "Horny," "Movin' Up," "Feel It," "Can't Stop Dancin'," "I Am tha One," the dance cover of "Nasty Girl" and, most recently, "Make Some Noise" with Dj Escape.

Ms Day has performed on Broadway (understudy to Stephanie Mills in "The Wiz") and starred in the Dorothy role on the road. She is an accomplished song writer and has written songs recorded by the likes of Missy Elliott, Bootsy Collins and Randy Crawford. As a session singer, she has appeared on tracks by Michael Jackson, Queen Latifah, Al Green and many others.

It was indeed a privilege to have interviewed Inaya Day this past December:
http://blabittobeaverhausen.blogspot.com/2013/12/inaya-day.html

This amazing Billboard-charting artist will kick off a series of vocal performances by various dance-music artists at Icon, courtesy of Barbara Sobel and Sobel Promotions. There is no cover charge on May 31. "Drink specials and GoGo Gods will make Club ICON the only place to be as we celebrate Pride!" boasts the club proudly.

Of course, Buddy Beaverhausen will be there and hopes to finally meet the diva in person. Dj Ian Ford will be in the house, bringing up the energy and kicking off LGBT Pride in high style. This will be a major event for June, which is LGBT Pride Month. Manhattan's Pride celebration (June 29) will traditionally climax with the pier dance followed by fireworks. The diva for the annual dance on the pier will be Demi Lovato. Frankly, I much prefer seeing -- and hearing --Inaya Day!

"Club ICON in Astoria Queens is the ONLY Place to be!" exclaims Barbara Sobel. Absolutely right on! And celebrate the Queens LGBT Pride March the following day, June 1st.