Niegel Smith is the young director of Ether Steeds, the new play set in coastal North Carolina that’s being performed now as part of this year’s International New York Fringe Festival at the Greenwich Village Actors’ Playhouse. An essential part of New York’s Public Theater, Niegel and creating a real name for himself in the downtown theater scene. GayCities New York editor JJ Keyes spoke to him before the final two performances, August 22 & 24. 

JJK: Hey Niegel!  Congratulations on Ether Steeds!  Tell us, how did you come into contact with the playwright Jason Williamson and this project?

NS: I was the assistant director on Conversations in Tusculum, Richard Nelson’s incisive Julias Ceaser play at The Public Theater, and Jason was the playwright observer. We got to talking and hanging out and found that our theatrical ideas were very much in sync. I read Ether Steeds and was immediately drawn into the central character’s struggle for true union and hope. Jason has a fantastic literary lyricism that surrounds the urgent needs of his characters – a dream playwright for any director.

JJK: You went to Dartmouth, right? When did you move to the city? 

NS: Dartmouth was quite the opposite of New York – small town, conservative, sheltered. I moved to New York spring of 2003 when George C. Wolfe hired me to assistant direct Caroline, or Change.

JJK: What’s your favorite thing about working in the Fringe Festival?

NS: Because of the limitations of a Fringe Show, we had two weeks of rehearsal and just five hours of tech. It really pulls out the focus and drive in all the artists involved. I love being in the room with a bunch of collaborators every day summoning up all of our creative energy and figuring out how to tell a story in such a condensed time frame.

JJK: You’re an artistic leadership associate at the Public Theater here in New York where you co-administer the emerging writer’s group.

NS: The Public is filled with staff and artists who truly love challenging, hopeful theater that reflects many experiences. Some of the folks I admire most, Oskar Eustis, Andy Hamingson and Ruth Sternberg, lead the institution with great care and focus. Artists like Tony Kushner, Suzan-Lori Parks and David Henry Wong roam the halls with ease and comfort. I was just dancing in the hall with Suzan-Lori the other day. Because of them, the entire staff wants to work hard and wants to have a good time doing it.

JJK: I always find myself by the Public. Where a good place to eat?

NS: My favorite place for dinner is just across the street, Indochine. They have amazing food – great Lamb and Sea Bass. If you’re in a hurry, I recommend an Indochine Martini, or two. Joe’s Pub also has amazing food – especially their molten chocolate cake.

JJK: All right, so after Joe’s Pub closes and they kick me out where should I go to get a drink?

NS: Did I mention Indochine? For a good cheap beer – Saint Mark’s Ale House, for a classy cocktail, head down Lafayette to Chinatown Brassiere.

JJK: If you won a shopping spree at any clothing store in the city where would you go first?

NS: John Varavatos. His store in the old CBGBs is a fave. The staff is hot! The clothes are sexy! And the seamstress in the back is a doll! I could make his entire collection my wardrobe.

JJK: Okay, two stores.

NS: I love a great suit. I just found a fantastic seersucker one over at EPAULET in Brooklyn. They specialize in clothing that has a bit of grandeur in cut and material–perfect for classic styles that can be worn casually with a pair of sneakers and out on the town. 

JJK: Public and Joe’s Pub aside, what are your favorite theaters in the city?

NS: I see every show produced by New York Theater Workshop – they have a commitment to exciting new plays that ask audiences to work hard. I remember seeing Caryl Churchill’s A Number  there – three times. It was so thrilling to see a play that tackles contemporary problems in a form that assumes an intelligent audience. I’m also a huge fan of Here Arts Center. The artistic director, Kristen Marting, has a wonderful taste for genre bending, style mashing plays that run the gambit from irreverent queer puppetry to sincere multi-language video theater. The work there always makes me pause and question. I appreciate that in my theater.

JJK: Do you have a favorite New York museum? 

NS: Yes, yes! I’m a member of the Whitney – when they succeed, they soar; when they fail, they soar. Every exhibition is ambitious and consuming.  I think everyone should see everything there. I also think everyone should take a day trip out of the city to Dia: Beacon. It is an almost perfect gallery for contemporary art. The light (huge skylights) is magnificent, there’s tons of space for exhibiting large works (like Richard Serra sculptures) and there’s a beautiful Hudson River beachfront for picnicking before you hit the museum.

JJK: What about a favorite “New York moment”?

NS: I was recently at the Lortel Awards dinner and was wearing my new seersucker suit. Tim Gunn was there. He turned around and said, “Nice.” That’s a pretty good New York moment. But, I guess my favorite would be a recent date on The Highline. I love how they’ve reclaimed this dilapidated, elevated space to make it into a beautiful park that’s accessible to everyone. The sun was setting, people were strolling and I was enjoying good food and sweet kisses – ya, that’s a favorite New York moment – food and kisses. 

JJK: Ether Steeds is running until August 24.  After the Fringe is over, are you going to get a little break? 

NS: I don’t know the meaning of break. I’m a bit of a work-a-holic; so, I’m heading up to Dartmouth to workshop Indio a new play by Indian-American playwright/actor Aladdin Ullah, and then I head into rehearsals for FELA! a new musical that I’m associate directing. It opens on Broadway this fall.

More GayCities New York

I’m always amazed at the number of plays the Fringe Festival puts up. It is the largest multi-arts festival in North America–with more than 200 companies from all over the world performing for sixteen days, featuring over 1300 performances.

Back in 1996 John Clancy wondered why there wasn’t a Fringe Festival in New York. Hoards of theater artists made the annual trek from New York to Edinburgh, Scotland for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. John took matters into his own hands and teamed up with Elena K. Holy, Joe Henry Shallenburger and Nancy Walsh to present the first FringeNYC in August of 1997. Each year the festival grows and expands; the teams of artists and shows have gone on to remarkably new heights.

The breakouts include Urinetown: The Musical, which moved to Broadway and won three Tony Awards after premiering at FringeNYC back in 1999; Confessions of a Mormon Boy; Debbie Does Dallas; Dixie’s Tupperware Party; Dog Sees God; Matt & Ben; Slut and Walmartopia are just some of the many FringeNYC shows that have gone on to play Off-Broadway venues.

It’s mathematically impossible to catch all of the performances so I’ve done a little investigating and come up with a queer short list from this year’s festival:

Abraham Lincoln’s Big, Gay Dance Party 

Honest Abe’s hometown puts a teacher on trial for asking “Was Lincoln gay?” in this comedy of political values sketched out by Aaron Loeb.

Baking with Bertha: Back to School Special

Take the homespun humor of Garrison Keillor, add the cooking skills and stature of Julia Child and toss in a little Ethel Merman and you have “Bertha Mason.”

Dirty Stuff

LOGO’s “Big Gay Sketch Show” star Jonny McGovern performs his GLAAD award nominated a one-man cartoon club crawl.

For the Love of Christ!

In 1979 a French-Canadian airline steward flew into San Francisco and all hell broke loose! Holly-Anne Ruggerio leads a cast that includes Marty Thomas and Kimberly Cates through this bathhouse brouhaha.

Kaddish

Kim Weild directs the dashing Donnie Mather in a multi-media exploration of Ginsberg’s poem Kaddish.

Notes on the Land of Earthquake & Fire

A Hollywood assistant has the worst day ever in this new play by Jason Schafer, the screenwriter of “Trick.” Disaster is prone to strike.

Wanna place to eat or drink after the fringe festival? Check out the GayCities guide to New York

We learned from Metroblogger Queequeg that beloved Los Angeles lesbian haven The Normandie Room is closing its doors early next week. Apparently a long-term construction project outside the bar on Santa Monica Blvd.–plus the recession’s squeeze–is forcing the neighborhood haunt to shutter. Bars open and close all the time, but it’s a shame that one of the few lesbian gathering spots in West Hollywood (home to dozens of gay male watering holes) will be no more.

The tenant-to-be: A west coast version of popular New York gay bar Gym. The Chelsea hangout boasts the title of New York’s only gay sports bar, and hopes to find the same success with LA’s queer sports jocks and fans.

Photo by The Normandie Room

JJK: Hey Julio! Congratulations on the success of your show, Julie from Staten Island!  

JVG: Thank you! The show is going really well. I’m thrilled to see it keeps on going. We just celebrated one year at Theatre Row, and it’s still going strong.

JJK: What are a few of your favorite things about Staten Island?  

JVG: So many great things on Staten Island. Of course in the summer my favorite things are the church “feasts” where all the Italians take over church parking lots throughout the borough and throw a carnival dedicated to some saint that no one’s ever heard of. I always wanted to throw a gay feast honoring our new big gay Pope. (Shhh, no one’s supposed to know that he wears Prada shoes and is tight with his “assistant.”)

JJK: Are there any fun gay bars on Staten Island? 

JVG: SI gets its first official gay bar this month–QSINY. They had a big presence at Staten Island Pride a few weeks ago and are set to open soon. But there are lots of great gay-friendly places where the gays like to congregate. My mom’s house is one of them — lol. People really have no idea that there are a lot of out gays and lesbians on the Island. It makes me happy. Growing up there in the 80s and 90s, it wasn’t so open. It’s changed a lot.    

JJK: Where do you like to go after your show? 

JVG: The show knocks me out… happily. But it’s 80 minutes on stage. So I’m usually beat and like to get a drink and cab it home. But if I do it up after the show I’ll go to Therapy or somewhere local to Hell’s Kitchen. Dull answer, I know.

JJK: If a group of friends wanted to grab dinner before seeing Julie from Staten Island, where should they go? 

JVG: They should definitely go to Caffe Cielo — and it’s not because my uncle owns it. The food is fantastic. It’s on 8th and 52nd. It’s a good 10-minute walk to the show afterward. But it’s a good way to burn off the eggplant and penne. Avoid the restaurants in the major tourist areas. If you’re from out of town, Cielo is a great way to eat like New York Italians eat.  

JJK: What are your top three restaurants in the city and why? 

JVG: Ahh, good question. Here goes:

1. Caffe Cielo (see above)

2. Good Fork (in Red Hook, Brooklyn) — take the New York City Water Taxi to Red Hook and it’s about a 5-minute walk.  The duck dish will leave you quacking for months

3. Sip Sak, 2nd Ave and 49th. The chef is a lunatic (I met him; he’s a dick) and the waiters are rude, but the food is Turkish and amazing. The chef has the hands of God.

JJK: You’re in Brooklyn now, you know, I’m always looking for new bars to check out. Do you have any Bklyn recommendations?

JVG: Favorite Brooklyn bar is the bar at Prime Meats — Luquer Street (pronounced “Loo-queer,” seriously) and Brooklyn Social.

JJK: You used to be an Equinox boy, didn’t you? Do you still work out there?  

JVG: Love it! I am not actually an Equinox boy anymore. I couldn’t work out there! The eye candy is too appealing and I just spent my workout staring.  

JJK: Where does Julie from Staten Island work out these days?

JVG: I work out locally now in Brooklyn at Body Elite, which is not so elite. But it’s close to home.  

JJK: If you won a shopping spree at any clothing store in the city, which would you choose?

JVG: Good question. I went into Top Shop/Top Man, whatever it’s called, the other day and could have had a field day in there. It’s new, British, fresh looks.  

JJK: Okay, two stores. Julie from Staten Island, you’ve just won two shopping sprees. What store is your second choice?

JVG: I love Saks. I could blow through a shopping spree on the 6th and 7th floors in ten minutes flat.  

JJK: Where is your favorite place to get some culture on?  

JVG: Lincoln Center really is my favorite. You walk up on that white plaza and you just feel like such a part of the history and culture of the city. I don’t love the ballet, but I do love going to it, being there, taking it all in. There’s something special about the more traditional arts in this city.

JJK: Any artistic runners up?

JVG: For more contemporary fare, The Public is my favorite. You never know what you’re going to get and the shows are top-notch. For anyone visiting, though, they should go see Hair (I left truly moved) and, of course, Julie from Staten Island.

JJK: In addition to your theater credits, you’re a hysterical comedian. Do you have a favorite comedy club in the city? 

JVG: I’d say Caroline’s if you want standup comedy. Or UCB Theatre if you want cheap and hysterical fun. They’re different animals, but both a great night out. And thank you… I try.

JJK: Do you have a favorite “New York moment”? 

JVG: Honestly, I have one every time I ride the Staten Island Ferry. If it’s a beautiful day or getting dark and the city lights are shining, you get the most incredible view of the city as it rises above you when you pull away. And you’re on the water. And you can see the Brooklyn bridges. It really gives you a sense of being part of this great city.  

JJK: How did you come up with the idea for Julie from Staten Island?  

JVG: Julie from Staten Island is based on my childhood growing up on the Island. It’s about life in the outer boroughs in the 80s and 90s, about the awkwardness of adolescence, and the need to go out into the world to spread your wings. And then come home and love where you’re from and where you’re going… all at the same time. And it’s full of Tony Soprano-like characters, screaming commuters, stuffy college kids, overbearing grandparents. Every character comes right from the book o’ life. Including the amazing gay ones. 

JJK: Your next show, Julie and the Girls, is coming up in October of 2009, any chance of a sneak preview in the coming months? Do you have anything else coming up this summer that we can check out?   

JVG: No previews on the books yet. This summer is all about Julie and nailing down the script for the next show. So, lots of laptop sessions in Starbucks and such. I’m trying to get a lot of writing done. But it’s coming along well, and I can’t wait to put it out there.  

JJK: There are so many Starbucks to choose from, what do you think the best one is to get some work done?

JVG: Working from a Starbucks is an art. I get the most work done on 9th Ave and 43rd. Or Broadway and 51st. Don’t ever work from the Wall St. one — too dark — or the Chelsea one — too distracting.

New York on GayCities

Photos courtesy Julio Vincent Gambuto

When DJ Scotty Thomson burst onto the scene about five years ago, not only was he a breath of fresh air, but a double dose of eye candy. He got his start in NYC, where he became known as the jock who would strip down to his skivvies as the afternoon or night wore on. Today, he has carved out a niche playing mostly international clubs and parties with an eclectric sound that even he can’t entirely explain. No matter, crowds love him. GayCities New England editor Tony Giampetruzzi (winenothate) chatted via IM with Scotty on the verge of an international tour that will take him from Leon, Mexico to Beunos Aires with stops in Fire Island and Toronto, among other hot spots. (See full schedule after the jump.)

winenothate: So, Scotty, what’s up with the most recent publicity pics? You had this shtick of spinning in Speedos, but now it looks like you’re practically naked!

cherub69: well, the Speedo thing was always kinda a “shtick” as you say. I really only did it during pool parties or “beach” themed nights. Having been a sponsored model for an underwear co. only energized that impression.

winenothate: You are good at self-promotion! The camera doesn’t seem to bother you, and you’re certainly not intimidating it.

cherub69: In my photo shoots, I just do what comes to mind. The last one with Bruno Rand was supposed to be all fancy, fashion with an edge. It started out that way, but somehow the shirt came off, then the pants. I guess it also had to do with the fact that I was also DJing the BASKIT Underwear launch party.

winenothate: I recall you landed on the cover of unzipped a couple years back.

cherub69: I mean most people would die for the opportunity to be on a nationally distributed magazine. right??? haha

winenothate: So, you’re doing well, globetrotting–being a DJ is a bit like being a hedge fund manager these days–what’s giving you the edge?

cherub69: I’m not playing the same stuff as everyone else. People start to hear me more and more and they realize that I play a ton of fun shit, but in a different way. Tons of energy…ups, downs and kinda crazy.

winenothate: And your audience gets it?

cherub69: I love watching people kinda look at me and say “WTF???” then what I had planned comes together and they cheer. It’s kind of like tricking people to listen. Then they become intrigued …

winenothate: Such a Svengali. Do you think the willingness of the a crowd to give more leeway is a symptom of a new generation bubbling up or the circuit, after hours scene dying away?

cherub69: Well, I think that my style, selection and vibe cross into both sides seamlessly. I can appeal to everyone without the night seeming choppy … in this way this “evolution” has been working in my favor. I cater to the commercial people, but then serve the older crew/circuit boys some sick beats in between. But yeah, I do find myself trying to lightly educate the young pop crowd … cuz I’m versatile

winenothate: You’re versatile. What are your top 5 favorite gigs ever, and if you don’t list una in Portland, Maine for the famous 2005 Scotty Tea, you’re dead to me!

cherub69: una what? Haha … that was a blast. BUT, I’d say my residency at Limelight NYC, Levi’s Party in Moscow, Queen Paris, Velvet Nation, Washington D.C. and LoverBoy Party in Buenos Aires.

winenothate: So, cherub, God touches you on the shoulder and says, “Blondie, the world will end in 48 hours – I want you to drink and dance.” What are the three clubs or bars you make a priority?

cherub69: Still open or ever?

winenothate: God is not re-opening clubs for you, merely offering a glimpse into the near cataclysmic future.

cherub69: Damn

winenothate: This time you can’t have it all.

cherub69: The Week, Rio de Janeiro, Parking, Montreal and Eleven, Los Angeles, cuz I spin there and the boys are HOT.

winenothate: Will we see some studio work from you soon?

cherub69: VERY soon. I’ve been playing my own shit for a bit now, just nothing that’s been released. Also, look for a mix CD within the year.

winenothate: In terms of gaycities (dot com), what’s the one city you haven’t visited that’s on your short list?

cherub69: Dallas or Houston…it’s a toss-up.

winenothate: Hmmmm – Texas seems to be the hotbed of online amateur porn. I think something’s up …

cherub69: you wish

winenothate: I’m sure anyone reading does! Anything else do you want to mention?

cherub69: I still spin vinyl and I’ll never give it up.

winenothate: You’re the Ovaltine of mixology.

cherub69: Too much sugar…how bout tea with Splenda?

winenothate: Whatever it takes to maintain the abs.

Scotty T’s summer tour schedule:

• July 18 Club Heaven – Leon, Mexico
• July 25 Fire Island Pines – Private Event (Pines Party Weekend)
• August 1 Atlanta – Info TBA
• August 8 Buenos Aires, Argentina – Manhunt.net “BLOWOUT Party”
• August 15 Mendoza, Argentina
• August 16 Cordoba, Argentina
• August 28 Club Eleven – Los Angeles, CA (Monthly Residency with Jeffrey Sanker and Paul Nichols)
• August 30 RAGE Nightclub – Los Angeles, CA (Monthly Residency with Jeffrey Sanker and Paul Nichols)
• Sept 6 Beach Ball – Toronto, Canada
• Sept 11 Club Eleven – Los Angeles, CA (Monthly Residency with Jeffrey Sanker and Paul Nichols)
• Sept 13 RAGE Nightclub – Los Angeles, CA (Monthly Residency with Jeffrey Sanker and Paul Nichols)

In the end, it took a fabulous, defiant image–out of more than 400 submissions–to claim the grand prize in the GayCities My Pride photo challenge: RuPaul at the mic with the U.S. capitol looming large in the background, submitted by member Billy Khuong of Virginia.

Postcard!, declared Moxy Hart, one of our judges.

I heard somewhere that we had a black president, joked David Hauslaib, another panelist.

A very simple, nicely framed photo of the world’s most famous drag queen in a fighter’s pose in front of the capitol that sums up and includes all three of the ideas of this month’s MY PRIDE theme: passion, pleasure and protest.–Jorg Fockele

As grand prize winner, Billy receives a round trip ticket on Delta Airlines and two nights at any Kimpton Hotel. Congrats, Billy! 

With hundreds of great pics, many deserving entries went unrewarded. Fortunately, you can view the slideshow of the entire pride photo challenge–or enter this month’s summer vacation photo challenge. What follows are the prize picks of the runner ups, in descending vote order, followed by a sampling of the judges’ adoring comments.

Runner Up: “Bubble Bath I” by Canio of Minneapolis (Prize: Three Water Bearer Film DVDs)

Zaftig and hirsute and hot and bubbly. Challenges exhausted notions of waxed and starved Gay beauty. I want to be at the party. As the bear fraternity boys say, WOOF.–Joel B. Tan

Bears are my queer brothers. I love seeing other queer guys who don’t fit the norms, and I especially love seeing them have a childlike good time. Letting loose, and not letting dominant culture (queer or otherwise) dictate what kind of body and life you should have-this is what liberation could actually be about if we let it.–Jed Bell

I’m pretty sure getting soapy with your fellow man is the reason God invented Pride.–David Hauslaib

Honorable mention #1: “Angel” by  San Francisco’s Michael Seaman (Prize: 5 photo book coupons, compliments of Shapfish)

Who doesn’t love young boys who are so…angelic, but as we all know are so not!–Wickie Stamps

It is a beautiful image that simply captures a moment between the subject and the viewer. It says what you want it to say. In fact I want to just keep looking at this image and wonder what the subject was thinking.–Robert Dodge

The Pride Movement is symbolized by the boy in this photo. Both are young, creative, unafraid, daring, sexy, and yet, both are still vulnerable.–Mark Kliem

A true diva. Bonus points for the boots.–David Hauslaib

Honorable mention #2: “Kiss” by Jim Hamann of Washington, D.C. (Prize: Prize: 5 photo book coupons, compliments of Shapfish)

With Gay Marriage being #1 topic of discussion this month, this photo captures the pride of the community. Plus this photo looks beautiful between the layers of light on top of dark on top of light and the great composition of red, white and blue.–Rich Dominiak

A single most powerful and timely kiss in front of the Capitol Bldg. to show a sign of the times… I like the silhouetted bodies and arms reaching out behind the kissing couple, symbolizing the fight, hope and the numbers that we are in fighting for equality in gay marriage today throughout america. I specially like the way the couple kissing is bathed in a radiance of light, as they both kiss and hold up yellow roses of hope.–Candi Guterres

I found this photo to be funny, sexy and sort of what Pride is about.. after the rainbow flags and drag queens and leather and sex, it’s the love between two people of the same gender.–Will Clark

Honorable mention #3: “It starts with a child” by Phillip Blackmon of Washington, D.C. (Prize: Prize: 5 photo book coupons, compliments of Shapfish)

This captures the hopefullness of a generation. Although it features a truly artistic composition, and is quite memorable and evocative, I feel that because the theme is PRIDE, it doesn’t feel like a proud moment captured in time. It feels more somber, reflective, and wistful. A terrific photograph nonetheless, but the same child in my pick for the winning photo drew me in more.–Glenn Gaylord

The title really says it all. The photo manages to be at once hopeful and elegiac, promising a better future while somehow paying respect to those who’ve paved the way, perhaps those we’ve lost.–Adam Drucker

Honorable mention #4: “Montclair State University – NYC Pride” by Bryan Correira of Kew Gardens, NY (Prize: 5 photo book coupons, compliments of Shapfish)

My first gay pride experience was while I was in college, and it also happened to be NYC pride, and this picture reminds me so much of the young, beautiful and carefree spirit I felt at my first Pride event.–Jeff Sheng

This one snuck up on me. I didn’t consider it much, but I kept coming back to it because I love how the bright colors of the subjects contrast so nicely against the almost-sepia colors of the buildings in the background.–Kevin Goebel

To me, this is what MY PRIDE is all about, what the pioneers fought for and what we’re celebrating: uncomplicated faces of youth proud of who they are and who they love. It’s a simple snapshot that manages to reassure that the kids are indeed alright.–Adam Drucker

Check out the full GayCities My Pride photo challenge slideshow

Enter the GayCities summer vacation photo challenge… and win cool prizes

winenothate: Joe! You’re in L.A.? What gives?

DJJoeG: Yeah, I moved in October. I love New York, it’s probably the most amazing city on earth, but I really needed a change.

winenothate: Keeping busy? Finally doing some remixing and producing?

DJJoeG: I’m starting to really take things up to the next level musically. And I found someone I really click with in the studio, so that makes it all the more exciting.

winenothate: Sweet. If ur not doing your own thing these days, u seem dead in the water.

DJJoeG: Right? Now that I’ve done it for over a year now, my mixes are starting to sound more like I want them to. It’s such an amazing feeling to not only play something for a crowd that I helped to create, but to see it go over well is just the best feeling in the world.

winenothate: Like what?

DJJoeG: I’ve remixed tracks for Amber Dirks, Rupaul, Bimbo Jones, among others, and I just did a private remix of the Black Eyed Peas “I Gotta Feelin” that’s been getting an amazing response in my sets. I also have remixes coming out soon for Tony Moran featuring Frenchie Davis, and Kristine Ws new single. Both of those are really hot. I’m happy how they turned out.

winenothate: Feels good?

DJJoeG: I still can’t believe sometimes this is my job. It’s crazy.

winenothate: Jackson. Dead. Thoughts?

DJJoeG: I was in complete shock when I found out. I’ve been a big fan of his since the 80s so it definitely hit a nerve. Also, being a DJ, I regularly play so many of his records, either his own or ones that use samples. It’s kind of weird. And sad.

DJJoeG: We actually lit a candle for her that morning in the studio. Then when Michael died, we lit one for him. That day really made me want to just call everyone that’s important to me and let them know how much they mean to me.

winenothate: Are you surprised that he didn’t name you as next in line to have custody of Blanket after Diana Ross?

DJJoeG: I was very upset about that! How could he do that to me?!? LOL Diana Ross though? That was a surprising factoid. The details just get stranger every day.

winenothate: Is Lady Gaga worth the hype?

DJJoeG: I think so. I wasn’t a huge fan at first, but she makes great pop songs that translate really well on the dancefloor. Ya, I like her. She has a fun attitude too.

winenothate: Are gays fairly targeting Obama for not moving so quickly on equal rights issues?

DJJoeG: Honestly, I’m not as up in arms about that as everyone else is. I mean, it’s only been 6 months, not 6 years. Rome wasn’t built in a day. But he definitely has a deadline with me to start making real progress. I don’t know when that date is.

winenothate: Are you psyched about playing P-town?

DJJoeG: Of course. I told Rick Murray that my summer would not be complete without a gig at the Crown & Anchor. How’s that for guilting a promoter into a gig? LOL

winenothate: Rick’s around?

DJJoeG: Oh yeah! He is such an amazing guy to work for too, so that just makes it all the more better.  Not to mention the fact that some of my closest friends live there. I’ll be in town for a few days to visit and hang out.

winenothate: Do you visit the dunes?

DJJoeG: Where the bike trail is? I think so. I know I’ve ridden my bike along the trail and there are lots of dunes involved.

winenothate: Yeah, Joe – where the bike trails are …