Rio de Janeiro Pride — October 29-November 2

Last year there were an estimated 1.2 million participants at Rio Pride–in other words, don’t miss out on this if you can help it. Enjoy the carnival-like spirit of the event, and take in the stunning coastline before the festivities kick off.

Photo by Gay Pride Barzil

Atlanta Pride — October 30-November 1

This year the Atlanta City Counsel voted to extend bar hours for the Sunday night of Pride (under normal circumstances bars close at midnight on Sundays). Bars will serve until 2:30am, and stay open until 3am. So save some energy for Sunday and go out with a bang.

Photo by Atlanta Pride

Palm Springs Pride — November 7-8

You can still count on Palms Springs to deliver outdoor festival-worthy sun. Escape to the desert for one last chance to experience a pride event this year. And if that’s not enough, Palm Springs Leather Pride is the very next week–so pick your poison pleasure.

Photo by Palm Springs Pride

For more events, view our full calendar.

Corey Delp is an events producer and popular bartender at Bourbon Street, San Diego’s “see-and-be-scene” club. Even after living in NYC, Miami, and Boston, he calls his adopted hometown a kind of “paradise.” On the eve of San Diego’s Saturday, July 18 pride celebration, he gave GayCities contributor Barbara Wilcox the lowdown on what’s become one of the most happening gay scenes in America. 

How did you end up in SD?

I’ve been in San Diego for a year and a half. In NYC, I always had my eye on San Diego as a place I would eventually live, and in the fall of 2007, with just what I could fit in a rental SUV, I made the childhood dream trip crossing the US.

What was your first pride like?

Hmmm…I’ve done pride in sooo many places, but I have to say that there is NO Pride like NYC. I’m not the biggest fan of the city, but for one special weekend Glenda waves her magic wand and turns it out! I celebrate pride in many ways. First there is the civic duty to show up, and believe me, after a night of Junior or Abel, that was not easy. In SD I march in the parade with my friends and co-workers on a float we all pitch in to make. It’s a little different now that I am older. When I was in my twenties…well, all I’ll say is that I had some of the best times of my life.

The sexiest float?

I can’t recall…so many…I’m just thankful that gay guys like to dance in Speedos!

Where do you like to hang out?

I work out in Hillcrest, at the 24hr Fitness. I’ve never understood why many gay men complain about gay gyms. I have to say that one of my favorite restaurants is Lei Lounge. The interior design and concept is one of greatest examples of how one can accomplish class, quality and creativity with an emphasis on delicious food, extraordinary spirits and an atmosphere that sometimes borders on exuberance. It is, and looks like, a little piece of heaven. A rustic local favorite is Cafe on Park. My good friend Andy is the owner and he has created a menu that would please a party of 50. His creations start with a memory of my grandmother’s kitchen. Chunks of innovation and sophistication, and sometimes a dash of exotic, are carefully added and the finished work is impeccably presented. A staple of the community is Baja Betty’s. It is always fiesta at this homo-Mexican hot-spot. I know, actually EVERYONE knows, many of the servers. The food is always good, but in truth, it’s the staff that make it a steady choice. This is a must visit for anyone coming to Hillcrest. And if it’s your birthday, be prepared for an orgy of the floating sex organs of your choice.

Sum up the San Diego experience…

If you are coming to San Diego, be prepared to move. Seriously. It’s one thing to dream about paradise, it’s another to be a part of it. Imagine, hot, curious military boys; achingly beautiful, tanned surfers; sexy, smart latin men; and, of course, your friendly bartenders at Bourbon Street. Not a day goes by where I am not acutely aware that I love San Diego, and I’m equally aware that you will too!

Check out our full San Diego Pride Guide!

San Diego Pride photo by softservegirl

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

Towleroad came up with this shot from a Times Square preview with some of the performers:

More great pics on towleroad

Check out our full pride guide

LoveBall playbill & trailer by Saint-at-Large

What was your first Pride like?

My first Pride, in Los Angeles, was a revelation of the scope and diversity of our community. Hundreds of thousands of men and women; young old, conservative and extravagant — an entire spectrum of humanity that just happened to be born gay — gathering to celebrate our commonality and to focus our energy on our political future.

What’s special about Seattle Pride?

Seattle Pride is set to become the city’s largest spectator event, overtaking Seafair as the No. 1 draw. We are the largest Pride in the Pacific Northwest, attracting folks from Vancouver, B.C., to San Diego, Calif.

What’s the sexiest Pride float you’ve ever seen?

It had go-go boys dancing alongside their PFLAG moms and dads. There’s nothing sexier than a family that dances together, especially in public! 

How do you, personally, celebrate?

I’m on the (SoAP) board, so my Pride starts early and ends late, just how I like it!

Any advice for out-of-towners?

Seattle is one of the most beautiful cities in the world during the summer and spring. The water, which is everywhere, shimmers magically as the temperature hits the 70s and 80s and the café people stay out late on the sidewalks of the city. Be sure also to take the ferry to one of the local islands for an unforgettable view of Seattle. Do it around sunset for a super-romantic treat.

Some favorite places you can recommend?

Tulio’s downtown (just across the street from the fabulous Rem Koolhaas library) has excellent service and delicious, well-priced entrees. The iconic Seattle Space Needle is still a great place to grab a glass of wine and a 360-degree view of Seattle. Rock music lovers, be sure to put the Experience Music Project on your list of places to visit. Give yourself at least 1-2 hours to revel in this monument to the history of rock and roll.

Also, Seattle is made up of many charming neighborhoods, each with its own distinct flavor. You’ll love exploring the main streets of Madrona, Queen Anne, Madison Valley and Fremont. These distinctive areas are just minutes from downtown Seattle and are populated with unique shops, friendly natives and exceptional dining venues.

More Seattle Pride on GayCities

Seattle City Guide

Lee Decker is quickly becoming one of the most in-demand DJs in San Francisco. His high-energy mix of progressive house, vocal house and tribal sounds have kept many a dance floor raging into the early morning hours. In addition to a weekly spot on Saturday nights at Lookout’s Social Club (one of the hottest events in the Castro), you can catch him at events like Adonis, Underworld and Colossus and this weekend’s San Francisco Pride. GayCities editor Dan Tracer caught up with Lee to get his take on music, San Francisco and Pride ’09.

Lets be honest – with so many parties in one weekend, you can be sure there will be a hell of a lot of pre-partying across the city. What kind of music puts you in the right mood when you’re getting ready for an event? Any summer anthem prospects?

Pride definitely has a special vibe surrounding it and there are certain songs I bring out just for that. But to get me in the mood before an event, I usually just listen to my feel-good songs of the moment. Right now, I’m really into the Black Eyed Peas “I Gotta Feelin’” and “When Love Takes Over” by David Guetta and Kelly Rowland. They’ve definitely got that Pride feel to them. And the latter has my vote for the song of the summer.

Where are you spinning this Pride?

You’ll find me on Friday night playing along side another great SF DJ and buddy Kevin Lee at Underworld, a Gus Presents party where you don’t just check your coat, but basically as many layers as you want. So make sure your skivvies are cute! And then on Saturday, I get to play from 11:30pm-2am in the heart of the Pink Saturday party in the Castro at Social Club @ Lookout. DJs Luke Fry and Derek Monteiro will be there too, so it’s going to be a hot night.

How would you describe your sound?

It varies depending on what sort of event I play, but whatever I do, I like it to be high energy. At a party like Social Club, the music will be dancy, poppy and fun. And at a club like Underworld or Adonis (also Gus Presents), you’ll hear a lot of tribal and progressive sounds.

Does any one memory either as a DJ or a spectator stand out as a perfect mesh of sound and a crowd’s energy?

Such a hard question, because there are so many great memories! On New Years Day this year, I got to work at Mass, a legendary SF party with Phil B. and it was a huge rush. When I was done playing, they were yelling for more. That’s what I like! I was on the other end of that in Miami when Manny Lehman played at Cameo for Winter Party. When the club closed at 5am, it was still completely packed and they were screaming for Manny to keep playing. As a DJ, having that crowd go crazy for you, especially when you’re a part of something so iconic, is pretty amazing.

Who are the DJs or artists you look to for inspiration?

I love a lot of the club music coming out of Brazil, Mexico and Central America. They really know how to party down there. And DJs like Luis Erre, Ana Paula, Allan Natal, and Filipe Guerra are where it’s at. I’ve also been really lucky to have some great inspiration around me, too. Phil B. has really been a great mentor and friend. And DJs like Joe Gauthreaux, Twisted Dee, and Manny Lehman make me excited to do what I do every time I hear them. I see someone like Joe who has had such an amazing career at such a young age, and I can only hope I achieve that level of success someday.

When you’re not behind the tables, where do you like to go to dance?

I love Fresh at Ruby Skye. That space is just amazing and they not only get some of the best gay DJs for Fresh, but Ruby Skye has world-class DJs other nights of the month, too. I dance around the house a lot, too. Does that count?

Absolutely. How about just to hang out with some friends over drinks?

I live in the Castro, so it’s pretty easy for me to just walk down to Trigger, Lookout or QBar and grab a quick drink. One of my best friends works at Trigger, so that seems to be where we end up these days when I’m not hiding away in the house to prep for a gig.

Any tips for SF Pride? What is on your must-see list for a first timer?

Everybody knows about the Civic Center event and parade; that’s a given. But I’m really excited about Juanita More’s pool party at Bambuddha Lounge. It’s just a nice change from the regular daytime events.

Anything at Pride to avoid like the plague?

If anything, just avoid staying in. There’s so much to do. And if you’re at Underworld, definitely avoid pants.

After Pride is over and we can’t get that amazing song you played out of our heads, where can we find you?

Steamworks…kidding! I play every Saturday night from 12-2 for Social Club at Lookout, so you can always catch me there when I’m in town. Also, there’s a great event coming up in August called Sundance. It takes place up at the Russian River and it’s basically just a big weekend of gays getting out of town. I’ll be playing with Jason G. at a pool party.

Check out more on Lee Decker and the GayCities San Francisco Pride Guide.

Photos by Lee Decker

Sami Grisafe is quarterback for the 2008 Eastern Conference Champion Chicago Force (of the professional Independent Women’s Football League). Unlike many of the more than 10,000 women who play the full-contact sport–mostly on boys’ youth and small-school teams, but increasingly on all-women’s squads like the IWFL’s–Sami is a veteran, having played for 15 years. Her Force teammates are diverse — ex-paratroopers, rugby converts, a surprising (or maybe not) number of attorneys — playing what the Tribune’s John Kass called “smash-mouth football” for almost no money yet with a far better record than, say, the Bears.

On June 13, the Force advanced to another postseason with a 26-6 win over Detroit Demolition. Sami carried for two touchdowns, including 37 yards on a fake handoff for the final score of the game. This will be Sami’s last year with the Force, however. With a degree in acting, bit parts in films like “Lords of Dogtown” and playwriting and directing credits under her belt, Sami plans to try her fortunes in Hollywood. But she’ll stick around for long enough to enjoy the June 28 Chicago Pride, where she will ride on the Force’s float, as she has for several years. GayCities contributor Barbara Wilcox caught up with her on the even of Chicago Pride.

What was your first Pride like?

A very good friend of mine worked for Howard Brown Clinic in Chicago and so I walked in the parade with him and passed out fliers for free HIV testing. It felt good to contribute.

How do you celebrate Pride?

I enjoy the company of my friends and celebrate all of the LGBT people from the past who endured so much and fought hard for us to be that much closer to equality. For the last couple of years, I’ve been on the Chicago Force float in the Pride Parade and then headed over to the the Backlot Bash in Andersonville

Sami, far right, with pals at pride

Where does the team eat/drink/hang out?

After the games we go to our sponsor bar Paddy O’Splaines. We also frequent T’s, The Closet and Hamburger Mary’s. The food at T’s could be described as upper-end bar food with some healthier options. The best nights to catch the ladies at T’s is on Friday and Saturdays. Hamburger Mary’s is a fun kitschy place. They are a restaurant by day, and then upstairs a club opens called Mary’s Attic where plays, karaoke and comedy routines can be seen on various nights.The Closet is a tiny neighborhood bar with a lot of character — you never know what you will get as far as the atmosphere, but the drink prices are always reasonable and it is open til 4 a.m., 5 a.m. on Saturdays.

What don’t out-of-towners know about Chicago that they should know?

Not only do we have a fabulous Pride in June, but we have a fantastic street festival in the beginning of August called Halsted’s Market Days. This event is an entire weekend full of music, art, booze and sexy people. It is also the largest street festival in the Midwest and it is homo-tastic!

What’s your biggest moment in football?

Playing in the 2008 World Championship.

You played on JV and varsity men’s teams in high school. Is playing on a women’s team different?

On the men’s teams, there were a lot more political concerns for me, added to the challenge that one already faces when playing the game of football. When I began playing on the women’s team, it was nice to just be a football player and not a woman playing football. Another big difference is in the level of desire. I think a lot of the boys I played with never understood what an honor it was to play football, because it was never out of reach; it was always attainable. With the women, the team is made up of a variety of different ages and women from different generations who are playing a sport they never thought they would be allowed to play.

You’ve achieved a lot already — writing and directing a play, playing a range of theatrical roles in college, quarterbacking a conference championship team and lettering in three high school sports (including football).

I would like to begin doing stunt work. I have an extensive athletic resume and my bachelor’s degree in acting; I think stunt work is the perfect hybrid of the two. Eventually when my body has had enough of the insanity (at the age of 36, heh heh) I would like to really get back into acting. I love dissecting characters and using the resources of my own experiences in life to enhance and understand other people, even if they are fictional.

What advice would you give a young woman who wants to play football? How can she find a good coach and a good program?

I would say make sure it is a sport that you love and are playing for the right reasons. Football is a game that requires a lot of physical and emotional discipline and if the sport is being played for anyone besides yourself, you will be unsuccessful and miserable. I’ve seen many people — male and female — pretend to love it, and it doesn’t work. You need heart! As far as a good program, I would say to try and start in a local youth/Pop Warner league or look online for local clinics and camps that may be happening in your hometown. Redlands High School, my alma mater, held a free technique camp when I was a kid, and that’s when I fell in love with football.

Check out the GayCities Chicago Pride Guide

photos by scott renshaw

WILL CLARK has been entertaining for the past 15 years in ways most of us can only imagine: first as an actor in XXX films and then later as an MC for hundreds of fundraising events across the country that have brought in nearly $1 million for LGBT non-profits. He created the absurdly popular Bad Boys Pool Party in LA and Palm Springs and hosted West Hollywood’s happy hour porn star interview show “Cocktails with the Stars.” Today Will produces and MC’s the weekly fundraising sensation Porno Bingo, raising over $85,000 for New York based HIV/AIDS organizations, nonprofit theatre, queer sports and community groups. Porno Bingo is held each Wednesday night from 8 to 10pm at Pieces in the West Village. This Saturday, catch his sixth annual Bad Boys on the Hudson Sea Tea July 26th aboard the Queen of Hearts (to benefit the Poz Pedalers’ 300-mile bike ride for Braking the Cycle in September 2009).

GayCities New York editor JJ Keyes caught up with Clark for an early summer chat about New York, pride and more than a few of his favorite things.

JJK: When did you move to New York, Will?

WC: I first moved to New York in 1994 just in time for my 30th birthday and Stonewall 25. It was a pretty great time to be in New York and I stumbled into being a part of the Raise the Rainbow project. What an incredible experience.  I liked going to Splash for happy hour then, they had the hottest bartenders and a bouncer that I had a thing for whom I still run into occasionally and I get all weak-kneed. Kind of funny, huh? I started dancing at Limelight and the Tunnel, some pretty tripped out times there but my favorite was the Palladium, no longer there. It’s a PC Richards and Sons now. Sad. I left in 1998 to work in LA but came back in 2003. I never really felt as thought I’d left though as I took trips back and forth a couple times a year for Black Party and while on tour and to see friends.

JJK: How about these days?

WC: These days I dig Eastern Bloc and the divey Hose. I’m also kinda partial to Gusty Winds’ bingo night at Urge on Monday nights.

JJK: Where do you work out?

WC: I used to love going to the gym because it would be cruisey and the guys would work out without shirts but then the personality of the gyms just changed and it became more…bitchy (and not in the fun Julia Sugarbaker kind of way) But going to the gym started out as a health thing, then became a ‘have to look good to get laid’ thing and then became a ‘have to look good to get work’ thing and then it became a ‘how big can I get’ thing.. and finally, I’d had enough with all of it and let my membership expire. My big goal this year is to train hard this summer and ride the 100 miles from Babylon to Montauk. I’ve never done that far before…they call it The Century.  So far I’ve been inching my way around the perimeter of Manhattan and then will spread out to the boroughs.

JJK: If you won a shopping spree to any store in the city where would you go and what would you buy?

WC: 
Well, I’m the antithesis of a clothes horse (I’m happiest in a pair of jeans and a T-shirt) but Bergdorff’s is timeless.

JJK: What are a few of your recommendations for this year’s pride festival?

WC: I’m hitting the Jackie Beat show at the Gramercy Theatre (Fri and Sat June 26th and 27th) and my best friend is in from San Fran and he wants to check out the Spirit Cruise Men at Midnight dance party on Friday June 26th…those oughta be pretty fun. AVP is throwing a big party at Stonewall on Wednesday June 24th from 6 to 9 and I’ll be at that for a little bit before going to my own Pride extravaganza that night from 8 to 10 at Pieces which will benefit Heritage of Pride/Pride 40 and feature singer Bianca Leigh and porn star Nick Capra and Pride Grand Marshalls Cleve Jones (a friend of mine) and Dustin Lance Black are scheduled to come by and call some numbers for us! Later that night, I’m tempted to go to Trai La’s show at DTox down in the east village (it’s every Wednesday starting at 11pm)… and I’ll bet Gusty’s show at Urge on Monday June 22nd oughta be pretty great (10pm). Finally, I’m one of those people that likes to dance and lately have been pretty busy so I’ve got a couple chances over Pride to dance with my peeps – at the opening night of the Sea Tea on Sunday June 21st (in between Folsom East and the Broadway Bares midnight show – the midnight show is always a wee bit raunchier than the earlier show) from 7pm to 10pm and then post Pride celebration I’ll be shakin it at Love to the groovy sounds of Susan Morabito (from 10:30pm onwards on in to the night). That week leading up to Pride will be the last of a day job I’ve had for the past two and a half years (lay offs can be a bitch but a mixed blessing … hate to be on the dole but God that place had let go like nearly 150 people since I started there so I’m glad to get the hell out)… anyway all that means is that I’m going to be celebrating my ass off all week long (I mean really if I come in a morning or two hung over, what are they going to do, fire me?) culminating in the all night dance fest that is the Susan party – no where to go on Monday June 29th! LOL

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

WC: Lots to choose from…but probably the best one was recently during the Marriage Equality rally/march…I was holding hands with my boyfriend walking across 14th street and we saw a couple of guys in their 50s maybe unfurling a rainbow flag from their top floor apartment. We waved and smiled and they turned to each other and smooched. The whole crowd went apeshit. I love that stuff. Then, just a couple blocks later, I felt a tap on my shoulder and I turned to see a guy that I had directed in a play when I was in grad school. He’d since come out and has a boyfriend and asked, ’so what have you been doing since I last saw you?” (In 1992) and as I started to figure out how exactly to answer that, he just bust out laughing and said “oh I know EXXXXACTLY what you’ve been doing!” It was nice to see him. The play was all about coming out and being comfortable with who you are and I think we both needed that at that time in our lives. I knew he was gay when I saw him do a flawless Peter Cetera imitation one night before the show.

JJK:  Talk to us about Porno Bingo: when is it, where should we go, what should we bring, how should we dress?

WC: Dress casual to slutty. The guys that go to Pieces aren’t pretentious, they’re real and looking for a good time whether it’s hanging out with their buddies playing a few rounds with us or on a dick hunt (usually both goals are achieved.. or so I’m told!)

JJK: How did you come up with Porno Bingo?

WC: I had been traveling around the country doing a one man show about my life in the gay porn industry and found myself getting hired to go to P-Town for a few weeks to perform out there. I had it in my head that I’d take my one day off a week and ferry into Boston to do a one night a week show there and came up with the Bingo idea. I figured it was a fun game show thing that was pretty low maintenance and could attract a mid-week crowd. But the thing fell through and the idea sat on the shelf for a few months until circumstances presented themselves for me to do a show at the 9th Ave Bistro. It was a great little neighborhood dive bar which didn’t accommodate me doing a burlesque show, a talk show or the Porn Idol show I was doing around town then, so the Bingo idea came back around and the rest, as they say is history. When they closed last summer (it’s now a Dunkin Donuts) I was pretty bummed out but then we were picked up by Pieces. Their staff is fantastic (although I miss Manny who I hear is at Uncle Charlies these days).

More cool New York pride stuff to do in our new pride guide

More GayCities New York

Chat with JJKeyes

Photos courtesy of Will Clark & Muffin Taco

Vance Garrett has been described as “the Ziegfeld below 14th Street.” At 28 Vance already has range of production roles with icons such as Kylie Minogue, Tori Amos and Jennifer Hudson. Lately he’s worked in theater, as director for Saint At Large events, including some biggies for New York City LGBT Pride, June 20-27. GayCities contributor Barbara Wilcox caught up with Vance in full pride preparations stride.

What was your first Pride like?

My first Pride was actually in Chicago while I was on summer break from college (at Northwestern University). My apartment-mates and I all made the trek down into Boystown for the adventure, not really having a clue as to what to expect. We had zero expectations, but had the best time. Found my closest male high school friend walking shirtless in the streets; my favorite junior high school teacher perusing the gay bookshop; floats blaring perpetual Madonna. The whole thing felt like one big family reunion.

What’s special about NY Pride?

Pride in New York City is unlike any event in the world. The gay rights movement began here with Stonewall, so there’s a lot of rich history in the streets of this city for gay people. It’s a fantastic, rare thing in Manhattan to see crowds of people taking over city avenues and sidewalks — just enjoying one big celebration of life.

Stonewall’s 40th anniversary is going to be one nonstop party. The city itself is already decking out the streets with its “Rainbow Pilgrimage” banners, reclaiming NYC as the ultimate international gay destination. Some activists are using it as a wake-up call for an effort to push gay rights legislation, and others are using this hot moment to put together the best celebrations the city has ever had. The organization I, professionally, work most closely with, the Saint At Large (New York’s oldest gay production powerhouse), is opening up the Nokia Theatre in Times Square on June 27 to the community for a five-part marathon extravaganza, kicking off with OutMusic’s Stonewall: the 40th Anniversary Commemorative Concert, featuring the best of today’s gay musicians.

Immediately following the concert is the Saint’s “Love Ball: Where Broadway Meets the Runway” (it’s the official opening night party for “Heritage of Pride”), paying tribute to widest spectrum of our community’s movers and shakers. Bringing together dozens of Broadway performers, club gods, circuit legends and voguing icons, all in the center of the Great White Way, it’s going to be the first dance-along Broadway extravaganza and is sure to be history-making. Think “RuPaul’s Drag Race” meets “West Side Story”.

What’s the best Pride float you’ve ever seen?

The vehicle that carried last year’s Grand Marshal, Candis Cayne, with apocalyptic ominous dark storm clouds trailing her entire procession through Manhattan. Just when her trademark windblown hair unfurled across the finish line in the Village, lightning crackled across the sky, thunder boomed, the clouds burst open, and down came the deluge, like in “Flashdance.” Candis calmly tipped into the nearest building for shelter before one drop touched her skin. The crowd went wild, and, in her words, it was simply “gorgeous.”

How do you celebrate Pride? I hope it’s not all work and no play.

I do spend almost every Pride working on some events, but I find a moment each year to connect with my friends at Fifth Avenue and Ninth Street to watch parts of the spectacle for at least or drink or two. I’ve also strangely, randomly run into this makeshift ukulele chamber concert on some 10th Street fire escape at sunset for the past couple of years, so now that it looks like it could an annual thing that could start to be a tradition of mine soon. Their performance may have no correlation to Pride, but I love it.

What about gay life in New York should out-of-towners know?

Gay life in New York is part of every borough and building in the city — maybe not as compartmentalized as it is in other cities — so there’s not need to just explore Chelsea, West Village or Hell’s Kitchen. Just walk down any street, or pick up an HX or Next to get the lay of the land, and go exploring. If all else fails, head over to old faithful Barracuda at 22nd and Eighth for a drink and advice on where the next party is that night. Scott or Anthony there will treat you right. Albeit biased, I feel comfortable saying the Saint’s Love Ball on June 27 will draw the most diverse and authentically New York crowd. Between that and the Pier Dance on Sunday night, a visitor will certainly see NYC at its most vibrant.

Tell us about some places to hang out–Manhattan or outer-borough–that you like.

• Zoma: An Ethiopian restaurant in Harlem near where I live. Prepare to get your hands dirty. Yum.
• Indochine: Across from the Public Theatre at Astor Place, it’s an institution now in its third decade of fabulousness. Great food, drinks, and staff . . . all the cool kids are still there (with cameos from New York’s legendary Joey Arias on the best of nights).
• Cowgirl: This is where I go when my family is in town. It’s down-home cookin’, a Village Tex-Mex hangout at its best (and the girls particularly love it).
• Moustache Pitza: It’s a small, cozy joint on Bedford Street in the West Village and is part of the Slow Food Movement. The price is right, and the ouzi is delicious.
• Downtown Cookie Co.: This is New York’s best-kept, sexiest secret. Meeting the baker alone is worth investigating the tasty morsels.

I’ve heard young folks say that Pride is really for the older set.

I say the young folks are welcome to come to a parade or Pier Dance meeting (open to all) if they have opinions and advice on how to the make the city’s biggest parties and events more appealing to them. There is such opportunity there for any individual to help shape Pride into what he or she believes it could be. Having fun is never going to go out of style, and the celebrations’ spirit of “being out” need not be restricted to just the announcement of one’s sexual preferences — or the obstacles that faced previous generations. Being proud of bringing the entirety of yourself to the table is as socially relevant as ever, regardless of where one feels we are with gay issues in 2009. I’m sometimes one of the youngest people sitting in on the meetings where these decisions are made about these biggest outdoor bashes for NYC, so if anyone else wants to be a part of the merriment, come on board.

What’s the saying? “Eighty percent of success of showing up.” Show up and make it want you want.

Much more New York on GayCities

Photos courtesy of Vance Garrett

GayCities New York editor JJ Keyes came across Lady Bunny while she was getting ready for New York’s Gay Pride festival. Lady Bunny is an accomplished actress, deejay, singer/ songwriter, comedienne and co-founder of the infamous outdoor drag festival, Wigstock. She performs all over the city and can be seen djing at Amalia on Friday nights and at Splash on Sundays from 7-11. Lady Bunny will be performing at many prides this summer, so if you miss her in New York, check her website to see if she’s coming to your city.

JJK: When was New York graced with the presence of a bombshell of a Southern showgirl such as yourself?

LB: You must mean bombed shell! I arrived at the Pyramid Club (which is still open) on Avenue A in the summer of 1984. I rode up with some friends whose band, The Now Explosion was booked there and they had me ride along in drag to amuse them. And they did get quite a kick out of the seeing me shaving through my foundation in a gas station rest room during the 20 hour drive from Atlanta.

JJK: What was the first New York bar/club Lady Bunny performed in? What was it like to perform there for the first time?

LB: The Pyramid. I haven’t been in years but I think I luckily arrived at it’s zenith. It was totally mixed gay and straight crowd with an amazing vibe and incredible performers which could range from Diamanda Galas to a kick-ass rockabilly band to lip-synching drag acts. You really never knew what to expect, but Deee-Lite, Antony and The Johnsons, RuPaul and many other acts went on to become nationally known.

JJK: Is there anything comparable now?

LB: If there is a comparable bar, I don’t know of it. Many performers have gravitated to doing one-offs at performance venues like Joe’s Pub, though these venues are nowhere near as cheap as the Pyramid.

JJK: Where is Lady Bunny’s favorite place to meet friends for a few drinks? Anywhere you like to go after a few drinks?

LB: I normally have enough drinks at work so on my nights off my liver is recovering. Right now I’m dj’ing at Rockit! at Amalia on 55th Street every Friday night and at Splash’s Free Tea spinning disco classics and 80’s every Sunday from 7-11. After a few drinks I’ll still hit Port Authority’s mens room, stall #3 for a little “action.” And just to aggravate “the girls” at Lips, a drag-themed restaurant, I’ll often pop in for a nightcap and have a giggle at bridal parties from Jersey singing s-karaoke.

JJK: Does Lady Bunny have a favorite brunch place in New York?

LB: I really love the food at Elephant and Castle in the West Village–their hash browns can’t be matched. But I HATE their horrible kiss-ass service so much that I haven’t been in years. The grand waiters act like you are in a 5-star eatery and then give you rotten service. Delicious imaginative food, but with a very odd vibe.

I live on the same block as Tea and Sympathy and although you don’t normally think of English cuisine as being the world’s tastiest, the food here is delicious. The tastiest brown bread I’ve ever eaten. And they offer a classic English tea on a three-tiered china tray bursting with confections like cake, scones and cucumber sandwiches. Luckily, I have managed to avoid their A Salt and Battery, their fish and chips shoppe. I don’t need a fried food fix on the block where I live–though I’m told that their deep-fried Mars bars are a treat. And the proprietress, Nicky, is always good for a salty joke!

JJK: How does Lady Bunny like to spend her NYC Pride? Where, in your opinion, are the best places to hit during Pride Week?

LB: I say run wild in the streets and pop into every bar along Christopher Street. Stonewall, the site of the original Stonewall Riots is still in business, so that’s worth a gander. It still draws a–shall we say?–colorful crowd. Unfortunately, for the last several years the police have blocked Christopher Street with police barricades so that you can’t actually walk on the street. Everyone is barricaded onto the sidewalks and it’s so crowded that it’s actually dangerous. Ideal for pickpockets, it could take you 5 minutes to walk 10 feet. It’s a real shame. If you’re hungry after marching, Cowgirl Hall of Fame on Hudson Street has divine Tex-Mex food but you’ll need a reservation for most nights.

JJK: What’s your favorite store?

LB: My fav shop is Earrings Plaza on 32nd and Broadway. Dirt cheap accessories! This is where those earring vendors you see on street corners go to buy their wares and just mark them up 300%. I say go to the source!

JJK: Least favorite?

LB: I wear a specific brand of Danskin hose which is primarily available at a store up past Columbus Circle. Now I’ll admit that I wear a large size–don’t say Bunny has a large hose!–but for some reason, they stock so poorly, that I always have to call prior to making the nose-bleed inducing trek up there to make sure that my item is available. I assume that online sales have forced their more conveniently located outlets to close. But if you’re gonna have a flagship Danskin store don’t keep me waiting for one month for my item, dammit!

JJK: Wigstock aside, what is your favorite New York LGBT event?

LB: I dj at every year at the Empire State Pride Agenda’s annual Hamptons fundraiser which is on July 11th this year. I ain’t fancy folk, but it’s fun to see a dance floor filled with pink polo shirts and madras shorts boogieing down!

JJK: How can everyone get their hands on the Lady Bunny Smash Hit DVD RATED X and sign up for Lady Bunny She-Mail?

LB: Well, it’s waaaay too scandalous to be sold in stores. So folks can simply visit my web site and don’t forget to check out my demented blog! And you can also view the trailer–not the one I grew up in–the trailer for my dvd.

JJK: Where can we see Lady Bunny this summer?

LB: Rockit! on Fridays and Splash on Sundays from 7-11. I’m also being honored, along with Patricia Field and former Harvey Milk associate Cleve Jones of the AIDS quilt fame at an amFAR fundraiser at the Edison Ballroom on June 11th. Debbie Harry and others are performing. The tickets aren’t cheap. but charities have really been hit hard by the recession, so if you can make it please do!

JJK: You’re on the road again this summer, aren’t you?

LB: I’m also on the road a lot and will be doing gay pride events in Portland, Cleveland, Columbus, Nashville, Vancouver, and Huntsville, Alabama. My full schedule is listed on my myspace page.

More New York on GayCities

Photos courtesy of Lady Bunny