Levi Johnston Playgirl Shoot Updates: He's Got a Smooth Butt! And We Have Hockey Stick Action!!!
OK, I admit it. Levi looks darn good at the Fleshbot Awards in NYC last night.
Right now at the Eagle Studios in NYC, over at 30th Street and 8th Avenue, Levi Johnston is airing out his man-parts for Playgirl photographer Greg Weiner, and soon, for all of the free world to enjoy. It's happening!!!
I'm getting reports from Playgirl's Daniel Nardicio that Johnston is doing great. And here are few more tidbits:
I made a joke yesterday about Johnston's "hairy butt." But I've gotten updated text messages from Nardicio stating to the contrary, that Johnston's backside is "smooth, like a Sade song." Amazing.
When I asked how the now-much-questioned Johnston weiner is looking, Nardicio gallantly responded: "They partitioned it off. The nude part [of the photo shoot]. Not his wiener."
And then this update: "WE GOT HOCKEY SHOTS! NAKED WITH THE STICK!"
This is beyond silly and insane... More after the jump!!!
2009 Thanksgifting Holiday Gift Guide: Things That Sparkle, Dazzle & Shine
The holidays are coming! Rather than bore you with a typical holiday list that mentions items you’re bound to buy anyway, we've compiled a small list of four items we found online that were just too-cool-to-be true.
Vintage Lady Gaga Poker Face Just Dance Sunglasses
As pictured above, these glasses exude hot-pink savvyness with a tidy mix of sharp, too-cool-for-school brashness: the equivalent of wearing a neon sign on your face that advertises how awesome you are. Also comes in Black and White.
Rave Disco Neon Pink Light-Up Poker Sunglasses
A company called Atomic (proper name) actually sells these neon light-up poker sunglasses in a variety of colors. But pink's where it’s at! And besides sporting a long, bizarre title that reads like a horrendous Japanese translation of a product that shouldn't exist, these glasses are simply the shiznit (and for some weird reason, they remind me of slap bracelets).
La Roux on MTV2's "Download and Discover"! See Video for "Quicksand" now!
From myspace.com/larouxuk: Elly Jackson of La Roux
Embarrassed as I am to admit this, I've only recently discovered the English electropop duo La Roux—comprised of producer Ben Langmaid and vocalist Elly Jackson—whose singles "In for the Kill" and "Bulletproof" have torn up the charts in the UK throughout most of 2009 ("Kill" peaked the charts at number 2, while "Bulletproof" reached the top spot).
Their sound isn’t new— intentionally-mechanized beats over chilly synths that work well with Jackson's whimsically ‘80s vocals—but La Roux's take on early ‘80s synthpop and new wave is often fresh and inspiring—quite possibly the best pop music around right now (the new Annie album is out in two weeks, so we'll see if that changes).
Maybe I've not sipped enough of my giant McCafe this morning (think if I write that McDonald's will send me freebies?), but I can't for the life of me figure out what the hell Lady Gaga is talking about when she describes what her music performance is gonna be like on Gossip Girl on November 19th. Can someone help me translate this? A 35-foot-long dress? Chuck Bass will be totes jealous.
In more Lady Gaga interviews, she also tells MTV's Sway all about her big Monster Ball tour (which sounds amazingly bonkers), her collabo w/Adam Lambert, her rise to fame, the Haus of Gaga, and lots of other batty sh*t. Enjoy, Pumpkins!!!
For once Michael Kors can't complain about someone's look being too costumey! Broadway Speaks OUT's Marti Cummings hobnobbed with all flavors of celebs at Bette Midler's big annual Hulaween bash this past weekend. It's a big costume klatsch wherein fancy folks dress up to raise money for Midler's amazing NY Restoration Project.
Did you know that over the years Midler and her crew of green do-gooders have picked up over 2,000 tons of trash (insert your own "picking up trash" joke here; she'd approve) and they've helped create over 55 community gardens all over NYC! So nice.
In the video Martha Stewart threatens to ruin Halloween for kids everywhere, Michael Kors serves us a very gay Gregg Allman look, and Crosby Stills & Nash even puff through. Madness! And the towering out comic Judy Gold makes a rather convincing Abe Lincoln. Shocker.
The Best Global Destination winner is Rio de Janeiro. I've never been but I know it's all about the Carnival madness and sex, sex, sex. At least in my imagination it is.
Almost Halloween!!!! I'm already regretting all the candy I'm gonna snarf, but it's no more decadent than this gloriously sparkling and ripely righteous video for the new single "Fire Night" by Brooklyn's electro-disco hellions Lights. (And bonus: It was directed by my Logo work colleague Lauryn Siegel.) It's sick!
As NYMag.com puts it: "You could die high and go to Halloween heaven and it wouldn’t equal" the amazingness here. Glitter, bitchin' makeup, pouty rock girls, murky pretty liquids slithering around and stuff burning... It's really all you need.
Bloody Halloween How-To Tips & Costume Shopping Snark! From Gays!
"BOO!"
Now that that's out of the way... You may be hankering for some homo-riffic Halloween how-to tips right about now. Luckily, the fabulous Brian Juergens (formerly of AfterElton.com) has got what you need over at the Camp Blood Horror Blog that he edits with his hubby, Andy. They're both big sweet horror movie geeks and Halloween fans, and they've cooked up a totally adorable (and terrifyingly fresh) video DIY Halloween Special!
In the video below, they've enlisted crafty friends to show you how to make cute Halloween tote bags, how to bake up tasty/ghoulish treats and how to apply your best scary face. Check their sh*t out below. And visit their gore-tastic Camp Blood site and blog to bone up on all things queer and scary.
Meanwhile, Kameron in the office here passed along this video (below). What happens when a snarky kid from the NYU Local Blog gets a video camera and goes costume shopping. Hijinks, dammit!
Florence + the Machine: The New Stevie Nicks Has Arrived? Live NYC Show Review! Gush! Love!
Just like a white wing dove, and with killer pipes and spewing power and emotion: Florence Walsh of Florence + the Machine.
by Paul O'Donnell
As a New Yorker today we are often plagued with the feeling that we missed out on something. There's always so much going on, where else should I be right now? Or did I get to NYC 15 years too late? Have I missed an era or all of the monumental moments? Last night proved that wrong when Britain's Florence + the Machine took the stage at the classic Bowery Ballroom. Wow.
First, haunting Holly Miranda opened the show for Florence. Missing her sidekick violinist Marques Toliver, but backed up by guitarist Tim Mislock and the infamous Nada Surf she sent goosebumps though the crowd from beneath a veil of overgrown bangs. Her performance was spectacular and had an edge of heavy rock that came slightly close to matching the razor sharpness of her voice. Miranda is definitely someone to watch, and last night she was the perfect intro to Florence + the Machine.
So here goes...
Florence's first real New York show, supporting her just-released CD Lungs(which is brilliant), introduced the audience to someone who will be remembered. A new Courtney Love mixed with Stevie Nicks, Florence pelted out vocals that were jaw-dropping while whirling around her flames of red hair contrasted against a white dress of flowing magic. Surrounded by disco-ball twilight Florence banged on a drum, put both hands in the air a la Eva Peron and let out some of the most beautifully awkward notes that made you wonder if you should cry or laugh nervously...
Sigh. Ladies and gentlemen, it was amazing.
Read more, including the Top 9 highlights of the Flo show after the jump!
Weezer + Lil Wayne = “Can’t Stop Partying”! Whattya Think?
As you’ve already heard by now, Weezer’s collaboration with Lil Wayneleaked into the blogosphere yesterday afternoon, and it’s…interesting.
In time for Weezer’s seventh album, Raditude, out next week, the unlikely collaboration, on a song aptly titled “Can’t Stop Partying,” signals an interesting move forward musically for both Weezer and Lil Wayne (who pled guilty to attempted criminal possession of a weapon last week and faces a year in jail).
Year-End Club Banger: Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ “Heads Will Roll (A-Trak Remix)”
Just when I thought the well had dried up for any great dance releases this year, along comes this awesome remix from New York-based DJ and turntablist A-Trak of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ similarly awesome synthpop smash “Heads Will Roll” (my favorite track off YYYs’ solid third album It’s Blitz!).
DJ A-Trak
Officially released yesterday via Pitchfork via Discobelle, “Heads Will Roll (A-Trak Remix)” is a nuts-and-bolts dance track that wouldn’t feel out of place in the early 1990s (club music’s beloved renaissance), delighting the listener in its willful simplicity: gleefully synthetic bass drums; the always reliable 808; thick, rubbery basslines accompanied by cheesy, Vegas-y synth flourishes—heaven in 6:25.
Annie’s “Don’t Stop” (Finally) Hits Stores November 17!
Delayed for over a year (with a myriad of leaked track listings to boot), Norwegian electro-pop chanteuse Annie’s sophomore album, Don’t Stop, finally sees the light of day on November 17.
Though it’d be hard to expect another stellar pop album similar to its predecessor, Anniemal (named the 167th album of the 2000s by Pitchfork), I think the next album will show traces of maturity in both lyrical and musical content while still keeping a foot in the power-pop bliss that made the latter album such a fresh, rewarding listen.
The single “Songs Remind Me of You” sounds like she’s onto something promising, giving me hope the rest of the album doesn’t falter the way other sophomore releases quite often do.
Mika Does Letterman; Arjan's Got a Free "Rain" Remix for You! Download Away!
Mika arrives the Letterman studio on Wednesday. Cute, much?
Lovely Brit-boy pop star Mika is making the rounds for his new album, The Boy Who Knew Too Much. Tonight he hits NYC with a sure-to-be sparkly good show way uptown at the gilded and ornate United Palace Theatre. I'm going! I'll serve up a report on Monday.
Fittingly, given the completely cold and messy weather we're having, Arjan at Arjanwrites has a hot mp3 download of the new Magistrates remix of "Rain" which can be yours for free right now. The track (which Mika wrote about a big breakup) was produced by Stuart Price, and the result is a sleek pop confection that's also kind of gorgeously angsty. The official "Rain" single gets released on November 23rd.
Your Lady Gaga Halloween Costume Problem Solved! Check It Out!
New York Magazine has a big Halloween special thing going on right now, with suggestions for how to enjoy the spooky/drunky occasion. And yes, they have some suggestions on how to put together your own Lady Gaga look (and face it: we all know this year every queen is gonna be getting their Gaga on).
So to make things simple, go to Etsy and order your own wiggy Gaga hair bow (see above) now; then go steal your granny's wheelchair or your gimpy cousin's crutches. Toss some on some shades, a metal bustier or some tights and you're good to go!
The glam/injured look can be rocked by young and old alike!
Now you just need to find some voguing queens in tuxes to back you up. And a hot Nordic stud/TV-vampire to toss you off a balcony. Trick or treat!
Lady Gaga Announces "Monster Ball" Dates; Tour Kicks Off November 27th; Kid Cudi's Opening!
These kids are taking it on the road, monstrously.
If Freddie Mercury were alive, he'd be Lady Gaga. Or that what's I'm thinking as I heard that Miss G has announced details for her "Monster Ball" tour, which is gonna kick off in Montreal on November 27th and spook its way (voguing throughout, I'm sure) across North America before it wraps up in the singers hometown of NYC with dates at Radio City Music Hall on January 20th and 21st.
Kid Cudi is going to opening for Gaga (and Kanye West can just sit at home and pick at scabs).
Says Lady Gaga of this gay-tastic event: "The Haus of Gaga had been designing 'The Monster Ball' for premiere in 2010 at the O2 Arena in London, but due to diligent work and preparation, 'The Monster Ball' will begin on November 27 in Montreal. 'The Monster Ball' is a multimedia artistic experience in the style of the first-ever 'pop electro opera.'" I'm gagging already.
On November 23rd, Lady Gaga will serve up the release of The Fame Monster, a revamp of The Fame album, with eight entirely new songs, including the already leaked "Bad Romance." And here's another instructional quote from the singer: "A message to all my little monsters: 'The Fame Monster' will come out four days before the first live show. You have exactly 96 hours to learn all of the lyrics so you can sing along. Dress accordingly."
Get all The Monster Ball show dates and more info at LadyGaga.com.
Just a sample of the crazy staging and lighting Minogue crafted for her US tour.
This weekend marked a historic event in gay history. No, I’m
not talking about the National March for Equality in WashingtonDC; I’m talking about the culmination of Kylie
Minogue’s first US tour here in the center of the entertainment universe, New York City. The deed went down at The Hammerstein Ballroom, a pretty big venue, but still surprisingly intimate. Kylie's set list was filled with the usual suspects, 'Come Into My World', 'Can't Get You Out Of My Head', 'Love At First Sight', etc.
The show, simply put, was FAB-U-LOUS. Every aspect of Kylie’s
performance was 100% on point. Her show was an experience with wild lights,
futuristic costumes and SEXY DANCERS (see below). I'm told the set was stripped down from her other international shows, but still, Kylie was lowered on stage standing on top of a giant metallic skull. So hot.
Look at these sexy dancers! These were some of their 'more conservative' outfits, catch my drift?
Florence + the Machine Is Coming! You'll Be Glad. Watch Killer Videos!
Britain's Florence + the Machine are coming to North America, starting with a sold-out show in NYC on October 27th, then gigs in L.A., Montreal and Toronto. If you start now, you can maybe figure out how to get tickets because you will not wanna miss out.
An art-school dropout, Florence Welch hails from South London, and her debut US release Lungshits streets next Tues., October 20th. (It's available via iTunes now.) She's loud, red-headed, with dynamically mind-blowing pipes and a kickass attitude and style that'll make you fear and love her all at once. She's way emotional and brassy: "Everything is about boys!" she says of her album. "Love and PAIN." Wow. She's like a less-drunk Winehouse!
Avove, watch her video of her genius, epic, haunting UK hit "Dog Days Are Over" above. Kaboom! And below, her cover of the legendary "You've Got the Love," which you know (as sung by Candi Staton, and used in Sex and the City, and loads of other places). Very hot.
More amazing Florence + the Machine videos after the jump. Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!!!
Is this Glee Star Cory Monteith at NYC Gay Bar Barracuda, or Not? Check out the Cute Photo!
(Left) Is that Glee's Cory Monteith posing with a gay dude at NYC's Barracuda? Photo via MyComrade.com.
As we know, pretty much all the gays are loving the Fox show Glee these days. And they also might love the above photo (on the left) which might be Glee star Cory Monteith (yes, he plays hottie jock Finn) snapped recently at the NYC gay bar Barracuda.
This lovely snapshot comes via drag queen/blogger extraordinaire Linda Simpson who posted the pic on her genius MyComrade.com blog. It was taken by a friend of hers. As Linda puts it "So is Monteith gay? Who knows, but he obviously is comfortable hanging with homosexuals and posing for their cameras."
But my big question: IS IT REALLY CORY? Yes, the guy looks kind of a lot like him. And sure the actor could easily have popped into Barracuda; that'd be no big deal. But whattya think??? This guy in the pic may look a bit older than Cory... See below.
So, this is the real Cory. Is that the same guy in the Barracuda pic???
You think some guy at Barracuda was just yanking a Glee fan's chain??? Celebs and their look-alikes... So tricky!!
Bob Mould & Richard Morel Plan to BlowOff D.C. This Saturday! Get an Exclusive Remix Download Now!
Since from now thru Sunday it's all about the National Equality March in D.C., I thought you might like a little primer of one of the best parties set to steam things up in Washington come Saturday night.
Punk rock legend Bob Mould and DJ/Producer extraordinaire Richard Morel have been throwing their beefy, sweaty BlowOff gay dance parties for a couple of years now. This Saturday night they're hosting a bash in their hometown space of D.C.'s 9:30 Club. Why not warm up for Sunday's big March and Rally with a club full of burly dancing men, eh?
BONUS: Musically, Mould and Morel have collaborated in the past, on their “Blowoff” CD, released in 2006. Now they’ve teamed up in the studio, this time to remix the “City Lights (Days Go By)” single from Bob Mould’s current album, “Life And Times." So, here, just for you, here is the link to the free mp3 download of “City Lights (Days Go By) - Morel's Pink Noise Remix.” Check out this video promo for the remix (and the BlowOff parties) below:
Also, for true Mould fans, the Bob Mould band will be doing a completely unrelated, separate show at the 9:30 club on Saturday night at 7pm, a few hours before the Blowoff party. It's Mould-mania!
Get your free remix download above, and get your BlowOff tix now. See you getting sweaty on Saturday night. (BlowOff, Saturday - 10/10/09, 11:30PM EDT, 9:30 Club, Washington, DC)
Rufus Wainwright, Justin Bond, Top Chef's Ash & Mayor Bloomberg Turn Out for Gay Homeless Youth
Rufus asks the crowd to hold their appplause, just for a sec. Photo by Kevin Tachman/BackstageAT.com.
Last night in NYC Rufus Wainwright performed, Justin Bond hosted, Sandra Bernhard looked fab and Mayor Mike Bloomberg announced that he's appointed a big important committee to address the harsh issue of homeless LGBT youth in the city... This all happened at a big, festive fundraiser, "A Place at the Table" which benefitted the Ali Forney Center, NYC's outstanding non-profit that provides housing, counseling and other life-saving services for homeless queer youth.
The turnout was big, the spirits were high, the auction items got bidded on, and the crowd ate it up. They also noshed on gourmet snacks prepped by star chefs, including the totally fab Ash Fulk, still in the running on the current season of Bravo's Top Chef. (Fulk's restaurant, Trestle on Tenth, was just around the corner from the Chelsea Art Museum, where the benefit went down.)
Rufus Wainwright Loves Cheese, Surfing, His Boyfriend & Helping Homeless LGBT Youth!
Rufus Wainwright and his German hubby, Jorn.
New York Magazine has a festive interview with Rufus Wainwright up today! Rufus' new concert DVD, Milwaukee at Last!!! (which was shot by documentary filmmaking legend Albert Maysles, of Grey Gardens fame) is out now, he's got some shows around the Northeast in the next weeks, and he's giddy to talk about it all.
First off, catch Rufus in NYC next Monday, October 5th at "A Place at the Table," the fancy gala benefit for the Ali Forney Center (which provides housing and services for homeless LGBT youth). It's a fab cause and Rufus will rock the house!
Meanwhile, Rufus divulges to NY Mag that he's happily ensconced back in New York, living with his handsome beau Jorn in Chelsea and spending time at a new Hamptons house taking yoga and surfing lessons. Zoinks!
"The Wizard of Oz" Paints NYC Green! Dorothy & Crew Invade Big Apple!
Lorna Luft and Ashanti flanked by some familiar folks.
by Kameron Zach
This month marked the 70th Anniversary of the classic film The Wizard of Oz, which has been remastered on hi-definition Blu-Ray and DVD slated for release next month. What better way to celebrate the impact of this classic story than to throw a glamorous release party at New York’s famous Tavern on the Green? (Note: Tavern's owner, Jennifer Oz LeRoy is the granddaughter or Mervyn LeRoy who produced the legendary film.) In attendance for "The Emerald Gala" last Thursday were five of the original munchkins, Judy Garland’s daughter, Lorna Luft, singer/songwriter Ashanti (who just starred in The Wiz on Broadway) and A LOT of gays.
Of the hundreds of guests celebrating, my friend Jonathan Shirshekan takes the cake for most unique party-goer (but maybe I have a slight bias; we're besties!). Jon’s what we in the business call an overachiever, at the age of 22 he's a published author having written, The Wizard of Oz: An Illustrated Companion to the Timeless Movie Classic (Shameless plug: Available at bookstores near you).
Author Jonathan Shirshekan and some very famous munchkins.
New Gay Pop Starlet Sliimy Loves NYC! Photos from His First Showcase! Sparkles! Balloons!
Sliimy does NYC! His TwitPic after his showcase and a night out at Splash. Woo-hoo!
New French pop wunderkind Sliimy is making the rounds and he hit NYC in a big way yesterday! On Thursday morning, he visited the adorable Fred Flare store in Brooklyn and was greeted by big gay cheerleaders! Then, around lunchtime he headed to MTV and Logo to shoot some stuff that you'll see soon online!
Last night he served up his first real NYC performance, with a little acoustic showcase at a new glittery club in Chelsea, Juliet's. The crowd was cute and PR goddess Liz Rosenberg (yes, as in Madonna, Cher & Stevie Nicks' Liz Rosenberg) introduced Sliimy; she's working on his press. Nice score, Sliimy!
Anyway his show was delightful, serving up about 5 songs including his first single "Wake Up," his fab cover of "Womanizer" and a few others that captured his sunny, quirkly, melodic style. Wearing a glittery gold jacket, superskinny jeans, curly black hair a-flopping and his hands painted blue (why not?) Sliimy charmed the crowd. Now I wanna see him in a full on pop-tastic show with electronics and instruments and visuals galore!
After the jump, check out photos! I talked to Sliimy and he said one big highlight of his day was meeting Mika, while he was at the Logo shoot. Yay! I love it when floppy-haired prancey boy pop-stars meet!
Morningwood + White Tie Affair + Six Flags = Fun Concert Action? And Rides! And Gayness!
Morningwood (top) and the boys from White Tie Affair wanna give you a twirl at Six Flags Magic Mountain in L.A. Are you tall enough for this ride?
Summer's over, but not in L.A. So get ready for one more fun summer-ish bash when Logo's NNN Concert Series hits Six Flags Magic Mountain on Friday, September 25th. The raucous kids from Morningwood and White Tie Affair will be headlining, and those identically cute DJs, The Perry Twins, will be spinning tunes, too. It's all part of a big gay-themed "Out on the Mountain" bash where the park throws a private party for the gays. Nice, right?
Anyway, the bash runs from 6pm - midnight, with the concert shows kicking off at 8pm. Last weekend, Six Flags up in SF hosted one of the shindigs, with party guys LMFAO and those tipsy Paradiso Girls headlining. Check out pics from that event after the jump. And watch some hot Morningwood & White Tie Affair vids, too!
Fashion Week Roadkill: Lindsay, Gossip Girls, True Blood, Amanda Lepore & More! See the Photos!
Lindsay Lohan at G-Star: Is she looking very relaxed? Or very, er... relapsed?
Fashion Week is going full-throttle in NYC. The celebs are out and posing up a storm. Here's a quick look at some of the hotness (and NOT-ness) that's out parading in the name of style and glamour these days...
Looks like G-Star and Baby Phat were both hot shows, judging from the attendees. Is Lindsay toasted? Or just giddy with fashion glee? Who can say, who can say...?
Enjoy lots more pics of kids from Gossip Girl, True Blood, one of Destiny's Children, Kathie Lee & Hoda, Amanda Lepore, some hot Project Runway mess-ness and more all after the jump!
Justin Bond Concert in NYC! New "Pink Slip" EP! Hurrah!
Beauty, thy name is Bond.
Justin Bond may be known best as the singing/cocktail-wielding Kiki, one-half of the world-renowned performance duo, Kiki and Herb, and it’s no wonder. The pair have had a Tony-nominated run on Broadway, played Carnegie Hall, the Sydney Opera House -- and of course crusty gay venues from Avenue A to Kangaroo Island.
But Justin Bond is striking out on his own, with a new EP of original music just released, and a big concert next Wednesday, July 22nd at NYC’s Highline Ballroom. The EP, Pink Slip, boasts 4 new original tunes from Bond and his collaborator Our Lady J, and one killer Radiohead cover (“Weird Fishes”). The results are gorgeous, dramatic, melodic, severe and searingly fresh, much like Bond himself. (“The Puppet Song” is beyond fabulous.) And head’s up: A full-length release of new tunes from Justin is due later this year!
If you’re in NYC, don’t miss the concert next week. Clint Michigan (a rising indie duo you should know) will be opening, as will the comic treats Jeffery & Cole (also seen in "Jeffery & Cole’s Casserole" on Logo). AND... If you can, splurge and buy the VIP seats for the show; for $50, the proceeds will benefit the Ali Forney Center, which provides housing and services for LGBT homeless youth. Plus, you’ll get a meet-and-greet with La Bond himself!
And go check out Butt Magazine’s great, lengthy new interview with Justin, in which he discusses his music-making process, Radical Faeries, Michael Jackson, life after Kiki, and other tasty topics.
After the jump, check out our video interview with Justin and Our Lady J from last year, when Justin's show "Lustre" was opening at P.S. 122 in the East Village. (And apologies: The sound on the video is low. You'll need to turn it UP. Thanks!)
Fritz Helder and the Phantoms Go All Out at Mr. Black
With so much fierceness/craziness on one stage, how could this night be anything but amazing?
When I think of the up-and-coming glam/electro/dance confab Fritz Helder and the Phantoms, the last thing I think of is the word boring. Flashy, wild, hip, and crazy are the more likely to come to mind. I had the opportunity to see them perform at Mr. Black in NYC this past Friday and they definitely did not disappoint. Maybe it was the open bar, the hot shirtless men, or the awesome performance, but that show was one of the craziest and most entertaining ones I've been to in a while.
The boys and girls of Fritz Helder and the Phantoms started the night off by being introduced by their mentor (and the celeb whose label their debut is out on) Nelly Furtado, who disappeared as quickly as she came out. Seriously, it was a "blank and you miss her" moment. After the quick introduction, the band went into a thirty minute onslaught of loud music, crazy dancing, voguing and posing, and all around craziness. It was awesome. Each song was better and louder than the next.
Muscled up dancers and all around insanity...after the jump!
Video: A Visit to Butt Magazine's Big BANG Party in NYC!
A few weeks ago, everyone's favorite artsy/risque gay mag BUTT Magazine threw a big party here in NYC, hosting a slate of some of the most raucously cool up-and-coming bands, including Hunx and his Punx, Salem, and the rappin' freshness that is Sissy Nobby and Big Freedia.
We went to the sweaty, sexy, trashy BUTT BANG affair and we took a camera along to record some of the madness. Have a look! And you'll hear from BUTT Mag's own Michael Bullock and Adam Baran -- and the performers -- about why BUTT is something you can never get enough of!
Awwww, you gotta love sexy/dirty/cool NYC.
Sissy Nobby & Big Freedia came to celebrate, Kids! Salut! Photo courtesy of Althea Smith, via ButtMagazine.com.
Also, big props to our intern Gina Valvo for shooting & editing the above video, too!
An Interview & Performance Peek from Kind Monitor's Joshua Guthals
--by Becca Roth
Four months ago, on a crowded subway, Aja Spears and Joshua Guthals first met. She was batting her eyelashes, minding her own business, when a tall, dark and handsome man bumped into her with his guitar case. He apologized profusely and told her she was very beautiful. They began spending lots of time together, and four months later wound up with a residency at Pete’s Candy Store in Brooklyn, singing beautiful duets to intellectual indie audiences every Thursday in July. Perfect fairy tale? Except that Joshua’s gay. (Or maybe that’s even more perfect?)
Joshua (seen above! watch!) is the frontman for the up-and-coming Brooklyn-based band Kind Monitor (or perhaps he himself is Kind Monitor; the world may never know). I was fortunate enough to catch the first installment of “The Aja and Joshua Show” last Thursday at Pete’s, where Joshua and his impossibly stunning subway-riding friend Aja enchantingly harmonize acoustic originals as well as covers. Not only is the duo very nice to look at, but their unique sound, mixed with the cool red atmosphere of the intimate but not stuffy space that is Pete’s Candy Store, is something definitely worth checking out.
Why should you know all this? The pair will perform four more weekly (free!) shows at Pete’s Candy Store in Williamsburg at 9 PM. The show is under an hour (it’s a school night) and every week is a different set, so keep on comin’ back!
More Kind Monitor show info, and the "Cairo" video, after the jump!
Pride Weekend Mega-Show: Stonewall 40th Anniversary Concert & Love Ball!
Advertised as the "Woodstock" of gay concerts, the Stonewall 40th Anniversary Commemorative Concert is set to turn NYC's Times Square on its gay ear when it serves up a night of great music and entertainment (while honoring the Stonewall riots, the catalyst for the gay rights movement, of course). Combining gospel singers, porn stars-turned-singers, and drag queen trios performing electropop (and lots, lots more), I highly doubt the concert won't keep you entertained.
Be sure to stick around after the show for the Love Ball after party at 10pm. Continuing in the theme of having the most eclectic group of performers, the Love Ball will feature tributes to Judy Garland, Broadway musicals, and the Harlem house balls. Expect lots of voguing, hot men, and plenty of dancing.
The list of performers for the big Stonewall Concert include a mega-list of fab out music artists. There's host Murray Hill, and then comes (stand back...) Billy Porter, Deepa Soul, Baron, Colton Ford, Jasper James & She Dick, Lori Michaels, Rachael Sage, Ari Gold, Ajoshua, Kin4Life, Christine Martucci, Jen Urban & The Box, The Maine Attraction, Jason Walker, The Lavender Light, Gospel Choir, DELI, Ron Morris, Johnny McGovern, Ariel & The Hired Guns. The event will also honor Jack Doroshow, the Legendary Mother Queen “Sabrina Flawless”, Mildred “Dred” Gerestant and Randy Jones, the original Cowboy from the Village People.
The concert takes place Saturday, June 27th, at 8pm at the Nokia Theater in Times Square, while the Love Ball starts at 10pm in the same theater. The concert and ball are sponsored by OutMusic in association with Saint at Large.
Check out pictures of the performers after the jump!
BUTT Goes BANG with a Big, Possibly Trashy Concert in NYC
Everyone's favorite artsy and always risque gay mag BUTT has decided to offer a pre-pride concert at New York's Knitting Factory to bring a more modern spin on the month's rainbow-hued festivities called "Bang!". Taking place this Friday, the concert will feature three up and coming new bands: goth-juke band Salem from Chicago, garage punk band Hunx and his Punx from San Francisco, and New Orleans bounce rapper Sissy Nobby. Expect trashy boys rocking out with their, er... festive bits out.
The boys of Salem, Hunx and his Punx and Sissy Nobby want to "BANG" you. That's cool, right?
The always classy BUTT, the smart and savvy pink-paged magazine published out of The Netherlands, always aims to combine the titillating with the thought-provoking. It's a brilliant mix of Marc Jacobs and male hustlers; of raunchy man-action and high-end culture. Or something like that. Order your tickets now at Ticket Web before they run out. Something tells me this is going to be one scandalous (meaning excellent) concert.
Nexty Winners The Fire and Reason to Rock NYC's Power Ball Tomorrow!
With the help of The Fire and Reason, winners of the Brink of Fame: New Artist at the NewNowNext Awards, the Power Ball, a celebration of the dance music community's commitment to expanding the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to include LGBT people, should prove to be a great event. The celebration is run by The Power, an online organizing network dedicated to fighting for LGBT rights.
I'm all for supporting a good cause while partying, especially when there will be $3 Svedka until midnight! Other performers include Mel Merio, Grooveheadz Orchestra, DJ Kevin Graves, and DJ Christopher Just. There's a $5 minimum donation to get in, and will take place at Santos Party House in New York City. Make sure to squeeze it into all your pride partying!
Hot, talented, and supportive of the gay community? I think they're proving exactly why they won the Nexty for best up and coming artist.
See what all the buzz about The Fire and Reason is after the jump!
NewNowNext Awards Pre-Show: Watch the Red Carpet Insanity Now!
The NewNowNext Awards are gonna be airing any moment now (at 9pm, actually, but sooner right here). But til then, watch the freaked-out red carpet coverage of the very special NewNowNext Awards Pre-Show! The first clip is above to get you started!!!
It's hosted by NewNowNext PopLab's crazy-tastic Mike Diamond, Charlene from the Logo reality series Gimme Sugar: Miami and me (er, that's John Polly of NewNowNext.com, y'all)!
To watch the rest -- featuring Cheyenne Jackson, the Real Housewives of NYC, Christian Siriano, the gigantic Wendy Williams, Scissor Sister Del Marquis, stylista Robert Verdi, hotter-than-hot rapper Eve, and lots more, click to the NewNowNext Awards Pre-Show playlist!!!
Lady Bunny, Patricia Field & Cleve Jones Score amfAR Honors!
Hot host Alan Cumming and the amFAR-award-winning legendary Lady Bunny!
Last night in NYC, the esteemed AIDS-fighting/awareness-raising organization amfAR held its 10th-annual Honoring with Pride gala, in which the bestowed Courage Awards on three notables who've been fighting the battle against AIDS for years: drag legend Lady Bunny, fashion mogul Patricia Field, and long-time activist/Harvey Milk colleague/AIDS Quilt & NAMES Project founder Cleve Jones.
The shindig was held at the Edison Ballroom and was a pretty swank who's-who of NYC gay celebs, showbiz folks, fashion stars and all-around do-gooders! I went and snapped many pics, and rubbed elbows with Project Runway alums (Jack Mackenroth, Kevin Christiana & Christian Siriano), music stars (Debbie Harry, Ari Gold, Colton Ford), designers (Kenneth Cole, The Blonds) and all around glam types (Alan Cumming, Jenny Shimizu, Michael Musto, Cheyenne Jackson)...
Lady Bunny was the most garrulous award recipient, turning her acceptance speech into a rollicking and hilarious foul-mouthed monologue of zingers, teasing her old pal Pat Field, Flotilla, bragging that her hair was bigger & better than amfAR founder Dr. Mathilde Krim's, and generally cracking filthy jokes about servicing busboys ("See this trophy? Now, I'm an award-winning c***sucker!"). But truly, Bunny -- who founded Wigstock and has DJ'd more AIDS benefits than probably anyone -- has always, in her fabulously abrasive and smartly tart way been a champion of queer equality and AIDS awareness.
All this means... Hang on to your hi-tops, this could be the summer of Little Boots! And this coming Monday night (May 18th) she's coming to NYC to do a show at Le Poisson Rouge in the Village, and you can score 2 tickets!
Just be the very, very, very first commenter to post on this blogpost, and you'll win 2 tickets to the show. You must be 21-years-old and there is no purchase necessary. And that's it... First come, first serve!
The winner has to get to the show on their own dime (your 2 free tix will be under your name at Will Call at the venue; doors at 8pm), and be sure to enter your email address when prompted as you comment (it won't be visible to everyone, don't worry), but then you're gold.
Little Boots and her magic horsies are willing you to comment first and WIN!
That's it. Hit it first, you win! And if you don't win, but wanna go here's the show info.
After the jump, the "New in Town" video and a BBC interview!
It's a bright and shiny day in Gay-land!!!! Kylie Minogue has announced she's coming to the US for her first-ever North American tour this fall. Right now, little fawns and ponies and fairies are dancing and rejoicing, from P'town to Blacks Beach (which is just outside of San Diego and full of nudies, fyi)!
I may have to get an American Express card just to be able to buy tix a week before all the other gays. (AmEx cardholders can snatch tix on May 7th -- which is tomorrow! ack!). Everybody else must wait til May 16th.)
The glittery glamfest begins on Sept. 30th in Oakland, and prances through Vegas, L.A., Chicago, Toronto and NYC from there on! See tour dates.
And befitting a nelly icon of her status, Kylie will visit with the wonderful & hag-tastic Kathie Lee and Hoda on The Today Show this Sunday, May 8th to discuss it all. I'll be drunk and watching!!! With my Mom!!!
Below is the graphic Ky-Ky's got posted for the tour already. Bonkers! Brilliance!
After the jump, four reason why she rules... Video-style!
Amanda Palmer & Neil Gaiman Pair Up for Housing Works Show in NYC
Dresden Doll Amanda Palmer isn't content to just be a spirited, wildly talented, weird and queerly cool music artist. She's also all about creating theatre and visuals and stories and all flavors of twisted art and media. Her fans know this already of course...
And so does author/sci-fi god Neil Gaiman, as he's a fan and the pair have collaborated on the book version of her sonic opus "Who Killed Amanda Palmer?". Fans of both (or either) will be tingling to hear that the pair will unite for an event at NYC's Housing Works Bookstore/Cafe (where Bjork is performing this Friday) on June 3rd for a reading/performance, which is certain to be trippily fantastic.
Poison Eve serves her own brand of Stevie Nicks at "Night of 1,000 Stevies" last Friday in NYC. Photo by Zazoo & Santori.
--Guest Blogger, Jon Mallow
Last Friday night I grabbed my lace shawl and headed down to the legendary Night of 1000 Stevies at New York’s High Line Ballroom. At the risk of sounding a little dramatic (me? dramatic? No way!), this is one of the greatest nightlife events of all time. If you even like Stevie Nicks a little and have the opportunity to attend a NOTS in the future you should. I brought a friend with me who was not a huge Stevie fan and guess what…now she is.
From the moment I walked in and heard the opening chords of "Rhiannon" until the moment I left (at the very end, naturally), the room was full of enchanted magical energy. The place was packed, but that was never an issue. Everyone was so nice and so in tune with each other that waiting for a drink or making my way through the tight crowd became fun. Everyone was there for the same reason and was feeling the same Stevie vibe. It’s really beautiful. And don't even get me started on the gorgeous costumes... So many beautiful "girls" dressed as Stevie. Machine Dazzle's many dove'd hat was, as expected, a work of art (see more pictures after the jump!).
Amanda Lepore's new single and video, "Cotton Candy," is coming at you like a vicious, delightful, fluffy pink storm! This Sunday night (May 3rd) in NYC, there's a big bash at the Hiro Ballroom celebrating the world premiere of the video, which looks pretty amazing!
The clip is very Doris Day/Mamie Van Doren meets Russ Meyer, with Amanda pouting and puckering and posing among fluffy fake fur and pink prints, while Cazwell (in cute Clark Kent drag) plays her gallant suitor. The tune sounds sort of B-52s versus Le Tigre at a John Waters film festival, which means it's adorable!
God bless Amanda Lepore. I don't know of a more benign media figure who simply seems to exist to promote the virtues of lighthearted glamour and having fun, all via a truly revolutionarily subversive persona. Bless!
After the jump, more details about this Sunday's "Cotton Candy" video party at Hiro Ballroom; and a glimpse of Amanda in Tiga's "Sunglasses at Night" video, just to sate your Lepore jones for today.
Bebe Zahara Benet On Tour! Plus, Rebecca Glasscock! And Interviews!
It's like stumbling across a hidden gem! I did these interviews last week with the RuPaul's Drag Race winner Bebe Zahara Benet and the #3 draglette, Rebecca Glasscock, and amid all the frenzy over Bebe winning and other stuff, I'm just now getting them posted. But these broads are timeless, so no matter!
Above, Bebe opines on her own fabulousness and what's next for her... Catch Bebe tonight in Chicago as she hits the road with the big Absolut Real Fruit Tour, part of her prize for winning Ru's big drag battle. This weekend the tour takes her to Miami, and in two weeks she heads to SF and LA. It's like a traveling Glamapalooza!
Below, Rebecca tells us what she's up to now, living in NYC. She's hosting karaoke in Queens at the Lavish Lounge! And she's got advice for eager little drag beavers who wanna sign up for Drag Race, Season 2!
GLAAD served up a third of its annual Media Awards in NYC on Saturday night. Tyra Banks and Suze Orman were the night's big honorees, with Ty-Ty getting the Excellence in Media Awards for all the gay goodness she delivers on her talk show and on America's Next Top Model. Yep, you can debate how hard of a stretch it is for La Banks to put gay folks on TV when she's producing a show about fashion and the modeling industry and a daytime talk show, which has long been a showcase for LGBT issues, if often for the sensationalistic nature of how the topic is featured ("Gasp! My husband is GAY!" or "Men who want to be Women!!"). But still, Tyra's a big star and a gay icon, so... There ya go!
Clay Aiken appeared to introduce Tyra. Do with that what you will. It's good that Clay's out gaying it up openly. And evidently he guest stars on Top Model this week, so thus the Tyra link. And... That's about it, thanks.
Finance and money-advice guru Suze Orman is a goddess, however, so it was fun to see her get praise (she won GLAAD's Vito Russo Award) for being a longtime lesbian and outspoken media queen. Onsage, Orman was all enthusiasm and energy, calling on the big gay GLAAD audience to only spend money on corporations who support the LGBT community, calling out those who've supported her, like CNBC, GE, Random House, Avon, Oprah and such. Suze thanked her long-term partner, KT Travis, and the two were all over the event, hugging and talking and posing for photos with anyone who'd approach them. Total delights!!!
Suze Orman and her partner K.T. Travis. Yay!
More on the stars and a zillion pics after the jump!
If you couldn't cram in to NYC's Therapy bar on Monday night for the big RuPaul's Drag Race finale party (and for all I know you were there, it was so damned packed) have a look at the lil' video above to get a sense of the vibe.
The crowd was rabid and the evening's hostesses, the estimable Eve Starr and the thrillingly hilarious Mimi Imfurst, were pretty damned fantastic. And they had the big winner Bebe Zahara Benet on hand, serving her with her big fat Absolut prize money check at show's end. (Actually, Absolut's Jeffrey Moran did the official hand-off.)
Gorgeous bad girl Rebecca Glasscock was in the house, too. Both Drag Racers performed for the crowd, and all around it was mayhem and bliss.
Spring Break 2009: Jon's Top 7 Sydney Mardi Gras Looks
They're not alone... Hooray for Sydney Mardi Gras!
Guest Blogger: Jon Mallow
Last weekend, as part of a great 10-day trip around Australia, I went to the Sydney Mardi Gras parade. It's kind of like a gay pride parade in NY or LA, but much, much bigger and a national event. It's televised and attended by lots of people from across the sexual spectrum... It's amazing!
At the suggestion of our friend Michael at Qantas (thanks Michael!), we had press passes and got an incredible view. Everyone brought it to the ball, but here are 7 of the top looks I spied among and thousands of revellers turning it out.
Number 7: The Sequin Table Dress
There's never been a convenient place to rest your soda while walking through the city in evening wear...until now.
Number 6: Fly Me To The Moon
This guy had a huge, um, wing-span. Continue past the jump to see it!
It's a handy guide to what's new and hot. Alongside suggestions for the city's best chicken wings, best men's haircut or where to get a (legit) deep tissue massage, two items caught my eye... The BEST GAY BAR prize goes to the relatively new-ish East Village dive/lounge The Hose. Which makes sense, cuz it's on the still slightly seedy Avenue B, and it hosts some fun regular parties that are sassy and unpredictable and popular. Like Friday's swarthy MooseKnuckle, and the monthly Saturday night funfest Rocket. And they have big fun rubber hoses which hang from the ceiling. Swinging!
Back during her first go-round, Madonna was quite the fag hag, always seen hitting up gay hotspots in NYC. From her earliest Danceteria days ("Holiday!") to later when she'd hit the Roxy with then beau Warren Beatty or show up at Misshapes to DJ to promote "Confessions," Madonna was a NYC gay bar's surprise guest du jour.
There was no lumbering security or big fuss. The pair just hung out, celebrated and caught dragster Bianca Del Rio's weekly gig. And Madge even took it in stride when, during Del Rio's show, a contestant misidentified Britney's "Gimme More" as a Madonna tune.
What? No one was flogged for such an offense? Hmmmm... Jesus really is helping the old gal relax.
Does this mean she's moving back to NYC? Can we expect to see more?
Jack Mackenroth's Fashion Week Begins! John Bartlett, Chad White & Jillian Lewis
For the next week or so, Project Runway alum and all-around fantastic man, designer Jack Mackrenroth, is gonna be dishing up Fashion Week in NYC for us here at NewNowNext.com! Enjoy, Kittens. Go Jack!
We’ll, it’s here again! The Bryant Park tents are up for the last time before they move to Lincoln Center. The models are emaciated, the editors are frenetic and the designers are popping Xanax in a mad last minute panic. Fashion Week officially starts today, Friday the 13th (oooooooh), but the festivities kicked off yesterday.
I braved the cold and ridiculous wind–my hair was a hot mess–all for the fashion frenzy that is about to crash land in NYC. My day started with a fabulous installation by ubertalented super cutie Jillian Lewis my friend and fellow Project Runway Season 4 designer.
Jack & Jillian
Jack's delicious Fahion Week coverage continues. After the jump, hottie Chad White, John Bartlett and more!
Kat DeLuna's Big Gay Tour & "Unstoppable" New Video
Kat Deluna: Is that a gay bathroom stall?
Dominican pop starlet Kat DeLuna has a new tune and new album coming at you. And she's enlisted none other than Grammy-slayer Lil' Wayne to help her out. The album is called Inside Out and the new tune is "Unstoppable." Watch the wiggy madness here!
Deluna's totally fun. She looks like she's 12 (she's actually 21) but has the fashion sense of a Vegas drag-queen matriarch! Which maybe explains why she's on the road on a gay nightclub tour right now! She talked to the MTV Tr3s pop-culture blog, Blogamole (best blog name ever) about it:
What made you launch a national gay club tour?
I actually have a huge gay following and I toured with Cyndi Lauper last year. [The tour] is all about gay pride. It is a U.S. tour with additional dates in Mexico.
Bring it, Kat! See ya at the club! Check her big gay tour dates after the jump!
National Drag History Month: A Scintillating Interview with Sweetie!
It’s officially February now, but there’s still time for one last interview celebrating January as Drag History Month! And here 'tis...
The divine Sweetie is NYC’s own self-proclaimed “big-tittied honky soul mama,” but that ain’t all she is. This peerless drag veteran and Detroit native has been rocking the city for over a decade, coming of age and holding her own with some of the most formidable drag superstars ever – such as RuPaul, Lady Bunny, Linda Simpson, Misstress Formika...
Sweetie cut her teeth onstage a legendary homo haunts such as Boy Bar, Pyramid and Jackie60, and her weekly Cheez Whiz and High Life/Low Life nights out were some of the most fun, talent-filled events NYC has seen. Ever.
She’s a scathingly funny and brilliantly smart comedienne, a sassy glamourpuss, and she can lip-synch the sh*t out of any tune, branding it with her own sizzling drama. She’s appeared on film (Starrbooty), onstage (most recently, in Off-Broadway hit Wig Out) and on TV (you saw her on Project Runway last season, right?) and whenever she hits the stage in NYC it’s a truly blissful delight.
Sweetie’s one of the creators of a fab documentary about drag, the hard work and shear artistry that goes into it, called Charmed Life. She’s working hard to educate the world. Give her props!
But most of all, Sweetie is uncannily hilarious and a general agent for goodness and integrity in the world. But don’t just take my word for it, check out her interview (and a video snippet!) after the jump!
National Drag History Month: A Pretty & Witty Interview with High-Profile Drag Queen Linda Simpson
Ladies and Gentleman, your hostess, Linda Simpson!
Linda Simpson is the Fran Lebowitz of the NYC drag scene. Only less rumpled. She's the sharp wit, the smart cookie, the funny hostess, the savvy writer, the sly comedienne... And she's been doing it forever!
Somewhere between 1987 and 1992 Linda founded My Comrade magazine, "the revolutionary gay magazine," which was a compendium of art and words celebrating downtown NYC in all of it's twisted, draggy, hard-living, high-art, grungy pre-Giuliani hey-day. She cut her teeth in the NYC club scene alongside such talents as Lady Bunny, RuPaul, Sweetie and Misstress Formika, and Linda was also a cohost of the legendary gay cable show Party Talk in the mid-90s!
Basically, Linda's never stopped. MyComrade.com thrives now as a blog. And Linda also has found time to work as a magazine editor at Time Out New York, a playwright (her play The Bad Hostess recently debuted in NYC) and a bon vivant, a weekly bingo hostess and cultural superstar.
Paper Magazine even dubbed Linda "the thinking woman's drag queen." Such a brainy girl... But still very popular!
Please enjoy an interview with Linda after the jump. It's short! After all, brevity is the soul of wit. And so is Linda!
National Drag History Month: An Intoxicating Interview with Sherry Vine
Sherry Vine works hard for the money. The longtime NYC drag darling sings, hosts, cracks jokes, travels the globe, acts -- and she's been doing it for aeons! When she puts her lips around a song (either a parody, or just by twisting a pop gem around her titanic vocal chords), watch out.
One of Manhattan's nightlife veterans, she's worked stages in unforgettable Theater Couture shows in the East Village throughout the 1990s with troupers like Jackie Beat and Mario Diaz, and Sherry was also one of the legendary Bar d'O divas, belting tunes weekly alongside mega-talents like Joey Arias, Raven O and Sade Pendarvis.
Sherry's always had a scathing wit, big hair, masses of lipstick and a yeoman-like dedication to her gorgeous craft. She's even becoming a burgeoning video star: Check her Britney-inspired "Supersizer" for which she teamed up with porn pup Ben Andrews. It's big.
You can also glimpse Sherry in the fierce video for up-and-coming Brooklyn band Neon Glitter Bliss' scorching electropop nugget "Wilted Flower." It's in the running to be named "Ultimate Drag Video" (which gets announced later night on Logo's Click List, 11pm EST), and I'm guessing it'll be up there!
For National Drag History Month, we quizzed Ms. V about her inspirations, gender issues, drag icons and the high cost of looking so fabulously cheap. Read the full exchange after the jump!
Disclaimer:
The opinions expressed on the blog
are the personal opinions of our bloggers, and in no way reflect the opinions
of Logo, MTV Networks or Viacom.
Warning:
Some blogs or websites linked from this site may contain objectionable or uncensored content. Logo is not affiliated with these websites and makes no representations or warranties as to their content.
Recent Comments