Soaked to the Skin and Payin' RENT

Woke up to a wet, soggy PRIDE.

The on again off again rain didn’t dampen anyone’s spirit. The energy was tangible the moment we stepped onto the 6 Train and headed downtown.

We got off at 51^st Street and walked over to 5^th Avenue. The rain was picking up as we found our viewing spot at the corner of 50^th and 5^th Avenue.

Umbrellas obstructed a lot of view early on but about a half hour into the parade the rain let up and the umbrellas were packed up.

Jimmy and Carolyn were up early and out exploring Times Square and Central Park before making their way back in our general direction. CeCe stayed on the corner watching the parade and Elizabeth and I walked with Jimmy & Carolyn backed to the sleek hotel.

We dried out for a few minutes and were back out in search of lunch. As we walked, we talked…about all kinds of things – but mostly where we should eat. I mentioned Say Cheese and Elizabeth joined me in talking it up. I was just there on Friday with CeCe, but I didn’t care.

We crossed over to 9^th Avenue and walked down to Say Cheese.

When the food arrived and Carolyn and Jimmy started tasting the delicious bread and cheese and the BEST tomato soup – I knew we’d made the right choice. Everyone loved it.

After we ate we walked over to Times Square, shopping around a bit and then tried killing some time in the Village. As we stepped out of the subway station at Christopher Street, I knew that this excursion was not the best idea.

We walked up into the heart of the parade ending. There were barricades, police, etc. We walked up a couple blocks (passing the 9/11 tiles) and got back on the subway.

We exited right across the street from the Nederlander Theater where the musical RENT is playing.

CeCe met up with us there (his friend Theo with him) and we all put our names in for the show’s $20 lottery. A half an hour later both Theo and CeCe’s names were called. They both had 2 tickets each – so 4 of us would be seeing the show.

Elizabeth wanted to head back, today was her only day off and she was ready to spend some time at the apartment. I wanted to see the show, especially with Jimmy and Carolyn since we’d talked about it so much last night, but was ok not seeing it – since Theo was CeCe’s friend and would probably want to see it with him.

It was discussed and hashed out and soon I was on subway heading home with Elizabeth.

After she and I got off the subway and rode the bus across to our apartment, I got several voicemails from CeCe.

Catie, a girl in the winner’s line behind him, had an extra ticket and it had my name on it.

I rushed out of the apartment. Missed the bus across, so took the 6 Train down to 59^th street and changed to a N Train to get me to Times Square. The show started at 7:00 and as I was running up the steps, out of the station and crossing the street, I saw that it was already 4 minutes after 7:00.

I rushed to the door (in what has become CeCe’s highlight of his trip) with a look of frenzied exhiliration on my face.

As I walked down the aisle, to the front row of the theater, I discovered that my arrival was a surprise to Jimmy & Carolyn. I had thought they knew about the extra ticket and everything CeCe was doing to try and get me back. They thought I was back in my apartment, settled in for the evening.

My seat was dead center on the front row. I was between Jimmy and our new friend, Catie, who had given up her extra ticket for me to use.

The show was absolutely amazing. It is now in its 10^th year and still going strong. I haven’t seen it in a couple years but I was honestly transported back to the first time I’d seen it. The entire show, even though I did see the movie version a couple months ago, was fresh and new to me.

Into the second act, I was so incredibly moved that I was literally choking on my tears. It has been a long time since I’ve had that kind of reaction to a show. I don’t know if it’s because it was PRIDE and I’ve seen where prejudice has been, where it is now and where it has to go. I don’t know if it is because I’m a New Yorker now and the story has a more personal feel to it. Or if it’s because I was seeing with Jimmy, Carolyn and CeCe – three of my oldest friends…

I don’t know what it was, but my soul connected completely with the show. It is a night I will long remember.

Afterwards, standing on 41^st street, Carolyn was getting her Playbill signed by one of the show’s terrific ensemble members, Frenchi Davis (of early American Idol fame). I stood off to the side and watched. Carolyn moved on to the next cast member and I hung out on the fringes of the group gathered.

As I stood there by myself, Frenchi came up to me. I didn’t have a Playbill out for her to sign, I hadn’t waved her over for an autograph, etc. She just made her way to me. I complimented her on a wonderful show and a brilliant voice. I told her that it had been 9 years since I’d seen the show there at the Nederlander, but it was still just as powerful and moving.

Without saying anything, she stepped forward and hugged me. CeCe later said that he’d spotted her looking at me several times.

We spoke for just a few minutes about the show, her connection to it, Atlanta, New York, future projects, etc. But there was something unique there – especially when we talked about how the show still effects people. Then she hugged me again.

The whole moment was unplanned and unstructured – and very, very real.

CeCe headed to Penn Station to see Theo off and I walked with Jimmy& Carolyn to the subway station, where we said our goodbyes. They have a full morning planned and I have to work tomorrow afternoon, so that would be it.

I can’t wait for them to come back and I look forward to them having more time here.

In the heart of Times Square...Carolyn, Jimmy and Me.

Rooftop Reunion

I had to work yesterday, so CeCe headed out to Long Island to see some friends. He met back up with me as I was getting off work and together we headed back to my apartment.

I got on the subway and could barely hold my eyes open. I was beat and was happy just to be heading home.

As we walked from the subway to my apartment, I got a voicemail from my friend Carolyn. Her husband, Jimmy, had surprised her with a weekend getaway to NYC. They had landed and were on their way to the hotel. She sounded SO excited and happy.

CeCe and I got back to the apartment and got settled in. We were discussing late dinner plans when my cell phone rang. Carolyn and Jimmy were now in their hotel down near Rockefeller Plaza.

I told Carolyn that I’d just gotten in from work but was looking forward to seeing them while they were here. Carolyn said she knew that I had company this weekend but she wanted to know if we would mind if they jumped in a cab and came up to join us for dinner.

Hanging up the phone, I had my second wind.

20 minutes later…I was hugging Carolyn and Jimmy at the corner of 2^nd Avenue and 116^th street. I hadn’t seen them since my last concert in Atlanta over a year ago. I introduced CeCe and Elizabeth to Carolyn and Jimmy. It was already late and we were all hungry – so we walked over a block and up two to Patsy’s (where we’d recently been with Elizabeth’s parents).

We had a wonderful dinner at Patsy’s and then, with wine and beer in tow, we headed up to my building’s roof. Watching both Jimmy and Carolyn’s face as they stepped outside and saw upper Manhattan surrounding them on all sides was priceless.

We continued to catch up. We laughed, talked, and drank. Before we knew it – it was 2:30 in the morning.

I got Carolyn and Jimmy into a cab and they headed off to their hotel. CeCe, Elizabeth and I were in bed and asleep soon thereafter.

What a GREAT evening…I loved having everyone together. While we were eating dinner it occurred to me that everyone at the table had nothing in common except that they knew me. I love that tonight…my friends overlapped and everyone got on together brilliantly.

Is too much of a good thing...still a good thing? I'm guess...uh, no.

CeCe in NYC and Jason Hits the Dancefloor

My friend CeCe arrived Thursday night for this coming weekend of PRIDE here in NYC. Today he went to a job interview…so who knows, he may be a NYCer before we know it.

I was off today, so, after his interview he and I went out on the town for a bit. It was a rainy day but we made the best of it.

We went down to Chelsea and did some shopping and then we met up with Elizabeth for drinks. At the bar we were at, the event of the evening was Drag Queen Puppet BINGO. The poster made all of us crack up…no matter how you read it, it just seemed like too much of a good thing was not a good thing. Love BINGO…love puppets…love a good Drag show…throw them all together????

Yikes.

CeCe and I walked down from Chelsea into the Village where we saw the play Cagelove. The play was very interesting and dark and really messed with your mind. I thought it was very well written, if not as strongly acted as I’d like.

All day CeCe and I had seen postcards of Madonna around town. A small club on the Lower East Side – in Alphabet City – was having a pre-Madonna party. We decided to do a little dancing…and that’s exactly what we did.

The Pyramid club was one hot spot that celebrates all things 80's. The fashion, the hair...and most importantly, the MUSIC. The place was packed. Downstairs was a lounge playing Madonna videos and concerts. Upstairs on the narrow dancefloor the DJ was playing non-stop Madonna songs from 9pm to Midnight. We danced and danced. It was a night celebrating the 80’s in general and the original Material Girl specifically.

Next week Madonna is performing 5 or 6 sold-out shows here at Madison Square Garden. Everyone’s already gearing up for it…and a nice chunk of her fans were packed on to the dancefloor with CeCe and I.

Good times.

VERY good times.

CeCe in NYC and Jason Hits the Dancefloor

My friend CeCe arrived Thursday night for this coming weekend of PRIDE here in NYC. Today he went to a job interview…so who knows, he may be a NYCer before we know it.

I was off today, so, after his interview he and I went out on the town for a bit. It was a rainy day but we made the best of it.

We went down to Chelsea and did some shopping and then we met up with Elizabeth for drinks. At the bar we were at, the event of the evening was Drag Queen Puppet BINGO. The poster made all of us crack up…no matter how you read it, it just seemed like too much of a good thing was not a good thing. Love BINGO…love puppets…love a good Drag show…throw them all together????

Yikes.

CeCe and I walked down from Chelsea into the Village where we saw the play Cagelove. The play was very interesting and dark and really messed with your mind. I thought it was very well written, if not as strongly acted as I’d like.

All day CeCe and I had seen postcards of Madonna around town. A small club on the Lower East Side – in Alphabet City – was having a pre-Madonna party. We decided to do a little dancing…and that’s exactly what we did.

The Pyramid club was one hot spot that celebrates all things 80's. The fashion, the hair...and most importantly, the MUSIC. The place was packed. Downstairs was a lounge playing Madonna videos and concerts. Upstairs on the narrow dancefloor the DJ was playing non-stop Madonna songs from 9pm to Midnight. We danced and danced. It was a night celebrating the 80’s in general and the original Material Girl specifically.

Next week Madonna is performing 5 or 6 sold-out shows here at Madison Square Garden. Everyone’s already gearing up for it…and a nice chunk of her fans were packed on to the dancefloor with CeCe and I.

Good times.

VERY good times.

Broadway Bares

Last night I attended my first Broadway Bares – a one night burlesque performance by 200+ of Broadway’s most talented dancers and singers.

The sexy event raises money for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. I’ve heard about read about the event for years but have never gone. One of my neighbors, a Broadway dancer from hit shows like Movin' Out, has been in the show several times and has told me about, but I'd yet to go.

Ticket prices are all across the board, with the cheapest tickets starting at $50. On my budget that's still a lot to lay down for a show - even when everyone in the show is working for free and all the money goes to charity. Saturday night I found a ticket online that was being sold by someone who wasn’t about to go and was selling their ticket at a marked down price.

I scooped it up.

There are two shows – a 9:30 and a Midnight – and I was in line by 10:30 for the Midnight show. The line to get into the Roseland Ballroom stretched down the street and around the block. I was glad I got there when I did.

At 11:30 they let us in and the show started a few minutes after midnight. I didn’t really know what to expect…but whatever expectations I might’ve had were blown away.

I have never seen anything like it. Raising over $600,000 – Broadway Bares is an amazing collection of original music, sexy dance number, celebrity appearances and more all infused with unbridled creativity and sexuality.

Each year the show has a theme, this year’s being New York Strip…with the emphasis on the word “strip.”

The show is a continous flow of hotter than hot dance numbers - with each number, for this show atleast, dedicated to NYC. Stripteases, arial acrobatics, comedic sketches...the show has everything.

Half way through the show the crowd heard, “Ladies and gentlemen, Cyndi Lauper.” The native New Yorker (who is on Broadway for the first time in Three Penny Opera) came out and sang a beautiful, acoustic version of her 80’s hit, True Colors. As the song ended and she sang to the audience, “You’re beautiful…like a rainbow” she stood up, and in the spirit of the evening’s burlesque nature, let her black, silk robe fall to the ground.

It was a bold statement of both shock and empowerment.

Many other Broadway names performed and danced, making it one spectacular evening. Because of the nature of the show, I won’t be posting photos (except for the show's naughty poster which is hanging all around town) here in my Journal, but you can visit their website to find out more about the event and see sexy images from past shows.

Visit: www.broadwaybares.com

Pretty much says it all.

The TONY's...To PHILLY and Back...and Dinner at Patsy's

For the first time in years I didn’t watch the TONY Awards. They awards were on last night but instead of staying home and watching them, I spent the evening with the Schencks down in the Village.

Thanks to TiVo I was able to watch my own version of the highlights. I saw what won and what didn’t. I was very surprised to see The Color Purple shut out of most awards. LaChanze did win the TONY for Best Actress in a Musical, as I hoped and predicted.

The Drowsy Chaperone won several awards – though not Best Musical (that award went to Jersey Boys – the only show this season I did not see).

Today I spent the day in Philadelphia. I’ve started a side job working for a guy who works for Designs for Mobility. Designs for Mobility helps insure that businesses and homes are accessible to those living with disabilities. I am helping organize home offices here in New York and also in Philly. I also take care of letter writing and basically do anything I’m asked to do.

My boss, Nelson, had me come down on the train to Philadelphia to work with him in his home there. We spent the day sorting, arranging, re-arranging, writing, etc. I was back on the train at 6:30 and heading back to the city.

I got back to my apartment around 7:45 and the Schenck’s were waiting. We all went right around the corner to famed Italian restaurant Patsy’s (where Frank Sinatra had a table in the days when Spanish Harlem was actually more Italian than anything else).

I have been craving lasagna since April's visit a couple of weeks ago. FINALLY I had some that more than fit the bill. It was absolutely delicious and of course it was steps away from my apartment the entire time.

Everything in Patsy's looks and tastes AMAZING. As we ate, I looked at Elizabeth and said, "I can't believe this place is right around the corner and we hardly eat here."

I shall remedy that.

A Boathouse Brunch and LOTS of Walking

Elizabeth met her Mamma Dell and Daddy Schenck at the subway closest to the apartment they’re renting for the week.

The subway and streets were packed with thousands of people of varying Puerto Rican dissent gathering for the parade. We crossed into Central Park at 72^nd street and made our way to the Boathouse. The Boathouse is a beautiful little restaurant that sits on the water adjacent to the Bethseda Fountain.

They don’t take reservations, so we weren’t sure what to expect. It isn’t far from the famous Tavern on the Green and it attracts the same clientele. We walked in just after 11am and were surprised to be taken not only directly to a table, but to a table in the middle of the room over looking the water.

The brunch was amazing. I had the most delicious blueberry French toast you can imagine.

From the Boathouse we wandered through Central Park, passing the Bethseda Fountain and then by Sheeps Meadow.

We turned uptown and walked to the Lennon memorial at Strawberry Field.

We continued up through the park walking along Central Park West. We passed the American Museum of Natural History. I told them about being at the museum with April a couple weekends ago.

We had nothing but time, so I suggested that we at least stepped inside the museum so they could see the amazing entrance of the museum and the enormous Barasouarus waits to greet everyone.

As we walked into the museum, Mama Dell’s mouth dropped as she looked up at the beautiful dome ceiling spread across museum’s entrance. We spent twenty minutes just reading the challenging quotes from Theodore Roosevelt that adorn the marble walls.

Walking out Mama Dell said, “This has to go on the list of things to do when we come back.” To which Daddy Schenk added, “…to the top of the list.”

From the museum we took the train up to 110^th Street that run along the top of Central Park. Mama Dell wanted to see the Conservatory at Central Park, but I couldn’t resist taking them on a slight detour to the glorious Cathedral of St. John the Divine.

Elizabeth had hoped to take them to St. John’s if there was time; we were only two blocks away, so we decided to make time.

As we walked toward Amsterdam the Cathedral loomed over us in the sky. Again, Mama Dell’s mouth dropped.

We walked around the block to the entrance and walked up the steps. As I think I mentioned in my entry while my brother Tim was here, the Cathedral is undergoing a major refurbishing, so certain areas were closed off but enough of it is open to give you an overwhelming impression.

We spent a while walking the aisles and looking at the little chapels that crown the far end of the sanctuary.

We made our way back to the subway after we left St. John’s. Mama Dell, Daddy Schenck and Elizabeth got off the train at 96^th Street and headed back across the park to their rented apartment. I continued down on the train to 34^th Street where I met up with Damon for my second visit to this year’s NEWfest.

Damon and I were early for the documentary, Almost Myself, so we used the time to catch up and talk about all the films he’d seen at the festival. Damon is a member of NEWfest and he hit the festival hard. Looking at his hand held program for the festival, which had been circled, highlighted, crossed through, etc., I saw that he’d seen a big chunk of the films. We had a good time talking about all the varying films and what he liked and what he could’ve skipped over had he known.

The film, Almost Myself, was very, very interesting. It is a documentary that followed the story of several transgendered women. The film is by the same filmmaker who made Fish Can’t Fly, which Damon and I saw at the festival last year. I so admire the filmmaker, who is an older gentleman, for taking up filmmaking and using this new voice to tell these stories.

After the film I headed down to the Village and met up with the Schencks yet again. They’d rested and recharged. They’d been shopping – making a stop at Purdy Girl, of course – and made their way over to meet me. We walked down Christopher Street and I took them to the pier and then we had dinner at Cowgirl Hall of Fame.

It was a long, wonderful, leg-aching day.

The Puerto Rican flags were strung up everywhere in our neighborhood. Here the flag has been made into a banner that stretches across 116th Street.

The beautiful tree-covered entrance to the Central Park Boathouse.

Elizabeth and MamaDell at the Central Park Boathouse.

The VIEW...from inside and outside the Central Park Boathouse

My favorite spot, the Bethesda Fountain. The area was blocked off today, so these are the only pictures I've ever taken of the Fountain where there are no people present. The picture with the two towers in the background is the famous San Reno residence.

Sheep Meadow in Central Park. The building on the far LEFT in the skyline shot is the BLOOMBERG BUILDING - my store is located on the ground level of that jewel of a building.

The winding, covered pathways that run all through Central Park. In the background you can see the Dakota.

A clear shot of the Dakota and the Lennon memorial, which I'm told is visible from the Lennon residence inside the Dakota.

Walking through Central Park...a Schenck family photo.

A view of the bridge/tunnel and the view from the bridge/tunnel. I'm in love with this park. It is truly a sanctuary set in the middle of all of New York's concrete.

Mama Dell & Daddy Schenck at the Chat N Chew

After work I got to see Elizabeth’s mom and dad. All three of them met me at the store and from there we decided to go get dinner.

We got on the subway and went down to Union Square and had dinner at one of my new favorite places, Chat ‘n Chew (where I took my brother a couple weeks ago).

We had a great time just sitting around and catching up.