this is fyf

An AIDS Memorial Park in the West Village or some horrible generic corporate Stepford-park?

The rendering above is the generic saltine-cracker proposal for the triangle formed by West Twelth, Greenwich and Seventh Avenue.  It's the result of the land deal made by developer taking over the land formerly known as Saint Vincent's Hospital.  It would be a milquetoast addition to an iconic neighborhood.

Two gentleman have proposed something more bold.  Instead of what is proposed, they have suggested an AIDS Memorial Park paying tribute to the hospital that was the forefront at the beginning of a disease that wiped out a generation of gay men.  

Anything with some character will always face opposition though, and the idea needs support.  Organization efforts are in the early phase.  Grouping together under the name "Queer History Alliance", there is now a Facebook page and website.  Community board meetings and more are coming in November.  We'll keep you up to date!

A question for the ladies.

Okay, yeah, it was Fashion's Night Out last night.  Me and some pals hid out at one of the least fashionable places we could in the West Village and watched the crowds go by.  Amongst us were some "in the industry", seasoned professionals that didn't care to get caught up in the melee.  As we looked out the windows into the streets we saw the obligatory high heels on cobblestones and tons of shopping bags.

We then noticed a trend that is not on trend, and we started asking one another a question that I now present to the ladies out in the ether:

WHAT IS UP WITH ALL THE FUCKING SEQUINS?

John Bartlett has closed shop in the West Village.

Rich white ladies with double strollers rejoice as Chi Chiz closes and becomes "Prime Retail Space".

Wendy: "Oh, hi Marcy!  Out for a run?"
Marcy: "You betcha! You know how fertility-drug-induced twins can wreck your figure, Wendy."
Wendy: "I certainly do! How are Heath and Heather?"
Marcy: "Busy with Esmerelda, our nanny, I guess. And Whitney and Whitey?"
Wendy: "Not sure! I'll have to check in with Kavita later."
Marcy: "She's from Trinidad?"
Wendy: "Something like that. Stephen hired her. I'm not sure."
Marcy: [Noticing storefront] "I wonder what this is going to be."
Wendy: "Hopefully someplace that sells fashions I could get in a mall, yet feels exclusive because it's in a cramped space in the West Village."
Marcy: "Or a GNC."
Wendy: "Or a Chase."
Marcy: "Or a Chipotle."
Wendy: "Mmmm. Chipotle!"
BOTH: [Pause, then together] "Or a Starbucks."
Wendy: "Well it least it won't be another bar for 'those' people."
Marcy: [In a hushed voice] "You mean The Gays?"
Wendy: [In a more hushed voice] "No, no-no. Didn't you go to the community board meetings? I mean 'Dark-skinned Gays'."
Marcy: "Oh! [nervous laugh] I'd already forgotten them!"
Wendy: "I'm trying too. You know, they were doing drugs at this place. What was it called?"
Marcy: "Chi Chiz, I think. Well, my hairdresser and my Marc Jacobs shop-pal tell me they do drugs at bars in the West Village all the time."
Wendy: "But they're not threatening."
Marcy: "True; they're very gentrified. Am I using that word right?"
Wendy: "Oh, totally. They're paler than I am!"
Marcy: "Sometimes I worry about words. Anyway, maybe we'll get a lovely shoe boutique! I've got to get going and work off the baby weight ... and the cupcake I had last night. Ciao ciao!"
Wendy: "Chi Chiz!"
[Both laugh and scamper off]

Via Rod 2.0

Civilization Progress Report: Could we all just shut up for a minute and laugh?

Is it me or does it seem like people are being bitchier than usual for this season? There's no reason for it. We've now accepted the Recession as the shameful, unsightly limp in America's gait. Now it's time for us to readjust our expectations. This is why The Waitresses performed "Christmas Wrapping" and it's also why the Spice Girls performed "Christmas Wrapping" again: So mankind can put a knish in his whine-happy cake-hole and get into the spirit of the season. But perhaps what mankind really needs to do is get into the spirits...in his liquor closet. Either way, just shut the fuzzuzzle up for a minute and appreciate the fact that New York City's sub-arctic temperature means you can look extra-cute on your way to work. So bundle up and walk with me into this week's news-blizzard!

• The Kardashian family Christmas card or a Models, Inc. promotional poster? [Starcasm]

• They have discovered bacteria munching away at the submerged remains of the Titanic. Wonder if they had Billy Zane's career as an appetizer. Zing! [CNN]

Is Christopher Street becoming New York's Savile Row?

It's a bit of a non-story in New York Magazine's Wendy Goodman's Design Hunting section today (I mean, it's not THAT cute a store?) about the above men's bespoke suit store (Doyle Mueser Bespoke, 19 Christopher Street, (347) 982-4382)  just opened on Christopher Street, but the gentleman on the above right's pose (Werk a foppish a/k/a queeny pose, Mr. I'm-trying-to-resurrect-Beatles-hair-post-Oasis!!) and the fact I used to live on Christopher when it still somewhat evoked its storied homosexual past led to this rumination...

No doubt because of its proximity to now hugely expensive (and largely Marc Jacobs-d'ed) Bleecker street between 7th Avenue South and Hudson Street, Christopher Street is no longer the gay playland (at least not in the same way) it once was. When I lived there, I lived above a sex shop (mostly selling videos) that occupied the space on either side of the building's door. Across the street was another sex shop, as well as a porn magazine shop and, on the corner, a video booth/peep show establishment with a locker room-themed backroom (at least that's what I think it was?). Where this last once stood, a Brooklyn Industries store stands and, between it on the corner of Hudson, and Bleecker, the number of men's clothing stores has bloomed, while the number of men's "entertainment" businesses has been halved, or more.

I don't intend this post to be one of mourning, mind you. While some would argue the fabric of our culture is being destroyed, I am not convinced. On the one hand, such a statement is vastly melodramatic: These are stores that sell pornography...how exactly does closing them particularly and specifically threaten our culture? And on the other, I defy anyone who claims we gays are A) fully encompassed by anything represented on Christopher Street (it represents our history, arguably, but our entire culture? I think not.) and B) unable to tap into our resilience and resourcefulness to ride out far greater threats to our humanity and sexuality.

No, this post is merely a reminder of what once was, as well as an acknowledgement that this is not only the City that never sleeps, but also the City that doesn't stand still.

Now, where's the new strip we're gonna cruise in assless chaps??

Lyricism - "Bloody Mary Morning", Willie Nelson, 1974

Oh, wow. Thanksgiving recovery required sleeping fourteen hours. Top news upon my awakening: Mister Willie Nelson has been arrested for marijuana possession at 77 years of age. (Reminder, the proprietors of this here site are a little bit cuntry.) Anyway, inspired by this poet that keeps on tokin', I'm meeting up with buds for unlimited Bloody Mary's at Yerba Buena! You should too!

Bringing it full circle, here's a classic country-poem, by Mister Nelson with lyrics that might ring very clear to you, friend, if you've ever known heartache, questioned your city living, or just really needed a Bloody Mary.

It's a Bloody Mary morning,
Baby left me without warning
Sometime in the night
So I'm flyin' down to Houston
Forgetting her's the nature of my flight

As we taxi toward the runway
With the smog and haze
Reminding me of how I feel
Just a country boy who's learnin'
That the pitfalls of the city
Are extremely real

All the night life and the parties
And temptation and deceit
The order of the day
Well it's a Bloody Mary mornin'
Cause I'm leavin' baby somewhere in LA
It's a Bloody Mary morning...

Our golden jet is airborn
And flight Fifty cuts a path
Across the mornin' sky
And a voice comes on the speaker
Reassuring us flight Fifty
Is the way to fly

And a hostess takes our order
Coffee tea or something stronger
To start off the day
Well it's a Bloody Mary morning
Cause I'm leavin' baby somewhere in LA
It's a bloody mary morning...

This is a picture of a sculpture inside The Monster.

Everything you always wanted to know...but couldn't shut up long enough to listen to the answer.

Via: Pharmacy Technician

You (yes, you, dear friend) have totally walked over this triangle mosaic in the West Village and never ever noticed it.  And there's a nice little story behind it, too.  

What are you doing for Hallowe'en?

Yes. That IS a Labryinth t-shirt!

What are you going to be (I still haven't a clue, but it's not likely to be either Luke Perry or David Bowie in Labyrinth.)?

Ancient Celts believed the membrane separating this world and the underworld, or afterlife, became thin and was breached by various spirits on All Hallow's Eve (they traditionally called it Samhain, I believe?). See, Samhain is believed to have marked summer's end (the word derives from the phrase for that in Old Irish, supposedly.), and the border between the "light" part of the year and the "dark" part may have seemed related to a thinning of this barrier between worlds.  The spirits who came through could be harmless, but were also potentially harmful. Costumes were worn both as a means to confuse the harmful spirits and - by young men - to symbolize the spirits of family who had crossed over, that viewers might remember those who had passed and respect their memory.

So...what are you going to wear?

Regardless, here's what you might want to do:

FRIDAY (Tonight):

Ladyfag's new Clubber Down Disco returns for its second night with Honey Dijon DJing and Tai Chi, One-Half Nelson and Casey Spooner hosting. Ryan Smith at the door, whore! Word to the wise? Arrive on the early side. There's more than one reward (i.e. - entrance) awaiting you if you do.

Similarly, Mr. Rich King and Mr. Gustavo Motta offer incentive to arrive to their Snaxx shindig early. They'll be wigging out (as you should be!) but the beer will be free (from 10pm - 11pm)! Also popcorn, peanuts and a surprise!

Uptown at mine and Tai's (well, EVERYone's) old haunt - Rebel - Peter Rauhofer and the WORK! crew (DJs Corey Craig & Nita Aviance spin upstairs and Ms. Roze BLACK is BACK hosting the party!) throw a night of Hallo-weenie craziness.

Bana is back, but they've been kicked out of their Downtown Fulton Street baths location at the last minute so are moving the VIP portion of the party out to Brooklyn to the site of the original banya party several years ago that kicked the whole shebang off. The baths there are SITTing, is all I'll say. Oh and transportation is provided (via go-go equipped...or equipped go-go? party bus.) from 15th and 8th Avenue (in front of Starbucks) three times: 11pm, 12am, and 1am with two return trips at 3am and 4am. I think you may have to already have a ticket to ride the bus, so hit up the website for full information and the ticket purchase link.

There's (what seems like) a thousand other options, as well. Find the FYF Calendar for those.

Burger King to open on Bleecker Street in 3, 2, ...

Calling the arrival of yet another mid-level national brand to a neighborhood filled to the hilt with multi-millionaires "gentrification" is a bit misleading, if not completely wrong.  In the instance of Burberry's 'aspirational' line displacing a long-standing antiques shop on Bleecker, it's more a signal of the street turning down-market.  The Shophound spells it out:

Crain's describes the ejection of Les Pierre as a result of ongoing gentrification, but really, isn't an exclusive boutique specializing in expensive French country antiques actually more upscale than yet another shop devoted to Burberry's contemporary priced sportswear line? ...  what has happened to Bleecker street is a sort of anti-gentrification. The rents are certainly higher, but many of the stores (Sunglass Hut?) are far less interesting and exclusive that what they replaced, to say the least.

Via Racked

What's a wicket, and why should it affect a parade?

 

Following up on Rohin's link earlier, and to assist the befuddled Queerty, please find above a picture of wicket, a type of tree guard typically found on a residential street.  It is completely the sort of thing that will be stood upon by numerous onlookers trying to get a better view of Hedda Lettuce on the Splash float or somesuch if current plans to allow this years Heritage of Pride parade to proceed down West Ninth Street are not changed.  At issue is less the fate of an ornamental gardening piece, but more the decision to have one of the city's biggest parades being diverted down a residential street.   

In most coverage of this story, fingers were pointed at the West Ninth Street Block Association as being prissy.  In defense of the Block Association, the rerouting of the Pride Parade down a residential street (West Ninth) instead of a commercial street (West Eighth) will do little to engender community support for the event.  The decision seems an odd choice really, given the very slight difference in distance accorded the change.  Is there something more at play here?

Last year found me on a float travelling the parade route for the first time.  One of the highest points of energy along the route was the strip along Eighth Street (with the highest being Christopher, which was amazing).  By turning the parade down a sleepy residential stretch, the parade is turning on the local residents and, in the end, on itself.

Image via Jym Dyer

 

This weekend...

Queens Pride is this weekend!

So...if you haven't been keeping up on Facebook/wherever...there's a (VIRULENT!) rumor that Ms. Minogue will make an appearance at the F Word's reactivation at Splash tonight. Personally? It all sounds too much like a PR wet dream, but I look forward to receiving first hand reports/twits/stat updates! Question though...why do these pop princesses ONLY show up at Splash?! Used to be the Roxy was the spot, now it's Splash?! What's the common element here, gayleuths? Give us the tea!

Pyromaniacs, hose lovers and hotties at Pyrophilia in deepest Greenpoint tonight. The venue is t.b.d Bar and sounds super cute! Part of an ongoing series from The Blood Dumpster. Sounds very Dexter!

Also in the wilds of Brooklyn (Deepest Bushwick to be exact), Mark Louque and Miss Pappas bring you XOO at Tandem Bar with special guest Michael Magnan. Crunchy, crusty fun!

On the opposite side of town and with (perhaps?) a little less edge/crunch, but as much soul/steeping (makes a good tea!), Snaxx at Westside Tavern (Back of the bar, down the stairs...DANCE!) is earthside on its bi-weekly transit.

Just up 8th Avenue, who knew Upright Citizens' Brigade was up so late!? Funny folkster Ben Lerman performs with t h i n s k i n j o n n y. Funny songs is what you'll hear. Funny ha ha. 11:30pm is showtime!

The weekend continues below...

This weekend...(WHOA!) - Memorial Day Edition, Part 2

  

So, here's the deal (from yesterday): First weekend with truly Summer temperatures, Fleet Week (all the seamen!) and Memorial Day, i.e. - Monday off? This weekend's crazy.

Let's get (back) into it, then... 

Tonight (Friday): 

Recurring (Weekly/Bi-Weekly/Even Monthly) - 

Friday nights at Woody's with Gant Johnson. Surfer theme. Wear your board shorts! (1opm, Woody's)

Sugar Daddy happens bi-weekly now, but this one's extra special as it's Gustavo's birthday! "Sound like Chewbacca" contest and strip beer games!  (10pm, Rush)

Unisexi is now weekly and this week's is all about the 90s. House of Stank (W. Jeremy and Christy Love) guest along with Michael Magnan. (10pm, Le Royale)

One-Offs/Special Events -

SPANK Live! is tonight at Littlefield with SPANK DJs Sean B. and Will and guest DJ Nita Aviance, with performances by Street Hero, Best Mate (feat. Heather Liteer and Farrad), enSubtitles (pictured above), Hunt & Gather, Yozmit, Air Kiss on Mars, Xavier and The Swimming Pools.  Linda Simpson MCs. Art installation by Jeffrey Ralston. Shows start at 10:30pm so it's an early event, kids! There're discounted tickets ($9) available until 4:30pm here. They'll be $12 at the door. Check out the roster of performers via this 11 track CD download and expect a DAMN good time...these kids know how to put an event together! (10pm)

Despite a near dearth of positive reviews (at least from friends who've visited), the Whitney Biennial2010 closes this weekend with a piece by artist Michael Asher which entails the museum being open 24 hours a day from Wednesday the 26th until Friday the 28th at 11:59pm.  It's pay what you will for entry from 11pm to 9am tonight/tomorrow morning and again from 6pm to 11:59pm tomorrow night. (Now 'til 11:59pm Friday, May 28th, Whitney Museum)

Matthew Barney's entire Cremaster cycle (5 films) is playing repeatedly until June 3rd (just extended!?) at IFC Center. Trippy stuff, to be sure.  FYF, the cremaster is the muscle that raises and lowers the testicles.  If you have to understand more to enjoy the films, visit the Cremaster Fanatic site for film-by-film explanations.  Each film is remarkable in its own right, but, for Cremaster 3,  Mr. Barney somehow convinced the management/owners of the Chrysler Building to allow him to shoot on location, including scenes involving five 1967 Chrysler Crown Imperials bashing a single 1938 Chrysler Imperial New Yorker to bits in the landmarked Art-Deco lobby. Special $30 Cycle Pass covers you for the entire 5-film cycle. (Various times until Thursday, June 3rd, IFC Center)

As always, check the FYF calendar for full details.

This weekend...

 

Tonight (Thursday):

It's  a booty-fest at Headz Will Roll tonight after last week's crazed late-night Spank Rock appearance. I can personally attest: the crowd is pleasing! Ladyfag and Roxy Cottontail host while Jason plays pa-pa-pa-paparazzi(1opm, Bar 13)

After last week's premier during Urban Bear Weekend, Behr, the paint themed(?) bear party from Robert Valin, holes up in the basement at Elevate for week two. (10pm)

Tomorrow night (Friday):

The Bunker is a Friday night party at Public Assembly that's held in high esteem among clubbers/dancers/DJs already. This Friday, they inaugurate a quarterly residency series where they'll host the residents of Berghain and Panorama Bar, two Berlin clubs (who just happen to be under the same roof) that - according to general consensus - throw some of the best parties, playing the best music, in the world right now.  (10Pm)

The kids who put on Unisexi love a theme (as do I!) and this week's is Batty Bwoy with Michael Magnan and DJ Will Automagic joining residents Jools Palmer and Sugartitz behind the decks, and a special performance by Jamaican-born Lawrence Graham Brown.  Bring your best Dancehall/Dutty Wine moves and your best ass! (10pm, Le Royale)

Bi-weekly, bi-curious (?) but not bi-polar, Snaxx is back and waiting for you in the dark. (10pm, Westside Tavern)

This weekend... it's Urban Bears!

 
Some of my favorite Bears from a shoot for last year's UBW 

As I mentioned yesterday, this weekend is Urban Bear Weekend here in New York. Follow the link for the complete rundown of events, but know that all the events also show up on the This Is FYF calendar for your reference (of For Your Fun?). 

Very briefly --- Tonight's opening and meet and greet takes place at Chelsea Clearview Cinemas just prior to a screening of the Spanish film, "Bear Cub" (quel a propos!). Immediately following, a new weekly Thursday night party, Behr, kicks off up at Elevate. Tomorrow night, there's a special edition of Bana for the revelers, after a Bear Crawl of Christopher Street and a comedy revue at Comix.  Saturday there's a Bear-B-Q at the Eagle and an UnderBear party at newly-opened Boxers NYC. Sunday, there's a Street Fair, as well as a Cub Cuddle party...and it all ends with a one-night only return of Truck Stop at The Park.

Grrowrrr that's a lot!

This weekend (Too much to fit in!*)...

 

---Tonight (Friday):

New photographic works by Jeremy Kost and others at Winkleman Gallery through June 12. (Opening tonight, 6-8pm)

Snaxx hosts a birthday party for DJ Paul Ferrer (remember?). (Westside Tavern @ 10pm)

Unisexi's been doing it for a year already (Le Royale @ 10pm), while Skittles is giving High School and going out with a (New Wave) Prom. (The Outpost @ 10pm)

Josh Sparber and Jiggly Caliente turn (white?) Sugarland out (Sugarland @ 10pm), while Mark Louque (really) guest DJs downstairs at Black Cock (The Cock @ 11pm).

---Tomorrow night (Saturday):

Kenny Kenny's solo photography show, 'Bon Vivant in New York', opens at Collective Gallery (View a small selection of photographs from the show after the jump.) (Opening is from 6pm - 8pm at the Gallery), and  Family Function hosts the after party. (Woody's @ 10pm)

Meanwhile, across town, Crisis celebrates Vandam door goddess Cynthia Powell's birthday with nightlife legends Johnny Dynell and Leee Black Childers guest djing. The Legends and Nightlife Gods/Goddesses theme also ties in to Crisis' role as  supporter of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center where a special Studio 54 anniversary edition of Dance 208 takes place just prior to Crisis.

Last but not least, San Francisco art collective HomoChic makes their debut visit to New York to team up with SPANK for Interlace NYC, part of Earl Dax' week long Queer Conscience happening. (The Loft @ 10pm) 

They have a (truly) lovely video flyer here. More info on HomoChic here, and on Queer Conscience here.  This is heady stuff, kids...our CPR (Civilization Progress Report) is boosted by their CPR (Center for Performance Research).

---Sunday night:

Josh Woods presents Rooftop Bares! at Hudson Terrace. FYF - this is affiliated with Broadway Bares and not next weekend's Urban Bear Weekend. Josh's summer Sunday shindig at Hudson Terrace, Rooftop, begins May 23rd. (Hudson Terrace @ 6pm)

* -- I lied...I WAS able to fit it all in.

Note: Check out the FYF calendar for more information/events.

Hierarchy - The Bars of the West Village

12. Stonewall
11. Boots and Saddle
10. The Hangar
9. Pieces
8. Cubby Hole

Gant has opened a shop on Bleecker Street, near West Tenth for their handsome Rugger line.  The line is as American classic as you can get (although it's designed by a Swede).  Here's a look at the collection and a quick peek inside the new shop.  Might be a nice excuse to grab a burger at Julius, not that you need one.