W42st issue 42 - Pride

ISSUE 42 JUNE 2018

w42st

PRIDEÂ INSIDE

All the colors of drag, kink, and gender. Plus broadway news, tasty interiors, food, and dogs!

Nice View

Pop-Up Leasing Center 646-831-3608

Luxury without the fee at TFC.com

Why do we still celebrate Pride? Are we not all just individuals now, no labels required? In our interview with council speaker Corey Johnson this month, he refutes that. ““Some people say being gay is ‘just a part of who I am.’ And it is a part of who I am, but it’s not just like my eye color. Being gay is a very significant part of my identity.”

So for him, Pride is a time to recognize that. But it’s also a reminder that inquality and discrimination are still the reality for many.

“There’s a tremendous amount of work to do and Pride is a real moment of celebration but also of taking stock of the progress and what we still have to fight for,” he says. (Read the full interview on page 22, to hear him quote Lady Gaga and reveal what gets him up on the dance floor.)

There are also two remarkable photographic projects – on drag queens and kink, on pages 14 and 26).

And don’t forget all our regular cool stuff: Broadway news and theater ticket hacks; bars and restaurants; style; how one man made the most of his Hell’s Kitchen studio, and dogs!

Ruth Walker Editor, W42ST Sign up for my newsletter at bit.ly/hellohellskitchen

phil@w42st.com (646) 535-4407

FOUNDING EDITOR SIMON KIRRANE AMBASSADOR HERSHEY MILLER

EDITOR RUTH WALKER ruth@w42st.com (646) 847-9645

SENIOR ART EDITOR LEE CAPLE

lee@w42st.com

SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR SANDRA MANGAN CONTRIBUTORS

KRISTEN JONGEN CHARLA MCCUTCHEON JIM CARUSO STEPHEN FIELD

PEOPLE

9 My Hell’s Kitchen 10 Events guide 13 Vicky Kuperman 14 Kings & Queens 21 Diary of top surgery 22 Corey Johnson 26 Getting kinky 57 Insta gallery 74 Last Word

43 The alternative Tonys 44 Jim Caruso’s gay icons 46 The real Broadway reviews

LIVING

48 Things are looking up 55 Hey neighbor!

STYLE

PARTNERSHIP DIRECTOR DREW DARGIS

32 Salt shaker 35 Staff survey 36 WestsideEATS

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR RON STERN

40 Tyler Mount

63 Wagging tales

drew@w42st.com (646) 896-9562

EAT

PETS

OUT

ron@w42st.com (201) 774-2432

COVER

sandra@w42st.com

TYLER MOUNT SAMINA KALLOO CHRISTIAN MILES VICKY KUPERMAN

26

59 Get your rainbow on 60 Budget buying 61 Sober in the city 65 KTCHLST/business directory

THE TEAM THAT BROUGHT YOU W42ST

PUBLISHER PHIL O’BRIEN

CONTENTS June Edition

CLAUDIA CHUNG HOWARD SCHATZ BELLE BAKST NACHO GUEVARA CHRISTIAN STANLEY

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be used without written permission of the publisher ©2018. Please note: Every effort has been made to avoid errors, misspellings, and omissions in this publication. However, if you spot one please accept our sincere apologies.

Alvaro is a renowned painter/illustrator whose work is widely celebrated in the fashion and entertainment industries. He was born in Brooklyn, raised in the Bronx, and lives on the west side of Manhattan, and has a long obsession with fashion culture, pop and surreal art, and drawing the female figure. alvaroartz.com

THE PLACE FOR HEALTHY FOOD & DRINKS IN HELL’S KITCHEN

OR ORDER ON

MY HELL’S KITCHEN

Know someone cool who’d make a great subject for My Hell’s Kitchen? Put us in touch, we’ll do the rest. Email news@w42st.com

The Ryan Stana is in the business of making dreams come true …

IMAGE: CHRISTIAN MILES

When I was young, my parents made all my dreams come true I grew up in a small town near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I was a young performing actor, both my parents were entrepreneurs, and they always worked at home. Also, I’m an only child. So, as I grew up, anything I ever dreamed of – from building a school house so I could have a pretend school, to opening a restaurant – they made a reality for me.

I came to Hell’s Kitchen in 2002 …

After majoring in musical theater at Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, and started working for a production firm in the city. But I started to see things they were not doing right and I hated going to work every day. My dad said: “Ryan, why don’t you start your own business?” So that day I quit and went home. I said to my roommate: “Here’s the deal. I’m going to open a business in the corner of the apartment. You’re going to answer the phone during the day so it sounds like a lot of people are working here and I’ll deduct money from your rent.”

I sent an email out to everybody I’d worked for through the years and said: “Hey, I no longer work at this production company, but I now work for RWS. Feel free to reach out.” But I didn’t say it was my business because I was 22. Like, who’s going to trust a 22-year-old?

The office kept getting bigger and bigger, and now we’re the largest in the world at what we do. We have over 3,000 employees. But Hell’s Kitchen is still my home … and it’s also my vacation. I travel a lot for work and everybody says: “Aren’t you going to go to Italy?” Or: “Aren’t you going to go to the Hamptons on the weekends?” I’m like: “No, I want to be home.” There’s a great community, smalltown feel about the neighborhood.

The places I love …

Right now, my favorite is Taboon – that’s

“I didn’t say it was my business because I was 22. Like, who’s going to trust a 22-year-old?”

BIO

In 2003, Ryan Stana launched RWS Entertainment from the corner of his New York apartment.

Fifteen years on, it is the largest business of its kind, creating stage shows and experiences for resorts, cruise lines, theme parks, and fashion events.

He was named one of the top 50 entrepreneurs in the city in 2004, and won an Emmy in 2009.

He lives in Hell’s Kitchen. (rwsnyc.com) RYAN’S HK

Taboon, 10th Ave - 52nd St Joe Allen, W46th St - 8th/9th Ave The Meatball Shop, 9th Ave 53rd St The Stinger, W44th St 8th/9th Ave Thalia, 8th Ave 50th St Five Napkin Burger, 9th Ave 45th St Blue Dog, W50th St - 8th/9th Ave

my go-to on the weekends, having dinner or brunch on the sidewalk with my husband. Or Joe Allen’s before a show.

The Meatball Shop is great too. And Five Napkin Burger is a cool hang out with friends after shows. Blue Dog does a great brunch. The Stinger is perfect for quick after-work meetings. And Thalia saved a terrible Thanksgiving for me once. My family came into town and we were going to go to Tavern on the Green. The line for our reservation was around the corner and we waited until 10.30pm and never got a table. So I called Thalia. I was like: “My family’s here, can you do Thanksgiving dinner?” And they had everything done.

So it will always hold a special place in my heart.

But it can also be kind of sucky The neighborhood is becoming a little too

DIGITAL EDITION

commercial – the old favorites are leaving and that’s hard for me.

My proudest moment …

Was winning an Emmy award in 2009 – for something that should have never won an Emmy! We did Macy’s Stars on Broadway, which was broadcast on CBS Television. We literally threw it together in two months.

I’m also immensely proud of the fact that no one on our staff has ever left the company in 15 years. My first two interns are now vice presidents and my first assistant is now an entertainment director.

My Hell’s Kitchen happy place It’s my patio at home. In fact, we have two patios – we lucked out when we got our apartment on W52nd St.

9

JUNE

LET'S BE HAVING YOU,

Ten events this month you’re going to LOVE! NYC Pride All over NY

1

Shakespeare in the Park Delacorte Theater, Central Park

Tony winner Ruben Santiago-Hudson directs Othello against the backdrop of Central Park.

Next month, comedy takes the place of tragedy, with Twelfth Night. These events, from the good people at the Public Theater, are free, but tickets are hard to come by. publictheater.org

Celebrations kick off on June 14 with the Human Rights Conference, and the week continues with events including Out Cinema, Savor, a new foodie event, Pride Island on Pier 97 (with star attraction Kylie), and the big march on June 24. The grand marshals this year are Billie Jean King, Lambda Legal, Tyler Ford, and Kenita Placide. nycpride.org

WestsideEATS Pier 86 at Intrepid Join W42ST and Intrepid Museum over the weekend of June 9 and 10 for the inaugural WestsideEATS, a brand new food festival celebrating the best, most exciting food Hell’s Kitchen has to offer. Entry is free and tasty treats are for sale. intrepidmuseum.org

Heavenly Bodies The Met

Drama Desk Awards The Town Hall Michael Urie hosts this annual awards bash on June 3, which sees Broadway, Off-Broadway, and Off-Off Broadway productions competing against each other in the same category. The winners are chosen by critics, journalists, editors, and publishers – i.e. people with a passion for the arts but with no vested interest in the results. Draw your own conclusions … thetownhall.org

DIGITAL EDITION

In sharp contrast to last year’s pared-back, modernist theme, for 2018 the Costume Institute has found inspiration from the Catholic Church and medieval art. Expect gem-encrusted bodices, chainmail, crowns, crosses, gilded brocade, and monastic chanting. metmuseum.org

Straight White Men Helen Hayes Theatre Tom Skerritt and Armie Hammer star in this play set on Christmas Eve, when a father has gathered his three adult sons to celebrate with matching pajamas, trashtalking, and Chinese takeout. But a question they can’t answer interrupts their holiday cheer and they are forced to confront their own identities. Previews begin June 29, with opening night July 23.

2st.com

Head Over Heels Hudson Theatre A brand new musical featuring the music of the Go-Gos. Gwyneth Paltrow co-produces – her first foray into Broadway – and drag star Peppermint becomes the first trans-woman actress to create a principal role on the Great White Way. Previews begin June 23. headoverheelsthemusical.com

Tony Awards Radio City Music Hall June 10 is Broadway’s big night. Nominees for the big awards include Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, SpongeBob SquarePants the Musical, and Mean Girls. tonyawards.com

Skintight Laura Pels Theatre Idina Menzel returns to the New York stage in this Roundabout production examining beauty, youth, and sex. She plays a woman still reeling from her ex-husband’s engagement to a much younger woman. She turns to her fashion-designer father for support, but finds him wrapped up with a 20-year-old adult film star. In previews, opening night June 21. roundabouttheatre.org

DIGITAL EDITION

ANTfest Ars Nova Welcome to four weeks of entertainment mayhem, from June 4-28, with new material from the next wave of dynamic, indie-theater makers. Plays include Another Fucking Dad Play, Soft Butter, and Cancer Cancer Cancer, as well as a special variety show/party hosted

by Ayo Edebiri. arsnovanyc.com

VERRAZANO BRIDGE TREK

UP P

CONEY ISLAND ODYSSEY

ER

Y BA

RED HOOK RIDE

LEk D D PA Yor m

LIBERTY QUEST

GOVERNOR’S ISLAND LANDING

wtankayak.co Nae t nha m

FREEDOM TOWER TRIP

nR

iver P

ark

SURF CITY

Huds o

SECRET BEACH ESCAPE

N

RENTALS

HUD SO

MKC @ PIER 84

RIV ER

PIER 84 BOATHOUSE BE GI ZO NNE NE R

EA ST

RI CIR MA VE CU NH R MN AT AV TA IGA N TIO N

BROOKLYN BRIDGE

GW BRIDGE JOURNEY

SUSHI TRIP

PALISADES PICNIC Manhattan Kayak + SUP Routes

ALPINE ADVENTURE

Beginner Intermediate Advanced Elite

PEOPLE

Ready, set …

SUMMER! Swim with sharks, play basketball, eat vegan …

Vicky Kuperman’s seasonal bucket list is up and running

I

t’s that time again. Every summer, I embark on an impossible, ridiculously difficult, never-before-done feat. It is only to be tried by the daring, by the fun-loving, the adventurous and the over-achieving.

My goal: cross every single item off my summer bucket list by Labor Day. I count down to summer all year long so it’s fitting that I put so much pressure on myself to cram this much fun into three short months.

Here we go.

IMAGE: PHIL PROVENCIO

JUNE

- Attend an NYC Pride event. I live in Hell’s Kitchen. I have no excuses.

- Snorkel in the Belize Barrier Reef. This is the second largest barrier reef in the world, and the largest in the Western Hemisphere.

I could not think of a more fitting way to celebrate my upcoming birthday (June 17 – FYI I love chocolate cake) than to snorkel and learn about this natural wonder.

Preserving the environment has become near and dear to me. Look out for a column about it in the coming months.

- Swim with sharks. I do it daily in the entertainment business, so why not go all in?

- Visit the Villalobos pitbull rescue in New Orleans (as seen in Animal Planet’s Pitbulls and Parolees). This is currently my favorite show. Tia Torres is a hero of mine. Villalobos lets you walk their special needs dogs a few times a day and I will be there in early June. Check out my Instagram @vickykuperman on Friday June 1 for live updates.

- See a show at the Apollo Theater. I am embarrassed to admit I haven’t been

ABOUT

Vicky

Vicky Kuperman is a Hell’s Kitchen resident, stand-up comedian, and co-author of the resistance book How to Spy on Your Neighbor: Your Survival Guide for the United States of Russia, which she co-wrote with Isabella Patrick, available at Domus or on Amazon.

“This feat is only to be tried by the daring, by the fun-loving, the adventurous, and the over-achieving.” to this historical landmark and cultural mainstay yet. My friend Nicky Sunshine will be performing here and I’ll be in the front row.

- Jog on the Hudson River with my dog. So far I’m at two out of three every morning: dog and river. Let’s add the jog.

- Play lots of basketball. I’ve got a court on my block, and even though my husband likes to make fun of my height by calling me “T-Rex arms,” I’ve got a decent lay-up or two in me. Let’s form teams.

- Donate to an important cause. This month it’s going to be to an animal rescue.

JULY

- Run the bases at MCU Park in Coney Island. This gem of a baseball park is just a $3 subway ride away. There’s no bad seat in the house AND they have fireworks, giveaways, and they let you run the bases.

- Ride the Wonder Wheel. A great way to cap off an evening at the baseball field.

- Go sailing. I don’t know how. I don’t know where. But it’s happening, hell or high water (but hopefully not too high).

- Make Julia Child’s beef bourguignon (from scratch) (PS I don’t even eat beef.

I said MAKE not EAT). Yeah, it’s hot, but that’s what AC is for. It’s not exactly a

DIGITAL EDITION

summer food, but I surmise it’s better to tackle this when I’m relaxed and have a little bit of extra time on my hands. It’s an involved recipe, from what I hear from people who know what a stove is (not me). Wish me luck.

- Kayak on the Hudson River. We can do this for under $10 at Pier 84. Manhattan Kayak and SUP even has hammocks and reggae music inside.

- Take the Hudson River speed boat ride. It’s scary. It’s death-defying. It’s happening.

- Eat vegan for one week. If nothing else, it will be a good #vegan post on Instagram.

- Donate to an important cause. This month it’s going to be to the water crisis in Flint, Michigan.

AUGUST

- Sign up for an indoor triathlon. I said “sign up,” not “do.” Who’s with me?

- Buy a spontaneous plane ticket to … (taking suggestions).

- Visit Storm King Art Center. Never been.

Feel left out.

- Paint something. Of all things on my bucket list, this may be the MOST out of my comfort zone.

- Donate to an important cause.

This month, it’s going to be to an environmental preservation group.

What’s on your bucket list? And won’t you join me on mine? You’ll find me on Instagram at @vickykuperman

Vicky 13

PRIDE issue

Alter

EGO

“These portraits tell stories about gender, love, identity, sexual transcendence, and even the nature of man him (or her) self.”

Who is the man behind the drag queen, and where do their identities meet?

A new photo series looks beyond the wigs and the fake lashes

M

ale and female. King and queen. Where does one begin and the other end?

The question – and the wider one about the nature of gender and identity – is at the heart of Dutch photographer Léon Hendrickx’s series that morphs drag queens from around the world and their male halves.

“For most people, drag queens are an exotic phenomenon,” he says, “restricted to the worlds of spectacle, fantasy, and entertainment.

“But who are these drag queens?

And who is the man behind the spectacular female display?

Whose desire is satisfied with the transformation back and forth and what does one side get from the other?”

King: O’Neill Nichol Haynes Queen: Sapphira Cristal photographed in New York City.

A to Z of LGBTQ Make sense of the alphabet soup in our handy dandy, far from exhaustive glossary

14

DIGITAL EDITION

PRIDE issue

King: Joey Gugliemelli Queen: Miss Sherry Pie, photographed in New York City.

A heterosexual man, Leon says he is none the less “open to exploring the boundaries of my gender flexibility.”

And he has become increasingly fascinated by drag queens. “Visually at first. I mean, drag queens are stunning! But I’ve learned that there’s much more to drags then merely the looks.

“I like to depict my subjects unrestrained and honest,” he adds, “as themselves, whether as a boy or girl, because I believe anyone can be both.

Then, going further, I imagine what their juxtaposition would look like.

Two persons derived from the same individual. The man – the creator, the

A

artist – and his muse – the extravagant display of fierce womanliness. Then their moment of interconnection; that moment which can’t ever exist. I want to make that moment tangible.”

His intention? To get behind the big, bold persona and present a more intimate human being. “These portraits tell stories about gender, love, identity, sexual transcendence, and even the nature of man him (or her) self,” he says.

The first queen he photographed was in 2015, his friend Micha Schneijderberg and his drag alter ego Snorella. “For me drag, is a way to express myself wider than the male form that I got by birth,” he says. “I am both. These two complete

Asexual - a person who feels little or no sexual desire or attraction (which is different from celibacy - which is abstention from sex). Sometimes abbreviated to “ace.”

DIGITAL EDITION

Above king: Sergio Conrad.

Queen: Digna, photographed in New York City.

B

the one I am. People react differently to a feminized form of me than to me as a boy/man.

“All over the world, guys have the urge to create another self and show it to people in cabarets, bars, clubs.

But who are these people? What is the connection with their other self? How do they relate? These questions we try to answer with this project.”

That initial portrait led to another 20 – a collaboration between Leon and Micha called Kings & Queens. Then came an exhibition, then a world tour.

They’ve photographed queens from all over the world, and were recently in Manhattan, where they photographed

Bear - a large, hairy man.

Bisexual - someone who is attracted to people of both their own gender and another gender.

15

WEEKNIGHTS AT 6 p.m. on

metrofocus.org

THERE’S MORE

TO NEW YORK METROFOCUS — an authentic voice in local news.

Offering in-depth coverage of the issues that matter to New Yorkers. Accessible anytime, anywhere.

Photo credit: Shutterstock

What matters to you? Let us know at pitch@metrofocus.org, and join the conversation using #uniquelyNY.

Photo: Gregory Heisler

PRIDE issue queens including Digna NYC, Sapphira Cristal, Miss Sherry Pie, Princess Magnifique, and Rify Royalty. And they’ll be back in September for the Photoville festival. A book is planned for 2020.

“One of the most stunning reactions we got from one of our subject was the reaction of Extasis Liquuid from Spain,” says Micha. “He/She said, “Oh my God! It is as if my two hearts beat at the same time now I see this – it’s a beautiful feeling.” kingsqueensofficial.com Instagram: @kingsqueensofficial Clockwise from main: Henrique Dos Santos/Abby OMG, Amsterdam; Alex Mercurio, Tenerife; Dennis Gulikers/ Deedee Janssens, Amsterdam; Sascha Grewe/Absinthia Absolut, Berlin.

C

Cisgender - a person who is not transgender is “cis” i.e. they identify with the gender they were assigned at birth.

Cross dresser - a person who dresses in the clothing usually associated with another gender (but is not necessarily gay).

DIGITAL EDITION

D

Drag queen - a man who dresses as a woman for entertainment, usually an exaggerated expression of femininity.

Not to be confused with cross dressing or a person who is transgender.

17

Hello Hudson Yards The Preferred Bank

of Hudson Yards Š 2018 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Member FDIC.

NEW YORK’S 1ST LGBTQ URGENT CARE

Injuries & Illnesses

Vaccinations

Pediatrics

PrEP and PEP

Physical Exams

Work Related Injury

HIV & STD Testing

LGBTQ Health

In-House EKG,Labs and X-ray

715 9th Ave, New York, NY 10019 Email us: AskMiDoc@gmail.com Call us: (212)-757-2015 Monday - Friday Hours: 8:00 AM - 10:00 PM Saturday & Sunday Hours: 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM

PRIDE issue

A body that

FEELS LIKE HOME Four months ago, Charla McCutcheon traveled to Florida for non-binary top surgery … here’s why

I

n the middle of February 2018, I took a plane from NYC to Fort Lauderdale to have top surgery. I had eagerly packed my bag several weeks in advance, filling it with crystals and tarot cards; a Golden Girls coloring book; a sexy novel

by Andrea Lawlor courtesy of the Brooklyn Public Library; and anything else deemed necessary for optimal healing according to the internet search results for “nonbinary top surgery.”

Three years before, I’d bought my first binder. The bra I’d always been searching for had finally arrived. It looked like a slim tank top with wide straps and was made out of unnatural-feeling material that was super tight. When I finally wiggled my way into it by pulling it on like a skirt and inching it up bit by bit, I found myself dripping with effort in the late summer heat, but filled with joy. This was the body I’d always wanted! No boobs! I hadn’t realized the extent of anxiety they were causing me until that moment.

My binder became my new best friend.

I’d have nightmares that I’d forgotten to put it on in the morning and wake up in a sweat (as if I had, in fact, been wearing it!). During the most humid summer months, the binder seemed to hold body heat close, making life at least 20 degrees hotter, and during the bitter cold winter it seemed to release all heat, leaving me

F

“I found myself dripping with effort in the late summer heat, but filled with joy. This was the body I’d always wanted!”

Above: Several months post-op, Charla is healing physically and emotionally.

shivering despite outer layers of wool. But the great magical power of this binder was to make my boobs almost disappear.

I still don’t know why I’ve never connected with my breasts. Since childhood I didn’t feel like a “boy” or a “girl” although I felt the societal and familial pressures of being assigned female at birth. Even though I dressed in boys’ clothing whenever possible, I used to pray for breasts. But when they finally appeared, I didn’t want them anymore.

I wanted the freedom I thought they’d bring. In my preteen mind, when they arrived I’d be old enough to leave home and be free from my abusive mother.

My mother had large breasts. If I remember correctly, they were double-J cups. In my twenties, I felt lucky to have stopped at a D cup. There could be a

Femme - someone who identifies as feminine, either physically, mentally, or emotionally (often used to describe a feminine-presenting queer woman).

Fluid - a person whose gender or sexual identity may shift over time.

Friend of Dorothy’s - a gay man (referring to gay icon Judy Garland).

DIGITAL EDITION

G

connection between my mother having large breasts and me feeling dysphoric about mine, but it doesn’t quite resonate.

I began to feel the negative effects of binding too often. The shoulder and backaches, itchiness, and shallow breathing were all worth it to gain the selflove and joy of embodying my body, but it wasn’t sustainable.

In April 2017, I started considering top surgery. I asked questions and began to research surgeons. I still struggled with the idea of altering my body; I thought I should be able to accept my breasts and just “get over it,” or cope in another way.

But I’d run out of ideas. And I’d begun to long for a body that felt like home, even while naked. Especially while naked.

I’d chosen a surgeon, and thought about buying lottery tickets to pay for the out-of-state surgery. Then, in May 2017, my mother passed away, leaving me a small inheritance of the exact amount of money I needed.

In the months before surgery, I reclaimed my body as my own. I began to see healing as a lifelong process, and how physical healing can spur emotional and soulful healing. I started hoping that, if one of us is healing, we are all healing.

I am still healing. And at several months post-op, I am settling in well to this newly renovated forever home.

Gay - most commonly used to refer to men who are attracted to other men, but also used by some lesbians. It also means happy.

21

PRIDE issue Four months into the job of Mr Speaker, Corey Johnson is keeping it real … with a little help from Gaga Words Ruth Walker Photograph Phil O’Brien

Born

THIS WAY

L

ess than seven years ago, Corey Johnson was broke and unemployed. He’d been a finalist for three jobs he desperately wanted, and losing out on all of them had left him devastated. To make matters worse, the rent was due and he didn’t have a clue how he was going to pay it.

It wasn’t exactly an all-time low (that honor belongs to the period when, as a closeted gay 15-year-old, he was clinically depressed and suicidal), but it was right down there with the worst of times.

Fast forward to a breezy rooftop overlooking 42nd St and Times Square.

Corey Johnson has been City Council Speaker since January, a role that means he’s officially New York’s second-most powerful politician. The security detail lurking discreetly off to the side proves the point. It’s safe to say that things are looking up.

A friend reminded him of that tumultuous time seven years back when they resent him the email thread of woe.

Johnson had forgotten all about it.

“The lesson is, I guess, that anything’s possible. All of us have rough patches, all of us have setbacks, all of us face adversity. But even when you go through a difficult, emotionally devastating time,

I L N Intersex someone born with a sexual anatomy that doesn’t fit the typical definitions of female or male.

22

Lesbian - a woman who is attracted to other women.

DIGITAL EDITION

Non-binary anyone whose identity doesn’t fit neatly into the categories of "man" or "woman," or “male” or “female.”

PRIDE issue there really is light on the other side. I’m not sure I had that view when I was going through it,” he adds, “but looking back, I really feel that way.”

His story is, by now, the stuff of legend, but it’s worth repeating anyway. Co-captain of a small town Massachusetts high school football team, he felt hopeless and lost. And coming out, first to his parents, then his football team, then the whole town – six months after Matthew Shepard was murdered in Wyoming – brought him a certain level of national fame. There was even talk of a made-for-TV movie about his life.

But he dropped out of college and moved to New York instead. Then, in 2004, he was diagnosed HIV positive (he’s now one of only three openly HIV positive elected officials in the country). Five years later, he got sober. “I’d used and abused alcohol and drugs for six years very consistently, and during that time I never really thought I had a problem.

“Then I went on vacation to Provincetown, I was a wreck, I got back, and had a moment of – I don’t know if it was an epiphany or a moment of clarity or a moment of grace – but I was able to be fully honest with myself in that moment, and said, 'Alcohol and drugs are getting in the way of me living up to my full potential.'

“So I called a friend. I was crying, I was scared, I was emotional to actually admit I had a real problem, and I went to a 12 step meeting the next day. I never drank or used again.”

These days, the karaoke-loving west sider gets his kicks via caffeine (trenta iced coffee to go). He still lives in a 319 square foot apartment, takes the subway, and sings along to Rihanna in the shower. And he's not taking any of this – the security, the official cars, the fancy events – for granted.

“I grew up in public housing,” he says,

“Gay Pride in New York City might be my favorite day of the entire year, because people are just their unabashed, born-this-way selves.

I love the spirit, I love the costumes, I love the acceptance and openness and flamboyance.”

O P Otter - A thin or athletic man, who also tends to be hairy (an extended part of the bear community).

Opposite: Corey Johnson photographed on the Social Drink and Food rooftop at Yotel in Hell's Kitchen. Above: Just hanging with RiRi at the Met Gala.

Pansexual - anyone who is attracted to people of all gender identities.

Polyamorous - people who have multiple, consensual, non-monogamous relationships.

DIGITAL EDITION

“my family didn’t have much money, I didn’t go to college, and I went to New York when I was 19 years old with two bags. I didn’t really know anyone. And through perseverance and hard work and good luck, I’ve been fortunate enough and privileged enough to have this opportunity. So I still pinch myself some days – is this real?

“It is real,” he answers himself, “and it’s important to be grounded in that, because I’m only in this position for another three and a half years and I don’t know what’s next. I want to get a lot done … and hopefully leave a really meaningful mark on the city.”

In recent weeks he's backed the legalization of marajuana, called for a crackdown on Airbnb, and demanded an overhaul of the MTA. Just an average month's work. But he has more fundamental changes in his sights.

“If you look at the top numbers as the economic health of any city," he says, "New York is doing really well. We’ve created 470,000 jobs in the last four and a half years, unemployment is at the lowest rate in decades, tourism reached the highest number ever recorded last year, in four years the city’s budget has grown from $73bn to $89bn.

“But when you dig down a little bit, you see that 22 per cent of New Yorkers – one in five people – are living in poverty.

Tonight, 63,000 people will spend the night in a New York City shelter, 25,000 of whom are children under the age of 16. So even though the city is booming in many ways, that prosperity hasn’t reached everyone and we have to look at policies that are going to help as many people as possible.

“Also, for many New Yorkers – not just those living in poverty – the rent is too damn high, and we want to remain a city that can still attract creative capital, human capital, large corporations,

Q

Queer - an umbrella term that refers to anyone who isn’t straight.

Historically used as a derogatory term, not everyone embraces its use.

23

SIGN IN TO A HOT YOGA CLASS ONLINE. MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH ONE OF OUR DOCTORS ONLINE. Visit nyulangone.org/doctors.

PRIDE issue companies, small businesses that are really important for the economic wellbeing of the city.”

He insists, however, that he doesn’t want to lose sight of himself. “I still want to go dancing, and I still want to be myself. Sometimes you can get inside of a bubble and lose the level of authenticity that I think is important, not just for an elected official but for everyone. Everyone should live their best life and be who they are. As Lady Gaga said, ‘Baby, I was born this way' ..."

Wait ... did he just quote Gaga?! (He'll also happily quote Demi Lovato and Sam Smith. And, when reporting on the weather for Fox recently, he quipped: “It may not be raining men, but there was a little precipitation this morning.”)

So, yes, he’s excited that Kylie will be performing at Pride Island this year, on Pier 97 but adds that he’s also a fan of her sister Dannii.

“Dannii’s always the bridesmaid never the bride,” he laughs. “I sometimes feel that way as well!”

He'd love to be married with kids, he says. But you can’t force these things.

“I’ve been in plenty of relationships.

Some of those I thought were going to be The One and when they ended I was devastated. I’ve had my heart broken and it’s one of the most painful experiences someone can go through. But I still feel hope. I’m an idealist at heart and I feel like I’m a good guy, I have a lot of love to give, and I’ll meet the right person eventually … there are a few eligible bachelors in Hell’s Kitchen.”

Maybe he’ll meet someone at Pride this month? “Gay Pride in New York City might be my favorite day of the entire year, because people are just their unabashed, born-this-way selves. I love the spirit, I love the costumes, I love the acceptance and openness and flamboyance.

“Some people say being gay is ‘just a

T

“I still want to go dancing, and I still want to be myself ... Everyone should live their best life and be who they are.

As Lady Gaga said, ‘Baby, I was born this way' … " part of who I am.’ And it is a part of who I am, but it’s not just like my eye color.

Being gay is a very significant part of my identity. It has informed how I see the world in many ways. It has informed my understanding of what it’s like to be the target of discrimination, to be part of a community that has seen oppression, a community that has had to live through the epidemic of HIV and AIDS. “So gay Pride is a moment for everyone to be themselves. But it’s also, especially this year, a reminder that the fight isn’t over. That, especially with what we see happening in Washington, what we see happening at the federal level, what we see happening in states across the country, there is still so much work to do to have a truly just and equal America.

“And we have to start with that in New York City, where we still have plenty of gay young people who were rejected by their families and end up on the streets.

Covenant House, in Hell’s Kitchen, is the largest provider for runaway homeless youth in New York City, 40 per cent of whom are LGBT. So there’s a tremendous amount of work to do and Pride is a real moment of celebration but also of taking stock of the progress and what we still have to fight for.”

Twink - a slender, young gay man.

Transgender - someone whose gender identity differs from the gender they were assigned at birth. Not all non-binary people identify as transgender, and some who have transitioned choose to identify as simply a “man” or “woman.”

DIGITAL EDITION

Small but mighty OPINION: Empty storefronts, rising rents, and disappearing mom and pop stores … but it doesn’t have to be that way, says Marni Halasa Universally depicted as the lifeblood of our city, small businesses are in crisis.

Statistics show that every month, 1,200 businesses close in the city, with 8,000 jobs lost to New Yorkers.

And when neighborhood icons like Cafe Edison, Renaissance Diner, Sweets Gifts at Video Cafe, and Lincoln Plaza Cinemas are forced to close due to rising rents, we have to examine the political landscape.

Most folks know nothing of the Small Business Jobs Survival Act. But explain the powerful rights that the citywide legislation would give to shopkeepers, and their eyes light up.

“That,” says Mohammed, a Pakistani immigrant who owns a bodega on 9th Ave, “would be a game changer.

Having affordable rent would not only help me now, but guarantee the survival of my business for years to come.”

The SBJSA, legislation currently sitting in City Council, would give owners of mom and pop stores powerful rights to stand up to landlords with 1) a 10-year lease at an affordable rent, 2) the right to renew that lease, 3) arbitration to negotiate rent increases, and 4) the application of the law to all commercial spaces. If passed, it would be the most radical transformation of New York City commercial land use in decades and would solve the crisis of empty storefronts once and for all.

Not surprisingly, there is precedent in New York City for regulating commercial rents. From 1945 to 1963, the state legislature stepped in to regulate the commercial rental market due to a crisis among small businesses. The law was repealed in 1963 once the emergency was deemed to have passed.

Then in the 1980s, when speculation accelerated and rents began to rise, the Small Business Congress authored the SBJSA and then councilwoman Ruth Messinger introduced it in 1987. Although struck down that year by Mayor Ed Koch, the bill resurfaced in 2009, when it received more than enough votes from City Council to pass before former Speaker Christine Quinn pulled it from the floor.

This year, however, the SBJSA might see the light of day.

Speaker Corey Johnson has publicly promised to bring the bill to a hearing. So what can small businesses do to ensure City Council does the right thing? Get involved and demand passage of the SBJSA “as is.” If you care about your city and the mom and pops that make our neighborhoods unique, pick up the phone, email, or even tweet the Speaker’s Office and your council member to communicate how important the SBJSA is to the city. Not only will you have a voice in your own destiny, you may also be a serious influence in an historic legislative change that will preserve what we have left of the city we know and love.

Marni Halasa is a Hell’s Kitchen small business owner and performance artist who ran for City Council District 3 last year as an independent (ccluny.com).

25

FOOD issue

Jose Gonzalez from Florida “My Folsom Street Fair persona says that I am original, daring, sensual and one who pushes the envelope and seeks attention. This persona is definitely one and the same as the ‘real’ me. I go to the Folsom Street Fair to feel like a Hollywood star stalked by the paparazzi.”

26

DIGITAL EDITION

PRIDE issue For 25 years, photographer Howard Schatz has documented the diverse group of humans that make up the world of BDSM – and they have taught him something about joy Photographs Howard Schatz

A

bout 25 years ago, on a Sunday in September, New York photographer Howard Schatz and his wife Beverly were driving from their San Francisco home towards Folsom Street.

One block north of their destination, traffic barricades blocked their way, and they were forced to park before continuing on foot. The scene that greeted them was unlike anything they’d ever seen before.

“There were what seemed to be thousands of people, many in elaborate costumes and make-up, and some totally or nearly naked in sandals,” recalls Howard. “Here were men and women (though precise gender was, with some, not easy to determine) taking part in a theatrical world of countless fantasies.”

They’d stumbled upon the Folsom Street Fair, an annual event that celebrates the world of kink and BDSM and attracts hundreds of thousands of people. “A spirit of joy permeated the atmosphere,” he says, “created by happy people, many apparent friends, content, in their chains and bridles, leather chaps, vinyl, straps and whips, to be in a place where what, in another context, might be called ‘outrageous’ was the norm.

“Like other onlookers, I watched, amazed. I am blessed (though sometimes it can be almost a curse) with an insatiable curiosity about people. In all sorts of situations, I find myself wanting to know everything. Seeing what I saw on Folsom Street that Sunday was enough for me to commit to a serious photographic exploration.”

Almost every year since, the photographer has rented an exhibitor’s space at the fair, built an outdoor studio, and shot portraits of the attendees.

He asks them their age, their occupation, what the Folsom Street Fair means to them. He asks them about their relationships and their lives beyond Folsom Street. Not everyone answers the questions, and many who do prefer to be

“A spirit of joy permeated the atmosphere, created by happy people, content, in their chains and bridles, leather chaps, vinyl, straps and whips, to be in a place where what, in another context, might be called ‘outrageous’ was the norm.” known by their “scene” names, or, in some cases, no name at all.

“The information gives a deeper dimension to the portraits,” he says, “our attempt to get beyond the very dramatic surface the participants present to the congenial world of the fair.

“I am a photographer, not an anthropologist, and my primary interest is in making images that reveal things in ways not seen before.

The Folsom Street Fair assembles a demimonde at least as remarkable and irresistible (to the curious eye) as any gathering of humans, anywhere.

“The joy is in the journey.”

The results are published in his new book, Kink, written with Beverly, and published

by Lawrence Richard Publishing. These are some of the more, shall we say, “family friendly” portraits.

Michael Garcia, systems administrator, and Smashwolf, network analyst, from California Michael Garcia: “I’m gay but open minded to just about any sexual orientation, desire, or fetish.

I believe that the more imagination someone has, the better the adventure. For me, a lot of those imaginings come down to control or being controlled as well as transformed.

“I have a fair amount of fetish wear I’ve accumulated over time that is either for bondage or transformation – be it objectification, dehumanization, or just anonymization. My ultimate desire would be to live a full-time life of that – perhaps as someone’s pet – but in reality, work, home, and other daily life mean that it is a rare pleasure.”

Smashwolf: “I call myself an ‘anthropomorphic lycanthropic vulpine.’ What you see on the surface is just that, the surface. Even though I may be a hyper sexual creature, beneath the surface, this is something that defines my spiritual self. There are aspects of shamanism, and specifically wolf and fox medicine, that I live my life by every day. I try to make this animal ‘fursona’ part of my everyday life.

“When I am home, in my own space, I am almost always in an animal ‘wrapper’ of some sort.”

howardschatz.com

DIGITAL EDITION

27

PRIDE issue Wild Child, Trip E Collie, and Samuel Zetlan Trip E Collie “I’m primarily bisexual but leaning towards heterosexual. I prefer to be bottom with both guys and girls. A dominant woman puts this pup in his place best, but the right firm-yet-loving/ passionate man can tame the animal in me just fine too.

“Fulfilling the role of a pleasing pet to be enjoyed or commanded is best. Being told/given my role rather than asked brings the forced domesticated feel that fits so much better. My costume shows the gentle beast inside and invites the puppy affection and love I prefer.

Rubber and latex dogs in chains are nice, but sometimes taking the softer side of faux fur and mixing it into the equation adds more than you would expect.

“Role play is just the beginning. Molding your behavior without words to make the person on the other side of the leash happy truly grants an incredible high. Nothing brings out the innocent unconditional love more from total fetish-loving strangers than a happy, animated anthro-dog.”

Tilda Ampersand (left), a retired technology specialist, and Lizzie, from California “Tilda is an adult little girl who loves pink, soft, fluffy, cute things and pretty, swirly dresses. She’s sweet and very friendly and trusting.

“As difficult as it may be to believe, the truth is that I am more or less like that all the time. I was married once, horribly, and have a 25-year-old son with whom I am on friendly terms. I’ve been a lifelong cross-dresser and I’ll dress up as just about anything as long as it’s a female. I absolutely adore all things feminine and especially cherish its most politically incorrect aspects: girlishness, softness, weakness, sweetness.

“I am not a transsexual woman, but I was never a man. It’s not that I hate the role, or the expectations and responsibilities, which I always take seriously, and it has plenty of benefits, of course (as does womanhood), but my

sexual appetites are simply as unmanly as anybody could possibly conceive and that did tend to make living the straight, male life a bit of a sour joke.

“Sex and sexuality make life much more richly filling than without them, and I have lived without them most of my life. Or I should say, I kept them to myself, which made my life empty, lonely, and strangely fraudulent.

“Sex without love is better than no sex at all, but given the option I’d take love without sex. I still want to have a true life partner. I have a very close friend who isn’t quite that, but has been a satisfactory substitute for the past 15 years: an older, bi, widowed cross-dresser who is best friend, best girlfriend (non-sexual), aunt, uncle, sister, sometimes almost father. We share everything and we are always 100% there for each other.”

DIGITAL EDITION

29

SPONSORED BY

Belle Isle Premium Moonshine is made in small batches in Richmond, VA, using 100% organic ingredients. Learn more at www.BelleIsleCraftSpirits.com

Dulcenia

Moonshine Mule

Ingredients 1oz vodka 1oz Belle Isle Ruby Red Grapefruit Moonshine Half a lemon 0.5oz simple syrup 0.5oz St Germain 1.5oz grapefruit juice

Ingredients 2oz Belle Isle Honey Habanero Moonshine 0.5oz fresh lime juice 0.25oz Chile habanero spice (to taste) 6oz ginger beer To make: 1. Combine mooshine and ginger beer in a copper mug filled with ice.

2. Add lime juice and some habanero spice for more kick.

3. Stir gently and garnish with a lime slice.

To make 1. Shake all ingredients together.

2. Chill a highball glass.

3. Garnish rim with black spiced salt and tajin.

4. Pour and finish off with a half-moon grapefruit slice.

Mixologist: Tim Ryan, Lucy's Cantina

Mixologist: Sammir Chowdhury, Green Fig

Author’s Mule Ingredients 2oz Belle Isle Ruby Red Grapefruit Moonshine 0.5oz lime juice 0.25 Luxardo 2oz ginger beer To make 1. Build all ingredients in the shaker.

2. Shake and strain over fresh ice.

3. Float ginger beer and garnish with lime zest and a lime wheel.

Mixologist: Lamar Curtis, Parker & Quinn

LINE 'EM UP!

Line them up and try each variety of Belle Isle moonshine – Original Premium, Honey Habanero, Cold Brew Coffee, Ruby Red Grapefruit, and 100 Proof. Every weekday, 3pm-6pm, Hellcat Annie's will have a Belle Isle happy hour, with $4 for a shot. Which is your favorite?

30

DIGITAL EDITION

SPONSORED BY

Haswell Green Ingredients 2oz Belle Isle Ruby Red Grapefruit Moonshine 0.75oz lemon juice 0.75oz cucumber honey (2 parts cucumber juice to one part honey) 0.5oz egg white To make 1. Add all the ingrientents to a mixing tin and dry shake.

2. Add ice and shake again.

3. Fine strain into a chilled coupe glass.

4. Garnish with a cucumber slice.

Mixologist: Mary Conmy, Tanner Smith's

• Ardesia W52nd St 10th/11th Ave • AS IS 10th Ave W50th St • BarBacon 9th Ave W54th/55th St • Cafeteria 7th Ave W17th St • Dianne & Elisabeth 10th Ave W45th/46th St • Friedman's 10th Ave - W35th St • Green Fig @ YOTEL 10th Ave - W42nd St • Hellcat Annie's Tap Room 10th Ave - W45th St • Lucy's Cantina W34th St - 8th Ave • Ousia W57th - 11th/12th Ave • Perdition 10th Ave W48th/49th St • Parker & Quinn W39th St - 5th/6th Ave • Seamore's @ Gotham West Market 11th Ave W44th/45th St • Tanner Smith's W55th St - 7th/8th Ave • Grand Cru Wine & Spirits 11th Ave - W43rd St • Odyssey Wine & Spirits 10th Ave - 37th/38th St See the location of each bar, restaurant and liquor store on the map, page 72.

DISTILLED FROM GOOD TIMES AND 100% ORGANIC CORN Belle Isle Premium Moonshine is in a category of its own. Distilled to a lower proof than vodka but higher than whiskey, our spirit is handmade in small batches using 100% organic corn and quadruple filtered making it remarkably smooth and sippable. Enjoy Belle Isle Premium Moonshine on its own or as the foundation of your favorite cocktail.

Choose from: • Original Premium • Honey Habanero • Cold Brew Coffee • Ruby Red Grapefruit • 100 Proof

DIGITAL EDITION

31

EAT

“Many of the top contributors of sodium – such as bread, pasta sauce, cereal, and sweet foods – don’t even taste salty.”

30

DIGITAL EDITION

EAT

WHITE OUT!

You want to cut down on salt? You’re going to have to do more than throw out the shaker, says Samina Kalloo

W

e know salt is bad news.

While we need sodium (as well as chloride, which makes up the rest of the salt molecule) to survive, too much can lead to serious health issues such as kidney disease and high blood pressure – a key risk factor for heart disease , the leading cause of death in the US. You probably think that an obvious way to cut back is to hold off on the salt shaker, but think again. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 70% of sodium in our diet comes from restaurants, processed, and pre-packaged foods, while only about 5% is added at the table. Which makes keeping track of how much salt we’re taking tricky.

Here’s some truth behind salty myths and ways you can keep your intake in check.

How much sodium should we be eating?

The 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends we should be eating less than 2,300mg of sodium (about one teaspoon) a day.

Is it true that some people are more sensitive to salt than others?

Yes. According to the American Heart Association, an estimated one in four people are salt-sensitive despite having normal blood pressure, as are about half of people with high blood pressure. The condition is determined when a person’s blood pressure goes higher when consuming the same amount of salt as a “normal” person. While there isn’t yet a lab test to detect salt sensitivity, researchers hope to develop one in the next decade.

Is salt sensitivity in the genes?

While an unhealthy diet and lack of exercise are the main causes of high blood pressure, it is now thought that genetics also play a significant role.

New research by the University of Virginia School of Medicine found that a gene variant in 48% of the population could limit the body’s ability to eliminate excess salt, particularly after a high-salt meal.

In general, salt sensitivity is difficult to diagnose and even more difficult to treat, but researchers say that knowing precisely where the salt-elimination defect is located and how it works could eventually lead to personalized treatments for the condition.

Left: That slice of bread? It could contain up to 230mg of sodium.

• Pre-packaged snacks (1oz potato chips = 50-200mg).

• Deli meat (3oz serving = 450-1,050mg).

• Soup (1 cup canned chicken noodle soup, prepared = 100-940mg).

• Pizza (4oz slice restaurant-style cheese pizza = 510-760mg).

• Breads and cereals (1 slice of white bread = 80-230mg).

• Canned vegetables (most contain added sodium, look for “no salt added”).

• Raw chicken (may have added sodium or salt-based flavor solutions).

• Condiments such as sauces and dressings.

• Frozen meals (contain a wide range of sodium, always check the nutrition label).

Are sea salt and Himalayan pink salt healthier than table salt?

Not exactly. While these less refined salts are generally marketed as a “healthier” or more “natural” alternative, salt is salt and they all contain comparable amounts of sodium by weight. So whichever type you choose, use it in moderation.

Surprising sources of sodium Considering a vast majority of adults eat more sodium than they need, it’s important to have accurate information about where dietary salt comes from in order to make better choices. It’s also important to know that many of the top contributors of sodium – such as bread, pasta sauce, cereal, and sweet foods – don’t even taste salty.

Also, foods labeled as “less sodium” or “reduced sodium” can still contain significant amounts. For example, one serving of “less sodium” soy sauce typically contains about 500mg of sodium and people often eat more than a single serving. A good

DIGITAL EDITION

alternative is coconut aminos, made from coconut tree sap, which contains about 65% less sodium than regular soy sauce.

Here are some other hidden sources of salt.

Samina Kalloo RD, CDN

cookingfortots @SaminaKallooRD

Ways to cut back • When dining out, ask for sauces on the side and drizzle them on yourself.

• Use salt-free seasonings.

• Read nutrition labels where the sodium content per serving is always listed.

• If buying packaged or processed foods, opt for foods that are labeled “sodium free” or “very low sodium.”

• Retrain your taste buds. Over time, the less sodium you eat, the less you’ll want.

• Ask restaurants to not add salt to your meals.

• Make a commitment to eat at home more often and cook from scratch. Even try packing lunch the night before so you’re not tempted to dine out.

• Choose fresh fruits and vegetables or, if buying canned, look for “no salt added.”

33

WINGS SERVED UNTIL 1AM

20OZ GUINNESS ALWAYS $7

637 10th Ave. @ 45th St. WWW.hellcatannies.com

STAFF SURVEY

On the

RECORD

Chef Ryan Hardy talks family, food, and the soundtrack to his day Photograph Nacho Guevara

My job description I’m a chef/owner/partner/financial advisor/creative art director – I wear many hats depending on the day.

My day starts early … with two kids under three I make breakfast for the family, and take three minutes to myself to enjoy a perfect espresso on my home machine. When the weather is nice, I try to sneak in a quick five-mile run. Then I shower and read a touch of baseball on the way to work about 8.30/9am.

I review the schedule for the day, touch base with all the department heads at our three restaurants, and review the menus.

I’ll grab lunch on the Vespa someplace between meetings, set up for dinner service by 4.30pm, t​ hen I’ll FaceTime with my beautiful wife, Agatha, and the kids before they head off to bed. Sometimes, if I'm lucky, I sneak home to have a quick dinner with them before they hit the showers and I go back to the restaurants.

The restaurants fill up, we’ll get through 250 dinner covers, and I’ll have a cold beer

Above: Ryan's passions range from coffee to family to politics ... and overloading his schedule.

and a bite of duck with the wine director and floor managers to compare notes and write the list for tomorrow. By now, it’s midnight and there are still tables in the dining room, but I'm slipping out the back door. A 6am wake up call is looming.

lacquered duck and a bottle of red Burgundy!​

I have a passion for overloading my schedule If other people work 60 hours a week, I’m determined that if I work 8 ​ 0 to 90, I would out-work, out-run, out-last them.

And my guilty pleasure?

Thin Mints.​

The soundtrack to my day ​Jazz in the morning – Miles, Stan, Coltrane. Throwback hip-hop at lunch – Tribe, Lauryn Hill, MJ. Then it gets more serious when service starts –​Kendrick Lamar, Jay Z, etc.

My favorite dish depends on the day Spaghetti with cuttlefish in its own ink when I'm feeling frisky, with coastal Italian white wine. Risotto other days when I need to feed my soul, with a bottle of Barbera d'Alba red. If I have time to sit and stretch out in a booth, I eat a whole honey-

DIGITAL EDITION

My happy food?

Dumplings. BBQ. Porchetta. Peasant street food in all its shapes and forms.​

The last meal of a condemned man I’ll take a kilo of terrific caviar and a bottle of Krug rose. There’s no time to be judgmental – just impulsive.

And my fantasy dinner party?

I’d have a round table under the stars in Italy, and we'd eat and drink from the trees, fields, and ocean around us. As for a guest list: Nelson Mandela, Richard Serra, Barack Obama, Zaha Hadid, Diego Rivera, and Count Basie would fit into my group of friends quite well

LEGACY RECORDS W38TH ST - 10TH/11TH AVE legacyrecordsnyc.com

35

A COMMUNITY FOOD FESTIVAL AT THE INTREPID MUSEUM June 9 –10, 10am–6pm Presenting Sponsor

Produced by © 2018 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Member FDIC.

On the

MENU

Welcome to the first ever WestsideEATS, a two-day, outdoor food festival at the Intrepid Museum. Grab your friends, bring the family, and take a bite out of the very best restaurants in Hell’s Kitchen and the west side, with music, entertainment, and special offers.

Come see us on Pier 86, W46th St - 12th Ave on Saturday, June 9 and Sunday, June 10, 10am-6pm. intrepidmuseum.org/wse

Big Eats Bar Gonzo

- 1970s-style bites

City Sandwich

- Sandwiches, meatballs, and desserts

In Patella

- Seafood paella and gazpacho

Macaroni Shoppe

- Classic eats from Hell’s Kitchen’s newest mac & cheese store

The Meatball Shop

- Beef meatballs with classic tomato sauce - Chicken meatballs with parmesan cream

Aviator Express - Beef sliders

- Chicken sliders - Pizza slices Intrepid Museum, Pier 86 - 46th St & 12th Ave l www.intrepidmuseum.org/wse l Presented by Wells Fargo

Snacks & Sides

World Food Guantanamera Restaurant - Cuban classics

Nano Ecuadorian Kitchen -

Humitas - corn and cheese cakes Muchines - yucca fritters with cheese Tortillas de verde - green plantain patties with cheese and peanut sauce Carnes en palito - mini steaks in sweet and sour marinate Seco de pollo - chicken stew in naranjilla pulp Ecuadorian sodas and juice

Ousia

- Grilled souvlaki - chicken, garlic yogurt, grilled peppers -

and tomato Salmon - ladolemono sauce, grilled peppers, and tomato Classic baklava

Perros y Vainas

- Venezuelan street food - Grass-fed beef hot dogs - Fresh-blended Caribbean fruit juices

Hell’s Kitchen Hot Sauce

- Award-winning hot sauce - the pride of the west side

Knot of This World Pretzels

- Hand-twisted hot pretzels, - Philly pretzel braidsm and - German Bavarian pretzels

Nuts4Nuts -

Honey-roasted nuts, empanadas, and corn on the cob

The Sound Bite

- Blackened wings - Southern smoked mac & cheese

What’s the Dillaz?

- Chicken, steak, and veggie quesadilla - Twisty quesadillas - The Ruben (pastrami, corned beef, Swisss and kraut), chicken bacon ranch dilla, buffalo chicken dilla, and burger dilla

Home Frite

- Perfectly crispy, hand-cut fries, served in a cone with homemade sauces

Intrepid Museum, Pier 86 - 46th St & 12th Ave l www.intrepidmuseum.org/wse l Presented by Wells Fargo

Farm Fresh

Desserts Cupcake Cafe

PRINT. restaurant

- Soft shell crab slider with garlic scape aleppo aioli, Little Gem lettuce, and squid ink bun - Local tuna poke boat with sugar snap peas, scallions, and sustainable seaweed

The Farmacy NYC

- Exquisitely decorated cupcakes

- Salads and fresh fruit from local farms

Delicacy Brigadeiros Craft

The Marshal

- Brazilian chocolate truffles, fudge, cupcakes, and treats

- Sustainable, farm to table eats

La Newyorkina - Paletas ice pops

Woops!

- Artisanal macarons and pastries

Wafels & Dinges

- Belgian waffles get a serious upgrade

10%

Get off yo

PLUS

ur eat s at W ests Sim your W ells F ply pay w ideEATS! a walle t – it’s rgo card inith easy y and c our mobil e onven ient!

Intrepid Museum, Pier 86 - 46th St & 12th Ave l www.intrepidmuseum.org/wse l Presented by Wells Fargo

OUT BROADWAY ACTOR SAM CLEMMETT

Sam is straight from London, and is Broadway’s newest star. His portrayal of Albus Potter is drop dead impressive for someone who is only 24, but doesn’t look a day over 11. Run, don’t walk to see him in this production.

BROADWAY ACTRESS NOMA DUMEZENI

#FANGIRL The life and obsessions of Tyler Mount

E

very month, Broadway’s most brilliant vlogger brings you his favorite things, whether it’s his #1 tune on Spotify repeat, his latest crush, or neighborhood recommends. We’re hanging on his every word …

40

TYLER IMAGE: NACHO GUEVARA

MUSIC OBSESSION GOODBYE FROM CATCH ME IF YOU CAN

I know I’m super late to this party, but I just started listening to the cast album of Catch Me If You Can and I’m simply obsessed. I’m jumping up and down at the idea of Aaron Tveit and all eight of his abs singing this song to me.

INSTAGRAM OBSESSION LUKE MERIT

The only thing I hate about Luke is the fact that he lives in Austin, and I lived there for four years and never even met him. He hasn’t posted on Instagram in years, which typically would not make him my Instagram obsession, but LOOK AT HIM – he gets a pass.

BROADWAY SHOW HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD

I’ll be honest.

I’m not a huge fan of Broadway plays, but this show changed my mind. The acting, the story, the nostalgia, the magic – I'm still screaming at the idea of being able to see this again. I know you have to mortgage your home to get a ticket, but trust me, after you see this, you won’t even REMEMBER your house.

Memorize her name. Because she is the real deal. Nothing gets me more excited than a strong, empowered woman changing the world on and off stage. She deserves all the applause in the world (which is convenient because I’m literally still clapping).

YOUTUBE VIDEO GOLDEN RETRIEVER HATES EGGS

This is more thrilling than watching the last lap of a NASCAR race, and

Broadway ACTOR

DIGITAL EDITION

OUT much less tacky. I don’t know what it is, but this dog hates eggs more than I hate a woman on her cell phone during a Broadway show (and that’s saying something).

Television SHOW

TELEVISION SHOW THE GREAT BRITISH BAKE OFF

I recently went to Britain, and came back obsessed. I love cake. I love Europe. So how could I possibly resist the most thrilling British show about cakes the world has ever known? Exactly.

MUST-HAVE BEAUTY/ WARDROBE OBSESSION TOPMAN SKINNY CHINOS

I’m a baby. Literally.

I shop in the kids’ department. Which typically leaves me debating if I want Spiderman or Blue’s Clues on my shirts.

So when I find a pair of pants that actually fits me I buy one in each color.

(Literally. I bought seven pairs.)

LOCAL BAR

SARDI'S

I know this is as touristy as touristy gets, but I have to say that nothing makes you feel more like a New Yorker than having a drink at Sardi’s before heading to a Broadway show.

I’m just waiting to get asked to have my caricature drawn.

LOCAL RESTAURANT DOS CAMINOS

I’m not going to lie, I worked at Dos Caminos and it was so fun.

I did, however, get in trouble for eating all the chips and salsa on the

"This dog hates eggs more than I hate a woman on her cell phone during a Broadway show."

Above: The Great British Bake Off sweet!

Happy Pride!

And to celebrate, I'm giving a shout out to my favorite group of people on Earth – the gays. I’m so excited to be one of yours, and can’t wait for us to continue taking over the world with our gay agenda.

clock – which I still refuse to apologize for. Now I just visit Dos Caminos as a patron, and eat whatever I want.

HOTTIE OF THE MONTH ZAC EFRON

#THROWBACKTHURSDAY SLIP N’ SLIDES

Nothing says summer like a hot day, and a good, old fashioned Slip N’ Slide.

Although I would advise against using them inside your apartment. They are messy and your neighbors get mad if you flood their apartment and ruin their valuables, apparently.

OBSESSION GRAB BAG THE WORLD’S FABULOUS GAY ARMY

Hottie of the month

He’s has been my choice of the month before, but it’s time to recycle him – mostly because he’s ZAC EFRON and can do whatever he wants.

ABOUT TYLER Broadway fan girl turned YouTube Star Tyler Mount is the creator of the wildly popular web series The Tyler Mount Vlog. Seen by over three million people in 168 countries, former guests include Gloria Estefan, Jerry Mitchell, Anthony Rapp, Todrick Hall, Perez Hilton, Laura Osnes, Andrew Keenan-Bolger, and many more of Broadway’s biggest stars. @TylerGMount

DIGITAL EDITION

41

STRICTLY LIMITED ENGAGEMENT

WINNER!

2018 OUTSTANDING NEW MUSICAL Outer Critics Circle

“

JUNE 13 thru SEPT 30

Off-Broadway Alliance

THE FUNNIEST, MOST-TUNEFUL,

BEST MUSICAL OF THE SEASON!” Broadway Select

Original Cast from the York Theatre Production. Photo: Carol Rosegg.

AMAZING MAGIC.

“

INGENIOUS! ” Penn & Teller

“

VITALY BRINGS

ART TO LIFE.” “

A DELIGHT...SUCH A HOOT!

WONDERFUL! ” The New York Times

New World Stages 340 W. 50th St. Telecharge.com or 212-239-6200

DesperateMeasuresMusical.com

HuffPost

Telecharge: (212) 239-6200 Westside Theatre (Upstairs) 407 W. 43rd Street, NYC

EveningOfWonders.com

OUT

The

STEPHENS The Tonys are coming to town this month, but Stephen Field has his own idea about who should be walking away with a trophy

E

ver since I was a starry-eyed little boy watching the Tony Awards on TV, June has been an exciting month for me. Back then, while I understood that receiving a Tony was the ultimate accolade for theater people, I also thought it was based on some kind of merit. In reality, they and all other awards for performance are popularity contests, without any quantifiable criteria for winning.

So when they say “best actor,” what they are really saying is “favorite actor.”

With that in mind, here, for the first time, is Stephen’s Favorite Performances for 2018.

such creative theatricality that I saw it several times just to take it all in. The ensemble cast is joy personified and each time I left the theatre I wanted to run and find the nearest Caribbean dance class.

Favorite Musical

A superbly calibrated and executed performance bordering on legendary.

They shouldn’t have bothered nominating anyone else because no one can touch GJ’s performance.

The Band’s Visit

This quirky, character-driven work took me by surprise. You become so immersed that you can almost feel the desert breeze sweep over you.

Favorite Play

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child The only surprising thing here is how excellent all the elements come together.

It sets a precedent for stage craft that is awe-inducing, and the story is family friendly in the truest sense.

Favorite Revival of a Musical

Once on this Island STEPHEN IMAGE: NACHO GUEVARA

The immersive production features

Favorite Revival of a Play

Below: For the first time only *drumroll* Stephen Field announces his own version of the Tonys.

Angels in America

Superb acting and a riveting production.

If you didn’t see the original, run to this.

The truly prescient writing finds relevance today as much as it did 25 years ago.

Favorite Actress in a Play

Glenda Jackson, Three Tall Women

Favorite Actor in a Play

Andrew Garfield, Angels in America

Favorite Actor in a Musical

Ethan Slater, SpongeBob SquarePants

He has so much to do that they should give him two Tonys! Played by someone else, the part could be annoying; played by him, it’s fluorescent, musical theatre fun!

Favorite Actress in a Featured Role in a Play

Laurie Metcalf, Three Tall Women Even if she weren’t as great in this part, she deserves to win just for not being completely scorched by the sun that is Glenda Jackson.

Favorite Actor in a Featured Role in a Play

Nathan Lane, Angels in America

His is a portrayal full of the agonizing fear of having a deadly, unknown disease and the wrenching heartbreak of being abandoned at the worst of it.

Favorite Actress in a Musical

Katerina Lenk, The Band’s Visit

If anyone wants a lesson on how to be sexy without really trying, you can

ABOUT Stephen

Stephen Field is concierge at Ink48 Hotel. He’s an acclaimed “Hell’s Kitchen guru” and has been a trending topic on TripAdvisor.

DIGITAL EDITION

get it from Katerina. Her smoldering, understated delivery is a highlight in a show full of wonderful moments.

His portrayal of Roy Cohn is all the more sinister due to his intrinsically “nice” nature.

Favorite Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical

Lindsay Mendez, Carousel

Her warmth and humor off set the sad tone of the book of this classic musical.

Favorite Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical

Alex Newell, Once on this Island

He’s not been nominated for a Tony, and I have a big problem with that. He’s so good, many people don’t even realize it’s a man playing the role. He brings down the house nightly and deserves to be recognized.

43

OUT

Here's to

OUR HEROES From bad-ass divas, to brilliant newsmakers, and fierce soldiers in the fight for LGBTQ rights, gay icons have the power to inform, dazzle, and move us to tears

L

iza Minnelli Fosse’d into my life 30 years ago. At the time, she was performing her attendance-busting run at Radio City Music Hall, while I was singing my way into the hearts of dozens with a vocal trio called Wiseguys at a club in the Village.

After a few weeks of hanging out, singing, and roaring with laughter, she asked if we would be interested in being her opening act in Las Vegas and Atlantic City. The word “yes” was never belted so quickly, and in three-part harmony. Those happy gigs led me to a stint as Liza’s assistant and archivist, then a production job on one of her Broadway runs.

Finally, she invited me into a threeyear world tour, singing, dancing, and celebrating the songs of her godmother, Kay Thompson in what became Liza’s At The Palace. The extravaganza had a thrilling Broadway run, won a Tony and a warm place in the history books, to say nothing of my heart.

They say that 90% of show business is the hang, and Liza and I were doing a lot of hanging. Every Saturday, she threw a party in her Upper East Side roost, which centered around enormous sterling silver Peretti bowls filled with Kentucky Fried Chicken and mashed potatoes. At some point, we’d all retire to the mirrored music room overlooking Manhattan to sing around the piano with pals. “Pals” were folks like Madonna, Barbra Streisand, Shirley MacLaine, Tony Bennett, Whoopi Goldberg, Quentin Tarantino, Esther Williams, and Janet Jackson, among many others.

After the crème de la crème sang, the grand finale of the evening always

44

Below: Shrinking violet John “Lypsinka” Epperson pays tribute to fellow Noo Yawker Barbra Streisand.

belonged to Liza. It was her house, after all and, really, who would or could follow Liza?

I was in the room when a journalist helpfully informed Liza that she was, indeed, a gay icon. Her response? “No shit, Sherlock.” (I’m still laughing.) As the daughter of Judy Garland, she certainly knows the territory. Heaven knows we love our icons. They get us through our dodgy times with their talent, their style, and their strength. Today’s heroes and heroines come in all shapes, sizes, and flavors. Some are bad-ass divas, some are brilliant newsmakers, some are fierce soldiers in LGBTQ-centric issues. They inform us, dazzle us, empower us, and open our hearts and minds.

Jim Caruso

John “Lypsinka” Epperson

(@lypsinka) The goddess of show biz Why do gays need icons? It could be that, because of society’s ostracism, gays (the outsiders, the others) rely on fantasy to get through life. Sexual fantasy and entertainment fantasy … a gay icon can fill the latter need.

Since we share the same birthday – and since she’s a Noo Yawker (Brooklyn, to be precise) – I’ll pick Barbra Streisand, who started her singing career in a semigay joint on W9th St called The Lion. (She lived across the street with her mostly-gay boyfriend Barry Dennen, who died not long ago. The large apartment building is still

DIGITAL EDITION

there and the space that was The Lion is something else now.)

The Jewish Flatbush gamin became the darling of the Greenwich Village gays, and they helped put her on the map. Word spread, and uptown types like Jule Styne (the composer of Funny Girl) came to see the kid with the incredible voice, snapped her up, and the rest is “herstory.”

Early in her career, Streisand actively cultivated the persona of the outsider, a kooky coffee shop beatnik chick. However, she became the Barbra she wanted to be, and not the Barbra we wanted her to be. That probably has helped keep her healthy, if a tad beige (the hair, skin, nails, clothes). Still, the recordings, TV shows and movies from that early period are there to enjoy, and an occasional jolt of “early Barbra” is a very good thing. Her enormous talent is a great example of why gays need their icons.

Tony Tripoli

(@TonyTripoli) Comedian/television producer Ask me about gay icons, and I’ll say: “Christopher Atkins made me know I was gay, Phil Donahue made me know it was OK to be gay, but Joan Rivers made me FUCKING PROUD IF IT.” While I had the honor of writing for her from 2009 until her passing, nothing will ever beat her 1983 album, What Becomes A Semi-Legend Most?

I was a freshman in high school, knowing I had a secret, and I was so, so afraid. Luckily, the glamorous, bawdy woman I’d stay up to watch on The Tonight Show came out with this album that just tells shit like it is. Telling the truth really did set me free. It still does.

Everyone thinks Joan changed my life when she hired me, but the honest truth is, she had already changed it decades earlier. And I will never stop being grateful.

Mark Sendroff

Entertainment attorney I went to law school to meet Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme. Having seen them in the one Broadway musical in which they co-starred, Golden Rainbow, I wanted

desperately to be a part of their lives. I felt a career in entertainment law might lead me there … and I was right.

In the early 1980s, legendary costume designer Bob Mackie (who designed much of Eydie’s wardrobe) introduced us backstage in Atlantic City. I seized the opportunity to never let go of Steve and Eydie, personally or professionally. Eydie’s final performance was at my 60th birthday party, where Steve started to sing their traditional party staple, ‘Our Love Is Here To Stay.’ We never expected Eydie to join him at the mic, due to mobility problems during her later years. But there she was, walking slowly up to the mic so that she could get there just in time to sing her part of the arrangement.

Then they led the crowd in the obligatory ‘Happy Birthday’ as I literally cried in Steve’s arms (according to the pictures – I have no memory of that moment). What I did remember then and now is how much Steve and Eydie mean to me “forever and a day.”

Below: Joan Rivers, Britney Spears, and Harvey Fierstein enter the LGBTQ hall of fame.

Nick Adams

Singer/dancer/ actor/teacher If you know me personally, it is no secret that I have a strong affinity for Britney Spears. It’s a love affair that was born back in 1999. As a young gay man living in Pennsylvania with big dreams of performing on Broadway, Britney was an inspiration for me to go after my passion without fear and with full commitment.

Something about her stage presence in those early years drew me in and helped me believe that I could do anything if I put my mind to it.

I wanted to be able to capture an audience the way she captured me. A specific performance I can recall is her ‘Oops I Did It Again’ at the VMAs. The way she had the room in the palm of her hand is mesmerizing. It’s definitely worth a revisit. Long live the princess of pop!

Ann Hampton Callaway

(@AnnH Callaway) Singer/songwriter Sometimes a life needs to be changed. The year was 1982.

DIGITAL EDITION

I was living in Greenwich Village, trying to sort out who I was and what my life might be looking like, as I had recently stopped dating men and had fallen in love with a woman. I got a single ticket to Torch Song Trilogy and sat down at The Little Theater unprepared.

When Harvey Fierstein came out and began Arnold’s soliloquy on the disillusion of love, I felt my neat, Midwestern world fall to pieces. A gay man was telling his story out loud, and every laugh of his brilliant performance carried a tear with it.

When the show was over, I couldn’t speak.

I walked through the streets of New York without emotional protection – Harvey’s play and performance had stripped me of my defenses and challenged me to live out loud, despite the risks.

Years later, I would become friends with him, perform with him, write songs for him, and learn to line dance with him on a gay cruise. We need artists to help us become who we are. Harvey’s courage and humanity are part of why I am what I am today.

Jonathan Lovitz

ABOUT

Jim

Jim Caruso is a MAC awardwinning singer, dancer, and nightclub host.

Every Monday, he presides over Cast Party at Birdland.

(@jdlovitz) Senior VP, National LGBT Chamber of Commerce Margaret Mead was a brilliant anthropologist who spent some of her most prolific years in New York City.

While most may not think of anthropology as a career that has brought us scores of gay icons, it has given one to me.

During the 1960s, Mead helped expand the possibilities for sexual and gender norms in this country, paving the way for today’s vast and beautiful spectrum of sexual orientations and gender identities.

Perhaps most importantly, she left us with a quote that has inspired me every day of my professional career as an LGBT advocate. At a time when our community may feel under attack once again, we can never forget that each of us has the power, with even the smallest, heartfelt gesture, to make the world a more loving, inclusive place that celebrates the rich diversity of humanity around us. Mead told us: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

Thank you, Margaret. This Pride – and always – may we all remember we have the power to change the world.

45

IMAGES: JIM CARUSO: CHRISTOPHER BOUDEWYNS, ANN HAMPTON CALLAWAY: BILL WESTMORELAND, JOHN EPPERSON: STEVEN MENENDEZ, TONY TRIPOL: JORDAN SOUTHERLAND

OUT

OUT

IT’S SHOWTIME! NATALIE WOOD LOVED BOYS IN THE BAND

LOOKING FOR A MUSICAL WORKOUT? Burn calories in “Broadway Bust a Move,” a high-energy, low-pressure workout class taught by a professional choreographer. If you love dance-based workout classes like Zumba, or your goto running playlist is mostly Broadway showtunes, you’ll get a kick (pun intended) out of this 60-minute class.

Try it out on Friday June 22, at 7pm.

Details at Show-Score.com.

46

PRIDE ON BROADWAY

“I like New York in June. How about you?” goes the famous song by composer Burton Lane (who discovered Judy Garland) and lyricist Ralph Freed. There’s so much to love about June in New York, including summer before it gets sticky, the Tony Awards, and of course the very festive, rainbow-colored NYC Pride. So, to celebrate, here are the five gay-themed shows with the strongest reviews from Show-Score members.

TOP FIVE

SHOW SCORE

1. BOYS IN THE BAND

Mart Crowley’s 1968 play about gay men before the Stonewall riots gets its first Broadway outing. Chuck C says: “The cast is absolutely epic,” and Scott 7281 calls it “a near perfect revival.”

95

2. ANGELS IN AMERICA

The Tony-nominated revival was recently extended through July 15. David L suggests you see it if “you like theater on a grand scale that challenges the mind and heart.”

91

3. KINKY BOOTS

Cyndi Lauper’s Tony-winning musical is now in its sixth year, but still delivers a joyful kick. Benjamin 6134 guarantees that it gives you “the full Broadway musical punch!”

88

4. A LETTER TO HARVEY MILK

This new musical, playing through the end of June, is about a lonely Jewish widower and a young lesbian writer. CarmenPA says it’s a “lovely show with a surprising depth”

78

5. AFTERGLOW

This popular play about gay polyamory is now in its final month at The Davenport Theatre. Winnie calls it “Insightful, edgy, intimate, atmospheric, relatable.”

DIGITAL EDITION

73

$

$89

FROM BOX OFFICE

$67

FROM SEATGEEK

$53

FROM TICKETS NOW

$35

FROM THEATER MANIA

$29

FROM GOLDSTAR.COM

DETAILS CORRECT AT TIME OF GOING TO PRESS

Did you know that Boys in the Band might not have existed, at least not in quite the same time and place and form, without the movie star Natalie Wood? Wood met the playwright Mart Crowley on the set of Splendor in the Grass (1961) and the two became friends for life. She hired him as her assistant to give him time to write, introduced him to agents, and paid for his first six months of psychoanalysis after telling him he needed to get his life in order.

In the book Natalie: A Life, Crowley credits her with warmth and support over the course of his career. “Thanks to Natalie, my analyst, and sobering up,” he recalls, “I started writing The Boys in the Band, a play I’d been thinking about for some time.”

OUT TORCH SONG AND CHOIR BOYS Boys in the Band is just the beginning.

That revival opened a month too late to qualify for the Tony Awards, but consider it a fabulous kick-off to the new season.

Dozens of new productions will be opening in the next year and Boys in the Band won’t be the only one that tells a story from an LGBTQ standpoint.

After a hugely popular run OffBroadway, the revival of Harvey Fierstein’s Torch Song is transferring to Broadway, with previews kicking off on October 9. Michael Urie and Mercedes Ruehl (pictured) will reprise their roles as hopeful romantic Arnold Beckoff and his combative mother.

And just after Christmas, Choir Boy arrives. It’s from the pen of Oscarwinning playwright Tarell Alvin McCraney (Moonlight), and is a music-filled play about a gifted member of a gospel choir at a prep school for black men.

Looking for something other than a splashy Broadway musical or star-studded drama? These unique shows have devout fans. The catch is you’ll have to leave the neighborhood to see most of them.

TOP FIVE

SHOW SCORE

1. VAN GOGH FIND YOURSELF

This once-monthly interactive solo show takes place at Ryan’s Daughter (350 E85th St). Holly 8109 says it's “a masterful performance in an extremely inviting venue.”

91

2. SAY SOMETHING BUNNY

A multi-media solo piece playing at UNDO Project Space (515 W20th St). Mama Rose says: “The depth of detail and presentation were very original.”

88

3. THEN SHE FELL

This adults-only Alice in Wonderland-inspired immersive piece takes place at St John’s (195 Maujer St, Brooklyn). Adam G 123 calls it: “Brilliant! You enter a different world entirely.”

88

4. SYMPHONIE FANTASTIQUE

Puppet artist Basil Twist returns to HERE (145 6th Ave) with a revival of his show inside a 1,000-gallon water tank. Robby W raved: “The water puppetry is jaw-dropping.”

81

5. BLANK! THE MUSICAL

A once-weekly fully improved musical at Broadway Comedy Club (318 W53rd St). Tall Ernie claims that “this is improv at a pretty high level."

DIGITAL EDITION

81

IMAGE: TRAVIS CHANTAR

Looking for something a little less expected to close out your Pride festivities?

Provocative cabaret star Kim David Smith will be saluting summer, Pride, and the pop icon Kylie Minogue at Kim Sings Kylie, at Joe’s Pub on Monday, June 25. He promises hits ranging from 1987’s ‘Locomotion’ all the way through her 2018 album Golden. Broadway World has described Smith as the "David Bowie of cabaret," and The New York Times went so far as to suggest he’s something of "a male Marlene Dietrich.”

UNDER THE RADAR PLEASURES BEYOND BROADWAY

DETAILS CORRECT AT TIME OF GOING TO PRESS

KIM SINGS KYLIE

INSTA CRUSH ALERT

$

$20

FROM BOX OFFICE

$47

FROM BOX OFFICE

$135

FROM BOX OFFICE

Here are two Broadway babies worth checking out. Real-life couple Matt Doyle and Max Clayton are both frequently seen on the stage. Doyle’s Broadway credits include War Horse, Spring Awakening, and The Book of Mormon. Clayton’s credits include Gigi and On the Town, and he’s currently in the ensemble of Hello, Dolly!

Aren’t they adorable?

$30

FROM BOX OFFICE

$19

FROM TODAYTIX

Show-Score.com is a one-stop guide to NYC theater. All the shows. All the prices.

All the reviews.

Sign up and start sharing your opinions of shows for chances to win tickets.

47

LIVING

This page: Who needs furniture when you have that view?

Below: Tones of gray ensure the studio never looks cluttered; Blu is the boss.

48

DIGITAL EDITION

THINGS are looking up

LIVING

The view from Christian Stanley’s studio includes the river, Hudson Yards … and his old walk-up just across the street Words Ruth Walker Photographs Christian Stanley

W

hen you can look down from your luxury building – complete with rooftop pool and indoor dog park – and see your old “nothing fancy” place, it’s a bold reminder of, quite literally, how far you’ve come.

For Christian Stanley – who Instagrams as @soberwolfnyc – the physical distance is just across 10th Ave. But emotionally, it’s much further.

When he first arrived in New York 15 years ago, home was a tiny, rent-controlled studio with bars on the window in a walk up on W48th St between 8th and 9th Ave. “The lady who lived upstairs passed away and they didn’t find her for about a week and a half,” he recalls, squirming. “I noticed there was a smell coming from the building, then the flies started coming in. I had a fly infestation for about three months afterwards.

“I remember one morning going out to work and they were literally bringing the body down. I thought: this is New York!”

It sparked a lifelong love affair with Hell’s Kitchen. “It was my first introduction to the city and I liked it from the beginning. My feeling of New York was this. It wasn’t like the Upper West Side or Madison Square – this is what the city looked like.”

He stayed for six years before moving to Boston, getting married, then came back – to that “nothing fancy” little red brick building on 10th Ave. “That was the first apartment my husband and I moved into when we moved from Boston four years ago,” he says. “It was kind of cool to see all the changes. I love the energy.”

“When you turn off all the lights, it’s almost as it the walls disappear and you’re just looking out.

The apartment feels huge.”

From the sidewalk, he would watch as the neighborhood grew, including the glass and steel high rise that would eventually become his home. And when his marriage ended, he even considered moving to Harlem … maybe Queens …

“But I walk everywhere,” he says, “and I love the fact that everything in Hell’s Kitchen is so close. I’m a personal trainer – I train at Mid City Gym on W42nd St. And I like that the neighborhood is not like Chelsea in its heyday: there’s a little bit of everything. It’s diverse, which makes it a lot of fun.”

Curiosity finally got the better of him, and he visited 555TEN, that building he’d watched soar from his old walk up. He liked what he saw. And one of the biggest selling points was the indoor dog run for his four-year-old Mauzer (miniature schnauzer/ Maltese) Blu. “I work so my dog can have a better life,” he only half jokes.

The studio he moved into in November is his new bachelor pad. Single after seven

DIGITAL EDITION

years, he was learning how to do things again. “This was going to be a new adventure. It was a bit of independence and it needed to feel authentically mine.”

So he started with everything new. But new didn’t have to mean eye-wateringly expensive. “Thank God for Wayfair and Target!”

A self-confessed minimalist, he wanted the dramatic view south to Hudson Yards to be the main focus. “That’s my window to the world,” he says.

He took the risky step of painting the walls dark gray, and it paid off. “There’s something really magical about this apartment in the evening. When you turn off all the lights, it’s almost as if the walls disappear and you’re just looking out. The apartment feels huge.

“It’s been fun putting it together,” he adds. “I like the comfort of a beautiful building but I don’t need a lot of things.

When you’re starting all over again, you realize: what’s the point of dragging crap around? I’d rather have one or two paintings that mean something to me.

Equally, some of my favorite things have no monetary value. And that was what I wanted: that when people come to the apartment they couldn’t tell what was expensive and what wasn’t. Everything has a purpose. It feels either functional or decorative, but it has its purpose.”

Moving apartment hasn’t been the only big change. After a lifetime working at executive level in retail, and hobbying as a personal trainer on the side, he’s now focusing on his true passion: photography. And, for the time being at

49

During this Pride month, I would like for you to join me in remembering our loved ones we have lost in a long fight against AIDS. As a Medium, I know they are still with us and are beaming-proud of what the LGBTQ community has accomplished.

As a friend, I miss them dearly. t

(347) 486-4996

e

marina@thenewyorkmedium.com

www.thenewyorkmedium.com

LIVING

least, he’s content to live alone. “One of the things I’ve come to understand about living in New York is that building a nest here is different from everywhere else.

You just kind of learn to live with a lot of people. But I’m not sure I can do that – I’m not the best roommate. I’ve always lived with a partner or a boyfriend. And my joke is that, here, you fall in love out of necessity. In other cities you can wait a little longer. Here it’s like: ‘You know what?

We’re good, let’s go.’”

Meanwhile, his love affair with Hell’s Kitchen shows no sign of cooling. “I love that the deli on the corner does roti at lunch, there’s the boxing gym on 37th St, Friedman’s … and I never feel unsafe.

There’s a group called Backpacks for Homeless, and one night we got together with a group and gave out backpacks to people sleeping rough. It was 2am and it never felt unsafe. That was a testament to the area and to the people who live here.” bluwolf.me

Above: Black bedding, gray walls, and a splash of Blu. Right: Keeping things minimalist.

DIGITAL EDITION

51

House proud Select furniture from the comfort of your apartment.

Free design services & 30-day love it or return it guarantee

visit monroeandkent.com

COME EXPERIENCE DAVINES MASK WITH VIBRACHROM HAIRCOLOR CONDITIONING CREAM AT DAVID RYAN SALON RECEIVE A COMPLIMENTARY NATURAL TECH TREATMENT WHEN YOU MENTION W42ST MAGAZINE

MEDICARE

APPROACHING 65 OR OLDER? WORKING OR RETIRED?

Talk to a specialist for:

Medicare Overview Personalized Plans Rate Comparisons

All for no additional cost to you!

Call Jordon at (866) 944 2338 Ext 201 - 311 West 43rd St.

and Associates

Group / Individual Health Insurance Group / Individual Life & Disability Individual / Group Medicare

LIVING

Hey

NEIGHBOR!

Hell’s Kitchen is growing faster than any other neighborhood in Manhattan – but where the Hell do all these people come from?

This month we’ve invited ourselves round to visit some new arrivals and our apartment in the Village, it was time for more space and for basic amenities which our building lacked. It was time for more bang for our buck.

Tick boxes: Laundry in building, larger space, no fee, and a workable kitchen and bathroom.

All of which were met.

What sealed the deal: The building has great floor plans, an awesome staff, and very generous building amenities. Our favorite is the on-site laundry.

As for Hell’s Kitchen, we’ve always loved it for its many great restaurants and bars. It has such an alive vibe, being so close to the Theater District and Times Square.

Now we get to live in the middle of all of it. It’s our new happy place.

We plan to be here for many years and look forward to meeting lots of our neighbors.

Andrea and Tom Mansfield Profession: Tom is a trademark paralegal. He does the reverse commute to NJ through Penn, and walks out early enough in the morning when the streets are still peaceful.

Andrea is executive assistant at a global consulting firm and considers it the “best job ever.”

Budget: $3,000 (“but we exceeded it just a bit – the consolation was a great apartment that felt like home right away”).

Moving from: The West Village, after six happy years on treelined Grove Street between Bleecker and Bedford. Our building was one door down from the Friends building – if we only had a nickel for every time we saw someone taking a picture …

To: The Camelot, at W45th St 8th Ave. Why: Although we loved our building

“It has such an alive vibe, being so close to the Theater District and Times Square. Now we get to live in the middle of all of it. It’s our new happy place.”

DIGITAL EDITION

Above: Give them a wave! Andrea and Tom’s new home. Have you just moved? Tell us your story - email news@w42st.com.

The Camelot Where: W45th St - 8th Ave Built: 1966 Stories: 17 Units: 176 Amenities: Laundry in building, live-in super, package room Cost of one-bed apartment: Around $2,895

55

Find your next treasure at

HELL’S KITCHEN ANTIQUE AND FLEA MARKET

VINTAGE CLOTHING AND JEWELRY, FURNITURE, TOYS, CURIOSITIES, ETHNIC CRAFTS, VINYL, ART, AND MORE, ALL AT BARGAIN PRICES

“ONE OF THE TOP 10 FLEA MARKETS IN THE WORLD” THE INDEPENDENT

39TH ST & 9TH AVE 9AM - 5PM EVERY SATURDAY AND SUNDAY FREE ADMISSION

Don’t miss this month!

ODDITIES AND CURIOSITIES - JUNE 9

ASPCA PET ADOPTION - JUN 17 (1PM-5PM)

Follow us on FOR ALL THE LATEST NEWS ON ENTERTAINMENT, FOOD VENDORS, AND SPECIAL EVENTS

ANNE XMAR KE TS.CO M

Hudson Yards Hell’s Kitchen Alliance Annual Meeting Join us and our neighbors as we elect new board members, celebrate our achievements, and discuss our goals for the next 12 months.

Registration begins at 5:30 pm.

Registration will be followed by a cocktail reception and meeting.

Business Improvement District (BID) property owners, commercial tenants, businesses, and residents must register to vote.

June 12, 2018 6 pm

555TEN 555 Tenth Ave. 52nd Floor Rooftop New York, NY 10036

For more information email info@hyhkalliance.org

Special Remarks Angela Cavaluzzi President, Hudson Yards Development Corporation Carley Graham Garcia Head of External Affairs, NYC, Google

Presentations Most Valuable Partner Andrew Lynn, Former Director of the Planning and Regional Development Department for PANYNJ Grant Awards to Local Artists Hell’s Kitchen Foundation

#W42ST

GALLERY

Hashtag your Instagram pics and they could star in the mag!

Well strike me down! We've had some skies this month. Lightning, storms, and sunsets have brought drama to the hood. Thank goodness for our Instagram family for bringing color into our lives. Remember, anyone can be on these pages. Just tag your images #W42ST and you could be the one whose photograph ends up in the next issue.

DIGITAL EDITION

57

Hey neighbor!

Join the W42ST community and unlock news, events, the best happy hours in the hood, and weekly giveaways Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and each Friday you’ll receive a New York City insider’s guide to everything that’s happening in Hell’s Kitchen and beyond, plus ticket giveaways and other cool stuff, all direct to your inbox.

Go to w42st.com and subscribe for free

STYLE

Rainbow OVER THE

Unapologetically positive – but with a powerful message – the symbol of the LGBTQ movement is more than a flag, discovers Belle Bakst

 WHAT’S OLD is new again  W

hen the word “thrift” is mentioned, many people have less than favorable words that follow. I’m not one of those people.

Quite possibly one of the most underrated ways to shop, thrift offers clothing a second chance at life. And, as a woman working in fashion, I’m constantly on the hunt for the best deal, the nearest sample sale, and, of course, the best thrift stores. Some of the absolute best pieces in my wardrobe have been thrifted finds.

About a year ago, I discovered a gem right in the heart of Hell’s Kitchen. Housing Works is a chain in NYC that carries lightly used and vintage pieces. I stumbled into the store on 9th Ave and my eyes lit up in delight.

While I was making my mental shopping list (hello cute homewares; hello vintage Yves Saint Laurent), I noticed that proceeds go to helping those living with AIDS and HIV. The organization works and campaigns to ensure people living with the disease have access to quality housing, healthcare, and legal protection.

It has helped more than 30,000 homeless and low-income New Yorkers since it was launched in 1990.

Let Me Be Perfectly Queer Just the right amount of total honesty on this T-shirt. $24, lookhuman.com

Heart on your sleeve A portion of the proceeds from sales of this stainless steel and rubber bracelet goes to groups such as the Matthew Shepard Foundation . $29, loveandpride.com

Above: So many cute things ... and all for a great cause.

Which all means that, by shopping at Housing Works, you and I become advocates for the cause.

To me, the most important thing to keep in mind during Pride month is that when you wear the rainbow, you’re making a conscious, visible decision to support the LGBTQ community. You’re choosing love over fear and hate.

And even if you are one of those people who won’t wear thrift, making a donation of your gently worn clothing is the next best thing.

About Belle

Belle Bakst is a fashion stylist, womenswear writer, and Hell’s Kitchen girl. She lives on W42nd St with her husband Brendan. Her friends `know her for her rainbow color coordinated wardrobe and bookcases. She can almost always be seen with an iced coffee in hand. Belle’s favorite place in the neighborhood is the Salvation Army on 46th street (between 10th and 11th avenue) but will happily meet you at Bergdorf Goodman too.

DIGITAL EDITION

Rainbow on your arm Carry your pride (and most of your apartment) everywhere with this retro-inspired tote. $21, etsy.com (via DomesticPlatypus) Free love Look dashing in lightweight denim with this rainbowembroidered, ripped-back jean jacket. $23, shein.com

59

STYLE

Shop tactics

As she continues to come to terms with downsizing, Claudia Chung does style on a teeny, tiny budget Photograph Ilona Lieberman

W

hen I was tweenish, my style icon was Teri Hatcher.

Not Desperate Housewives Teri Hatcher, or even “they are real and they are spectacular” Teri Hatcher. I’m talking about when she played opposite Dean Cain’s Superman on ABC’s Lois and Clark.

I was obsessed with her and her style — sheath dresses, tailored blazers, and floor-length (red or black) gowns for fancy affairs hosted by Lex Luthor.

She was sexier than anyone I’d seen since turning 12. Her shirts were always unbuttoned just so you’d catch minisecond flashes of her black lace bra as she was being airlifted by Superman. And I wanted that sexiness. Badly.

Now keep in mind that, as a tween, my hormones never gave me pimples.

However, I had a vague but very distinct mustache and was on the chubby spectrum of my class. Add to that zero distinction of a waist, a protruding gut (a combination of baby fat and Taco Bell’s Nacho Grande), and small breasts, and it’s safe to say I looked like a drag queen with very good skin.

One particular outfit firmly stands out in my attempts to emulate Teri: a cheap white dress shirt, black MC Hammer parachute pants, pulled together with a bright red fitted vest. In my mind, this was just the kind of outfit Teri would wear if she were meeting Superman on top of a building somewhere in Metropolis. It wasn’t. In reality, I looked like a chubby young waiter at a local Chinese restaurant.

Now, after many trials and errors, I am finally at a place where I’m comfortable with my style. I like to think of it as easy going, eclectic, and quirky. But it must always feel put

60

ABOUT

Claudia Claudia Chung is a writer who moonlights as a school teacher. She is currently working on a book of essays and stories on the trials, tribulations, and the funny in being a newbie widow.

“If I was paying almost $1,400 for an antique-looking ‘primrose mirror,’ I wanted to know it was, in fact, really old, tarnished by use, and with a now-deceased previous owner.” together. Sharp yet feminine. Vintage with a modern edge.

And, as I adjust to living alone, on a budget, and in a teeny weeny Manhattan Winnebego without wheels, I take this rule to heart daily. I must repurpose the old because it’s free (and I paid for it ages ago). But I also can’t be living in the past as the sadness of this last last year would annihilate me. Thus, I need the new to bring hope to not only my wardrobe but my living space.

At one time in my life, that “new” would have been fulfilled by a shop like Anthropolgie. It felt like the perfect mix between past and present, from its frilly clothes and random whimsical tchotchkes to artsy home décor, antique furniture, and collectibles, But I grew out of Anthropolgie when I moved to New York City. Everything felt faux. Instead, I got the real deal in thrift and high-end

DIGITAL EDITION

consignment shops or antique stores, estates sales, and galleries. Ultimately, if I was paying almost $1,400 for an antique-looking “primrose mirror,” I wanted to know it was, in fact, really old, tarnished by use, and with a now-deceased previous owner. My style is like Anthropologie – but REAL LIFE. And in my real-life Anthropologie, I wouldn’t spend anywhere near $1,400 for a mirror. I’d expect to pay a hundred bucks or less. The same applies to vintage dress shopping (my Achilles’ heel). Don’t get me wrong. It’s a lot of work and it’s time consuming as hell. You can spend all afternoon shopping and find nothing – a fruitless treasure hunt in the midst of broken glassware and crotch-stained jogging shorts. But when you find the one, the one that makes life and your style complete, it’s all worth it.

Vintage for pros ART

You must love love love it! And, depending on the price, I always lean towards purchasing prints that are signed and/or artist or gallery numbered.

FURNITURE

Make it solid and heavy. Look for bone work.

CLOTHES

I always look for designer labels and quality fabrics like 100% silk.

BAGS

Only buy 100% genuine leather.

SHOES

NEVER (but that’s a personal choice)

STYLE

Sober

IN THE CITY Quitting drinking is one thing, but Kristen Jongen wants to know if you’re big enough to be emotionally sober

I

f you are a skeptic like me, It’s tempting to lump the term “emotional sobriety” with other trendy phrases. I’ve packed a few favorites into this example.

Hey (awkward relationship), Thanks for “reaching out.” I’ll “circle back” on your offer to “unpack” feelings over coffee. Can we put a “pin in it?” It is important that I have a sense of “agency” while “processing” our mutual “traumas.”

Ugh. Emotional sobriety is not in this category. It is a legitimate mental health concern coined in the 1930s by AA founder Bill Wilson. If you know anyone who has quit drinking cold turkey only to become a mean bastard, you know what I’m talking about. In the recovery world, we call this person a dry drunk. In the secular world, we call him a miserable fuck. There’s no point in adopting a sober life only to become a miserable fuck.

For addictive personalities, outside substances aren’t our problem; they are our solution. Merely eliminating the symptoms of an unmanageable life is like removing the release valve on a pressure

cooker. It is a set up for an explosion.

Abstinent and untreated, we become, well, miserable fucks.

Emotional sobriety is a personal barometer of integrity and wellness. It levels the playing field for icky feelings and low self-esteem.

Still confused? Perhaps these examples will help: Have you noticed that when you: l shoot off a nasty email, you’re the person tortured afterward? l are defensive and shift blame to others, you’re left feeling insecure and unstable? l ghost on a friend because you don’t want to confront uncomfortable feelings, you feel lonely and abandoned? l send your exboyfriend a text that says: “Thanks for last night, I’m still thinking about

IMAGE: JULIO NUNYO

ABOUT Kristen

Kristen Jongen is the artist, author, and speaker behind Soul Soup. She writes books on grief, healing, and transformation, and is in long-term recovery from alcohol and drug addiction (www.mysoulsoup.com; kjissoberinthecity@gmail.com). If you’re having a hard time with drugs and alcohol, you can find support meetings at nyintergroup.org

Below: Oops!

Kristen muses that misdirected text message ...

“For addictive personalities, outside substances aren’t our problem; they are our solution.” your lips,” followed by: “Oops, sorry, that wasn’t meant for you,” you’re the one who feels like a total loser?

But when you: l humbly own up to your mistake, you feel better? l return a borrowed sweater, it is a gift to you? l say the words: “I was wrong,” you become right-sized? l pay back your debts, you become abundant? l refrain from gossiping, you feel restored?

The point of sobriety is not to merely abstain from alcohol, but to be free. I had a mentor who used to say: “Every splinter in your integrity is a sliver in your pillow.” He knew how to cut a girl.

Whether we are holding on to past disappointments or future-tripping, emotional sobriety means accepting reality as it is, not how we wish it would be.

We acknowledge and accept that we are fallible human beings. We practice staying in the here and now by gaining real-world sensibility. We become capable of making rational choices.

Those emotionally sober choices add up to an authentic life, and that is what this journey is all about.

PS An emotionally sober person returns the 12 cents in change she was overpaid to the sales clerk. She knows her serenity is not worth 12 cents.

What is your serenity worth? Don’t be a skinflint. You’re a spiritual baller now.

Your friend,

Kristen DIGITAL EDITION

61

PETS

Wagging tales

These camera-happy cuties took time out from the morning stroll for a quick Q&A with W42ST

Lladro Humans’ names: Bruce and Ed. Breed: Morkie.

Age: One. What makes me bark: I talk back to dogs on TV. Three words that describe me best: Adorable, loving, stinker!

Confession: I’m a finicky eater.

I’ll eat any food off the dirty sidewalk, but nothing from my bowl.

Instadog: @Lladronyc

Berkley Human’s name: Danny.

Breed: Jack Russell terrier.

Age: 11 years old.

What makes me bark: Skateboards, scooters, and the doorbell.

Three words that describe me best: Loyal, loving, and whiney.

Confession: I’m aggressively jealous of any form of parental passion.

Instadog:There are photos of me on my dads’ pages (@_djsnyc and @jeffdnyc) as well as at #petsofcompass.

Ricky Humans’ names: Sharon and Lucy.

Breed: Jack Russell Terrier.

Age: Ricky sadly passed away recently – he was 14.

What made me bark: The buzzer to the apt, strangers coming up the stairs … pretty much anything.

Three words that describe me best: Best dog ever!

Confession: Sorry for having to go outside to pee at 4am – I know my humans didn’t like it.

Want to see your pup on this page?

DIGITAL EDITION

Picasso Human’s name: Alanna.

Breed: 100% chihuahua.

Age: Seven years young.

What makes me bark: Curtains, the vacuum cleaner, the blender, and anybody walking by our door.

Three words that describe me best: Charming, cuddler, observant.

Confession: I still suck on my squirrel toy like a pacifier every night before I go to bed.

Instadog: @picasso_the_pup

Send it to waggingtales@w42st.com and we’ll do the rest.

63

TRAIN HERE. MAKE IT ANYWHERE. Monday - Friday 5pm-9pm Saturday and Sunday 10am-4pm Lessons are by the hour 317 W 52nd Street, New York, NY 10019 Please reserve at: info@hktennisacademy.com 917-562-7290 www.hktennisacademy.com

W42ST DELIVERS Want a bundle of W42ST magazines sent to your business anywhere in New York City?

Contact us

sales@w42st.com

this month

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF AN EMMY-WINNING PRODUCER, INSIDER TIPS FROM A LOCAL, BIZ ADVICE, AN INDISPENSIBLE HK DIRECTORY, QUOTE OF THE MONTH, AND EVERYONE’S FAVORITE MAP. PHEW! DIGITAL EDITION

+ EAT, DRINK, PLAY, DO

w42 st

EATING & DRINKING Adella

Beer Culture

W43rd st 9th/10th Ave

W45th St 8th/9th Ave

Upmarket,

A huge selection

Hellcat Annie’s Tap Room

W72nd St - Amsterdam/

10th Ave - 45th St

minimalist nook with a communal

of bottles and cans, and drink from

West End

Rotating local craft beer on tap, easy

table serving farm-to-table small

a rotating selection of drafts and

Cavernous, low-key taproom known

drinking lawnmower beers, cocktails,

plates & boutique wines..

cask. Fill up a house growler or bring

for its wide variety of craft beers, plus

sandwiches & shareable appetizers.

www.adellanyc.com info@adellanyc.com (212) 273-0737

your own. Knowledgeable staff.

burgers & bar bites..

Happy hour 3pm-6pm Mon-Fri.

www.beerculture.nyc (646) 590-2139

www.beerculture.nyc/gebhards

www.HellcatAnnies.com (212) 586-2707

1

4

map reference

Chez Josephine

9th Ave 53rd/54th St

W42nd St 9th/10th Ave

A neighborhood restaurant that invites you to stay for

Return to the joie de vivre of 1920s

a while. The menu features artisan

Paris, with a blue tin ceiling, red velvet

pizzas, New American appetizers &

walls and chandeliers lighting up

entrees & homemade desserts.

Josephine Baker portraits.

www.annabelnyc.com (212) 245-2215

www.chezjosephine.com (212) 594-1925

2

map reference

4

(917) 639-3420 8

map reference

Annabel

map reference

map reference

PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS HERE Email drew@w42st.com

Ardesia

Chez Napoleon

Green Fig

W52nd St 10th/11th Ave

W 50th Street - 8th/9th Ave

10th Ave 41st/42nd St

International

Hyper-traditional

Modern Israeli

5

map reference

Hudsons Pier 83, 12th Ave - 43rd St Surf ’n’ turf, tapas, and cocktails served on a multi-level yacht with a large deck. Short sailings on the Hudson for sweeping views of the Manhattan skyline.

www.hudsonsnyc.com (212) 630-8840 11

map reference

Kashkaval Garden 9th Ave 55th/56th St

wines, happy hour, cheese boards,

Hell’s Kitchen landmark French

cuisine with unique flavor and spices.

In HK since 2004, Kashkaval Garden

and cocktails. Come for wine social

restaurant open since 1960 and still

Influences come from The Middle

offers a relaxed environment to enjoy

on a Saturday 2pm-5pm for off-the-

dedicated to serving classic comfort

East, North Africa’s Maghreb region,

good wines, specialty cocktails, and

list wines and menu favorites.

food dishes. Leave your diet at home!

and southern Europe.

Mediterranean inspired food & fondue.

www.ardesia-ny.com (212) 245-2215

www.cheznapoleon.com (212) 265-6980

www.greenfignyc.com

www.kashkavalgarden.com (212) 245-1758

1

map reference

5

Dianne & Elisabeth

9th Ave 53rd/54th St

(646) 449-7790 9

map reference

Bar Gonzo

10th Ave 45th/46th St

map reference

12

map reference

Kiabacca

The Harrow 10th Ave 49th/50th St

10th Ave 45th/46th St

Contemporary

Featuring 20 specialty brick

A wine bar and restaurant in the

American cuisine with a stellar

heart of Hell’s Kitchen, serving

cocktail program in the coziest of

oven pizzas and a high quality selection

other bites, plus burlesque.

dinner & brunch made from locally

atmospheres – make The Harrow

of rotating crafts at fantastic prices.

www.bargonzonyc.com info@bargonzonyc.com (212) 967-1985

sourced ingredients.

New York your perfect night out.

Always interesting draft cocktails and

www.dianneandelisabeth.com (212) 247-3039

www.theharrownewyork.com info@theharrownewyork.com (212) 757-6977

wine on tap.

Bar with a ‘70s streak, offering cocktails with French bread pizza &

3

66

Gebhard’s Beer Culture

map reference

6

map reference

10 map reference

DIGITAL EDITION

www.kiabaccabar.com (212) 649-4675 13

map reference

EAT

Young Kim’s DAYLIST

IMAGE (AND COVER): PHIL O’BRIEN

Sunday Morning. He travels the country for human interest stories ranging from the National Pie Championships to winemakers using inflatable tube men as scarecrows. When he’s not working, he can be found be knitting, swing dancing, or folding paper roses (which he gives out for free). Every year, he also hosts an annual Pie Party around March 14. This year, he baked 27 pies, a personal best.

D

The how-tos of gender neutral copywriting

uring this age of increased understanding, companies often try to gain an LGBTQ audience by posting a rainbow flag on Facebook.

But tactics like this don’t do much to actually support the cause.

The good news is that normalizing acceptance isn’t rocket science, and a few subtle tweaks in language can make all the difference. Here are some tips that will help keep your copy unassuming of gender or sexuality, without reinforcing tired old stereotypes.

8th/9th Ave If it’s a Tuesday night, expect to see me swing dancing to the George Gee Swing Orchestra. It’s the best time to be with local lindy hoppers, and dancers from around the world.

11:00 pM

BEA W43rd St -

9th/10th Ave This is my favorite spot at night to read and knit at the bar with a nice glass of Ardbeg. I love poking my head in to see the random films projected on the walls.

PETS

Bizlist

TASTY HANDPULLED NOODLES II 9th Ave – 45th/46th St 5:00 pM

SWING46 W46th St -

LIVING

YOUNG is an associate producer for the national, Emmy-winning broadcast CBS

9:00 pM

OUT

FINE AND DANDY W49th St - 10th/11th Ave Ave I can attribute almost every accessory I own (bowties, cufflinks, hats, even my bags) to the fine tastes of owners Matt and Enrique. There was even one time when I came by, and they had saved a cape for me that I never knew I needed until then.

4:00 pM

I’m a sucker for handmade things, so it’s a natural fit to go to Tasty Hand-Pulled Noodles.

The shumai and fish ball soup with #5 noodles will always have a place for my stomach.

STYLE

THE JOLLY GOAT COFFEE BAR W47th St - 10th Ave I came here when it first opened and have been hooked ever since. The owner, Murat, treats a pour over like fine wine. It’s my go-to spot whenever I want to read a book, knit, or fold paper roses.

12:00 pM

Use gender neutral pronouns Instead of using “he/him,” “she/ her,” or even “he or she,” get into the habit of introducing “they/them.”

This shows that you understand the trans and gender fluid community and avoids alienating any of your audience.

Example: Change “This Valentine’s Day, get the gift she will love” to “This Valentine’s Day, get the gift they will love.”

Don’t assume preference Cut out the unnecessary

DIGITAL EDITION

HELL’S CREATIVE is a digital ad agency founded by two millennials at Gotham West Market.

Interested in having your business question answered and featured in a future column? Reach out to info@hellscreative.com with your request. heterosexuality. If the sentence will have the same effect without mentioning the gender of your subject’s partner, just cut it.

Example: Change “Your girlfriend will thank you” to “Your partner will thank you.”

Don’t conflate biology with gender Brands whose marketing is geared towards a female audience often equate things like menstruation or bras with people they assume are women. But biology does not equal

gender. Not everyone with boobs or a period is a woman, so keep this in mind when you imagine the customer who might be interested in your product.

Example: Change “Being a woman has never been easier!” to “Having a period has never been easier!”

Words are powerful, and are one of the most impactful assets you have as a brand. Use them to show you don’t just put on your rainbow hotpants for the parade, but that you wear them proudly all year round.

67

+ EAT, DRINK, PLAY, DO

w42 st

EATING & DRINKING / SHOPPING & SERVICES Lansdowne Road 10th Ave 43rd/44th St This neighborhood sports bar is a great place to gather for tasty pub food, wings, and a wide selection of beers while watching your favorite team. Back bar for parties.

www.lansdowneroadnyc.com (212) 239-8020 6

map reference

Ecuadorable! Quaint eatery serving traditional dishes with modern flair.

Family recipes make Ñaño special.

www.nanobarnyc.com (646) 649-4678 17

map reference

28th/29th St

to seasonal, sustainable cuisine,

Private, individualized voice/singing

with fresh ingredients featured daily.

lessons..1st vice-president: New York

Located in the Ink48 hotel.

Singing Teachers Association. Gender

www.printrestaurant.com (212) 757-2224

non-conforming clients welcome

20

Manganaro’s Hero Boy

North River Lobster Co

9th Ave 37th/38th St

Pier 81, 12th Ave - 41st St

7th Ave. -

Farm-to-table restaurant dedicated

map reference

(860) 874-7184 .

www.ElizabethSaundersVoice.com

UT47

Fine & Dandy

W47th St 8th/9th Ave

W49th St 9th/10th Ave Handmade

Our 60-year anniversary! The original

NYC’s only floating lobster shack.

Specialty coffee & tea, brunch and

accessories for dapper guys.

six-foot Hero will feed 30 to 40 people.

Fresh seafood, mason jar cocktails,

Korean fusion dinner.

Ties, bow ties, pocket squares,

Large restaurant: eat in, take out,

buckets of beer & raw bar. Casual

(917) 265-8629

neckerchiefs, tie bars, cufflinks, money

catering. Reasonable prices!

atmosphere – no reservations.

clips, and much more.

www.heroboy.com (212) 947-7325

www.northriverlobsterco.com (212) 630-8831

www.instagram.com/ ut47manhattan

14

18

map reference

Perdition

10th Ave 4th/45th St

10th Ave 48th/49th St

map reference

Big Apple Meat Market 9th Ave 39th/40th St

Somewhere between heaven and

food, wine, and liquor at a restaurant

Hell’s Kitchen. There is room for

where sustainability and support for

everyone in this sleek bar, from the

the community are at the heart of

corporate world of America to the

everything we do.

exhilarating youth of Manhattan.

www.the-marshal.com (212) 582-6300

www.perditionnyc.com (212)-582-5660

15

22

map reference

The Marshal

Locally sourced

map reference

9

Method Japanese Kitchen and Sake Bar

map reference

Serving Hell’s Kitchen and Chelsea for over 20 years.We are committed to bringing our shoppers the best quality meats and groceries to the area.

www.bigapplemeatmarket.com (212) 563-2555 1

map reference

The Press Lounge

www.fineanddandyshop.com (212) 247-4847 2

PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS HERE Email drew@w42st.com

Fountain House Gallery

David Ryan Salon

11th Ave 47th/48th St

map reference

9th Ave - 48th St

W46th St 9th/10th Ave

Our gallery

10th Ave - 50th/51st St

NYC’s premier rooftop lounge, with

Bringing a multi-cultural New York

Our mission is provide the highest

exhibits and sells original, affordable

dramatic views, seasonal cocktails, an

approach to authentic Japanese

quality service to all our guests with

art made by local artists living and

extensive wine list, seasonally inspired

cuisine.

the utmost professionalism. Our staff

working with mental illness.

small plates, and welcoming service.

is dedicated to all aspects of beauty

(212) 582-2146

www.thepresslounge.com (212) 757-2224

and style –helping you feel and look

www.fountainhousegallery.org ariel@fountaingallerynyc.com

www.kitchensakebarmethod.nyc 16 map reference

68

11th Ave 47th/48th St

10th Ave 47th/48th St

Elizabeth Saunders Voice Studio

Print Restaurant

Ñaño Ecuadorian Kitchen

10

map reference

your best.

www.davidryansalon.com (212) 956-1830

DIGITAL EDITION

3

map reference

W56th St 9th/10th Ave & 9th Ave - 46th/47th St

Medical insurance An independent insurance agency, specializing in Medicare Supplements, Advantage, & Rx plans while offering superior customer and broker services.

hafetzandassociates.com jhafetz@srhafetz.com 1-866-99-HAFETZ (994-2338)

classic comforts with contemporary hairstyling. Our knowledgeable staff of dedicated, skilled barbers allow every customer a customized experience.

www.hellskitchenbarbers.com (212) 470-5027

HK Tennis Academy

W39th St 9th/10th Ave

W52nd St 8th/9th Ave

city’s oldest flea markets. Year round, each weekend, you can find antiques, vintage clothes, collectibles and more.

info@hellskitchenfleamarket.com www.annexmarkets.com 5

High-end, low-cost services, blending

Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market

An authentic NY experience, one of the

map reference

Jadite Galleries

HK Barbers

Hafetz & Associates

10th Ave 46th/47th St

Pier 84, W44th St - 12th Ave

Custom framing & art, conservation

The city’s paddle sports center

framing, canvas stretching & mirrors

with kayaking and stand up

a specialty. We exhibit contemporary

paddleboarding, scenic tours, and

and international artists.

lessons in the heart of New York City.

jaditeart@gmail.com

manhattankayak.com

(212) 977-6190

(212) 924-1788

6

map reference

5

map reference

Manhattan Plaza Health Club

Maid-Hattan www. maidhattan. com

Headquartered in New York City, Hell’s

No time to do laundry or clean your

Kitchen Tennis Academy is the go-to

apartment? Maid-Hattan does it all

spot for adults and children to hone

for you! Call or text (917) 478-0210 to

their skills. Get a suntan while playing

schedule your cleaning appointment.

tennis!

LAUNDRY INCLUDED.

www.hktennisacademy.com info@hktennisacademy.com

marzena@maidhattan.com 917-478-0210

DIGITAL EDITION

Manhattan Kayak + SUP

W43rd St 9th/10th Ave Amid the hectic pace of mid-town Manhattan there is an escape to a calm, peaceful environment, committed to fitness and relaxation.

(212) 563-7001 mphc.com

69

+ EAT, DRINK, PLAY, DO

w42 st

SHOPPING & SERVICES / OUT / LIVING Mark Fisher Fitness

Rufskin

W39th St 9th/10th Ave

2002, Rufskin

Group kettlebell classes and semi-

their 15th year as a men’s fashion

Building original, provocative, and

private training offered in a fun,

label. The lines include denim,

authentic plays from the ground up,

inclusive “Ninja Clubhouse” by a team

sportswear, swimwear, underwear and

from readings to workshops to fully-

of ridiculous humans.

accessories. California lifestyle is at

staged production.

membership@markfisherfitness. com

the essence of the brand’s philosophy.

www.ensemblestudiotheatre.org (212) 247-4982

Established in is celebrating

www.rufskin.com

2

212-356-0020

9th Ave 48th/49th St We are open 365 days so we can provide the best care you need. If you want to see a physician, no appointment is needed. Just walk in and we will take good care of you.

readings.

www.theneyorkmedium.com marina@thenewyorkmedium.com (347) 486-4996

70

See international theater, dance, circus, opera & music at affordable prices.

www.newvictory.org (646) 223-3010 6

map reference

New York Water Taxi Pier 82, W42nd St

Pier 86, 12th

NYC’s favorite hop

vegetables, eggs, pasta, fresh ground

Experience the legendary aircraft

see the Empire State Building, Freedom

coffee, nuts, dried fruits, breads, and

carrier Intrepid, the first space shuttle,

Tower, Brooklyn Bridge, and more. Don’t

more. Family owned since 1953. Also

Concorde, and the submarine Growler.

forget your camera for an up-close

at W52nd St - 8/9th Ave.

www.intrepidmuseum.org (212) 245-0072

photo of the Statue of Liberty!

(212) 868-7070 map reference

3

www.nywatertaxi.com 7

map reference

map reference

Lena Simpson

Title Boxing Club

Irish Arts Center

W37th St 9th/10th Ave

W51st St 10th/11th Ave

Compass real estate Your Hell’s Kitchen real estate

“The oldest sport in the world is new

Music, dance, theatre, film, literature,

again and we can’t wait to share our

and exhibitions that tell the evolving

experience with you. Empowering.

Irish story. Plus classes in Irish

Exhilarating. Addictive.”

language, history, music, and dance.

developments. Call me today. Let’s

www.titleboxinf.com/nycmidtown-west (212) 564-1700

www.irishartscenter.org (212) 757-3318

lena.simpson@compass.com

The Circle Line Pier 83, 12th Ave - W43rd St

939 8th Ave, Suite 207

NY’s oldest and

Come enjoy a workout within our

largest provider of scheduled and

historic walls where Pilates began.

chartered sightseeing and special

Join us at the original Joseph Pilates

event cruises. Operating since 1945.

Studio, check our website for class

www.circleline42.com (212) 563-3200

www.rolates.com (212) 247-9603

arts theater devoted to kids & families.

on, hop off sightseeing cruise. You’ll

Rolates Pilates

schedule.

NYC’s premier non-profit performing

Ave - 46th St

61 W62nd St

tarot advisor. Individual and group

W42nd St 7th/8th Ave

A full line of farm fresh fruits,

The New York Medium

Certified psychic, medium, and

W52nd St 10th/11th Ave

Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum

9th Ave 36th/37th St

8

midoctoruc.com (212) 757-2015

The New Victory Theater

map reference

Stiles Farmers Market

MiDoctor Urgent Care

Ensemble Studio Theatre

1

map reference

DIGITAL EDITION

4

map reference

expert. Specializing in sales, rentals, investment properties, and new start the conversation!

(917) 664-6617

Get your W42ST here: Balloon Bouquets of New York

Coco and Toto

Hair & The City

11th Ave - 51st/52nd St

W47th St - 8th/9th Ave

Castillo Theatre

Epstein’s Paint Center

Kilo 9th Ave - 55th/56th St

W42nd St - 10th/11th Ave

W52nd St - 10th/11th Ave

W43rd St - 9th/10th Ave

W43rd St - 9th/10th Ave

Pan Aqua Diving

plus at any of our advertisers

FROM THE PRODUCERS OF DOWNTON ABBEY

STREAMING NOW

Visit THIRTEEN.ORG/PASSPORT

Local. Delicious.

y r e w e r b d n a c o n ey i s l

e d i r p s e t a r c e l e b because

nemone A e h t s i e t a H YISLANDBEER BEER.COM

CONEYISLAND

ND BRE ©2018 CONEY ISLA

@CONE

WING COMPANY, BRO

OKLYN, NY.

TAKE THE RIDE RES

PONSIBLY.

HAPPY HOUR SPECIALS EVERY DAY 809 9th Avenue (Between 53rd & 54th) NYC, 10019 (212) 245-2215

DIGITAL EDITION

DIGITAL EDITION

LAST WORD

“If homosexuality is a disease, let’s all call in queer to work: ‘Hello.

Can’t work today, still queer.’”

Robin Tyler

R

obin Tyler’s life and career is a list of firsts. She’s considered the first comic to come out on stage (on a national TV Showtime comedy special hosted by Phyllis Diller), opening the doors for many others to follow.

She produced the first International

74

Gay Comedy Festival in Australia in 1994 and called for the first National March on Washington in 1979.

She’s probably most famous for her solo show Always a Bridesmaid, Never a Groom, which romps through LGBT history, from her early days as a Judy

DIGITAL EDITION

Garland impersonator through being the first lesbian plaintiff in California’s fight for marriage equality.

After winning her case, she and her partner Diane Olson were the first samesex couple to marry in LA. They divorced four years later, after 18 years together.

TASTE

of TIMES SQUARE June 4, 2018 5:00pm - 9:00pm

46th St Broadway to 10th Ave

N YC Food & Music To get 20% off online tickets use offer code W42Taste TSq.org /Taste

Applebee's Barbetta Bareburger Becco Blue Fin Bond 45 Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.

La Pulperia Le Rivage Lillie's Victorian Establishment Meson Sevilla Orso Patzeria Perfect Pizza

Buca di Beppo Burger & Lobster Dim Sum Palace Fashion Bar & Restaurant Friedman’s Hard Rock Cafe Haru Sushi Havana Central Heartland Brewery and Chophouse Hourglass Tavern Joe Allen John's of Times Square Junior's

Planet Hollywood Pure Ktchn Sake Bar Hagi 46 The House of Brews The Palm West Side The View Restaurant & Lounge Toloache TSQ MKT: Ice & Vice Nuchas SnackBox TSQ Taqueria Wafels & Dinges

JIM

PARSONS CHARLIE

ZACHARY

QUINTO

ROBIN

BRIAN

MATT

BOMER

ANDREW

RANNELLS

MICHAEL BENJAMIN

TUC

BY MART

CROWLEY DIRECTED BY JOE MANTELLO THE BROADWAY EVENT OF THE SUMMER • THROUGH AUGUST 11 ONLY O BOOTH

THEATRE • BoysInTheBand.com

Photo: Robert Trachtenberg

CARVER DE JESÚS HUTCHISON WASHINGTON WATKINS