I Exist!...And I Have A Cat.

Folsom Street East 2009 Photos, Part 3

2009-10-26T09:30:00.002-04:00

Finally getting around to post the third and final batch of photos I took at Folsom Street East in NYC on June 21. (Click to see part one and part two.)

Mr. New Jersey Leather 2009 on the left, and Mr. New Jersey Leather 2008 on the right.

I like the way this photo of singer/former porn star Fredrick Ford turned out.

Go-go bear Jonny Mack backstage.

I took a couple of different shots of the balloon arc at the fair's entrance of 10th Avenue and 28th Street.

And the end of this year's FSE. Soon it's back to the train station and go home.

Folsom Street East 2009 Photos, Part 2

2009-07-10T21:45:00.002-04:00

Sorry for not posting anything since I put up the first batch of photos from FSE eight days ago, here is the second batch of photos I took at Folsom on June 21:

It was Tim Brough's idea to photograph me in front of a crane that was part of some construction work going on the block where FSE was held.

The pictures turned out pretty good!

The hat I'm wearing I got from the Nasty Pig store earlier that afternoon.

The participants of the Nasty Pig porn star pie-eating contest. The last one they had was 2 years ago but I had to miss that one because I had to catch my train. Fortunately I get to see it this time!

Chi Chi LaRue MCed the contest.

Of all the acts on Folsom's performance stage from that day, this contest drew the biggest crowd. More people will come if there's porn stars and pie!

The pie-eating contest was done in teams of two. One porn star had his butt smeared with some sort of cream pie while the other one...all I'll say is a picture is worth a thousand words. The one who did the best job of eating would be declared the winner.

L to R: Jonny Mack, ?, Ricky Sinz and Mike Dreyden.

Another account on what happened at FSE that day.

I will be posting a third and final batch of Folsom photos in the next couple of days, so stay tuned!

Folsom Street East 2009 Photos, Part 1

2009-07-02T21:03:00.002-04:00

I went to Folsom Street East in New York City on Sunday June 21. I almost didn't go because the weather reports didn't sound all that great, but in the end I grabbed an umbrella and took the train into the city, arriving there a little bit after 2:00 PM. Actually the weather didn't turn out all that bad, just a few brief rain storms that didn't last long. A brief stoll on the main gay strip on Eigth Avenue in Chelsea, and then to the street festival itself:

The first of four times it rained (briefly) that afternoon and evening.

Porn director Chi Chi La Rue was the emcee on the performance stage.

Drag queen Peppermint serving it up.

Chi Chi and friend.

Dance music artist Reina performs.

The rain came down for a second time while Reina was in the middle of singing "No One's Gonna Change You."

Reina gets some help from a friend. The rain went away shortly after that.

Current titleholders.

It started to rain again (#3) as the last of the titleholders went onstage. So those who didn't have umbrellas went scrambling for cover.

I guess that's a good point to say "to be continued." I will posting more FSE photos in a few days!

Amber doesn't believe in hate

2009-07-02T01:00:00.002-04:00

This is the promo EPK video for the upcoming new single by Amber, which is "I Don't Believe In Hate (Drip Drop)." This video goes into the process on how the single was selected and recorded. There will also be a music video to this, which is supposed to come out later this month.

I've heard samples of "I Don't Believe In Hate" (which you can hear on her MySpace page) and they sound HOT. The vocal use of the "drip drop" reminds me of the "Li Da Di" scat-singing bits in her hit "Sexual." I can imagine the US dance outlets going crazy over this. The song was written by Kelly Mueller and was produced by her longtime producer Wolfram Dettki. There are remixes by Pathos V2 (the name Dettki uses for his remixes) and Yinon Yahel.

"I Don't Believe In Hate (Drip Drop)" will be internationally released on most digital store outlets on July 21. There will also be a limited edition five track physical CD, which you can order a personally autographed copy through her website (Perfect Beat will also be selling a limited amount of copies as well).

Philly Pride Photos, Part 2

2009-06-29T22:28:00.001-04:00

When I left my previous post of the photos I took at the 2009 Philly gay Pride parade, I was telling about the truck that the Philadelphians MC were using breaking down around 8th and Walnut Streets.

This is after said truck broke down and half of the club's members deciding to stay with the truck until AAA arrived. So the other half continued on the parade route with smaller numbers than intended.

The people marching behind us were...

...the Philadelphia Fins Aquatics Club.

Our club life brother John was one of the parade judges at the judging booth on Market Street between Sixth and Fifth.

The crowd on Market Street between Sixth and Fifth Streets.

Standing at Market and Sixth waiting for our turn to go by the judges' stand.

Presenting ourselves in front of the judges's booth.

Making our way to Penn's Landing.

We arrived at the entrance for the Pride Festival at Penn's Landing around 2:30 PM, but we decided to head back at the judges' stand for John and to check up on how the truck was back on 8th and Walnut instead of paying to go into the festival. (The festival turned to be well attended anyway.) So after checking up on the status of the truck, the rest of the group split up in different directions. I went back to the gayborhood where I had a bite to eat at Woody's, then half a hour at the Bike Stop, and then a stop at Giovanni's Room bookstore where I bought the latest issue of A Bear's Life magazine. (Doing my part to keep independent gay bookstores open!)

The I went to WOOF! Philly for about an hour or so before I took the train back home that evening. Here I am with Mid-Atlantic Leatherboy 2008 Stephen "boyshark" .

At WOOF! Philly with DJ Michael Decero.

Anyhow, I hope that your Pride turned out well!

"Jungle Jam" by Head Cheese

2009-06-29T17:00:00.003-04:00

I've been a fan of "Jungle Jam," a wonderfully bizarre single that was released in late 1981 by the post-punk art school band from Philadelphia called Head Cheese. Described as an offbeat love song to their city (though 13th Street pretty much can no longer be described as "a jungle"), "Jungle Jam" was released as a 3-track 7" single on the Burn Potential Records label, which would be their only release. Head Cheese members Susan Ottaviano and Jade Lee, as well as the producer of that single, Ted Ottaviano (no relation), went on to form the synth-dance band Book of Love, which would have several dance hits in the later half of the 80's.

But I didn't realize that there was a video to this track until this morning--which I found posted onto Facebook thanks to Robert Drake! It was shot in 1982, consisting of all Center City art students. It pretty much takes lyrics of the verses quite literally (such as Susan leaving the hospital with a dead baby in a cassorole dish), and it has a black and white 1950's/60's horror movie vibe to it. Ah, the wonders you can find on YouTube.

Philly Pride Photos, Part 1

2009-06-25T22:00:00.001-04:00

Sunday June 14 was the day of the Philadelphia Gay Pride Parade and Festival.

My club the Philadelphians MC marched in the parade. Overall we had a good time even though the pick-up truck we were using to carry the beverages and play the music broke down on 8th and Market streets. Half of the group stayed with the truck to wait for it to be picked up by AAA and the other half continued marching to Penn's Landing. Our captain gave an account of that in PGN.

Here I took some pictures:

Prepping up for the parade on 13th Street between Locust and Spruce.

Doing the "Gloucester Geese" dance move.

The parade route started at 13th and Walnut Streets.

Heading up on 11th Street.

Turning onto Market Street.

Just before the truck broke down.

Mr. Philadelphia Leather 2008 Scott Daddy and his boy Eryc.

I will post more photos from the parade and afterwards soon!

Leather Wings at NJ Pride

2009-06-25T01:20:00.002-04:00

I just took a couple of pictures at the New Jersey Gay Pride Festival in Asbury Park, NJ on June 7. These I took of Mr. New Jersey Leather 2008 Spanky and his leather winged outfit.

NJ FOREPLAY 2009 photos

2009-06-13T06:25:00.001-04:00

Back on Saturday, June 6, I went to Asbury Park, New Jersey, to attend NJ FOREPLAY, which was a leather/bear/fetish block party that goes on the day before New Jersey Gay Pride. This was the fourth year it was held, and it turned out to be the most successful one so far. I brought along my camera and took some pictures.

My group the Philadelphians MC manned a table at FOREPLAY and passed out brochures of our upcoming events.

Jim, Mike, another Chris and I represented Philly.

Mike, Chris and Jim. We were lucky to get a spot where there was a lot of shade.

The paps keep stalking Britney (actually that was just an impersonator).

Mr. New York Leather 2009 Jase Woodruff and go-go dancer from the WOOF! and WOOF! Philly parties Torez.

Having a cuddle with Torez.

Roll call of the current leather titleholders.

Roll call of the Mr. and Ms. New Jersey Leathers over the past decade.

With leather daddies Ernie and JR.

Kendall perfoms at the stage area.

I have to say that it was all wonderful. I also attended NJ Gay Pride the following day; in a day or two I'll post a few photos from there.

Philadelphians MC's Pre-Pride Bar Night at LAID

2009-06-12T21:51:00.006-04:00

As part of the Philadelphia Gay Pride celebrations this weekend, the Philadelphians MC will be holding their Pre-Gay Pride bar night during "LAID," a new weekly Leather/Fetish Night at Sal's (Located at 200 S. 12th Street, between Walnut and Locust, the same venue where the WOOF! Philly events are held at), on Saturday June 13 from 8:00 PM to Midnight. Stephen "boyshark" Mercer will be hosting the new LAID parties every Saturday from 8:00 PM to 2:00 AM.

50/50 raffles, jello shots, as well as leather, fetish gear, cruizin’, pool tables, The Philadelphians MC, DJ Barney spinning and MAYHEM!!! See you there!

Paralyzed

2009-06-12T21:31:00.002-04:00

I want to apoligize again for not keeping up with this blog and having you look at that picture of a haggard Madonna when you click onto here. It's not that there weren't things to blog about, I just was motivated to write it down. I can guess it's the depression or bad time management issues. Telling myself to just snap out of it doesn't always work. Just trying to motivate myself to do find an extra job or clean up my space can take some mental effort, but somehow I manage.

Anyway with June being Gay Pride Month, I do have some stuff I want to put up and some events I want to cover. This past Christmas I got a real digital camera, so I don't need to buy a CVS disposable camera anymore when I need to take photos (but those can take some good pictures if you know how to work it) for this blog.

Hard Fail

2009-04-29T18:39:00.000-04:00

One year ago today Madonna's most recent album Hard Candy was released in the US (it came out internationally the day before) with the intention of reestablishing herself on the US pop market. US radio stations had pretty much had not been playing the singles off her last two albums American Life and Confession On A Dancefloor so it was decided that Madonna would work the biggest producers in hip-hop-hop such as Timbaland (and his boy bitch Justin Timberlake) and Pharrel to get the rap-mad US Top 40 radio stations to play her music.

Unfortuneately Hard Candy wound up not getting the desired effect. The first single "4 Minutes" would go to number 3 on the US pop chart, but it pratically had to be disguised as a Timberland/Timberlake single to do that--even with the single getting increased US radio airplay in comparison to her last several singles, it was download sales of the single that was fueling its chart position (like "Hung Up" and "Sorry" before it), not the airplay.

The following singles "Give It 2 Me" and "Miles Away" failed to get the US radio airplay. The Paul Oakenfold remix of "Give it" did get to #57 on US Billboard's Hot 100 Chart for one week, but again it was download sales fueling its position. The following week the track fell off the chart.

While the album did debut at #1 on the US album chart with sales of 280,000 copies, it wound up being a commercial disappointment with as of this writing 714,000 copies in America. It would be the first major studio Madonna album not to go Platinum in the US, even with "4 Minutes (To Get My Music Back On Clear Channel)" being a Top 5 hit. (Compare that to the sales of her last CD Confession On A Dancefloor; with its first week US sales of 350,000 copies and a total of over 1.6 millions sold in her home country.)

That lack of success could be partially blamed the lack of aggressive promo in the US by both Madonna and her record company Warner Brothers. This would be the first era where she did not bother to appear on any TV show to perform a current single. (Imagine the extra album and download sales if she had appeared on Saturday Night Live, The Tonight Show, or American Idol--considering that the last show was doing its current season at the same time Hard Candy came out, it was a blown opprotunity.) She did do three promo tour gigs that were webcastted, including one in New York, but the exposure was limited in compared to a TV show performance, so she was basiclly playing to the hard-core fans. And in the interviews she gave during this period, the music more often that not wound up taking a back seat to other issues like directing movies, helping poor Africans, and the like; another blown opprotunity to tell about the new album she had out.

Even though it was likely that Warner Brothers influenced Madonna to do a hip-hop-pop album since they wanted something that could get onto US 40 radio, (the Pet Shop Boys were initally asked by the record company to write and produce some of that album, but were quickly uninvited; "We got told to forget it as they decided to shove her down the R&B route," said Neil Tennant), the company also wound up dropping the ball on promoting it as well. While Madonna was recording hard Candy in late 2007, she announced her departure from Warner Bros. Records and a new $120 million, ten year contract with Live Nation, which included a recording contract with Live nation's new label, once her contract with Warner Brother was completed. One can imagine Warners Brothers getting pissy at turning down their offer to stay at the label and signing with Live Nation. So the results was that both Madonna and Warners did not really feel excited about this album and that would have a negative effect on its promotion. Given that the label (along with the rest of the record industry) having to dealing with falling album sales and to have gotten another US pop hit single from Hard Candy would have been some help financally. Instead they got cranky at the Madonna/Live Nation deal and cut off their nose to spite their face.

Hard Candy would be the first major Madonna album to produce less than three music videos. Looking at the video to her second single "Give It 2 Me," one can see the result of the disconnect between her and record company, and neither side winding up to put some effort and care to it, making it look like something that Britney Spears would have knocked off in a few hours. And by that time Madonna was moving away from her boxing/pro-wrestling look that was featrued on her album cover and her video "4 Minutes," which wouldn't be much help to record sales. If "Give" was a better made video with Madonna retaining that boxer look--something in the league of something like the Pointer Sisters' "Dare Me," it would brought the single better exposure in the US. And there would no video for "Miles Away" period; when it was starting to look like it was not going to be a US radio hit, it was decdied that it wouldn't be worth the money and effort to do one.

And Madonna's personal life at that time was no help. Her brother Christopher Ciccone released a tell-all book that July. Her marriage to Guy Ritchie was falling apart and they would divorce that fall. She also made some public appearances looking quite haggard.

That summer she also was preparing for the Sticky & Sweet tour, which woukld start that August and go on into December, so she was more into working on that tour instead of focusing on further promoting the album. With record sales falling, it she figured she could make more money by touring instead.

Poor Madonna. IMHO she sold her artistic dance-music soul, but the album wound up not selling in her home country. Hard Candy was an album that was more expensive to make than Confession On A Dancefloor (considering said big-name R&B producers) but wound up selling less than half of the previous studio album. An album that was meant to restore Madonna's status on the current US pop music scape, but it wound up diminishing her clout even further instead. Instead of looking frssh like a daisy, she instead would look like a worn-out prositute with her wrestling oufit looking a couple of sizes too small that she wore on the cover of Hard Candy.

Let's hope once her contract with Warner Brothers ends with the release of a "greatest hits" collection this fall, she'll be free to make an album without having the commercial pressure to conform to what's being passing for pop music on American radio these days.

Don't Be Jealous Of My Boogie!

2009-04-24T18:45:00.001-04:00

I love this video clip of the new RuPaul single "Don't Be Jealous Of My Boogie," which is from his new album Champion.

The description of this hilar clip on the YouTube page it's from tells it better than I could:

"The brief was simple. Ru was inspired by the techno mash-up phenomenon currently sweeping Japan, whereby kids are splicing old gay porno footage of Billy Herrington with mad Japanese graphics, plus the occasional baby head to cover any exposed goodies.

"A fairly typical assignment for World of Wonder, we speed-dialed our friends over at Vivid for some Tommy Gunn porno footage, which genius editor Justin Hurvitz cut together with Ru, plus some of Steven Corfe's ace graphics thrown in for good measure."

I Never Said Nothing...

2009-04-16T06:00:00.002-04:00

Yesterday I was surfing on Facebook and I came across an App-type quiz that said "Which 90's Alt-Rock goddess are you?" and I took it and hoping that I'd get Courtnmey Love. So I answered the question and hit the submit button and I got Liz Phair. The anylsis the came with that was actually quite interesting because it did sound a lot like myself:

"That girl-next-door thing you've been doing, it's just a front. You're actually an intensely self-aware, sexualized being who sees the darker side of human nature. Truth be told, it rattles you. You've got perceptive abilities that you don't quite have control of, and thus you can be shy, insecure, or callous. You wish you were truly able to say "fuck you" to your detractors, but in reality it hurts you to be judged and/or rejected. Deeply. You wonder sometimes if life might be easier if you were just a guy. When people see you at parties, they might assume you're a snob or a bitch, but once they get you talking your candor and heartfeltness disarms them. If you can just desensitize yourself a bit, you'll have a chance at peace and happiness. If not, you'll make yourself miserable for the rest of your life."

As long as I'm not posing with a guitar like some Barbie-blob mess on an album cover several years down the line, I'm happy.

BTW here is the video from "Never Said," which is taken from her 1993 album Exile In Guyville.

Reflections on Gay Culture Column

2009-04-12T18:30:00.002-04:00

The latest edition of my Philly Gay Calendar column is now up. It's actually a continuation of the post I did back in June last year on what is going on with gay culture today. Since that inital post several events have happened, such as gay bookstores and gay bars either closing or rumors about them closing. So I thought I'd write a more detail version of my views on gay culture, like what's happening to it, and not neccessarily for the better, and why it should be perserved.

REFLECTIONS OF GAY CULTURE TODAY

François Sagat banned from YouTube

2009-04-12T17:14:00.004-04:00

Recently YouTube decided that porn hottie François Sagat had posted one too many racy videos, so they deleted his account and banned him from making new ones. He responded on his blog saying "All that shit for a video of me wet, dressed in white underwear in the swimming pool, waouh so shocking" and told YouTube to "GO FUCK YOURSELF." Will Clark, a former porn star who runs the Gay Porn Bingo Night up in NYC, and whose Facebook account was shut down last month, remarked that YouTube's action was "typical of a company that starts out on the fringe and then aims for a "family friendly" crowd."

Anyhow, François does grant us one final YouTube apperance. Shame that we won't be seeing his handsome visage on that website as much as before.

And now this gives me the excuse of posting some of my favorite François photographs:

The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence

2009-04-12T15:10:00.002-04:00

Thirty years ago this Easter weekend, The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence were founded in San Francisco. A drag troupe that champions gay and safe-sex issues and does it with a sense of camp and humor, they were the first organization, gay or straight, to distribute a safe-sex pamphlet during the beginning of the AIDS crisis in San Francisco in 1982. In celebration of their 30th anniversary, there are events throughout the city including an exhibit of archival photos, an annual Easter Bonnet Contest, and even a Hunky Jesus Contest.

Happy Ethel Merman Disco Album Day!

2009-04-01T21:07:00.000-04:00

I've posted about The Ethel Merman Disco Album three years ago on this very day. So today I'd like to present a clip of Ethel going on The Tonight Show in 1979 to sing "Alexander's Ragtime Band" from that imfamous album. Love the wah-wah "Shaft"-like guitar strumming on this version!

The Premios Darbo Award

2009-03-13T01:00:00.002-04:00

A couple of weeks ago I had been tagged by the Divine Ms. Jimmi for the Premios Darbo Award. I was flattered that she included me among her five chosen blogs, and yet I was ashamed because I haven't blogged as much as I used to. More encouragement to get some more damn bloggin' done!

After doing a little online searching, here is the lowdown on the Premios Darbo Award:

"Given for recognition of cultural, ethical, literary, and personal values transmitted in the form of creative and original writing. These stamps were created with the intention of promoting fraternization between bloggers, a way of showing affection and gratitude for work that adds value to the Web.

The rules:

1) Accept the award by posting it on your blog along with the name of the person that has granted the award and a link to his/her blog.

2) Pass the award to another five blogs that are worthy of this acknowledgment, remembering to contact each of them to let them know they have been selected for this award."

This award seems to have originated from the Spanish language blogs, with "Premios Darbo" translating into "Dart Awards."

Anyway, here is what that Ms. Jimmi said about my blog:

"Chris Krakora is a writer for Philly Gay Calendar and his own blog. Socialite of the Leather Scene and one of the most knowledgeable people on music--Chris write it all."

So for the past couple of weeks I have been racking my brain on which blogs I would choose to pass this along, and what to say about them. So forgive for being overdue with this, but I finally made my mind up now. And so it is time to pay it forward:

Relections of a Rock Lobster - In betweens the playlists of the Sex Dwarf parties and WXPN's New Wave Rock of the 80's radio program Land Of The Lost, DJ Robert Drake tells stories of going on the new music scenes in Philly and NYC during the 80's and the people who lived them.

Circle In A Square - Another Philly-area blog, with tales of a life with a gay bear-ish spin. Mr. Circleinasquare may not post a lot, but there's some smart writing here.

Hot Lunch - Right now it doesn't seem to be up (or it's by invite-only), Mr. Hot Lunch has been going through an inspiration crisis for the moment. It is/was like a Canadian brother blog with a lot of similar tastes in music and culture.

XO's Middle Eight - Stephen Sears writes one of my favorite music blogs. He's got some great pop music tastes (Euro/dance/alternative/gay-ish) and some articulate opinions to back them up. And he's on the ball on getting hip to new music and getting there early as well (he got into the self-titled Robyn album back when it was first a Swedish import from 2005, which said album got an US release two and a half years later).

Hablo Ennui - Chicago's Mike Bennett also does some interesting writing on music. (He used to wrote for Fufkin.com.) He writes about rock, indie, alternative and new music. He gives some detailed and sharp observations describing albums and other music-ralted items.

Thanks again to Jimmi to giving me this! I'm honored!

Miss Piggy does Peaches!

2009-03-06T23:31:00.001-05:00

I saw this hilarious video played at the most recent Get Out And Get Laid night at the Bike Stop this past Thursday night. (Thanks to DJKZ for turning me onto this!) Here is footage of Miss Piggy and the Muppets edited to a track by singer/electroclash musican Peaches. The end result is Miss Piggy looking like she's singing to Peaches' signature track "Fuck The Pain Away." Brilliant!

Reboot Blog

2009-02-28T18:19:00.001-05:00

Okay, I know that I haven't put anything new up here for over six weeks. I need to manage my time better. I need a kick in the ass to resume blogging, but I'm not sure how to go about it. Is it writer's block, procrastination, or both?

Philadelphians Living Nativity

2009-01-06T20:15:00.004-05:00

Since today is the "Twelfth Day of Christmas," here is the first annual Philadelphians MC Living Nativity, which was done as part of the Bike Stop's decorating party on December 14 (which BTw was a blast). This is taken from the Philadelphians MC's YouTube channel page. Enjoy!

The Amy Winehouse Synchronized Swimmers--The Video!

2008-12-31T21:26:00.004-05:00

Three months ago I blogged you with some pictures of the Amy Winehouse Synchronized Swimming performance that went on the Olympia XX run back over Labor Day weekend. Well, two videos featuring the performance have turned up on YouTube last week!

First is the one put up by the Philadelphians MC YouTube channel. Notice that I turn up in a crowd shot at the 1:30 mark.

Now here another video (which turned up two days after the first one) taken from a different location of the pool. This video also lingers on for a minutes after the performance, which you can here some funny post-show quips.

Anyway I hope you've enjoyed it. Happy New Year!

Christmas Wrapping Light Show

2008-12-25T21:49:00.004-05:00

Here is a video of a house with Christmas lights grooving along to the Waitresses's 1981 song "Christmas Wrapping."

I hope that this holiday season hasn't been a hectic one for you!

Philly Leather Weekend Social this Sunday

2008-11-15T07:46:00.000-05:00

This weekend is Philadelphia Leather Weekend, even though it was just announced that the Philadelphia Leather Contest, which was supposed to be on November 15 (my birthday), was cancelled because there weren't enough contestants this year. It's quite a disappointment if you ask me. Needless to say the other events happening this weekend will still go on, including the Philadelphians MC's Leather Weekend Social, which will be held at the Bike Stop, which is at 206 S. Quince Street in Philly, on Sunday November 16 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM. There'll be a keg of cheap beer, jello shots, and a 50/50 raffle. Do stop by if you can!

It's my birthday, bitch!

2008-11-15T00:05:00.001-05:00

Today's my birthday, where there's more than one way to blow out the candle...

Philadelphians MC 34th Anniversary

2008-11-13T01:01:00.000-05:00

My Halloween night might have been a disappointment, but the rest of that weekend went better. I worked on the following Saturday morning, then I quickly changed into my club uniform shirt as I drove to Paoli to take the R5 train into Philly. (I felt like Clark Kent changing into Superman, where's a phone booth when you need it?) Driving to the station, I couldn't believe how warm it was--71 degrees F in November--I didn't even need to bring a jacket. Met my club brothers at Tavern On Camac, where the club anniversary brunch was held from 2:00 to 4:00 PM. It was fun and the food was very nice. Then we had our club photos taken--above is one where all of us were giving our best Sarah Palin wink. Then we went to the Bike Stop for cocktail hour.

The following evening WOOF Philly had the club as the guest of honor. Took the train in again and picked up a quick burger before going there. WOOF was very nice even if there weren't a lot of people there that evening. I had fun talking to the club brothers and other friend that did make it there.

Halloween 2008 photos

2008-11-03T10:44:00.001-05:00

I'd have to say that Halloween 2008 was a disappointment. I went to a costume party on the Saturday before Halloween in Aston, PA as Indiana Jones and had a fun time there. Above are three photos from that party.

My original plans for Halloween night was to go the Bike Stop in Philadelphia for the Philadelphian's MC bar costume social working the same outfit, but unfortunately I came down with a head cold the night before. Considering that I had to be at my day job early Saturday morning, staying up late with a cold the night before wouldn't be a wise thing. So I stayed home and listened to "Land Of The Lost," Robert Drake's monthly New Wave radio show on WXPN instead.

Fortunately the rest of the weekend was better. I'll blog more about it later...

Favorite (unoffical) Political Endorsement 2008

2008-11-03T01:00:00.002-05:00

French porn hottie François Sagat lets us know who'd he vote for president if he was a US citizen.

You can see a couple more pics at Francois's blog.

BTW you can get your own YES WE CAN Obama cola here.

Last weekend's recap

2008-10-24T21:55:00.001-04:00

The Voyeur fundraiser at the Bike Stop in Philly this past Friday was fun and successful. The bar was decorated nice with windows hanging from the ceiling, and black and white photos were projected on a couple of large screens, giving the bar the appropriate atmosphere. There was a huge theater scrim covering the stage. About every half hour from 6:00PM to 9:00PM, the lights would come on and people would walk on and they would perform by doing different fantasy scenes or BDSM demos. I performed in two of those demostrations, including the final one at 8:30PM where I and four other members of the Keystone boys of Leather would do a group grope scene onstage. It was fun for me to unleash my inner porn star.

The following night I was in Asbury Park, New Jersey, to watch to Mr. and Ms. New Jersey Leather Contest at The Circuit and I had a good time there. Pretty good crowd turnout. The contest was emceed by former porn star Will Clark. Four men and two women competed for the titles. John Nowak won the Mr. New Jersey Leather 2009 title, and Caren Cunningham won the Ms. New Jersey Leather one. Last year's Mr. Leather New Jersey, Spanky, gave a good stepping-down speech. Spanky was the person who got me into the leather culture fifteen years ago and I thought he did good representing the New Jersey title in the past year.

Voyeur this Friday!

2008-10-16T21:04:00.001-04:00

I've been asked to perform in a couple of scenes for Voyeur, a fundraising event for the Mazzoni Center Holiday Toy Drive and the Keystone boys of Leather. It will go on from 4:00PM to 9:00PM this Friday, October 17, at the Bike Stop in Philly. There will be several scenes/demos happening on the stage starting around 6:00PM. It'll be like a very kinky happy hour! The event was created by Mr. Philadelphia Leather 2008 ScottDaddy and Michael Casey. And if you go, wear black and white.

What I did at OUTFest 2008

2008-10-16T21:00:00.005-04:00

Again I'm playing catch-up with my blogging. Meant to write earlier this week but I had several things I needed to do before.

I was at the OUTFest block party in Philly this past Sunday and I had a pretty good time. The weather very warm that day. Saw the Dumpsta Players perform on the stage and they were very enjoyable with their riffing on pop culture. The Divine Ms. Jimmi was working a roach print dress (which was made by Brad Stewart, a/k/a Gidget Gein, who passed away last week from a drug overdose) as she lip-synched to the Joan Jett cover of AC/DC's "Dirty Deeds." (The Dumpstas also performed at Fluid last night--heard that was a good show as well--but unfortunately I couldn't make to that one.)

The main floor of the Bike Stop was pretty packed that evening as members of the Philadelphians MC were selling pints of beer from a keg. Good crowd. I wound up stripping down to a black jockstrap and I got quite a few compliments. I've been wearing jockstraps more often when I go to leather events, but I'll tell you more of that some other time. ;-)

I'll Always Love You More Miles Away

2008-10-16T20:26:00.003-04:00

Yesterday Madonna and Guy Ritchie announced that they were divorcing after being married for eight years. It wasn't a big surprise to the gossip followers, since break-up rumors followed the couple during the past couple of years. Ironically the announcement happened just when "Miles Away," the third single from her Hard Candy album, was just coming out.

Here is a clip of Madonna performing "Miles Away" in London when Hard Candy was first released a few months back. "Miles Away" has to be my favorite track from that rather disappointing album. Listening to the lyrics it wouldn't be a shock that Madge was having marital problems.

BTW Madonna is in the middle of her latest world tour. She's supposed to be performing in Philly next month, but I doubt that I will be going.

Look what I found at WOOF Philly!

2008-10-12T07:15:00.001-04:00

Here's a photo of me with bear porn icon Jack Radcliffe taken at WOOF Philly back on September 21.

Porn Star Michael Brandon on crystal story

2008-10-12T06:59:00.001-04:00

Recently the San Francisco Weekly ran a story on gay porn star Michael Brandon and his addiction to crystal meth and his following drug arrests. Brandon was one of most profilic figures in gay porn, having worked on over 150 films as an actor and director between 1999 and 2006. He first appeared in adult films in 1989 but he wound up convincted on possesion charges and sent to jail twice in the 1990's. Following his release Michael sobered up and for a while was doing public service campaigns educating the gay community on the dangers of crystal meth. However last year he had a relapse and pretty much out of sight, hiding in motels and on the street and not only using the drug but selling it as well. The article ends with Brandon returning to a courthouse for a hearing in September, only to be arrested on new possesion charges. A pretty sad story, one that reflects the addiction of crystal meth that a number of gay men face in the past decade. Here's hoping that he will make a good recovery and that he can get his life back in order.

The Rise and Fall of the Monster article

Olympia XX photos: Amy Winehouse Edition

2008-09-30T07:00:00.001-04:00

When I posted the first bunch of photos I took at Olympia, I posted a picture featuring eight members of the Philadelphians MC done up as singer/celebrity trainwreck Amy Winehouse for a synchronized swimming routine. At the past few Olympia runs it's kind of become a tradition for a bunch of the club members to get dressed up in campy outfits for such a routine. I followed them around that Saturday morning around the camp taking a bunch of photos. (I guess that it makes me one of the paparazzi then.) Looking at them when they were developed, I figured that they needed to have their own separate post; it was too good to stick them in with the other photos. So here they are:

Now notice how they copied Amy's Back To Black look. Big black beehive, fake tattoo sleeves, a ciggy in the hand (or mouth).

Rehearsing the routine.

Light the Menorah!

"What are you looking at? We're people too!"

After running around the camp it was time to go down to the campground's pool to perform.

The Amy Winehouse synchronized swimming team finally get to do their routine to the Hot Chip remix of "Rehab."

Olympia Photos Part One

2008-09-28T21:30:00.001-04:00

Here are the photos I took at the Olympia XX run that my club, the Philadelphians MC, attended over this past Labor Day weekend. Olympia is a leather run that the Centaur MC throws every other year over that particular weekend and a number of leather and motorcycle clubs in the Mid-Atlantic region attend. (The Centaur MC is also responsible for the Mid-Atlantic Leather Leather Weekend, which happens in Janurary.) It takes place at a private campground in Southern Chester County, PA, which wasn't that far of a drive from where I live.

The three cabins that our club stayed in. The two on the right were renovated earlier this year.

At every Olympia run several members of the Philadelphians get up in some campy outfits and do a synchronized swimming routine. This year they did it dressed up as Amy Winehouse. I took quite a few photos of this and I figured that these photos deserve a separate blog post.

Our club won the title for best table decorating.

Saturday night our club throw a liver-themed cocktail party.

Notice Mike on the right is wearing a Hannibal Lecter "A census taker once tried to test me, I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice chianti" T-shirt at our party.

The crowd at our cocktail party. There were several cocktail parties with different themes throughout that weekend.

Sunday evening there was a (semi) formal dinner. Here is me, Marc, Ron and Dennis, wearing our club uniform shirts.

The Long Island Ravens MC with bagpipe player wound up escorting us to the dinner.

The cocktail party before that dinner.

More photos from the run will be up shortly. Stay tuned!

I must drive around NYC more often

2008-09-28T16:43:00.002-04:00

I love this photo of gay porn star Jake Deckard hitching in the New York City streets, which was taken by Michael Alago in March 2007.

Jake gave a two-part account of his stay in NYC during that time (which included the Black Party, a huge circuit dance event) in the Tim and Roma blog. (BTW if those two links are not working, try here.)

I'm also including a couple of more recent interviews that Jake has done this past month, courtesy of leatherandbears.com and Nick Young's blog.

Not Happy

2008-09-26T10:49:00.003-04:00

Last night due to some computer screw-up my iTunes crashed and I lost a good portion of my music in the process. Some of it I was able to recover but all the stuff I had purchased from iTunes in the past year is now GONE. ($$$ down the toilet.)

Also I think I'm coming down with a head cold (my head is feeling kind of woozy) and I'm afraid that I might have to cancel my plans for this evening, which included helping the Keystone boys of Leather out with their social at the Bike Stop tonight. Needless to say I am not happy right now.

Over A Month

2008-09-16T22:56:00.004-04:00

I know it's been over a month since I last blogged, sorry it's taken so long. It's not like I couldn't find anything to write about. Either I have been busy with different things or I had something going on in my head but I couldn't concentrate or having a serious bout of depression.

Over Labor Day weekend I went camping with the Philadelphians at the Olympia run. I should have some photos posted up here later this month.

This past Saturday evening I went down to Rehoboth Beach, Delaware to watch the Mr. Double L Leather Contest. Five contestants competed for the title. The bar was crowded, but I had a great time.

Over the next couple of weeks I'll write more about what happened over the summer.

Butch's Straight Calendar Talk

2008-09-16T07:00:00.006-04:00

The latest edition of my Philly Gay Calendar column is up and now running. In it I interview local gay celebrity Butch Cordora, who is putting out a 2009 wall calendar called Straight And Butch, which features twelve photos of him posing with straight men. Oh, did I tell you that they're naked as well? Oh, the sexual tension. Butch also talks about the upcoming tenth season of his TV show In Bed With Butch.

There will be a calendar signing at Giovanni's Room in Philly on Monday, September 22 from 5:30 to 7:00 PM. Later that evening there will also be a VIP launch party for the calendarat 12th Air Command from 7:00 to 9:00 PM.

Another Short Trip to Baltimore

2008-08-03T23:04:00.001-04:00

On Sauturday me and some of my club brothers drove down to Baltimore to attend the annual COMMAND MC's pool party, which was a lot of fun. This past week has been a frustrating one on several levels for me and I really needed this bad; fortunately this lifted up my spirits a lot. About sixty people attended the party. I wound up staying overnight at the house where it was held at, and we drove back home the next day. It was a great oppruntnity to socailize with my club brothers, since at the general club meetings as the club scribe I'm quite busy taking care of the club minutes that I don't socialize as much as I would like to. There are also some other clubs in the near future I will be looking forward to as well.

Larry Townsend RIP

2008-08-03T22:54:00.000-04:00

Larry Townsend, author of such books as The Leatherman's Handbook and Run Little Leather Boy, passed away on July 29. I remember picking up The Leatherman's Handbook 2 shortly after I started getting into leather in the early 90s and it had a sizeable influence on me. A leather mentor that will be missed.

Vintage Madonna Photo

2008-08-03T17:53:00.002-04:00

I recently came across this outtake of Madonna's Like A Virgin album photo-session with Steven Meisel back in 1984. She looked really radiant and glowing in that photo session. It still looks hot today.

Of course things are quite different these days with her new creepy "look" this past week--let's just say that she needs to eat more candy now.

The Summer's Getting Hotter!

2008-07-27T11:56:00.001-04:00

I'm taking my cue from the Divine Ms. Jimmi and posting a few pics of men that I think are hot. Hairy bodies, beards or goatees, the occasional tattoo, you know, the "woofy" kind...

No one can get me more hot and bothered than this hunk of a man right now.

Normally singing along to Screaming Britney while brushing your teeth is not sexy, but somehow this guy manages to pull it off...

A Few Things As I Catch Up

2008-07-18T19:58:00.002-04:00

First I want to belatedly congratulate Andy Liu and Steve "boyshark" Mercer for winning the titles for Mid-Atlantic LeatherSIR 2008 and Mid-Atlantic Leatherboy 2008 respectively when they competed for the titles at the Bike Stop on July 5. They go on to compete in San Francisco for the International LeatherSIR and Leatherboy titles in October.

In the picture with Andy and Steve on the right is Gary Iriza, International Mr. Leather 2008, who was one of the judges that weekend. Shortly after that I did an interview with him for PhillyGayCalendar.com, which was put up on the website yesterday. I hope that you'll find it to be a good interview. Gary is returning to Philly this weekend to judge the International Deaf Leather 2008 contest.

I've been to three of the WOOF! Philly parties in the past two months. They are being held at Sal's on 12th on Sunday nights. The last one I went to (July 6) some hot go-go dancers from New York were there and needless to say I had a lot of fun.

And finally there are a few blogs by gay porn stars I have been following as of late (obviously they are NSFW):

Steve Cruz (His recent "The Tao of Sexy" posts are fun to read.)

Damien Crosse

Mike Dreyden (This is the short guy with the green plaid shorts and Nasty Pig cap who was on the stage with the other porn actors at Folsom Street East 2008 that I had a crush on. He was also one of the go-go boys that were at said July 6 WOOF! Philly party.)

Folsom Street East 2008

2008-06-24T22:37:00.000-04:00

On Sunday I went up to New York City for the day to go to the Folsom Street East block party, and needless to say I had a blast. My train arrived at Penn Station at 1pm, so I had a salad at a nearby Cheslea restaurant before heading over to where Folsom was, which on 28th Street between 1oth and 11th Avenues. By mid-afternoon about ten thousand leathermen, leatherwomen, fetishists and bears had packed the block party. The weather that day was kind of schizo to say the least; it rained a bit that morning but then it cleared up for a while, and then it started raining again around 5:15pm and would go on for about 45 minutes, yet strangely the sun was simultaneously shining for half that time as well. But hey it did clear up for a bunch of porn actors to bump and grind onstage and a closing solo set by Bob Mould. Then I was off catch the 8:14pm NJ Transit train back home. (I wouldn't get home until three and a half hours later since I took the local rail-lines all the way home.)

Anyhow, here are the pictures I took:

I saw quite a few Philly people up at FSE, such as fellow Philadelphians Ron and Marc.

This was taken up on the roof deck of the Eagle around 4pm.

Crowd shot of the beer garden section outside the Eagle at 5:15pm, just when it started to rain again.

Same shot a few minutes later with it pouring down. Luckily I had the smarts to stash an umbrella in my backpack. But for the rest trying to find cover, Joe My God would say that, "we all just left our cakes out in the rain."

Chi Chi LaRue MC'd the FSE stage, and was perpared for the weather and to say what Rihanna ought to really do with her umbrella.

The rain died down by 6pm, so a batch of gay porn stars were brought onstage to perform a steamy gropefest behind a semi-transparent shower curtain. I liked the short, dark, muscular one in the center with the Nasty Pig cap and green plaid shorts, but I forgot what his name was, dammit. (One of the porn performers has just blogged about it, so it's clearly NSFW.)

Around 6:30pm Chi Chi introduces seminal rocker Bob Mould.

Bob opened his half-hour electric solo set with Sugar's "Hoover Dam." The set consisted a mix of his Sugar-era material and his solo work, with Husker Du's "Makes No Sense At All" concluding his performance.

And I got to meet Bob backstage for a quick photo. A good ending to a very enjoyable day.

Some Pride Photos 2008

2008-06-23T22:30:00.001-04:00

Sorry I haven't been blogging much these days. It's not like there wasn't a lot going on recently. Here are some photos I took at various gay pride-related evnts in the past three weeks.

The FOREPLAY block party in Asbury Park, New Jersey on Saturday May 31 taken at 7:00 PM.

The line-up of various past and present titleholders of Mr. and Ms. New Jersey Leather.

On Friday June 6 The Keystone boys of Leather held their inital meeting in the basement of The Bike Stop in Philly.

More than two dozen boys and their supporters came from as far as Harrisburg, New York City and DC to attend the inaugural meeting.

"Britney! Britney! Over here! Keep your legs closed!"

Following the meeting, the Philadelphians and Keystone boys held a joint bar social at the Bike Stop. Here I help sell pints of beer from the keg.

Taken at the Philadelphia Gay Pride Parade on Sunday June 8.

Mr. Philadelphia Leather 2008 Scott Daddy poses for a picture with me by the Bike Stop float.

Philadelphians MC captain John and I went to the WOOF! party following the parade and festival. It's being held every Sunday evening at Sal's on 12th in the gayborhood.

Tomorrow I'll post some photos I took at Folsom Street East when I was up in New York City yesterday!

Reflections on Pride 2008

2008-06-23T18:14:00.003-04:00

And with one more week of gay pride left this month, here's my reflection on gay pride this year:

About a week and a half ago, I read that cartoonist Alison Bechdel said that she was going to stop drawing her comic strip Dykes To Watch Out For after a 25-year run of being featured in dozens of gay newspapers. That got me thinking about the state of gay culture at this point of time. It concerns me that gay culture might be dying since gay kids today are thinking that we don't need gay-only culture like gay bars anymore since mainstream society has starting to pay lip service in accepting gays. But I'm afraid they have a false sense of security really, considering that there are still a lot of people in this country that will doing anything to denying us gay people our rights, which we still don't have. We still don't have any national anti-gay discrimination laws, and there are upcoming ballot iniatives in Califronia and Florida this fall saying that if these are passed, anti-gay marriage laws will be written into their state constitutions. I'm afraid that if gay media and culture dies and then the cultural gatekeepers will end up deciding that they they won't feature gay people in the mainstream media anymore, and then us gay people will end up being gas-lighted culturally and nothing left to see the reflection of our lives. We really can't rely on the mainstream media all of the time; us gay people need to learn to do it ourselves and create our own media and culture to service and reflect the gay community. Just get the job done yourself, Daddy isn't always going to be around to help you tie your shoelaces.

And in the meantime, Happy Pride.

UPDATE: The Divine Ms. Jimmi has posted on his blog his response after reading this post. Interestingly he mentions that in history there have been enlightened cultures that accepted gay people, but then they collapsed and more repressive forces took over (like 1920's Germany giving way to the anti-gay Nazis). History does not always move forward. Definitely check that out.

New Philadelphians MC social this Friday!

2008-06-03T21:30:00.000-04:00

The Philadelphians MC proudly welcomes the Keystone boys of Leather (KboL) with a bar social featuring Smithwick’s beer on draft for only 3 dollars a pint!

The Philadelphians MC & Keystone boys of Leather's Pre-Gay Pride Social will be on Friday June 6 from 9PM to 1AM on the main floor of the Bike Stop, which is on 206 South Quince Street in Philly. I'll be there, and I hope that you will too!

Also, just prior to that, the Keystone boys of Leather will be holding their inaugural meeting in the basement of the Bike Stop at 7:30pm that same evening. This will be a friendly, casual get together for everyone to meet, socialize, discuss, and plan the future of the club!

Fave Sex and the City Music Part 1

2008-06-03T21:18:00.000-04:00

Since the new Sex and the City movie is now out (I haven't seen it yet, but I do plan to see it later this week), here's a clip featuring the concluding minutes from the Season 3 finale of "Cock a Doodle Do!" Notice that the song playing in the background is "Above The Clouds" by Amber.

Amber's "Above The Clouds" was featured as the opening track to her 1999 album Amber. It was the follow-up single to her Top 40-crossover hit "Sexual." It didn't have the same pop crossover action as "Sexual," but it did top Billboard's Club Play Chart. Here Amber performs "Above the Clouds" at Much Music in Toronto back in 2000.

"Above The Clouds" was remixed by several DJs, most noticeably by Thunderpuss.

BTW a couple of years later Amber would write a song titled "Sex and the City" but it would not be used in the TV series, though it did wind up on her 2002 album Naked. She also more recently attempted to put the song on the new SATC motiom picture soundtrack, even suggested that Jennifer Hudson record it for the film, but that didn't happen either. You can currently hear that track up on her MySpace page, and read about it on her blog there.

How I kicked off June

2008-06-03T19:21:00.004-04:00

I spent this past Saturday and Sunday in Asbury Park NJ kicking off Gay Pride Month. Saturday I was at the NJ FOREPLAY block party, which was in front of the Cruisin/Circuit gay club. I had a good time even though it did rain for about ten minutes around 4pm, but that quickly passed over. A nice trail run for Folsom Street East in NYC later this month. Sunday was the New Jersey Gay Pride Parade. Watched the parade go by, it was about only half an hour long. Good turnout--I heard that 15,000 turned up at the festival. Very sunny and hot. Ran into a few people from Philly. Over all I had a good time. Next up: Philly Gay Pride this coming Sunday!

Friday Video #73: IML 1986

2008-05-23T20:19:00.003-04:00

Since this weekend the annual International Mr. Leather Contest is happening in Chicago, I'd like to show a clip of the highlights from the 1986 IML contest, courtesy of the Leather Archives & Museum in Chicago. BTW that would be the only year that a contestant from Philadelphia would win that title (so far). (P.S. it's kind of NSFW.)

I wish I could say that I was going there this year, but I'm not. Hopefully I'll be there sometime before I die.

Baltimore Gay Bookstore closes

2008-05-23T11:23:00.001-04:00

Earlier this month I went down to Baltimore to attend the COMMAND MC's 20th anniversary dinner (which was a blast). While I was down there I found out that the Lambda Rising bookstore there was closing its doors (they were having a 30% off sale on their books). I guess that they could no longer take the competition with the big-chain bookstores and the internet. Which is a shame really. (There are no plans to close the Lambda Rising bookstores in DC and Rehoboth Beach fortuneately.)

It seems like a lot of place I like to frequent are now closing or are in danger of closing. If it's not gay bookstores (I hope that Giovanni's Room here in Philly won't close their doors anytime soon), it's record stores (good-bye Tower Records, Spaceboy Music, etc.). And if it's not that, it's gay bars; Last week I heard that the Raven in New Hope have closed up, and just before the summer starts, talk about bad timing. Sometimes it feels the circles I go around in are under siege these days.

Pre-Mom's Day Philadelphians MC social Saturday!

2008-05-02T11:26:00.002-04:00

The Philadelphians MC’s Pre-Mom's Day Social will be on Saturday May 3 from 9PM to 1AM on the main floor of the Bike Stop, which is on 206 South Quince Street in Philly. 50/50 raffle, Michelob Beer, the usual bells and whistles. See you there!

Hot Candy Mess

2008-05-02T10:50:00.005-04:00

Okay the new Madonna album Hard Candy finally came out on Tuesday. So far after a few listens I'm 50/50 on it. Better than I thought it would be, but still I think that this is one of her weaker albums. It's a little too slavishly faithful to the hip-hop-pop formula for my tastes. The tracks that comes off the best IMHO are the ones that stray the furthest from that formula.

There has been some comparisons between this album and Bedtime Stories, and I think that they are kind of off. While both employed up-to-the-minute "urban" producers, the two have very different vibes. BS has a smooth, laid-back vibe, while HC goes in the opposite direction with a more assertive, in-your-face, and "hard" feeling. Plus when Madonna did Bedtime Stories she pretty much could do whatever she wanted she could get US radio airplay. That's no longer the case given in the past few years the Hot 100 chart positions of singles like "Hung Up" and "American Life" were more fueled singles and download sales rather than airplay. With Hard Candy, Madonna clearly wants to have a US radio hit and she's more than willing--desperate even--to submerge her own identity in the shadow of the name hip-hop producers in order to get some airtime along with the Pussycat Dolls of the US airwaves.

Here's my impression of the tracks:

1. Candy Shop - It's an improvement on the leaked version that came out last year, but still it's a bit of a weak kick-off for the album, and the candy-as-sex theme has already used in pop/rap records in the past couple of years, such as 50 Cent's "Candy Shop," Mika's "Lollipop," and most recently,Lil Wayne's "Lollipop." Though I think that given the type of songs that get played on US pop radio these days, if this becomes a single, it will become mind-numbingly big on the US charts.

2. 4 Minutes - I've kind of warmed up to this, but I still think that it's a hot mess. This would have worked better if Madonna had done this as a solo record instead of a duet with Justin Timberlake/Timbaland. With all three singing lead it becomes a bit too much.

3. Give It 2 Me - Not a bad choice for the second single. This is Madge's version of "Maneater," only with a more synthy sound. Funny considering that this track actually was produced by Pharrell Williams, not by Timbaland who produced that Nelly Futardo single.

4. Heartbeat - would have made a better impression on me if there was less of that hippity-hoppity-clappity production.

5. Miles Away - This is probably my favorite song the album. It sounds like something from the American Life era, only it's filtered through Timbaland.

6. She's Not Me - With a joyous vibe that harks back to her debut album, this would have been great if it was edited down to four minutes. At 6+ minutes it a bit of a drag.

7. Incredible - Also could have been edited down to 3-4 minutes as well.

8. The Beat Goes On - The album version no longer sounds the knock-off of Justin's "Like I Love You" like the leaked version was last year, but still it's not all that interesting. Not worthy single material.

9. Dance 2night - Another duet with Timberlake. The track that uses the most hip-hop-pop cliches and ends up being the creative nadir of the album IMHO.

10. Spanish Lesson - Pharrell Williams gets all Evita. Nuf said.

11. Devil Wouldn't Recognize You - The devil should have edited this one down instead; it too drags at its 5+ minute length.

12. Voices - This track reminds me of that Paul Oakenfold remix of Mark Ronson/Daniel Merriweather's "Stop Me" with its moody synths over the drum loop. Still, this closer is one of the highlights of the album for me.

Madonna clearly wants to make Hard Candy her "ghetto pass" back to US pop radio. And she might end up getting that. Oh well at least she's getting some air time with "4 Minutes (To Get My Music Back Onto Clear Channel)", though it seems Top 40 radio's interest in that track has already peaked by now. As someone who loved her last album Confessions On A Dance Floor, I just wish that she didn't have to "sell out" her artistic instincts by conforming to what Clear Channel determines what is an acceptable pop song in the 2000's.

Prom Picture

2008-04-18T23:45:00.001-04:00

I was in Philly this past Wednesday to watch the Dumspta Players perform Prom Trash 2008. Notice the T-Shirt I was wearing, which features the cover of Hole's Live Through This album; quite appropriate considering the evening's theme. Thanks a lot to the Divine Miss Jimmi for taking this photo of me!

Friday Video #72: Whateva! I Do What I Want!

2008-04-11T20:59:00.002-04:00

Recently all twelve seasons of South Park can now be viewed in their entirety online at the new South Park website at http://www.southparkstudios.com/. To celebrate I've put up a clip of one of my favorite South Park moments. Here Cartman goes on the Maury Povich show as a cross-dressing "out of control" kid and competes with a teenage girl on who is more "out of control." It's from the episode titled Freak Strike, which first aired back in 2002.

4 Minutes To Alienate Your Core Audience

2008-04-11T11:45:00.002-04:00

It seems that the staff at Madonna's label Warner Brothers has gotten a bit hyper-sensitive these days. It seemed that someone didn't like that some unofficial remixes of her leatest single "4 Minutes" were being put up on the multimedia section of a certain dance/DJ forum board and sent a letter threatening to sue the person running it. Not only the multimedia section was taken down because of that, most of the threads about Madonna were also taken down from that board just because some people were talking about those non-label-approved remixes.

I do believe that artists should be paid for their work and all of that, but I think that what someone at Warner's did was excessive. The DJs that were posting their mixes on that board are Madonna fans who are more likely to support her official remixes, albums and singles by buying them (as well as merchandise, concert tickets and everything else Madonna). These fans have given her support when the US radio stations stopped paying attention to her recent singles in the past five years and just want to help publicize her music. And that forum board is aimed towards DJs and fans of dance music, it's not the whole world who's stopping by just to pick some free mixes. And what does her record label do to pay back that favor? They treat those fans as thugs and criminals by threatening to sue them, even for talking about those "illegal" mixes! So now some of those are pissed and are now not going to buy/support the new Madonna album and/or any other releases from that label! Way to go Warners! You've wound up alienating fans that have supported Madonna when US radio pretty much ignored her recent records and there going to be the devil to pay when the new Madonna single won't chart as high on Billboard's Dance chart and that some sales of that new Madonna album is lost in the process. No winder the music industry is in the shitter.

Oh yeah, IMHO that new hip-hop sellout Madonna/Justin Tinkerlake single "4 Minutes To Get My Music Back Onto Clear Channel" is a big hot crass mess. It would have worked better if it was just Madonna singing lead all of the way through instead of as a duet with Tinkertoy/Timbaland. As it is with all three singing lead, there's just too much going on. And that video, WTF? It looks like it was directed by someone who had ADD with all that hyper-editing and special effects going on there. Worst Madonna video in some time. After seeing this, I miss Confessions Madonna even more.

Friday Video #71: Travel Round, Travel Round

2008-03-21T20:28:00.001-04:00

Simple Minds may be best remembered by US listeners for their 1985 hit "(Don't You) Forget About Me," but one of my favorite songs of theirs would be "I Travel," which is taken rom their 1980 album Empires and Dance. Here's a clip of the band performing the song live at the Oxford Road Show back in 1983. Notice that in the clip singer Jim Kerr slightly changes a lyric in the second verse--in the original version it goes: "Love songs playing in the restaurants,
Airport playing Brian Eno." Here he changes it to "Aiport playing 'Baby's On Fire!'," which refers to a Brain Eno song released in 1974.

If You're Not Doing Anything This Saturday Night

2008-03-14T10:20:00.000-04:00

The Philadelphians MC’s St. Patrick's Day Social will be on Saturday March 15 from 9PM to 1AM on the main floor of the Bike Stop, which is on 206 South Quince Street in Philly. Hopefully I'll be there!

Friday Video #70: Iggy Does Madonna

2008-03-14T10:05:00.001-04:00

This past Monday Madonna was one of five new inductees at the annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremony in New York. At first that doesn't seem right given that Madonna is known more as a dance/pop artist rather than a rock one. But there is more than meets the eye; back in the early 80's she cut her teeth perfoming in New York City's rock clubs like Max's Kansas City and CBGB's as a rock act. Plus some of her songs do flirt with rock, like "Burning Up," "Ray Of Light," parts of her American Life album, and "I Love New York" from her last album.

Anyway Madonna herself did not perform at the ceremony, instead she asked the legendary rock star Iggy Pop to perform on her behalf. So here is Iggy and the Stooges doing "Burning Up" and "Ray Of Light."

Friday Video #69: Charms In Limited Supply

2008-03-07T21:30:00.002-05:00

Amazing what you can find on YouTube sometimes.

A poignant and obscure synth-pop song from Joe Crow back in 1982 called "Compulsion." Released on the Brit indie label Cherry Red, it can be found on the label's compilation album Pillows & Prayers. "Compulsion" would later be covered by Martin L. Gore of Depeche Mode when he released his first solo record Counterfeit in 1989.

Madonna's Ray Of Light is 10 today

2008-03-03T08:40:00.001-05:00

Ten years ago today, Madonna's Ray Of Light album was released in the US (March 3). Here she dabbled with the "electronica" movement by having William Orbit (as well as previous collaborator Patrick Leonard and herself) produce the album. It would be a big commercial success with several hit singles such as "Frozen" and the title track, and it's considered by some to be the artistic high point of her career. And it's my personal favorite album of all time. Happy Birthday, Ray of Light!

Friday Video #68: Bob Mould

2008-02-29T20:37:00.003-05:00

I've been enjoying the latest Bob Mould album District Line, which was released earlier this month. He's best known as the guitarist, singer, and songwriter for rock bands Hüsker Dü in the 1980s and Sugar in the 90s. He's also released several solo records as well. Here is a video of the electronic press kit promoting the District Line CD.

You can listen to all of the tracks from District Line from Bob's Last.fm page, and his MySpace page is also currently streaming several tracks from that album

BTW Bob will be performing at the Trocadero in Philadelphia on March 14. Hopefully I will be there.

Friday Video music updates

2008-02-29T11:00:00.002-05:00

A couple of updates on a couple of acts featured in my Friday Video segments:

Yazoo, or Yaz as they're known in the States, has just announced they have extended their reunion tour by adding some dates in North America later this summer. I'm hoping that there will be a Philly date, or at least a couple in New York.

Last week I mentioned about Capitol Records's indesicion on what would be the first US single off of Kylie Minogue's X album. Well they've chosen "All I See" as the first US single. Not a bad choice really--I remember listening to this when X first came out back in November thinking that it sounded like something that the US label would pick to get on US radio. Lyrics are kind of a bunch of cliches but of course this is aimed at the Clear Channel radio stations which are not exactly a hotbed of musical sophisication. Nice understated delivery by Kylie that makes it worth listening to. (Though I still stand by my decision that "Sensitize" would have made a better US single.)

Hedging their bets on getting US radio airplay, the company is releasing a rent-a-rapper remix (how innovative...not!) of "All I See" featuring Mims, best known for his US hit single "This Is Why I'm Hot." (He's also featured on a remix of Enur's "Calabria 2007," which is currently rising on the US pop charts.):

You Tube clip of Kylie feat. Mims - "All I See"

IMHO the remix sounds quite forced and it doesn't really add anything to the song (outside of getting US radio programmers's attention); rather it destroys any subtilies the song has. I hope that that the US top 40 stations will ignore this remix and just go for the original album version instead.

"All I See" will be released in North America on March 11.

Um, is this news?

2008-02-29T10:23:00.000-05:00

Earlier this week it seemed like every news outlet and program fell for the "story" about the Starbucks chain closing the doors at almost 7,100 of its U.S. coffee shops for three hours on Tuesday...just to give the baristas a refresher course on espresso standards.

Okay, is this supposed to be "news?" Talk about being a corporate lapdog.

With all that coverage you'd think that Britney Spears had died and Starbucks was paying tribute to her frequent patronage in the past few months by flying the flag half-mast at all of its franchises.

Friday Video #67: More Kylie

2008-02-22T21:56:00.001-05:00

Last week (February 12) Kylie Minogue's X album finally got released in the U.S., but it's just being digitally released on iTunes and other legal download outlets. It was also supposed to be released as a physical CD, but it seems to be pushed back to March now. Considering that Kylie's US label Capitol haven't even clearly decided what song will be as the first single in this country at this point, so it wouldn't be surprising if they cancel plans for putting out a physical CD. It's a shame considering that X is a joy to listen to.

Anyway this is the video to "Wow," the second UK and Australian single from her album. It was directed by Melina Matsoukas. While I do like this song, I think that there are better tracks off the album that would make better singles than this. Anyway, this video reminds me of her classic "Spinning Around" clip, which both videos take place in a nightclub; only "Wow" uses more vibrabt colors.

BTW I heard through some Kylie fan forum boards that this was going to be the first single, but so far the track hasn't been sent out to the various US dance radio outlets, nor has its mixes been put up on US iTunes.

Now here is the video to "In My Arms," which was released as the second single to other European countries. It was also directed by Melina Matsoukas, who filmed both videos in Los Angeles in early Janurary 2008. Better choice for a single than "Wow." Love the 80s new wave retro-look she's sporting here!

If I had to make a choice of what was going to be the first US single, I would have to pick "Sensitized." It wouldn't sound out of place with all that R&B and hip-hop on US pop radio right now, but it still retains its own identity. Here is Kylie performing the song on her The Kylie Show TV special, which aired in the UK late last year. (She recycles her infamous European Agent Provocateur commerical with the broncing bronco.)

One more thing, Kylie has been doing some promo for the album in the US anyway; here she is making a stopover at Perez Hilton (not really a fan of his but hey, promo is promo at this point). Hey Capitol, get a clue!

Friday Video #66: Dancing Free Until The Morning Light

2008-02-15T20:45:00.001-05:00

On Tuesday February 12, dance pop singer Amber released her latest single "This Is Your Night 2008," which is a re-recording of her 1996 hit. The new version was produced and remixed by Pathos V2 (a/k/a Wolfram Dettki, who has produced her last two albums). Amber said that she decided to re-record the song was because she got a lot of requests for it but the original version was held up by red tape with Warner Brothers, which currently owns the song (and her albums up until Amber Remixed). The new version of "This Is Your Night" is worth giving a listen to; it's got some nice spacey/trancey elements to it.

Above is the new video for "This Is Your Night 2008). It was directed by Rob Graydon.

I thought that I'd also include the video to the original version of "This Is Your Night" as well. Here it looked liked the people who made that video had seen some of Kylie Minogue's early 90's videos like "Better The Devil You Know" and decided to make it like that.

"This Is Your Night" would be the biggest pop hit for Amber in the US--it reached #24 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart.

"This Is Your Night 2008" is now availible as a legal download on digital sites on iTunes and Amazon.com.

Procrasination/Depression

2008-02-15T09:16:00.003-05:00

Yes I know that I haven't posted anything here in the past couple of weeks. I guess I haven't been feeling inspired right now to write even though there are thing worth posting about. I'm going through a big depression spell for the past few months and it has really affected my writing output. I'm not sure why. Maybe if I just post anything maybe it'll help me with getting over that bump.

Will post some more later tonight.

Does anyone else go through dry spells with their blogs as well?

Friday Video #65: Yazoo

2008-01-25T21:59:00.000-05:00

I'm really excited that the 80's synth-pop duo Yazoo (or Yaz as they're known in America) is getting back together for a UK tour and a box set titled In Your Room, which features remasters of their two albums (Upstairs At Eric's and You And Me Both) as well as b-sides, remixes, and interviews with both band members Alison Moyet and Vince Clarke. I hope that they will also be doing some dates in the US in the near future.

And to celebrate the good news, here's a clip of Yazoo performing "Don't Go" live. This song was the opening track to their Upstairs At Eric's album, which is one of my favorite albums from the 1980's.

Friday Video #64: The Cure

2008-01-18T22:41:00.000-05:00

I've been playing quite a bit of classic post-punk recently, so I'll be posting some in the next couple of Friday Videos. Here is the Cure performing "Grinding Halt" at the Underground in Boston, Mass. back in 1980. Very edgy and energetic. It's several years away from Robert Smith becoming a sort-of teeny-bop idol. "Grinding Halt" is from the band's 1979 album Three Imaginary Boys. (It would be released in America as Boys Don't Cry, with a slightly different song listing.)

Friday Video #63: Philly Leather 2007

2008-01-11T22:40:00.000-05:00

Two months ago I gave my report on the Mr. and Ms. Philadelphia Leather 2007/8 contest. Thanks to PhillyGayCalendar.com a video of the contest has just been posted up on YouTube. Three of the four conestants are interviewed, including Scott Daddy, who won the Mr. Philadelphia Leather 2008 title.

New Year's Recap

2008-01-11T22:38:00.000-05:00

I wound up staying in on both New Year's Eve and Day, but that was not my orogonal intention. I had made plans to be at a party in Norristown on New Year's Eve, and then spend the following day doing some bar-hopping in Philly. But I must had gotten some sort of bug/cold on the Saturday before that; I had a bad case of diaherra and I felt very tired for the next two days. I felt somewhat better by NYE but not well enough to go out. So I stayed in both days and watched some DVDs I had gotten with some of the gift cards I had received for Christmas, including some vintage black and white Mickey Mouse cartoons and a concert of Rufus Wainwright covering jady Garland's songbook. Not the best way to bring in 2008 but hey you can't have everything.

Crazy Deja Vu

2008-01-11T11:25:00.000-05:00

I know that by now you've heard about Britney Spears' craptacular nervous breakdown last week, but I have to say that it reminded me of when Courtney Love had to be hancuffed to a stretcher on her way to Bellvue Hospital in New York City three and a half years ago. I look at those pictures of Britney being wheeled away and I expect her to say "Today is my birthday and I had an abortion" juat like Courtney did.

BTW Brit's breakdown happened just hours after the results of the Iowa caucuses in which presidental hopeful Obama Barack came out on top. Ah, the politics of distraction.

UPDATE: TMZ.com gives a report of the night of craziness at Britney's house the night she was committed. "It involves profanity, nudity, drugs and wild mood swings," the website drools.

Friday Video #62: Radiohead

2008-01-04T23:29:00.000-05:00

Radiohead's latest album In Rainbows was released as a standard CD earlier this week. It was first released back in October of last year as a digital download for which fans could decide the price they paid.

My favorite track from the album would have to be the closing track "Videotape." It's a haunting piece that centers around a piano riff. Here is a clip of band recording the song, which is from their new film Scotch Mist. (You can also view the entire film here--52 minutes in total--which features every track from the album.)

Friday Video #61: Pretty Poison

2007-12-28T22:05:00.000-05:00

It was twenty years ago this month that "Catch Me (I'm Falling)" by the Philly band Pretty Poison peaked at #8 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart. The single was originally released on the band's own label Svengali Records back in April 1987 and it wound being a hit on the local radio stations like Power 99 and Hot Hits 98 that summer. Virgin Records took notice and signed theact and then re-released the single that fall. It would also go to #1 on Billboard's Hot Dance Club Play chart.

Here is a clip of Pretty Poison performing the track on the USA Network TV show Dance Party USA. It originated from Philadelphia, based on a local program on WWPHL-TV called Dancin' On Air.

Christmas 2007 Wrap Up

2007-12-28T21:37:00.000-05:00

Christmas wasn't a big thing this year. Got the last of my shopping done on the Thursday before. I got some gift cards for Target and Amazon.com, which I am using to get some DVDs. Still getting over that cold that I recaught earlier this month, hopefully I'll be well by the time New Year comes around. I am making some plans on what to do on New Years Eve and Day, which I will be in Philly at least one of those two days.

Somebody's been naughty...again

2007-12-24T22:54:00.000-05:00

I know, I just can't resist putting up even more pictures of Karen Walker done up as a Santa Claus dominatrix like I have for the past two years. Here is the clip from Will and Grace ("Jingle Balls," which originally aired on December 13, 2001) where Jack tries to convince his boss that he can design a Christmas window display, and has Karen help out with his "vision."

Anyway, Happy Holidays!

Philly Gay Men's Chorus's holiday CD

2007-12-21T21:22:00.000-05:00

Sorry that I forgot to post this earlier this week--the latest edition of my PhillyGayCalendar.com column, which covers the Philadelphia Gay Men's Chorus's new holiday CD titled Holiday Delights, has been posted up. BTW they are holding a CD release party at Woody’s on Sunday, December 23 from 10pm to midnight, where there will be a guest bartender from PGMC and some CD giveaways.

Friday Video #60: Santa Baby

2007-12-21T10:06:00.000-05:00

Three versions of one of my favorite Christmas songs, "Santa Baby":

First here's RuPaul performing the song on his Christmas special that aired on VH1 in 1997. It's also on his Christmas album, titled Ho Ho Ho.

Next here's Kylie Minogue on Top Of The Pops back in 2000. Her version of "Santa Baby" originally appeared as a non-album b-side of her single "Please Stay."

Finally here's the woman who put the song on the map, Eartha Kitt. This a recent performance of "Just An Old Fashioned Girl" and "Santa Baby." Love the catty put-down she makes of Madonna, who recorded the song herself back in 1987.

Holi-Dazed

2007-12-21T09:33:00.000-05:00

I caught another cold this past weekend and I wound up not going to the Philadelphians social to my disappointment. (I did make to their general meeting the following evening though.) Saw the doctor on Tuesday and I was given some anti-biotics since I hadm't gotten completely over the cold I got from last month. Last night coming home from work I had a anxiety-depressive episode--crazy Christmas traffic--and I guess I was lucky for not saying "To hell with it!" and crashing my car. I've had thoughts of suicide popping in my head but I've resisted actually doing it. I don't know if it's the cold that is messing with my head or I've been getting frayed from the holiday rush. But I'm still here.

BTW I did my last bit of Christmas shopping yesterday morning, so that's one thing to strike off my list.

Philadelphians Holiday Party/Social 2007

2007-12-14T10:22:00.000-05:00

The Philadelphians MC’s Holiday Party/Social extravaganza will be on Sunday, December 16th from 5-9pm, in the basement of The Bike Stop.

They will be doing a toy drive this year, so bring a new unwrapped toy to be given to Philadelphian children living with AIDS.

I heard that the weather is going to be iffy on Sunday, forecasts say that there's going to be a mixture of rain and snow. I hope that the weather won't be too bad, since I plan on being there.

Friday VIdeo #59: Last Christmas

2007-12-14T10:14:00.000-05:00

Here are a couple of diverse cover versions of Wham's "Last Christmas" I enjoy:

This is Jimmy Eat World's version which was released on the OC Christmas CD in 2004.

Here is Cascada's version, which is included on their recent CD maxi-single "What Hurts The Most."

Finally, click here to hear Jade Starling (singer from Pretty Poison) do a freestyle version. No video of this track, but at least it's currently streaming on her MySpace page. It first came out two years ago, but the version on her page is a new version where it's slightly re-edited and some new vocals are added (giving it a bit of a ABBA-ish sound).

Hustle and Bustle

2007-12-14T09:59:00.000-05:00

I might be a bit strange but I kind of enjoy the hustle and bustle of getting ready for the holiday, Christmas shopping and all. I usually like to spread out the gift-buying over a few weeks period; the stuff I have to mail out I usually buy first. This way I don't have to use my credit card as much as if I had bought everything at once. Also in the middle of sending out a few Christmas cards as well. Plus working on my next Philly Gay Calendar column, which will be on the new Philadelphia Gay Men's Chorus holiday CD, which should be posted up early next week.

Friday Video #58: Bearforce1 Christmas

2007-12-07T21:18:00.000-05:00

Back in August I posted a video of the all-bear boy band from Holland Bearforce1. Well, they're back. Last month they released a new video "Christmas is here," but I didn't want to foist this onto you until at least until after Thanksgiving (which is the earliest Christmas music should be played IMHO). Again, this has a high cheese factor, but what the hell? It's some fun for Christmas!

Friday Video #57: Clatter Crash Clack

2007-11-30T20:50:00.000-05:00

"It's music! Now dance!"

My favorite track by Bjork would have to be "Cvalda," taken from 2000 movie Dancer In The Dark and the album Selmasongs. With Christmas around the corner, this is the type of song that can get me into the holiday spirit without jumping the gun by playing Christmas music too early. This is the scene where Bjork perfoms the song. In it she playing a factory worker going blind and likes to fantasize about movie musicals. This is similar to her 1995 video "It's Oh So Quiet," only somewhat more frantic and over the top. Lars Von Trier directed Dancer In The Dark, and yes, that is Catherine Denevue helping Bjork out on vocals.

She should have just used Photoshop instead

2007-11-28T18:38:00.000-05:00

Madonna's got some animal activists pissed off. She was doing a photo spread of her Wiltshire estate for a Vogue book and decided to dye her sheep blue, pink, yellow and green. As a result the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) protested, saying: "Why is it necessary and what are they trying to prove? It is an irresponsible publicity stunt. It sends out the wrong message about how to use animals." Madonna insists that the dye used was temporary and did not harm the animals.

Santa Saturday 2007

2007-11-23T09:25:00.000-05:00

This Saturday I will be in New Hope, PA for the 34th Annual Santa Saturday at the Raven. The Bucks MC host this fundraiser which draws a lot of leathermen and bears from the Philly and NYC areas (as well as quite a few drag queens). Proceeds go to various AIDS and aging organiztions such as AIDS Community Alliance and Bucks County Agency on Aging. Get there early, since attendance at the last couple was pretty big--over 1,000 people. That's a lot of leather and fur!

Friday Video #56: Love Kylie X4

2007-11-23T09:19:00.000-05:00

I am so looking forward to the new Kylie Minogue album X, which will be coming out internationally on November 26. The following clip pretty much shows why I am. Here is Kylie performing "The One" on her television special The Kylie Show, which was aired in Great Britian earlier this month.

"The One" was co-produced by the Freemasons, who has done some great remix work such as Beyonce's "Ring The Alarm" and the Beyonce/Shakira duet "Beautiful Liar." Kylie just radiates sunniness and warmth here. I hope that this will chosen as a future single. It reminds me a bit of Gwen Stefani's "Cool" (which in turn reminds me of New Order).

X won't be released in America until February of next year, so I've order an import copy from Australia. As I've said in a previous post, stupid US label.

Post-Punk reunion show and other stuff

2007-11-20T22:12:00.000-05:00

My birthday was this past Thursday and I've been celebrating it in a couple of different ways. This past Saturday I was out at Tritone on South Street in Philly to see Bunnydrums, Bush Tetras, and Certain General perform, with some great vintage post-punk songs spun in between sets. I really enjoyed myself that evening.

Among the stuff I got was a Starbucks card, so over the weekend I treated myself to a couple of peppermint mocha lattes, which had just come out for the holidays. I'm not a big fan of Starbucks but they are quite tasty.

Does It Really Just Take A Fairy?

2007-11-20T21:52:00.000-05:00

The latest edition of my PhillyGayCalendar.com has just been posted up. Here I talk about the pop culture image of gay men helping out straight people, which I like to call the "good fairy." Queer Eye For The Straight Guy would probably be the best example. I admit I do watch it every time there's a new episode on, but there are certain issues the show raises that I address here. Another one would be To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything! Julie Newmar (Patrick Swayze's "Sometimes it just takes a fairy" quote from that film was the inspiration for the title of the article).

Does It Really Just Take A Fairy?

Friday VIdeo #55: Supermodel

2007-11-16T10:52:00.000-05:00

15 years ago tomorrow--November 17, 1992--RuPaul's single "Supermodel (You'd Better Work)" was released. It would reach #2 on the Billboard Dance Chart and #45 on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1993. It would become RuPaul's best known song. Here is the original video. There's also a 12" version of this video as well.

RuPaul would rerecord "Supermodel" in 2006 as "Supermodel 2006." The video here features behind-the-scenes footage of his latest movie Starrbooty. The track can also be found on his ReWorked remix album.

Philly Leather 2007 Report

2007-11-16T10:32:00.000-05:00

The Mr. and Ms. Philadelphia Leather Contest at the William Way Center this past Saturday night went very well. I arrived at the center at 5:00pm and helped with setting up. The contest started at 7:00pm. Ryan Goldner and Carlota Ttendant were the emcees for the evening. There were four male conestants, but surprisingly there were no female contestants this time around. The winner of the Mr. title was Scott Daddy and the first runner up was Andy Liu. Since there were no female contestants and the producers hated to see a good trophy go to waste, so it was decided that Carlota was chosen as an honorary Ms. Leather titleholder. After the contest I went over to the Bike Stop for an hour then I went home (I was getting over a cold). The bar was the most crowded that I've seen in a while.

Click here to see photos from the event thanks to EDGE Philadelphia.

Went back into Philly next afternoon for the Leather Victory Social, which was hosted by the Philadelphians MC. Since it didn't start until 6pm, I spent a couple of hours doing some shopping and whatnot in Center City. The CD section in the Borders on Broad and Chestnut was a mess with so many CDs misplaced in the wrong section. You'd think that with record stores closing left and right you'd think that the staff there would put in more effort in discouraging the customers that still wants to buy their music in a store. Then I had some chicken soup at a local diner, and then it was off to a nearby Starbucks for some tea (I had a Starbucks gift card given as a birthday gift). While I sat with my tea, a homeless guy came in and tried to buy something but he wound up arguing with the guy behind the cashier and left the place before the cops were called on him. The Starbucks in Los Angeles get celebrity trainwrecks like Britney and Lindsey Lohan while the ones here just get mentally unstable homeless people.

The Leather Victory social was fun. Not as busy as the previous night but it did draw a good crowd. All the male contestants showed up. I help out with selling 50/50 raffle tickets. It was over by 10pm and I went home. Fun weekend, now it's time rest up and take care of that cold so it can go away for good.

UPDATE: The Philadelphia Gay News covers the Philly Leather contests.

Philly Leather Weekend 2007

2007-11-09T21:30:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow night, Saturday November 10, the Mr. and Ms. Philadelphia Leather Contest will be held at the William Way Community Center from 7 to 10pm. This year Philly's leather community will be celebrating the 15th Anniversary of Ms. Philadelphia Leather and the 25th Anniversary of Mr. Philadelphia Leather. There will also be a Victory Social, sponsored by the Philadelphians MC, in the basement of the Bike Stop the following evening (November 11) from 6 to 10pm.

Further information about Philadelphia Leather Weekend 2007, including a complete event schedule, can be found online at http://www.phillyleatherweekend.org/

Friday Video #54: Queer Eye Anastacia

2007-11-09T08:03:00.000-05:00

I'm currently working on my next PhillyGayCalendar column, which will be up next week. It will focus on the pop culture image of the gay man helping out straights, or what I'd like refer to as "the good fairy." The TV show Queer Eye For The Straight Guy is the best example of this. As I was doing some research for this article, I came across a YouTube clip of the show's fashion guy Carson Kressley miming to the Thunderpuss remix of Anastacia's "Love Is A Crime." This was shot at a taping of the show where a "Straight Guy Pageant" was held; former guys who were helped on the show were brought back to see who had kept up with their makeovers and who hadn't. The one who did the best job keeping up was crowned "Ultimate Straight Guy." This show was taped back in 2006 but it wasn't aired until October 2007.

Sometimes it just take a fairy belting out a disco tune.

Friday Video #53: Sgt. Sass

2007-11-02T22:16:00.000-04:00

Here is a video of an up-and-coming queer hip-hop group called Sgt. Sass. "Homo Homie" (Baltimore Club Mix [remix done by Moblin]) was shot at OUTfest last month. Sgt Sass will be part of the line-up of an all-queer hip-hop night at Tritone in Philly on Saturday November 3, along with Girlz On Bikes and Mirror Boiyz.

Halloween Activities 2007

2007-10-31T23:27:00.000-04:00

This past Sunday the Philadelphians MC celebrated their 33rd anniversary with holding an anniversary lunch at Tarven on Camac from 2 to 4pm,where the various members came in costume. Including myself, which I can done up as a devil, with red glitter horns and a plastic pitchfork. (I don't have any pictures now, but I'll post a couple when I get them.) Then there was the costume bar social at the Bike Stop from 5 to 9pm. I helped out with the bar for the first two hours. The only bad thing happened was that some guy was cruising me and a couple of my club members told me that the guy was bad news, so I was hesitant in going home with him. As the evening wore on he got more aggressive with me and he had to be kicked out of the bar. It turned out that he was pretty drunk. Other than that I had a very good time with my club brothers.

Tonight it was a quiet Halloween. I watched a movie and goofed around on the internet. Played a bit of Siouxsie and the Banshees and that Thee Retrolectro Mix of Madonna's "Die Another Day" (done by Felix Da Housecat).

Now I have to mentally whip myself into shape and do more writing as well as do more housework. I have been slacking lately and I have to force myself to break out of that habit.

In case you're not doing anything this Sunday...

2007-10-26T19:15:00.000-04:00

This Sunday, October 28, the Philadelphians MC will be holding a Halloween social in the basement (a/k/a the Pit Stop) of the Bike Stop from 5PM to 9PM. There will be raffle prizes, candy and cheesy decorations, and even a "Best Great Pumpkin" contest where the best carved or decorated pumpkin brought in. Oh yeah, and a lot in people in costume as well. So if want to do any Halloween celebrating on that evening, come on over!

Friday VIdeo #52: Swing You Sinners

2007-10-26T10:54:00.000-04:00

Since Halloween is around the corner, I thought I'd show you the 1930 Max Fleischer cartoon Swing You Sinners to get you into the spirit. Done as part of the Talkartoons series (which would also be the launching pad of Betty Boop,) it looks like a warm-up for one of the best-remembered Fleischer cartoons, Bimbo's Initiation, which would come out the following year.