The Grove Gang
By Linda Dickerman
Susan Freedner and
Bruce-Michael Gelbert
Sooz Sez…
Another comment about the weather… very briefly… it’s too darn hot!
Last Saturday night we watched the rescheduled fireworks before attending the late show of the Doctor’s Fund Benefit… I want to express my personal appreciation to everyone concerned for making the necessary arrangements so that patrons could attend the show and still see the fireworks, which were terrific.
The High Fashion Follies, the 10th Anniversary edition of the benefit, conceived and directed by the amazingly gifted and dedicated Donald LaBohn, was superlative; from the marvelous concept to the extraordinary execution it was a triumph. From the staging of the opening number to the finale, the pace and performances were superb. I had so many favorites I unfortunately don’t have the space to list them all, but I laughed out loud during the “Buns” number… one of the best ever by Fluffy… our audience enjoyed the card crossings of Cobra who in spite of so many years of practice was rattled by Panzi in the front row… how did she look?, how did she look?, how did she look?, amazingly stylish…
Perhaps I am biased, but I always look forward to and am never disappointed by the West Side girls… loved Bobbi Green, Doreen Rallo, and Joanne Tavis as rapsters… you do us all proud. I was quite moved by Joanne ‘singing’ to Lois Pisano.
Although it truly is impossible to compliment each and everyone involved special mention to Richard (Urban Sprawl) Cooley for the individualized wigs as well as Harold Seeley for the sets and props which added so much to the look of the show. The High Fashion was fully realized by the many costumes… kudos to the designer(s) for creating and executing the stylish vision.
Remember… this weekend the APCG Art Show and Sale at the air-conditioned Community House… open to the General Public on Saturday from 2–5 p.m. and again from 7–10 p.m., and on Sunday from 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Linda Looks at…
Did you celebrate Bastille Day on July 14? I did at Tall Paul’s yearly get together. Some of the people who were there were Patricia, Renee, Sidney, Frank and Pierre, Pat and Lynn, Rose and Bob, and Barbara and I. Of course, we were also celebrating Barbara’s birthday, which was the day before.
Then there was dinner at Jumpin’ Jacks Restaurant for lobster. It is no longer a secret that they have a lobster special on Friday nights that can’t be beat. Many Grove regulars were there, including Bruce Miller, Michael and Cary, Craig and Peter, Dan and Jim, Frank and Pierre, and the odd couple, Bud and Audrey. Is there something going on there we should all know about? (Just kidding).
If you haven’t been to the doctor here, that is a good thing, but I just wanted to let everyone know that I have heard lots of praise for the way the doctors are treating everyone. They are professional, and are good at diagnosing problems. I hear they love the Grove, and most of them want to come back next year.
Most people have by now cut their shrubs and trees that were overhanging the walks, but some are still in the way. I found on Ivy Walk that people must walk single file in order to not walk into the bushes. It’s not just for pedestrians, but also mostly for the Fire Department. It is very important that they be able to get through in an emergency without any hindrance. If you need them don’t you want to see them as soon as possible?
Cast Call held last Sunday for the last Arts Project show of the season, “Panzi and Philomena Meet Frankenstein,” directed by Sal Piro and it looks like another winner. Who plays Frankenstein and who is Igor? Only time will tell.
Gay and Julie will be off to Santa Fe for a month, and welcome to Lois and Eleanor.
Condolences to Alison, whose mother passed away after a long illness. She has been here for a week to recover and get back to herself.
Just a few tidbits, lack of sleep increases the odds of adding pounds. Also, a new vaccine may lesson the severity of shingles, for those who are susceptible.
The blueberries have started to ripen, and I have been trying to pick them before the birds eat them all. It’s a good year, and I don’t mind sharing with the birds, but I don’t want them to get them all.
For those of you who were looking forward to the Cherry Grove Fire Department Pancake Breakfast mark your calendars for Sunday, 8/13… details as they become available.
Till next time…
Bruce-Michael Musings…
Many of our fabulous drag queens have hosted high tea, but a couple of Saturdays ago, Robert Ferri and Roger Cortez—who appear in the Doctor’s Fund Benefits and, in white briefs and black leather for Invasion, helped carry Homecoming Queen Coco Love aloft on a litter—hosted a first ever, successful Leather Tea at the Tides. In attendance and, like the hosts, attired in black leather, were their mates, pianist Dan Daly and former HQ Donna Piranha; HQ Coco, in pink, with a whip; Tides co-manager Meryl Facterman, in black leather pants; a leathery group from Philadelphia; CJ Mingolelli and Marco Herrera, publishers of FireIslandQNews.com; and Messrs. Fire Island Leather 2005 and 2001, Joe Saporito and me. Hosting tea the following Saturday were China and Tish.
On the day after Leather Tea, Bella emceed a Concerned Women of the Grove (CWOG) benefit show at the Ice Palace, with proceeds going toward research and assistance for those with cancer—particularly breast cancer—and their families. Singers and guitarists Annie and Sue began the show and, with “Over the Rainbow,” Porsche concluded it. Ivanna Cocktail, Viva Sexx, Ginger Moore, Ariel Sinclair, Demi-Tasse and Nikki Starr also performed. On August 5, from 3–7:30 pm, CWOG’s big event of the season—its 11th annual “day of fun, food, live performance, music and fabulous auction items” to help in the fight against breast cancer—takes place on the spacious grounds of Heaven ‘n Earth at the east end of Bayview. Support this worthy cause and be there!
On July 10, the Ice Palace began its new “Mostly Sondheim,” set for Mondays, from 10 p.m. to midnight, through the end of August. Hosts are young cabaret singers Brandon Cutrell and Kate Pazakis, assisted by pianist Ray Fellman, and an open mic segment featured guest singers from the city and the Island doing numbers from musicals. Alvin Crawford and Jo-el, from the cast of “The Lion King,” cabaret’s Kenny Holcomb, and the Grove’s Gassy Winds, Porsche, and I sang on the first night.
Two nights later, Sayville Ferry’s Ken Stein and Judy Stein and the Board of Directors of the Kenneth F. Stein, Jr., Memorial Scholarship Foundation held a fundraiser at Island Breeze. The foundation, which assists learning-challenged students, awarded its first scholarships to Patricia Miko and Kenneth Crawford, and funds raised at the dinner will aid a third student. That evening, Judy Stein spoke; pianist Jack Aaronson and singers Mark, Mike and I made music; and Gassy contributed her earthy presence.
Last Saturday, friends of Hurricane David West, whom we lost on April 6, remembered him at a reception, hosted by Jack Ebert and Bob Lerch, and a ceremony in Bruce Miller’s garden. David’s mother, Mitzi LaManna; friends Shelley and Jim Helsel, Peter Mommers, Jonathan Lane, Yasmina, Hector, and David; and the Grove’s Susan Ann Thornton and Nancy Adams, Bob Levine and Michael Fitzgerald, and Freddy Scarfone attended. Shelley scattered David’s ashes at a site, in Bruce’s garden, marked by flowers, stones, shells and a toy piano, which David had given to Bruce, and we sang “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow” in David’s memory.
In news from the art galleries, Barbara Ann Levy announced revisions in her schedule. Mike Fisher shows his photography at the BAL Gallery from July 28-August 13; Steven Menendez joins Diane Quero and Jens O Billie in the next show, on display through August 27; and Ladd Spiegel’s work concludes the season (September 1-24). Kenny Goodman’s Gallery and Rachel’s Restaurant in Ocean Beach have announced that “the great long wall” that joins them is available for Fire Island artists who want to show their work, in addition to that of photographer Ian Levine and Karen Button (“Texture and Color,” through August 2). Interested artists should call Kenny at 631/583-8207.
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