I haven't wanted to write about GARY 49 because the night is so out of control as it is but...
It's getting so crazy that I just have to say something.

First of all, don't come!
There are lines around the block until the wee hours in the morning.
Don't come! She is packed to the rafters!


Just to bring everyone up to speed...
GARY 49 is the brainchild of Chi Chi's and my DJ daughter Sammy Jo and we're very proud of her/him.

Of course everyone always asks, "Who is Gary and why 49"?
(Remember, Our daughter grew up at JACKIE 60 and is very comfortable with numbers).
Maybe someday I'll tell you.

The crowd is eclectic with a definite "sassy slant" if you catch my drift. And all ages -which is nice.

The music is edgey, house-y, electro-y, deep, dark and sometimes downright retarded.
(all of which pretty much describes the crowd as well)

And speaking of retarded...
This brings me to the gorgeous owner of Mr. Black, one Mr. Stuart Black.
If a club is great or if it is rotten totally depends upon the owner.
It ALL starts at the top.
Most hideous clubs and bottle bars these days are owned by consortiums of investment bankers and lawyers looking to make a quick buck and it shows. At these ubiquitous clubs there is never a "there" there. They are filled with Neo-Valley Girls & Dudes texting their friends all night across the room instead of actually talking to them.

Stuart Black didn't open Mr. Black for the money and it shows. He is right there every night pushing the pandemonium in the tradition of all great New York club owners.
I never thought I'd see a night like this in New York again.
I guess one should never underestimate their children.

Mr. Black reminds me of the clubs that I first went to when I moved to New York.
Sitting on a couch with Fran Lebowitz a few weeks ago-
Fran said, "This is like the 70's".
She loved it and Fran doesn't like ANYTHING.

MR. BLACK is a miracle in this time period.
And GARY 49 is amazing.

BUT DON'T COME!!! *


* I'm using the special coloured footnote to tell you all this...
My favorite nights at Mr. Black (besides GARY 49 Fridays which are too crowded - don't come!) are Tuesdays and Sundays. Tuesdays and Sundays are filled with people but you can actually move. They are very comfortable parties and the crowd and music is the best New York has right now.

** And of course I know that by telling everyone not to come you will all want to come. Just don't complain to me, "I went to GARY 49 but it was too crowded bla bla bla.
I told you.

Ok, ok, daddy, you knew someone would have to ask...where is Gary 49, what time and how much?

I'll tell you Miss Judy but don't tell anyone else.
Mr. Black is at Bleecker Street & Broadway.
Mr. Black

Let me know when you are coming.

THE PRIDE LOUNGE:

Last Friday Sammy Jo and Stuart opened up a new "room" at Mr. Black.
The place is just way too crowded these days as you know.
Everyone was a-twitter about it. The Fag Rags were buzzin' etc. about the new "space" at Mr. Black.
They asked me to christen the new room as Sammy Jo was playing with visiting Australian bombshell DJ Sveta in the main room.
We decided to call it THE PRIDE LOUNGE (since Sunday was Gay Pride).

However...
PRIDE The Reality:
In the afternoon Stuart took the doors off one of the stalls in the ladies bathroom and set up a DJ booth on the toilet. I got all dolled-up in a pink ruffled shirt and bought a matching pink can of Glade air freshener. I brought in my little Newmark mixer and played show tunes on the toilet. Show tunes, nothing but show tunes.
THAT was THE PRIDE LOUNGE!!!

Jason (Jake Shears from The Scissor Sisters) took his shirt off, jumped up on the sink and go go danced as Superstar Paul Alexander hosted the lounge.
It was sick!

Then Sammy Jo came in and did his own set of "Toilet Tunes". Very sleazy, very hot, the crowd went wild.

Oh Sammy Jo...
How did you ever get so twisted?

I guess the "fruit" never falls far from the tree.
Your Mother and I are very proud.

THE PRIDE LOUNGE TOP 10 HITS:
1. "Keep It Gay" from "The Producers".
2. "Cabaret" from "Cabaret".
3. "Wouldn't It be Loverly?" from "My Fair Lady".
4. "A Comedy Tonight" from "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum".
5. "Climb Every Mountain" from "The Sound Of Music".
6. "The Surrey With The Fringe On Top" from "Oklahoma".
7. "There's No Business like Show Business" (Disco Version) by Ethyl Merman.
8. "If I Were A Rich Man" from "Fiddler On The Roof".
9. "Rose's Turn" from "Gypsy".
10. "And I am telling you I'm not going" (Jennifer Holiday version of course) from "Dream Girls".

(bonus track)
11. "Tomorrow Belongs to Me" from "Cabaret".

The handsome Mr. Black (on the right).

Oh Daddy you are too much. When I walked into that bathroom to the sounds of "Comedy Tonight" I almost had to cut the line so as not to explode in my pants. So brill! As a frequent patron (wink wink) of Gary 49, I have to say it is what I consider to be our version of "back in the day" clubbing. There is clearly a core family of worker bees and their friends who maintain a spirit of enjoy-this-while-we-can joie de vivre. So many people complain about how shitty or boring NYC nightlife has been AND is, and then when something like Gary happens which is bursting at the seams, they complain that it's too crowded. I've given up listening to those voices and since I usually can spot them I always tell those people, "Oh hon, best to come on Thursday (my fave night) or Sunday, you don't wanna be in that crowd of cute sweaty guys on Friday". The fact that I can say that seems such a luxury and makes me so hopeful about this space and what is to come. As Daddy said, the other nights are fab cause you have a little more space and can really chat with friends or cruise or dance in comfort. My friend pickles was sent some pics so I'll see if he can post them here.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Nancy Isla,

Hey I got some great pics from Gary this past Gay Pride friday. They were taken by the wonderful nightlife shutterbug Mark Tusk.

Here's me, Daddy and Jake. I'm in the middle of mixing which is why I look like Jerry from Facts of Life.

Me in the bathroom dj booth.

God the drinks are way too small there.

Alright we all know this is fake. I went there and it was like a news stand on the corner being cruised by two Latvians wearing nylon dayglo disco shirts with way to wide collars and polyester slacks. So much for 'the way it used to be.'

quote:

Me in the bathroom dj booth.

The BATHROOM DJ booth?

You mean THE PRIDE LOUNGE DJ BOOTH!!!!!

You're absolutely right Pickles...
I mean Nancy.
Having been a part of many legendary New York Club scenes I have to say, this is one.

DJing in the toilet was very "AREA 1985".
It was magic.
Those show tunes were playing themselves.

It reminded me of when the themes would change at AREA. People would get their crazy themed package/invitaions in the mail to the opening. The theme would be something obtuse like "Gardens" or "American Highways" and I would have to figure out how to play music for the party.
I mean what do you play for something like "Sports"?
(It actually didn't really matter because they put a swimming pool on the dance floor and it was pandemonium anyway).

MR. BLACK is definitely one of those "Back In The Day" clubs, it just that this is still the day.


wait till you see what I am wearing tonight.

It better not be a tube of chapstick and a dance belt cause I'M wearing that!

Last night was a scandal.

Yeah and you caused it.

What else is new! You can't resist being trashy on a Tuesday, can you Daddy???

ME TRASHY?
ME?!!!

What about YOU!!!!!

Ladies and gentleman, may I present DJ Samantha Jo.
Just look what my daughter is wearing to DJ in!
Slutty hot pants and a tee shirt that is just begging for an alternative lifestyle!!!

I think the toilet is a perfect place for you!

I, on the other hand...
Like a bird on the wire,
Like a drunk in a midnight choir
I have tried in my way to be free.

I did my best to bring some class to that toilet stall you stuck me in!

And by the way...
I've noticed that they are cutting the coke with baby laxative again.

But why do they have to use MY DJ booth?!!!