GAYLETTER

Eurovision is FINALLY airing in the U.S. (on LogoTV of course). I’ve been in NYC for 9 years, and have waited every year for a network to screen it (it’s a big hit on Australian TV). The Eurovision Song Contest, in case you’re new to it, is this totally bonkers live event (it began in 1956) where each country in Europe, (and Israel for some reason) sends a singer to perform a song (some songs are gloriously bad, while others are legit good tunes, France always brings it). Residents of Europe (and Israel) all vote for their favorite song, but you can’t vote for your own country, which results in some fascinating insights into inter-European politics. Neighboring countries generally vote for each other, but not always (who knew Finland and Sweden we’re such frenemies?). Eurovision has a long history of performers using the platform to advocate for the LGBTQ community, like when the amazing Conchita Wurst, a drag queen with a beard, who Russia tried to ban from the contest, said in her victory speech “We are unstoppable.” Competing for Austria in 2014, Conchita’s win, and winning speech, was just one of many moments in the history of the competition where artists used the platform to send political messages to other less-open and less-tolerant European countries. Eurovision is more than just a song contest, it’s a glimpse into the soul of Europe. The contest’s semi-finals air this Tuesday, Thursday, and the Grand Prix airs on Saturday. Marci Park in Brooklyn will be screening all three. Power to pop!  —tom

Say hello to the first great LGBTQ movie of the year. Set in Cuba, Viva follows the life of Jesus (Héctor Medina), the cutest hairdresser in La Habana, who dresses wigs for drag queen, Mama (Luis Alberto García). When a member her troupe is kicked out for being a skank, Jesus takes his chance at drag. He sucks at first, but just as he starts to get a hang of it, a stranger in the audience punches him. It turns out to be his father who walked out on him and his deceased mother when he was three year’s old. His father, named Angel (Jorge Perugorría), is a Cuban boxing legend turned alcoholic. Irish director, Paddy Breathnach takes us on an exploration of life in Cuba, challenging sexual identity, familiar love, art and acceptance. Expect to cry and laugh (and ‘awwww’ at how sweet Jesus is) throughout the film. Viva is quite simply a rich tale of emotion, oh, and did I mention that there are drag performances? These queens are real AND fucking fabulous! Watch the trailer here.  —Gayletter

I know, I know, I know, you have to work on Monday. And I’m sorry about that, but you chose to live in New York, a city with a nightlife scene that could give two shits that you have to be at your desk at 9:00AM each morning with a stupid smile on your face. Suck it up homo. Pour yourself a strong coffee, pop an Adderall, do whatever you have to to make it to work, work, work because it’s time to go out. This Sunday, May 8, at Ladyfag’s much needed (it’s gonna be poppin this Spring/Summer), and still kind of new party, Battle Hymn, GAYLETTER is hosting! We haven’t hosted a party in a hot minute so we are super excited and can’t wait to see you all there. I was at the first Battle Hymn a few weeks back and was super impressed. It’s at the Flash Factory which is a really big, comfortable space with an intense sound system. You can expect music by Kim Ann Foxman and Honey Dijon and a launch celebration for the Berlin and London based fashion magazine King Kong. Let the battle begin. See you Sunday!

We got an email awhile back about this event, and I am glad we have this platform so we can share it with you. You can never say that we don’t give you options for things to do in NYC! This event sounds perfect — it’s a walking tour called ‘Gay Bars That Are Gone.’ It’s basically a walk focused on “sharing memories and histories of gay bars gone by. The route focuses mostly on Chelsea and the Village and [it] invites people of all ages to come out and share stories from their favorite LGBT spots.” The event is part of the Jane’s Walk Festival, (which I’ve never hear of) that honors “urban activist” Jane Jacobs. It sounds like it could be a fun event, you can probably even meet your next date there or just learn something new about the historical gay social scene of NYC. Ohh and there’s an afterparty at the legendary bar Julius’ at 9:00PM. Yes queen, learn some fun queer history and get wasted, that’s how you get an education!  —Abi

Art fairs are both exciting and exhausting at the same time. They’re a chance to see some of the world’s best art, from some of the world’s best galleries, in one fell swoop, but it’s often a lot to take in. Our advice is to just start walking, and leave when you get tired. Don’t beat yourself up if you don’t see EVERYTHING. Looking at art should be enjoyable. Once it starts to feel like a chore, just go, or at least take a break. At this year’s Frieze Art Fair there’s food from some cunty NYC eateries including Frankies Spuntino and Roberta’s Pizza, plus new additions including GAYLETTER favorite El Rey and Cosme. Beyond the art there’s also talks with important art people and the new Reading Room which “offers visitors the opportunity to browse and buy a curated selection of the world’s best arts publications, and attend an exciting daily schedule of events.” We think Frieze is one of the best art fairs there is, the art is really well curated and the people that attend are often cute. See you on the boat!  —tom

Here’s a cool event and a chance to come hang with us this week. We will be co-hosting this party along with Assume Vivid Astro Focus, Tom of Finland, Print All Over Me, Artspace, Culture EDIT and the porn star Adam Killiam. “A collaboration between contemporary artists Eli Sudbrack and Christophe Hamaide Pierson of assume vivid astro focus, Tom of Finland Foundation and Print All Over Me. AVAF was given access to the complete Tom of Finland archive to morph his body of work with their visual language and code, resulting in a seamless continuation of AVAF’s application of cultural references and the most vivid adaptation of the Finnish artist’s drawings to date. This collection is set to add a “multi sensory splash and color overdrive” to the rainbow of Tom’s Men.”  This is your official Invite to join us to celebrate the launch of collection.  The event will take place at Atlas Social Club with videos by Robin Radenman and the music will be provided by JonJon Battles. Check out the promo video here!  —Abi

We had the most magical night last Friday at The Players Club on Gramercy Square Park. Neither Abi or I, knew this place even existed. Boy did we get an education. We had dinner in their new pop-up restaurant and then we were taken on a private tour after we’d finished our dessert and martinis. The Players Club was opened in 1888 by Edwin Booth, (big brother to Abe Lincoln’s killer John Wilkes-Booth). “He purchased an 1847 mansion located at 16 Gramercy Park. During his lifetime, he reserved an upper floor for his home, turning the rest of the building over to the Clubhouse. It was named a National Historic Landmark in 1962.” The club has been home to pretty much every famous actor you can think of, from Tennessee Williams to Angela Lansbury to Morgan Freeman to Frank Sinatra (pictured). Frank even paid for the club to build a private pussy penthouse on their roof so he could come there with his girlfriends and pound the p in private. That part of the club is off limits but we managed to get a sneak peak. The club is members only, but if you are interested you can ask for a tour. Members get access to the club, bar and restaurant and they can also use the club’s key to Gramercy Square Park. I’d need another 1000 words to get into all the history this club holds, but trust me it’s a place worth treasuring, and visiting!  —tom