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…That’s What Lucky Cheng’s Burlesque Host Says, and I Agree

After leaving an Indian restaurant in the East Village, my girlfriend and I were looking for a spot to have a few drinks. We passed Lucky Cheng’s on First Avenue when she said, “Hey, want to stop in there?” I’ve been to the drag-themed bar once before for a bachelorette party, but this time we just stopped to have a “Pink Pussy” aka a cocktail related to the Cosmo. And to our surprise, it was burlesque night.

The restaurant’s back room turned into the Starshine Burlesque where real women plus one tranny and one magician got down to their pasties and undies. But it wasn’t the thought of the half-naked ladies that left an impression on me. Instead it was the introduction monologue said by Tigger- a man with drag make up wearing nothing but fishnet stockings, a NYC ‘88 top and an Empire State Building brochure covering his penis (which didn’t quite cover it at all).

Tigger compared the New York City of the late 80’s to the NYC of today and said, “Back then we didn’t need silicon tits or nose jobs, or a personal trainer. We used the beauty of talent. But nowadays, it’s all fucked because New York is getting more and more like America.” How true is that? In a post last year, I wrote about how New York City has lost some of its flavor. And listening to Tigger last night reassured me that New York just isn’t what “New York” used to mean. But, I honestly can’t describe or explain what it’s becoming and that’s quite frightening.

“I have mixed feelings about being an American, but I am definitely a New Yorker.” - Tigger

I searched for a YouTube clip of his monologue and found this amatuer video
of a previous show.

Check out the Starshine Burlesque on Thursday nights. Lucky Cheng’s. 24 First Avenue.

Bros Who Are Too Close
I recently told a guy friend of mine that he should get over his “bromances” and settle down with a female partner.

He wasn’t sure what the term meant, so I broke it down for him…

There have been recent articles, including Gawker’s “Over Analyzing the Bromance” that speak on this topic. The gossip-based Web site describes Bromance as “close friendships between hetero dudes.” Pretty simple, right?

There’s nothing wrong with guys hanging out. Happy hours or watching sports from a living room is normal behavior and for the most part, acceptable. But apparently today’s men are over-exceeding the time spent together, and many women might think that’s a problem.

No two relationships are the same, but with studies showing that the average marrying age for a man is now 27 as opposed to 23 in 1960, more women are waiting a little longer for these bromances to end. For the men involved in a bromance, I advise that you find the love of your life, get hitched, love your mate and see your boys every other weekend.

I agree that life is short and big decisions should be made carefully…but still I included some fun tips on getting serious:

Three Advantages to Getting
Over The Bromance and Settling Down:
1. Moving In Together: You can split the rent with your lady friend. Let’s face it, most couples (’couples’ can have various definitions) spend a lot of time in each other’s home. Moving in together can mean dividing cable costs, rent, groceries, utilities…The list is endless.
2. Marriage: Think about it as a business proposal. In addition to the aforementioned, you can combine your incomes, claim each other in your tax return and get loads of money back from the government.
3. Love: As corny as it sounds, everyone needs some lovin’ including tough guys who have a problem showing emotions. *mercedes sanchez

Just a few years ago the Meatpacking District was the place to be for “it” New Yorkers. And though the cobblestone neighborhood continues to be the heart of Manhattan Clubs I recently realized that the New York City of today is more different than ever. Of course every city, every neighborhood changes with each decade or generation. But there’s something odd about the new New Yorkers of the present and I am convinced that the city that never sleeps is gradually losing its flavor. And I am not just talking about the New Jersey and Long Island groupies that have taken over the city streets during the after hours. It’s something else…

Last month a friend and I were making our way into Tenjune for a red carpet, industry party. Like always there was a long line and you would think that aside the press and celebs, the publicist would let in stylish looking folks. Instead, the newbies going inside where anything but. Apparently money is making New York lose its flavor. Yea, it’s the “capital of the world”, but all the money-hungry changes have completely taken over the city. Do you think New York is losing its flavor? If so, what’s the cause of it?

Did you ever have the urge to give back during the holidays but don’t want to do the typical soup kitchen routine? Well, we found five different ways you could volunteer this season that don’t require wearing a hairnet.

1. BELLS ARE RINGING.
If you truly love Christmas in the city and don’t mind the tourists bombarding the New York sidewalks, you probably won’t mind ringing a bell for charity while standing on a chilly corner. The Salvation Army has started to recruit Santas for the upcoming season. They’re looking for individuals, groups or families to help raise funds for programs near Times Square so gather those holiday enthusiast buddies of yours and starting ringing. Visit SalvationArmyTimesSquare.org for more info.

2.THRIFT STORE SHOPPING
At the Housing Works Thrift Shop, volunteers will help raise money to support homeless people living with HIV and AIDS. Volunteers will perform basic retail duties, plus handle customer service, merchandising and donations. And if you’re interested in pursuing a future in merchandising, what better way to get firsthand experience while also helping provide housing and social services to the homeless. Log on to HousingWorks.org to get more details.

3. CANstruction
If you don’t have time to volunteer but want to donate a few cans of food while seeing a one of a kind art show, catch this year’s CANstruction exhibition. Watch New York architects and designers sculpt masterpieces such as cars, 10-feet-tall hourglasses, sharks and unthinkable creations with nothing more than cans of food, tape and cardboard. It runs through November 21st at the New York Design Center. For more information, click here.

4. CELEBRITY TOY DRIVE
Want to be down with the cool kids? Then join PM Lounge’s Holiday Toy Drive. Unik, the owner of the celebrity-friendly club, is leading the second annual drive for children of his native Haiti through the Edeyo Foundation. Last year they distributed 5,000 toys. If you want to join the fun, you can either drop unwrapped toys by PM at 50 Gansevoort Street, or log on to their KB Toys Wish List by clicking here.

5. BABY BUGGY
It’s great to give toys to underprivileged children all year round- especially during the holidays- but covering their basic needs is just as important. If you’re one of those people that love browsing through the baby sections at department stores, volunteering at Baby Buggy might just be the gig for you. If you want to help sort through donated baby clothing, furniture and accessories that will be shipped to various organizations and shelters through out New York, E-mail Baby Buggy Manager Tami S.

JENNIFER HUDSON GRABS OSCAR AND VOGUE COVER
By KIMBERLY WATERS

From the cold and windy streets of Chi town, to being a household name recognizable from American Idol, to landing the coveted role as “Effie” on the hit motion picture, Dreamgirls, to winning numerous awards and recognitions including a Golden Globe, a Screen Actors Guild award, and now an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in a motion picture, Jennifer Hudson’s road to success has been an instant one.

Ever since the debut of Dreamgirls, Hudson’s popularity has skyrocketed. She recently graced the cover of Vogue, a publication that rarely displays ethnic beauty- making Hudson only the third African American woman behind Oprah Winfrey and Halle Berry to earn the esteemed cover. For a full figured woman to grace the cover of a magazine that reserved its cover for starlet beauties, the 25-year-old triple threat has knowingly redefined high fashion aesthetics and affirmed that black full figured women can be beautiful and fashionable. Read the rest of this entry »