I have to start this week's message with a more organizational/practical statement - and it involves our various dinners and brunches - now you know I love you all, and I understand some of you have the best intentions and want to drum up numbers for all our fabulous events - but where the dinners and brunches are concerned, please you should only RSVP "yes" if you are actually able to attend...we have limited space at the sit down meal events and if you RSVP "yes" without thinking if you'll ACTUALLY be able to attend, you'll be taking away a seat from someone else who might not see the facebook evite until the next day. And by then we have 10 people on the "yes" list who of course say "yes" to everything we do (and I think that's great) however, if we only have room for say 25 of our members for an Out Astoria dinner and 40 people say they're coming, (even if i know 10 of those 40 will not be there b/c they don't actually live in Astoria anymore or they're just trying to popularize our little group), if a new member contacts me to ask if there will be room for him at the dinner, I won't be able to tell that person with any certainty if there will be room for them at the dinner.
And I want everyone to have a chance to come and chow down and chew the fat with the locals :) our last dinner at Winegasm reminded me how much fun can be had at such a large communal table where everyone can see everyone else and the conversation flows as easily as the wine!
Which reminds me, I also need to remind everyone that I made an error when scheduling the April Brunch for us...I neglected to remember that Winegasm only does brunch on Sundays - so take note...the next Out Astoria Brunch will be taking place on Sunday, April 26 at 2PM!
Also, if you have some time, I know some of you have already done this but there's a big study being done regarding LGBT Health and Human Services for LGBT people in New York...take a moment to fill it out!
http://www.nylgbtsurvey.org/Now...on we go to the weekend and beyond!
TONIGHT! - APR 17 - OUT ASTORIA'S APRIL MIXER AT LAVISH LOUNGE - 8PM TO 11PM - FREE
34-01 36 Avenue, Astoria, NY - 718-361-0022
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=63382521626You thought last time was fun? Just wait. :)
We're starting this mixer at 8:00 PM to basically give everyone enough time to go home and put on their face before coming back out to our little monthly soiree!
So anyway, make sure you come out to what's become the largest local gathering of Astoria queers since it started becoming a hot place to live for all of us homo boys and girls!
http://www.lavishloungeny.com/As usual we'll be doing 2-4-1 beers/well-drinks and $3 cosmos from 7pm to 11pm - and the lovely ex-astorian DJ Kevin Graves will be starting an hour early at 9PM to round out our mixer and lead us all into the fabulous new Friday night festival of filth "Dirty Boy!"
http://www.myspace.com/kevingravesWED - APR 22 - OUT ASTORIA AT THE MEN EVENT'S FIRST BACHELOR AUCTION - 6PM TO 9PM - FREE
234 West 42 Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY - 917-414-0221
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=64260026242There's NO COVER for this 5th Anniversary Celebration of Hugh Hysell's popular Men Event after work mixers, but just to make things interesting, this Men Event Mixer is also the First Charity Bachelor Auction at Dave and Buster's on 42 Street (second floor!)
Out Astoria's own John Paul Detty will be on the auction block raising money for our little non-profit! Money's too tight to mention and with a body like John Paul's it doesn't get much tighter...with a bod like that, that dangerously disarming smile and the fact that he's actually got a brain to go with it...hell I wouldn't be surprised if our group raises a few coins to rub together (or bounce off JP's abs)!
So come out to the mixer, socialize with some other gay groups that'll be there, bid on John Paul and/or any number of the other stunning bachelors there too...Justin Weeks is adorable but my money's on John Paul. :)
Remember it's all going to charity and they're all LGBT associated so no matter which bachelor you end up with...you can rest assured your money's going to a worthy organization!
Now this evite is for our little group, but feel free to add additional people to this, or let people know about it...but remember to RSVP via the Men Event site too just so Hugh knows how many people to expect!
http://themenevent.com/tssbachelorauction.htmHugh's offering half price cocktails, and beer/wine specials during the event and even half price games till 7:30 PM!
SUN - APR 26 - OUT ASTORIA'S APRIL BRUNCH AT WINEGASM - 2PM
31-86 37 Street (at Broadway), Astoria, NY - 718-932-3331
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=156026050701We're doing something a little special for our Brunch in April - we're going back to Winegasm to take advantage of their three-mimosa brunch special on Sunday, the 26th!
http://www.winegasmeatery.com/For the set price of $15.95 you get the choice of a brunch entree with not one, not two, but THREE mimosas to help wash down your entree and sooth your hangover from the night before at Lavish!
http://www.winegasmeatery.com/foodMenu.pdfThere's nothing on this brunch menu I wouldn't try - I'm actually particularly looking forward to the citrus ricotta pancake - takes me back to the food bar days of yore and their malted pancakes!
Brunch at Winegasm is over at 4:00 PM so don't be late for this one! We'll have to cap this at 20 attendees again and we'll try to save everyone a seat at the big central table, but if we get more than that we can always start branching out to the side tables too!
and if you're looking for something fun to do that Sunday evening...
SUN - APR 26 - SANTA CLAUS IS COMING OUT - 8:30 PM - $18 PRESALE
33-16 79 Street, Jackson Heights, NY - 718-874-9431 - info@jacksonrep.org
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=73960068244Join us on Sunday April 26th at 8:30pm for a one night only performance of this hilarious one man show!
Jeffrey Solomon's one man mock-u-mentary reveals the secret romantic life of the beloved childhood icon, and the controversy that rocks the world when the truth leaks out to the public.
Mr. Solomon purports to have interviewed all the key figures in the scandal that has come to be known as Santa-gate including Santa's one true love - Italian-toy-maker Geovanni Geppetto, his beard (Mrs. Claus), the Anti-gay crusader who tries to ban Claus from the night skies, and the little gay boy who's heartfelt letter stirs Santa's conscience and changes Christmas forever.
This show will be appearing in the Absolut Dublin Gay Theatre Festival in May and then returns to the US for an Off Broadway run in LA and NY. Catch it now while you can !
Tickets are $18 and can be purchased by calling (212) 868-4444 or going to
smarttix.com and searching for Santa.
All proceeds go to Jackson Rep and the Queens Lesbian and Gay Pride Committee.
For more information visit:
http://www.jacksonrep.org/Events.htmlWED - MAY 13 - OUT ASTORIA'S MAY DINNER AT MOJAVE - 7PM
22-36 31 Street, Astoria, NY - 718-545-4100
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=84569742896In this adobe hacienda, the décor is subdued and soothing. Warm cream color walls, dark wood floors and furniture allow one to focus on the artistic design of the room, with three separate pitched ceilings made from spruce and fir strategically placed with hidden lighting on the walls. When evening falls, the flickering glow of candles adds comfortable warmth to the already pleasant ambiance. The food is Southwestern with of course authentic Mexican flare. From starters such as the hand hacked Hass avocado guacamole and MotherRoad Roadhouse Chili to entrees such as slow & low braised Short ribs of Angus beef, Mojave’s menu is both fun and interesting.
http://www.mojaveny.com/Perhaps you're feeling wild and crazy - perhaps you're still giddy from cinco de mayo and want to try something new...why not try Mojave's "Punisher" drink?
100% agave tequila infused with Habanero Peppers. Yeah...seriously.
If you can drink it (and keep it down without any help), it's on us... ( 5 minute rule applies) After drinking the punisher, one can be immortalized on the wall of FAME, or reside with the masses on the wall of SHAME.. it all depends on who is drinking it.
Even I'm not that crazy!
SUN - MAY 17 - OUT ASTORIA AT AIDS WALK NEW YORK - 8AM TO 5PM - REGISTRATION REQUIRED!
Central Park, NY - OutAstoriaNYC@gmail.com
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=63881378435OUT Astoria is forming a Team to participate in the 2009 AIDS Walk on Sunday, May 17. AIDS Walk New York is a time for meaningful camaraderie; a great reason for friends and family groups to get together, a way to show support for those fighting HIV/AIDS, and a chance to walk in memory of loved ones.
Below you will find the link and instructions to register for the team. RSVP'ing here WILL NOT register you for the event. You MUST follow the link/instructions below.
If you have any questions regarding registration or fundraising please feel free to email Rob Zukowksi at OUTAstoriaNYC@gmail.com
1. Go to
http://www.aidswalk.net/newyork/2. On the left hand side of the page, click on Register To walk.
3. Select the Join a Team option.
4. When the page refreshes, click the down arrow next to Please select a Team.
5. Scroll down and select OUT Astoria - 3182 (once you click the down arrow, type the letter "O" to go through the last quicker)
6. Click on Continue.
7. Fill out the online form. Once you have registered you can customize your AIDS Walk Page, fund raise online and more.
THE USUAL "IN CLOSING" BLURB:
Remember - we're on Facebook now and if you're not already friends with the Out Astoria profile you should friend us!
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1169807844And once you're friends with us, if you're not already a member of the Out Astoria facebook group you should join that too!
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=6026204257And of course, don't forget - we're also on Why Leave Astoria?! - I went to a round table discussion they were having and these people are a hoot - even if you're not gay you can get a lot from poking around their site - there's tons of stuff going on locally that even my jaded ass didn't know about! (Including a Trivia Tournament that Out Astoria has a team involved with these days - you can ask me if you want to know more about that!)
http://www.whyleaveastoria.com/group/outastoriaokay i guess that's all for now!
see you tonight at 8pm at Lavish!
--jonathan(blue)
http://www.outastoria.com
