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N.Y. Scene Dec. 2010: Tabatha Coffey’s theater takeover, live bands, Truck Stop mayhem, and a new activity group for lesbians

Tabatha Coffey in My Big Gay Italian Wedding, St. Luke’s Theater, 12.02.10

If I were to describe the off Broadway production My Big Gay Italian Wedding in one word, it would be “screeching.” It was like a competition to see who could shriek and howl at one another the loudest. After two hours, my ears felt like they had been churned through a meat grinder. I am a fan of comedic theater, and slapstick humor that plays on stereotypes has its place, but listening to two hours of screaming in exaggerated Brooklyn accents is just exhausting.

Perhaps I wasn’t the right audience for the production. I can see a sheltered Midwestern couple with barely any exposure to real gay people chortling at the “crazy flamboyant gays” and “boisterous ethnic whites.” The audience seemed appreciative to some extent, and as expected, it comprised mostly of an older, suburban set.

Official Press Kit Photo

And this is why I appreciated Tabatha Coffey’s guest starring stint at My Big Gay Italian Wedding during December 2-4. Coffey played herself and officiated the wedding between main characters Anthony and Andrew.

Her aloof and mildly disdainful demeanor during the show mirrored exactly what I was thinking, i.e. “This is like hearing three-year old banging pots and pans. If a meteor were to land on this building right now, it would be ideal. But I suppose this too shall pass.” Her lines, delivered in a humorously sarcastic tone, provided a coolness that helped temper the rest of the cast’s unbridled insanity.

Tabatha’s theater takeover? It didn’t save the production, but her involvement was definitely a breath of fresh air.

Crème de la Femme / Rosa & the Ultratight video release, Union Square Ballroom, 12.08.10 (plus, Valhalla Women’s Week update!)

Promoters Maggie C. and Susan Burdian teamed up to produce a joint event at the Union Square Ballroom on December 8th. Normally held at the smaller Union Square Lounge next door, Crème de la Femme moved to the more spacious Union Square Ballroom to accommodate regulars and fans of local band Rosa & the Ultratight, which is managed by veteran promoter Susan Burdian. Hors d’oeuvres from Burdian’s restaurant Zuzies were also provided.

As to Maggie C.’s other ventures, the official press release of Valhalla Women’s Week, the women’s retreat to be held in October 2011 at the Vieques W Retreat and Spa, can be found here. Also, Stiletto is currently on hiatus but will be returning for the rest of the winter and spring beginning in January at a new venue on alternating Fridays. “Friend” Maggie C.’s Facebook page for upcoming announcements.

AwShockKiss @ The Mercury Lounge, 12.16.10

If you survey the crowd at any given AwShockKiss show you’ll notice a few things: there are a lot of lesbians in the audience, they all know the words to the songs, and they sing along like it’s an all you can drink karaoke night. The show at The Mercury Lounge on Dec. 16 was no exception. Said vocalist Kiri Jewell, “We are lucky to be part of a tight-knit, supportive, lesbian community. It’s not uncommon for us to have a roomful of ladies at our shows. I’m honestly floored at the love they show us!”

Blending straightforward rock with a pop sensibility, AwShockKiss’s influences include Fiona Apple, No Doubt, Paramore and Heart. “The dynamic between Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart is beautiful,” said Jewell. “It reminds me of the dynamic between [keyboardist/guitarist] Stefanie Bassett and me a bit.”

AwShockKiss will be taking a break from playing shows for a month or two to write new material, and a new EP is due out in the spring. In the meantime you can join their Facebook page and download some of their songs for free from their website.

Truck Stop NY, Number 3 @ Slate Lounge, 12.18.10

Every few months, the Truck Stop convoy careens in from Los Angeles with breakneck speed, smashing through the window panes of a hapless venue in our city for six hours of unrestrained debauchery. A joint effort by L.A.’s Fuse Events and N.Y.’s Proposition, Truck Stop N.Y. never fails to bring in a raucous crowd of ladies ready to get up close and personal with the Truck Stop Girlz. And when I say up close and personal, I mean one can get a very special view of Santa’s Little Helper.

The cold weather did nothing to prevent Slate Lounge from getting packed to the gills.

Oh, I know you don’t want to read these silly words. This segment is about Truck Stop after all. You are here to check out the photos, possibly with one hand covering your eyes.

DJ Sam Deka

Proposition is on hiatus but should start up again later this winter. Join their Facebook page to find out details as they emerge.

Pink Apple Adventurers, Soft Launch @ Sky Rink, 12.19.10

[Apologies for the lack of photos in this segment. Security at the Sky Rink was KGB-style intense and my attempts at taking cell phone photos were thwarted. Had I brought out my Canon DSLR, I’m certain that it would have been tossed immediately into the Hudson River.]

The lesbian social scene in New York, as in any city, generally revolves around the bar and club scene. Finding a social outlet outside of the alcohol fueled hot mess of the lesbian bar and club scene is no easy task. One alternative is joining a lesbian recreational sports league, of which there are many, but often times, lesbians neglect to remember that these sports leagues are meant to be recreational in nature and instead treat them like the Olympic trials. Plus, what if you are one of those lesbians who react to a ball being thrown at you by shrieking and ducking, like myself?

Pink Apple Adventurers, a new activity group for gay and bi women launched by Brooklyn resident Courtney Mehlman, aims to fill the void. Instead of hardcore athletics that revolve around competition, Pink Apple Adventurers intends to bring together a group of women for light recreational activities every month. Think ice skating, rock climbing, and kayaking. The soft launch of Pink Apple Adventurers was held on December 19th at the Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers and was attended by around ten or so women, half of whom managed to hit the ice still reeking of tequila shots from the night before at Truck Stop. Way to rally, ladies.

For information on upcoming Pink Apple activities, join their Facebook group.

All photos by Grace Chu unless otherwise noted.

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