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N.Y. Scene Feb. 2011: Wonder Women, Love Shack, Dirty Democracy, Truck Stop, and more

N.Y. Scene is a monthly column that chronicles lesbian nightlife, and venues and events of interest in New York. Grace Chu has come out of lesbian scene retirement to navigate the vast and ever-evolving New York City scene, so you don’t have to.

February saw unconventionally cold weather in the Big Apple, and promoters responded by collaborating to bring in larger crowds of women to steam up venues with their body heat. Plus, the ladies who work the door at your favorite girl parties dish on the crazy things people say to get into clubs for free – and absurdity encountered on the job in general.

Wonder Women launch – February 8, 2011

On February 8, 100 VIPs were invited to the launch of Wonder Women, a non-profit organization founded by entrepreneur Aliya Hallim-Byne, who heads OP.LYNX, the Women’s Network of Out Professionals, and restauranteur Yoanne Magris, who has appeared on Food Network’s Chopped and owns Manhattan-based French bistro Yo In Yo Out. During one of the coldest nights of the year, the venue, Greenpeace ship Arctic Sunrise, was still rocking in the frigid waters of the Hudson at near capacity.

Wonder Women intends to empower women through networking events, mentoring programs, arts and culture events, and mind, body and spirit workshops. The event was catered by Yo In Yo Out, and pretty much every lesbian nightlife and events promoter was in attendance. Had a meteor hit the Arctic Sunrise that night, it would have crippled NYC lesbian nightlife. Fortunately, that did not happen, mostly because I would be out of a job.

While the gay ladies came out en masse, it should be noted that Wonder Women intends to empower all women, regardless of sexual orientation. To find out more, click here to read its mission and donate.

Love Shack – February 11, 2011

Originally slated to be held at Veranda, Maggie C and Nikki T Production’s inaugural event, Valentine’s Day bash Love Shack, was moved at the last minute to a more spacious venue, Crimson Club, to accommodate the slew of guests. Top DJ in the lesbian circuit DJ Brynn Taylor flew in from Los Angeles and mixed sick tunes all night, as women sipped their complimentary bubbly. Some time after midnight, a B-52s cover band headed by someone who looked suspiciously like Maggie C in a pouf took the stage. The real Maggie C disappeared from the VIP area during that time. Who knows what really happened, but that chick with the hairstyle counterfeited by Snooki could really sing.

Maggie C and Nikki T’s next event will be held March 17th at 49 Grove. Yes that March 17th. Gird your loins and your livers for “She’s No Saint,” a Saint Patrick’s Day party with an open vodka bar from 8-9pm. How many of you will be making it to work that Friday? Yeah, I didn’t think so.

Dirty Democracy – February 19th, 2011

A collaboration between Sir Sabrina, Danielle Presents and Lynn and Bridget of Proposition NYC, Dirty Democracy was held President’s Day Weekend on the top floor of megaclub Pacha. The alliance resulted in a larger and more diverse crowd than most lesbian parties in the city, which led to a more festive atmosphere. Said one partygoer, Laura Earle, “Dirty Democracy was the best lesbian party in NYC that I’ve been to in a long time.” Said another, who wished to remain anonymous, “It made being a lesbian in NYC fun again.” Will there be more collaborations in the future? We hope so. Sharing is caring after all.

Truck Stop – February 26th, 2011

Does Truck Stop need an introduction? Month after month after month after month on AfterEllen.com you’ve seen the crowd reactions, the action shots of the dancers, the insanity, the excessiveness, the mayhem. A bi-coastal collaboration between Linda and Michelle of Fuse and Lynn and Bridget of Proposition NYC, Truck Stop returned yet again in February. I could keep writing, but I know you just want to see the pretty pictures, and I live to serve.

N.Y. Scene Feature: The Door Mafia

Are you on the list? No? Then shut up, take your ass to the back of the line, and wait your turn with the rest of the rabble. Whatever you do, don’t try any of the following tactics to get in for free, or you’ll be denied faster than a grad student asking Suze Orman if he should put a down payment on a Ferrari with his student loans. AfterEllen.com chats with the women who work the door at your favorite girl parties in NYC about crazy things people do or say to try to get in for free – and insanity encountered on the job in general.

Liz – Maggie C events

My craziest experiences working the door were not in regards to cutting the line or getting preferential treatment. I had one girl who came every week, and every single week on her way out would say, “What am I doing upstairs when the prettiest girl is out here?” Every week. The same line. I also had a very young, very pretty girl who came down to the door, sat on the steps in almost complete silence, waited for my shift to finish and then followed me upstairs after. In her defense, she was clearly intoxicated so although slightly uncomfortable, it was kind of cute.

Mel – Maggie C events, Stonewall

To get in for free or to skip the line, some women name drop, offer money, show body parts and sometimes even offer themselves, either dates or sex.

One crazy story I have didn’t have anything to do with people trying to skip the line, though. One night I worked a lesbian sex party at the Stonewall Inn. At first I thought the crowd was a pretty boring group. They sat around, ate food and talked. Towards the middle of my shift I took a break. I walked over to the bar and in what I thought was a quiet voice told the bartender the that it was the lamest sex party I’ve ever seen. The promoter overheard me and then asked if I was wearing a belt. I said, “Yes.” She took it off, tied my arms back, and started whipping me!

Amy – Maggie C events

Working the door for such big events you’re bound to come across so many people. Often times 600 – 1000 hungry women show up to Maggie C events. Most are lovely and willing to come and pay a cover charge for great entertainment and an artfully executed party, but then there are those that try to get in for free.

  • The most popular excuse is, “I am working the party.” In fact, they are not working the party. They forgot what organization they were with and do not have credentials to show they are working the event, or they are working the party and they have a five person entourage to help them hold their equipment or products.
  • I’ve heard this one before: “I didn’t get a sex toy in my gift bag. Can I get my money back?”
  • My outfit on Halloween was a bit scandalous even for Halloween. I think the best comment was “Can I motor boat you?” When I refused, the woman said, “Well if you’re going to tease me like that you can at least let me in for free.”
  • I think hands down the best one was when my ex girlfriend came up to me and kissed me in front of the entire line which frazzled me a bit. She blew past me and didn’t pay the cover charge. Be warned! Do not let the ex’s kiss blind your better judgment.

Jazzy – Proposition and Truck Stop NY

  • This girl came up to me and said she was dating the Truck Stop girl named Lolita and that she was supposed to be on a comp list. I looked at her like she had two heads, because Lolita is the only Truck Stop Girl I keep in touch with outside of the event, and I knew she wasn’t dating anyone from NYC. So I decided to f–k with the liar a bit, and I was like, “Oh ok. I’ll text my boss to have Lolita come upstairs and get you.” The girl caught an attitude and was like “Ugh, forget it” and threw $15 at me. And then she was annoyed when she discovered the coat check was $4 as well. Ha!
  • I wrote this rap song about my favorite porn star. I sent this song to two friends of mine who have an amazing apartment and are always having parties. So S–TLOADS of people heard the song and I guess received the mp3 from my buddies. Two girls who I didn’t know but who had heard my song rapped the lyrics for me while I was working the door and then asked if they get free admission for being my fans.
  • There is a girl in particular who came to Proposition and Truck Stop throughout the majority of 2010 and would say, “Would you let me in for free if I make out with you?” Usually I flirted and had fun with it and would say, “I’d happily make out with you, but you still have to pay.” And she would stand there and argue with me. It happened every time. In fact, I saw her at Cubby Hole once, and she was like, “If i make out with you now, will you let me in the next Truck Stop for free?”

Courtney – Truck Stop LA and Truck Stop NY

Working the door for Truck Stop is always entertaining. So many different types of women show up with one common intention: not to wait in line.

Prior to attaining this coveted gig, that was my intention as well. I met promoter Michelle Agnew the night I showed up at Truck Stop LA in the summer of 2005. I thought while glancing past the gate of Here Lounge, a slew of gorgeous, fashion-forward feminine women were all awaiting my arrival. I was twenty-two years old, and the line was around the corner all the way down through the back alley of the club. I asked the lesbian with the clipboard at the door, “Who’s in charge here?” Michelle happened to be standing there and introduced herself. A few months later I was the girl with the clipboard holding the VIP list.

One night a group of what appeared to be Japanese lesbian tourists came up to me to escape the line. There were about five of them smiling, giggling, and whispering to each other. They bowed their heads in unison and handed me about $200. I was baffled and still not entirely sure what they wanted from me. I thought “Do they think I’m a hooker?” I asked them why they were giving me the money, and they said, “To skip line.” I remember rolling my eyes as I handed the money back to them and told them to go in and buy a bottle of alcohol. I parted the gate to let them in and they each bowed one more time.

This concludes February’s New York Scene, and it marks the one year anniversary of this column. I’ve been doing this for a year, and I’m still alive, I haven’t been sent to the ER for alcohol poisoning, no one has tried to mow me down for anything I’ve written (except once), and I’ve only been involved in one minor altercation in front of the Stonewall Inn. I think I deserve a “get in for free” pass for life, don’t you think?

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