Asbury Getaway
Ever since I was invited down to Asbury Park for a weekend by a friend three summers ago, I have been one of the town's biggest cheerleaders. (Click on the Jersey Shore link below to see some of my previous posts on the subject.) Once one of the most popular destinations on the Jersey Shore, Asbury Park fell on hard times in the 70s and 80s due to racial tensions and corrupt local government. That is, until the gays found it in the late '90s. Imagine it--grand old Victorian beach houses just blocks from the ocean at rock-bottom prices. Sure, the neighborhood around them was pretty shabby, but nothing a few gay urban pioneers couldn't conquer with some fresh paint, perennials and a flair for design. Fast forward a few years and the town is now in full-scale renovation, homes are being bought and sold, new condominiums are being built and a movement to restore the waterfront to its former grandeur is underway.
This past weekend I was invited by my sister, whom I encouraged to buy a home in Asbury almost three years ago, for
Road Trip 6, the town's biggest gay and lesbian event all Summer. There are beach parties, big name DJs and headline entertainers. (We saw Judy Gold at the newly renovated Paramount Theatre--hilarous!) Despite gloomy weather reports, Saturday turned out to be a perfect day for the beach and the rain stayed away long enough on Sunday for my sister's house full of guests to enjoy brunch on the patio.
The community pride in Asbury is such that celebrations are called for almost every weekend. Earlier this summer the town celebrated its 110 anniversary of the incorporation of the city. A grand and memorable party was planned for the occasion featuring among other things, a cake designed by
Ace of Cakes' chef Duff Goldman modeled on Asbury Park's storied carousel. The episode featuring the cake and the town's anniversary party will air on the Food Network tomorrow night (August 2) at 10 PM Eastern. I am told that my two-year-old niece, Charlotte, who was visiting that weekend might be seen getting her groove on to one of the bands playing at the festivities. Catch the episode if you can!
Labels: Gay Culture, Gay Travel, History, Jersey Shore, New Jersey
Images of Pride
This past Sunday I was down in Asbury Park, NJ for the New Jersey Gay Pride Parade. Once the crown jewel of the Jersey Shore, Asbury Park fell on hard times following race riots in the 70 and corrupt local government in the 80s. Finally, around 2000, gay men and women being priced out of trendy Fire Island and the Hamptons discovered the potential of this charming seaside town and have begun turning it around. Every year I go back more and more glorious old Victorian and Craftsmen homes are being painted, renovated and spruced up. I love driving down the wide tree-lined avenues past house after house with rainbow flags hanging out front.
Unfortunately, it was a gray day for Pride this year but the rain held off till after the parade. Below are some snapshots featuring representatives from Asbury Park, a burly biker bear, the Argentina/Uruguay LGBT Group float featuring who else? A drag queen dressed as Eva Peron. Next is New Jersey Leather Pride, followed by the Bus for Change featuring gay-friendly political candidates and finally the cast and crew of a local production of
Hedwig and the Angry Inch.
Labels: Gay Culture, History, Jersey Shore, New Jersey, Pride
The Real Fountains of Wayne
A couple of weeks ago I downloaded the new
Fountains of Wayne CD, Traffic and Weather. I don't normally go in much for pop music (although technically Fountains of Wayne are considered "alternative." Or are they "indie"? That shows how much I know.) Anyway, it's somewhat unusual that I should download an entire album like this but I like their music. I like the urban imagery and sometimes ironic commentary of their lyrics. But perhaps what really resonates with me is their name. You see, I grew up not 20 minutes from the
actual Fountains of Wayne. Yes, it's a real place. They sell Fountains. In Wayne. New Jersey, that is.
Fountains of Wayne has something of a cult status in North Jersey so it makes sense that the band, which originated in New Jersey, would choose to name themselves after such a phenomenon. It's quite famous in those parts. Fountains and statuary from Fountains of Wayne can be seen adorning the exterior of Greek diners up and down the Rt. 46 strip. Whether you want to transform your Belleville backyard into the Piazza Michelangelo or create your own West Patterson Pitti Palace, Fountains of Wayne has the statuary for you! Want a naked David statue? They have it. How big do you want him? Venus de Milo? No problem! Would you like her with or without arms? But perhaps Fountains of Wayne's biggest claim to fame is their Christmas display. When I was a teenager it was the biggest spectacular west of Radio City.
People came from miles around to Fountains of Wayne conveniently located where Route 46 intersects Interstate 80 and Route 15 causing even more traffic and congestion for holiday shoppers at nearby Willowbrook Mall. Bumper to bumper cars would line the shoulder of the highway as each car full of families making their yearly pilgrimage would be waved into the parking lot as space permitted.
When you got inside you entered a tunnel-like structure with lots of colored lights, fake snow and white branches. It would open up into a Christmas wonderland where we gawked along with suburban families at miracle after Christmas miracle: a forest of aluminium Christmas trees in every color of the rainbow: flashing electric blue or entirely mauve and seafoam. Everyone of the Christmas cast of characters from Baby Jesus to Rudolph was represented as an electronic animated figure--sometimes in the same display. Christmas music was piped in adding to the absolutely dizzying affect of all the Jersey Christmas glitz.
I admit going a couple of times with a group of friends from high school. We would snicker about it over cheese fries and gravy at the Dakota Diner afterward, but secretly I think it appealed to the last bit of childlike wonder we had left in us about Christmas. Even today as I drive past I can't help remembering those years with bittersweet nostalgia.
Below are some pictures of the real Fountains of Wayne.
Labels: New Jersey, Personal
Mommy's Boy
Sunday I was one of the
good boys not at the Eagle. Instead I spent the day with my mom and hosted a Mother's Day brunch along with my sister at her place in
Asbury Park. Following our mother's example, we prepared a menu of much too much food which included:
Mimosas
Fresh Fruit Salad
A Selection of fresh Bagels, lox and cream cheeses (both plain and vegetable)
Prosciutto and Melon
Bruschetta
Banana Walnut French Toast
Tomato, Basil and Feta Frittata
Grilled Rosemary Chicken on a bed of mixed field greens with a lemon vinaigrette
Lemon Poppyseed Cake with fresh Strawberries
Chocolate Covered Strawberries.
Nothing makes my mother happier than seeing her children eat heartily. Oh yeah, I did the flowers, too.
Labels: Family, New Jersey
Just Go Away!
When Jim McGreevey came out as a "gay American" on national television with his wife at his side and resigned as governor of New Jersey three years ago, I honestly felt sorry for the man. I felt sorry that an office as high as governor in our country is reserved mostly for straight white men. I felt sorry that such a man had to hide his sexuality in order to be elected. And I felt sorry for his wife who was an unwitting pawn in the charade that is American politics. It was a shame all around.
As a former Jersey boy, I liked McGreevey and he was a rising star in the Democratic party. After the blackmail scandal of Golan Cipel in which McGreevey emerged as the wronged party, McGreevey was poised to use his political clout for good. Perhaps to further LGBT causes or join forces with one of the many gay rights groups lobbying congress in our interest. But no. He squandered that opportunity. Instead he went and wrote a tawdry tell all book with all the gruesome details of his indiscretions then made the talk show rounds starting with Oprah. (Talk about going into the mouth of the lion!)
In the meantime an ugly divorce and custody battle ensued during which Jim McGreevey and his rich new Australian boyfriend showed off their lavish lifestyle on TV at their historic New Jersey mansion. This of course was shown by the media in stark contrast to the tiny 1950s ranch style house where his ex-wife Dina and daughter, Jacqueline now live. Details about erotic art in McGreevey's house swirled around the papers further fueling the unseemly custody battle. It didnt't take long before it was announced that Dina McGreevey, certainly the lower-profile of the two, would be having her say in her tell-all book, Silent Partner, which she has been promoting on the talk show circuit all this week. Starting with who else? Oprah.
Not to be outdone by this news, just as Dina was telling her tale of woe on Oprah's couch, Jim McGreevey announced he is going to become an Episcopal priest! Well of course! What else could possibly be next in this literal "holier than thou" battle? Now, I don't doubt McGreevey's religious convictions. Supposedly he either entered the Catholic seminary or was preparing for it at one time but his inner conflict regarding his sexuality put an end to that. He also credits his religious upbringing for his once closeted lifestyle. But his timing of this announcement as his wife's book is being released is highly suspect.
I don't know about you all, but I have had just about enough of these two. And here's a little unsolicited advice from me to Jim McGreevey, one gay man to another: Lay low for a while. Let Dina have her say and take it like a man. You are a disappointment.
By the way, Jim McGreevey will be pursuing his religious studies at the General Theological Seminary. In Chelsea. New York's gay Mecca. Of course.
Labels: Gay Politics, New Jersey, Politics
Paper Mill Update
I'm
pleased to report that the Paper Mill Playhouse will be able to finish out its season which includes a production of
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers opening this Friday and
Pirates! scheduled for June. It seems two local real estate companies have decided to back a bank loan for the theatre thus rescuing them from financial ruin. The Paper Mill Playhouse is still in need of donations for their upcoming season, however. Once again,
help if you can. Thanks!
More news:
NJ lawmakers are proposing a bail out to save Paper Mill Playhouse by sponsoring grants to the tune of $300,000 to $400,000. The grants won't come through till August, so the bank loans are still needed to finish out the remainder of the 2006/2007 season.
Labels: New Jersey, Theatre
Crisis at The Paper Mill Playhouse
Growing up in New Jersey, the
Paper Mill Playhouse, one of the country's best regional theatres and The State Theatre of New Jersey, was the closest thing we had to Broadway on our side of the Hudson. And indeed the productions were and still are beautiful, lavish, star-studded musicals the likes of which even Broadway is hard pressed to produce these days. After being bitten by the theatre bug at around 10 or 11 years old, I hoped to someday perform on the Paper Mill stage. But then in 1980 I remember hearing the news that
the theater had burned down. It was a big story in New Jersey at the time and massive fundraising efforts were made to rebuild the theater. In 1982 the theatre was able to re-open its doors and by 1985 season subscriptions were at an all time high. This was about the time I convinced my parents that we should have season tickets to Paper Mill as well. I also remember one of my high school history teachers who worked as a carpenter during the Summer months being proud to tell me he helped lay the special flooring required for an Equity stage during the rebuilding--a memory that did not escape me when I finally got to perform on the Paper Mill stage in 1999.
Now, 27 years after the fire, the Paper Mill Playhouse is in
financial dire straits and in danger of closing as early as this weekend. There is a
campaign to save the theatre and a rally scheduled for Monday night at 7 PM at the theatre in Millburn, NJ. The preservation of this theatre is vitally important to musical theatre history as Paper Mill draws from the rich repertoire of American classics to produce every season. Being so close to New York, they are able to attract Broadway stars for their productions, names like Betty Buckley, Kristen Chenoweth, Christine Ebersole among them in recent years. The shows are done as they were meant to be done, with a full-sized cast, orchestra and beautifully designed sets, costumes and production values. The theater serves the community with educational classes for children through senior citizens and each summer presents scholarships to their intensive Musical Theatre Conservatory program.
As both an actor and a kid from New Jersey, it's hard for me to imagine a world without the Paper Mill Playhouse in it. It has given so much to so many so I'm putting this out there.
Help if you can. Thanks.
Labels: New Jersey, Personal, Theatre
Proud to be a Jersey Boy
While New York is usually ahead of the curve on most things over my
home state of New Jersey, not so with civil unions. Last Fall the
NJ Supreme Court voted to guarantee gay couples the same rights and
privileges as straight married couples, making it the third state in the country to do so. Today was the first day NJ granted such civil unions.
Couples started lining up last night at various
municipal offices around the state for the stroke of midnight to be among the first to participate.
Below meet couple number one, Steven
Goldstein and Daniel Gross, who tied their legal knot in
Teaneck, NJ just after midnight.
Mazel Tov, boys!
Update: Asbury Park, NJ's city manager, Terence J. Reidy: “Come to Asbury Park, baby, where it all happens.” Check out the NY Times article on the history of NJ Civil Unions.
Labels: Gay Culture, Gay Politics, History, Jersey Shore, New Jersey
Ever since I was invited down to Asbury Park for a weekend by a friend three summers ago, I have been one of the town's biggest cheerleaders. (Click on the Jersey Shore link below to see some of my previous posts on the subject.) Once one of the most popular destinations on the Jersey Shore, Asbury Park fell on hard times in the 70s and 80s due to racial tensions and corrupt local government. That is, until the gays found it in the late '90s. Imagine it--grand old Victorian beach houses just blocks from the ocean at rock-bottom prices. Sure, the neighborhood around them was pretty shabby, but nothing a few gay urban pioneers couldn't conquer with some fresh paint, perennials and a flair for design. Fast forward a few years and the town is now in full-scale renovation, homes are being bought and sold, new condominiums are being built and a movement to restore the waterfront to its former grandeur is underway.
