The world’s most beautiful traveling entertainment venue, Spiegeltent, returns to New York July 2–Sep 30 to the opulent venue, Spiegelworld, under the Brooklyn Bridge at Fulton Fish Market. Spiegeltent presents an eclectic live entertainment program of bands, actors, and eye-popping contemporary burlesque acts such as Absinthe 2007, a new version of last summer’s critically acclaimed acro-burlesque variety show, and La Vie, a theatro-batic show showcasing seven Cirque du Soleil performers who mix life-threatening serial acrobatics, wild characters and wicked music. Spiegeltent also features tons of musical performance including hip-hop phenom Lady Sovereign, bi-cultural singer/songwriter Lila Downs, Weimar-era Berlin-style cabaret Weimar New York, Penny Arcade’s sex and censorship show, Bitch! Dyke! Faghag! Whore! and much more.
No New York City summer is complete without Macy’s’ and the New York Pops’ annual 4th of July Fireworks celebration. Four barges stationed between 23rd and 42nd Streets in the East River set off 20,000 aerial shells and special effects, dazzling onlookers from the FDR Drive, Jersey City and the Seaport and wowing a zillion television viewers. There are electric set pieces on the barges, and the Fire Department of New York gets in on the act with fire boats shooting red, clear and blue water
300 feet over the river. It’s spectacular, and it’s oh-so-New York.
The LGBT Center offers up some fantastic annual Hamptons parties come in June and July. On June 30, head to the Fire Island Pines for Bay Dance—this year’s promises to be bigger and hotter than ever! Stay tuned for information about Bay Dance and about The Center’s sure-to-be-fabulous Dancing on the Beach party set for July 28. Will Janice Dickinson attend this year? Is Kim Cattrall going to host again? Where will the dance be held? Keep your eye on The Center’s website for details.
Asbury Park, NJ’s 6th annual fun-filled weekend, Road Trip, kicks off on July 27 at Convention Hall, and continues through July 29 at multiple locations throughout the city. The oceanside LGBT haven of Asbury Park welcomes all friends and “family” for a three-day event with specials at various local LGBT bars, clubs, and restaurants; gay beach events; live music; a fasion show; shopping; real estate trolley tours; and entertainment including Lori Michaels: Me & The Girls and comedian Judy Gold.
The JCC in Manhattan will host several Pride-themed events for the LGBT community, including a Tropical Pride Party on June 20 and the Faigele Film Festival July 30–31. The Tropical Pride Party incorporates a steel drum band with a night of dinner, drinking and dreadlocks on the roof of the JCC. The Faigele Film Festival, presented with NewFest, is NYC’s second annual Jewish LGBTQ movie event and is sure to bring last year’s experience to a whole new level.
New Yorkers may have to say goodbye to the old Astroland Park when it closes after the 2007 season, but Coney Island still boasts plenty of American tradition. The Coney Island Mermaid Parade celebrates its 25th anniversary this June 23 on the Beach and Boardwalk. The Mermaid Parade celebrates the sand, the sea, the salt air, and the beginning of summer, as well as the history and mythology of Coney Island. Participants dress in hand-made costumes as Mermaids, Neptunes, various sea creatures and more. The Parade is followed by a post-parade Ball where costumed participants and spectators gather for live music and raffles, and watch burlesque and sideshow acts performed by some of NYC’s hottest stars.
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