The Scene: The Very Best of NYC Parties

Mr. Transman, Creme De La Femme, Hot Rabbit, Big Fun and much more

MR. TRANSMAN 2011, SEPT 18
Sprinkle some queer into the year at the second annual Mr. Transman competition, the FTM extravaganza hosted by emcee Murray Hill at Brooklyn’s Knitting Factory (rescheduled from its August date due to Hurricane Irene). The fabulous contestants– Sebastian Flowers, fomer GO cover boy Topher Gross, A.R. Punk, Enoch Riese and Teddy B. Glazer—strut their stuff for your applause in between performances by Schmekel, Princess Tiny & The Meats, DJ Sirlinda, Kit Yan and more. So what if it’s a school night? The esteemed panel of judges, including Paris is Burning director Jennie Livingston and Silas Howard from Tribe 8, encourage you to stay out late.

FAIRGROUNDS: OUT AT NIGHT, SEPT 23
Summer is at its end, but it wouldn’t do to let the season slip into history without one last blowout. Gays take over nearby Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, NJ for the 8th annual Fairgrounds: Out at Night, one of the largest private LGBT events in the nation. Join 10,000 of your BFFs for this exclusive bash, where the rides, coasters and attractions are open only for Out at Night patrons from 6pm to midnight. Don’t have a car? Don’t worry. Marcella and Lori of Las Reinas invite you on to the party bus—roundtrip transportation, spiked Jell-O shots and other goodies included!

CRÈME DE LA FEMME, EVERY WEDNESDAY
Maggie C’s Creme De La Femme draws in an upscale gathering of hip, fashion-forward women every Wednesday night at the intimate Union Square Lounge. With $4 Proseccos from 8-10pm, weekly guest DJs, bottle service, a menu of tasty nibbles and a sexy elliptical fireplace, it’s obvious why this party snagged two GO Magazine Nightlife Awards for Sexiest Vibe and Best Ambiance! Now that summer’s sultry heat has passed, bust out your fall looks and book your reservation–this ultra-chic venue will be packed every Wednesday with the creme of New York City’s lesbians!

HOT RABBIT, EVERY FRIDAY
A hidden gem in the East Village, Heather’s may not be an official gay bar, but its kitschy dive aesthetic attracts those in the know with its relaxed, unpretentious queer scene. On Fridays, Hot Rabbit takes over Heather’s cozy environs for a rockin’ queer dance party with cheap drink specials and weekly DJs playing a mix of upbeat jams. If you don’t feel like dancing, prop up the bar and watch the eclectic films on the projector screen (last week it was Watership Down, in keeping with the bunny theme) and the diverse bunch of beautiful people.

BIG FUN, SEPT 23
Two great tastes that taste great together? This month, that would be the promoters behind Brooklyn’s famed Laid Queer Dance Party and Spin Sugar joining forces for Big Fun—and a good cause. The coolest chicks in the County of Kings are guaranteed to be at this party-slashfundraiser, which supports the Running for Answers Race benefiting the Desmoid Tumor Foundation. Rock out to GO Magazine Nightlife Award nominees DJs Roze Royce, Amber Valentine and Noa D. Expect a drink special or two plus a massive crowd of Park Slope sisters at Southpaw.

THANK GLAAD IT’S FRIDAY, SEPT 23
The Stonewall Inn welcomes young LGBT professional to Thank GLAAD It’s Friday (TGIF), the organization’s national networking event series for LGBTs and their hetero homies. Drink up at the Absolut Vodka open bar from 7-9pm. Then, get down with nightly prize drawings, guest emcees, the opportunity to meet and greet like-minded professionals and the chance to learn about and support featuring GLAAD’s efforts to vanquish defamation wherever it may occur. Purchase a TGIF series pass to help GLAAD amplify the voices within our community and see for yourself why so many people love to “Thank GLAAD It’s Friday!”

NEW YORK BURLESQUE FESTIVAL PREMIERE PARTY, SEPT 30
Let the games begin with this notoriously debaucherous opening night hosted by Scotty the Blue Bunny at Williamsburg’s hippest hotspot, Brooklyn Bowl. Part bowling alley, part performance space and part superstar restaurant—a little bit of everything for an event that has it all. More than 20 burlesque beauties kick off the weekend’s spectacle of stars, including Little Brooklyn, Bobbie Burlesque, Liza Rose, Darlinda Just Darlinda, Miss Saturn, The Cheesecake Burlesque Revue, The Dolls of Doom, Harvest Moon and zillions more. Live musical burlesque performances with Viva and her Exquisitely Delicious Band accompany the girls, while DJ Momotaro keeps the tassels twirling.

CHOICE CU*TS PRESENTS THE ULTIMATE POP OFF COMPETITION, OCT. 1
Witness the grand finale of the Choice Cu*ts Summer Pop Star Competition Series, where fierce queer competitors have graced the stage and a handpicked selection of first-runner up finalists return to fight for the big win and take home a whopping $500 grand prize! We don’t know about you, but we could use five Benjamins in our pocket. Pop sensations from Janet to Madonna to Britney will be represented on stage, plus DJ Lezz Van Halen gets the whole joint in full swing with pop/hip hop/monster jams directly after the lucky winner is announced. If you’ve got the look, strike a pose for photographer to the stars Maro. Very special guest judges from the NYC nightlife circuit will decide the fate of the Ultimate Choice Pop Off. Come curious, leave delirious!


What Do You Think?