NY Scene May 2012: “Real L Word” stars at the GO Magazine Awards plus a preview of NYC Pride

N.Y. Scene is a monthly column that chronicles events of interest for lesbian and bi women 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. Follow her on Twitter.

5th Annual GO Magazine Readers Choice Lesbian Nightlife Awards – May 1, 2012

Every year GO Magazine throws a huge party to honor the promoters, bartenders, emcees, DJs, bar owners, go go dancers and anyone and everyone else who works in lesbian nightlife. Every gal in the scene from all five boroughs congregates under one roof in a lesbian version of The Hunger Games, except without all the bloodshed and genetically engineered flesh eating animals. And everyone is alive at the end of the night, if a bit wobbly.

Those in attendance at this year’s awards at XL Nightclub included a Tony Award nominated actress, Real L Word cast members and more. Local band and soon-to-be television stars Hunter Valentine played an energetic set to an appreciative crowd. Check out the photos below.

R: Tony nominee Condola Rashad

L: Romi Klinger of The Real L Word

Miss Lez Pageant winner Sophia Urista

The host, perennial nightlife staple Murray Hill

Real L Word cast member Kiyomi McCloskey, lead singer of Hunter Valentine

Veronica Sanchez, bassist of Hunter Valentine

L ro R: L.A.’s DJ Brynn Taylor and Maggie C

For the full photo set, go to Time Out New York.

2012 NYC PRIDE PREVIEW

Oh hey, it is time for Pride again, the time of year where the makers of Pedialyte and Gatorade cream themselves in anticipation of the inevitable increase in sales as gays around the world stock up in preparation for epic parties and even more epic hangovers. The most epic pride celebration of all is, of course, New York City Pride. NYC is where the modern gay rights movement began a little over 40 years ago at the Stonewall Inn, and the city hasn’t stopped rabblerousing since.

This year NYC lesbian promoters have outdone themselves, inviting household names to perform and host their events. Only a few years ago lesbians were left to wander around the streets after the Pride March, sipping warm beer out of paper cups as the gay boys dispersed to their tea dances headlined by internationally known deejays. Fortunately, the bad old days are a faded memory. Uber promoter Maggie C snagged 2012 Pride Grand Marshal and international superstar Cyndi Lauper to perform at Stiletto, Mob Wives’ breakout star Big Ang will host Pier Pressure, and Top Chef‘s Chef Josie will be catering Snapshot’s Proud As F*ck. Again, I will be hitting an unhealthy amount of Pride parties, and here is where I will be chasing you around with a camera.

TRUCKSTOP PRIDE

Leave your inhibitions at the door. This year two of the L.A. dancers – including crowd favorite Brooklyn – will join the N.Y. dance crew for some bi-coastal booty popping. This party tends to get wild. How wild? Last year people climbed onto the ceiling rafters and a few people lost their tops. For real. Get ready for a booze soaked night of dancing and debauchery. If you want to climb on stage for a lap dance, you are a brave one, ma’am – and may the odds ever be in your favor.

Friday June 22 @ Slate Lounge, Doors open 9 p.m. | VIP: $10 before 11, $15 thereafter / $20 general admission

DYKE MARCH PRE-PARTY / ALL DAY GIRL PLAY PRIDE

TruckStop and Maggie C join forces to bring you this daytime fun bash at the Maritime Hotel, which will serve as the official Dyke March rally. There will be an open Mimosa bar and free bagel bar from 11am to noon.

Saturday June 23 @ Maritime Hotel – 11:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. | $5 before 12:30, $10 thereafter

SIREN

Sir Sabrina, Henrietta Hudson and Nikki Spice Hill join forces to throw the beach party of the year – 2500+ women and mermaid go go dancers! Last year Siren stood out as the most talked about party in a crowded Saturday lineup, and after checking out the RSVP lists so far, I can say that Siren will also be this year’s preferred Saturday night destination for the ladies.

Saturday June 23 @ Beekman Beach Club, Doors open 9 p.m. | $25 presale tickets, $30 at the door | TICKETS

STILETTO PRIDE w/ CYNDI LAUPER and Real L Word stars HUNTER VALENTINE

This is the weekend’s flagship women’s pride event, courtesy of Maggie C. Cyndi Lauper – yes that Cyndi Lauper – will perform her new single and introduce The Real L Word‘s Hunter Valentine. Other celebrities will walk the red carpet and be in attendance. Finally, the most anticipated celebrity of all – the infamous Stiletto dunk tank – will make a reappearance. VIPs get a three hour open vodka bar. $10 of every ticket sold will go to Cyndi Lauper’s True Colors Fund, which benefits and brings awareness to LGBT homeless youth. This event will own pride. Don’t miss it.

Sunday June 24 @ Beekman Beach Club, 2 p.m.-midnight | $60 general admission, $150 VIP | TICKETS

OTHER NOTABLE EVENTS – Sadly, I can only be at one place at one time, but here are other noteworthy events you may want to check out.

MANHATTAN

QUEER PRIDE c/o CHOICE C*NTS

The Gaysha‘s critically acclaimed “rare party for raw queers” celebrates its sixth year. A downtown fixture, Choice always attracts a diverse, trendy crowd. This is the last Choice C*nts ever, so be sure to send this beloved party off to nightlife heaven with a bang.

Friday June 22 @ Drom, $10 before midnight, $15 thereafter

HOT RABBIT PRIDE

You may want to start your pre-gaming here before hitting up Choice or TruckStop. A queer party with a young, hip mixed gender clientele, Hot Rabbit has been generating buzz over the past few months. And the best thing? No cover.

Friday June 22 @ Nowhere Bar, $10 | No Cover

LESBO A GO GO

Party where Pride began, at the legendary Stonewall Inn. No cover!

Friday June 22 @ Stonewall Inn, 10pm | No Cover

20th ANNUAL NYC DYKE MARCH

The annual protest march kicks off on Saturday at Bryant Park @ 42nd Street and 5th Avenue. No permits. Hard core.

Saturday June 23 @ Bryant Park | 5 p.m.

PIER PRESSURE

Mob Wives‘ Big Ang hosts the long running Saturday Night event at the Chelsea Brewing Company. DJ Brynn Taylor and DJ Stacy tag team on the main floor, and Brooklyn’s DJ Shomi Noise spins on the Latin floor.

Saturday June 23 @ Chelsea Brewing Company, 9pm | $20 presale, $25 at the door, $40 VIP| TICKETS

girlNATION PRIDE

Hana’s girlNATION is still going strong after eight years. Come celebrate pride at its new swanky venue.

Saturday June 23 @ Bread and Tulips, 10:30 p.m. | $10

SNAPSHOT’S PROUD AS F*CK

The Snapshot crew reunites to throw its annual Proud As F*ck pride party at Bar 13. Expect a hip, enthusiastic local crowd. Celesbian Chef Josie of Top Chef will be serving up yummies from her taco truck.

Sunday June 24 @ Bar 13, Doors open at 5 p.m. | $10 before 10, $15 thereafter | TICKETS

BROOKLYN – because some people don’t believe that civilization exists west of the East River

REBEL CUPCAKE #26

Pride edition of Williamsburg’s flamboyant dance party for all shapes and flavors.

Thursday June 21 @ Sugarland, doors open 10 p.m. | $5 if you’re on the list, $7 general admission

THAT’S MY PRIDE JAM

Tikka Masala‘s long running party That’s My Jam is resurrected for Pride at a new venue.

Friday June 22 @ Srb Brooklyn, doors open 10 p.m. | $10

EVERYBOOTY TOO! SPANK + HEY QUEEN + EARL DAX: PRIDE PARTY

Massive second annual Pride party at the 4000 sq foot DeKalb Market for Brooklyn queers. The crowd will be “mixed LGBTQ avant gay drag queens fly butches femmes in glitter – a magical queer carnival – with raucous debauchery as always,” according to Hey Queen’s Sarah Jenny, who was kind enough to send me a description in 140 characters or less. And it is now free to attend. Ticket holders will be refunded.

Sunday June 24 @ DeKalb Market, Brooklyn, 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. | NO COVER

See you at Pride!

All photos by Grace Chu