COMPILED BY SCOTT STIFFLER
1984: FOR LIFEBEAT — MUSIC FIGHTS AIDS
Like the decade of skinny ties and crappy synthpop, the recently shuttered weekly dance party “1984” refuses to say die. DJ, publicist and altruistic schmoozer Chip Duckett’s much-loved party has resurrected itself as a traveling charity event. This will be its first time getting it up, so to speak, for a good cause: Lifebeat — Music Fights HIV (a nonprofit that uses the power of music and the music industry to help educate young people about HIV/AIDS prevention). Coming out swinging (and swishing), this “1984” 2.0 version boasts a live performance by Jody Watley and will be hosted by drag star Dallas DuBois. Filthy go-go dancers will also be on hand.
Fri., June 24 at The Gramercy Theatre (127 E. 23rd St., btw. Lexington & Park Aves.). Doors open at 10pm, with dancing until 4am. For tickets ($18 in advance, $20 at the door), call 212-352-3101 or visit spincyclenyc.com. 18 to enter, 21+ to drink. Also visit lifebeat.org and jodywatley.net.
TOO MUCH PRIDE MAKES THE BABY GO GAY
As annual events go, this one just recently learned to walk and talk. Now, at five years of age, it won’t shut up…and oh, the sassy and uncensored things it says! The New York Neo-Futurists present their 5th Annual Best of Pride Show: “Too Much Pride Makes The Baby Go Gay: 30 Gay Plays In 60 Straight Minutes.” The dynamic East Village ensemble has been packing them in, so to speak, with their long-running evening of original short plays (“Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind”). This Pride edition features 30 short plays, curated from the past five years of LGBTQ-themed Neo-Futurist plays. By the time you exit, you will have experienced the struggle, joy and power of being out and proud in New York. Offer void when applied to certain heterosexuals and those from Tennessee. Sorry, Tennessee!
Fri., June 24 and Sat., June 25. 10:30pm, at the Kraine Theater (85 E. 4th St., btw. 2nd Ave. & Bowery). For tickets ($20), visit nyneofuturists.org or call 212-352-3101. Proceeds go to benefit LGBTQ advocacy in Uganda through the Fund for Global Human Rights. For more info about that very good cause, visit globalhumanrights.org.
SRLP’S GALA-SPECTACULAR
Attending the inaugural edition of this fundraiser will be a nice way to help the Sylvia Rivera Law Project — which helps provide free, quality, affirming legal services for low-income transgender, intersex and gender non-conforming people. You’ll also strengthen SRLP’s work to end institutional discrimination, violence and coercion on the basis of gender identity and expression (as well as enable their participation in larger movements for racial, social and economic justice). Whew! All that change for the better doesn’t come cheap. That’s why SRLP has set a goal of raising $10,000 by June 30. Geo Wyeth of Novice Theory, I.G. Rivera, Tactical Spectacle, Lana Carroll of the Low and the Lonesome, Stefanie Rivera and your fabulous MC, Lucia Leandro Gimeno (aka LLG), will entertain and titillate — while DJs Benjamin Haber and Brian Belukha will keep you moving all night. Plus: Fantastic raffle prizes, hors d’oeuvres and drinks.
Tickets: $20-$100 sliding scale — but no one will be turned away. Wed., June 29, 8-11pm. At The Knitting Factory (361 Metropolitan Ave., Brooklyn). RSVP on Facebook or visit srlp.org.
BETTER & BETTER: A CONCERT FOR GLSEN
You know Dasher and Dancer (and may yourself be a Prancer or a Vixen)…but do you know GLSEN? When they’re not busy workin’ their glittery, glamtastic acronym (which stands for Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network), they work with educators, policy makers, community leaders and students to address anti-LGBT behavior and bias in schools. Now they want (and need and deserve) you to work it, girl — by attending “Better & Better.” The benefit is hosted by one of our sassy faves: Alec Mapa — with able assistance from Mimi Imfurst (she of “RuPaul’s Drag Race”) and the ever-witty and downright subversive radio host Frank DeCaro. Also on the bill: sex advice columnist Dan Savage, Andrea McArdle, Nellie McKay and alternative rock group BETTY.
Thurs., June 23, 7:30pm at The Gramercy Theater (127 E. 23rd St. at Lexington Ave.). For tickets ($20-$100), visit spincyclenyc.com or call 212-352-3101. Also visit glsen.org.
BROADWAY SINGS FOR PRIDE
Monday, June 27: Sunday’s Pride March has come and gone — and as the last fabulous vestiges of sparkle and glitter linger on Fifth Avenue, there remains one more destination on your June list of queer things to do. “Broadway Sings for Pride” is an evening of speeches and musical performances meant to raise funds for NYC’s essential Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center. The promise of seeing over a dozen Broadway and National Tour performers (along with notable Reality TV faves) is reason enough to drag your tired post-Pride self out of the house (or the gutter, or the alley, or wherever you woke up this morning). Broadway hits, Beatles classics and the latest from Lady Gaga will be belted out by cast members from shows including “The Book of Mormon,” “Wicked,” and “Anything Goes.” First-hand stories of pride will be told by Sonja Morgan (“The Real Housewives of New York City”), Reichen Lehmkuhl (“The Amazing Race”, “The A-List: New York”), Randy Jones (multi-platinum recording artist, founding member of Village People) and others! Mon., June 27, 7pm. At The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center (208 W. 13th St., btw. 7th & 8th Aves.). For tickets ($20), visit gaycenter.org/node/6779. For info, call 212-620-7310.
