W42ST Daily 6/26/2020
Pride is going to be different this year, that’s for sure. But, while formal events – including the annual march – have been cancelled, there will be a ton of virtual happenings and unofficial gatherings, many recognizing the critical role trans women of color had in the Stonewall riots.
To celebrate, this weekend we’re looking back at some of our favorite Pride coverage over the years, including that time we had a masterclass in drag from Monet X Change – before she went on to star in Ru Paul’s Drag Race and got herself 933K followers.
And these coming out stories are at times joyful, at times heartbreaking … and occasionally life-saving. Share yours with me and I’ll share it with all the other New Yorkers marking Pride this weekend.
There will be more classic coverage tomorrow – sign up to The Daily newsletter to stay updated.
THIS ONE’S FOR KIT
For weeks, a black cat had taken up residence in De Witt Clinton Park, abandoned by its owner and growing increasingly fat. Neighbors, worried she might be pregnant, managed to capture the scared little kitty, with the help of Bideawee rescue, and that swollen belly turned out to be pyometra, a life-threatening condition of the uterus.
She’s now recovering with her foster mom after an emergency op, but what could have been easily prevented by bringing her to a shelter to get her spayed ended up costing Joyrides Rescue $5,000. Donations of $3,000 have already been received, but if you were concerned about Kit (as she’s now been named), you can help by donating via PayPal or Venmo to info@joyrides.org. If you’re interested in adopting her, contact Joyrides (ask to speak with Michelle).
And, friends, don’t just abandon your animals, OK? That’s not cool.
DANCE
No experience is necessary for this dancehall workshop with Eryc Taylor Dance and instructor Jeo – just bring positive energy and good vibes. You’ll learn choreography to a variety of genres including Dancehall Afro beat and R&B. Class kicks off at 3pm, and it’s pay what you can. Find your groove.
PLAY
Mario Cantone, Charlie Carver, Telly Leung, and a star-studded cast gather tonight for a free stream of Mart Crowley’s The Men from the Boys. Directed by Zachary Quinto, it revisits the characters from the The Boys in the Band years later, in a New York City apartment. A play for Pride.
FEED
Daveed Diggs, Phillipa Soo, Blair Underwood, Arian Moayed, and more join The Homebound Project, running until Sunday and featuring 12 new works of theater written by homebound playwrights and recorded by sheltering actors. It’s all raising money for No Kid Hungry. Watch it here.
CONNECT
Join the Artist Coop’s Zoomalogue (that was never a word three months ago!) viewing party tonight, featuring monologues by theater makers exploring how people communicate during a global pandemic, in quarantine, and behind a screen. Connect with the community here.
DANCE
Remember that crazy Friday dance party that raised $94,000 for Black Lives Matter? They’re doing it again tonight – and this time the funds raised will be going to The Okra Project, supporting black trans folks. And it’s been extended to 45 joy-filled, sweaty minutes. Anyone is welcome. Kids will be there. Pets will be there. Dammit, I’ll be there. Costumes are encouraged. Find out all the info here.
If you like staying connected to your neighborhood, don’t keep it to yourself. Your friends can join the W42ST tribe too – by signing up on that big yellow blob.