(Pictured: Appearing at Erving Drake's 90th Birthday celebration at The National Arts Club April 6th, 2009)Wow! What a week! So many things happening in the world. This blog covers important things going on in the world which are affecting our lives, things I've been up to, things that are happening, and things that are coming up. Last week the Obama administration took tough, decisive action with the auto industry, forcing the resignation of the CEO of General Motors and Vermont Legalized Gay Marriage! This is a rare blog – one where we celebrate another huge step towards marriage equality not in a matter of months or years, but literally days.
Equality is on a roll!!! With the recent win in Iowa and now Vermont, we look to New Jersey and New York - both having bills pending in legislature -and to the governors of both states to sign those bills once they reach their desks, as promised.
Source: http://www.nytimes.com/The Legislature voted Tuesday to override Gov. Jim Douglas’ veto of a bill allowing gays and lesbians to marry 100 - 49, and passed a bill starting gender neutral civil marriage equality!!!!
Vermont is now the fourth state on the right side of this issue and the first to do so through the legislature. In 1999, the Vermont Supreme Court directed the state to provide marital protections and benefits to same-sex couples. Vermont became the first state to create civil unions in 2000. This vote by the Vermont legislature validates the fact that civil unions are second class rights and marriage is the only way to full equality for all families.
Marriage Equality New York congratulates Vermont Freedom to Marry for their continued hard work over the last few years and their victory today.
Maine is next up, holding hearings this month on a marriage bill. Marriage activists also await a decision from the California Supreme Court on the challenge to the discriminatory Proposition 8 brought by a number of civil rights groups.
Carol and Harry mentioned me on Fruit Salad this week!!! So sweet!!!
Listen here: www.fruitsaladshow.com
Monday night, I was part of Ervin Drake's 90th Birthday celebration at The National Arts Club featuring Chareles Grobin and Leslie Uggams. Check it out here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UDAZoLprXs
Wednesday Night, I was lucky enough to have been asked to be a part of HUMP NIGHT AT THE IGUANA, hosted by Sue Matsuki (subbing for Joan Crowe). Brave, Sue! You did a wonderful job! Yesterday, I served on the ARTS COUNCIL OF ROCKLAND Scholarship Panel! Here are the details: ACOR awarded$14,000 to graduating Rockland high school seniors going on to further their artistic educations in a public or private conservatory, university or college located in NYS. I am thrilled to be asked to be a part of this for the second time. http://www.artscouncilofrockland.org/
JACK WRANGLER (pictured with wife, Margaret Whiting, and unknown) , the man who invented porn stardom, has died in New York, "peaceful and comfortable," according to his doctor, Wendy S. Ziecheck. Jack, a Hollywood child (Marilyn Monroe baby-sat him), was getting nowhere much as an actor when a porn movie was offered him. He consulted with his father, a producer of "Bonanza," who told him "just be the best." Jack took his screen-name from his jeans and became the first identifiable personality on the tiny, blurry screens of gay porn. At a time when most "adult" actors wore socks and even masks, he created a persona modeled on the Marlboro man -- butch. beautiful, and unashamed. And imitated! The gay "clone" look (plaid shirt, jeans) was inspired by Jack' and s all but to the Awards.
Bistro Awards Update:
*Marilyn Maye , Billy Stritch, and Seth Rudetsky have joined the roster of talent that will be at the 24th Annual Bistro Awards show honoring Charles Aznavour and Liza Minnelli and 30 other cabaret artists.
*Bistro Awards After Party at nearby restaurant!
*Bistro winners to appear on Joey Reynolds show April 20, 21, 22, and 23 at midnight!
*Meet the recipients! Check out our Performers’ Gallery tab on the Bistro website: http://www.bistroawards.com/.
50 TICKETS REMAIN! Go http://www.bistroawards.com/, or call 646-654-5725.
Hope to see you on Tuesday, April 28!
Jim Bailey to Mark 40th Anniversary of Garland's Death with West End The 40th anniversary of the death of Judy Garland will be marked in London by one of the late star's most famous impersonators, Jim Bailey.Garland, who would have been 87 years old on June 10, died on June 22, 1969. Jim Bailey as Judy Garland – the 40th Anniversary Concert will be staged at the West End's Leicester Square Theatre, beginning performances June 9 for a run to June 14 only.Bailey, who was named Las Vegas Entertainer of the Year four times over, made his debut there in the late 60s. Garland herself saw him many times in 1968, and in the 1970s he performed two concerts with her daughter, Liza Minnelli, and they became friends. In England he did many "Sunday Nights at the London Palladium" TV specials and because of that success, he did two seasons at the London Palladium in 1977 and 1984. He last played there in 1995.In the show, Bailey will be singing all of Garland's greatest hits, including "Over the Rainbow," "Get Happy," "The Trolley Song," "The Man That Got Away" and some rare gems.The show is produced by David Shepherd and Brian Daniels for D&B Productions Ltd in association with Live From Leicester Square. To book tickets, contact the box office at 0844 847 2475 or visit http://www.leicestersquaretheatre.com/.
emember to support live theatre! Go see a LIVE perforfance this week. Also, remember to support The Dr. Carol Channing Endowment For The Arts. Let's keep Arts in Education. If you're not a follower of this blog, I hope that you'll join. As I write this, I have 25 followers! Please help me to get up to 30 this week!
Happy Easter, Passover, or whatever you choose to celebrate this week.
Till Next Time,
Richard Skipper
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