AC hits another HOME RUN

Antonio Cedeno strikes another home run!
Feathers is going to need reconstruction with all these guest performers coming in and ripping the place apart! Sherry Vine had them stomping the floor begging for more and last night Pandora Boxx had them tearing up the floor and rushing the stage!
From the moment you walked in the air of Feathers was light and whimsical. If anyone needs proof that a Christmas miracle has occurred take note: Antonio actually HAD clothes on! I have known him for many years and didn’t recognize him! He was in great form; relaxed and just hanging. He hung out with everyone, making sure everyone was smiling and having a good time. He even went shot for shot with many of the walk in customers, as well as the "AC –ites" ; his groupies have nick-named themselves this.
Everyone was laughing, dancing and enjoying themselves as the time flew by. DJ Lady Tita was her GREAT self burning up the floor and raising the already high energy. The cherry on the top of such a fun evening was the incredible funny PANADORA BOXX! She had the group going from the moment she stepped onto the stage-just flying in from Florida. (Boy, were her arms tired! - now you know why I write and don’t perform stand-up. The place went crazy and continued until last call!
After the show was the meet and greet –what a nice person she is! There was a surprise cake from Feathers own, rising star-Tony Albanese. Tony is making quite a name for himself outside of working for the CAKE BOSS. (Within a year he will be the man that you will say, “I knew him when…”) The cake was a work of art and so appreciated by Pandora, and everyone else!
Besides, the hot new dancer (book him for the year} the upstairs had a surprise when DJ AJ started the evening off with his great sound and fun attitude! He is missed and hopefully will made more guest appearances!
I’ve said this before and I will continue to say this when you see Antonio Cedeno Presents…(AC) on a flyer mark the date on your calendar because it is a night not to be forgotten!

Benefits and Friends with benefits made up this week-end

After a busy and exhausting week-end I can finally find a moment to sit down and blog about the fun! Let’s start at the very beginning- Friday night and the benefit for Children with Cancer. It came to Antonio Cedeno’s attention that there were two little children whose family could not afford the medical bills. With-out a second thought Antonio got on the ball and organized a benefit for Ava and Ivan and created an event that had everyone talking! Not only was he able to get gift baskets from Whole Food and Karma Salon, but also raffled off two tickets to LATE NIGHT with JIMMY FALLON! From the moment the customers saw the pictures of the kids the pockets were emptied and the money basket was over flowing with tens and twenty’s! A great time was had by all and the cherry on top of the evening was the solo performance of Michelle DuPree (Scott Cooper). The audience was wowed with this drag legend, as was I! Michelle has not only aged gracefully, but has come into her talent and made the half hour show a memory that will last in everyone’s heart forever! Being a single father, the caused brought out the best in Scott and the audience knew they were watching an event in the making! Antonio also arranged for everyone’s favorite dancer/ masseuse Scott Jenkins to not only dance, but massage the patrons as they sat at the bar. Scott has improved 1,000% as a performer since the first time I saw him dance and hats off to Antonio for seeing this diamond in the rough and polishing it!
Fortunate for me, but unfortunate for my readers I hooked up with an ex and have no idea how much they raised, but seeing the hearts that came alive to help those children was the gift in itself for me.
How do I describe the over-whelming sensation that hit me as I entered Club Feathers on Saturday night –UNBELIEVABLE! When I stepped inI was handed a free admission to the club on the Friday after Thanksgiving, which happens to be one of the busiest Fridays of the year! Then I was greeted by shirtless calendar models from Jersey Jocks amateur models. They signed calendars and posed for pictures with everyone! Between Lady Tita pumping up the music energy and the models pumping up the hormone energy, the night was outrageous! Check out what you missed at www.jerseyjocksonline.com.
That was just the beginning, the excitement continued upstairs where John Rizzo owned the sound and energy of the evening!Also, back by popular demand; and let me tell you EVERYONE was begging for the return of Veronica Conway! She hosted an underwear fashion show featuring the hot styles of the up and coming LOUIS BOOM BOOM and his BOOM WEAR. (Google and check out his designs)As a long time 2 (x) ist wearer I have to admit the texture of the material and inventive design is swaying me. The models and show was so well organized. Antonio Cedeno has become a pro among the promoters and his confidence is having him take chances with winning results! Hats off to him and his brilliant creative choices! The walk way was resigned for the evening and instead of looking at the backs of people’s heads, Antonio had them elevated above the crowd and all could see!
The secret surprise of the evening was a guest appearance by Ashley Blake. I have not seen Ashley in a couple of years and watching her perform was a pleasant trip down memory lane. She was improved so much as a performer and is still as sweet as ever! What a wonderful evening!
After the show all the underwear models went downstairs and sold their wears! Between the calendar models selling calendars and the underwear models selling underwear – who needs a mall- or a book store…lol
Have A GREAT THANKSGIVING and look for a GREAT WEEK of Parties- I won’t even mention the night before Thanksgiving. Steve Sidewalk makes every Wednesday night packed like the night before Thanksgiving so expect three hundred extra people and GET THERE EARLY!!!
LXS PRESENTS
THANKSGIVING Thursday: November 25th 2010

BLACK OUT: Pre-Black Friday Party- KANDELA STYLE

COMPLETE DARKNESS - NO LIGHT - DANCE in the DARK!
Black Attire RECOMMENDED, Not Mandatory

Are you SHOPPING on BLACK FRIDAY?
GARDEN STATE MALL is 2 MINUTES AWAY!
Come, PARTY and then SHOP!

Featuring
On the Main Floor RESIDENT DJ- Lady TITA

Hosted By ANGEL SHERIDAN &
A Special SURPRISE Guest Performance

*SEXY DANCERS***GIVEAWAYS***DRINK SPECIALS*

I AM DETERMINED TO MEET THE CUTIE FROM THE AD!

NEXT SATURDAY!

Antonio Cedeno Presents ONE SUPER GAY PARTY

Hosted by Antonio Cedeno

Performance by The Amazing Super Parody Queen Sherry Vine !

Boots, Saddles and Feathers equals FUN

Boots, Saddle and Feathers = FUN!!!
While still riding the high from the Halloween party, Antonio Cedeno continues to keep his name and parties fresh on everyone’s lips! The buzz started last week when everyone was talking about “Antonio Cedeno Presents; Boots, Saddles and Feathers” party and the appearance of a new singing sensation, Sariah. While I wasn’t quite sure what to expect calling a party Boots and Saddle, I was thinking line dancing, country western music, cowboy hats. While there were many in cowboy hats, including the bar staff, the music was far from country! Lady Tita was sending out smoke signals last night and they were HOT! HOT! HOT!!! The dance floor was packed all night and only broke when the Sariah, the guest artist, made her sneak attack and capture the crowd!
DJ Justin Ryan kept the posse rounded up in the Indian Lounge where Antonio Cedeno greeted guest. After seeing Antonio dressed as an Indian I was ready to surrender the land and be taken captive! The energy was high and it was all thanks to Antonio. As usual the staff stepped up and played their parts as cowboy sheriff’s and deputies.
The highlight of the evening was recording artist Sariah. She lassoed the audience from the moment she stepped on stage with her eye candy back-up dancers and FANTASTIC VOICE! I was standing by the big bar and heard the customers “shh-ing” people, which was a first. Her voice brought an energetic excitement to the evening which lasted long after her performance. Forget about the Alamo, remember Sariah! Experience what you missed; check her out…http://www.myspace.com/sariahmusicnow.


Next Saturday, Antonio Cedeno Presents WALK FOR ME!
http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=128185730570839

CARN-EVIL DELIVERS AND THEN SOME

Promoted as the “Party of the Year”, Antonio Cedeno Presents Carn-Evil surpassed even its own publicity and ended up being the PARTY OF THE DECADE! From the moment you walked in you knew you were walking into something special, besides the fact Ray and Therese were back working at the bar in the coatroom…posted were notices that the evening events were being filmed for Logo’s “Made in MAN-hatten” featuring the charming and adorable Adam Barta, one of the guest judges. (Shout out to Tiffany, Adam’s assistant, who had me smiling the whole night!and the poor camera girl who had to carry that camera on her shoulders the whole night) My first hint that the night was going to be a continuous comedy of surprises was meeting the guest bartender, Peter. He was on the ball and served all with a smile; not easy for someone to sub in a place that is so established. There is no way you can be in a “bad mood” at a Halloween party. I bumped into two vampires, three mummies and two Lady Gaga’s while walking to the bathroom. Artie and Paul completed the downstairs bar staff decked out in the eeriest clown faces I had seen. Guest DJ David Gerlitzki kept the crowd happy and dancing on the lounge level. I actually stayed downstairs longer than I had expected because the music was so good! On my way up stairs I bumped into “Thing One and Thing Two”, A cowboy (who I don’t think was in costume) a pregnant Angel (who I found out later wasn’t pregnant just fat) and three more Lady Gaga’s. Upon arriving onto the dance floor, my imagination was blown away! Eddie and the staff out did themselves with the decorations! Besides evil clowns, whose eyes lit up, and balloons, the dance floor was made to look like a huge circus tent. I felt like I was under the big top except this big top was burnt down! The top of the tent hung down with burned edges and along the wall were the red and white pattern with “CLOWNS ARE EVIL” spray painted on it. Eddie and Scott manned the main bar in demented clown make-up and Vinnie went over the top with his top hat and tux evil clown look- one word- SUPERB!
While making my way across the dance floor I bumped into a human tampon, an Alien, three drag queens and a trio of “Aunt Jemima’s” and two more Lady Gaga’s…Do we see a pattern here? Lol
With the arrival of the judges came the excitement of the evening, Kim G ( the Real Housewives of New Jersey ), Tony Albanese (Tone-Tone from Cake Boss) and Adam Barta (MTV recording artist and reality star)hung together and chatted the evening away bonding before the contest was to begin.
I have to say on a personal note I have never met such down to earth and wonderful celebrities! Each one took time to chat with everyone and pose for pictures! Three cheers to each one of them! I never watched the Real Housewives but after meeting Kim I will DEFINATELY check out the show! She was so genuine and sweet.
Not to be out done by the judges, Antonio Cedeno, himself, appeared with his “ANGELS” (Sean, Skylar and Mikeyy). Three of the HOTTEST GUYS in the HOTTEST COSTUMES!Between them and the go-go dancers my night was made.
Just when I thought the night hit its high the contest began and TONY MONA, the evenings MC, hit the dance floor dressed as the love child of Frankenstein and his bride…A riot! Guest judge, Tony Albanese presented a large “Evil Clown” theme cake as a surprise to all;donated by WHOLE FOODS MARKET. The event that everyone was there for began- the contest! The dance floor was so packed the contestants had very little space to walk. The judges had a hard time choosing a winner- all the costumes were over the top and incredible, having to choose two was near impossible. There was a Lady Gaga from the “Rolling Stones” magazine, a Chess board Queen, Thing One and Thing Two, Zombies and popping body parts. The winners were an incredible looking Avatar and a hand-made Alien outfit!
The easiest winner was “The Real Housewives of New Jersey” look-alike-; contestant number 27 wanted to be Snookie, but every time he smiled he was a dead look-alike for Theresa from Housewives. Kim G. from The Real Housewives of New Jersey” had the honor of announcing the look-alike winner. The judges did a GREAT JOB at an almost impossible task!
After the contest the crowd went downstairs for a “meet and greet” with the judges and some cake. When I tell you the cake was gone before you could blink an eye I am telling you the truth! They were vultures with the cake! Poor Tony Albanese and Kim G couldn’t they couldn’t cut and hand it out fast enough but EVERYONE got a piece and were ready for round two.
It was so fun to watch!

When the cake was done the crowd returned to the dance floor with their new suagr high!.

Lady Tita had her work cut out and succeeded in keeping the energy level up and going ALL night long!!! I checked out at 2:30 AM, when the bar is usually thinning out, but not last night- they would not stop partying! Antonio kept to his promise and had the HOTTEST dancers complimenting the night by keeping the guest entertained with their sexually evil moves! SHOUT OUT to dancers ANTHONY and SHELDON!!!
On my way out a young-HOT Gladiator came up and gave me a trick or treat bag with a piece of gum, mint and lollipop! I love small details that make the night that much more memorable!
Three Cheers to Antonio Cedeno and a night to remember!!!

Carn-Evil is destined to become history- BE THERE!

CARN-EVIL is destined to become history-be a part of it!!!
Here ye! Here Ye one and all! After an exhausting search for every opportunity to party on Saturday night, Club Feathers wins hands down! With Halloween falling on Sunday, Club Feathers is offering an exciting Saturday night Halloween party that promises to raise the dead! The theme is Carn-Evil! Think “Freddy Kruger joining the circus”. The night will be filled with murder, mayhem and mystery as customers are invited to participate in a night of fun and surprises! This will be the night that everyone will be talking about ALL year! Be for warned and be there, OR BE SORRY!
Antonio Cedeno is pulling together a night that promises to earn its place in Feather history! Not only did he invent the theme, but with the help of manager Eddie, created an illusion that will transcend you into his fantasy world of horror!
Taking things over the top, which has become Antonio Cedeno’s insignia, he has lined up an impressive group of celebrity judges from the unpredictable Kim G (from Bravo’s “Real Housewives of New Jersey”) to celebrity baker Tony Albanese (Tone-Tone from TLC’s “Cake Boss”) to MTV Logo’s own Adam Barta! Antonio Cedeno will be on hand to help MC the evenings Halloween Contest along with the ghoulishly, enchanting Tony Mona! What more can you ask for? Well I will tell you…PRIZES!!! ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS in prizes! There will be a unique category “Best Housewife of New Jersey” Look-alike! How hysterical is that going to be!! I wonder if the look-alikes will act like the real housewives. Be there to find out!
And if that isn’t enough….
Be there to fall under the spell of DJ Lady Tita as she literally burns up the dance floor- playing ring leader under the BIG TOP!!! And only Antonio Cedeno can make horror and gore sexy with the hottest dancers on the east coast…Meanwhile, DJ David Gerlitzski works his magic in the side-show (lounge level)and the bartenders promise not to let anyone down with their hauntingly creative costumes- even the ticket taker will have treats for all who enter- the question is will the treats help you, or trick you???????
Antonio Cedeno promises many surprises and a night not to be forgotten!
Get there early -talk is buzzing that this night will be busier than the night before Thanksgiving!!!
Antonio Cedeno Presents Carn-Evil- a night that promises to become a legend!

odyssey- a night that made the GODZ smile!

Last night Feathers was rocking again with new energy and a new dance floor look! Antonio Cedeno Presents is back and his latest party was one that will be spoken about for months. The night started out as promised the GODZ were out and what a hot crowd it was! If this Saturday night is an example of what is to come, Feathers will be the place to be this fall!
Antonio Cedeno, dressed as the ultimate GOD, was at the door greeting his guest with hugs and stories for all. Not only is Antonio Cedeno’s parties the talk of the circuit, but his dancing is award nominating. I should also take the time to mention that OUT IN NEW JERSEY readers voted FEATHERS the # 1 club in New Jersey! Three cheers to manager Eddie Kallen, Antonio Cedeno, Lady Tita, John Rizzo, and Steve Sidewalk and the wonderful bar staff!!! “Antonio Cedeno Presents” may get them in the door, but it takes everyone working there to make the night an event- last night was no exception.
While Antonio manned the front door, the bar and wait staff entertained the guest dressed in stylish togas and laurels. There were shot boy God’s and Titan lounge DJ’s adding to fun downstairs. Antonio provided 20 toga and they were handed out for a good time. Everyone was walking around having a great time trying to “out-do” each other’s toga styles!
The surprise of the evening were the amazing large screen projectors that played clips from “Clash of the Titan’s” on the dance floor as everyone rocked to DJ John Rizzo and DJ Lorant ripping up the dance floor the whole night!
Just when you thought it was over, it just began. SHOW TIME!
Singer Michael Carmine Di Bianco wowed the audience with his vocal talents and hosted the Toga contest. $100.00 was given to the one who wore the toga the best! There were 20 creative contestants playing up their moment in the spot-light. It was such fun and the audience egged them on - Togas were all over the place! The down side was the missing hostess, Bianca Del Rio. Her talents were missed, but the Gods were smiling on Antonio and sent a troop of replacements. It seems there was a fund-raiser and a drag trio group (The Imperial Court Trio) entered the club on cue. Antonio asked them if they wouldn’t mind performing and before he could finish the request they had their music in his hand. They were TERRIFIC!
Before the crowd could calm down it was last call. The end of the evening was in sight, but there is a promise of another Antonio Cedeno Presents coming real soon!
OCTOBER 9th : DANCEDROMEDA hosted by Antonio Cedeno and the hilarious Veronica Conway with special guest Antoan Towe. Let the music of DJ’s John Rizzo and Lady Tita take you to the outer limits of reality!
Keep October 30th open for The Halloween Party that will soon be announced…It will be a night not to be forgotten-no matter how much you try!

Antonio Cedeno Presents Tiki Beach Party!

So I started my Saturday having to get up early and go see the matinee of “A Little Night Music” with Bernadette Peters and Elaine Stritch. I had seen the show with Catherine Zeta-Jones and Angela Lansbury and had enjoyed it. Just to see them on stage was worth the $145.00 per ticket. The show itself is known for the song “Send in the Clowns” and that is about it-kinda dry. Seeing it with the new cast was like watching a whole new show! I always go thinking I am going to hate Bernadette Peters but before intermission I end up loving her! She is Broadway at its best and everyone going to a show should forget the trendy shows and see pro’s doing pro’s work!
After the show my friend and I went to the West Bank Café for dinner with friends from yesteryear. It was a great night and at 10:30 I was ready for bed and eventually sleep- depending on my friends frame of mind. Then I remembered Antonio’s birthday bash at Feathers. I hate making promises and I know he is in for a crash. Maybe tonight’s party isn’t worth rushing for, but a promise is a promise and I excused myself and drove back to Jersey.
Well what can I say…..
Last night Feathers saw another successful night thanks to Antonio Cedeno Presents TiKi Beach Party. The moment you entered Antonio was there to offer you a lei and a compliment on how you looked- this guy has old fashion charm which is much needed in today’s night life and it is what separates him from other promoters. Antonio greets you at the front door and makes you feel like you are entering an event, not just a night at the bar. There were extra lei’s that were lying around and everyone had fun “lei-ing “each other. Even dancers ANTHONY AND KAFE were “lei-ing” some of the customers.
The dancers, both a compliment to the profession, walked around and engaged customers in conversation and then some! They were so friendly and approachable and when they danced they had everyone stopping and staring in awe. They were so in demand that while one danced on the boxes the other danced on the bar! The crowd loved them and I promise they will be back-look for those names and check them out!
An unexpected surprise was Antonio’s GUEST BARTENDER- JOVANNI ! OMG! The guy was breath-taking and sooo kind. He was courteous and knew what he was doing! This was his first time behind the bar, but handled it as if he was doing it for years, but looks too young for that to be true -very nice eye candy. Antonio wants to have guest bartenders as a feature to his parties in the future. Just a little extra eye candy for a special night!
Although the wonderful sounds of both John Rizzo and Lady Tita were GREATLY missed, Antonio Cedeno was able to find someone who brought new life to an old dance floor and that someone was guest DJ Billy Carroll. The crowd went wild for him and many came out just to hear his sounds! His improvisational skills were tested when the guest performing artist, Bianca Del Rio, ad-libbed an impromptu dance off contest. HYSTERICAL! Downstairs in what was turned in the TIKI lounge DJ LORANT was spinning. His sounds were incredible and brought a unique and much appreciated life to the downstairs lounge area.
But the star of the evening was the performance of Bianca Del Rio! Bianca Del Rio is the funniest and most natural performer I have seen in a Long, Long, Long time! I could have just watched her perform the whole night! Every line was funnier than the next! Feathers should grab this one and hold tight because she is going places. Think of Lisa Lampanelli in a gay bar-a riot! I believe Antonio is posting clips of the night’s event. PRICELESS! A shout out
All in all the night was amazing and shame on you if you weren’t there. Waking up alone this morning made me wonder if I made the right choice and then I got a text from Antonio thanking me for being there and I realized I did make the right choice! Hope to see you all at the Bachelor’s Auction on Friday! Let’s come out for a GREAT cause and make money for a worthy cause! I am also putting myself on the auction block so bring lots of singles..I think I am going for $11.95!

AMBER DELIVERS

From the moment she stepped out onto the red carpet you knew something extraordinary was about to occur- and it did! AMBER arrived !!! With all the buildup I thought for sure it was just hype and not going to be so great- was I wrong. The event superseded anything I could have imagined. From the moment Antonio Cedeno presented the event and stood on the side like a nervous papa waiting for the birth of his first child, to her finale was the most memorable time I have spent at Feathers in quite a long time. Amber started with “If You Could Read My Mind” and midway through the number had the audience singing along with her. In fact she handed the mike to some of them! Imagine their thrill telling friends that they shared the mike with Amber! After the song the excitement and cheering rose to a new high at Feathers! People were stamping and screaming for more- and they got it…Side story; I used to always call the song “YES” the breast song. I DROVE LADY TITA (who was the DJ and tore the place up before, during and after! 10 thumbs up to her) crazy when it first came out and I wanted to find out the name, even when AMBER was booked I mentioned the “breast song” and everyone had no clue what I was talking about. Well, AMBER, herself, referred to “YES” as the “Breast song” –score for me! Everyone went insane when she sang, what I feel will always be her best and most memorable song! After the “Breast Song” she spoke to the audience and was so eloquent and humble. She stated her love for the gays and how without them there would be no AMBER. She was so appreciated and thankful! She allowed me to get to know her as a person and I liked her. Then it happened – she started to sing a Ballard with a familiar tone. It was pretty and as it went on the tune became clearer and the audience rose to the excitement! It was “SEXUAL” . Well no one expected it and when she picked up the beat the audience went right along with her! EXCELLENT! Great way to close the performance and the audience left satisfied!
But wait- I walk downstairs and what do I see? Amber is there doing a meet and greet. She chatted with all her fans and posed for pictures. It was like meeting the cast of “GLEE”! These guys were hanging all around and posing for pictures with the same grin a child posing with Santa has on their face! She sat down there until everyone was happy and then called an end to the evening- it was after 1am! What a night! Before closing I do want to send out a “shout out” to Feathers security! They were GREAT last night Larry, Rob and the rest ! Excellent job- it was noticed and appreciated! I don’t know how Antonio Cedeno, John Rizzo and Lady Tita is going to top this, but I am betting they will! I hear EVOLUTION Friday is hosting first rate stand up comedians!

EVOLUTION FRIDAY'S -CHANGE IS GOOD!

Evolution is just the change that Feathers needed on Friday night and should I be surprised that Antonio Cedeno was behind such a delightfully entertaining evening. This man is riding a wave that doesn’t seem to want to end. He has produced one hit party after another and is now reconstructing Friday nights and renamed them EVOLUTION- Embrace the past as you step into the future. Antonio promises that each Friday night will hold great entertainment, hot go-go boys and fun surprises. The parties will range from Wet Dream Strip contest to AC Drag Race.
The kick-off party will be next week, but tonight we were invited to a preview and what a preview it was! What the evening lacked in people, it made up is morale! Not only was John Rizzo kicking out one hot song after another, but DJ Julio had the downstairs lounge hotly hopping as well. The added treat was the frozen drink machine and bartender Eddie rose to the high volume occasion and had the drinks ready in record time- including whipped cream!
To introduce EVOLUTION to the public, Antonio single handedly was able to get three of the North Jersey’s finest female illusionist to not only appear on the same stage, but compete is a DRAG RACE ala RUPAUL. Guest judges included: I, Joey P (aka. Ginger Vitis) and Mara Malzone (owner of Karma Salon and Spa in Parsippany- check out the site, you may even get your hair done by Antonio himself!).
Antonio Cedeno, himself, introduced the show and played host. Chyna started the evening with the energetic sensuality that we have come to expect from her performance. She performed Madonna’s “Body of Evidence”- EXCELLENT JOB CHYNA!!!! She worked the walk way and the crowd winning them over before the end of the number. Next up was Tiffany Tiana,she was as gracious as usual with her flair for the dramatics by entering the stage from the audience. We were all pleasantly surprised and entertained. It has been a while since I have seen her perform and a lost smile found its way to my face as I watched her work her magic on the audience. Tiffany's stunning outfit included a dress that revealed a black and white feathery masterpiece. She remains the queen of Feathers Stage- always so poised, professional and proper. Lastly to compete was house favorite Tony Mona dressed as a very over-sized Dorothy from “The Wizard of Oz”. He lighten up the evening with his off-color sense of humor, he proceeded to perform a song about a snatch to the tune of a “Wizard of Oz” song. Very entertaining! He used Eric, the hot new dancer, as a prop and NO ONE will forget the moves!
After the performers Antonio surprised them with a mix of songs that the performers we forced to perform. It was priceless to see the nerves take over their faces as they waited to hear what song Antonio was going to select next! The performers rose to the occasion and DJ John Rizzo had the WHOLE club dancing when he played “Dancing Queen”! What a night! Everyone had a GREAT time and next week’s party is being kept under wrap, but I can promise you if you show up you will have a great time!
PS…Tony Mona won the audience choice, but they all hugged and laughed and had a great time playing with the audience!

ANTONIO CEDENO PRESENTS CLUB FEATHER'S 32ND ANNIVERSARY

From the moment the party was announced the buzz began. I am mystified by the sky-rocketing success that these parties produced in such a short time! Club Feathers has a few geniuses within their mist and all I can say is “Ride the ride!”
Antonio Cedeno Presents Feathers 32nd Anniversary MOVIN’ UP Party and what a party it was! While most night clubs suffer from summer fever and weak week-ends this was not evident from the crowds that packed into Club Feathers to celebrate it 32nd Anniversary ala Antonio Cedeno style. The first sign of a special night in the making was seeing the Dee Jay AWARD WINNING real life couple John Rizzo and Lady Tita manning the lounge floor music system. Oldies, but goodies played through-out the night and the relaxed atmosphere created made it easy to hear requested songs as well as Dee Jay favorites. While Lady Tita dominated the music box, John Rizzo made himself available to customers and shared laughs and stories with all with-in ear shot. It was a great treat to be able to get to know the people behind the music as well as hear GREAT music! John Rizzo, himself, played an important part in last night’s event by bringing in the magnificent superstar DJ/Producer MIKE CRUZ and the incredible INAYA DAY!
MAGNIFICENT was the word for the night. Everyone performed up to expectations and then some. There was a swarm of people pushing to the front of the stage area during INAYA DAY’S performance. She laughed and told stories of her relationship with both DJ Mike Cruz and John Rizzo (Club Feathers has a diamond in John Rizzo and lately he has been shining at the events.)
Mike Cruz brought his signature style and sound that has made him a legend to Club Feathers dance floor. It was hard to get up the stairs and impossible to make your way to the back bar. Antonio found it hard to make his way around the club himself. “I am always amazed and the volume of people that show up! And everyone is having a GREAT time!” Antonio exclaimed as he worked his way to the go-go dancer’s stage and treated his guest with a show of his own.
Eddie, the manager, decorated the club in subtle yellow and black accessories to tie in with the Official GRINDR launch party also presented at the 32nd Anniversary Party. (Only Eddie could find flowers to match-Sunflowers, who would have thought.)www.GRINDR.com is a new dating service offered to the Gay community- check it out.
While all these new and exciting changes are occurring to Club Feathers it was a treat, and a pat on Antonio Cedeno’s shoulder, when the hostess of the nights festivity was the incomparable and notorious Ms. TONY MONA, who returned after a LONG year long absence. Mona was welcomed with thunderous applause and hit the audience with Pink’s “SO WHAT”. I applaud Antonio for not only bringing the club into the 21st century, but for also remembering the clubs past. I asked Mona how she felt being back, “It’s like I never left! Home is home and that is what Feathers is to a lot of people.” Antonio knows that and is determined to preserve the feeling, but redecorate the set up.
Antonio will begin on JULY 2nd when he takes over the Friday night party scene at Club Feathers and what a night he has planned! EVOLUTION---an Antonio Cedeno production…Evolution is the progression of time and energy. See what time and energy has done to the club scene, from pole dancing burlesque to wet dream jock contest. “I have a long list of hot entertainers that want a platform to present their unique talent. Friday nights will be like no other night because each week you will see a progressive change! Customers can participate or just stand back and enjoy. It’s all about the people.” There will be guest bartenders serving up special drinks and guest DJ’s playing to impress. Antonio, himself, will serve as the host of the evening and welcomes not only comments and suggestions, but friendly conversations with all!

What I Did For Love

What I Did For Love…(A CHORUS LINE)
Kiss today good-bye, the sweetness and the sorrow.
When I started writing the blog about Feathers history it was my own way of holding on to the past and not allowing anyone else to take it from me. My memories had to be the ultimate memories, my ideas had to be the ones remembered and etched in stone. I did a disservice to anyone who found hope and a home in those broken down four walls.
Look my eyes are dry; the gift was ours to borrow.
Last night I was eating breakfast at 2 AM with an old customer from my bar days. We were chatting in a way that only “tipsy” people can understand, half sentences that at the time make perfect sense, but in the morning you cannot for the life of you remember what the hell you were talking about!
He kept talking about Feathers being a second home and I kept arguing that it’s not! And he kept trying to convince me that it was and I kept trying to convince him that it wasn’t. Then the light went on, three hours after I left him and I realized I have no right to tell people what something should mean to them. If they find comfort in a bar-it’s theirs and not mine to take away.
FLASHBACK…I remember after my mom died I tried to find comfort in the church and I just couldn’t. I hated GOD and wanted everyone to hate him with me! I begged him not to take my mom, but he did. He left me alone…I went into the church and saw these people praying the rosary, young and old; I wanted to scream at them “GOD doesn’t listen to you! You are wasting your time!”
Then I looked closer and saw the calmness in their faces and the silences of their souls, I also saw the reflection of my anger and hate in the gold plated cross and thought to myself, “Who am I to take that peace away from them?” I walked out of the church with my anger and allowed them their peace.
Who am I to take the home away from people who party at a bar? I had my time at the bar and the bar was for me what it was supposed to be…a bridge to take me to the next level of my life. Imagine moving into a house and having the old owners telling you where they put their items and expecting you to do the same. That’s how I feel about memories, they’re a nice place to visit, but you shouldn’t get caught up in them.
Gone, Love is Never Gone. As we travel on- Love’s what we remember.
I may look back and remember Randy, Peter and A.J. as the best Dee- Jay’s in the world and today you have Lady Tita, John Rizzo and Steve Sidewalk . Do they take places, no. They are their own individuals allowed to lay claim to their moments in time and their moments are today!
Our show posters were block letters with dried out markers, not Scott Barrow’s masterpieces! ( I think everyone should encourage him to create a yearly Feathers Calendar! I also think Antonio Cedeno Presents should follow suit)
Back in the day the high-light of a party was a carnation boutonnière, today “Antonio Cedeno Presents” imports celebrities and the top tri-state performances and dancers. Whose memories are better? I have been avoiding Antonio because he wants to discuss the history of Feathers and I think the history in now-today. Feathers isn’t about what it was, but what it is..It’s going to have different meanings to different people. To hold on to the past is denying it a future. The future belongs to the new customers with new ideas and new images.
Kiss today good-bye and point me towards tomorrow…
I hope to see you all at the 32nd Anniversary party (June 19) so we can make new memories and twenty years from now say, “ Remember Feathers 32nd Anniversary Party..Ahhh , that’s when Feathers was hot!”

Won’t forget, can’t regret what I did for love.

PS….I went to the diner last night with an old customer last night, but left with a new friend…This is for you Rico.

the place was packed!

Me, tony and Lady Tita...I don't think the smiles left our faces all night!

Antonio Cedeno Presents Wonderland

The” man with the plan” did it again, not only was last nights trip to Wonderland at Feathers a crowd pleasing success, but it was the talk of the town before it was over! (I got three post on my Facebook page about the night before I even left Feathers!) When I first approach the club I had my misgivings, they had VIP pricing and a closed off area for performers, but as I spoke to people they seemed to understand and gave me a new prospective. They were willing to pay the extra ten dollars for the convenience of being able to come and go as they please and they got a free drink. It wasn’t forced on customers and if you wanted the traditional ten dollar admission you could have it.
SIDE NOTE: I have been out from behind the bar for two years and people still complain about the cover, “Why do I have to pay ten dollars instead of seven?” My feelings were always, “You are going out for a fun night, don’t start it off so negative!”-I digress.
Eddie the manager showed me around and the decorations were placed with a story board theme. The night was going to be a show and the customers were being treated as audience members in a Broadway show! The rabbit hole was made to have the audience member travel up into the down hole of the earth with eyes watching- if that sounds confusing welcome to Wonderland! The main bar was decorated with the most unique above human size flowers that compliments, and not complicated the atmosphere. The dance floor was brilliantly transformed to represent to the war of the “House of Cards”. It definitively let you know what was in store for the later part of the evening.
When I turned around from my tour of the place I noticed a crowd forming, and forming, and forming. Before 11:00 pm it looked like a busy Saturday. Customers were lining up in droves to enjoy the event that they waited so long for! They were storming in from all directions, the VIP entrance, the stairs, and the side doors! All smiling and looking for a good time and a good time was given to them!
Standing at the front door was Antonio, himself, dressed as the Mad Hatter, greeting guest as they entered-WHAT CLASS AND STYLE!
LADY TITA, dressed as a hot mama Alice, rocked the night silly with her non-stop, high energy playing! People would not leave the dance floor all night! They just partied up like there was no end to the endless night! The bartenders worked franticly trying to keep up with the explosion of customers that were determined to have a great time, and all credit to the bartenders-no one was disappointed. There were shots and drinks being lifted every second and the bartenders had on extra smiles as they joked and laughed with the guest.
ANTONIO CEDENO PRESENTS struck gold with the line of dancers they had for the evening festivities! As each one came out the customers were drawn in with their unique charm and appreciation. Some of the dancers were down and partying with the customers! It was great to see! They were working the crowd and getting them all worked up for what was to come- The Queen Of Hearts!
I have known Michelle Dupree for many years and have seen him perform on so many levels, but last night it was like watching a masterpiece find it place in history.She was not only a replica of the character, she was the character! From the moment she stepped on the stage to introduce the crowd to who they were there to see, the audience was taken in by her aura. She owned the night.
And the audience roared when recording artist, Becca Schack entered the stage and drove the place wild! The sounds could be heard in the paking lot across the street- so I was told. Everyone ran upstairs to see the event. They were witnessing something special and special it was! Alesi Diaz had a special runway preview of his designs that are sure to be the summer trend- check out his site for a jump on this summer’s look. I already placed my order. Don’t be late! The dancers modeled his jewelry and the clothing has such a unique and comfortable look and feel. Telling you it’s Fire Island Fashion at a great price.
Ending the evening was JESSICA WILD from RuPaul’s Drag Race- the place went WILD !!! From the moment she stepped onto the dance floor, to the second she left the place would not let her rest- she entertained and the audience exactly what they wanted – A GREAT TIME!
After the show Lady Tita continued the excitement and played hot and heavy until last call, never letting the dance floor rest. It was truly a night to remember. There is no such thing as new comers and old timers, Antonio Cedeno Presents has managed to please them all with his simple philosophy, “Give the people what they want and they will come.”
Antonio Cedeno Presents should be the name to watch out for- this guy it climbing faster than King Kong did with Faye Wray in hand, and soon his parties will be “by invitation only”…and they will come.
His next party is in June 19th to celebrate Feathers 32nd Anniversary- Save the date!

turning fifty!

So I turned an uneventful fifty and I stopped to think what was it all for? Bar life is a lonely life...You are only as popular as you night club. The minute the dance floor lights go on, the people go out and you are by yourself. Oh you may go to a diner and be the life of the party; you might even pick up the tab to show your appreciation. You may have a lover to go home to, but he will never be enough to take the place of the attention and money the bar brings. The money, oh what we do for a dollar. Sometimes it's not even that you want the dollar, you just want to make sure no other bartender gets it. You kiss major ass to keep all the customers at your bar! You do not want them tipping another bartender. You don't create friendships with your co-workers; you live the motto of keeping your enemies closer. The bar life created the expression "Kiss on the cheek, knife in the back." It's a lonely life and one that you don't realize is lonely until you leave.
When I was living the life I thought I had the glamorously life, week-ends with co-workers, and invites to all the parties. I got to have an attitude to people and walked into places expecting to be treated special. I left the bar two years ago and found a life and now as I look back I wish I could warm every one of the dangers, but no one will listen. I didn’t.
I stopped blogging because it was really hard to blog every one as nice sweet hearts when in reality we weren’t sweet. We were selfish little shits that thought the world owed us something. We were jealous of people with cancer because they made more tips than we did. We spilled secrets and made up lies to keep people away from others so that we made money. We bought each other presents and cursed out having to do it- “Merry Christmas shit head”.
I turned fifty and saw the light...I was reformed, but not reborn...I remember it all and the scars are reopened as I write these words. The new blood follows the flow of the old and stings just as the original cut.

The mood

I think what I always have liked about FEATHERS is that it’s the home of “…happily ever after.”
In the early days when ever I went to the bar I would be able to forget my troubles and just live a second life (this was before cyber lives like Farmville and such). The second life was never connected to the first life. Confused? I was at the time. As much as I was a bar star when I woke up in the morning I was just a nobody living for the bar fame.
I don’t mean nobody in a negative way, it was just such a high place that we were on at the bar. No one could touch and everyone wanted to be us. We would walk through the bar and the customers would part and make way for us to go by. Everyone knew us. Hank was cool in one way. He would not let us be photographed or advertize in the magazines. “They know we’re here, why waste the money advertizing?” Hank would remark. At the time I didn’t agree, but people came. We were known for our Monday Dollar Nights, and our exclusive performers and shows. It was the Golden Era of the bar and I don’t say it to down play its popularity today, it’s just missing the people who like the place. I cannot remember ever complaining about the place. I don’t remember customers complaining about the place. Today everyone wants someone from the place not realizing the place is just a place and it’s the people that make it what it is…
Till tomorrow, be kind
I am writing short paragraphs because I am in the middle of midterms and school work. I will return to full stories soon.

coatroom

Other unsung heroes in the bar are the coatroom people. The coatroom was the first legitimate job I had in the bar. I didn’t get to keep the tips-they went to pay for the lights in the parking lot. I would feel like an idiot if it wasn’t for the fact others believed him also. There was Glenn (Miller). I love Glenn dearly but imagine your parents call you Glenn miller? There was frank Moo-cow and Glenn the cleaning guy! OMG! the cleaning guy with the gross dog who lived in the house next door that was so broken down years ago. I once got so drunk I ended up staying at that house once. I woke up in the middle of the night to pee and this smelly homeless looking guy was in the hallway. I asked Glen the next day who the guy was? “Oh, he’s a homeless guy who used to sleep in the basement and now sleeps in the hallway. “ It always amazed me what I got used to in the bar business. Imagine letting someone sleep in your upstairs hallway. The things we got used to still amaze me. Besides the sexual innuendoes, there were the sex changes and the transies.
The thing that surprises me is the fact that nothing surprises me. You become numb and I hated becoming numb.
Today you can find Inny’s Ohn or Darryl or AJ or a few others. Many things have changed over the years, including the look of the coatroom. I had wire hangers and a silver duct tape box, anyone who worked the coatroom in it’s hay day remembers the silver duct tape box.

door people

An important job that always seems to be ignored is working the door. Gerry was the first door person I remember. He was so funny and we worked together when I stamped hands. He was actually the first person I met who had a sarcastic sense of humor. The door people, like the Dee-jays, used to keep themselves separated from the bar staff. The only time people spoke to the door person was to get friends in for free. David Ryan, who used to perform as Doe reen and Trixie were other door people. There was School Teacher Bob, Therese and Dee was favorites. Ray is the head honcho today. He works most of the nights now.
The door people are expected to be jack of all trades. They have to stamp hands, give change, give tickets, answer phone and all the time they are locked in that little 2x4 cubicle. They are the unsung heroes at the bar.
Till tomorrow, be kind

A letter to readers

I would like to clear one thing up…These are my memories of Feathers and everyone has their own. This blog is for everyone and if you have memories and moments add them to the blog…I would love to know what others were going through while all these events were occurring. There are MANY names I will forget, or didn’t really have a relationship with. I know I forgot some Dee-Jay’s like, Garry and John Marto and Peter from years ago, this is not intentional. Everyone made Feathers what it is today and if some names are changed it’s because I never got permission to link them to the bar- any old timers know who they are and any young kids don’t really care.
Everyone thinks their time at Feathers is the best and that is what makes the place so successful. Today someone is walking into the bar for the first time and having his own story to tell. The only difference between my story and theirs is that I know where I ended up and they just started the ride of their life. Would I changes things, sure but look what I would have lost. Life is a continuing journey and we all have our maps to follow…Enjoy yours and remember a life lived is a life with no regrets

Also, everyone has different relationships with people and how someone treated me may not have been the way they treated other people.
Till Tomorrow, be kind

The Music of the Night

Music has always played an important part of Feathers history. Whether it was playing the “old” records or creating a state of the art sound board that merged with the lights, it was all done through the expertise of many.
When I first started hanging at the bar the only Dee- jay that stood out was Randy. Randy was oriental and so funny to talk to, but his music would have them dancing all night. I don’t believe people were as into the sound as discovering a place where they could be themselves. Dee-Jay’s got a bad rap back in the day; they were either drug addicts or alcoholics. They needed to feel the music through booze. No one really minded back then, but look at the songs. Many of the songs back then were Broadway hits put to a disco beat. “Memory”, “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina”, “On My Own” and even Ethel Merman had the Disco hit LP. Now if you know those names you are over thirty and know what I’m talking about-if you don’t just know they are the heroes who made the life style easier for you.
Randy was there for quite a while and worked with Joel, our house light and sound guy, to update the club as much as possible on a shoe string budget. Randy also arranged for the shows and was responsible for the “We are The World” benefit and the Featherette’s. Randy moved to California and by the time he came back, it wasn’t the same place.
Brian was a Dee-Jay who suffered from epilepsy. He was a good Dee-Jay, but so insecure. He never trusted in himself, but the people loved him. Unfortunately, the lasting memory of Brian was when Michael, the assistant manager at the time, worried that something was wrong with Brian. He had not showed up for three of his shifts. He went to where Brian lived and had the landlord let him into the apartment. Brian had had a fit and hit his head on the side of the night stand. He died without even knowing.
Tony Finn was another Dee-Jay. He wasn’t a nice person. He resented working in River Edge, New Jersey, but no one else would hire him. Enough said. Then there was Dave, Chris Johnson and I remember we had a dowdy looking guy at the time of Brian and there were others whose name escapes me at the moment. Alex was a cute straight guy who came in with Lady Tita and John Rizzo. Alex was great and left a lasting impression on me.
Billy DeMarco was a Dee-Jay that not many remember, but you never forget—He actually created the Wednesday night format that is today’s most popular night at the bar. He had a fallen out with the management and the owner and became history. Billy was unique in the sense that he was the Dee-Jay, but also like one of the staff. Usually the Dee-jay’s stay in their own world, Billy popped that bubble.
AJ has been Dee-Jaying since they invented Vinyl! I remember going to a club called “Reflections” , owned by Kenny Diaz, and at the end of the night he would play “New York, New York” and the whole place would do a kick line. It was wild! I was so happy when they hired him at Feathers, but he never did his kick line. I never understood people who fight their own popularity. I was known for doing comedy on stage and as much as I wanted to be dramatic, I never did because I knew what my audience wanted, even if I didn’t want it. When you are paid by the public, you are owned by the public. Sad, but true.
Today the club is in the responsible hands of Steve Sidewalk, Lady Tita and the magnificent John Rizzo. The three of them keep the place hopping and have resuscitate it to breath the new life of this new millennium. They are constantly coming up with new and inventive ways to bring in the new and satisfy the old! Hats off to anyone who can do that!
So the next time you are dancing know that there are many heroes who made that dance floor jump and have yet to have the dance floor fall!
Till tomorrow, be kind

Back to the bar

I have been side tracked with my own drama I forgot to describe the atmosphere and attitude. As the years went on the new comers changed. When I first started going to the bar the drinking age was 118 years old. That changed and it became 21 years old. Many of us were “grandfathered” into being allowed to drink- legally once a right is given it cannot be taken away. My generation was probably the last that grew up with Judy Garland and Marilyn Monroe and Jimmy Dean and Barbra Streisand. We grew up with the MGM musicals and Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. We believed in Santa Claus until we were in our teens and we respected our elders. We held doors for people and said “excuse me” if we bumped into someone. Girls came into a gay bar and knew that it was a place where men wanted to meet men. The dancers were gay and had fun with customers, there were never a group of women waiting for their man. Actually Hank never allowed dancers in the bar. He was against anything that demeanor the lifestyle. In his own way he was very protective of the gay life and the people. The bartenders were not allowed to flirt with customers, or date them. If we were dating someone they weren’t allowed in the bar when we were working. That changed when Eter and Oe started dating. The bartender and the assistant manager dating was big news and did cause its dramas. Eter wrote in his diary that he was cheating on Oe and Oe found it. That was the whole “Love on the Rocks” situation.
I don’t remember Hank dating anyone. Rumor was that Oe and Hank were lovers at one time. I could never see it, they brought out the worst in each other. They never thought about the repercussions of their actions. They would fire someone and not care that the person had bills. I would hear them giggle and laugh after they did it. Looking back those were such horrible years. I think I would have been a kinder person if I hadn’t experienced those years….
Till tomorrow, be kind

TERRY'S ADVICE

Terry made his grave and he had to lie in it. If I am unsympathetic it is because Terry’s meanness surpassed any that I had ever known.
Terry had gotten wind that I had given John a letter and it did not take long for him to use it against me. I was working the coatroom one night and having my usual banter with Lil Sal when Terry enter the club and commented on how close we were. Sal excused himself and I laid into Terry to stay out of my life! Terry reminded me how close we used to be and how he only has my happiness on his mind….”The sooner you are happy and out of this bar, the sooner I get my own shows!” When he put it that way it sounded like Terry. “You have my attention.”I listened to what he had to say.
“John feels terrible about the drift between the two of you. He doesn’t know how to approach you, he’s shy. He wishes you never gave him the letter and just told him how you felt.”
I was leery of Terry’s words, but when John came in that night he actually said hi to me! This was May and he hadn’t spoken to me since New Year’s Eve, maybe it was a misunderstanding? I asked John how he was and he smiled and said he was fine. I started to melt. Feelings I had not felt in months resurfaced. I blurred out that I am sorry I had given him the letter and I should have told him to his face how much I loved and needed him to complete my life, as I said the words I saw his face turn white and realized Terry had gotten me again. “Don’t waste your time on me I would never fall for a coat check queen!” He went into the bar.
I could see Lil Sal coming back to the coat room. I had my shoulder. He was cold and distant. “You will never be over that loser, if I thought for one moment…you lost tonight and you will never realize just how much,” was all he said to me and left. I was puzzled until Hank came up to the front door. “What happened up here? Sal just told me he can’t work the door anymore and had to leave.”
Sal left and I did realize what I lost. My heart was so heavy and ached and there was Terry smiling in his glory sharing a drink with John.
How much more did I have to lose? All I wanted was to give my friends their shows back!
Till tomorrow, be kind!

Terry

“Not again! Terry wake up!”
It became a weekly event waking Terry up as he laid, passed out, in different positions and spots of the dressing room. Besides doing shows that I officially HATED to do, I was also in charge of making sure Terry stood up and performed. Hank, refusing to be wrong, just asked Terry to be coherent for the half hour he was on stage- nothing more. Terry, sadly, was in search of a family and tried to have the bar take the place of one. Whenever he felt he was being “disinherited” or the end was near, he would phone in his drama. I was fortunate to be there when the emergency call came in that he had OD’ed on tocotrienol and had to be brought to the hospital to have his stomach pumped. Tocotrienol is another word for vitamin E, death was not in his near future.
I loved when Terry was having his melt downs it meant that hank would be weak to my suggestions. So many times I was close to having the Featherette reunion. One week I actually got Kenny Alton in the show! If it wasn’t for the fact Rodger was in Atlanta I think I could have gotten him in the place also. We had a good laugh that night. Me and Alton had to do our own make-up. Alton was used to it, but I never did make-up! Alton made me look like an owl-I didn’t care, I was with my buddy. The stage was like my play ground and I had more fun in the dressing room. On stage, I would pop a water balloon tit or create a zany look and be a hit. Whenever I got too full of myself the audience knew it and booed me into knowing my place. I was there to entertain my audience, not my ego.
Terry on the other hand got attention being a bitch and loved the role. He would curse out the audience and they would come back for more insults. I have to admit I became Terry’s”costume change performer”, a costume change performer is a performer that is thrown out on stage so that the main performer can change their costume. Each week I was able work a little harder at winning the audience. Then one day I realized that the more I relaxed, the more the people liked me.
The more people liked me, the more Terry drank.
“I’ll tell Hank to go F…. himself if he doesn’t like my drinking.” Hank was standing in the doorway.
“I will tell you to go F…. Yourself and get out of my club”
I tried to go to bat for Terry, but Terry stopped me. “I don’t need your pity Pollyanna. Save it for yourself. I know what I am, you have no idea what you are turning into.” Terry warned me as he staggered out. It was hard to take him serious, but I remembered his words.
Till tomorrow, be kind.

How Do You Turn Hard?

With the beginning of the New Year came my new attitude. No more sweet, sequin sewing Sandra Dee! I started o play the game and I was going to win no matter what the cost was. I went into the bar the next night determined to forget John and focus on a Featherette reunion- easier said than done. I walked in and banged right into him. He was flustered and ran away from me in such a hurry he banged into a wall. I felt so bad. I didn’t want this, I just wanted to love someone-him.
It’s so hard to say good-bye to your dream. I was like a steam engine in my pursuit of him. Being with John was perfect for me; I just could not understand him not wanting me. It is quite a shock when you take off those rose colored glasses and see the true colors of the world around you. I was never lonely when I was dreaming of being with John. The thought of him made me feel safe and warm, now I was cold and I felt hardness taking over.
For so long I convinced everyone that I was not lonely as long as I had hope that John and I would one day be together, but when the excuses and the real fact that he did not want me I couldn’t lie or pretend I was alone and lonely! I wanted to tell him that and so many other things, but Casper convinced me not to. He told me to stay away from John and let him have his room. I was in no position to disagree; I made a grown man cry.
Whether is was because we were gaining our own independence or the fact he was bored, Hank started the New Year making demands on us. I was his comic and after the “Spic and Span-ish” fiasco he let me do my own thing; Sami would come in and just close shows. The tension was growing between Terry and Casper- they were both disco divas and competing for the same audience.
Hank was pushing Casper to be his next star and Casper, quite surprisingly, went along with Hank. No one knew why until Terry exposed the truth.
It seems a friend of Terry, Eddie, had found out that Casper was underage and using fake ID. Terry was thrilled to run and tell Hank, “for the sake of the bar and the livelihood of the workers.” Casper was gone and another name Hank would not allow was to say in his presence.
Needless to say conversations with Hank was getting hard with so many on his poop list. Casper explained to Sami and I that his” age” was the reason he went along with so many of Hank’s zany ideas.
With Casper gone the shows were down to me , Terry and Sami…By the next show we would be down one more performer. Seems Sami refused to do a number that Hank had wanted him to do. He flung a waiters tray across the dance floor and before the tray hit the wall Sami was banished.
I was getting lonelier as the weeks went on. FEATHER the ultimate show place was turning into a battlefield bloodier than WWII.
The shows were now me and Terry and even that was about to change….
Till Tomorrow, Be kind.

New Years Day

How do you sleep with no dream to put you to sleep? That New Year’s Eve night was the longest night of my life. There was no way to hide from the truth. John did not care about me. I spent so much time and energy and had empty hands.
I woke or just decided to stop pretending to lay asleep in my bed. Rodger had invite Aton and myself for a New Years Dinner! I told them my whole devastating story and was provided with TWO shoulders! I missed our friendship. When I felt the tears would never stop, Rodger pulled out the photo books. Back in those days we would have 110 instamatics cameras. They weren’t so instant it took months to use a roll of film and then take them in to be developed, which was another week.
I hadn’t seen any of the pictures and there was our summer shows. We laughed and reminisced. The behind the scene stories were funnier than the actual shows. I was voted the most neurotic, like there was any question. Alton was the sneaky one. The more the wine poured the more the secrets came out. Alton confessed to all the giggles he started and I got blamed for, it was like confessing to mother. Rodger wasn’t sure we deserved our gifts, gifts? We felt terrible that we didn’t a\have anything for Rodger. He gave us an 8x10 of the Featherette’s, I still have mine.
The three of us decided that we still had a few shows left in us and I promised to get us reunited. I had something to dream for, but this time I was going to make it happen. I felt disappointment and was determined never to feel it again.
Till tomorrow, be kind

After the BAr New Years EVe

With the night not exactly turning out to what I had expected the little optimistic voice in me said, “Push the envelope. Give him the letter. He doesn’t know how you feel.” What did I have to lose? As John left the bar that night I told him I had something for him. I handed him the letter. Casper told me we were all meeting at the diner. Little Sal over heard and warned me about hanging out in public with “queenie” people. He did know how to make me smile, usually in disbelief.
I arrived at the diner with Sami and saw Casper and John in the Forum parking lot. He was holding the letter in his hand. Sami and I walked into the diner. The whole walk I was wondering why he wasn’t running over to me? He read the letter that told him, FINALLY, how I felt! It was a New Year! A few minutes after Sami and I were seated and chatting with the entire bar regulars Casper came in and grabbed me. We went into the bathroom.
“Girl, you destroyed him! “ Casper said. “He read your letter and was crying!” I was kind of happy that it evolved an emotion until Casper ended the thought. “…He said he would never feel the same way for you! You aren’t his type!”
I felt like the whole world came crashing down on me! I was alone in a crowded room. It wasn’t until Casper started crying, saying, “With all you people crying around me how can I not cry!” that I realized I was crying. I didn’t feel tears. Casper kept banging the door on the faces of everyone who tried to come into the bathroom, every now and then I heard a “clunk” and heard “OUCH!”
Casper wanted to go out and meet and greet everyone, he wanted to make sure I was alright before he left. I was all alone in the bathroom. Lil Sal came into the bathroom, he saw me a mess. “John doesn’t like me.” Was all I could say? “I told you he had no taste.” I fell into his arms and just cried. I wanted to escape and not see anyone. He told me I was too fat to go through the window. I giggled and he cleaned me up. He drove me home and I went to sleep that New Year without a dream to dream…
Till tomorrow, be kind

The kissless kiss

Black out caused the delay in posting….sorry

Twelve o’clock was getting nearer and my anticipation was getting the better of me. As midnight came closer my reality began to get fuzzy. I had Johnny not only proposing to me and taking me out the side door and off to our honeymoon! Casper came down to see if I was going to be upstairs. I asked Little Sal to watch the door. “and if I don’t come back, you were..okay to work with.” I said with all my sincerity.” “Where do you think you’re going?” he inquired. I thought it was lovely how he could play dumb…then again, maybe he wasn’t…
I went up-stairs and stopped Johnny standing all alone in the corner. I bopped over and casually stood next to him. I didn’t want to make it look to obvious. He turned to me and said “Hey. They let you out of your cage?...Good to see you!” then he hugged me. I was in heaven!
“Well someone has to kiss you at 12:00” I boldly said, I shocked myself. “I’ll make sure you are the first one I kiss” he said as he went on to chat with Chris and Dominick. Casper was poking me with delight. I was on cloud nine!
I was right next to John when the countdown began and my mind and fantasy was racing…”10, 9 – our bedroom will be in peach…8,7… no peach is too gay even for the 80’s… 6, 5…Battleship grey…4, 3 …It’s going to happen!..2, 1…HAPPY NEW YEAR! I turned to kiss John and as our lips were about to touch Oe spun him around and kissed him on the lips!
I stood there stunned. My life ending! John went on to kiss Casper and Dom and turned to me and said, “I got you already didn’t I?” The music continued to play and I stood in the middle of the dance floor stunned. People kissed me and I did not respond I just stood there- stunned.
As I walked from the dance floor I felt like I was walking the gang plank, reach step I went down made my heart sink even deeper. I went into the coatroom still stunned and had Lil Sal saying something to me. I couldn’t hear him. I never got my kiss and John didn’t even know or care.
Lil Sal gave me a hug…”Hey, why so sad. I know, I know- okay, You can kiss me on the cheek in public.”
I broke into tears while hugging him and felt him hug me to himself even tighter.
I never had a fantasy come true and that night was no exception.
Till tomorrow, be kind

Antonio Cedeno Presents : Black Ball

SPECIAL BLOG:
Last night was the return of Antonio Cedeno Presents and the impressive “Lights Out Black Ball”! Who knew he had the power to get Nature to go along with the party! While Bergen County scurried around avoiding trees and wires falling from out of nowhere, Antonio Cedeno Presents, took not only people’s minds off the messy weather, but made many forget. There was an exciting energy that ran through the club last night, and I’m not going to compare it to old days-because it’s not, its new energy with new people and new ideas that are blowing the roof off the place. Out of the two hundred plus people last night NOT ONE person had a bad time. Everyone was smiling and laughing and embracing, not only the event but, the spirit in which it was created.
Antonio Cedeno, an emerging promoter to be reckoned with, shined as he handed out give-a-way's and posed for pictures with guest. He took the time to welcome everyone at the front door and encouraged guest to join in the festivities.
The night was one successful event after another beginning with Undergear give-a-ways. Special note: There was a gift basket that was raffled off filled with great items from Karma Salon & Spa & a Geronimo doll (proceeds went to benefit the Haiti relief.)
Geronimo, who turned the wicked weather into wicked hotness! I also have to mention great performances by Shequida Hall & recording artist Angelo Dagostino. There was also a Leather Contest. I am telling you it was one exciting moment after another.
Music has become the show stopping star at Antonio Cedeno Presents events.
Like the last event people could not be in two places at once and were torn where to hang. The dance floor was never empty last night, trust me twice I tried crossing it. The difference last night was that people were friendly and made way for others to pass. There was no attitude, just an air of good will. It was fun to observe customers shooting drinks and laughing one minute and then burning up the dance floor the next. Dee-Jay John Rizzo pumped up the music until the place exploded from the high energy. The night was driven by excitement. Hats off to JOHN RIZZO.
LADY TITA made everyone ask the question, “Why isn’t there a Dee Jay downstairs all the time?” It was like being at two different clubs. The music downstairs did not compete with upstairs, but complimented it. People were feeling the music while they took their money out to pay their admission. They could not wait to get into the place! Having a Dee Jay downstairs adds so much a party and it’s great that Antonio Cedeno Presents takes advantage of it. Lady’s music was the cherry on top of an evening that was just as unexpected as the weather itself- and like the weather “ANTONIO CEDENO PRESENTS “BLACK BALL” ripped up the evening at FEATHERS!

busy today...see you tomorrow..i'll have a double...sal and eddie and johnny

New years EVE!

After riding the high from Christmas, New Years Eve found me shopping with Kenny Alton for the perfect outfit to work the coat room in. I know working in a coatroom on New Years Eve with an annoying Italian (what is the opposite of Stallion?) is nothing to dress up for, but rumor had it that John was going to be there AND have a surprise for me! Omg !!! I WAS GOING TO BE A Sadie, Sadie married lady!
I convinced Kenny Alton over our New Years Eve lunch that John was going to come in and swept me out of the coatroom and take me out of that that FOREVER! Next Christmas was going to be spent in our love nest. Alton always loved my imagination, “Eddy I can’t even get a guy to call me back and you have him riding horses.” He said as we giggled with my imaginary scenario. I admit thinking he was going to ride a white horse into the bar was a little extreme (really how could the horse get up the stairs?).
Alton had wished he could be there for the event, but had a date with a NYC cop. “Only problem is, he has never seen me out of drag.” I never said our lives very normal.
After lunch I went home and took a disco nap (Three hours with cucumbers on my eyes). I was refreshed and smelt like a Denny’s salad bar, but I didn’t care. I left the house a single spinster, but coming home a Sadie, married lady!
I had picked out a tuxedo shirt and bow tie with fake leather pants. I thought I was the hottest thing to walk the Universe, maybe I was, but I had to be cute for John. I didn’t want people to think that John dated down.
That night was so festive and even little Sal’s annoying comments did not bother me. He was convinced I dressed for him and even offered to kiss me at 12 o’clock. OMG! I made him promise to stay as far away from me as possible. Tradition has it, that the person you kiss at midnight on New Years Eve is the person you will spend the whole year with! I had used 3 chap sticks to make sure my lips were ready for Johnny!
Little Sal kept waving mistletoe around trying to get a kiss and I kept pushing him away. Finally, John showed up with this big, wrapped package. I was in shock. Even more shocked when he handed it to me and said “This is because you got me a Christmas present.” Do I exaggerate about John’s romantic side?
That night those words were music to my ears…I kept thinking, “This is such a large box for a wedding ring, but what do I know I never had a wedding ring.” I opened the gift and found a denim jacket. “Too “butch-in” you up.” He said as he went into the bar. “Thank-you” I called down to him as he entered into the bar” …You’re on my guest list.” I yelled.
I was checking the pockets thinking maybe he hid the ring in one of them as a funny romantic moment. Little Sal thought I was looking for money. No ring-or money.
Oh well, I still had our kiss to look forward to. Maybe the jacket was to throw me off I convinced myself. As the night grew closer to midnight, my heart was uncontrollable. I had Little Sal watch the coatroom while I went to find John and take a picture with him. I wanted to remember that night in my heart and my photo book forever. I found him and had on the jacket and forced Casper to take the picture. I was in heaven! John was in hell. Should have read the signs….
Till tomorrow, be kind.

Christmas Eve in the 80's

The Joy of that Christmas was one I will carry in my heart forever. Between helping little Sal chop down his first Christmas Tree and hand sewing a sequin Christmas Stocking for my Johnny Angel I was filled with the Christmas spirit. It was the first Christmas where I gave and did not look to receive. I was happy to see the smiles on their faces when they opened their gifts. I had grown up and didn’t even realize it. So many new and different emotions, how do you pick which you want to keep and which you want to throw away?
Christmas Eve was so nice at the bar back then. We would all meet after doing the “family” thing. Many replaced the midnight mass with the bar get-together. All the employee’s and Hank and Oe would share a toast and exchange gifts and we laughed. Dominick gave me a phone so I could gossip. Sami gave everyone pictures of himself and Casper gave out IOU’s. Marty and his boyfriend showed up with gifts for all and the list goes on. Kenny Alton came over to the bar and we hugged and laughed and just enjoyed seeing each other again. He still didn’t feel comfortable coming back to the bar, but we had gifts for each other. He informed me that Rodger was doing well and that the two of them were thinking of doing a show at other clubs.
After Alton left I divided myself between Johnny and Little Sal, but it was Little Sal who invited me to go see the tree at Rockefeller Center. We went and sang carols with the homeless people. It was bitter sweet, like my life, I was watching homeless people with their lives in plastic bags and Little Sal in the Christmas spirit, but I was sad thinking of Johnny. Sal was buying the homeless hot chocolate and I didn’t even see his goodness, I just missed John.
I went to sleep with the angels that Christmas and it was the first Christmas I woke and didn’t run to open presents. I was a grown up. I went to Christmas morning mass and looked forward to shake hands of peace. I had so much to be happy for, great family and friends!
Till tomorrow, be kind

Love on the Rocks

The Christmas show was a week before Christmas, and my firing. Here is the real story…
Terry set out for revenge and it wasn’t long until I gave him the ammo to shoot back. Terry lived in the town next to me and on occasion we would go to the bar together. We would bus it and go for coffee before the bar opened. This one night I fell victim to Terry’s sob story. He called and said that his career was over and his parents were kicking him out. He went on to explain that his parents were kicking him out of the house. I agreed to meet with him. We chatted and in the conversation I mention that everyone had problems, “Look at Oe and Peter. Oe caught Peter with another guy. Guess Oe is singing “Love on the rocks”” Now I had no idea about secrets and gossip and I thought if I knew it everyone did. Terry was thrilled and you would have thought that I gave him a mouse on his venom lined tongue and his smile warned me that I said too much. Needless to say before the end of the night I got my speech about spreading gossip from Oe and my phone call from Hank about being let go the next day.
Terry got his shows and Feathers got the most expensive liquor bills.
Till tomorrow, be kind

The Christmas Show

The scars from doing shows still find me today. When we did shows everyone had an opinion. They told us what song to sing, what to wear. To this day I still ask 1,000 people their opinion before I do something-it insane! My Irish Grandmother raised me to be independent and strong- “God is nearer than the door and he will always provide!” Yet here I was being manipulated by these nobody’s whose opinion should not have meant a thing to me- yet they did.
That Christmas Hank had decided to have an employee Christmas Show. The employee’s would perform as a thank you to their customers. Sami and Marty opened the show as elves and gave out candy canes to “We Need A Little Christmas”, Eddie, the present manager, was Elvis, Terry did Eartha Kitt’s “Santa Baby”, Scott g. was “Frosty the Snowman”, Scott the Waiter was Rudolph, and he was the funniest. He protested doing the show and did everything he could to get out of it, but the more he protested the more Hank insisted that he do it. So Scott, who was probably the only one to get one over on Hank, rented a Rudolph costume from Ken’s Magic Shop and it came with a head mask-no one knew it was him and he just came out and waved. He was a riot! Scott the bartender wasn’t so lucky. He was in a snowman costume but the head was not a mask so he had to lip “Frosty”. He was the most miserable Frosty I have ever seen.
Hank thought it would be funny to have me perform “Rockin Around The Christmas Tree” as a Christmas tree. He had them tie an artificial tree around my body and wrapped the branches around my arms and legs. Problem one: when I reached up the tree disassembled in the middle where the poles connect and half the tree fell back and started a gagging effect. Problem two: when I walked the branch spokes dug into my legs. They were pinching and stabbing me. Problem three: Terry was in charge of plugging my lights in during the instrumental. As I went on stage at the beginning of my number I overheard Terry ask if a person could get electrocuted if water spills on the outlet. The lights went out and I didn’t light up. I yelled backstage only to hear Terry respond, “Darling I am doing a costume change and cannot bend over, just light a few matches.” The lights came back up and my tree branch “somehow” got attached to the stage curtain and slid the curtain opened as I moved exposing Terry in all his glory. I swear I did not know he taped! The place went nuts with laughter! Terry saw through the mirror that he was exposed and fell to the floor trying to grab the curtain. I was having too much fun inching away from him with the curtain still attached to my branches. Pictures were taken and he ate humble pie all week, until he caught me in a moment of weakness. .. “Love on the Rocks”
Till tomorrow, be kind.

fired the first time

John was getting comfortable chatting with me and we spoke about holidays and traditions. I found out that John never had a Christmas Stocking! I was shocked-how could you not have a Christmas Stocking! The next day I went out and bought a kit and hand sewed a sequin Christmas Socking with his name on it- 2,000 sequins. My eyes were blinded!
Hank had given up on decorating the bar for the holidays after the aluminum foil fiasco and Eddie, Hank best friend there, was the obvious choice to do the job. Eddie had, and still does, a traditional sense to his decorating. Eddie gave Feather’s its homey feeling, before Eddie’s touch the bar was just a bar. Eddie decorated like he was decorating his own house. Green garland with clusters of ornaments and twinkling lights, there was a romance in the air.
Aside from the employee holiday party and the gift given, we would get bags of gifts from not only the customers, but each other, we went out together. Groups of us would go to dinner, the movies, into the city. It was three days before Christmas and I was just getting ready to go out with Marty, Dominick, Casper, Sami and Tony when I got a phone call from Hank. He fired me. “Someone saw you take money from the tip bowl and none of the other employee’s like you so you shouldn’t come into the club.” WHAT! When the group got to my house I asked them about what Hank said and we got a good laugh over it. We went into the city and took a carriage ride down 5th Avenue to see the tree lighting. It was a light snow and the smell of Christmas trees on the street corners filled the air. As we got closer to the Rockefeller Center Tree we could smell the chestnuts roasting on an open fire. We got out of our carriage and went into the ice skating rink restaurant and ordered Hot Chocolate and watched the skaters.
Okay, so we went into the corner gay bar and ordered beers and shots and cruised the skaters for hotties. We were laughing and having a great time. Everyone was buying me drinks because I was unemployed. It was funny back then the staff did not hang out with management. Today everyone hangs together, back then there was definitely a line that was drawn. Eddie and Peter were the only ones connected with Hank and Oe, to the rest of us they were just bosses. The laughed continued until Casper mentioned that I would not see John for the Holidays. My night ended. No John, I could deal with anything but not that.
The next night I took the high road and went into the bar and gave Hank the gift I had made for him, it was a photo book of all the shows… I mushed it up a little by adding words to make him feel guilty. It worked; he invited me into the bar for drinks and rehired me out of the goodness of his heart.
The real story was that no one would work in the coatroom. I found out that he let me go because he was interested in a guy and the guy wanted to work in the coatroom. The guy ran when he found out that you couldn’t keep your tips. No matter how hot Hank thought a guy was he would never give up his tip money.
I didn’t care I had my john back in my life and I was able to give him his Christmas Gift.
I gave John his gift on Christmas Eve. He was touched and I could tell I made a dent in a heart that had been harden over the years. Casper had told me that John told him I was a special person. It was time to give him the letter…
Till tomorrow, be kind

snow nights

I decided not to give John the letter right away. It was coming on to the holidays and the air was festive. The first snow fall found me, Sami and Casper and a few other adventure seekers grabbing cardboard beer boxes from the dumpster and heading to the golf course to go sleigh riding in a neighboring town. Back then we thought nothing of driving in the snow and when your car slid around we went with it and laughed. We were young and dumb and didn’t know any better. One of the bartenders would always bring a few bottles of beer and we would use the snow as our cooler. A snowy night, a make shift sled and good friends was all we needed to say warm.
Looking back I wonder why I didn’t appreciate those moments, instead I thought of John. I missed John and wished he was sharing the night with me. I knew what it felt like to be lonely in the middle of a crowd. Sami and Casper would try to set me up with guys, but they paled to John. Besides John was alone and needed someone to show him the fun parts of life. He needed someone to make memories with.
My life was taking changes and they weren’t ones that I choose for myself. Peter, the muscle bartender, was taking acting classes at HB studios in NYC and talked me into wanting to be an actor. I had a stage on Tuesday night s and thought being an actor wouldn’t be a terrible thing to be. Realizing John wanted a man I got a job at Jack LaLanne’s health spa. I was going to be a trainer. After everyone stopped their laughter I explained that I could work-out for free and get muscles while I give cal classes. But with all these events going on in the day, I still lived for the night. The night and my hope of seeing Johnny was all I lived for back then. Working in the coatroom limited how much I could see him and I spend too many long nights with an annoying Guido nagging me every five minutes about how hot he was. “You want me? He would hag at me all night. He would purposely ID people just for laughs. He had his own little fan club and would have his Dewars on the rocks.
Johnny always made it a point to stop and kiss me on the cheek hello. He would nod at Lil Sal. They had known each other for a while, but were always cold to each other. Sal hated that I liked John...
Till Tomorrow, be kind

the letter part 2

The Letter. I poured all my feeling out into a letter! OH MY GOD! I was so dramatic; I told John how his presence made my existence worth wild. How lonely I was on nights when he was not at the bar. How I would camp out at a gym if that meant he would love me. I ended it with, “Even if the whole world looked down on you in shame, I would always look up to you with respect because you will always be my Johnny Angel!” I was such a poet back then. The letter came so easy to write I just spilled out all the emotions and feelings that I had bottled up for him. It was getting near Thanksgiving and Hank had given me a job in the coatroom. It was $35.00 a night and he got to keep the tips. He told me the reason I did not get to keep the tips was because the bar needed the tip money to light the parking lot lights- sounded right to me. I got free drinks, admission, and $35.00, plus I was becoming a bar star. The problem with the job was working close to Little Sal! I have written about him, but when I first met him he rubbed me the wrong way! Mr. Macho all the way. He had the “I’m too straight to talk to you” attitude. Whenever my friends would come to chat at the coatroom doorway with me he would chase them away. “No Queenie talk! Go away.” And they would run from him. He was this little muscle peanut, but they feared him. I went one-on-one with him. I was NOT attracted to him! When I wrote the letter to John he warned me not to give it to him. He had known John and told me John was into men not drag queens. I informed him I was not a drag queen but a performer. “Do you wear dresses?” “Yes” “Then you’re a drag queen. End of story.”
Even as I write about him now I get that “wanna punch him in the face” feeling, he was so memorable. Till Tomorrow be kind