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.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Sunday, May 16, 2010
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!
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!
Monday, May 10, 2010
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.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)