B'day weekend in NYC

It was a weekend for me to celebrate my birthday. I am rapidly becoming a creature of custom by spending my birthday weekend in NYC. There is something about "Gotham City" that seems to irresistably draw me like a candlefly to a flame. I did the usual play (off-broadway this year), dinner (Sylvia's in Harlem), and this year I added in several visits to Greenwich Village and other sites of interest. Met some interesting folks, renewed some old family relationships and got my feet wet in the Atlantic Ocean at Jacob RIIS Beach. Since I am flying solo these days, I was in a hurry to see, taste and experience NYC in about 36 hours including sleeping time. This trip was much like appetizers ( a little taste of this, a little taste of that). Next time I will focus on quality and not quantity.

First, Saturday night was my opportunity to head up to the House of Latex at the Roseland Ballroom and check out the scenery for the 2005 Latex Ball. Thanks for the tip Frank. Since the crowd was considerably younger than the birthday boy, I chose not to cross the street and get my feelings hurt. Good eye candy though. Ah, the younger days!

The play was "Joy" at the Actors' Playhouse in the west village. I probably would have chosen a different play and venue except I was curious about Ben Curtis (the Dell Dude) appearing in a gay performance. Okay, okay. He appeared to really get into the role of being the dumb gay lover of the professor. Other than that, it was so-so. Try to find bargain tickets if you go. The more interesting part of the theater visit was the computer assigned the only 2 black males in the theater to adjoining seats. He was tall, chocolate with a throaty bass voice that really got my interest during the first act. But any potential was lost during act 2. During intermission, he went outside and must have smoked a pack of Marlboros. Also, the throaty bass voice turned into a bass countrified laugh in Act 2 that was definitely a turn off. By the time he got around to rubbing his leg against mine, I just wanted him to move - Ewww! Anyway, Sunday evening at Sylvia's Restaurant in Harlem. This is not my first time, but I have never experience the long wait line mentioned in several restaurant reviews, and the soul food cooking reminds me of Mama's table. The fried catfish, collards and pickled beets (shut up, I love 'em) washed down with Mimosa was definitely the high point of the trip. And hey, it wasn't as exciting as Keith's birthday bash, but you slow down as you get older ;-). Why, if I was 40 again ..... Happy Birthday Keith .

So, what was the best part of the weekend? Well, on the way home I got a call from Cuz whom I had not heard from in a minute. He is the one family member that I count on the most. In fact, he and I will be turning out ATL at the Labor Day Black Gay Pride. Are you going to be there? You'll find me taking a turn at the table with Rashid Darden in the Black Pride Marketplace. And if you haven't read his novel, Lazarus, BUY THE BOOK! Shem hotep!!