Win Tickets To Driving Miss Daisy

1/27 5:30PM Update: Thanks to everyone who entered. The contest is now closed. I'll announce the winner later tonight!

I'm seeing Driving Miss Daisy on Monday, February 7th. It's a special benefit performance for The Actor's Fund, "a nationwide human services organization that helps all professionals in performing arts and entertainment. The Fund is a safety net, providing programs and services for those who are in need, crisis or transition."

I'm looking forward to seeing James Earl Jones and Vanessa Redgrave together on stage.

Today over Twitter, I'm giving away a pair of tickets to Monday, February 7th's special performance.

To enter to win, all you need to do is Tweet between 10am and 5pm: "Enter to win a pair of tickets to see @theactorsfund's benefit perf of @DaisyOnBroadway, via @RyanNewYork at http://ryanjdavis.blogspot.com"

I'll draw and announce the winner late tonight. More information on the show below. Remember, if you don't win, you can still buy tickets here. It's a great cause.

From the press release:

The Broadway company of "Driving Miss Daisy" has announced that their Special Benefit Performance for The Actors Fund will be dedicated to the memory of Lynn and Corin Redgrave. The benefit performance is scheduled for Monday, February 7 at 8pm. All proceeds will go to The Actors Fund.
...

"Driving Miss Daisy" stars James Earl Jones, Vanessa Redgrave and Boyd Gaines. The performance will be at the Golden Theatre, 252 West 45th Street in New York City. Premium seating is available for $226.50 and regular seats from $66.50 to $126.50.

To purchase tickets, visit https://www.store.actorsfund.org, call 212.221.7300 ext. 133, or email tickets@actorsfund.org. Tickets can also be purchased at www.telecharge.com or through the Golden Theatre box office.

About The Actors Fund

The Actors Fund is a national human services organization that helps everyone – performers and those behind the scenes – who works in performing arts and entertainment, helping nearly 12,000 people directly each year, and hundreds of thousands online. Serving professionals in film, theatre, television, music, opera, radio and dance, The Fund's programs include social services and emergency assistance, health care and insurance, housing, and employment and training services. With offices in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, The Actors Fund has – for over 125 years – been a safety net for those in need, crisis or transition. Visit www.actorsfund.org.

the3six5

On November 22nd I participated in the3six5, 365 different bloggers each covering a day of their lives. Lots of interesting perspectives. My post is below.

On my way to work this morning in the Flatiron District, I noticed that a section of Broadway was closed off and covered in snow. Snow covering the ground when it’s fifty-five degrees out isn’t the first thing you expect to see, but getting off the train this morning the ice greeted me. It took me a minute or two before I saw the cameras and realized it was some kind of film shoot. Tourists were more confused than I was, which always makes me smile. I’m always happy to get what’s going on before those around me. The existence of tourists means this can happen quite often.

Read my full post at the3six5.

Brooklyn Tornado

What was probably a tornado hit Brooklyn tonight. Below are a few pictures from my extended walk home from the L train. I had to get off early because of how slow it was running. Lots of fallen trees and signs blown over. Certainly something I haven't seen much of in New York before.

There are very few actual tornadoes recorded in New York City. The strongest was in 2007.

Update: An amazing video someone took from their roof. Go citizen journalism.

Gay Youth Homeless Shelter Vandalized

On Wednesday night, a gay youth homeless shelter was vandalized with anti-gay graffiti that read; "We don't want gay people here."

The shelter, located in Queens, is operated by New York City's Ali Forney Center, the nation's largest organization serving homeless LGBT youth. "Gay shelter" was also scrawled on the building's door.

"I am infuriated that someone would target our kids in this cowardly way" says Carl Siciliano, Executive Director of the Ali Forney Center. "The young people who come to us for help and shelter have already experienced terrible hardship, and I will not stand for them to be further abused." (In April, I interviewed Siciliano on my Gay History: Uncut podcast on the gay homeless situation in New York.)

Community leaders and police have responded and an investigation is in the works.

On Monday at 6:30, thousands will rally in Union Square to protect homeless LGBT youth. While this rally was planned before last night's bigoted, cowardly vandalism, it's only made more vital because of it.

Speakers include Sandra Bernhard & Lt. Dan Choi and the rally has been endorsed by dozens of human rights and LGBT organizations and individuals.

I hope I'll see some of you on Monday night. Showing that there is visible support for this issue is important, because as many as 40% of the homeless youth in the United States are LGBT. That's hundreds of thousands of young people.


Originally posted on The Huffington Post.

June 14th - Rally in Support of LGBT Homeless Youth

I'm helping to organize a big rally next Monday, June 14th in support of LGBT homeless Youth. I'm working closely with The Ali Forney Center, the organization that the Broadway Beauty Pageant benefits. The full press release is pasted below. Please RSVP & share the Facebook event. Hope to see you all there.

On Monday, June 14th at 6:30PM, numerous prominent LGBT and progressive leaders and organizations will come together at a highly anticipated rally at Union Square in support of the LGBT Homeless Youth community. (A list of endorsers can be seen below).

As LGBT youth find the courage to come out of the closet at younger ages, thousands are being rejected by their families and forced out of their homes. Most homeless LGBT youth describe having suffered violence and harassment in their homes due to their sexual orientations and gender identities. As many as 40% of the homeless youth in the United States are LGBT. Homeless LGBT youth are subjected to violence and harassment on the streets and in mainstream youth shelters. They face tremendous risk of HIV infection, drug addiction, and criminalization.

This phenomenon of thousands of LGBT youth being forced from their homes due to homophobia, stripped of economic support, and made to endure homelessness represents the most terrible cruelty and intolerance currently directed at the LGBT community. Any community has an obligation to protect its youth when they are being hurt and attacked. We call on the LGBT Community to stand up for our youth suffering on the streets, and advocate that they receive the protection and care that all young people need and deserve.

We call on the members of the LGBT Community, our straight allies, and on all decent people who believe that youths should not be thrown to the streets for being LGBT, to rally in support of the following goals:

• To show solidarity with homeless LGBT youth, to demonstrate outrage that so many young members of our community face family rejection, violence, and homelessness, and to call on the adult members of the LGBT and allied community to demonstrate increased concern, support and advocacy for our youth.
• To advocate that local, state, and federal government funding be made available to provide the housing and supportive services needed by homeless LGBT youth so they can escape the streets, and that efforts be funded to prevent LGBT youth from being subjected to violence and rejection in their homes.
• To advocate that protecting our youth from abuse, rejection, and homelessness be recognized as a major priority in our local and national LGBT advocacy agendas.

The rally is endorsed by many significant local and national community organizations, including: Ali Forney Center, Broadway Impact, Broadway Speaks Out, Bronx Community Pride Center, The Brooklyn Community Pride Center, Callen-Lorde Community Health Center, The Center for Anti-violence Education, Chris Ryan NYC, CitizeNYC, Congregation Beth Simchat Torah, The Door, Empire State Coalition of Youth and Family Services, FIERCE, Gay & Lesbian Independent Democrats (GLID), Gay Men of African Descent, GLSEN, GMHC, GetEQUAL, Green Chimneys Children's Services, HetRick Martin Institute, Human Rights Campaign, Lambda Independent Democrats of Brooklyn, Integrity NYC, The LGBT Community Center, Make The Road New York, Manhattan Young Democrats, National Youth Advocacy Coalition, New York City Anti-Violence Project, New York AIDS Coalition (NYAC), The NYC Association of Homeless and Street-Involved Youth Organizations, Out Astoria, Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays National, Safe Space NYC and Stonewall Democratic Club of New York City.

Additionally, the rally is also endorsed by many prominent community leaders, including: US Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand D-NY, Carl Siciliano, Sandra Bernhard, Lt. Dan Choi, Joe Jervis, Brendan Fay, NYC Council Member Lewis Fidler, Ryan J. Davis, Ally Sheedy, Cathy Renna, Reverend Irene Monroe, Peter Staley, David Mixner, Yetta Kurland, NYS Assemblymember Micah Kellner, U.S. Congressman Jerrold Nadler (NY-08), David Badash, Kai Wright, Rod McCullom, Sassafras Lowrey, Editor of "Kicked Out", NYS Senator Tom Duane, NYC Council Member Daniel Dromm, and NYC Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer.

For more information, visit the AFC website.

Gay History Uncut: LGBT Gay Homelessness & Ali Forney Center

Last week, I sat down with Carl Siciliano, Executive Director of NYC’s Ali Forney Center, to talk about the problem of LGBT youth homelessness and how AFC helps.

I’m directing The Broadway Beauty Pageant, an annual benefit for AFC in New York City on Monday, April 19th. It’s always a great night, for more details click here.

Listen to the podcast below, or click here to subscribe free on iTunes.

CitizeNYC Podcast #13

Posting Two Beers In, the podcast I co-host, a few days late. I've been busy! Text from CitizeNYC.

Two Beers In! Taxing Soda, Ravitch's Budget Plan, and Yank, A Love Story

On this week's episode of New York's political talk show, hosts Ryan J. Davis and Greg Palmer discuss Ravitch's new budget plan, taxing soda, Mayor Bloomberg's public health efforts, and Yank The Musical.

Listen online right here!

We start with Lt. Governor Ravitch's plan to fix New York's longstanding budget problems and why legislators need to learn to do their jobs or face our wrath in this fall's elections. We wonder if the state is insolvent and when we're getting our tax returns, and we talk about how the state can generate more revenue.

Ryan thinks we should raise taxes, while Greg says we're already one of the highest taxed states in the country, but we agree that the proposed soda tax is a good idea. Unfortunately, Governor Paterson has gotten behind it, which probably means it's dead on arrival.

Which brings us to Mayor Bloomberg's public health efforts and why a soda tax needs to be partnered with hardcore nutritional education for parents throughout the city. Some kids' best meals are coming from their schools, where the food actually looks like food... unlike a lot of other school cafeterias across the country.

Ryan stops by Yank, a musical love story set in World War II, and thinks we should all go to Monday's equality rally in Brooklyn in response to the vicious gay-bashing that occurred in Carroll Gardens earlier this month. It'd also be a nice gesture to show some support for the 9 year old kid whose teacher taunted him as being "gay."

Coming up next week, loads more fun and a review of the Whitney Biennial. In the meantime, you can subscribe on iTunes and use Facebook Connect to discuss topics from this week's episode below!

CitizeNYC Podcast #12

Greg Palmer and I's new episode of our weekly podcast Two Beers In went up tonight. It's a really good episode. Listen below, more details from CitizeNYC:

On this week's Two Beers In, we talk about Project Runway, some great new theatre, the MTA's latest proposal to cut service, and what's happening in NYC's public schools.

On Runway this week, trash bags became amazing leather pants, keys became a glamorous necklace, and other items from the hardware store became disasters. (Hope that's not too much of a spoiler!) Ryan and I went to see The Temperamentals, a fantastic play starring Ugly Betty's Michael Urie. It's about the rise of the pre-Stonewall gay right movement in 1950's Los Angeles and is playing at New World Stages in Hell's Kitchen.

Back in the world of policy, we discuss the MTA's latest plan to cut service, which has everyone up in arms - except for our friends in Williamsburg in Bushwick, who would see expanded V train service under the new plan. But student Metrocards go back on the chopping block, and we talk about the economics and the necessity of getting students to school.

And - always a hot topic for us - trying to innovate in the city's public schools to provide every child with a good education. It's good for the kids, and good for the future of our city.

Listen on iTunes, and be sure to check out last week's episode about Governor Paterson's fall from grace.

V Train to Bushwick & Williamsburg

The MTA is in the process of making some very steep cuts to subway service. But one change will actually benefit residents (I'm one) of Williamsburg & Bushwick, two growing Brooklyn hipster neighborhoods.

Plans to scrap the M train and extend the V train will finally give us a direct route into Manhattan. The M barely went anywhere, but our new V would go everywhere. If this happens, the rate of development will surge around the new V line.

This map shows the proposed new route.

Via CitizeNYC.

CitizeNYC Podcast #11

On this week's episode, hosts Greg Palmer and I discuss Governor David Paterson's fall from grace and Harold Ford's Stonewall visit.

Or listen on iTunes, and be sure to check out last week's episode where we discussed renaming the Freedom Tower.

NYC Moments #1

Some pictures that I've tweeted recently, from out and about New York City. Just click for larger images.

Minnie Mouse getting a ticket in Time Square. Solicitation?

The entire Navy heads out to West Side Story.

Times Square's Valentines Ice Sculpture

The Ritz's Valentines Ice Sculpture.

CitizeNYC Podcast #10

On this week's episode, hosts Greg Palmer and Ryan J. Davis talk about renaming the Freedom Tower to One World Trade, New York's most popular politician, and David Paterson's improbable campaign. Plus, gay activist groups that sound like gay bars.

Listen online right here!




Or listen on iTunes, and be sure to check out last week's episode, all about Governor Paterson's sex habits (kidding... sorta).

Via CitizeNYC.

CitizeNYC Podcast #9

Via CitizeNYC:

On this week's Two Beers In, Ryan J. Davis and Greg Palmer talk about the sexual influences of the Governor's Mansion, Harold Ford's financial troubles, and Eliot Spitzer's political future. It's a good episode, so check it out!

Download the MP3 here. Or listen on iTunes, and be sure to check out last week's episode.

What do you think? Does Eliot Spitzer have a political future?

Win Tixs To 'The Pride' Over Twitter (Contest Over)

Update: Contest Over - Congrats to Josh Scheer/@Joshscheer and Desi /@Immeblue on winning a pair of tickets over Twitter to MCC's The Pride.
I'm giving away two pairs of tickets to Alexi Kate Campbell's new play The Pride today. I'm seeing the show Saturday night, here are the details from MCC's website.

Oliver, Philip, and Sylvia are caught in a kind of erotic time warp. Their complex love triangle, replete with conflicting loyalties and passions, jumps from 1958 to the present and back in a maelstrom of fantasy, repression and rebellion in this innovative new drama. After taking London by storm last season in an Olivier Award-winning production at the Royal Court, The Pride now makes its American premiere at MCC Theater. Tony Award-winning director Joe Mantello (Take Me Out, Blackbird) joins playwright Alexi Kaye Campbell (Apologia), to stage this alternately tough and touching look at love and betrayal. Four of Britain's most acclaimed young actors, Hugh Dancy (Adam, Journey's End), Adam James (Last Chance Harvey), Andrea Riseborough (Happy-Go-Lucky) and Ben Whishaw (Bright Star, Brideshead Revisited) will star.

To enter to win a pair of tickets to a preview performance this week, all you need to do is Tweet; "Just entered to win a pair of tickets to see The Pride, via @RyanNewYork at http://ryanjdavis.blogspot.com." I'll draw and announce the winners late tonight. The tickets have to be used this week, so be in the New York City area.

Good luck!

CitizeNYC Podcast #8

We're two beers in again this week with our special guest Dorian Davis. We've got the latest Project Runway gossip, our view on holding the KSM trials in New York City, Christine Quinn's chances for becoming the next mayor, plus it's Greg's birthday!

Download the MP3, or subscribe on iTunes, and be sure to check out last week's episode.

Thanks to Revolution of the Beer 1000 for being our awesome sponsor this week - they'll brew custom beers for any occasion. If you'd like to sponsor Two Beers In, hit us up.

Via CitizeNYC.

Update: The Obama Admin gave in to NY politicos and won't hold KSM's trial in the city. It's a disappointment.

On Khalid Shaikh Mohammed’s Trial

I chimed in on today's Big Question on The Hill.

Where should the Obama administration move Khalid Shaikh Mohammed’s trial if it is not held in New York?

Khalid Shaikh Mohammed should face trial in New York City, where he murdered over 3,000 people. To say it's too "expensive" or "inconvenient" for the City to be a part of him getting justice is flabbergasting. Who do people think Mohammed is, Magneto from X-Men? Does anyone think he's really going to escape? Is it a remotely serious notion that his buddies will attempt to bust him out of prison? Try the coward downtown, stop pretending he's more powerful than he actually is, and bring him to justice in New York City.

CitizeNYC Podcast #7

We're two beers in again this week and talking about waiting until 2011 to push for marriage equality, Mayor Bloomberg's lackluster State of the City address, and Pamela's disaster of a jean dress on Project Runway. (Plus loads more!)

Listen on iTunes, and be sure to check out last week's episode.

Next week we'll have Dorian Davis as our special guest! Watch out, it's gonna get crazy...

Via CitizeNYC.

Tonight: Stonewall Dem Club's Women's Awards.

Tonight I'm a special guest at the Stonewall Democrats fourth annual Women's Awards. Tickets start at just $15, see the details below. Should be a fun night for a great organization and some impressive women.


New York, NY. January 18, 2010. The Stonewall Democratic Club of New York City will honor five community leaders and organizations at the club's fourth annual Women's Awards on Thursday, January 21, 2009 to be held at the Stonewall Inn.

"This year's honorees are not only leaders in the community but role models for many, advancing women and women’s issue in the LGBTQ communities," said Yetta Kurland, founder and chairperson of the Woman's Awards Committee. "Stonewall holds this event to recognize those who have made a difference - both big and small – for women and to ensure that women’s voices are heard in the LGBTQ movement as well as the greater New York community."

The event will be held from 6 to 9 PM at the historic Stonewall Inn at Christopher Street and Seventh Avenue. It will be attended by several elected officials with a host committee that brags the likes of Governor David Paterson, NYC Public Advocate Bill deBlasio and NYC Comptroller John Liu. In addition, Broadway Speaks OUT, an organization that mobilizes people from Broadway and the entertainment world to fight for LGBTQ equality has arranged a host of celebrity appearances including Meredith Patterson from Boston Legal, as well as Broadway stars Brian Charles Rooney, Nick Adams, Kate Pazakis, Ryan J. Davis, and Marti Gould Cummings.

This year's honorees are:

CATHY MARINO-THOMAS is the communications director and board president for Marriage Equality New York, a grass roots, all-volunteer organization with more than 3,000 members and supporters. MENY is oldest marriage equality advocacy organization and will be launching their Political Action Committee with Ms. Marino-Thomas’ leadership this year.

JOANNE SMITH is the executive director of Girls for Gender Equity, an organization she founded in 2000. Girls for Gender Equity serves over 600 NYC girls and boys offering them a safe place to achieve academic excellence, explore career education, and maintain healthy lifestyles.

JANET WEINBERG is the Chief Operating Officer at Gay Men's Health Crisis and previously served as its Senior Managing Director. She previously served as Development Director at the LGBT Community Center in Manhattan.

THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR LESBIAN RIGHTS is a national legal organization committed to advancing the civil and human rights of LGBT persons and their families through litigation, public policy advocacy and public education.

*SNAPSHOT* is a weekly mixed queer party in NYC featuring art, music, film, photography and exposure.

The event is co-sponsored by GO! Magazine, the Stonewall Inn and Broadway Speaks OUT.

Tickets are available at $15 to $75 sliding scale. You can RSVP to the event at kurland@kurlandassociates.com or on Facebook.

Veritas Table Reading

Yesterday, we had the first table reading of Stan Richardson's new drama Veritas. The play deals with the 1920 Harvard Secret Court, an anti-gay witch hunt that ruined the lives of a group of students. We hope to stage a full production later this year, watch the blog for details.

Our reading cast included; Chad Lindsey, Seamus Mulcahy, Kevin Michael Murphy, Steven Kane, Michael Hirstreet, Vince Rimoldi, Brian DeCaluwe, Mitch Dean, Micah Shepard, Saum Eskandani, & Adam J. Thomspon.

Special thanks to midtown's The Ritz for letting us use their upstairs space.

CitizeNYC Podcast #5

What do Abraham Lincoln and Harold Ford have in common? Easy. They're both topics of this week's episode of Two Beers In, the weekly podcast I co-host all about New York City. That and much more...

• Listen online
• Listen on iTunes
• Check out last week's episode

From CitizeNYC.