‘Cats: The Jellicle Ball’ captures the raw beauty, extraordinary liberation, and beating heart of ballroom culture.
‘RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars’ celebrated its highly anticipated 11th season with a massive New York City kickoff party, bringing together some of the franchise’s most iconic queens, media personalities, and devoted fans for an unforgettable night.
Hundreds of fans packed New York City nightlife hotspot Marquee New York City on Friday night to celebrate the highly anticipated season finale of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 18.
Entering the mind of Julio Torres is like peeling back layers and discovering a world living just beneath the surface of the reality we find ourselves existing in.
Someone once described theater to me as escapism in its purest artistic form a place where audiences can shed inhibitions and fully immerse themselves in the show. So, we must ask the question: How does the mastermind behind New York City’s hottest new theatrical experience push this idea even further, past the point of no return? The answer isn’t as clear as it might seem.
In fact, it may require us to look beyond the mask.
Tucked inside what appears to be just another historic building in New York City is Randy Weiner’s newest creation, Masquerade, a reimagining of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Broadway juggernaut The Phantom of the Opera. But Masquerade does more than bend the rules of theater, it breaks them, dissolving the traditional boundaries between audience and performer. Here, spectators are not merely observers; they are placed directly inside the story, immersed in Christine Daaé’s haunting encounter with the Opera Ghost.
For Weiner, the seeds of this immersive vision were planted early. Born in New York City and raised by a devoted theater enthusiast, he spent his childhood steeped in performance. His father often took him to see two shows a day, embedding in him a deep connection to the Broadway world. By the time he reached college, Weiner was already experimenting with form turning his dorm room into an unconventional performance space.
And does he succeed in that goal? Well, as the doors swung open and the hands of a woman we would soon recognize as our Christine Daaé (Riley Noland) guided us into a party once reserved for the stage, a sense of freedom lifted us. I glanced over at my friend, saw him smiling, and in that moment, I knew we would carry this moment with us for the rest of the night. From being sacrificed at a hellish carnival to an improvised dance class taught by Madame Giry herself, we were invited deeper into the mind of Weiner, falling more in love, like Daaé and Raoul. We were left wanting to live permanently in this world.
“You are used to actors interacting with each other, not them interacting with you. The way people would describe my experience is like it happened to them. And they would describe it like a vacation in another city like I did this and I did that, as opposed to they did that on the stage.”
Masquerade is not just a retelling, but a transformation of a classic tale. One that challenges audiences to step inside the story itself, blurring the line between spectator and participant. In Masquerade, the mask is no longer a barrier. It is an invitation.
I sat in my local diner and looked across at my beatific roommate. A radiant joy beamed from his face. The cause? We were just thirty minutes away the Wicked Part 1 Screening.
For some folks the fall months is race to your local Party City for a last minute spooktastic costume or a chance to take a trip to your corner Starbuck for a signature pumpkin spice latte instagram post. However for a select few who believe in merry and bright it marks the beginning to Hallmarks Countdown to Christmas Spectacular. The mecca of holiday cheer begins celebrating the the fall season with “Christmas at Castle Hart” starring Hallmark channel favorite and Mean Girls star Lacey Chabert. The film is one many festive films adding themselves the legacy of channel.
Founded in 2001, Hallmark has become a staple for hit holiday movies including “Christmas Under Wraps”, “A Royal Christmas” and “The Holiday Sitter”. The media giant celebrated its anticipated christmas movies series launch with soiree worthy of Santa’s nice list. Both big wigs and big fans of Hallamrk gatherted at New York City’s high hot stop The Peak. The night was packed full of delicious cuisines supplied by the 5 star restaurant and sparkling signature cocktails that left me feeling like I received the best present this holiday season.
Speaking of presents, the holiday mecca gave us a sweet gift in form of music with a surprise performance by multi grammy winner Norah Jones. The iconic songstress delivered a pitch perfect performance of hit songs like “Come Away With Me” and new holiday renditions of fan favorites like “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”. Adding the perfect ribbon to a spectacular night was Hallmark announcing that joining Norah Jones in the movie music world is superstar and living legend Cher, a piece of information that I wish I could hear over and over again, truly if I could turn back time.
Standing on top of the world in the middle of some of our favortite Hallmark movie props felt like a Christmas dream. The night ended with cheerful treats and a signature ornimanet that I can’t wait to place on my Christmas while watching my favorite Hallmark channel premiere movie.
Photo Source: Love Bailey
It starts with a sound. A sound that builds and grows, catching the ear of its listener. As the beat rises we hear a voice; smooth, powerful and captivating. It is this voice that has created space in music that has captured the hearts of fans everywhere, the voice that belongs to pop star Kentö. Beginning his career at the age of six Kentö has taken unique sounds and style to create a modern and illuminating genre of music, but where does that sound comes from?
When you think of red carpets, celebrity parties, brand deals and high end night life only one name comes to mind, Johnny Donovan. He is the mastermind behind the scenes of your favorite Hollywood and high end brand deal events. His creative eye, attention to detail and passion for talent has not only built him an empire, but also a collection of talented individuals who have been honored to collaborate with him through the years.
Donovan began his career in the early 2000’s after moving to New York City with big dreams to become the next big thing on TV. Little did he know this career move would change his life forever.
“Man, I aged out of Foster Care at 21 and Grew up on Long Island Moved to New York City in Pursue of Being on TV, Its funny to say but I always wanted to be in front of the camera and always wanted to give the world my personality for people to experience.
In early 2003 I actually won a contest back in the day on MTV.com which lead me into the MTV studios, where i experienced my first piece of this all. It luckily happened where I just ended up working around it and behind the scenes in 2007 till today.”
Over time he discovered he had a unique ability to spot talent. That ability helped grow his rolodex of high profile clients. Donovan began to work with celebrity talent, building not only a gold star reputation in the industry but also long lasting friendships.
“It Found Me I didn’t go to find it, Like they say it’s who you know and how you pursue your connections which makes you who you are! The Talent I’ve worked with I’ve been blessed to get close with, Ive even seen some get married ,have kids and surpass the 15 minutes of Fame. I get close with a lot of Talent after the shows and just have deep long friendships, sometimes it’ll be years but they’ll reconnect me and say man you’re still at it!!”
With very early start to a career that now has spanned almost two decades, Donovan has become a powerhouse in the entertainment industry. Coming from humble begins has allowed him to connect with people from all walks of life. That ability has served him well especially when he had his start in the world better known as “Entertainment Nightlife”.
“My first experience in Nightlife was in the Hamptons in the Early 2000’s where I waited and was a vip door host at some of the biggest nightclubs where they booked Kim Kardashian and Diddy held his annual white party. I’d say from 16 to 19 I was actively involved in booking Talent and at the hottest clubs in NYC. As far as events in 2012 I had the opportunity with VH1 to present The “Big Ang” Show premiere in Times Square after being fired from the Wienstien Company and the executive producer to present the premiere with about 200 people so that was my first actual event which put me on to the “Events World”
Being the man behind the scenes hasn’t always been easy, and with those struggles comes a lot of growth. Donovan not only recognizes that journey, but uses it as his driving force to project himself forward. Overtime those struggles allowed him to really connect with his clients, as well as take in once in a lifetime experiences.
“The 2016 BET Awards with Eva Marcille, She opened up my eyes to experiencing a different culture and really mentoring me to be a better version of who i am and have become in this business. I’ve also experienced going to The Video Music Awards and Movie Awards which every year I’ve went Im still just in Shock.
As his career expands, Donovan never forgot his beginnings developing a yearly holiday event.
“Well I grew up in that group Home, which I present it to every year for the past 6 years. As a young kid i always said i would share my wealth of blessings to kids who face the same experiences i faced growing up! so here I am, I can’t believe its been almost 6 years! Every year i say it gets bigger and I do it so last minute, sometimes I tell my self during the summer, I don’t even know if I’m going to do it and I always end up doing it. The kids talk about it for Months! and reach out to me through out the year.”
Much like the rest of us these past two years have proven to be a struggle. With the entertainment industry shutting down due to the covid pandemic. Along with that struggle, Donovan also hit another life changing experience in which he shares with us.
“Recently I got diagnosed diabetes ! With work and events and the fast paced schedule I live , I was just starting to loose my vision and one day at dinner with a client I decided to go visit my doctor and ended up in The ER for 2 days or so and prescribed about 4-5 different medications which you have to fully be responsible and stay on top off everyday to level and control out your A1C and balance out your diabetes, its all a learning process but over all it’s made me out to be more of on aware person”
Donovan’s recent struggles with diabetes hasn’t stopped him from tackle and accomplishing his goals. Achievement you could say is character trait he is born with. Towards the end of our time with Donovan he left us with his own words of wisdom from experiences in the industry.
Be your authentic self, Speak up to what you stand for ! and Network your ass off! As Kim Kardashian recently said ! People need to get out and work ! I stand by her on that and feel this generation doesn’t want to work! and I agree with her because so many things have changed with this new generation of celebrity and Influencer.
Johnny Donovan continue es to work in the industry signing new clients including digital social media stars everyday. It’s that drive that inspires and draws his incredible clients to work with him. You Johnny Donovan is a superstar in his own right, one talent that taken over this industry.
From then moment you walk through the wood style doors on 38th street and 9th avenue you’re immediately transported to your favorite Hamptons style eatery; bringing in all occasions such as date nights, business meeting and old friends catching up on their lives while enjoying a cocktail at The Restaurants stylish bar.
Designer and owner Joseph Ienuso goal was to create a space that contrasts the hustle and bustle of midtown New York City. It all began with the as Joseph Ienuso describes rope and a few Boy Scouts skills.
“Your eyes follow lines. When I first walked in I noticed the space is narrow and ceiling aren’t that high, so I immediately thought of rope. I didn’t know I was gonna go this crazy *he laughs. The rope is 6,000 ft which is equal to about 2 miles. The details go from the floor to the ceiling, I wanted people to come in here and feel like they’re leaving the chaos of honking traffic to like a nice relaxing feeling.”
Opening its doors the first time only weeks before the covid lockdown back in 2020. Joey describes that time as a huge struggle for the restaurant business as a whole, especially one just starting out. Event through that obstacle Ienuso was the first to open, using his location to provide aid and a flavorful escape for the men and women battle the covid crisis in the Jacob Javits center.
“We didn’t know the Javtis center would turn into the largest hospital in New York City five weeks after opening. We were the first to reopen in the neighborhood and I wanted to reopen to help out the people working out of the Javits Center. There was the national guard there and no food open besides on Taco Bell and a McDonalds, this was 2020 May. That was the reopening, it was me and chef with a limited menu. And the rules were changing. It was you could stay out til midnight than ten pm, then no one at the bar. So I could show you some funky pictures where I said its really sad to come into a bar and no one is there, so I put stuffed animals at the bar.”
As New York began to reopen the Hell’s Kitchen gem began to shine again catching the attention of New York culture, packing its seats from front to back. Even the stuff animals have to make reservation. What brings these costumers back? Well if the enchanting decor doesn’t keep you in your seat, the extraordinary flavor and aroma coming from the kitchen will make The Restaurant a fan favorite with a signature menu.
“Three things go into a menu. One is chef specialty, you always wanna highlight what your chef can do. So we have out Octopus dishes with out different curries, our wild chicken and our salmon really highlights chefs abilities to utilize the products and spices and flavor profile.
Second thing that goes into the menu is you gotta read your neighborhood, you gotta see who’s walking through your door.
And the third thing is multiple menus. We have a lunch menu, brunch menu and we are actually thinking of creating a late night menu to stay open to 2am”. As we walking through The Restaurant and sample its incredible cuisine you can catch a glimpse of Joseph Ienuso’s proud smile as he reflects on his passion ands creation come to life. The restaurant filled with costumers enjoy each and every moment from the spice of the curry sauce layering the Salmon to the tender octopus topped over the flavorful rice plated ever so elegantly. So for your next dinning experience check out The Restaurant, New York City’s newest hidden gem.
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