Aug 23, 2005

Where I've been...

I have been so very busy lately. On all fronts. During the day when I make money, and during nights and weekends when I spend it. Working hard, playing hard, and somehow catching up on sleep during off-peak hours. It's been almost two weeks since my last blog posting and I'm now having to get ready to meet up with Odyssey Magazine editor-in-chief Patrick Vottraino (aka: Livonia Parsons) in New York, where we are planning to hang out with The Lady Bunny at Wigstock. Later, we will head off to Fire Island to hang out with Brad Hammer, Blake Sterling, Brett Rieben, Johnny "abs" Markoudakis and Guillermo Torolira. I'm gonna need lots of energy while hanging out witht he hottest boys in Fire Island Pines and Cherry Grove. What the hell am I saying? Actually, they are the hottest boys on that entire island. Therefore, I'll try to keep things brief.

As expected, I dined and cocktailed at Sushi Dan, Ajusai and Gozar. Speaking of Gozar. I hear that Rusty Updegraff is planning on bringing in a DJ on weekends. I expect that all of the Tuesday night beauties that come see him at Beige @ Falcon will now be able to stand and pose at Gozar as well. Sounds like fun. (Remember people, table 3 is reserved for me!). Apres dinner and up through "last call" ad sometimes even after hours, I've shown up for cocktails and/or a twirl at my usual haunts such as The Abbey, Popstarz at The Factory, Girlbar at Ultrasuede, Micky's, Fiesta Cantina and Rage!

In the last two weeks I have...:

  • ...been to I-Candy. Twice. Love it. Going back for more. You should check it out as well. While you're there, say hello to my friends Carolyn Corrado, Chris Tatar, Victor Bena and Yawar Charlie. Sleek. Upscale. The name says it all. Enough said.
  • ...frequented Red Light District at FUBAR on Saturday night. Go-Go boys (and girls) keep the crowd VERY entertained. Spent a lot of energy and money there. You'll love it. Trust me.
  • ...made an appearance at Velvet on Sunday night at 7969. My friend Ritchie used to go there three years ago. He wanted to go back and check it out. Bobby Trendy, Matthew Fashion and I went along for the adventure. I thought I would hate it, but I actually had fun. Bobby and Matthew left a little early. I stayed to watch Ritchie dance. Stared and posed on the dance floor. Interesting place, however, they didn't know how to make the "Jonathan Divatini". Never even heard of it. I might go back when they figure it out.

  • My friend, Photo-Larry, has always taken great pictures of me while I'm out and about in WeHo. You can see pictures of some of the above nights as well as many other events at ipartypix.com. Check it out.

Matthew Fashion wants me to remind everyone that he can also be seen alongside Bobby Trendy in the next few episodes of "Material World" on The Learning Channel. It is broadcast on Friday nights, so set your TiVo! He is also planning an event, which involves walking from West Hollywood to San Francisco, speaking to Gay Youth along the way, as a way to bring recognition and/or awareness of Gay Youth and Gay rights. I don't have all the details yet, but I' sure that a media release will follow shortly. If I am not mistaken, there will be some sort of announcement at Tigerheat and Heaven, at The Arena, on Thursday. Show up to find out how you can support this cause. It might be the only way to get him outta town...and outta our hair... People would pay to see that happen. Wouldn't they? (Relax, Matthew, it's a joke)


Tonight, I'll be heading to Dreamgirls Revue at Rage! If you're free, join me there, you'll have a great time. I promise. I'm looking forward to looking up at the stage and seeing my friends, Chad Micheals, Kiwi, Delta Works, Dolly Levi and Raja. Still hoping that I'll look up and see Hunter, en pointe and in a swan outfit, sooner rather than later.

In the meantime, allow me to convey their latest message about Hunter:

Hunter: Update / August 22, 2005 - " Today we hear encouraging news. it appears that he is really fighting hard to make his way through all of the murkiness. Slowly, but quite definitely, his personality is reemerging..this is still a
critical phase of recovery > so, please no visits yet...But, keep writin
him....Love heals. HURRY BACK TO US HUNTER.!"

I have uploaded more pictures to Ofoto/KodakGallery. Check out the general Dreamgirls Revue as well as the Dreamgirls Revue: All For One - Benefit for Hunter albums. Visit the Dreamgirls Revue website for updates and to sign their guestbook.

Aug 12, 2005

Living in a Material World...
Congratulations to Bobby Trendy as he returns to the small screen via "Material World" on The Learning Channel (TLC). The 12 episode show is set to debut tonight, 08/12/2005, wth "Party Pads" at 8:00 P.M. and 11:00 P.M. followed by a matinee encore at 3:00 P.M. on Saturday. The second episode, entitle "Contractor Factor" is scheduled to debut on 08/19/2005 with similar encore presentations followed by their tertiary installment, "Home Wrecking" on 08/25/2005. CHeck your local cable listings for specific channel and broadcast information. Bobby vows to '...take the gay movement back 10 years.." with this most recent reality series. How humiliating! Actually, bobby later purrs that "...he just wants everyone to look a decade younger..." We will be out on a celebratory twirl around West Hollywood. Look for us as we cause a commotion all around the boulevard.

Got some news from Brad Hammer out on Fire Island. He tells me that he has been hired at Opaline, a New York hotspot. He will moving to The Big Apple along with Blake Sterlig after their gig at Pavilion and The Blue Whale at Fire Island Pines is over. Two of my babies are leaving me! I wonder if any of the other boys are also planning on NOT returning to Los Angeles? Brad sent me two new albums and I have named them "Fire Island: Fashion Shoot" and "Fire Island: Brett & Guillermo" I have added a Photo Album hyperlink section to my side bar so that you can easily navigate to a listing of all of my Ofoto / KodakGallery online albums

Aug 11, 2005

A Beautiful Benefit - All for One!
I wanted to thank all of you that were able to come and support! It was a wonderful night with so many great performances! There was such great energy. Many West Hollywood personalities were present, including David "Dee Dee" Perry, Meriah, Ivan Lukich, Daniel Miagany, Matt Abboud, Patrick David, Michael, Antonio Bellafonte, Belle Aire, Graig Keyte (before he disappeared at intermission) Jake and the Lane Twins (Gary and Larry), Marc Wheeler, Hugh Balfour, Ritchie Cowell, Joey Stoterau, Baron and my new friend, Eddie, who was in attendance despite having been attacked by a "Brown Recluse" spider! So many people contributed to the success of the event, whether performing, working behind the scenes, donating items for the auction, purchasing items during the auction, or issuing large checks to the Hunter Fund. There event began with a strong vocal set by Amanda Flahive, followed by energized performances by all of the drag entertainers, including Venus De-Lite (Madonna), Momma, Desiree LaFemme (Lucy), Raja (Frida Kahlo) , Kiwi (Diana Ross) , Delta Works, Dolly Levi, Alan Luzietti (Liza Minelli), Fontasia L'Amour (Chita Rivera), John Bloss (Reba), Eddie Moss (Michael Jackson) and Chad Michaels (Cher / Willy Wonka). Cassandra Fever (Elvira - Mistress of the Dark) performed her set while Cassandra Peterson, the real Elvira ~ Mistress of the Dark, was in the audience watching. Stage Manager, Adam Magee, kept things flowing backstage along with a lot of help from Psychadelica.

Tony Velovski and the entire staff at Rage! worked so hard during the event. All of your tips to the performers, bartenders and the sole cocktail waiter, Darin Sanone, kept quite busy bringing numerous rounds of my signature Jonathan Divatini to my the table while trying to servic the rest of the thristy crowd., were donated to the Hunter Fund!

There were two very successful auction segments. Chad Michaels hosted the first auction which included various items including a large assortment oof collector DVD & VCR Box sets, donated by aWarner Brother Studios, gift bags, gift certificates for Gozar and trips to Las Vegas were auctioned. Later, there was a second auction, hosted by yours truly, Jonathan Chang - Socialite Extraordinaire along with an inspired assist by Toni Ferrari. Bobby Trendy donated many one- of-a-kind Bobby Trendy Designs items, with a retail value in excess of $25,000.00 , including luxurious throws, pillows, chairs, Gift Certificates and even a leopard print divan.
We were also treated to 2 amazing video screenings. A montage of performance vignettes, sound bites and interview footage of Hunter being montages which included different videos of Hunter which included performance vignettes and sound bites from interviews and conversations with Hunter. I got a little emotional while watching. I can't remember the name of the person who produced these two pieces, but I want to give my thanks and I will divulge their identity as soon as I am recall it.

Overall, the fundraiser was a huge success. The event raised a healthy sum of money which speaks volumes about all of you. West Hollywood does not have to be about bitchy, ego-centric, Ice Queens with an addiction to exclusive gym memberships, haute couture and designer cocktails. Charitable and philanthropic actions are a good thing. Spread the word. I want to thank everyone in attendance. I am so proud of the way that we have come together to show love and support for Hunter and for the generous and giving attitude which has been the norm since this incident occurred. Hell I even made up with Hunter's long time friend, the lesbian named Kevyn. (Many of you witnessed the fight the we had earlier this year. It went down during a performance. front and center, just beyong my customary table. It was a showstopper. Literally. Some things are more important than the petty bickering between a a demanding Divo with a sense of entitlement and an aggressive lesbian trying to protect one of her friends. Kevyn, this is what you need to do the next time you thing we're heading for an altercation. Smile, tell me to shut the fuck up and motion for Darin to bring me another Jonathan Divatini. That should help us all avoid a nasty catfight. Too bad it took this tragic event for us to embrace each other. )

At the beginning of the evening, some of you were surprised to find out that there was no VIP guest list and there was a cover charge for everyone entering Rage! Yes, everyone, including me, was subject to a cover charge. This might have gotten the "I don't wait in line and I certainly don't pay to go to a club" crowd a little bit ticked, that is, until they found out that all of the Door Cover Charge proceed s were being donated to the Hunter Fund.
I you were unable to attend the event, or if you have not yet had a chance to contribute, or even if you have already contributed, but feel compelled to give additional donations to the Hunter Fund, opportunities still exist! An account has been established at Washington Mutual (Belmont Shore Financial Center) 5200 East 2nd Street, Long Beach, CA 90803. Please contact me if you need assistance in getting your donation into this account.

You can also contribute with moral support by sending encouraging e-mails and get-well-soon wishes to Hunter at hunter@dreamgirlsrevue.com. The Dreamgirls Revue website at www.dreamgirlsrevue.com also has a guestbook feature where you can leave messages for Hunter and read what everyone else has to say as well.
Hunter is still recovering slowly and is not yet out of the Intensive Care Unit. He needs all the rest he can get. Therefore visitation is restricted at this time. I'm sure that visitation by all friends and fans will be welcome once Hunter progresses enough to be moved out of the ICU. Since we can't see him yet, we all want to know how he is doing and we are calling anyone and everyone, looking for information. All of the Dreamgirls, Adam Magee, Tony Velovski and staff at Rage!, Hunter's roomate, Peter Allen Jacobson and Kevyn have been very gracious and accommodating when responding to an inquiry. In my humble opinion, this may create an undue stressor for them. I know that we just want information because we are so concerned for Hunter's well being, therefore, rather than inundating them with phone calls, it might be best to look for updates by going to the Dreamgirls Revue website or by visiting my blog: Confessions of a Socialite Extraordinaire at http://socialite_extraordinaire.blogs.friendster.com/confessions_of_a_socialit/

I have received a few pictures of the even and have uploaded albums of the A Beautiful Benefit - One for All event as well as a general Dreamgirls Revue album to both the Evite as well as Ofoto (KodakGallery. Please feel free to send me your pictures of the event. I will upload them and share with everyone.
Love ya. Kisses. Muahh!

Aug 4, 2005


All for One - A Benefit for Hunter
Please join me at a very special Dreamgirls Revue, on Tuesday, August 09, 2005, at RAGE! – Located at 8911 Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA 90069. – 310.652.7055. This special event is a performance as well as a fundraiser/benefit for Hunter. Many special guest performers will be there to show their love and support for our beloved Hunter. Additionally, Bobby Trendy will be donating $10,000.00 worth of Bobby Trendy Designs merchandise, in order for us to auction it off, during the performances, as part of the fundraiser. This is a night not to be missed. The Dreamgirls are absolutely the best drag show that I have seen in years. Even if you’re the type that doesn’t normally like drag shows, the show that the Dreamgirls put on every week is a must see! The show is scheduled to start at 9:00 PM, but try to get there early to get a good seat. Bring some friends. Look for me and say hello. I’ll be the loud one drinking my signature cocktail, the “Jonathan Diva-tini”. Please feel free to spread the word about this event!
------
A message from http://www.dreamgirlsrevue.com/:
Hunter is weathering the slow, difficult road to recovery as well as can be expected. Head injuries such as his require delicate procedures and constant monitoring. Thankfully, he shows signs of progress daily. (little by little...) We must all be patient and let himcome through at his own pace. He is still in the ICU and is not allowed any extra visitors at this time...But, that doesn't mean you can communicate your thoughts and feelings right away by emailing them to Hunter at hunter@dreamgirlsrevue.com. On behalf of Hunter and his roomate, we thank you all for your many kindnesses.
-------

Aug 2, 2005


A picture is worth a thousand words...
Hunter update: It is still too soon for any visits to see Hunter. Please read this blog or go to The Dreamgirls Revue website for updates on her condition. There are some great pictures of Hunter, and a special little message for Hunter and all of you that are wishing her s speedy recovery. Keep those good thoughts coming. If you want to e-mail Hunter, please click here. I have updated my Ofoto album for the Dreamgirls Revue . There are a lot of new pictures.
Speaking of pictures... More have arrived from Fire Island. Brad Hammer has sent me a lot of pictures, and I have created two new albums: http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLandingSignin.jsp?Uc=4e1f018h.8o77f5e5&Uy=-pun8qi&Upost_signin=Slideshow.jsp%3Fmode%3Dfromshare&Ux=1 and Fire Island Pineboyz Performance. As you can all see, there are a lot of beautiful people are on that little ithsmus just outside of Long Island. I can't wait to get there!
I still have my all of albums on Ofoto (Kodak Gallery). Go to the following links to see:
Fire Island Pineboyz Performance (129 pictures)
http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLandingSignin.jsp?Uc=4e1f018h.8o77f5e5&Uy=-pun8qi&Upost_signin=Slideshow.jsp%3Fmode%3Dfromshare&Ux=1 (78 pictures)
Dreamgirls Revue (88 pictures)
LA Pride 2005 (257 pictures)
Boys of Summer (5 Pictures)
A Fond Farewell (55 pictures)
Fire Island (10 pictures)
Desperate Houseboys (2 pictures)
My Birthday 2005 (11 pictures)
My Birthday 2004 (23 pictures)
Halloween 2004 (33 pictures)
Halloween 2003 (12 pictures)
Halloween 2002 (26 pictures)
Graig's Birthday 2005 (13 pictures)
Ivana Tramp (11 Pictures)

Jul 30, 2005

working....
Alright kids. Hopefully all of you have already started making plans to attend one of the Hunter benefit events as well as having sent him e-mails of support and get well wishes. I will not be updating the blog for a couple of days, nor will I be in West Hollywood, as I will be busy working. The trust funds stopped paying out a while ago, so I do have a day job. This requires me to teach a seminar this weekend. Once the seminar is done, I will be preparing for my lecture as I am this month's speaker at the Orange County Bar Association's monthly luncheon on Monday August 1st. Here is the flyer if any of you are interested in seeing me in professional mode.
When I return, I will update you on Hunter's status. I promise.

Jul 29, 2005



Hunter Update
Hunter is doing well. He is currently resting after undergoing several surgeries. He did sustain subdural hematoma, which was relieved by removal of parts of the temporal bone, bilaterally, in order to relieve intracranial pressure. It may be too soon to tell if there will be any permanent deficit, howver, as is often the case with this type of situation, there may be a grueling recovery period which sometimes includes re-learning basic motor and communication skills (e.g. walking, speaking, etc.) depending on the extent of the injury. Hunter is a fighter. We all know that he will work his ass off in order to get back in to top form. He is a true performer and entertainer. I'm sure that he will soon be back on the stage delighting us all!
I know that you all want to wish him well, however, personal visits are being discouraged at this time, as he will need all the rest he can get in order to improve the likelihood of full recovery. In the meantime, if you would like to send a message to Hunter, please click here. Hunter's e-mail address is hunter@dreamgirlsrevue.com. I'm sure that he would love to get messages from all of his friends and fans.
Several fundraising events are being planned all over Southern California, including Laguna Beach, Long Beach, Palm Springs and West Hollywood. Please show your love and support by attending. Here is a partial list of the benefit performances:
07/31/2005 Sunday Toucans Tiki Lounge - Palm Springs The Tommi Rose Show (temporarily hosted by Delta Works) at Toucans Tiki Lounge- 2100 N. PalmCanyon Drive, Suite A-100, Palm Springs - 756.416.7584
08/03/2005 Wednesday Toucans Tiki Lounge - Palm Springs The Tommi Rose Show (temporarily hosted by Delta Works) at Toucans Tiki Lounge- 2100 N. PalmCanyon Drive, Suite A-100, Palm Springs - 756.416.7584
08/04/2005 Thursday Ripples - Long Beach The Dreamgirls Revue at Ripples - 5101 E. Ocean Boulevard, Long Beach - 562.433.0357
08/09/2005 Tuesday Rage! - West Hollywood The Dreamgirls Revue at Rage! - 89811 Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood - 310.652.7055. (Dreamgirls Revue Reservation Hotline: 323.992.5799)
08/10/2005 Wednesday Boom Boom Room - Laguna Beach The Dreamgirls Revue at Boom Boom Room - 1401 South Coast Highway, Laguna Beach - 949.494.7588
I will try to keep everyone updated with his condition as soon as information becomes available.
Love ya. Kisses. Muahh!

Jul 28, 2005

Wishing Hunter a fast & thorough recovery
As most of you may have heard, Hunter, was involved in a serious accident last Tuesday night after the Dreamgirls Revue performance at Rage. My sources tell me that Hunter was attended by paramedics and then transported to Cedars Sinai where they performed emergency procedures. I really don't want to give out much more information, until I confirm specific details including the present status. Hopefully, Hunter will have a fast and thorough recovery. Join me in sending Hunter our energy, thoughts, chants and prayers.

Jul 24, 2005

Guillermo, Cornrows and Jeffrey Sanker
Just got an e-mail from Guillermo Torolira in Fire Island. He sends me pictures of all the boys, including the cornrows being sported by Johnny "Abs" Markoudakis. There are pictures of large penises and blow up dolls as well as "The Barracks" where all of the boys are staying. Sounds hot, doesn't it? Jeffrey Sanker is also shown having fun with the boys.

Jul 22, 2005

Mink Stole, Hot Asses & wide set vaginas...
I had a blast being the Celebrity Bingo Caller at Legendary Bingo! Naturally, Hamburger Mary's was filled to capacity. Good thing that Belle-Aire and Bingo Boy brought along some extra clipboards, because they were put to good use by the standing-room-only crowd. Bobby had to cancel at the last moment, because he "forgot" that he was already committed to attend another red carpet event. However, he was there in spirit, as he brought over three of his designer, "Bobby Trendy", label pillows to as prizes or auction items for the fundraiser. A lot of work went into each one of those pillows, what with Bobby "fabricating" with various luxurious materials and then finishing each, "one of a kind" creation with either sequin overlays, 'faux" amber fringe beading and/or jumbo silk tassels. The pillows were auctioned off and the proceeds were added to the "Killer B's" fund. I was provided ample cocktails, compliments of the "Killer B's" and even Belle-Aire and Bingo-Boy. Mink Stole was there and she graciously agreed to share the Celebrity Bingo Caller duties with me. It truly was a great evening of games, cocktails and hunky softball players. If you did not get a chance to stop by, you should show up next week, when another GLASA team, the "Christ Chapel Crushers" are there for the Legendary Bingo fundraiser! Later, we headed to West West Hollywood, where I did my usual twirl through Rusty Updegraff's Gozar, The Abbey, and Rick K's 80's Night at Ultrasuede before heading off to Fiesta Cantina where I saw bartender Curtis, who did a nude photo shoot about six years ago. Some of you may know him by his Nom de Porn, Dean Phoenix. He was paid $100.00, signed a full release, and now, that shoot is in a current "Special issue" of Playgirl. Go figure. He did not even know that it had been published. I bought him a copy so that he could keep at the bar in order to show his colleagues! After doing my good deed for the day, I headed to Anthony Lopez' Wednesday Night Hot Rod, full of cock rock and alternative music, at Micky's. When I walked in, I see none other than Anthony Cortez auctioning off two of the dancers. Hector Monserrate had one of the winning bids. Thus, he got to slather whipped cream all over a very hot, young, muscular stud. Later, he got to eat the cherry! I then called it an early night and got to my suite at the San Vicente Inn by 1:30. Speaking of the SVI, it looks like I am going to have to find a new lodging or get really chummy with the new owners, cause it looks like Terry finally did what Sotheby's could not, he sold the SVI, on his own, for a double digit million dollar sum. The SVI should be out of escrow by the end of August.
Congratulations to my friend, Blair Hunter Matthews, who placed second in the "Hot Ass" Contest at Cherry, in the Groves section of Fire Island. It looks like he actually did have the finest ass, take it from me - I speak from experience, but the winning ass turned out to be a local, who apparently had a very loud cheering section. Speaking of Fire Island, my sources told me that Johnny "Abs" Markoudakis was recently seen sporting cornrows. I immediately called him and he confirmed that yes, he is sporting the Bo Derek "10" look, because it is sooooo hot there, and it was the only way that he could keep the hair out of his face. Cornrows or not, Johnny looks sexy all the way around! My sources also tell me, that our boys, Blake Sterling, Brad Hammer, Brett Riebing, Guillermo Torolira andJohnny "Abs" Markoudakis ARE the hottest guys in Fire Island. Since they work together and hang out together, I can just imagine the stalking that is going on! Can't wait to see them later next month!
On a final note, my Weho wife, Patty Suh Johnson, who is currently a bartending instructor at a nationally known bartending school, called to tell me that her current class included one student with questionable gender. She was positive that the student was a transsexual or at the very least a transvestive. Turns out she was wrong, because this very masculine looking woman proceed to have a visit from her "Aunt Flo" during class, all over the bar stool. Guess that question was answered. FIrst Deep throat, now this? Anyway, this incident caused my friend Jay Sarkis to immediately quote his favorite line from Mean Girls: "I can't help it if I have a heavy flow and a wide set vagina..."

Blind Item: Which Editor-in-Chief of a well known gay magazine had tongues wagging when he was caught in a compromising, un-characteristic position while attending an event in the inland empire? ----- A very naive, barely legal, pink madras short/pink polo shirt wearing (god...are hideous early 80"s fashions back in style? I must-a mist the memo) boy from Riverside made an aggressive bee-line for my friend the media maven. Before I knew it they were seeing all over each other on the dance floor, then the corner of the VIIP area, then outside in the smoking area. Have you guessed yet? Anyway, the kid that took an instant liking to my friend, proceeded to get very upset because the media maven would not take him home. Come'on now, Pasquale? Do you really expect my friend to take you to LA for a trick, then drive you back to Riverside the next day? Please! Oh by the way, Pasquale, I don't care if you were mad that my friend would not take you home to fuck your brains out, that was no reason to be rude to me. I know your name and I remember what you look like. Hope you don't plan on coming down to WeHo anytime soon....

And with that, I bid you adieu!