Thursday, November 29, 2007

Broadway lights are shining once again!



Good news! The stagehands strike that has shut down much of Broadway for the past few weeks has been resolved. All shows will be up-and-running on their regular schedules in time for the evening performances on Thursday, November 29. So, what now?

If you have tickets for an upcoming performance...Go see the show! Going forward, all performances will play as scheduled and all existing tickets will be honored. Check the Broadway.com Show Guide for current schedules and theater addresses.


Now I just have to decide what shows to see when I hit the Big Apple for my Birthday Weekend later this month.
So many shows....so little time!


Countess Bedelia 11/29/2007 08:24:00 AM | 0 comments |

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Bennett Harrington's singing debut at Club Cafe !!

The amazingly talented Bennett Harrington appeared at Club Cafe in Boston last Sunday at a party to launch the new Julian Marsh T*Dance CD. Bennett's original song "Paint This Town" is one of the tracks on this very energetic dance mix disc.


Bennett's voice is so powerful that he actually blew out one of the speakers!! Go to his MySpace page to hear him sing.


He always signs autographs for his fans.

Bennett & Johnny

Bennett & Miguel


Bennett's friends, John and Lisa



The Countess duBarry enjoyed the show.

There were GoGo Boys dancing in the background.


And you know I can't post a blog without my own picture in it!!


Bennett will be making more appearances soon. Check his MySpace page for a list of upcoming appearances. You don't want to miss him if he is in your area.
Countess Bedelia 11/27/2007 09:55:00 PM | 1 comments |

Monday, November 26, 2007

It's always a fun time at Rumpy's Tavern!!

Well, bloggers, after doing the family thing on Thanksgiving day, The Countess was ready for some late nite life....and where better to go on a Friday night but to Rumpy's Tavern. It was jazz night at Rumpy's and this beautiful young man was playing the piano.




Troy was serving up Glenlivet at the bar.



And my pal Shelley came in out of the cold for a cold one.



There was some wild dancing going on.


And the Countess duBarry couldn't stay away.



The next day duBarry and I stopped over at Harrison House to visit Andrew, Troy's partner. Andrew has the most beautiful B&B filled with gorgeous furniture and eclectic decor.



He gave The Countess a glass of delicious wine in the biggest goblet I have ever tried to drink from! Here we are in the Harrison House kitchen.


We had a lovely visit and the secret door in the kitchen was revealed. Here is Troy showing me the revolving door behind that painting on the wall.


If you are in the area and looking for a place to stay, give Andrew a call. You will be in for a treat.
Countess Bedelia 11/26/2007 08:59:00 PM | 0 comments |

Thursday, November 22, 2007

Happy Thanksgiving, Bloggers!


The Countess wishes everyone a safe and happy holiday filled with lots of good food, good company, and perhaps a glass of Glenlivet.....or two!
Countess Bedelia 11/22/2007 09:32:00 AM | 2 comments |

Monday, November 19, 2007

Lordy, lordy, look who's 40!!!!!


This is what 40 looks like.


Isn't Brooke fabulous?
The Countess duBarry gave a birthday dinner to honor his sister, Brooke, on the occasion of her 40th birthday. The guests were treated to a gourmet meal lovingly prepared by our hostess and her friend Paul.

Brooke’s Birthday Dinner Menu


Lobster Ravioli with lobster sauce

Butternut squash soup with andouille sausage

Salad with gorgonzola cheese, walnuts, strawberries, and strawberry vinaigrette

Lemon sorbet to cleanse the palate.
(The sorbet was scooped into the hollowed out shells of fresh lemons and frozen.)

Beef Wellington with mushroom duxelle, asparagus, and pineapple mashed potato

Pecan Tart with homemade vanilla ice cream



The table was set with china, silver, and ruby glassware.




The guests were almost as colorful.



Brother and sister


Brooke and her boyfriend Joe



A wonderful evening at Castle du Barry. Happy Birthday, Brooke!




Countess Bedelia 11/19/2007 08:03:00 PM | 4 comments |

Saturday, November 17, 2007

It's a dogs life....

My dear friend, the Countess du Barry, sent me this joke. Over the years I have had a number of dogs and cats live with me from time to time and I find these diaries to be the real deal.


DOG DIARY

8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing!

9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing!

9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing!

10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!

12:00 pm - Lunch! My favorite thing!

1:00 pm - Played in the yard! My favorite thing!

3:00 pm - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!

5:00 pm - Milk bones! My favorite thing!

7:00 pm - Got to play ball! My favorite thing!

8:00 pm - Wow! Watched TV with my people! My favorite thing!

11:00 pm - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!


CAT DIARY


Day 983 of my captivity.
My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects.

They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something inorder to keep up my strength. The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape.

In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet.

Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a "good little hunter" I am. Bastards!

There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that myconfinement was due to the power of "allergies." I must learn what this means, and how to use it to my advantage.

Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow -- but at the top of the stairs.

I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released - and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded.

The bird has got to be an informant. I observe him communicate with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe. For now...
Countess Bedelia 11/17/2007 01:25:00 AM | 2 comments |

Thursday, November 15, 2007

Bennett Harrington to perform in Boston

As I mentioned last month, Bennett performed at the Rhode Island Pride 2007 Awards dinner on October 27th. He opened for Frenchie Davis and got rave reviews from IN Newsweekly.




Frenchie Davis and Bennett at the RI Pride dinner




Bennett flanked by two very tall drag queens at the RI Pride dinner



He was also featured in the November 7th edition of IN Newsweekly.

The article highlights the release party for "Julian Marsh T-Dance," a compilation of tracks from various recording artists and Bennett is one of the featured artists with his original song "Paint This Town". Click on Bennett's MySpace Page to hear his music and download the T Dance track.



The party will be at the Club Cafe in Boston from 4 to 10 pm on Sunday, November 25th, so get down there and dance off some of that turkey dinner you ate on Thanksgiving.

And see Bennett perform live and in person!!!!!


In case the article is no longer available, here are a few highlights:

"....Bennett Harrington ("Paint This Town"), an openly gay 24-year-old from Merrimack, Mass. who has been singing professionally for just two years.

As the front man for the pop-rock cover band Blue Collar Joe, Harrington was first exposed to the power that music has over an audience, how it can reel in even the most suspicious of listeners (and when you're a cover band, you get your fair share of fans of the original versions just waiting to trash your version). His interest shifted, he said during a recent interview, to dance music after appearing at several Providence clubs (including Mirabar and The Dark Lady), the Chez in Hartford, Conn., the Piedbar in P'town and a once-in-a-lifetime performance at the Delirium Party at Pasha in Washington, D.C.


"The biggest thrill I get from performing comes from two things, and both don't necessarily happen together to feel this rush," said Harrington, who was one of several entertainers featured at the 8th annual RI Pride Spotlight Awards ceremony. "I absolutely love when the crowd is right up near the stage, grooving along with me and I can see it on their faces if they're feeling it."

Harrington says of his contribution to "T-Dance," the 22nd such compilation released by Marsh, that it's "the ultimate brokenhearted boy's night out anthem."
"It's a theme I know all too well, having just exited a long and committed relationship," said Harrington. "The line, 'Not to say I'm over you, I won't let you keep me down,' is one that resonates with me every time I sing it out in the clubs."
Countess Bedelia 11/15/2007 09:28:00 AM | 0 comments |

Monday, November 12, 2007

L'Amour, L'Amour 2007 Style

Thanks to Joe.My.God for the heads up on this modern day romantic vignette. And CONGRATULATIONS, Joe, on being named the 2007 Best Gay Blog Award. For information about this award and to find other great LGBT blogs, go to the 2007 WEBLOG Award site.


And now on to l'amour, l'amour.....


Illustrator Patrick Moberg saw the Girl of his Dreams on the subway last Sunday night and promptly made a website called "NYGirlOfMyDreams" featuring this drawing. Later he edited the site to say that he had found her.



It turns out that she is an Australian girl working in NYC and, with the awesome power of the internet, it only took two days to find her among 10 million New Yorkers! According to the Australia Herald Sun "His romantic search paid off, after a friend of Ms Hayton realised she was the girl he was searching for. They plan to meet up for coffee on the weekend. "


Not only did they meet for coffee, but they appeared on Good Morning America today. Click this link and you can see the video of their TV appearance.



Everyone give a collective sigh and wish them well.............it's all so ridiculously romantic!
Countess Bedelia 11/12/2007 11:35:00 AM | 1 comments |

Sunday, November 11, 2007

Fun in New York City


New York is my favorite city. I love the excitement in the air, the hustle and bustle on the streets, and the theaters that provide the most wonderful entertainment. The stagehands strike that has darkened the lights on Broadway makes me very sad. But The Countess is the eternal optimist and likes to concentrate on the positive. I'll treat you all to some pictures.



The crisp fall air encourages fast walking. The streets are alive with color and motion. I always feel like I should have a "Mary Tyler Moore moment" and toss my hat up in the air. The fact that I don't wear hats and if I did, I'd probably drop it, doesn't change my fantasy!




A visit to MOMA on West 53rd Street between 5th & 6th Avenue is something I do whenever I'm in the city. Here you can see the original "Starry Night" by Vincent van Gogh....




And a wall of "Water Lilies" by Monet....




There is fantastic sculpture that decorates the courtyards of many buildings. You don't have to go to a museum. Just take a stroll down 6th Avenue.


For the inner child in you a visit to F.A.O. Scwartz is a must. The life size stuffed animals, the toys, the displays, and the piano keyboard in the floor is just the thing.



Yes, The Countess has tapped out a song on this keyboard. So much fun!!




There are historical sites all over the city but I prefer a touch of whimsey like The M&M Statue of Liberty at the M&M Store in Times Square. Imagine a whole store of M&M goodies!


I can't wait to go back again soon.
Countess Bedelia 11/11/2007 09:42:00 AM | 0 comments |

Wednesday, November 07, 2007

More Miami Memories....

Chris, that Scarlet Pimpernel, hosted a dinner party for a few of us at Smith & Wollensky, one of the best restaurants on Miami Beach. We all enjoyed delicious steaks, good conversation, and a lot of laughs, as usual. Thank you so much, Chris. Your kindness is much appreciated.


Countess duBarry, Scotty, Chris, and the Mrs. Astor at the table.

The dinner portions at Smith & Wollensky are so large that I was looking forward to the leftovers that I thought I brought home. But when I opened my doggy bag, I found the steak bones that were for Mrs. Astor's dog, Kiki. Apparently Kiki enjoyed my steak dinner very much! I'm still waiting for the Thank You Note.

Another day we met up with B&T Mark, Chris, and Scotty at D-Bar for an afternoon cocktail.





Mark chauffeured me to and from Miami airport and brought us some groceries the first day in town. He also took us into Miami to Magnum on our last night in town. We had so much fun there and the food was fantastic! Thank you, Mark, for being such a good friend.



The Countess and Mark at Magnum


Back at The Palace, the drag show was in full force. Geraldine put on a great show and then they got a couple of cute guys out on the floor for body shots.


The guys seemed to enjoy this very much; as did all the spectators.

I think there was some dancing going on. Here is The Countess and Ricky shaking their booty!!

Tonight there is a birthday party for Scotty at D-Bar. I wish I could be there but I'm sure that I will get a full report!!! Happy Birthday, Scotty.

Countess Bedelia 11/07/2007 10:11:00 PM | 0 comments |

Monday, November 05, 2007

Halloween Party at the Hotel Victor


The beautiful Hotel Victor on Ocean Drive was the scene of a wild Halloween party hosted by Edison Farrow.


The Countess Bedelia and The Countess duBarry dressed up as twin DreamGirls.

Mr. and Mrs. Astor went as Karl Lagerfeld and Anna Wintour.




We met up with Emmanuel, a very handsome flight attendant on vacation.




There were some fantastic costumes.


Both Countesses wanted to take this Indian home.


Our dear friend Sean dressed up so elegantly.
Countess Bedelia 11/05/2007 10:59:00 PM | 2 comments |