Tag: Christmas

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Bowen Yang Leaving SNL + Oscars Leaving ABC For YouTube + More

Bowen Yang (screen capture)

Happy Friday! Some news stories for you as we head into the weekend.

• Gayety: Bowen Yang will be leaving the cast of Saturday Night Live, marking the end of a groundbreaking run for one of the show’s most influential and visible queer cast members. Yang’s final appearance as a cast member will air this Saturday featuring his WICKED costar Ariana Grande as the host, and Cher as musical guest.

• AP News: After more than 50 years on ABC, the Oscars will move to YouTube beginning in 2029 making the most high-profile award show on the planet accessible to more than 2 billion people globally to stream online. Continue reading “Bowen Yang Leaving SNL + Oscars Leaving ABC For YouTube + More”

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Celebrating The Holiday + A Magical NYC Moment + More

The Night Before Christmas was first printed 200 years ago today in the Troy Sentinel

As I finish my buttermilk pies for tomorrow’s festivities, a few news items you might have missed: • Axios: Did you know – “A Visit from St. Nicholas” (a.k.a. “The Night Before Christmas”) was originally published anonymously in the Troy Sentinel on Dec. 23, 1823. Years later, it was finally credited to Manhattan scholar Clement Clarke Moore. Continue reading “Celebrating The Holiday + A Magical NYC Moment + More”

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Grindr Reveals Where Most Tops & Bottoms Are Worldwide + More News

Grindr Unwrapped (image via Grindr)

Some news items you might have missed: • The Advocate: Grindr, the popular LGBTQ dating app, has released its comprehensive “Unwrapped” 2023 report highlighting various interests and behaviors across multiple regions, including where the most tops and bottoms were active worldwide. Continue reading “Grindr Reveals Where Most Tops & Bottoms Are Worldwide + More News”

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Christmas Music: Idina Menzel & Billy Porter ‘I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm’

Idina Menzel, Billy Porter

Tony Award winners Billy Porter & Idina Menzel shine bright in this musical update of  “I Got My Love to Keep Me Warm.” The duo serves up fierce holiday magic accompanied by back-up dancers and sparkles, sparkles, sparkles. Continue reading “Christmas Music: Idina Menzel & Billy Porter ‘I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm’”

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Christmas Day With The Pups

Our puppy Brody sits among his many Christmas toys
Baby boy Brody was very happy with his holiday haul of toys
I updated this post to include some photos of our first Christmas with the new pups. Cue to obligatory ‘torture the kids in holiday hats’ photo 🙂 Michael and Scarlett and Brody and I wish everyone a happy, happy holiday and Merry Christmas. Merry merry, everyone!
Brody in full-on play mode as Scarlett strikes a pose
Brody in full-on play mode as Scarlett strikes a pose
Hubby Michael with Scarlett and Brody on Christmas Day
Hubby Michael with Scarlett and Brody on Christmas Day
Brody helps unwrap presents as Scarlett chills in my lap
Brody helps unwrap presents as Scarlett chills in my lap
The family photo as we put the pups through wearing silly holiday hats
The family photo as we put the pups through wearing silly holiday hats
Michael and I pose with the multiple photos of Snoopy we gave each other
Michael and I pose with the multiple photos of Snoopy we gave each other
Several dog toys strewn across the yard the day after Christmas 2020
Several dog toys are strewn across the yard the day after Christmas 2020

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Melania Dragged For Maskless White House Christmas Tour

First Lady Melania Trump with children wearing face masks at the White House
First Lady Melania Trump is probably very happy to be done with her last Christmas in the White House. Yesterday, her official Twitter account shared a short video showing her showing the White House decorations to young children (all wearing face masks) while she didn’t bother to wear a mask even though that’s the official position of the CDC. That, plus the leaked audio of a conversation with a former aide where she complained about having to oversee the holiday decor of the White House (“Who gives a f*ck about Christmas stuff and decoration…?”), is probably the most transparent perspective we’ll have of the soon-to-be-former First Lady. Twitter wasn’t amused.

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Tonight: Free Streaming Broadway Concert ‘Home For The Holidays’

A stellar lineup of theater favorites will show there’s no place like Broadway for the holidays as they welcome you into their homes and hearts during Home for the Holidays on Tuesday, December 15, 2020. The free concert is produced by and benefits Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. You’ll feel the holiday spirit when some of Broadway’s most celebrated stars perform songs based on traditions from their homes and from where their shows are set. With songs from comedic to heartfelt, it’s your perfect seasonal variety show.

From the welcoming warmth of Come From Away‘s Gander, Newfoundland, to the rich culture of South Africa through cast members from The Lion King, you’ll escape into a world where Broadway can help make the season merry and bright despite today’s challenges. A shortlist of the illustrious lineup includes Alan Cumming, André De Shields, Ed Dixon, Heather Headley, Ramin Karimloo, Karen Olivo, Nina West and the Grammy Award-winning Broadway Inspirational Voices. Every dollar donated will help those across the country affected by HIV/AIDS, COVID-19 and other critical illnesses receive healthy meals, lifesaving medication, emergency financial assistance, housing, counseling and more. The donations also support and champion organizations focused on social justice and anti-racism. Click here to watch the free stream beginning at 8 pm Eastern on the Broadway Cares website, or you can catch the show in the YouTube above. The stream will be available through December 19.

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Radio City Christmas Spectacular Cancelled For 1st Time Ever

Some of the world-famous Rockettes onstage at Radio City Music Hall (via Instagram)
For the first time since its debut in 1933, the Radio City Christmas Spectacular featuring the world-famous Radio City Rockettes, is being canceled. From the New York Post:

MSG Entertainment, which owns the glamorous Radio City Music Hall where the Rockettes perform, made the decision to close the curtain on the popular show amid ongoing uncertainty tied to the coronavirus pandemic.

This year’s performance, known for iconic dance numbers like “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers” and the “12 Days of Christmas,” had been slated to run from Nov. 6 to Jan. 3.

The events company, which also owns Madison Square Garden, also announced plans to lay off 350 people — about one-third of its corporate workforce — as the pandemic continues to squeeze venues that rely on live performances.

Its sister company, MSG Sports, which owns the New York Knicks and the New York Rangers, is cutting 50 jobs, or about 15 percent of its corporate staff.

Running for two months plus rehearsals, I can remember as a dancer in NYC the Christmas Spectacular was a job a LOT of theater artists folks prized each year. Paid well and you got to be home in NYC for the holidays. If you’ve never seen it, you should there’s a reason why it’s run for all these decades. Festive, fun and very family-friendly.