Why We Celebrate

UPDATE: Ugh, it turns out the interviewer is a total nutjob.

Todd Starnes Posts USA Tribute (With Music By Gay Communist Aaron Copland)

Presumably to celebrate the Fourth Of July, anti-gay activist Todd Starnes has posted a star-spangled Fox News tribute to the United States, recounting how preachers "prayed on bended knee, asking God to bless our land, to shed his grace on thee." Soundtracking the clip is Fanfare For The Common Man, which was composed by gay communist Aaron Copland. Bonus giggle: Copland was also an agnostic.

Rosa G - Fourth Of July

Move over Rebecca Black. Sample review:

It’s annoyingly catchy. I almost hate myself for watching it. Just wait: After you hear the chorus a mere one time, you’ll be singing “love the Fourth of July, love the Fourth of July” over and over again until you want to blow your brains out with some Fourth of July fireworks. Rosa G is looking “real mean” with her SPF 15, pool noodles and an “ice cold drink” — which she reminds you, “you’re gonna need it” — and I can’t help but applaud her for her patriotism. I don’t want to, but I can’t help but do it. Make sure you stick around for the “four, four, four, four” fade-out at the end.

46 Facts About First Ladies

Open Thread Thursday

As America prepares to celebrate its 238th birthday amidst increasing ugly treatment of immigrants, tell us your own family's immigration story. Here's some of my story.

BOSTON: Arthur Pushes Fourth To Third

Via the Boston Globe:

The Fourth of July will come on the Third this year in Boston. The annual Boston Pops concert and fireworks extravaganza on the Esplanade in Boston will be held Thursday instead of Friday because of the bad weather expected from Tropical Storm Arthur, officials said this afternoon. “It’s not optimal. We wish it were, but we’ve got to deal with this,” State Police Colonel Timothy Alben said at a news conference this afternoon. Alben and other officials gathered at a news conference on the Esplanade this afternoon and said that after studying weather reports and consulting with experts from the National Weather Service, they had decided that Thursday, even though there were predictions of rain, would be a better day than Friday to hold the concert and fireworks. While the Fourth of July concert traditionally draws 600,000 to 1 million people, Alben acknowledged that the numbers would likely be lower with the abrupt change in schedule and the concert falling on a workday.

Earlier today it was announced that the Macy's fireworks show over New York City's East River will take place rain or shine.

Hurricane Watch

Tropical Storm Arthur is expected to become a hurricane by tomorrow. At the present it's not forecast to make a direct hit on New York City, but the Fourth is likely be quite stormy and the annual Pines Invasion on Fire Island could see a lot of soggy wigs. Macy's says that the fireworks show over the East River will happen rain or shine, but they might delay its start if the weather is still severe at nightfall. City officials may close public beaches due to rip tides.

ESB Gets Fancy For The Fourth

Here's a great clip of the Empire State Building's fab new LED light show during the finale of last night's fireworks show. The musical choices were "curated" by pop star Usher.

At The 2013 Drag Invasion Of The Pines

Yesterday my pal Jerry accompanied me to the Invasion Of The Pines, the 37th annual marking of the day in 1976 when a drag queen was denied service at a restaurant in Fire Island Pines. Every Fourth of July since then, hundreds of drag queens board a chartered ferry in Cherry Grove and "invade" the Pines for a day exploding with glitter, feathers, and lots and lots of drinking.  I've posted about 150 photos from our day in chronological order of the madness. Lots of handsome men and hilarious drag at the link. You'll probably want to check out Paula Deen's full outfit....

New Record: 69 Hot Dogs

Easily the most bizarre NYC holiday tradition.

NYC Begins Holiday Exodus

According to AAA estimates, 5.6 million people will abandon the New York City metro area for the holiday weekend.  Highways and public transit are expected to be at peak capacity by mid-afternoon. For those staying in town, this year's fireworks display has been "curated" by pop star Usher, who has not only created the mixtape that will be simulcast during the show, but has designed some of the firework shells themselves.

"It was hard for me to articulate what I had in my mind, so it took a lot of them giving me sketches of how things could look in the sky and also giving me an idea of what kind of colors I could work with. We went out to the desert. I Instagrammed a few photos of some of the work that they fired off. Some things that are really special, I decided not to show you guys that. The first thing that I said was, 'This sure does beat the bottlerocket I was shooting off last year.' In addition to being able to have access to such an incredible moment to convey art and culture, I have something in the middle of it that I can say was specifically made for me."

Usher's musical selections include tracks by Kanye West, Rihanna, Kelly Clarkson, Blake Sheldon, and two songs by (shocker) Usher. The 37th Annual Macy's Fourth Of July Fireworks Celebration ® (yup) begins at 8PM on the Hudson River.  Prime viewing locations are on the West Side Highway between the West Village and Hell's Kitchen.