Music Journalist Barry Walters Looks Back At Manhattan's Legendary Saint Disco

Veteran music journalist Barry Walters has penned a fascinating look back at Manhattan's much-storied Saint nightclub. It begins:

From September 1980 to May 1988, The Saint defined gay nightlife in New York during its most tumultuous and literally plagued decade. Conceived by off-Broadway impresario Mailman, who had just scored a runaway success with The New St. Marks Baths, The Saint set such high standards that it soon rendered its competition redundant.

“When it opened, it just sucked the life out of all the other clubs,” says Robbie Leslie, the most popular of the disco’s surviving DJs. “Everyone abandoned these clubs they professed loyalty to. It only took a week or two, and they just flocked over to The Saint.”

Housed in the three-story former site of the psychedelic rock concert hall Fillmore East, The Saint offered multi-sensory pleasure like no other venue before or since. It featured a circular, 4,800 square foot dancefloor topped by an aluminum dome 76 ft. by 38 ft. under which much of the club’s 1,500 lights would shine, as well as constellations from a Spitz Space System projector ten times brighter than one in a typical planetarium. Designed by architect Charles Terrell, The Saint pointedly directed one’s attention skyward. Its experience was clearly meant to be uplifting – visually and otherwise.

The perforated dome hid the last and largest of the revered Graebar sound systems: Powered by 630 drivers and 32 amplifiers, nearly 500 speakers generated 26,000 watts – a figure touted in The Saint’s publicity materials as being “probably the most powerful per square foot for entertainment purposes in existence.” All this splendor ultimately cost $4.6 million in 1980 dollars – well over $13 million in today’s currency.

You don't have to be an eldergay to enjoy the full piece.

AUDIO: There are many recordings of Saint DJ sets floating around. In the above-linked piece Walters includes this set from closing night DJ Jim Burgess.

NYC's Oldest Gay Bar Closes

Ten days ago I reported that New York City's oldest gay bar, Candle Bar on the Upper West Side, would be closing after more than 50 years. West Side Rag reports on its closing night:

[Front in photo above] Owner of Candle Bar Michelle Ader and her husband William Greene. Michelle was bequeathed the apartment by her brother 22 years ago, after his death. “We just can’t do it anymore… We’ve lost money on this place for years. There are a lot of people sad to see this ending, but they’ve never even been in for a drink. This has always been a living room for the gay community, and we’ve tried really hard to give them great memories.” Bartender Amonte Demarko has worked at Candle Bar for almost 13 years: “This is the only place I’ve worked; I’m just trying to hold back tears!”

Hit the link for more photos.

Circuit Party Leaves Fire Island Pines, Joins Boycott Of Manhattan Hoteliers

Edge Media reports:

The drama in Fire Island Pines now officially spans two continents. The Ascension Party, a staple of the circuit scene for nine years, is packing up and leaving Fire Island Pines and traveling to Mykonos this August, citing the recent boycott against OUTpost Fire Island Pines properties as the impetus for the move. The announcement marks the second time the Ascension Party has changed dates and venues for its 2015 edition. Prior to the move to Mykonos, Ascension's producers announced that the party, long held in the middle of August, would be moved to Labor Day weekend. The move angered fans of the party, many of whom arranged for their house share weekends to coincide with the original date.

Although there was immediate speculation surrounding the motivation behind the move to Mykonos, suspicions were put to rest Friday morning when Ascension's producer, Eric Von Kuersteiner announced his reasons for moving the party via post on the closed Facebook group "Free" Fire Island Pines. In the post, Von Kuersteiner cites the recent boycott of the OUTpost Fire Island Pines properties that arose when one of its partners, Ian Reisner, co-hosted an ersatz fund raising party for anti-gay GOP hopeful Ted Cruz at his Manhattan home in June. "I thought that the Boycott would have convinced Ian (Reisner) to do the right thing and sell (he's had offers since I withdrew mine) unfortunately however he has not," Von Kuersteiner wrote, previously citing the economic boom the Ascension Party gives to the Fire Island Pines commercial district each year.

(Tipped by JMG reader TJ)

MAP: All Of The Former And Current Gay Bars In New York City History

Today's post about the coming closure of Candle Bar prompted JMG reader John to tip us to OUTgoing, a recently-launched project to map all of the former and current gay bars in New York City history. Citylab reports:

Jeff Ferzoco has created an interactive map, OUTgoing, that captures the ever-unfolding history of New York’s LGBT nightlife venues. Ferzoco, an information designer with his own company, linepointpath, came by the idea naturally. “I go out a lot,” he says. “Probably four or five nights a week.” While chatting about spots that had vanished over the years with a fellow patron at his local bar, Nowhere, he started thinking about mapping them all.

Soon, Ferzoco was delving into research, combing through histories such as Gay New York and The Gay Metropolis and consulting old pamphlets. (The “New York City Gay Scene Guide” of 1969 included listings for “all the exciting gay bars, clubs, baths, motels, meeting places THROUGHOUT the CITY” while the 1970 edition promised, “Realistic: Only those places where you will be welcome are listed.”)

The resulting map, which is very much a work in progress, is a fascinating trip through time and space. Each nightspot is marked with its dates, its audience, its “genre” (i.e., “leather” or “lesbian”), and Ferzoco’s source. Ultimately, the map will enable users to submit stories, photos, and other information. Currently, Ferzoco has marked 800 spots on the map. He estimates there will be as many as 1,500 in the end, covering all five boroughs as well as the surrounding area.

His research has uncovered revealing patterns. Between 1931 and 1960, Ferzoco found records of just 26 gay nightspots, a number that rocketed to 318 between 1961 and 1990, then dropped to 264 between 1991 and 2010 and stands at just 99 today. Those numbers reflect the complex history of the closet, the sexual revolution, the AIDS epidemic, and the mainstreaming of queer culture.

I was surprised to see that more than a dozen gay bars once populated the blocks around my place on the now quite dull Upper East Side. It looks like the Chirping Chicken outlet on First Avenue, which I patronize at least once a week, is located next to a storefront which was once home to a gay club called Mildred Pierce, which was open from 1970 - 1980. Fascinating stuff. Click around the map and share your memories.

BRITAIN: Five Hospitalized After Drinking Poppers At Dance Music Festival

Via the Independent:

At least five people have fallen ill after drinking suspected “legal highs” at Parklife festival over the weekend. Four people have been discharged from North Manchester General Hospital but a 26-year-old woman is still being treated, police said. Her condition is not known. Greater Manchester Police said festival-goers had been drinking poppers, which are usually sniffed. Officers seized 400 bottles of the drugs and are urging anyone who bought them to hand them in “before it’s too late”. Chief Inspector Gary Simpson said: “We are now extremely concerned that people are drinking poppers and this poses a significant risk to life and would urge anyone using, or considering using them or any 'legal high' to cease from doing so immediately, before it's too late. "Anyone who has consumed any of these substances is urged to seek medical help immediately.

Last month Britain banned the selling of amyl nitrate, but personal possession remains legal.

NEW YORK: Upstate Court Rules That Pole Dancing Is An Art Form

Via the New York Daily News:

There’s no art in the champagne room. Pole dancing is artistic expression — but lap dancing is not, an upstate administrative law judge has ruled. That means a lot of dollars in the garter belt for Albany-area strip club Nite Moves — because it doesn't have to pay sales tax on about $1 million it pocketed in entrance fees between 2005 and 2010. In a ruling made public Friday, state Division of Tax Appeals ALJ Joseph Pinto found the on-stage pole dances count legally as “a place where a performance is given.” “There is a stage for the performers illuminated by spotlights; a dressing room for the dancers, who, at times, wear an array of different costumes; (and) tables and seating that are oriented towards the stage to focus audience attention on the performances;” and featured “choreographed dances,” Pinto wrote. He cited testimony from experts the club had hired, and the “very credible and candid testimony of Alize and Taylor, two of the dancers at Nite Moves.”

It took the state auditor "ten to fifteen visits" to the private champagne room to make his decision on lap dances.

Hotelier Ian Reisner Continues Apology Tour, Donates $20K To Fire Island PAC

Per the president of the Fire Island Pines Property Owners Association, the below apology from Manhattan hotelier Ian Reisner was read at the group's meeting over the weekend.

Dear Members of our Community, First I want to clear up that Mati Weiderpass has zero involvement or ownership in the Pines. Now let me state unequivocally that I made mistakes. While my initial intention was bi-partisan dialogue about National & Israeli security, I've come to learn that intentions and outcomes are different things. The outcomes of my actions are that I've deeply hurt our community - and I am truly sorry. In order to help build a stronger community I am taking the following steps: I am renewing and redoubling my commitment as an ardent supporter of LGBT causes. I will continue to invest my resources in the Pines, its cultural programs and activities that celebrate the diversity and acceptance of its community members, so that it always holds its rightful place in LGBT history. To this end, today I made a donation to the 'FIPPOA-PAC' -- matching All funds raised in its last active year -- which supports politicians committed to the Pines and to LGBT issues.  More so, I will be donating profits from my Pines Investment this summer to the following organizations that I have supported in the past: The LGBT Community Center in NYC & The Jerusalem Open House, as well as to 'Equality Texas' which fights for LGBT rights on one of this countries more challenging fronts. Further, I am in the process of hiring a Director of Community Affairs to serve as a liaison with various LGBT organizations and to guide me in better serving our community.

The donation was reportedly $20,000.

NOTE: High season on Fire Island kicks off this weekend. It will be interesting to hear reports on attendance at Reisner's businesses there.

Manhattan Club Promoter Fires Back At Hotelier Ian "Gays Are Cheap" Reisner

Longtime Manhattan nightlife promoter John Blair took to Facebook this weekend to react to beleaguered hotelier Ian Reisner's declaration that his club is losing money because gays are cheap.

Gays, like any group, will spend their money when you give them something that they want or need. Do not blame the community for any of your failures to make money. XL made over $8M dollars the year Beto and I ran it. Then you all thought you could do it by yourself and we got the ax. You lost your shirt the next two years trying to do it yourself. So you have no one to blame but yourselves. Gays are not cheap... as a matter of fact we spend more of our money on going to bars, nightclubs, hotels and restaurants than do most other people. Just tell the truth. You have lost money on The OUT NYC because of the way you and Mati managed or should I say mismanaged THE OUT NYC ... don't blame us for your mistakes.

Blair and his husband Beto Sutter were the main promoters of the now-shuttered Roxy nightclub before moving on to launch Reisner's XL club. In 2012 the couple married at the Out NYC in a ceremony officiated by actress Fran Drescher and reported upon by the New York Times.

HomoQuotable - Ian Reisner

"You know, it’s so ironic — I wanted to build kind of a community center in the gateway to Hell’s Kitchen, which in 2008–2009 was already a gay place and now it’s even gayer. Very close to Broadway. We decided there’d be so many different ways to give back to the community. We show gay artists there. For gay performers, we have let this cabaret club go on for three and a half years. And you don’t make money when you let drag queens in on Tuesday night and 30 people drink at $10 a drink and you have to pay five people to watch over the place. You don’t make money ... My only point is, this has not been a profitable venture. Gays are cheap. They’re frugal; gays are frugal. Let me retract that … gays are entitled … Do you know how challenging it is to make a penny off a gay person? I’m gay, I don’t pay cover. I’m gay, where’s my comp drink? [Everyone laughs.] No, I’m being serious! The Out NYC has not shown a profit yet." - Ian Reisner, in a New York Magazine joint interview with Mati Weiderpass. (Tipped by JMG readers TJ and John)

Protesters Chant "Shame!" At Midtown Hotel Owned By Cruz Meeting Hosts

Happening NOW! #BoycottFIPOut
Posted by Boycott Fire Island Pines Establishments & Out NYC Hotel on Monday, 27 April 2015

Photos by Matt Rettenmund at Boy Culture.

Hotelier Ian Reisner: I Am Deeply Sorry

"I am shaken to my bones by the e-mails, texts, postings and phone calls of the past few days. I made a terrible mistake. I was ignorant, naive and much too quick in accepting a request to co-host a dinner with Cruz at my home without taking the time to completely understand all of his positions on gay rights. I've spent the past 24 hours reviewing videos of Cruz' statements on gay marriage and I am shocked and angry. I sincerely apologize for hurting the gay community and so many of our friends, family, allies, customers and employees. I will try my best to make up for my poor judgement. Again, I am deeply sorry." - New York City hotelier Ian Reisner, posting tonight to his Facebook page.

RELATED: Reisner's Out NYC hotel and its nightclub has been hit with several cancellations since news of his meeting with Ted Cruz was first reported by the New York Times. On Friday, Broadway Cares canceled its AIDS fundraiser. Yesterday the New York City Gay Men's Chorus abruptly canceled a fundraiser due to have taken place last night. Major club promoters have backed the boycott of Reisner's properties on their Facebook pages and Urban Bear club promoter Robert Valin has put an event scheduled for mid-May on hold for now.

Hotelier Mati Weiderpass: My Meeting With Ted Cruz Was Good For LGBT Rights

"I am happy to see such passion and energy in support of gay rights. We just need to channel that passion and energy to those who would deny us those rights. The dinner with Ted Cruz happened only because IT WAS NOT A FUNDRAISER. It was about security for Israel, but it also gave me a rare opportunity to address the gay issues for which Ted Cruz has championed against. THREE FACTS WILL MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT FOR TED CRUZ TO BE THE CHAMPION AGAINST GAY RIGHTS: 1) he had a private dinner (not a fund raiser) at a gay couples home, 2) he is in several pictures at that gay household, and 3) he stated he would love his daughter the same if she were gay. Those facts are difficult to reconcile with his stance on gay issues -- Ted's far right anti-gay supporters are screaming now. We need to be persistent with our message and it will slowly seep thru even to those most vehemently against gay rights.

"Ken Mehlman was the Chair of the Republican National Committee whose platform included several anti-gay positions. Later in life Ken was instrumental in the passage of Gay Marriage in NY State. People's views can be changed over time. I worked 6 years for the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell, which required many unpleasant conversations with people who opposed Gays in the Military. And it worked! THE GAY MOVEMENT NEEDS YOUR HELP. Tell those people that are against us or just neutral, that gay people have families, friends, some worship in church and we don't want to be demonized. Light up social media with calls for the SUPREME COURT TO RULE IN FAVOR OF GAY MARRIAGE! ‪#‎SUPREMESFORMARRIAGE‬ - Manhattan hotelier Mati Weiderpass, posting to the Facebook boycott page. (Tipped by JMG reader BD)

CRUZ FALLOUT: Broadway Cares Cancels AIDS Fundraiser At Ian Reisner's Hotel

From the executive director of Broadway Cares:

It is with regret that we have decided to cancel this year’s edition of the Broadway Bares Solo Strips fundraiser, which was scheduled for May 10 at the NYC club 42West. We cannot in good conscience hold an event at a venue whose owners have alienated our community, as reflected in an April 23 New York Times story and an April 24 follow-up post. We do business with and accept fundraising support from a variety of people across a wide spectrum of political and religious affiliations. The rich diversity of our community makes what we do together so special. It is a rare instance where the actions of a donor negatively impacts us as an organization and potentially jeopardizes our relationship with others whose support is integral to our success. But when it does occur, in a way that’s blatantly against all we stand and work for, we can’t pretend it doesn’t come with consequences. Silence is not a neutral position. It is complicit. This is not about partisan politics or punishment. This is about doing what’s right to ultimately ensure that our commitment to the men, women and children we serve cannot be questioned.

Fallout has been equally swift across Manhattan's clubland. Links to the boycott of Reisner's properties have been posted by top New York City club promoters John Blair and Mark Nelson, both of whom have worked with Reisner's clubs in the past. Facebook pages for Reisner's various businesses have been deluged with negative comments and vows to stay away. Also interesting are boycott pledges by summer-long residents of Fire Island Pines, who would have few other options as Reisner recently paid $10M for 80% of the resort town's commercial district. At this writing the boycott's Facebook group has grown to over 4100 members in just one day.

NOTE: Broadway Bares 25 will take place as scheduled at the Hammerstein Ballroom on June 24th. Get tickets here.

This Friday: Furball In Times Square

Furball continues its exile to Times Square on Friday. Always mobbed, always a wild time.  Get tickets here. More details on their Facebook event page.

CHERRY GROVE: Fire Destroys Two Hotels, Gay Nightclub, And Several Residences

A massive fire swept through Cherry Grove's commercial district on Fire Island last night, destroying several private homes, the Holly House Hotel, and the Grove Hotel, the last of which was home to the famed Ice Palace nightclub. For decades the Ice Palace hosted the Miss Fire Island pageant and served as the kickoff location for the annual Fire Island Pines Drag Invasion. Local authorities say that the source of the blaze, which reportedly broke out on the nearby boardwalk, is unknown. About 80 firefighters were on the scene and two suffered injuries, but no residents were hurt, possibly because most of Fire Island is unoccupied at this time of year. Last night's fire was yet another in a recent string of disasters to strike Fire Island's two predominantly gay towns. The commercial district of neighboring Fire Island Pines was destroyed in a 2011 fire and both towns were flooded during 2012's Hurricane Sandy.

(Via Towleroad)

UPDATE: Contrary to the above-linked Newsday report that the Grove Hotel is a "complete loss," this news item says the Ice Palace nightclub portion of the complex suffered only minor damage.

Chic - I'll Be There

Via the Los Angeles Times:

More than 20 years after Chic's last album, the titans of disco and forefathers of today's dance music have a brand new single. Billed as Chic featuring Nile Rodgers, the new song "Ill Be There" is a revival of an old sound while still sounding completely contemporary. It's based on tracks Rodgers originally recorded with the group Sister Sledge and later revamped with the modern house music duo the Martinez Brothers. "The outtake became a new song called 'I'll Be There,' so named because when I discovered my band's co-founder Bernard Edwards' body a few hours after he'd passed away, I said, 'Now, I can be there for you in death, the way you were there for me in life,'" Rodgers wrote on his website. "Back in the day 'Nard always looked out for me. I was the reckless one. We had lots of fun and good times. So on the song's surface it's really happy. It's about the origin of CHIC, and how dance music changed our lives forever."

Chic has been nominated to the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame nine times but have still not won inclusion.

CHELSEA: Gym Bar Gets Ten Year Lease

As I've recounted here in the past, Chelsea's formerly famed gay nightlife has long been on the decline, supplanted by many newer clubs uptown in Hell's Kitchen. But Gym Bar, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this month, has just scored a lease for another ten years.

"We didn’t want to move, I didn’t want to move anywhere but where we are," Schmutzler told DNAinfo New York. GYM, which proclaims itself "NY's premier bar for balls, boys and beers," has been in its home at 167 Eighth Ave. since 2005, Schmultzer said. The bar is a regular hangout for gay sports leagues that play nearby and its basement "Locker Room" shows the NFL Sunday lineup, according to the bar's website. Rising rents along Eighth Avenue in Chelsea have been forcing out small businesses for years, and many storefronts are still empty. But Schmutzler was able to work out a deal with his landlord, he said, partly by convincing him that the store could stand vacant. "We had a diagram of all the empty storefronts," along Eighth Avenue, Schmultzer said. Schmultzer would not specify how much his new rent is, but said it was no "sweetheart deal." He was able to freeze it for a few years and get a five-year extension option on the new lease, he said.

Two years ago the Rawhide, a Chelsea landmark for 33 years, closed its doors in the face of a soaring rent increase. The space has since remained empty but a deal was signed in January to turn the storefront into a "high-end lingerie boutique," whatever that is. Interestingly, the landlord says he first turned down offers from at least five gay bars before making the deal. Is it possible that Chelsea could make a comeback? (Tipped by JMG reader Douglas)

RELATED: Gym Bar has a second outlet in West Hollywood and a third location is reportedly planned for Florida - Wilton Manors would be my guess. Another gay sports bar chain, Boxers, now has three locations in Manhattan and one in Philadelphia with more said to be on the way.

Drag Legend Cashetta Has Died

From the Blue Moon in Rehoboth:

"It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of a very talented and loved member of the Blue Moon family. Scott Weston, aka Cashetta passed away during the night. At this moment we have very few details other than the confirmation of the loss of someone very dear to all of us."

Cashetta's partner Scott Cirlin writes on Facebook:

"It is with incredible sadness and grief that I announce the passing of my closest friend, deepest soul mate and legal domestic partner Cashetta Scott Weston. Scott has touched many people in his life, and will be missed by everyone. Details are still coming in as to what has happened, but the world has lost an incredible person today. It is impossible to describe how it feels to be ripped in half. Please send him your prayers."

(Tipped by JMG readers Mick and David)

Roseland Ballroom Demolition Nears End

The demolition of Times Square's famed Roseland Ballroom, home to the Black Party for decades, is nearly complete. The site will soon be home to luxury condos. Of course. (Tipped by JMG reader Bill)

RUSSIA: Police Raid Nightclub Owned By Lesbians Who Trolled Anti-Gay Lawmaker

Early this month I reported that the owners of a lesbian nightclub in St. Petersburg had an in-flight encounter with infamous anti-gay politician Vitaly Milonov:

When two Russian lesbians noticed notorious anti-gay lawmaker Vitaly Milonov sitting behind them on their Moscow to St. Petersburg flight, they decided to Instagram some photos of themselves kissing with Milonov in the shot. After their photos went viral on Russian social media, Milonov vowed revenge: "This animal offended all the passengers on the plane with its extravagant, terrible, inhuman antics. I can call the Cossacks - they’re already on their way, with whips and torches. We will expel all the perverts from St. Petersburg."

Following that incident an anti-gay group called "Moscow Isn't Sodom And Petersburg Isn't Gomorrah" filed complaints that over 500 of the nightclub's fans on social media are underage, which would make promoting the club online a federal offense under Russia's so-called propaganda laws. A police raid soon followed:

“I have every reason to believe,” the scripted complaint reads, “that the promotional activities carried out at the lesbian club Infinity pose a serious threat to the physical and mental health of minors who manage to enter the establishment.” The anti-gay group makes no secret of why it targeted club Infinity, citing the “kissing selfies” incident with Milonov on the airplane. According to Vitaly Cherkasov, a lawyer at the Russian human rights organization Agora, police raided the club after receiving roughly 100 complaints from local residents about the supposed presence of minors and illegal drugs. Police have also called in for questioning the nightclub’s general director and social media administrator. Cherkasov says Infinity’s owners believe the police investigation is tied directly to the “kissing selfies” incident earlier this month.

(Tipped by JMG reader Mike)