In The News ...

The passing of a legend of sorts ...

Hilly Kristal, founder of the legendary lower east side punk-rock club CBGB's has died of lung cancer. The club's initials, which I've always wondered about, stand for County BlueGrass Blues, which was the type of music Hilly initially intended to present when he opened the club, among other things. But he agreed to book many artistically ambitious, edgy bands throughout the 70's and it became the home and birthplace of a multitude of punk and rock legends. CBGB's closed last October, after a lengthy and highly public court battle over unpaid rent.

I had gone to shows and see bands many times at CBGB's over the years. And despite my decidedly white, non-punk, homo-core sensibilities, I always had fun. The vibe in that building was overwhelmingly positive, and you literally felt the history when you walked around. A truly great dump.

Also,

A 23 year old Dumb-ski Ass-ovich was recently found dead and half-eaten in a Serbian bear cage. Belgrade Zoo officials speculate that drugs or alcohol may have played a part. YA THINK?

And in case you were wondering, ABC News breaks it down and tells the world how "Gay men cruise for sex". Of course, it's not until about five paragraphs in that the article casually mentions this would apply mostly to married men, bisexuals and other closet cases. Or unattractive, ill-tempered, self-hating Senators suffering from an apparently untreated case of Restless Leg Syndrome.

This just in ...

One of New York City's oldest gay bars has closed. Julius, the W 10 st. institution and/or dirty dump depending on who you talk to, has apparently closed for good. Signs posted in the window report the property has been shuttered and seized for non-payment of taxes.