Linda Simpson's 60th Birthday Bash

I don't know if it was actually Linda's 60th, I am merely going on the looks of the old girl, but her party was absolutely fantastic last night. For those of you not in the know, let me tell you a bit about La Simpson. Linda had one of New York's most memorable partys in the early 90's. It was called "Channel 69" at The Pyramid on Avenue A. It was a hotbed of burgeoning drag stars. Misstress Formika, Sherry Vine, Ebony Jett, Aphrodite, Faux Pas and Sweetie, PLUS full fledged drag stars like Tabboo, Mona Foot, Lady Bunny and even Rupaul. The place swelled to capacity each week as Linda in her trademark dryer than an over baked turkey style would take to the stage and emcee one dynamite show after another. Channel 69 was extremely influential in the drag explosion of that time. We were suddenly catapulted from a dingy East Village stage onto televison screens and coffee table books. The media couldn't get enough of us. As fabulous as the shows always were, it was the backstage scene that was always the real deal. Pyramid's dressing room was in the basement of the club directly beneath the stage. To get onstage you had to climb a rickety ladder through a tight little space in the floor. It was insanity. The dressing room was always THE place to get the gossip, network and get a good buzz off of an over abundance opf weed and Linda's private stash of Vodka for the performers. I did my first nightclub performance in drag at Channel 69. I showed up all gussied up and Linda threw me onstage doing Tammy Wynette's hillbilly anthem " Stand By Your Man". The night that truly was magical however was Faux PAs and my first collaboration. It was a full fledged spectacle with intricate choreography, kooky props and even half baked fire works for the ending. The club did not hold THAT many people, but more times than not when talking about my drag career, SOMEONE will no doubt tell me they were there that night when Faux and I brought the house down. Back to Linda. Linda is also editrix of a genuis underground magazine called MY COMRADE. It is a celebration of faggotry with zany articles, photo layouts and posseses a grass roots quality that makes each edition a treasure that you put away and atke out from time to time to re-live. Linda went on to be the editor of the gay and lesbian section of TIME OUT NY magazine and even had a stint as a correspondent on a now defunk queer cable show called Party Talk. Linda is an anchor in the drag community. She is a constant source of support in whatever way she can. She has been responsible for launching many a drag career, has fought a valiant fight for queer and transgender rights and has been a player in rallying the gay community together in the fight against this senseless war and the adminastration that continues to let innocent people die on both sides of the battlefield.

Linda's party last night was at Piola on 12th street. A cute italian joint that didn't know what hit it last night. When Linda pulls a crowd together it is ALWAYS a fabulous mix of almost anybody you would want to chat with. Many a drag star was there last night. Most of us dressed more like Donny than Marie, but there never the less to wish a happy birthday to our beloved Lydia Sampson. The guests represented a cross section of party makers and party goers. Vaginal Cream Davis, Barbara Patterson Lloyd, Tabboo!, Formika, Sherry Vine, Miss Understood, Sultana, Duch, Artemis, The Dazzles and Murray Hill were just a FEW of the performers on hand. There were Dj's and clothing designers, actors and artists. The room was just an amazing mix of who makes this city glitter. I spoke with people last night that I really never get a chance to talk with in a club. Most of the people there are people I have known for a decade but see less and less as all of our careers have become bigger and better. The atmosphere was light and unpretentious. It was a great gathering for a pretty great gal. I wish Linda at least another 40 happy years so we can all gather for her 100th celebration. I just hope she finally has her hair re-done by then.