A Drag Cabaret Benefitting the NYC Gay Men’s Chorus
FEINSTEIN’S/54 BELOW, Broadway’s Supper Club, presents Burning Bright: Torch Songs on Pride Weekend. An evening of Pride, love, desire and song hosted by Mama Mela and Ellia J. Garlands. These drag queens will be reinterpreting what a Torch Song is and means in 2018 through a uniquely queer lens. Under the musical direction of James Horan, the talented cast also includes PhilEsha De Lox, Gigi St. Croix and the newly crowned Miss Gay United States, Aaliyah Martinez. Also joining the cast is a very special guest: NYC pop recording artist & transgender superstar, Mila Jam! There’s no better way to live out loud this Pride than with the queens of the NEW YORK CITY GAY MEN’S CHORUS!
Host Mama Mela has been a singing member for the NYCGMC for over four years and has been performing around NYC since 2012. Most notably performing with “RuPaul’s Drag Race” alums Bob TheDragQueen & Monet X Change, she enjoys using her drag to further the artistic and social mission of the NYCGMC. Host Ellia J. Garlands has been singing with the NYCGMC since 2014 and enjoys singing across the city and on Fire Island. Notable accomplishments include performing with Lorna Luft at Feinstien’s/54 Below and Alan Cumming at Club Cumming where she performs regularly.
Aaliyah Martinez is well versed queen with over 10 year of experience both on and off stage, as well as a singing member of the NYCGMC for over two years. Aaliyah most recently captured the title of Miss Gay United States, a national title, allowing her to travel the nation and further her philanthropic work. Other titles that she has held include, Miss Gay New York, Miss Gay Florida, Miss Gay New Jersey, Miss Grand Diva, amongst other titles.
PhilEsha De Lox has been a part of NYCGMC for four years and has performed all over the tristate area. She has performed alongside several RuPual’s Drag Race alumni including recently hosting Fairfield County Pride along with Milk, Chi Chi DeVayne, and Jiggly Caliente.
A newcomer to the drag community, Gigi St. Croix has been singing with NYCGMC for three seasons, and also serves as a section leader. Without the wig, she’s appeared across NYC in theater, cabaret, television, and commercials.
The musical director, the incomparable James Horan, has worked at all the major cabaret venues in NYC including FEINSTEIN’S/54 BELOW on numerous occasions. He is a producer of the successful “Second Act Series” working with composers Charles Strouse, John Kander, Nancy Ford, etc and has also served as the Cabaret/Special Events Musical Director and Arranger for the NYC Gay Men’s Chorus.
Mila Jam is an NYC pop recording artist & transgender superstar who fills every room with talent, personality & undeniable style. A legendary YouTube Sensation turned Original Pop Artist, Mila is known around the world for her unforgettable stage performances & one of a kind music videos. Mila has toured internationally with the Broadway musical RENT; performed alongside James Brown, Mark Ronson, Laverne Cox, Travis Wall, Jody Watley, Lady Kier(Deee-Lite) & Natasha Bedingfield. Appearances include the BBC’s The Lilly Allen Show, MTV & MTV NEWS with special features on The Hugffington Post, MTV.com, OUT.com & Perezhilton.com. She is the Odyssey Nightlife Awards Breakthrough Artist (2015), the GLAM Nightlife Awards Best Video & Dance Artist (2013) and the talk show host of an original YouTube Talk Show Series titled ‘I’m From Driftwood’.
Burning Bright: Torch Songs on Pride Weekend plays Feinstein’s/54 Below (254 West 54th Street) on June 24th, 2018 at 9:30pm. There is a $30-40 cover charge and $25 food and beverage minimum. Tickets and information are available at www.54Below.com. Tickets on the day of performance after 4:00 are only available by calling (646) 476-3551.
LINK: https://54below.com/events/nyc-gay-mens-chorus-presents-torch-songs-on-pride-weekend/