LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
In Brief |
Barbie Kidnapped at Hollywood Party
In a shocking turn of events, the Gold Barbie (first place award at the recent CAMP Rehoboth Follies) was kidnapped from her spotlit pedestal at the E! True Hollywood Story Party at 88 Sussex Street in Rehoboth Beach on Saturday, August 10. "One moment she was there, the next....gone!" said one devastated resident of the traumatized household. "It happened right around 12:15," he continued, "but nobody saw anything." Detectives have considered placing Barbie's silver and bronze sisters under 24 hour surveillance for their own protection, but so far no action has been taken. On Wednesday, August 14, members of the CAMP Rehoboth community were encouraged by the arrival of a letter that contained a photocopy of a photograph of Barbie, with the scrawled words, "I am safe and well-fed...more later." The note was attached to a crisp new $20 bill with a Post-it note that read, "$20 donation to CAMP Rehoboth." Without more to go on, the CAMP Rehoboth staff suspects Barbie will be held until a sufficient amount of ransom has been raised from the community. Femia as Judy, Pedi as Liza at The Renegade When Tommy Femia returns to the Renegade Resort to play Judy Garland, a star is reborn. Judy & Liza Live stars Femia's amazing impersonation of the celluloid Diva paired with Pedi as her diva-daughter Liza Minelli in a one-of-a- kind, one-show-only event at the Renegade Resort, Monday, August 26, at 10 p.m. The show is really something to rave about. Backed by David Maiocco's nifty arrangements, Femia croons "a mixed bag of Garland standards," he says. He even tackles tunes Garland never got to, such as Sondheim's thrilling, I'm Still Here, where Femia adds his own touch to the song by adding his own twist in the lyrics. Femia, 30-something, was born in Brooklyn, NY, attended the High School for the Performing Arts in Manhattan and has appeared off-Broadway and on TV in The Facts of Life and One Day At A Time. He then began playing the screen legend, Judy Garland, (famous for the Wizard of Oz and Meet Me In Saint Louis), in MGM Society a 1991 revue with Hal Simons as Anne Miller. Why Garland? "Because she's the best, she's glamorous and she's lots of fun," says Femia. "Some impersonators do a 1963 Xerox of her and treat her like a sacred cow. My angle is Judy's not back from the dead, she's just back. That's why I perform some of her old songs as well as some new ones she never did. And I'm not a drag queen, I am an actor and this is just a character I do." Christine Pedi starring as "Liza" can be seen this September in the The Sopranos. She's best known in New York for her long association with Forbidden Broadway 2001: A Spoof Odyssey. Her work in Forbidden Broadway received a Drama Desk nomination in New York and an Ovation nomination for the Los Angeles premier. She recently received a Best Ensemble Cast Ovation Award for Forbidden Broadway-Y2K-LA at the Tiffany Theater in Los Angeles. She's also performed in Forbidden Divas, a one women show featuring the best of all of her diva characters in New York and in Judy & Liza Live" as Liza Minelli with the show's star Tommy Femia at Don't Tell Mamas. She made her Broadway debut in Little Me with Martin Short and Faith Prince and performed for the President and Mrs. Clinton (playing Mrs. Clinton) in Broadway For Hillary at the Ford Center Theater. Mischievous, but never malicious, Judy & Liza Live is festive, affectionate fun. The piano for this performance will be provided by keyboardamerica.com. For reservations, call 302-227-4713. Top Hats and Tiaras Indigo Ball 2002 Fluff up you taffeta, shine that tiara, and while you're at it, make sure you order your tickets! The third annual Indigo Ball fundraiser to benefit the William Way LGBT Community Center takes place on Saturday, October 12 at the Grand Hall of the Free Library of Philadelphia. This year's Ball will be hosted by the entertaining Michelle Pollino, local radio and TV personality. The theme for this year's fundraiser, the Center's most successful, is Top Hats and Tiaras. (In case you don't have any, we'll provide extras). Joining us again is the always-popular Kit McClure Big Band from New Yorka band whose tunes are sure to get you dancing! A five-hour open bar, compliments of Captain Morgan Rum and Seagrams, combined with a lavish buffet by David Paul's Catering will fill you up and make you glad you came. There will be a live auction in addition to the dancing and festive frivolity, and this year's Lockbox Grand Prize is a Key West Getaway Vacation. Tickets for this fun and very important Center fundraiser are only $85 per person until September 14 when they'll be $95 per person. So don't put off your purchase, buy now! Call the William Way LGBT Community Center, 215-732-2220, and order your tickets today! GLCCB's 25 Years of "Outrageous" Progress Next month, the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Community Center of Baltimore (GLCCB) will "come out" in full force to celebrate its 25th Anniversary by hosting an "OUT-rageous" Benefit Gala on September 21 from 8 p.m. until midnight at the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA). Proceeds will benefit GLCCB's educational programs and support services to the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) community of the greater Baltimore area. Select areas at the MICA building will be converted into "Out-rageous" venues. The event, expected to attract more than 500 guests, will feature hors d'oeuvres, buffet dinner, DJs and dancing, open bar, illusionists, and a "pie in the face" activity. Delegate Maggie McIntosh, and Paulette Young, the GLCCB's first President and ongoing Chair of youth programs will be honored. Having been in existence for 25 years, the GLCCB is the second oldest organization of its kind in the U.S. Next month, the GLCCB looks back on a period of significant change and celebrates 25 years of impact on the progress of the gay community. "In our 25 year history, the Center has firmly established itself as the resource to turn to for youth and adults throughout Maryland who are in need of GLBT community specific and sensitive information and referrals." says Tim Hurley, the current Board President of the GLCCB. "The leadership at the Center has affirmed its commitment for the next 25 years to grow and evolve the Center, to continue to meet the changing needs of our diverse community, and to strengthen the bonds among us." Founded in 1977, the GLCCB recognized the need for a safe haven where Baltimore's gays and lesbians could find assistance, fellowship, support, and understanding. Today, the GLCCB is still a lifeline and safety net for thousands. It provides services and programs that encourage unity and nurture equality, understanding, and respect for the diversity of its members. Programs include a vibrant youth support group, SAIMSufficient as I amled by two founding members (including the GLCCB's first Board President) as well as a Women of Color group that serves over 60 women each week. The GLCCB also convenes the annual Baltimore Pride celebrations, this year drawing over 15,000 people. Tickets are $85 until September 9, $95 thereafter. For information on the GLCCB or the OUT-rageous Gala, or to purchase tickets, please call the GLCCB at 410-837-5446 or email info@glccb.org. |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 12, No. 12, August 23, 2002. |