Best Gay New York

LOADED with Kevin Spirtas

Best New Gay Travel Guide — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:15:00 GMT

Loaded,

a new play written by Elliot Ramón Potts, is set for a limited engagement from November 7, 2009 through January 23, 2010 at Theatre Row (The Lion Theatre, 410 West 42nd Street).

Directed by Michael Unger, this production will have its Official Opening on Sunday, November 15 at 3:00PM.

Loaded centers on Jude and Patrick, two men exploring whether or not their casual sexual relationship
has the potential to be something more. When the generation that separates them sparks a series of
misunderstandings and assumptions, their connection is strained and the conversation turns serious.

Loaded taps into the climate of 21st century gay culture as it seeks to make sense of the bewildering
chasm that separates middle-aged and younger gay men.

This production features Scott Kerns as Jude and Kevin Spirtas as Patrick. Scott Kerns’ New York
credits include Heart of the City (Orange Thoughts Productions at Urban Stages), It Pays to Advertise
(The Metropolitan Playhouse), Playground Rules (Slant Theatre Project). Kevin Spirtas is recognized for
his role as Dr. Craig Wesley on television’s “Days of Our Lives.” On Broadway, he has appeared in The
Boy from Oz, A Chorus Line and Meet Me In St. Louis.

Tickets may be arranged through Ticket Central or (212) 279-4200, or at the Theatre Row Box Office (12:00–8:00 PM daily).
Tickets are $49.00 including $1.25 restoration fee. For more information, visit Loaded Play.com

The Best of Gay New York

Golden Girl BEA ARTHUR Leaves $300k to LGBT Homeless Youths

Best New Gay Travel Guide — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 22:58:00 GMT

The Ali Forney Center received a gift of $300,000.00
today from the Estate of legendary actress Bea Arthur.

The Ali Forney Center, the nation's largest organization dedicated to homeless LGBT youth, announced at Bea Arthur's Memorial Service, that they planned to purchase a building to house 12 youths and name it her honor.

The head of the center said he is thrilled with the stage and television legend's generosity.

"We work with hundreds of young people who are rejected by their families because of who they are. We are overwhelmed with gratitude that Bea saw that LGBT youth deserve as much love and support as any other young person, and that she placed so much value in the work we do to protect them, and to help them rebuild their lives." says Executive Director Carl Siciliano.

The Ali Forney Center offers emergency shelter and transitional housing in seven residential sites in New York City, and operates two drop-in centers offering food, clothing, medical and mental health treatment, HIV testing, treatment and prevention services, and vocational and educational assistance.

It provides services to over 1000 young people each year.

See a video clip of Bea Arthurs final interview.

THE BEST OF GAY NEW YORK

MADONNA’S CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION - 6-City Tour Launches December 6 in New York City

Best New Gay Travel Guide — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 16:45:00 GMT

Not MADONNA.

We're talking about THE MADONNA -
As in the VIRGIN MARY!

Over 2000 years ago in the little hillside town of Bethlehem a
miraculous birth occurred. You might think you know the real story,
but you don’t. Jesus' mother sets the record straight with MADONNA’S CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION, a musical retelling of the birth and life of the young Jesus Christ.

This inspiring holiday show features original
music, plus so-wrong-it’s-right parodies of holiday favorites and Top 40 hits by the likes of The Black Eyed Peas, Beyonce, Lady GaGa, Katy Perry, Rihanna and the more-famous Madonna.

"You could go to Irving Berlin’s White Christmas or the Radio City
Christmas Spectacular, but then how could you look at yourself in the mirror the next morning? Instead, try the holiday show that dares to dress our Holy Mother in drag." - New York Observer.

Move over Britney Spears! The Madonna -- as in the Virgin Mary (or
Lady MaMa, in some circles) -- announces her first U.S. holiday tour in over 2000 years.

Kicking off in New York City on December 6th at
The Laurie Beechman Theater, MADONNA’S CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION tour will
be performed in 6 cities stretching from Maine to California. Tickets, show times and venue information is available at 212-352-3101 or Virgin Mary Live.

MADONNA’S CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION is conceived and delivered by drag
writer/performer Mimi Imfurst and composer/lyricist/arranger Mike
Pettry (winner of the 2007 Jonathan Larson and Fredrick Loewe Awards).

It features costumes by Norrell Gardner
(Project Runway, Gossip Girl),
puppets by Mark Salinas and props by Jeb Knight.

The show is the 4th annual installment of Mimi Imfurst’s Virgin Mary series, which offers insight into the psyche of the teen mother and the choices Mary had to make as a 13 year-old bride.

It has been hailed by the Catholic Advocacy Coalition as "worse than the sin of abortion" and “despicable, blasphemous and abominable trash" by DailyCatholic.org (who never saw the show).

Described by Back Stage as
“somewhere between a plump Ricki Lake and a bawdy Bette Midler,” Mimi Imfurst has quickly established herself as one of NYC's most outrageous, controversial, and hysterical nightlife personalities.

The inaugural production of Mary, Like A Virgin earned
Mimi Imfurst a prominent spot on the

Catholic League’s 2006 Report on Anti Catholicism and a
#2 spot on the Catholic Advocacy Coalition’s Top 10 Most Anti-Catholic People of the Year, following Dan Brown (The Da Vinci Code) in the #1 spot and beating out President George W. Bush at #3.

NOT TO BE MISSED!

Mimi Imfurst on Facebook

Mimi Imfurst on YouTube

Mimi on Mimi

The Best of Gay New York

HYATT RESORTS LGBT SPECIAL DEAL

Best New Gay Travel Guide — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 13:19:00 GMT

Hyatt presents -

Three for FREE!

Free Night – Free Upgrade – Free Breakfast!

Everyone likes perks and upgrades! Just in time for the holidays, HYATT RESORTS has a sweet deal for readers of this site!

Choose from 15 unique Hyatt hotel and resort destinations to experience everything from luxurious spas and beautiful white-sand beaches to picturesque mountainous plains. Indulge together in all the sights, sounds, and tastes of each destination.

Use offer code GLFALL to book the Three for Free package to enjoy a free night (based upon a minimum length of stay), free room upgrade and free daily breakfast for two from NOW thru December 18, 2009.

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We are a global hospitality company with widely recognized, industry leading brands and a tradition of innovation developed over our more than fifty-year history. Our mission is to provide authentic hospitality by making a difference in the lives of the people we touch every day. We focus on this mission in pursuit of our goal of becoming the most preferred brand in each segment that we serve for our associates, guests, and owners. We support our mission and goal by adhering to a set of core values that characterizes our culture.

HYATT RESORTS - THREE FOR FREE

WORK! HALLOWEEN 2009 : Blood on the Dancefloor @ Roseland Ballroom

Best New Gay Travel Guide — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 12:46:00 GMT

PETER RAUHOFER teams up again with the amazing OFFER NISSIM and DJ PAULO for a Halloween party at Roseland Ballroom. 239 West 52nd Street .

Friday, October 30, 2009 at 10 pm - Saturday 7:00am

Rauhofer’s infamous “Work” parties have grown significantly over the past several years making its way around the globe with grand-scale events everywhere from Rio to Paris to Miami.

Halloween in NYC will be no exception!

Advanced tickets $65 -
Get Them Online!

The Best of Gay New York

GLADD Media Awards October 27th & OUT Auction November 15th

Best New Gay Travel Guide — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 10:03:00 GMT

The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) will hold the first GLAAD Media Awards in Advertising, presented by Ogilvy and Southwest, to honor outstanding images of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community in print, broadcast and electronic ad campaigns.

Host Alan Cumming will present nominated ads from companies including Ortbiz, Bertolli, Allstate, Coors, Levi’s and ABSOLUT.

The evening begins with a cocktail reception and silent auction followed by the inaugural Advertising Awards show with presenters including Jay Manuel (America’s Next Top Model) and Lisa Sherman (General Manager, LOGO).

October 27, 2009
at New World Stages.
340 W. 50th st.

Tickets $225.

For tickets, list of nominees go to Glaad Awards event details.
Or if you cannot make the event bid on our live auction items online .

Plus - SAVE THE DATE!

OUTAuction NYC 2009

The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) will hold the 8th annual OUTAuction NYC, presented by Bud Light, to celebrate new and established artists. The annual fundraising event – part art auction and part glamorous cocktail reception – will include an Out in Art Award presented to Ross Bleckner along with In/Out: An Exhibition and Auction of GLAAD’s Top 100 Artists of 2009.

This year’s live auction includes work from Joan Miro, Wassily Kandinsky and Herb Ritts. The OUTAuction NYC Honorary Host Committee includes Edward Albee, Crystal McCrary Anthony, Jack Mackenroth, John Waters, Veronica Webb and Vanessa Williams.

November 15, 2009 at Metropolitan Pavilion in NYC. VIP Tickets $175, General Tickets $125.
For tickets and list of artists participating please visit GLAAD AUCTION.

The Best of Gay New York

Aaron Cobbett Party! Hudson Terrace Thursday October 15th

Best New Gay Travel Guide — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 12:17:00 GMT

Aaron Cobbett is a contemporary icon in the world of fine art and editorial photography. He is a master of glamorous direction, and nothing in his colorful, brash, kitsch world is left to chance.

Every lighting effect, every pose is deliberate. His subjects are stunning men, women, and everything in between, provocative sex gods, and celebrities of New York's night life. Aaron Cobbet's stylized portraiture has appeared in Vogue, Vanity Fair, Glamour, Interview, Genre, HX / Next and Blue magazines.

Some notable stars who have been shot by Aaron Cobbett include: Nellie Furtado, Alan Cumming, Karim Rashid, Pat Field, The Blonds, The Ones, Cazwell, Adam Joseph, Ari Gold, Lance Bass and Stellar Events NYC's Andretti.

Aaron's work has been the subject of solo exhibits plus featured in group shows and in in galleries world-wide including New York, LA, Boston, Paris and Germany. He has two book publications: AARON COBBETT and Super Eros (Complete Program) .

Aaron Cobbett Party!
Thursday, October 15th, 2009,
9PM - 2 AM

@ HUDSON TERRACE Rooftop
621 W. 46th St btw 11 & 12 Aves

MUSIC BY ANGELOS STYLIANO

RAIN OR SHINE! We are ON... The awesome rooftop features a cover, to be weather proof and temperature controlled.

RSVP on FACEBOOK and you MUST tell the door you are on "ANDRETTI's GUEST LIST" for comp admission. ps. If you wish to have your own private table, please let us know ASAP!

Best of Gay New York

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Gay Pop Artist Olan Montgomery Featured This Weekend - High Line Open Studio Tours

Best New Gay Travel Guide — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 09:58:00 GMT

The High Line Open Studios Tour will be held along the High Line in Chelsea this weekend from October 15th thru the 18th.

The tour will include an outside art exhibit as well as *free access* to some of the city’s best art studios in Chelsea.

Gay pop artist Olan Montgomery will be one of the featured artists at this year’s show. Olan’s work examines New York’s hidden subcultures including the city’s colorful gay nightlife personalities. He’s actually opening the doors to his home/studio for the tour!

Space is tight in Manhattan, so like many artists, Olan lives and exhibits his work in the same space. This will be a rare peek into the life of a real downtown Manhattan artist.

Montgomery recently released the first bound collection of his work in a pocket-sized hard-cover coffee table book titled POP Art inspired by New York's own subcultures from celebrity to subway.

Seven years in the making, Olan’s work takes digital based art to a thrilling new level, combining fine art photography and hand painting, along with poetry and famous art quotes. The bound collection examines and shines a neon glow stick on New York’s hidden subcultures including the city’s homeless, its colorful nightlife personalities, and bold gay icons. "POP - Art inspired by New York's own subcultures from celebrity to subway" was released this past August.

Olan’s subjects are aberrant yet strong individuals, many with alternate ways of living and experiencing the world. Portraits of Boy George, Rufus Wainwright, Heatherette’s Richie Rich, and transsexual Amanda Lepore are among those featured in POP. There are also some mainstream personalities including Courtney Love, Alan Cumming and Anna Nicole Smith.

AS FOR THE OPEN TOUR THIS WEEKEND - Start your tour at the Headquarters at 508 W26th Street to pick up the official map and speak with our tour specialists and receive a complementary gift from our sponsor, Bodum, while supplies last. Or take advantage of the High Line Open Studios Interactive Map and select the date of your visit so you can print a map and see the location of all 120+ artists and galleries that are participating. Start and finish your tour any where you wish and visit the artists in our community who have open their studios to the public for this special event.

More Info at The High Line Open Studios Tour

Olan Montgomery online at LipStickChic.

THE BEST OF GAY NEW YORK

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Halloween in Atlantic City! With Rams Head Inn and South Jersey AIDS Alliance

Best New Gay Travel Guide — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 14:33:00 GMT

Want to do something different this Halloween and get out of the city?

The Rams Head Inn in Galloway (Atlantic City) is dropping the Disco Ball and inviting you to dress up and come out and join them on Saturday, October 31 for a Halloween Costume Ball.

Make sure you bring your dancing shoes!

The night kicks off at 8pm and the music won’t stop until you get enough! The night will feature a variety of performances, prizes for best individual and group costumes, and a Chinese Auction.

The Evening is sponsored by Three Olives Vodka and will feature a variety of drink specials. The ticket price is $20 at the door. The proceeds from the Halloween Costume Ball will benefit South Jersey AIDS Alliance.

About South Jersey AIDS Alliance

South Jersey AIDS Alliance is a caring and compassionate human services organization dedicated to the fight against HIV/AIDS and offers services and support to people living with HIV/AIDS, their families and caregivers. South Jersey AIDS Alliance's diverse and integrated programs and services span 1,300 square miles in three counties—Cumberland, Cape May and Atlantic—and serve about 2,500 people annually. While headquartered in Atlantic City, support centers are located in Atlantic City, Wildwood, Millville, Vineland and Bridgeton, NJ. Services also include prevention education for people at risk for HIV. The United Way of Atlantic County and Manna by the Shore are partner agencies. To learn more about its many programs and services, please go to its website or call 800-281-AIDS.

The Best of Gay New York

New York City to Atlantic City - A Fun Weekend Gay Getaway

Best New Gay Travel Guide — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 14:21:00 GMT

For years it has been a dream.

Then 9 months ago the ACES Train started its run! A consortium of three Atlantic City hotel and casino operators, got together to restore the run that Amtrak stooped servicing in 1995.

A way to get to the promised land of Atlantic City quickly without the hassles of car or bus — and without sacrificing your ability to mix a martini. It’s the ACES Train, a luxury express train from New York to Atlantic City. Without the headaches of the Garden State Parkway.

All the seats are leather, there is a nice club car from which food and drinks are available , and the train runs Friday to Sunday, perfect for a quick weekend getaway to AC.

But you’ll probably want to focus most of your attention on the upper deck, where first-class tickets (more leg room, more waitresses) and a BYOB-friendly reserve lounge with flat screens and a dedicated waitress await.

Reserve the lounge, pick up a case of champagne, and before you know it you’ll be at Harrah's refreshed and ready to rock. (reserve online at ACES TRAIN or call 800-872-7245).

But are gays going to Atlantic City, you ask?

Uh, the answer is YES!

This isn't your father's Atlantic City, anymore. In the last few years AC has evolved like Las Vegas, but at a slower pace. The industry realized as times changed they could reach a bigger audience by changing their focus. It used to be all about the cheap. Cheap food, free drinks, cheap rooms. But what about the bling crowd?!

They want upscale nightclubs, 5 star dining, luxurious digs and designer shopping. So there has been an evolution that many have not been paying attention to. In recent years Atlantic City has continued to grow into a Las Vegas-style destination with many non-gaming attractions. The casino partners have been committed to dramatically expanding offerings with world-class entertainment, dining, nightlife, spa (like the $90 million pool and spa at Harrah's!) and gaming options for New Yorkers to enjoy within a quick trip from the city.

HARRAH'S ENTERTAINMENT, the world's largest casino company, has been catering to gay and lesbian travelers at its Las Vegas casinos for a few years, and launched a similar campaign in the country's second-largest gambling market with an "Out in Atlantic City" - OUT IN AC - weekend of partying Sept. 25-27.

The organization has been committed to creating a diverse, inclusive environment for employees, guests and communities for some time now. And recently decided it was time to host a gay weekend of events.

The event, which attracted nearly 1,000 people, brought some of the best-known names in the gay and lesbian entertainment scene to the Harrah's casinos. Lesbian and Gay travelers came in from New York City, Philadelphia, Boston, Washington DC, Baltimore, Chicago, and surrounding New Jersey cities.

The tide is changing - and the time is right. Las Vegas now has a major gay club and gay resort. It's time for Atlantic city to follow suit. And the people at Harrah's Entertainment are going to be the leader.

As Michael Musto pointed out, "I've always been astounded that the casinos never catered to the lavender dollar, obviously cowing in terror of the family-values folks who thump Bibles in between playing card games and hiring hookers..."

All of the gay people we chatted with, most who lived within 2 hours of Atlantic City, all said they would come here even more often, if there was more gay parties or events going on. "Even if a casino would make a gay club night, we'd drive in more often," said Gregg and his 3 friends from New York City, who come now about every 8 weeks.

Locals welcomed the LGBT weekend of events! There is really only one gay bar in town currently! The WestSide. However, more are coming. Robert and Joel who run the Ram's Head Inn, just a couple miles outside of town, have started offering Gay Mondays at their upscale restaurant, and they are growing in popularity. A spokesperson for Harrah's speculated that it is quite possible, within the next year, one of the casino's will offer a gay club, or at the very least a gay club night. We also met a couple who lives here in Atlantic City who said they are working on opening a brand new gay club. Plus, many staffers from Harrah's talked about the possibility of several all gay weekends in 2010. We suggested they host a big beach party, since they are sitting on prime ocean beach frontage, something which could potentially rival Miami's Winter Party!

While Atlantic City may not become the next San Francisco for gay travel, tourism officials believe the resort's evolution into a more upscale gambling and entertainment hub fits the lifestyle of gay and lesbian customers.

"What the gay market is looking for is high-end retail, accommodation and nightlife, and that's what we have," said Jeffrey Vasser, president of the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority.

"The more we reinforce the fact that Atlantic City is a gay-friendly destination, the better off we will be in attracting that market, which is a very upscale market."

Recent additions in the last couple years include The Pier Shops at Caesars, attached to Caesars via a skybridge, is the most distinctive shopping and dining destination in Atlantic City. Over seventy-eight specialty stores and seven feature restaurants all with a spectacular view of the water. Everything from Apple and Armani to Gucci and Louis!

Weissman said Harrah's developed its marketing campaign with the help of an employee advisory board that includes gay and lesbian casino workers. The company's friendliness with the gays is much more than a gimmick; Harrah's provides things like health care benefits to the partners of its gay employees, something it's not required by law to do.

"It comes down to diversity in our company and diversity in our workers and our customers," she said. "We believe that by having different backgrounds and different perspectives, it will only make us a better business."

The Best of Gay New York

Best Gay Cities

New Gay Travel Guide

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New Yorks Most Horryifying Haunted House - Boys Night October 14th

Best New Gay Travel Guide — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 14:30:00 GMT

6 years of fear!

Touted as New Yorks Most HORRYIFYING Haunted House!

NIGHTMARE: Vampires,
created by Timothy Haskell
of I SCARE YOU.

Now in its sixth year and at a new location, NIGHTMARE’S fully immersive haunted house takes haunting to a whole new level.

Get ready to play your part in NIGHTMARE: VAMPIRES, a unique haunted attraction that unfolds as an original horror story!

Set in the Museum of Vampyric Artifacts (MoVa), the world's first vampire museum features antiquities related to vampires from the headlines, in the media and from around the world. However, when MoVa and everyone in it are attacked by blood-lusting maniacs, you won’t just be viewing the exhibits on display…you’ll be running from them! Witness the birth of a new vampire legend!

The second event this year is Nightmare 666: A short, sharp and grotesque black magic show featuring a variety of sacrifices, some of them human. Will you be one?

NIGHTMARE has a brand-new location! We're now at NOHO Event Center 623 Broadway at Houston Street (enter on Mercer Street).

NOW THRU NOVEMBER 7th.

Are you a screamer? Come to Boys Night at NIGHTMARE: VAMPIRES and find out.
Drag queens and boys galore. BOYS NIGHT, OCTOBER 14th See FACEBOOK for discount!

The Best of Gay New York

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Alan Cumming - I Bought a Blue Car Today - in New York City

Best New Gay Travel Guide — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 16:21:00 GMT

You know you’ve arrived when you become a vitamin. Scottish actor-singer Alan Cumming, cast as the Great Gazoo in “The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas,” was informed by excited producers that his character had enough heat to make it into a bottle of Flintstones vitamins.

“I like to think of chubby American children chewing on me,” Cumming muses in his diverting new cabaret show, “I Bought a Blue Car Today."

Alan Cumming has been touring his one man show I Bought A Blue Car Today from Londoa to Los Angeles. An album of the songs was just released and you can catch him here at New York City's Highline Ballroomon October 25. This droll, naughty and seriously dishy evening, is not to be missed.

Cumming won the Tony Award for Cabaret. He will be seen on the big screen in Julie Taymor's adaptation of The Tempest and is slated to play the Green Goblin in the upcoming Broadway musical Spider-Man: Turn off the Dark, to be directed by Taymor. - Scheduled for February 2010. Music by Bono.

The Best of Gay New York

SHE'S BACK! PAM ANN Lands in New York City Again October 28th for an ENCORE

Best New Gay Travel Guide — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 11:08:00 GMT

Following the huge success
of her sold-out European and Canadian tours, Pam Ann stopped by Manhattan this past January and WOWED NYC for 5 nights! In the Spring she did more dates in Amsterdam, Berlin, Cologne, Frankfurt, Düsseldorf, Munich, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Oslo, Vienna and Zurich.

She will wind up the current tour with 10 cities in the US including an ENCORE final performance in New York, October 28th At the celebrated Hammerstein Ballroom!
311 W. 34th st. , NY, NY

If you have never seen her, get your tickets now!

Pam Ann is the alter-ego of Australian Comedienne Caroline Reid. Her portrayal of the gutsy Air Hostess, is unique and wildly hilarious, as she identifies the individual quirks of some of the biggest international airlines and their stereotypes, mixing it with a generous dose of camp, glamour, ribald humour and double entendres.

DO NOT EVER refer to her as a flight attendant! "I am an Air Hostess! A waitress would not know how to disarm a terrorist, put out a fire at 37,000 feet while in turbulence over the Pyrenees, and maintain her flawless full face of MAC, now would she??" Reid portrays the air-hostess Pam Ann, a mixture of camp, drag, and glamour, and a pun on the airline Pan Am.

Performances tend to emphasise the vagaries of air travel, including the identifying quirks of various airlines around theworld. Pam has developed a cult-like international following for her hilarious shows and riotous repartee. In the vein of Dame Edna, Lilly Tomlin, Tracey Ullman, Caroline Reid brings her own blend of comedy to the screen and to live audiences across th globe.

Pam Ann has also hosts her own TV show, which airs on The Comedy Channel in Australia. She was also a correspondent for the 2009 broadcast of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade.

Rubbing elbows with the famous, Pam Ann performed in-flight entertainment for the 40th birthday of David Furnish, partner of the musician Elton John. She also accompanied Cher one of her Farewell tours.

Watch the outgageous You Tube Video of PAM ANN!

Call 212-307-7171 or purchase PAM ANN tickets online.

The Best of Gay New York

The Gay Guys Winter Workout

Best New Gay Travel Guide — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 15:37:00 GMT

There is no snow on the ground yet...
but let's face it - it's coming!

Since we are all about the BEST OF GAY NEW YORK, we thought why not get some of the best fitness tips from one of the best personal trainers in New York City! This month Duke Greenhill gives us The Gay Guys Winter Workout!

Think cold weather means the end of outdoor exercise and the cruising that comes with it? Think again…

Once again, the tank tops of spring have dwindled to the Speedos of summer, and soon fall's form-fitting V-necks will give way to long coats. For many, this is the beginning of the end of outdoor training -- not only because of the weather, but also because of the ease with which diminishing fitness and growing waistlines can be hidden beneath our thick-lined layers.

But we don't have to give up outdoor training; we don't have to let our six packs convert to kegs. After all, no one likes being stuck in his living room, or a gym, or an office for a whole season, and it's important to keep variation in your workout plan. So don't shun the snow. By following these guidelines, you can safely and effectively continue to enjoy your outdoor exercise -- and keep your physique ready and chiseled for next spring -- despite winter's bite.

One Winter Workout to Keep You Cut

It's an iconic image: Sylvester Stallone galloping through the Siberian snow; the classic Mercedes full of KGB men following him; the barn, where he does sit-ups from the hayloft and squats with an ox yoke. Unless you have an in with the carriage folks in Central Park and Hell's Kitchen, it's unlikely you'll be shoulder pressing equine carts or doing curls with yoke and saddle. But the concept doesn't have to be so foreign. There are endless everyday options to burn extra calories and squeeze extra reps outside during the winter. Here are just a few on which to build your outdoor winter workout.

GIVE YOURSELF A "TREE": So the leaves are gone and the trees are bare. This adds up to a benefit for you. Find a good limb and perform chin-ups. With your palms 8-inches apart and facing away from you, you can isolate the upper forearm and bicep. Wide-grip pull-ups will draw the focus to your outer lats. Close-grip ones will hit the inner-lats and help you grow thick. Turn your hands around (palms toward you) and use a medium grip to tie the lower traps into your middle-back for that all-too-sexy "diamond" cut.

SHOVEL SNOW: Like weight lifting, "snow shoveling may cause a quick increase in heart rate and blood pressure," says Julie Garden-Robinson, assistant professor in the Health, Nutrition and Exercise Sciences Department at North Dakota State University. So shovel a little snow and you've got some serious cardio on your hands… literally. For cardio, make sure you have enough snow to last you at least 30- to 45-minutes (help your neighbors out if you need more). If you live in the outer boroughs where the snow can be hard and heavy, shoveling can be an incredible addition to your muscle-building regimen too. In fact, researchers have indicated that the average weight of a shovel loaded with heavy, wet snow is about 16 pounds, and the average shoveler ends up moving 192 pounds of snow at about 12 scoops a minute, which is almost 2,000 pounds being lifted in just over 10 minutes! Just be sure to warm up thoroughly first, and to give your arms and back in particular a full days rest before training them again in the gym.

NOTE: Statistics on snow-shoveling deaths are scary. According to the January edition of the Harvard Health Letter, about 1,200 Americans die each winter from a cardiac-related event during or after a big snow, and shoveling is often a contributing factor. If you are under-conditioned, overweight, have high blood pressure or any other contraindication to exercise, see your doctor first.

SKI THE 'HOOD: For lower-body work, cross-country skiing is perhaps the most efficient outdoor winter exercise available. Don't laugh. I live in Hell's Kitchen, and early some mornings when the snow is undisturbed and there aren't too many people traipsing the streets of Hellsea / Chell's Kitchen to laugh at me, I strap on (get your mind out of the gutter) my cross-country skis and make a few laps around the gayborhood. "XC," as those in the know call it, burns more calories per hour than any other sport (up to 1200 an hour) and is an ideal cross-training winter replacement for avid runners or bikers. Central Park is excellent for Nordic skiing, and even has a webpage devoted to it. And keeping with the adage that one can find anything they want in New York, there are also countless ski clubs you can join.

EN-GAY-GE IN TACKLE FOOTBALL: We all know wrestling has a certain special place in gay athletic lore, but if you thought football was a straight game, come to Gym Bar next time you're in New York. Football is not a fall-only sport, and it's an excellent way not only to improve your physical condition, but also to give you an excuse to wrap your arms around a hot guy and bring him down. Since you are playing in the snow, you'll get a hell of a leg workout (like running on sand). Plus, fresh snow will provide cushioning amid the tackles, and a nice, soft surface for any post-game recreation. Check out the New York City Gay Football League.

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SIDEBAR NOTE: ONE TIP FOR WINTER WORKOUT SAFETY: Don't strip when you get inside. While you may be tempted (especially if you take my advice on the tackle football above) to immediately remove your layers when returning inside, don't! Give your body time to recondition itself to the changing temperature. Unless your clothes are sopping wet (in which case, get them off) post exercise hypothermia is possible when you adjust to higher temps too quickly. Of course, if a handsome gentleman has returned home with you, perhaps hypothermia wouldn't be so bad. The best treatment for hypothermia? Snuggle up with a warm, naked body.

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By Duke Greenhill, MFA, NSCA-CPT

Duke Greenhill is a professional fitness model, certified personal trainer and widely published author in Manhattan.
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The Best of Gay New York

BREAKING NEWS EXCLUSIVE - KEPT Announces Casting Call in New York City

Best New Gay Travel Guide — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 16:29:00 GMT

JUST IN ... 2 minutes ago from our dear friends JIMMY FLOYD and CEG in New York - as the ink is drying on this morning contracts, THE CASTING CALL HAS BEEN OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCED for KEPT, to BEST GAY NEW YORK!

CASTING CALL: "KEPT"

From the same production company that brought you "The Real Housewives Of Atlanta" on Bravo, Classic Entertainment Group (Casting) and LOGO, We are pleased to announce casting for "Kept" – a look at the A List gay social life in NYC.

This series will begin casting immediately – with a series premier next year on LOGO.

Casting For:

"A List" gay men in the age range of 20 – mid 30’s who have steady relationships or dating extremely established, successful men, or have that as a goal.

Very interested in couples where one guy is the "breadwinner", the other living large on his dime.

We are looking for SUPERSIZED PERSONALITIES and SUPER - FAB EXCITING LIFESTYLES. We want Drama, drama, drama!

You must have A LOT going on-- hot careers, take fabulous vacations, have second homes, do the Hamptons, & Pines or Bucks County or Asbury Park and know the IN social scene in NYC.

You have partnered with a Sugar daddy to make your dreams come true. Together you make a great team.

Maybe you are fresh out such relationship and you are in search of the same.

You are WELL CONNECTED – and there is no doubt that you are part of the "in" gay crowd of NYC.

**We are looking to infiltrate a circle of friends who fits this criteria.**

Open to guys making families or who have children already.

Must live in the greater Manhattan area – or VERY close to the city.

Please Submit:

Photos (many) of yourself AND your significant other. Multiple photos please. We need your name(s) / age / email address / cell #.
Mention what you do for a living (or are pursuing) / what your significant other does for a living…. We want to know everything.
Snapshots of where you LIVE. Mention if you have a weekend house / vacation house etc…. mention all of the trappings. PHOTOS HELP
SELL US on You and your lifestyle! Why are you so fabulous? WHAT’S THE BIGGEST DRAMA IN YOUR LIFE?
Tell us about FRIENDS THAT WE CAN CONSIDER along with you for this crazy ride. **Very important.
If we like what we see you will contacted for a phone interview and possibly be asked to visit our casting directors to be put on tape so that you can be considered for the show.

Send all of the above to: KEPTNYC@gmail.com

Part of our team will call you right away to set up a casting appointment (in Gramercy Park area).
Jimmy Floyd – Casting Director / CEG

TIME SENSITIVE – IF YOU WANT TO BE CONSIDERED WE MUST HEAR FROM YOU RIGHT AWAY!