Singer-songwriter Vonda Shepard enjoyed a unique career breakthrough, shooting to fame via the hit television series ‘Ally McBeal’ instead of through radio airplay or relentless touring. Her early career took a downturn after the flop of her second album, the 1992 ‘The Radical Light, Shepard’. She then turned to the LA club network where, spotted by TV producer David E Kelly, she signed for the comedy-drama. Be prepared for an audience of bland music lovers shouting ‘We Love Vonda’.
Divino Aqualung
Divino Aqualung occupies the space that was formerly Aqualung, a legendary nightspot and music venue. Closed for several years, Aqualung has now reincarnated itself, keeping its most idiosyncratic features, especially the immense glass windows that look on to a swimming pool. The club’s new feel comes mainly from its Ibiza night-scene ambience. A large outdoor terrace area awaits municipal blessing for summer frenzy, so, for the moment, management are concentrating on the spacious interior, boasting six bars, with go-go dancers and drag queens grooving to pumping house and garage music from resident and guest DJs.
Greenwich Village
Bar d’O
29 Bedford St. (627-1580). Subway: 1, 9 to Christopher St. A cozy, sultry-lit lounge. Superb performances by drag divas Joey Arias and Raven O (Tu and Sa-Su nights 10:30pm, $5). Even without the fine chanteuses, this is a damn fine place for a drink. M night is “Pleasure” for women. The bar packs a glam night of drag kings. Go early for the atmosphere, around midnight for the performances, and 2am to people-watch/gender-guess. Don’t try to leave in the middle of a show, or you’ll be in for a nasty tongue-lashing. Cover $3. Opens at 10pm.
Stonewall
53 Christopher St. (463-0950). Subway: 1, 9 to Christopher St. Legendary bar of the Stonewall Riots. Join the lively and diversified crowd in this recently renovated bar to toast the brave drag queens who fought back. Upstairs, the Club at Stonewall has a dance floor. 2-for-1 Happy Hour M-F 3-9pm. $2 frozen margaritas Sa-Su 2:30-9pm. Open daily 2:30pm-4am.
Assisi — a tourist/hiker’s dream!
Just returned from a time in Italy, of which ASSISI was the high point (literally). If you go, stay overnight, when all the tourists leave and you can sink into the comfortable Umbrian social surroundings in this town on a tilt. The town swarms with friendly monks and nuns, as well as bizarro religious souvenirs. I must recommend our budget hotel: Pensions Anfiteatro — very cheap, and in the ruins of an old Roman amphitheater! I have rarely felt so at peace in my life as when I visited Assisi — a tourist/hiker’s dream!
