The Monarchs and the assembled were royally entertained throughout the evening. Bonbon LaRue introduced France Joli, who recalled her New York debut appearance, at age 16, during the summer of 1979, on Fire Island, and drove the crowd into a frenzy with her disco hit, which she sang then and repeated now, "Come to Me." There were several guests from Broadway. Mary Testa, from the cast of "Xanadu," amused by singing a Carmen Miranda number ("Ay, ay, ay, ay, I like you very much") and a Betty Hutton number. Jessica Goldyn, direct from "A Chorus Line," offered Val's song, "Dance Ten, Looks Three" (AKA "Tits and Ass"). Introduced by the ball's Executive Producers, Emperor Damian Valentino and Empress Anne Tique, Kathy Brier, from the casts of "Hairspray" and television's "One Life to Live," sang zesty renditions of "Good Morning, Baltimore" and, from her CD "Heartbreaker," "I Survived You."

Sexy Ari Gold seduced the audience, singing, with backup from Kelly King, "You've got to go where the music takes you," and other smoldering selections. After Gabriel's description-"If Madonna and David Bowie had a child, it would be pop artist Megan McCauley"-McCauley made the stage sizzle with a couple of searing songs. ICNY's Pepper and "Project Runway" contestant Chris March introduced the duo Cashino, who sang music from "Chicago" and, as part of a Bette Midler tribute, from "Fiddler on the Roof." Christopher Wilson AKA Stear brought his guitar and sang a couple of tunes. Dowager Empress Gefil Tefish brought out Tommy Femia, as Judy Garland, singing "Chicago, that Toddling Town."

Boston's Verna Turbulence contributed a lively "Get this Party Started," in the Shirley Bassey version. Fantasia, backed by Empress Demi-Tasse, hoofed through an energetic rap, which he dedicated to those the Court had lost. With Emperor William and Empress Panzi celebrating the tenth anniversary of their reign, William, Emperor Mathius Bloussánt, Prince Royal Green Piece, and Marquis Angelo serenaded Panzi with "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling," to which Panzi responded with some virtuoso yodeling, which was followed by an Irish dance, courtesy of Mitzi.

The evening began with "Night Fever," a lively medley of disco songs and dances, choreographed by Empress Ran-Dee, starring Craig, B, Rob and Charlene, and bringing back memories of the 1970s with "Staying Alive," "How Deep Is Your Love," "Jive Talking" and "Disco Inferno."

Pointing to his crown, Gabriel began his greeting to the assembled by quipping, "Does former Governor Spitzer wish he joined this Emperor's Club?" He announced that the evening was dedicated to Philip Williams, Eric Rebitsky, Gary Collins and other beloved members that ICNY had lost during the past year. Lamenting that there is still no cure for AIDS, Gabriel urged that, "We must stand together and be out, loud and proud, and support candidates that support ... our diverse and powerful community."

New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn and Councilman from Queens Eric Gioia proclaimed March 29 "Night of a Thousand Gowns Day" and presented restauranteur and gay and AIDS activist Florent Morellet with ICNY's Imperial Diamond Award for community service. Craig and B dubbed ball DJ and Wigstock Festival founder Lady Bunny and New York's Fairy Godmother and Studio 54 fixture Rollerena as Dame Lady Bunny and Dame Rollerena, respectively, and playwright and "One Life to Live" Associate Director Anthony Wilkinson as Sir Anthony.

Cynthia Nixon, of "Sex and the City," addressed the crowd. Catherine Hickland, who had sung the "Star Spangled Banner" earlier in the evening and declared, "The gay man inside me is very happy tonight," and 'Dame' Robin Strasser, both of "One Life to Live," introduced the ICNY College of Monarchs. Visiting royals Bruce Butler and Bitsy Vanderbilt presented the full membership of ICNY, when it took the stage. Nixon, Tim Gunn (who addressed the assembled via videotape), Mikhail Baryshnikov, Michael Kors, and Bob Mackie were NOATG's Honorary Chairs. Brier, Hickland, March, Craig's colleagues at Quest Diagnostics Mary Hall Gregg and Wendy Luce, Sotheby's C. Hugh Hildesley, Time, Inc.'s Martha Nelson, ABC News' Jeffrey W. Schneider, and Logo's Lisa Sherman served as Honorary Co-Chairs. Craig and B also dubbed Gregg, Luce and Outlook Magazine's Lois Elfman as Dames.

Save April 4, 2009 as the date for the ICNY's next NOATG.
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