On January 24, a bitter cold Saturday night, the LGBT Community Center celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the Center Dance, now known as Dance:208. There were 25 years of New York City gay history there...and twirling...and spinning...and hands flying.
As manager and host, I welcomed those in attendance as they listened to three legendary DJs, Bobby Viteritti, Carlos Sanchez and Ted Snowdon, riff on popular Dance:208 themes Classics, Garage, and Prom. It was high-energy from the get-go, as San Francisco Trocadero Transfer legend Bobby Viteritti opened. It was an incredibly diverse crowd of 275 dancers of all shapes, colors, genders and sizes, representing the community that regularly turns out to celebrate the "little party that could"-or, as I've sometimes thought of it, the Center's house party ("and you're all invited!").
Two veteran volunteers, who still help out, were honored, Robert Brightman and Emily Verna, with 25 years and 19 years of service respectively. There was a recognition ceremony hosted by past Emperor of New York Gabriel Della Notte, and including words from such well-wishers as Center honchos Robert Woodworth, Orie Urami, and Julia Noel Goldman, and, from the Imperial Court of New York, Empress VII Coco La Chine, who flew in from California especially for this occasion. Former and current dance committee chairs--including Tom Verley, the first, from 1984--and volunteers made their way to the stage and blew out the candles on the anniversary cake to great applause and there was not a dry eye in the house.
Over the years, Dance:208 has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the Center and has always been a volunteer-run organization, supported by the Center, so, in the current atmosphere of community activism, this was a true milestone to mark. The Center Media filmed interviews for the Center's Cable Access TV channel, and Tom Verley recalled how Center Dance started the Garden Party and Pier Dance and, most memorably in 1986, hosted an impromptu dance party when NYC passed the city's lesbian and gay rights ordinance, which attracted 1000 exuberant well-wishes, who danced all over the center, including, I was told, on tables.
Seen at the 25th Anniversary Dance were Rollerena, David Aviles, Ector Simpson, Danny Brook; former Dance Committee members: Jerry Pannozzo, Tom Verley, Bruce Monroe, and Allen Scheler, Steven Sangesland; Imperial Court members Empress VII Coco LaChine, Emperor X Gabriel Della Notte, Emperor XI Damien Valentino, Princess Kim Michaels, Grand Duchess La Diva, Duke Elian Encounter, Countess Veronica LaLure, and Lady Clover Honey; Lovari, Rocco, DJ Reed McGowan, DJ Jerel Black, Jeff Eason, Pete Lau, Dustin Fitzharris, Krishna Stone, Phil Ventura, DJ Lenny Fontana, Joe Lamattina & Fernando, Ed Getty and Michael, Chris Lipari, Brent Nicholson Earle and Joe Mattera.
