With a hotter than hot cover photo by superstar photographer Mike Ruiz, “Play My F**kn Remix,” due out June 4, is a best-of collection that Ari is calling a “Remixed Retrospective.” In his own words, “I like the idea of a remixed retrospective because it pays respect to the
past but with an ear toward the future.”

Congrats on the new remix album. Tell me about the selection process for the songs. Were they solely based on single releases or on personal favorites as well?
Love this question! It’s a combination. When I first started with this album, the idea behind it was simply putting together some of the remixes that never got released. As it progressed, it became a remixed retrospective, and I included some mixes that are my personal favorites. I also commissioned some brand new mixes and then ended up recording an entirely new version of my first single “Wave of U,” which debuted with the launch of the Logo network. There are two new songs on the album as well!

Who are some of the remixers on it? Any guest features or collaborations?
Sasha Allen from this season of “The Voice” is featured on new mixes of “Where the Music Takes You,” multiplatinum selling contemporary jazz artist Dave Koz is back, Sarah Dash from the original Labelle and of course I could not have done this album without the talents and prowess of Jared Jones. There are remixes by Quentin Harris, RasJek, Dr. Brooks and Country Club Martini Crew and more. People always ask me where did you find the strengh to take the risks to be openly gay, and I say I really don’t know. But the one thing I do know is that so much of my own coming of age happened on the dance floor, and so this album pays homage to that. House music is the soundtrack for LGBT liberation.

You have the most #1 videos for a male artist on Logo. Who were some of your favorite video artists growing up?
What female artist has more? Madonna? Gaga? I think I beat them too! Can’t a gay artist at least beat the straight blond girls on the gay network? LOL. I know, Logo’s not gay anymore. Actually, it was a personal triumph to bump Madonna out of the top spot, ‘cause I was the first openly gay artist and independent artist at that to do so…and she is the greatest video artist ever!
What was your initial reaction when you saw your name on the Billboard charts for the first time?
I’ll never forget doing my weekly read of Billboard and seeing an article about me in it that Larry Flick wrote. I’d been reading Billboard before I reached puberty! I cried like a baby. I’ll forever be grateful to Larry for that.

In addition to your recording career, you are also a successful DJ – particularly in the NYC area. How did you branch out into that?
People don’t realize that I’ve been DJing for over 10 years now. Its a very natural thing for someone who writes, produces and records their own music to wanna play the music they love and the music they make and their super-talented friends make for a crowd of people.

You have one of the best bodies in the dance music industry. Can you tell me what your workouts consist of?
Thanks, Lovari! I workout three to four times a week and just divide body parts. I try to do legs more than once a week after I do some upper body, ‘cause it’s easier once the endorphins are going. I’ve recently started running a bit and hope to build my stamina. I must admit that I’ve been blessed with some good Jewish genes though!

Tell our readers how you received the title of “Sir” Ari Gold.
I kneeled in front of an Empress drag queen, and she knighted me in front of a thousand people at the Night of a Thousand Gowns for the Imperial Court of NY, which is one of the longest-standing human rights organizations. I personally hold more reverence for what drag queens have done on the front lines of the LGBT rights movement than the Queen of England, so for me it’s a huge honor.

There are several cameo appearances in your new 3D music video for “Play My F**kn Record” directed by Francis Legge. Can you tell us who?
Who isn’t in this video?! LOL. We got porn impresario Michael Lucas, Mayor Bloomberg’s decorator Jamie Drake, transgender actress Laverne Cox, recording artist Meg, Internet drag sensation Sherry Vine, Village Voice columnist Michael Musto, your sexy self and my mother!

You have a scene in your new music video where you are naked in public. Did unsuspecting passersby catch a glimpse? Were you slipped any phone numbers?
You gotta do what you gotta do to get people to play your f**kn record these days! It was a blast. Very liberating. Lots of folks took their camera phones out, and luckily I did not get arrested! It’s camp, and I’m reclaiming its roots from the days of Oscar Wilde! No numbers unfortunately, though.

What’s one of the favorite places or cities that you have performed at?
I loved Switzerland, Atlanta, Chicago, Miami…but there’s no place like home. It all seems so “bashert”—meant to be—that the Stonewall riot which kickstarted LGBT liberation happened in New York, which is the city that raised me. I’m just grateful to be here and feel like I’m a part of that history.

“PLAY MY F**KN REMIX: A Remixed Retrospective” will be available on iTunes worldwide from June 4. Sir Ari kicks off his summer promo tour in Berlin and returns to NYC for a concert at XL on June 14.

Photo by Mike Ruiz
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www.arigold.com

Phi Phi O’Hara was runner up to Sharon Needles in Season 4 of RuPaul’s Drag Race. She was seen every week along with Sharon doing the Absolute Vodka commercials during the show.

So how do you feel about Jinkx Monsoon winning?
Actually, I’m very happy about Jinkx winning. I think on the show she clearly worked hard for it. I think she’s really nice and…did you hear what Sharon said?

No, tell us.
So here’s the real gossip. Sharon said that she didn’t want Jinxx to win because she doesn’t want someone to do a non-goth, cheaper version of what she does, which I think is really sad. Jinkx is a completely different style of drag than what Sharon is, but I think we’re gonna relate more to what Jinkx is, and she’s way friendlier. So I think we’re gonna gravitate more to her. So I think Sharon might have been more…what’s the word…

Jealous?
No, not jealous. Intimidated. But I’m glad. I was actually cheering for Alaska.

I was too.
I really love Alaska, and she’s so nice. What they show on T. is really what she is. She’s just fun.

You played a real bitch on the show, and you’re so “not” a bitch. You’re the sweetest thing. What happened there?
When they actually interviewed me, before I even got on the show, they asked me how I felt about portraying a villain, a bitch or anything like that, and I kind of said I would love it because I always said that if I was in a movie or show the villain is always the fun part to play. You know you’re gonna die, you know you’re gonna lose, but it’s the fun part. You think that after me Roxy would have learned her lesson and would have been a little nicer, but I like to meet people because then they really see how I am.

What’s the one thing in drag you can’t live without?
Food. Only kidding. Lashes, my lashes. I think that lashes make your entire face.

What size shoe do you wear?
9.5. Actually, I can wear anywhere from 8.5 to 10 in women’s. So I don’t have to order my shoes online.

Are you doing anything you would like your fans and the public to know about?
My music video. My music is coming soon. It’s really hard cause, well, I mean I’ve been lucky to keep touring, but it’s hard to find time off to record, to finish my video. I have two scenes done that I wanted to shoot, but I think I might cut them.

Tell us about your video.
The single’s called “Bitchy,” of course, appropriately titled. I didn’t wanna sing about “no offense” Manila, I didn’t want to do a paradox like Willam, Detox and Vicky…I didn’t want a drag song. I wanted a song that people could relate to, like an anthem, and so “Bitchy” basically says you can call me this and that and the other thing, but I’m not gonna let that get in my way of being successful. I think everyone can relate to that.

When will it come out?
I’m trying really hard to push for the end of this month, but you never know. I don’t know how Willam and them do a video every week. I don’t have the time, so I don’t know how they do.

What kind of pointers can you give our new queens?
To not do it. No, no, only kidding. Growing up, I grew up in the pageant system, so that’s all I knew. So I had that mentality even going into the show. Maybe that’s why Willam and I and Sharon and I butted heads. So I would tell all the drag babies to try everything they can until they feel comfortable with it, and to never, ever let anyone tell you that your style of drag is wrong.

///BY Eileen Shapiro

Located on the second floor of an otherwise indiscriminate Midtown building, Uncle Charlie’s is a comfortable venue that is welcoming to first-timers and regulars alike. From the spacious bar to the piano lounge to the outdoor garden (where else in Midtown has an outdoor garden space?), it is the perfect place to unwind with a few cocktails and socialize. The casual, down-to-earth bartenders and waiters contribute to a refreshing atmosphere.

But Uncle Charlie’s is all about entertainment. Frequented by the area’s Broadway performers and their fans, regular open mic nights often turn into Tony Award-worthy performances. The highlight of Uncle Charlie’s surrounds the grand piano at the heart of the piano lounge, where nightly pianists keep the crowds entertained with cabaret-style tunes. William TN Hall, who has amassed fans from around the city, is a hit on Saturday nights, when he features his high-energy renditions of everyone’s favorite showtunes. Every Sunday night sees a rotating lineup of Gomination artists with their Broadway Showcase. And nobody who’s anybody misses Will Clark’s famous Porno Bingo on Wednesday nights, with a unique blend of porn stars and entertainment and bingo – all hosted by the one-and-only Will Clark himself for the benefit of a different charity each week. Check the Uncle Charlie’s website for the full lineup of weekly and special events.

Voted “New York City’s #1 Piano Bar” by Get Out! magazine, join in the fun on Saturday, May 18, when Uncle Charlie’s celebrates its sixth anniversary with a free buffet and special anniversary drink specials all night long.

We spoke to Michael Ng, owner of Uncle Charlie’s, about the past six years and what’s on the horizon for UC.

What makes Uncle Charlie’s unique in New York City?
Uncle Charlie’s is more of a piano bar, where everyone knows each other. We’re a very comfortable place to stay. Yet you never feel alone – when a stranger comes in, people talk to you. It’s a friendly place.

Why has Uncle Charlie’s been so successful over the years?
The bartenders are very friendly, and the people are very likeable here. People keep coming back, and the place keeps going. There are lots of regulars that keep coming back. We’re also near Grand Central, so people stop in on their way home and have a drink after work.

What has been the highlight of the last six years at UC?
The first opening day was very busy. It was pouring rain that day, the grand opening of Uncle Charlie’s. We didn’t even have enough room for all the people; it was packed. People had to wait on the stairs – one person out, one person in. Every day since then has been great.

Why should people come to the sixth anniversary party?
It’s been six years for us. For most businesses that is a big deal; it’s very tough, especially in this economy. But it is working for us. We keep the people here, and they continue coming in and meeting new friends and becoming part of the Uncle Charlie’s family. I hope everyone will celebrate that with us, whether they have been here since day one or if they’re a first timer. Everyone is part of our family.

Uncle Charlie’s
139 E. 45th Street (btw. 3rd Ave. & Lexington), 2nd Floor
New York, NY 10017

unclecharliesnyc.com

You don’t really hear too much about Seattle’s drag scene. How would you describe Seattle’s drag?
It’s wonderfully diverse, from pageant queens to dirtbag drag queens, from burlesque queens to stand-up comedy queens, we really do have something for everyone out in Seattle. The kind of drag that I do is very character based. I always perform live, and most of my drag is hosting, being the comedic relief in a burlesque show, things like that. I always start off as a character and build everything off of that character.

How long have you been doing drag? I’ve been doing drag for 10 years now. Honestly, though, I’ve been doing drag since I was four years old. I used to wrap myself up in a red afghan and make it look like Morticia Addams’ dress, and I used to wear oversize t-shirts and put a headband around my waist and make a dress out of it. So actually I’ve been doing drag since I was able to dress myself!

When this season of “Drag Race” started you were definitely the dark horse that really came from behind to snatch the crown from some pretty big names. What did it feel like to be thought of as the “dark horse” of the group?
I really think that my positive attitude and positive thinking definitely helped me get through it, as well as the way I responded to criticism. I graduated art school with a degree in theatre, and when you are in art school, I constantly had to present my work to my class and teachers and was constantly critiqued. I was also constantly reminded that it was about the work and not about the person. If you can’t accept criticism, you can’t move forward. I entered “Drag Race” with an open mind and was able to accept criticism, and I think that ability to take it all in and grow from it kept me in the competition and ultimately won me the crown.

Every year there are queens that some feel have left the competition too early. This year, unlike in previous years, none were brought back. Are there any queens that you feel left too soon?
I definitely think Lineysha Sparx left too soon. I think that “The Snatch Game” is always difficult for the girls who have English as a second language, and that’s just the nature of the beast. I honestly think if she had planned to do Celia Cruz the entire time she would have been fine. Her last-minute change (instead of impersonating Michelle Obama) and her loss of confidence really hurt her and prevented her from sweeping the competition.

Are there are any other queens from any season of “Drag Race” that you have admired and would love to get on a bill with to perform with?
If I had to choose a queen from almost any season, it would definitely by Pandorra Box, Manila Luzon, Chad Michaels and Sharon Needles. And definitely Latrice Royale; who does not LOVE Latrice Royale? I think from Latrice and Chad specifically, I learned that you can play the game however you want. You don’t necessarily have to go into it “guns a blazing” and claws out. You can go into it with a really positive attitude and be a sister to people, even when you’re in competition with them.
I’m reminded of a quote that I always try to live by: “a candle loses nothing by lighting another candle.” It was rewarding to make it to the end without ever having to resort to dirty tricks or to tear down someone else to make myself feel better. I really entered the competition wanting to compete “with” other drag queens and not necessarily “against” them.

For so many of the other queens, they always end up releasing music. Do you think that’s something that you may be interested in doing?
Absolutely! I think I would be interested in actually producing an album. Sharon Needles showed the world, just like RuPaul, that a drag queen can be a musician also, not just stick to lip synching for the rest of her life. I don’t know that I would really do a dance album, though; I think I would do either a collection of standards or torch songs.

What’s next for Jinkx Monsoon?
I work with a fantastic composer in Seattle, Richard Andresen, who co-created the show that I will be doing this summer in New York City at the Lorrie Beechman theatre. We have nine sold-out shows already! The show we created is what I did in Seattle before “Drag Race,” a vaudeville-type show. Richard is going to help me create some original songs, and I think if I produce an album it will be a combination of both original songs and maybe some Broadway standards. I’m also going to be playing Velma Von Tussle in the 5th Avenue Theatre’s concert version of “Hairspray,” and I’m very excited, because I’m going to be playing a pageant queen!

///BY michael cook