During what threatened to become the perfect storm, the silver rain sparkled onto the macadamized New York City diamond cement as Boxer’s Bar (Chelsea) became the scene for the 2023 Get Out Magazine Awards. Queens came in an array of glamorous drama and designer feathers, along with the Award recipients, including songwriter Desmond Child, journalist extraordinaire Michael Musto and House Music Award winning Irene Michaels who was coincidentally scheduled to perform her hit song “I Like Rain.”
The crystal awards dazzled on the table while multi award winning DJ Steve Sidewalk prepared for an evening of fierce entertainment and fun. The flash from celebrity nightlife photographer Billy Hess worked overtime as MC Yuhua Hamasaki took the stage carrying with her the excitement and anticipation the night held.
The Get Out! Magazine Awards, produced and executed by illustrious publisher Mike Todd and the Get Out staff, was a night designed to honor the LGBTQ bars and their managers and staff, the queens and party promoters, for the fabulous work they all do as part of the nightlife frenzy in the New York and New Jersey areas. Also honored were the people who stand out as extraordinary. Those included: Singer/songwriter Desmond Child (Lifetime Achievement Award for Songwriting), Composer and film scorer Randy Edelman (Lifetime Achievement as Composer), award winning singer Irene Michaels (Best House Music Award), Bob the Drag Queen (International Entertainer of the Year), Michael Musto (Critics Choice Award), Tree Sequoia (Legendary Bartender Award), Elvis Duran (Radio Personality), World Star PR (LGBTQ Entertainment Advocate) and Madonna (Lifetime LGBTQ Ally Award).
The entertainment was beyond astounding and included Fire Island superstar Ariel Sinclair, the fabulous Desmond Child, the unique Eiby Leandra, the over the top Octavia Anyae, the feisty and fantastic FiFi Dubois, the vibrant Jasmin Van Wales, the sexy and beautiful Jizzabella, the vivacious and talented Lavinia Draper, Broadway superstar Wade McCollum, rock star Lovari, house music beauty Irene Michaels, fierce diva Chara Confusion, and other fierce divas. One of the highlights of the evening was Michael Musto, who turned “Santa Baby” into a satirical original about a deposed Congressman, called “Santos Baby”. (Randy Rainbow, watch out!). I have attended more drag shows and variety shows than there are stars in the universe, but the entertainment on this night was an array of sensational….
The presenters represented nightlife’s finest and included Wendy Stuart Kaplan, Billy Hess, Ike Avelli, Nick Lion, Mark DeAlwis, Jizzabella, Michael Musto, Clover Welsh, Ariel Sinclair, Jackie Dupree, Lovari, Samara, and others.
A special thank you to those who helped…. Ariel, Wendy, and queens (You know who you are)…to Danny, the manager of Boxers, to Yuhua for hosting, to Mikhail Torich for videoing the entire evening, to DJ Steve Sidewalk, and Billy Hess (as always).
On behalf of Get Out Magazine, congratulations to all and thank you to those who attended and celebrated with us….and much heartfelt appreciation to Michael Todd for everything he does with his magazine for the best nightlife on the planet……
