[Current press releases follow this introduction: just scroll]
Meet Andy Reynolds dba Popular Publicity.
He is a NYC-based freelance book, music, film, event and lifestyle publicist, as well as an expert in LGBT media worldwide. He knows people who want to know you and will present your book, music, or service with understanding, wit, and, when appropriate, humor. Placements include The New York Times, Washington Post, The PBS Newshour and various local NPR stations.
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Michael Alago with Bono. Photograph by Chuck Pulin. More great rock star photos below and on Michael Alago's Facebook and Instagram pages.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Andy Reynolds, Popular Publicity, andy@popularpublicity.com
Trailer for "Who the Fuck is That Guy: The Fabulous Journey of Michael Alago"
I was a gay record executive.
I loved heavy metal.
I loved the noise.
I loved the sweat.
I love when I go to concerts it’s 99% guys there.
Available on Netflix
(New York, NY) September 15, 2017 – Though many know Michael Alago for his “Rough Gods” photos of hyper-masculine men, as seen his books Beautiful Imperfections and Brutal Truth, before reinventing himself as a well-regarded photographer, Alago was one of the most colorful, dynamic out and proud record executives in the 80s-90s music business.
Now available on Netflix, "Who the Fuck is That Guy? The Fabulous Journey of Michael Alago" tells the astonishing story of a gay Puerto Rican kid growing up in a Hasidic Brooklyn neighborhood who got on the subway one day and began a musical odyssey that helped shape the musical landscape across New York and around the world.
From rubbing elbows with New York scene makers as an under aged teenager at Max’s Kansas City and CBGB, to being the architect of a rock ‘n’ roll renaissance as the 19 year-old talent booker at the legendary Ritz, to making history as a 24 year-old A&R exec, signing the biggest metal band in a generation in Metallica, Michael Alago was on fire.
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Photo of Barbra Seville by Scotty Kirby
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Andy Reynolds, Popular Publicity, andy@popularpublicity.com
(Phoenix, AZ) August 31, 2017 – On September 6, inveterate Phoenix fundraiser Richard Stevens, aka female impersonator Barbra Seville (above) is putting on a show to raise money for the victims of Hurricane Harvey, headlined by a star-studded a posse of big-hearted Miss Gay America Pageant contestants. Funds raised will be donated to the Montrose LGBT Center of Houston.
The AZ ❤️'s TX event will be hosted by Phoenix nightclub Kobalt from 9PM - Midnight, which will be donating a percentage of the night's bar take. In lieu of a cover charge, donations will be accepted at the door. Entertainers performing will donate their fees and all tips (which for drag queens are considerable to begin with) to the cause. So come out, be dazzled by some of Arizona's best drag stars and tip big! Really BIG!
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Miss Gay America 2017 Suzy Wong in a "Le Cirque MGA" theme look
Photo: Scotty Kirby
More photos of Suzy Wong at the bottom of this page
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Andy Reynolds, Popular Publicity, andy@popularpublicity.com
Scroll for listings info, links to more about Miss Gay America
Miss Gay America Pageant promises glamour, Las Vegas style entertainment, high emotions, higher hair, and really, really big earrings!
(Seriously, you gotta put ‘em on with duct tape and superglue!)
Meet 4 of 40 Miss Gay America 2018 Contestants
(New York, NY) September 7, 2017–From October 4-7 (four nights), the Hyatt Regency New Orleans will be the setting for the 47th national Miss Gay America pageant.
Established in Nashville in 1972–37 years before “RuPaul’s Drag Race"–it is the world’s first, longest running and most prestigious female impersonator competition. To date, over 10,000 men from over thirty states have competed for the Miss Gay America crown.
Though public is welcome to attend all four nights of the pageant (October 4-7), the not-to-miss nights to attend are October 6, for the spectacular Revue Show, and the final night, Saturday, October 7, when the top 10 contestants will compete and the new Miss Gay America will be crowned.
For those wondering, the Miss Gay America pageant is G-Rated, classy, dazzling, and family-friendly entertainment. Many of the contestants arrive with spouses, children, parents and cheering relatives in tow.
Le Cirque MGA
The evening's theme is "Le Cirque MGA", which contestants have been asked to interpret in their gown, costume and look. Chosen each year by the reigning Miss Gay America, Miss Gay America 2017 Suzy Wong describes this year's theme as an "homage to vaudeville style entertainment from the early 20th Century with inspiration from the Steam Punk movement and designed with a post apocalyptic era in mind."
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Miss Gay America 2017 Suzy Wong. Photo: Kristofer Reynolds.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Andy Reynolds, Popular Publicity, andy@popularpublicity.com
Listings Info:
Miss Gay Central States America 2017
August 26, 2017
10:00 PM - Midnight
Charlie's Nightclub Denver
900 E Colfax Ave,
Denver, Colorado 80218
303-839-8890
www.charliesdenver.com
Note: The crowning of the winner should happen around 11:30 - midnight
www.missgayamerica.com
(New York, NY) August 18, 2017–On August 26, Charlie's Nightclub Denver will be the setting for the Miss Gay Central States America pageant, a regional preliminary competition for the 45th annual Miss Gay America Pageant.
Established in Nashville in 1972–37 years before "RuPaul's Drag Race"–The Miss Gay America Pageant is the world’s first, longest running and most prestigious female impersonator competition.
The winner will go on to compete at Miss Gay America in early October at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans.
The evening's theme will be "Jungle Adventure". For the Presentation category, contestants will be asked to interpret the theme–glamorous safari goer–in their gown, costume and look.
Contestants from Tuscon, Salt Lake City and Dallas will compete in five categories: Male Interview (in suit and tie), Presentation (theme based costume), Evening Gown, On Stage Interview and Talent (big production number with costumes, sets and dancers).
The pageant will feature the currently reigning Miss Gay America 2017 Suzy Wong,(above) of Nashville and Palm Springs. Suzy Wong is the alter ego of Arnold Myint, the Nashville-based chef and restaurateur of Bravo’s “Top Chef” and Food Network fame.
About the Miss Gay America Pageant
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"Perpetual" (People Are Monsters) film poster.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Andy Reynolds, Popular Publicity, andy@popularpublicity.com
Lee Thomas Novel “The German” to be Reincarnated
as Feature Film “Perpetual”
“Game of Thrones” Actor Ross Mullan (“White Walker”)
Signs On, Praises Project
A Blistering Commentary on the Dark Side of Americana
(New York, NY) August 17, 2017–“The German”, the chilling 2011 horror/suspense novel by Lee Thomas, a Bram Stoker and two-time Lambda Literary Award winner, is about to become a feature film. While "The German" was set in post WWII small town America, the film incarnation is about a Syrian and takes place in present day, Trump era U.S.A.-U.S.A.-U.S.A.
English novelist C. P. Snow once observed, “Civilization is hideously fragile...there's not much between us and the Horrors underneath, just about a coat of varnish.” It is this theme that Lee Thomas so brilliantly explored in his 2011 novel “The German,” and which production company Loose Canon Films plans to exploit their screen adaptation, “Perpetual.”
Part “Fargo," part “Brokeback Mountain,” part “Stranger Things,” part “Mississippi Burning,” “Perpetual”, tells the story of small town tensions erupting into scenes of vicious vigilante vengeance as a sheriff hunts down a brutal killer who leaves Islamist calling cards in the remains of his victims, insinuating a private Holy War against America. As the town searches for answers, all eyes turn toward a reclusive foreigner, living in their midst. In a subtle, supernatural twist, the main character is not only Syrian and gay, but also immortal, blessed/cursed with eternal life. (Full synopsis below.)
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Miss Gay North Carolina America 2016 Chloe Cassidy. Photo: After Six Photography.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Andy Reynolds, Popular Publicity, andy@popularpublicity.com
Listings Info:
Miss Gay North Carolina America 2017
August 16, 2017
Special appearance by Miss Gay America 2017 Suzy Wong at Time Out Youth in Charlotte.*
August 17 & 18, 2017
8:00 PM
The Scorpio
2301 Freedom Drive
Charlotte, NC 28208
704-373-9124
www.thescorpio.com
www.missgaynorthcarolinaamerica.com
Cover charge for both nights is $10.
Note: The crowning of the winner should happen around 11PM on Friday night, August 18.
www.facebook.com/nc.america
www.missgayamerica.com
(New York, NY) August 1, 2017–On August 17 and 18, The Scorpio nightclub in Charlotte will be the setting for the 37th annual Miss Gay North Carolina America pageant, a state preliminary competition for the 45th annual Miss Gay America Pageant.
Established in Nashville in 1972–37 years before "RuPaul's Drag Race"–The Miss Gay America Pageant is the world’s first, longest running and most prestigious female impersonator competition.
The evening's theme will be "Copacabana". For the Presentation category, contestants will be asked to interpret the theme, in their gown, costume and look.
Ten contestants from regional preliminaries around the state will compete in five categories: Male Interview (in suit and tie), Presentation (theme based costume), Evening Gown, On Stage Interview and Talent (big production number with costumes, sets and dancers).
The pageant will honor the current Miss Gay North Carolina America 2016 Chloe Cassidy, of Raleigh, and feature Miss Gay America 2017 Suzy Wong, of Nashville and Palm Springs.
*The reigning Miss Gay America 2017 Suzy Wong is the alter ego of Arnold Myint, the Nashville-based chef and restaurateur of Bravo’s “Top Chef” and Food Network fame.
On August 16, the night before the pageant, Suzy will make a special appearance out of drag as Arnold Myint at Time Out Youth, the Charlotte organization supporting LGBTQ teens, where he will host an interactive cooking session with about 40 youth.
Note: The Time Out Youth event is a special Time Out Youth–youth only (ages 13-20)–event, and not open to the general public.
Miss Gay America 2017 Suzy Wong / Chef and restauranteur Arnold Myint. Photo: Brett Warren
About the Miss Gay America Pageant
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Miss Gay Arkansas America 2016 Charnay M. Cassadine. Photo: Carrie Strong.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Andy Reynolds, Popular Publicity, andy@popularpublicity.com
Miss Gay Arkansas America 2017
August 11-12, 2017
August 11: Revue Show, Doors 9:00 PM, show starts at 1:00 AM, Triniti Nightclub, $10-$15
August 12: Pageant, 8:00 PM at Discovery Nightclub $20
Both are located at:
1021 Jessie Rd.
Little Rock, AR 72202
Tickets and info at www.missgayarkansas.com
www.trinitinightclub.com | www.latenightdisco.com
Read the Q&A with Miss Gay Arkansas America Charnay M. Cassadine on the Miss Gay America Blog, MGAZINE
(New York, NY) August 1, 2017–From August 11-12, 2017, Triniti and Discovery nightclubs in Little Rock will be the setting for Miss Gay Arkansas America, a state preliminary competition for the 45th annual Miss Gay America Pageant.
Miss Gay America was founded in 1972 in Nashville, 37 years before "RuPaul's Drag Race." Miss Gay Arkansas America was also established in 1972 and is in its 45th year of competition, making it the oldest and the most prestigious preliminary in the Miss Gay America pageant system.
Miss Gay Arkansas promoter, Norman Jones, of Little Rock, was the first Miss Gay America (as Norma Kristie), owned the Miss Gay America pageant from 1975 to 2005, and now owns and operates the Triniti and Discovery nightclubs in Little Rock. He tells his story in his book "My Life, My Pageant, My Crown," the sales of which he donates to the AIDS charity of the buyer's choosing.
The evening's theme will be "Dynasty: The Legacy Lives". For the Presentation category, contestants will be asked to interpret the theme, in their gown, costume and look.
Six contestants from regional preliminaries around the state will compete in five categories: Male Interview (in suit and tie), Presentation (theme based costume), Evening Gown, On Stage Interview and Talent (big production number with costumes, sets and dancers).
The pageant will honor the current Miss Gay Arkansas America 2016 Charnay M. Cassadine, of Little Rock, and feature Miss Gay America 2017 Suzy Wong, of Nashville and Palm Springs.
About the Miss Gay America Pageant
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Miss Gay Oklahoma America 2016 Ry'lee Hilton. Photo: Carrie Strong.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Andy Reynolds, Popular Publicity, andy@popularpublicity.com
Miss Gay Oklahoma America America 2017
July 26-27, 2017
July 26
9:00 PM
The Copa
2200 NW 40th Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73112
July 27
7:00 PM
Will Rogers Theater
Theme: “40 Years of Elegance"
4322 N. Western Ave.
Oklahoma City, OK 73118
More info: www.missgayoklahoma.com
(New York, NY) July 17, 2017–From July 26-27, 2017, The Will Rogers Theater in Oklahoma City will be the setting for Miss Gay Oklahoma America, a state preliminary competition for the 45th annual Miss Gay America Pageant.
Established in Nashville in 1972–37 years before "RuPaul's Drag Race"–The Miss Gay America Pageant is the world’s first, longest running and most prestigious female impersonator competition.
The Miss Gay Oklahoma America pageant began in 1977 and is now in its 40th year.
The evening's theme will be "40 Years of Glamour and Excellence". For the Presentation category, contestants will be asked to interpret the theme, in their gown, costume and look.
Five contestants from regional preliminaries around the state will compete in five categories: Male Interview (in suit and tie), Presentation (theme based costume), Evening Gown, On Stage Interview and Talent (big production number with costumes, sets and dancers).
The pageant will honor the current Miss Gay Oklahoma America 2016 Ry'lee Hilton, of Oklahoma City, and feature Miss Gay America 2017 Suzy Wong, of Nashville and Palm Springs.
Related: Miss Gay Oklahoma America 2016 Saves Life,
Honored with Citizen Hero Medal
About the Miss Gay America Pageant
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"Rich" and "Jay" in Stray" still. Courtesy of Dekkoo.com.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Andy Reynolds, Popular Publicity, andy@popularpublicity.com
(New York, NY) July 21, 2017 – Out now on gay streaming service Dekkoo is “Stray”, a bromantic comedy series in which Jay, a brash gay dude, and Rich, a nerdy straight guy, talk sex and relationships while reconnecting in New York City years after college.
The teaser clip, titled “How Gay Are You?”, unambiguously sets the tone for this refreshingly frank and funny series. And like Dekkoo's original dramedy "I'm Fine", episodes are only minutes long, in this case, averaging just over three minutes per.
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Miss Gay America 2017 Suzy Wong. Photo by Scotty Kirby. 300dpi version available on request. Scroll for additional photos.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Andy Reynolds, Popular Publicity, andy@popularpublicity.com
Miss Gay New York America America 2017
July 24
7:00pm - Midnight
Hudson Terrace
621 W 46th St, New York, NY 10036
New York City
Theme: “#America”
Tickets $15 - $40 at https://thomasjohn.ticketleap.com/mgnya2017/
https://www.facebook.com/missgayny/
(New York, NY) June 29, 2017–On Monday, July 24, 2017, Manhattan's Hudson Terrace nightclub will be the setting for Miss Gay New York America, the first New York state preliminary competition ever for the 45th annual Miss Gay America Pageant.
Established in Nashville in 1972–37 years before "RuPaul's Drag Race"–The Miss Gay America Pageant is the world’s first, longest running and most prestigious female impersonator competition.
The evening's theme will be "#America". For the Presentation category, contestants will be asked to interpret the theme in their gown, costume and look.
Contestants from regional preliminaries around the state will compete in five categories: Male Interview (in suit and tie), Presentation (theme based costume), Evening Gown, On Stage Interview and Talent (big production number with costumes, sets and dancers).
Andora Tetee by Keit Thai.
The Miss Gay New York America pageant will honor the current Miss Gay America 2017 Suzy Wong (top), of Nashville, Palm Springs and frequently, New York City. MC for the night is Miss New York Continental* 2014 Andora Tetee (above). Special performance by Miss Gay America 2011, the legendary Coti Collins (left), world famous for her Reba McEntire impersonation.
About Miss Gay New York America promoter, Celebrity Psychic Thomas John
The promoter behind the Miss Gay New York pageant is none other than Thomas John, the amazing psychic sensation, life coach and author who has wowed audiences across the country with his impressively accurate messages from deceased loved ones, often at his exclusive Dinner with the Dead, events.
So how did he come to promote Miss Gay America? "I have always loved female impersonation," says Thomas, "and I once many moons ago did drag myself. Since I lead a very professional life now, I wanted to find a way to stay connected to the art form of female impersonation. Drag queens were my first role models when I was coming out of the closet." More about John at www.mediumthomas.com
> Read the Q&A with Miss Gay America 2017 Suzy Wong Miss Gay America blog MGAZINE.
About the Miss Gay America Pageant
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