“Pain doesn’t alienate us, it serves to bring us together. “As gay people, there’s a wealth of emotion,” Lovell said. In the past, at more general open mics around the city, Lovell has changed the pronouns of a lover from “him” to “her” in his poems in order to assimilate with a less queer-affirming audience.īeyond that, he was looking to create a space where pain could be shared without judgment or shame.
#Black gay sex clubs new york city series
Nate Lovell, the third co-host of “the Mic,” said the series emerged in response to a clear need from the local LGBTQ community. For Brian Sonia-Wallace, a co-host of “The Mic” and currently the poet laureate of West Hollywood, the vibe was meant to foster friendships rather than the quick flirtations and flings of club nights. On the second floor of Micky’s, performers were brightly lighted against a vibrant curtain conveniently adjacent to the bar. “I am able to connect to my community and let them see me,” Jonz said, “and not just always from the club scene where I’m inebriated in a corner, swaying to Katy Perry.” Winter Jonz, a singer and songwriter at last week’s launch, certainly felt that way as artists congregated downstairs, snacking on tacos before “The Mic” kicked off.
So it’s fitting that the organizers are reimagining what Micky’s can provide beyond partying, in this case, by offering a live event that doesn’t require you to be wasted to enjoy the show.įor regulars at Micky’s, seeing the bar in daylight can be disorienting, but also invigorating. Gay bars and clubs are among the few establishments that offer queer people the chance to socialize without fear of exclusion or worse. “The Mic,” a new poetry-rooted performance series that launched in March, has found an unexpected home at Micky’s, and a time slot - 7 to 9 p.m. Among the liveliest venues is Micky’s, a two-story nightclub hosting drag shows and DJs, and this year’s Pride felt much the same there as in prepandemic years - except for a new event last Tuesday evening featuring a fresh form of queer expression: a gay open-mic night. During Pride Month, every gay bar and club in WeHo, as it’s colloquially known, is filled to the brim with partygoers dancing to blasting music as go-go dancers strip for tips. West Hollywood is known as the Los Angeles epicenter of the LGBTQ community.