Nots 2013, questions from newbies!

[Eileen]

Hi all, a group of friends and I are excited to be attending NOTS this year for the first time!
I have some practical questions about the whole thing if anyone has been there before. If the ticket says doors 9 pm and show 9 pm what time does the show really start? How crowded should we expect it to be? If we want to try to get a table so we can sit occasionally (in out 50's wearing heels) should we get in line outside well before 9:00? Thanks so much!

[GavinBrown]

Doors are at 9 and there is usually a dj from 9-10. The acts begin to go on at 10pm. I would recommend getting there around 845 if you want to grab a table. Ohhhh and also, make sure to root me on this year (I will be performing Moonlight live this year in the first hour and my name is Gypsy Dust) :]

[Eileen]

Thank you so much! I will be sure to have my group cheer loudly for you! One more question please, does it really go till 4 am? We will endure, just want to know what to expect.
"I can't wait, I can't wait"!

[GavinBrown]

It sure does, so get that disco nap in before the show.

[Eileen]

That and a couple of red bull cocktails! I haven't partied that late since "Rock a Little" was a new release.

[OooMissionary]

Sister...

http://youtu.be/kc9IZs4ptM8

[Travis]

Hi Eileen,

Get there EARLY ;-). I'll be the opening VJ, and I'll be playing all video for the first hour, hour and 15 min, etc...

And good luck to you Gavin :-)

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/8036/scnsn.png

[johnb84]

SO excited to be going back for my 3rd time. It is a very fun event that I look forward to. I will be going in a toga body painted in gold. and nothing underneath for easy access. haha

Who all is Going this year? I'm excited to see the new performers and the Legends. ANyone know which Legends are returning this year?

[johnb84]

NOTS is about a week away! I'm so excited. who all is going to go and what do you hope to see?

[fringed n fab]

SO excited to be going back for my 3rd time. It is a very fun event that I look forward to. I will be going in a toga body painted in gold. and nothing underneath for easy access. haha

Who all is Going this year? I'm excited to see the new performers and the Legends. ANyone know which Legends are returning this year?

For what though?

[streetangel27]

I've always wanted to go to NOTS. Sometime, I'll have to plan my vacation around it, for sure.

[Travis]

Hi All,

For anyone that is going to NOTS tomorrow night, if you're interested in seeing the video set, from 9:00 - 10:30, please get there early. I have some new edits on some classics plus, a brand new video highlight from IYD. I'm really proud of this set and am looking forward to everyone seeing it. If you are there and you hear "Big Love", that is cue to get ready for the real set. :D

[michelej1]

Bowing Down To Stevie Nicks Tonight & Why I've Been M.I.A.

By Steve Lewis , May 3, 2013 Black Book Magazine

http://www.blackbookmag.com/good-night-mr-lewis-1.109/bowing-down-to-stevie-nicks-tonight-why-i-ve-been-m-i-a-1.61849

Hey all, sorry I've been M.I.A. (That's Missing In Action, not Miami International Airport). I have been very busy completing the new Birch Coffee Shop on 96th and Columbus. I think it's hot, and the coffee is beyond wonderful. Check it out. I've been completing the design over at The DL where I just added these wonderful glass lanterns I bought at Milly & Earl on Graham in Brooklyn. Everything in that place is to die for. I frequently go in and find myself saying I'll take 10 of these and 12 of those. Me and mine are also completing the design of the front lounge of XL Nightclub, which will be named "Rosebud" - not a movie reference.

I am running back and forth to Huntington, Long Island doing a restaurant that's to-be-named later. It's a big gig and I love it. I am also finishing up a quaint little restaurant on Avenue C which I will brag about when it's a little closer to opening, which I think looks like 4 weeks. And tonight I'm Djing atEVR, my favorite place to spin. It's an afterwork crowd and I get to play stuff that just won't go over in a club environment. There's so much more, but enough about me.

Tonight I'm bowing down at the feet of Chi Chi Valenti, Johnny Dynell, and Brian Butterick (Hattie Hathaway) as the23rd Annual Night of a Thousand Stevies returns to the Highline Ballroom. This is, for me , the number 1 can't-miss-for-nothing-no- how event of the year. A list of legendary characters will perform all thingsStevie Nicks. The crowd will dress the part and sing along. It is, of course, sold out - save for 100 tickets that will be offered at the door on a first-come, first-serve basis. Doors open at 9pm.

Follow me on Twitter here for rants , observations, & the latest nightlife controversies.

[Jondalar]

Didn't this already happen? Nobody is posting anything.

[Travis]

Didn't this already happen? Nobody is posting anything.

I must admit, it has always baffled me the lack of posts (here or anywhere on the net) regarding the limited amout of postings after a NOTS event. It was jam packed this year and truly one of the best NOTS experiences I've had. It amazes me how strong it is 23 years later.

My video set list:

Prior to opening:
Stevie Nicks - Ooh My Love (Montage)
Stevie Nicks - Landslide (Orchestra Version)
Stevie Nicks - Rhiannon (NOTS 22 Photo Shoot)
Fleetwood Mac - Over My Head (Live) The Dance
Lindsey Buckingham - Trouble (1981) (Re-Tracked)
Fleetwood Mac - Dreams (Live) (1977)
Fleetwood Mac - Skies The Limit (1990)
Lindsey Buckingham - Slow Dancing (1985)
Stevie Nicks - Think About It (Montage) (1981)
Fleetwood Mac - Hold Me (1982)
Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham - Twisted (JNX)

CLUB OPENS:
Stevie Nicks - Blue Denim (Enchanted) (JNX)
Fleetwood Mac - The Chain (Live) (The Dance)
Stevie Nicks - Enchanted (Live)
Stevie Nicks - Nightbird (Live) (SNL)
Fleetwood Mac - Paper Doll
Stevie Nicks - Talk To Me (Alternate Mix) (JNX)
Stevie Nicks - No Spoken Word (Album Version)
Fleetwood Mac - Big Love

INTRO
Stevie Nicks - Secret Love (Live) (Hard Rock Calling)
Fleetwood Mac - Gypsy (Live) (The Dance)
Stevie Nicks - In Your Dreams (Live Footage) (Studio Track) (2011) (JNX)
Stevie Nicks - Gold And Braid (Live) (JNX)
Stevie Nicks - It's So Easy (Live)
Stevie Nicks - Not Fade Away (Live)
Stevie Nicks - Love's A Hard Game To Play (JNX)
Stevie Nicks - Edge Of Seventeen (NOTS 23 Exclusive) (JNX)
Stevie Nicks - Annabel Lee
Fleetwood Mac - Say You Will (Remix) (10th Anniversary) (JNX)
Fleetwood Mac - Freedom (1990)
Stevie Nicks - You Can't Fix This (JNX)
-
CLUB STEVIE:
Stevie Nicks - I Can't Wait (Discotech Remix) (JNX)
Stevie Nicks - Stand Back (Hani Mix) (JNX)
Stevie Nicks - Dreams (with Deep Dish) (JNX)
-
Stevie Nicks - NOTS 23 Outro (Welcome Everybody ....)

[Eileen]

Had a great time at my first NOTS show! Travis, we enjoyed the videos and songs and Gavin you were great as Gypsy Dust! You really looked and sounded like her. Maybe some of you remember my friend because her costume was really a standout. She was dressed as Stevie in red from The Other Side of the Mirror. All the performances were great! Can't wait for next year!

[Jondalar]

I must admit, it has always baffled me the lack of posts (here or anywhere on the net) regarding the limited amout of postings after a NOTS event. It was jam packed this year and truly one of the best NOTS experiences I've had. It amazes me how strong it is 23 years later.

My video set list:

Prior to opening:
Stevie Nicks - Ooh My Love (Montage)
Stevie Nicks - Landslide (Orchestra Version)
Stevie Nicks - Rhiannon (NOTS 22 Photo Shoot)
Fleetwood Mac - Over My Head (Live) The Dance
Lindsey Buckingham - Trouble (1981) (Re-Tracked)
Fleetwood Mac - Dreams (Live) (1977)
Fleetwood Mac - Skies The Limit (1990)
Lindsey Buckingham - Slow Dancing (1985)
Stevie Nicks - Think About It (Montage) (1981)
Fleetwood Mac - Hold Me (1982)
Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham - Twisted (JNX)

CLUB OPENS:
Stevie Nicks - Blue Denim (Enchanted) (JNX)
Fleetwood Mac - The Chain (Live) (The Dance)
Stevie Nicks - Enchanted (Live)
Stevie Nicks - Nightbird (Live) (SNL)
Fleetwood Mac - Paper Doll
Stevie Nicks - Talk To Me (Alternate Mix) (JNX)
Stevie Nicks - No Spoken Word (Album Version)
Fleetwood Mac - Big Love

INTRO
Stevie Nicks - Secret Love (Live) (Hard Rock Calling)
Fleetwood Mac - Gypsy (Live) (The Dance)
Stevie Nicks - In Your Dreams (Live Footage) (Studio Track) (2011) (JNX)
Stevie Nicks - Gold And Braid (Live) (JNX)
Stevie Nicks - It's So Easy (Live)
Stevie Nicks - Not Fade Away (Live)
Stevie Nicks - Love's A Hard Game To Play (JNX)
Stevie Nicks - Edge Of Seventeen (NOTS 23 Exclusive) (JNX)
Stevie Nicks - Annabel Lee
Fleetwood Mac - Say You Will (Remix) (10th Anniversary) (JNX)
Fleetwood Mac - Freedom (1990)
Stevie Nicks - You Can't Fix This (JNX)
-
CLUB STEVIE:
Stevie Nicks - I Can't Wait (Discotech Remix) (JNX)
Stevie Nicks - Stand Back (Hani Mix) (JNX)
Stevie Nicks - Dreams (with Deep Dish) (JNX)
-
Stevie Nicks - NOTS 23 Outro (Welcome Everybody ....)

Are there any videos of the performers?

[Eileen]

They posted a link to a YouTube video on their Facebook page.

[GavinBrown]

Thanks so much Eileen...I was proud to do Moonlight at NOTS as Gypsy Dust....my friend took a good video, I will post it here when I upload it...:p

[johnb84]

Cheers to VJ Tre for an outstanding set. Everything was so well put together. THumbs up!

[OooMissionary]

Gypsy Dust was enchanting during Moonlight! VJ Tre was enchanting during our bar scene! Were there any other Ledgies out?!

[michelej1]

Edge on the Net by Winnie McCroy May 7, 2013 [click for photos]

http://www.edgeonthenet.com/nightlife/special_events/features/144345/night_of_a_thousand_stevies_brings_crystal_visions_to_life

Thousands of gays, lesbians, drag queens, downtown luminaries and Fleetwood Mac fans of every ilk gathered at the Highline Ballroom on May 3 for the 23rd Annual Night of a Thousand Stevies. Now going into its third decade of opulence, this annual tribute to all things Fleetwood Mac has grown from a novelty act to a full-fledged nightlife touchstone.

"Night of a Thousand Stevies started at Jackie 60, our underground club in the Meat Market, when that area was still fun and underground," said founder Chi Chi Valenti. "It was meant to be only a one-night event, but we had a big response of Stevie Nicks fans that we didn’t realize were amongst us. It became one of our first shows that went annual, and we thought then that calling it the night of ’a thousand Stevies’ was hilarious, because we only had five or six Stevies then, and 200 people in the audience. It was an ironic title that actually came true."

NOTS grew over the years, moving from Jackie 60 to The Knitting Factory, Don Hill’s, and the Hiro Ballroom before landing at the Highline Ballroom. The show now has upwards of 25 performances spread over three acts, with a first-rate technical crew that is accustomed to doing large, long and complex shows. This year’s event packed the Highline nearly to capacity.

"A lot of people don’t think it’s quite big enough, but the feeling in the room is right," said Valenti. "It’s not one of those places concerned with pushing bottle service on people, and so we’re very happy to be in a venue of that size and still maintain the good feeling of a live event."

Valenti’s partner in crime, Johnny Dynell, can be found manning the soundboard while she and her co-hosts -- often Hattie Hathaway or drag queen legend Sherry Vine -- announce the acts and take breaks to throw scores of tiny, beribboned tambourines to the audience.

New York’s glitterati clamor to perform at NOTS, among them Butoh artists Vangeline Theater, Justin Bond, Amber Martin, Sweetie, Divine Grace, Machine Dazzle and Darrell Thorne, Dirty Martini, Poison Eve, Darlinda Just Darlinda and the Ho-Hos, one of both Valenti’s and Dynell’s perennial favorites.

"Every year people anxiously await to see what craziness they will deliver," said Dynell, who told EDGE that another of his favorites was Belladonna from Santa Barbara. "Not only do I love her shows, but she is always such a big help setting up for the party. We leave the sacred job of testing the mike stands to Bella."

Dynell is also partial to the legendary Joey Arias, who traditionally ’sings’ "Stand Back." "I say ’sings’ because after 23 years, he still doesn’t know the words," said Dynell. "One year I played a little trick on him and switched to an instrumental track. We were all howling as a panic-stricken Joey tried to remember the words -- and actually made up a few new verses of his own!"


Making the Annual Pilgrimage to NOTS
Part of the strength of NOTS is its longevity. Throughout the years, the event has gained momentum, bolstered by the advent of the Internet as well as the cult classic film "Gypsy 83," which follows the trek of a misfit goth and her gay boy friend from Sandusky, Ohio, to New York for NOTS.

One such ’gypsy’ who was drawn in by the pageantry is transwoman Jazmin Flowers, who said she heard about NOTS after the film came out in 2001, and spent hours on the NOTS website fantasizing about being able to attend the event. She never dreamed she’d actually be performing in one of the shows.

"It took me four more years to decide to audition," Flowers told EDGE. "As the tech age rolled in, I emailed Chi Chi with my audition snippet, an a cappella version of ’Rooms on Fire.’ She emailed me back and invited me to join. That was such a magical moment!"

Every year since 2006, Flowers has trekked from Jackson, Mississippi to Manhattan to perform; this year, she brought the house down just by taking the stage in her fringed shawl and singing "Gold Dust Woman." It is the spectacle and the people that keep her coming back.

"I love to just sit back and look at all the creative outfits that people work on for months, and the performances created on stage are unlike anything else," said Flowers. "The outpouring of love for the woman and music that has meant so much to so many people and shaped so many lives is extraordinary."

Flowers also cherishes the friendships she has forged throughout the years, noting that many of the performers have experienced bumps along the road of life, and Nicks’ music is the common bond that has helped them all move forward. For her, NOTS is akin to an annual family reunion, "a time to sing and dance, to talk about what’s gone on in the past year, to share hugs and well wishes and to put life on hold for one night."

Inspiration Flows Back to the Source
Valenti will never forget the fourth annual NOTS, when she and Dynell arrived at 8 p.m. to discover a line of "Enchanted Gypsies" stretching down Washington Street in all their Stevie finery. That’s the night she knew that everything had clicked, and NOTS had taken on a life of its own.

Newbies often wonder if Stevie Nicks herself will show up, and although seasoned NOTS veterans realize the pandemonium that her appearance would cause, hope (and rumor) flows eternal.

According to urban folklore, Nicks did appear incognito one year (what better place to blend in to a sea of flowing capes and ruched boots?) and NOTS conspiracy theorists believe she has sent photographers to shoot the event for her to enjoy.

Nicks sent a videotaped greeting several years ago, and Valenti said she has been lucky enough to talk to the woman herself.

"Thankfully, I have gotten to speak to Stevie several times, and she is always so supportive of the event," Valenti told EDGE. "But like the song goes, Stevie is always surrounded by ’too much love.’ Can you imagine going through life as a huge star; it’s a blessing and also a curse. Grown people start crying when they see her, because she just represents so much for so many people. But she understands that the event is really done from the absolute best place."

Nicks also supports her fans. Valenti said that after 9/11, Nicks sent some amazing memorabilia to be auctioned off to benefit the service dogs at Ground Zero, and has done other generous things for NOTS.

"People are sometimes miffed over whether she will come to the event, but if it were me, I would just slip in," said Valenti. "And she has always credited us with helping to make her aware of how enormous her gay and transgender audience is, and we are proud to be part of that bridge."

For more information on NOTS, visit mothernyc.com/ or www.facebook.com/1000stevies

[Travis]

Me playing "Gold and Braid" at NOTS 23