Confessions from the Velvet Ropes

Beijing, May 2011

Above: Inside the Forbidden City

Dear Readers,

Here is a roundup of all of my stories on Beijing from my recent trip in May on A Shaded View on Fashion:

Greetings from Behind the Bamboo Curtain

A Postmodern Maoist Moment at 798 Art District

Hiking on the Huanghuacheng Section of the Great Wall

North Korean Cuisine & Showgirl Couture

A Visit to Wuhao Curated Shop in an Historical Chinese Garden

Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City & the Beijing Subway

The Hutong of Beijing, the Bell & Drum Towers, Lama & Confucius Temples

A Visit to 798 Art District

My Last Night & Morning in Beijing featuring a Beijing Drag Show

 

The delightfully desolate "Yellow Flower Fortress" section of the Great Wall of China

Me, a kiwi martini and the Beijing night.

Later,

Glenn Belverio

Michael Musto declares Derek Neen the Best Doorman in New York City

Dear Readers,

Once upon a time, this blog used to be about New York nightlife, club doormen and my 2006 book, "Confessions from the Velvet Ropes." But as you probably noticed, I've become bored of the NY club scene and started getting my kicks by traveling around the world to fashion shows and other glam events. However, I couldn't let this item pass by. On his blog, Michael Musto interviews doorman Derek Neen and declares him the "best doorman in NYC" (Thomas Onorato, the main subject of my book, is not really a doorman anymore, so I'm sure he doesn't mind giving up his title). I also profiled Derek in my book--hanging out with him at the doors of Beige and Roxy was definitely more fun than being inside the club--so if you can get your hands on a copy (I think it's out of print but there is an eBook version) there are many juicy stories from his 20+ years-long career.

Here is the link to Musto's interview.

Later,

Glenn

Looking back to the day James Dean asked Paul Newman for a kiss during a screen test for "East of Eden." Flirty, flirty!

Retro gay beefcake for your 4th of July: Tab Hunter, Roddy McDowell, Rock Hudson, Guy Madison, Steve Reeves, and more.

Above: Tab and Roddy sans shirts but with weiners...it just doesn't get better than this.

Happy 4th of July! My pal Camille Paglia sent me a link to what looks like a fabulous article about gay male actors during the Golden Age of Hollywood. I've printed it out so I can read it on the plane tomorrow (am flying down to South Beach to visit my witty, entertaining friend Bruce. Yep, I'm actually one of those lunatics who goes to Florida in the SUMMER. But Bruce lives in a beautiful, landmark Art Deco apartment building and is one block from a rather secluded area of the beach--there are no hotels near it. And the water is perfect this time of year).

You can read Inside the Dreamboat Factory here.

Coming up: Photos and coverage of my day in Philadelphia with Camille Paglia.

Love,
Glenn Belverio