BY SHERRY VINE | I took my new show, The Second To Last Showgirl, on the road in June to the East Coast. I was only 2 months post-full-knee-replacement-surgery, so it was a bit challenging; but at the same time so thrilling to be back onstage–even if it was in flats instead of my usual 6” stiletto hooker heels! Here’s a rundown of some of the cities and venues I performed in. There are ALL gay-owned businesses–and these days, it is vital to support them and keep them in business.
My first stop was the brand new, and first queer bar ever, in Keene, NH, Madame Sherri’s (82 Main St.). I like to pretend it was named after me, but it was not. Opened by my dear friends Adam, Ginger, and Patrick, Madame Sherri’s is an amazing space for performers, the queer community in and near Keene and allies. I have been a part of their epic Pride show and festival for 4 years running and this was my 3rd show in the venue. They have a dance club adjacent to the bar that they transform into a cabaret room with a proper stage and a gorgeous dressing room, thanks Ginger! They always treat me like a rock star; taking me to dinner, making sure I have everything I need, driving me back and forth to Boston. They are terrific hosts!
And this summer they had; Jackie Beat, Varla Jean Merman, Coco Peru, Tina Burner, Tammie Brown and Kelly Mantle. They really are trying to bring their vision of making Keene a destination for queer entertainment to life – and they’re hitting home runs!
From Keene I hitched a ride – I’m kidding, those days are long gone – they gave me a ride to the ferry in Boston for me to paddle boat to Provincetown. To be honest, I don’t perform in P’Town as often as I’d like to because they don’t cover travel or accommodations which can be very costly. But ever since Diana, a booking manager I frequently work with, started booking acts at Red Room (258 Commercial St.), I’ve started going back. Diana was even able to secure free lodging at the super cute and perfectly located Anchor Inn (66 Centre St.) – a true gift!
And I absolutely love Red Room. Alan and Janet are so awesome to work for. They genuinely care about their venue and the artists who work there. There’s a small dressing room which leads to stairs to make an old school Hollywood entrance. Every show I’ve done there has been fun and well received. Honey, everyone who has ever worn a wig has a show in P’Town now so if you can fill a room, congrats! I also love getting to spend time with all the queens. In just 3 days I managed to have lunch or coffee with Varla, Dina, Sutton, Edie, A Woman Named Carlos and Puta.
I lived in NYC for 28 years! So I pretty much performed in every bar, club, cabaret space and public bathroom! But these days when I’m returning to the Big Apple my home residence is Red Eye NY (355 W. 41st St.). Owned by club impresario, Daniel Nardicio, along with Sam and Taylor, they have created a perfect black box cabaret room with state of the art lights and sound. They even have a piano which is perfect for setting my Jack & Ginger on. Every show I’ve done there post-pandemic has been to a packed house and most recently the room was packed with a Who’s Who of 1990’s NYC Nightlife! I was gagging!! The entire back wall can be used for videos and projections. There are doors to separate the room from the bar and I adore Norell, the house mother who handles the door and seating. She is a legend! Daniel even tore walls down to create a dressing room. As any queen who performs in NYC we usually change in the kitchen so kudos to Daniel and his team.
After NYC, I almost always make my way to Paradise in the Empress Hotel in Asbury Park on the New Jersey shore. I have been performing there for almost 20 years and used to go several times a year when I lived in NYC. Most of the staff have been there for that long or longer and there are all so sweet. It’s owned by Shep Pettibone, one of the biggest DJs of all time and of Vogue fame. They turn the dance room into a cabaret space with table and chairs and they have a great stage with legit lights and sound. Another plus, they own the hotel so there’s always a room for me. My friend Cookie usually picks me up at thr train station and we go to lunch across the street. The audience is a fun mix of local gays and straight cis-gender women who go crazy! lol. It’s like, “I’ve left the husband and kids at home, give me 5 drinks and sing me something filthy.” The next morning my friend Jesse always picks me up for breakfast at this greasy spoon we love and then he drives me to the train station and it’s off to Rehoboth Beach.
Before I talk about The Blue Moon (35 Baltimore Ave, Rehoboth Beach), a little history; I used to go there when I was a teenager. My family vacationed in Ocean City, MD but once I was curious about this “gay area” called Poodle Beach, yes, Poodle Beach! I was on a bus to investigate. And then in college my gaggle of gays were head to Rehoboth and have drinks at the Blue Moon. Fast forward 25 years and I’m now getting paid to perform there! Crazy! I’ve been doing a show every summer there for 18 years now and it’s always a blast. The owners, Tim and Randy, treat me like royalty and they were so good the late, dear, Cashetta. They even have a plaque on the street for her and the dressing room is dedicated to her memory. The food is DIVINE! I look forward to the crab cakes every year, literally the best in the world. The show is always so fun with a lot of regulars who come to see me every summer; including residents divas, Magnolia and Roxy. This year I had the added treat of seeing and hanging out with Mother Mona.
That was just June!! Much more to come…
SHERRY VINE | Drag Legend Sherry Vine has been performing for 35 years. She tours the world with her all-live singing comedy shows, and is the star/writer of The Sherry Vine Variety Show (all 3 seasons available on OUTtv). On YouTube, her video parodies have been viewed over 20,000,000 times. Most recently, she opened for Bianca del Rio across the globe. Sherry can be seen starring as Blanche in the Golden Girlz Live in LA. For the Music/Merch page of her website, click here.
In Ptown, Sherry Vine and Varla Jean Merman show off scars from recent surgery.
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