NEXT MAG PROFILED THE GANG FROM FORNABIOVOSS EVENTA WHICH PRODUCES ROCKIT FRIDAYS AND CLUB 57 ON SATURDAY NIGHTS. I LOVE ALL OF THESE FOOLS AND HERE'S THE UNEDITED INTERVIEW WHICH I FOUND QUITE AMUSING. AND THE ANNIVERSARY OF ROCKIT IS THIS FRIDAY!
NAME: Brandon Voss
AGE: Way younger than TonyRELATIONSHIP WITH ROCKIT and.../or FV EVENTS: I do all the work and get Tony drinks.
ORIGINALLY FROM: Florida
NEIGHBORHOOD OF RESIDENCE: Hells KitchenFUN FACT ABOUT YOU: I have a mild obsession with trannies and drag queens.
BIGGEST MISCONCEPTION ABOUT YOU: I sleep with trannies and drag queens.
How was nightlife changed for the gay community in the last year? More options and a continued migration North (ie: Hells Kitchen). New York was getting a reputation for a stagnant nightlife especially in the gay community. I like to think we are helping to change that.
Were you surprised when Rockit (and in turn Club 57) blew up like they did? A little, but I had a feeling New York was ready for something new. We put such an incredible amount of effort into these parties, it is good to know that it is noticed and appreciated.How has nightlife surprised you in the last year? I’m surprised that Shequida is still doing that damn Whitney Houston number and even more surprised that there is anyone left in the city that hasn’t already seen it twenty times.
What has been the most exciting part about Rockit and/or FV Events? Hearing all the positive feedback from people who literally thank us for providing such a fun place to go is very exciting for me. Having a diverse nightlife is especially important in New York since most of us live in shoeboxes. It’s a stressful place to live and Nightclubs provide a much needed place to socialize and relax with friends.
What has been the most surprising part about Rockit and/or FV Events? The number of times Lady Bunny has busted her foot dancing at Rockit and the fact that a broken foot doesn’t really stop her.
What do you attribute the success of your parties too? I think it’s a combination of timing, hard work, and the team we have put together. We all have such a blast working together and I think that shows in the success of our events. Tony is my business partner, but also one of my best friends. We put a tremendous amount of effort into our parties and pay attention to every detail from the performances to the lighting to the bus boys. We try to bring something new each week to keep the party fresh.What is the number one highlight from your last year? Hanging out with Kylie Minogue and Fergie at Club 57 on Halloween was pretty exciting. They literally stayed and partied with us all night and I am a HUGE Kylie fan. Finding Ke$ha passed out in the lounge after the club closed was a highlight for me as well.
What does the success of FV Events say about the gay community? I think it demonstrates that our community still needs places to party and blow off steam. It shows they appreciate a quality product.
What does year 2 hold for FV events? Lots more surprises. We have some of the biggest names yet scheduled to come perform at Club 57. This summer we will be offering a weekly party in Fire Island and have a several special Sunday events planned for various charities. Watch out for our first big gay pride event this year…
Tell us about the anniversary party? The anniversary party will be held at Rockit on Friday April 2nd. Rockit was mine and Tony’s first venture together so it seemed appropriate to hold the party there. We’ve put in an entirely new permanent light show upstairs and the evening will be hosted by Shequida and Epiphany. We’ve convinced the two of them to do a duet which was like moving mountains, but they finally agreed. We also brought in recording artist Danni D to perform her new single. She’s great, could be the next Britney Spears. There is also a cool video montage of Rockit, Key Klub and Club 57 over the past year. Plus lots of other surprises, but that’s all I can tell you for now.
When we look back on gay New York 20 years from know, how will FV events be remembered? Remembered? We will still be throwing parties, Shequida will still be performing that tired Whitney number, Bunny will still be dancing with a broken foot, Epiphany still won’t be able to sing and Tony will still be drunk.
Or (in case you don’t use my other answers the above may not make sense)
Remembered? We will still be throwing parties and Tony will still be drunk.
Anything else we should know? We are very thankful Ben Soloman at Next decided to put this story on the cover of the magazine!!!!
NAME: Lady Bunion
AGE: Fuck off!
RELATIONSHIP WITH ROCKIT and/or FV EVENTS: DJ/Clown
ORIGINALLY FROM: Wilmington, NC
NEIGHBORHOOD OF RESIDENCE: Greenwich Village
FUN FACT ABOUT YOU: I'm Every Woman. It's all in me.BIGGEST
MISCONCEPTION ABOUT YOU: That I like Shequida. How did you get involved with FV Events (not for Tony/Brandon) I have known Tony for over a decade. We have some mutual friends and we've even wound up eating Thanksgiving din-din together a few times. Brandon and I had never met--although curiously HX had an editor of the same name. Due to our sick sense of humor, Brandon and I hit it off immediately and both he and Tony have a rare combo of businesslike AND fun.
How was nightlife changed for the gay community in the last year? I miss the big clubs like the Roxy and Palladium. Grunge ushered in the lounge-y clubs which certainly appeal to many. But if I'm getting dolled up to see and be seen, I prefer a larger, pumping venue and Club 57 is bringing that back.
Where you surprised when Rockit (and in turn Club 57) blew up like they did? No. Unlike Epiphany, I'm accustomed to success.
How has nightlife surprised you in the last year? Brandon and Tony assured me before I started that the crowd at Rockit was gorgeous. I thought "Yeah, whatever. Just pay me!" But they were so right! The downstairs space I play in is cavernous and sexy so there is a hunky god popping up around every corner. Last Friday, I made this guy pose for profile and frontal pics because his nose was so exquisite that I'm just gonna take those pics to the plastic surgeon and say "Give me this look!"
What has been the most exciting part about Rockit and/or FV Events? Keo plays pop upstairs and in order to have a different feel to the downstairs room, I mix it up with everything from r&b to latin house to alternative rock like the Ting Tings. And I'm thrilled that people remember classic house from the Roxy/Sound Factory's heyday like Ultra Nate, Barbara Tucker and Masters At Work because that was when NYC house ruled the world. You can't spin Britney and Gaga every night!
What has been the most surprising part about Rockit and/or FV Events? Breaking my foot while trying to dance! I know, "break-dancing" at my age!
What do you attribute the success of your parties too? I am certainly not a mixmaster, so I try to focus on good song selection and pull out some forgotten classics to gag them all. And I love to interact with the crowd and feel out their musical tastes. And feel them up whenever possible!What is the number one highlight from your last year? I got to open for Kelis this past Saturday by squirting milk out of my boobs to the tune of her hit Milkshake. But to show how considerate I am I used soy milk. Waking up the morning after you've been clubbing has a variety of smells that go with it--cigarettes, booze breath, vomit and depending on how wild you get, crack, cum and blood. I didn't want to add soured milk to that already stank mix. Because when I wake up to the smell of soured milk, I always wonder if I've completely blacked out and screwed a pregnant woman again. Not cute! What does the success of FV Events say about the gay community? That despite the rotten economy, we are ready to party again! And Rockit's no cover and open bar ensure a line down the street every week.
Tell us about the anniversary party? Unfortunately, I'll be out of town! I'm sure this is deliberate sabotage.
What does year 2 hold for FV events? Large raises! (Hint! Hint!) When we look back on gay New York 20 years from know, how will FV events be remembered? Sexy and fun and well-run with a very inclusive vibe.
NAME: Epiphany
AGE: 18RELATIONSHIP WITH ROCKIT and/or FV EVENTS: Kitchen Slave
ORIGINALLY FROM: San Diego
NEIGHBORHOOD OF RESIDENCE: WilliamsburgFUN FACT ABOUT YOU: I can tap dance
BIGGEST MISCONCEPTION ABOUT YOU: That i care what you think.How did you get involved with FV Events (not for Tony/Brandon)? After sleeping with Tony and Brandon for years i decided they should start paying me.
How was nightlife changed for the gay community in the last year? It seems that the "recession" has improved gay nightlife and there has been a sudden rise in new young queens and freaks that the scene has needed badly.
Where you surprised when Rockit (and in turn Club 57) blew up like they did? No, the formula was perfect from the beginning. I am very picky who i work for and knew they were winners right away.How has nightlife surprised you in the last year? I love how so many mainstream artists like Ke$ha, Kelis, Fergie and Kylie Minogue come party at our clubs. It's like the nightlife I always heard about is back.What has been the most exciting part about Rockit and/or FV Events? Getting barebacked in the slings in the backroom by Lady Bunny.What has been the most surprising part about Rockit and/or FV Events? Learning that Brandon Voss is a female to male transexual.
What do you attribute the success of your parties too? Quality vs. Quantity
What is the number one highlight from your last year? Seeing Ke$ha's vagina.
What does the success of FV Events say about the gay community? That there is one again, thank god.
Tell us about the anniversary party? We have some secret's im not allowed to tell:)What does year 2 hold for FV events? More of what we do best, create the most fun atmosphere for the classy gays!
When we look back on gay New York 20 years from now, how will FV events beremembered? Like Studio 54, a moment in time when people could party with rockstars, queens, and celebrities, straight and gay all at the same time.Anything else we should know? The globe is warming.
NAME: Keo Nozari
RELATIONSHIP WITH ROCKIT and/or FV EVENTS: Mainfloor DJ @ Rockit; Resident "Triumph Room" DJ on alternating Saturdays at Club 57
ORIGINALLY FROM: Minneapolis
NEIGHBORHOOD OF RESIDENCE: Chelsea
FUN FACT ABOUT YOU: I'm also a Billboard Top 20 recording artist
BIGGEST MISCONCEPTION ABOUT YOU: That my last name is really Minogue, I only date go-go boys and that I take music requests
How did you get involved with FV Events (not for Tony/Brandon): I DJ'd a big New Years loft party for Brandon and his friends 5 years ago.
How was nightlife changed for the gay community in the last year? People are dressing-up again! The music is more fun! Flavored vodka now comes in Acai and Root Beer flavors!
Were you surprised when Rockit (and in turn Club 57) blew up like they did? No. I was worried that Lady Bunny was involved, but they had me!
How has nightlife surprised you in the last year? Lady Bunny still has work! She's something like the energizer bunny, she keeps going and going... In the end there will be cockroaches, Cher and Lady Bunny.
What has been the most exciting part about Rockit and/or FV Events? Seeing our go-go boy Vic get naked every week!
What has been the most surprising part about Rockit and/or FV Events? How much booze Tony, Brandon, Bunny, Logan and Shequida consume -- and that there's still some left for the costumers!
What do you attribute the success of your parties too? ME! And maybe Brandon and Tony. Definitely not Lady Bunny or Shequida. But also the camaraderie between all of us that work together—the fun we have working together shows itself in the life of the party.
What is the number one highlight from your last year? Seeing Rockit incredibly busy week after week and playing for such an appreciative, fun, drunk and damn sexy crowd!
What does the success of FV Events say about the gay community? They love to get deliciously drunk and down-and-dirty at chi-chi places?
What does year 2 hold for FV events? More booze for Bunny, Brandon and Tony. More love and money for me!
When we look back on gay New York 20 years from know, how will FV events be remembered? Remembered? They'll still be too drunk to remember a thing!
NAME: ShequidaAGE: Really?
RELATIONSHIP WITH ROCKIT and/or FV EVENTS: Performer/Host/Cleaning Lady
ORIGINALLY FROM: Jamaica (the Island not Queens)
NEIGHBORHOOD OF RESIDENCE: West Village (for real bitches, not Harlem)
FUN FACT ABOUT YOU: I like to drink
BIGGEST MISCONCEPTION ABOUT YOU: I drink alot
How did you get involved with FV Events They Begged me
How was nightlife changed for the gay community in the last year? It’s slowly getting back to being FABULOUS
Where you surprised when Rockit (and in turn Club 57) blew up like they did? No not at all. NYC was ready for it How has nightlife surprised you in the last year? No not really. I am so old I have seen it all before :-)
What has been the most exciting part about Rockit and/or FV Events? They serve booze
What has been the most surprising part about Rockit and/or FV Events? That I actually remember some of it
NAME: COREY CRAIG
AGE: 39
RELATIONSHIP WITH ROCKIT and/or FV EVENTS: DJ
ORIGINALLY FROM: OKC / DALLAS NEIGHBORHOOD OF RESIDENCE: North Chelsea
FUN FACT ABOUT YOU: Hates green vegetables
BIGGEST MISCONCEPTION ABOUT YOU: I am straight (not)
How did you get involved with FV Events (not for Tony/Brandon): Tony would come to Star Lounge or I would see him holding court at Cuda and one day he approached me about spinning.
How was nightlife changed for the gay community in the last year? Fewer choices (not always bad) and different neighborhoods are shaping up to be the hotspots.
Where you surprised when Rockit (and in turn Club 57) blew up like they did? No, from the minute I set foot into Rockit, I knew these boys were on to something and had very good venue taste
How has nightlife surprised you in the last year? I looked up one day and saw the next generation of club goers. It excited and challenged me to keep going farther.
What has been the most exciting part about Rockit and/or FV Events? I have to say Club 57 because I have always wanted a consistent dancefloor here at home and the Triumph room gives me that.
What has been the most surprising part about Rockit and/or FV Events? The diversity within the audience. FV seems to understand that with the right combination of people, parties succeed!
What do you attribute the success of your parties too? The music, the vibe, the attitude.
What is the number one highlight from your last year? The Black and White Ball with Deborah Cox which FV events put on with Josh Wood
What does the success of FV Events say about the gay community? NYC isn't fading out.... we still got it!
NAME:Tony Fornabaio
AGE: Old Enough
RELATIONSHIP WITH ROCKIT and/or FV EVENTS: The one that drinks the most Jager and Jack.
ORIGINALLY FROM: NYC
NEIGHBORHOOD OF RESIDENCE: West Village
FUN FACT ABOUT YOU: I still love to breakdance and love high top sneakers
BIGGEST MISCONCEPTION ABOUT YOU: That I’m younger then I am.
How was nightlife changed for the gay community in the last year? I think it has become a closer community among drag queens trannies and gay men etc. I have even noticed that most gay promoters are supporting each other’s parties unlike the years before where most were segregated.
Where you surprised when Rockit (and in turn Club 57) blew up like they did? I was pleasantly surprised about Rockit. When 57 was opening I knew it would be a success from the anticipation of people in need of a weekly Saturday night dance party.
How has nightlife surprised you in the last year? My biggest surprise is all the incredible support that everyone has given us and to each other. I feel it was the year of bonding for many people that are active club goers.
What has been the most exciting part about Rockit and/or FV Events? The most exciting part has been working with Brandon and all the family we have developed that works with us plus the fun we have promoting our parties.
What has been the most surprising part about Rockit and/or FV Events? The most surprising part is the way it took off and all the love we got doing it.
What do you attribute the success of your parties too? All the people that support us weekly and that they know we are always there and accessible. Also Lady Bunny’s big wigs!
What is the number one highlight from your last year? Halloween really stands out. Especially having Kylie and Fergie at Club 57.
What does the success of FV Events say about the gay community? That they were in need of an event that was stylish and complimentary of their life style. The gay community knows there are options in the city but when they find what works they support it all the way.
Tell us about the anniversary party? Well lots of performances that we normally don't have at Rockit. Video of the past year with great footage of all our friends that have supported us and continue to. It's a montage to them as they so deserve it.What does year 2 hold for FV events? Possibility of hosting a night in fire island and a few once a month parties on Sundays to support a few benefits and holidays. Plus we are working on new performances and new talent from dancers to singers and DJs.
When we look back on gay New York 20 years from know, how will FV events be remembered? I think FVevents will be remembered as a great time had by all in an atmosphere that welcomed everyone and that Brandon and Tony not only ran it but were friendly and always approachable. Anything else we should know? There are but for now we have to keep it hush until things are confirmed. :)
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