Arts Project of Cherry Grove - Fire Island's Premier Community Theater

Darlings…..So much has been going on in the community since we had our last communique. The shows at the community house have been great fun and very well received.

My dears, did you see the set George McGarvey built for Ocean Aires?….Too Cedric Gibbons! And of course, Matt Baney’s latest installment of Legends. His zany shows are getting to be as demented as the Doctors Fund Benefit. I may have to speak to him about that!

The Title IX Tea was the latest in a series of fabulous afternoon teas. Hosted by Martha Pitkin at the lovely home of Mel Rock and Don Robb. Former Queen, (notice I did’nt say old) Beach DeBree showed up as Tanya Harding with bat in hand and current Queen, Yaneeda Dune was poor bloody Nancy Kerrigan….Too infamous!

Darlings, a word in your ear, for $20 admission, you get all you can drink, lovely canapes and a chance to rub elbows or whatever else you want to rub with our own friends and neighbors. The next tea will be, guess what dear hearts, its the Shapiro Sisters Kosher Tea. Yes, Shirley and I will be hosting what will be a very glamorous afternoon soiree at our little band box of a beach house at 271 West Walk. Take the jewels out of the vault and wear your mink stole (so what if its 95 degrees). We look forward to seeing all of you there….Too Pearl Mesta!

If you were one of the spectators at the Grove Gay Pride Parade, then you couldn’t miss the Arts Project “Camp” camp float. We were awarded a gift certificate to Top of the Bay for being best group, and, indeed we were!

As for the Invasion of the Pines, everyone seemed to be having a good time. As usual, Panzi did a bang up job of organizing the event. Shirley and I watched the parade of lovelies board the ferry. Aside from a few exceptions we had to ask “whatever happened to class?”

That’s it for now. Shirley sends love and Max sends lots of kisses.

Love, love, love Sylvia

Darlings – Quelle Soiree!! The miserable rainy weather did not put a damper on the Trailer Park Trash Tea. President of the Arts Project, Coco Love, opened her fabulous home for cocktails and trailer park hors d’oevres, consisting of twinkies, oreo’s and cheese whiz….Too Pepto Bismol!!!! Practically anyone who’s anyone in Cherry Grove was there. Board members, entertainers and just plain “folk” mingled and engaged in party chatter….Too Civilized!!! No loud drunken off island straights at this affair. Coco’s lavish home is the perfect setting. Guests mingling in the great room, chatting on the stairs leading to other levels and more people having a gay old time. We were greeted by Homecoming Queen Yaneeda Dunes, looking every bit a trashy motorcycle girl. “Old” Queeen Beach Debree dressed like the wife who was left in favor of the motorcycle cutie…Too House Frau!!! We were also treated to some entertainment from Coco with an asist from Bobbie Greenand Lola. Strictly entre nous, don’t leave Coco alone in a room with a can of cheese whiz….Too Dangerous!!! A raffle was also held and many prizes were won by excited revellers. The non stop cocktails were certainly worth the $20 admission, which, by the by, will help with various Community House projects.
If you missed this event be sure not to miss the next house party, “Title IX Tea” on July 9th. Shirley and I must shop for a sequined sport bra for that one…..Too Athletic!!!!

Love, love, love Sylvia

Darlings, T’is I, Sylvia Shapiro coming to you via our brand new website. Yes, not only will you be able to get the latest dish on whats going on in the community but, you will also be able to become a member of the Arts Project, become a VIP member and even order your theater seats to whatever show you want to see thru our website, its all too 21st century. Well, my dears, a new and exciting summer season is upon us and what a season its going to be. The Arts Project has come up with another novel and fun theme for this summer. Grab your canoe paddles, pitch your tent and put up the mosquito netting…we’re off to “Summer Camp”. Starting with our in-town party all the way to the end of season ball, its all about camp. Now I ask you, isn’t that a camp? I realize that many of you love to go to the meat rack to do some camping, but, this is not quite the same thing—or is it?

Strictly entre nous, what hot Cherry Grove leather man will soon be porn’s biggest (no pun intended) new star? Too X rated!! The new porn star’s name is Stone Fury (an alias if there ever was one) but, he is too divine and Shirley and I have known him (not in the biblical sense) for years and years.

There are many new and exciting shows scheduled including “GLAA” (Gay Glee). Too Clever!! Past favorites such as Ocean Aires XIII returns as well as, Legends IV “Camp C.A.M.P” Too Campy!! The Doctors Fund benefit show “Hubba Hubba Hubba, the 1940′s Revue” also returns…Too Rosie the Riveter!! Casino will be back in the Grove as well as, in the Pines…Too bi-coastal!!

Remember those fabulous Saturday teas? Well the Arts Project is bringing them back. Instead of being held at the local watering hole, various famous or infamous drag personalities will be opening their homes for these fun filled events. For an admission price of $20.00 (to benefit various community house projects to be announced) you get all the cocktails you can drink, some of our Cherry Grove personalities who have graciously consented to open their homes for these fun filled cocktail parties are those trailer park girls, Coco, Margo, Urban and Lola….Too trashy!!, The chic Shapiro Sisters…Too glamorous!!, and Beach Debree…Too sandy!! Admit it darlings, you just can’t wait to see the inside of these girls houses.

The community house has taken on the look of a summer camp lodge to add to the summer camp theme…Too rustic!! Keep in theme along with us by wearing our new cap and tee shirt with our Arts Project Summer Camp logo. Too Abercrombie & Fitch!! Also available is our fabulous canvas tote bag with your name, monogram or house name embroidered on it. Too L.L. Bean!! These totes are roomy enough for all your beach needs, your books and magazines, your pet and of course a wig and all your make-up. They are a special order and all our new merchandise is on our website store, so do check it out.

2010 Homecoming Queen Beach Debree crowned her lover Yaneeda Dune (could they be lesbians?) at our homecoming/membership party which was a rowdy evening of merry making. Lovely Arts Project President Coco Love introduce the hostesses, the ever witty Panzi and the ever glamorous Bella. My darling Shirley was first runner up, looking every inch a ravishing star. Other contestants were Robin Cradles, Ann Phetamine and in a campy appearance Harold Seely who went from sequin gown to leather, harness and jock….Too Jaw dropping!!!

Well darlings, that’s it for now. Shirley and I must dash off to Manalo Blahnik’s to get 2 pairs of high heeled hiking boots to add to our summer camp look.

Love, love, love….Sylvia Shapiro

P.S. No, my darlings your eyes did not deceive you at homecoming, that was indeed Rose Levine and myself waving and blowing kisses to each other across the room and posing for photographs together after 16 years….Too Hedda and Louella!!!

by Sylvia Shapiro

Darlings- Although the summer hasn’t started yet, the board of directors of the Arts Project of Cherry Grove pulled off their first triumph of the coming season: The In Town Party. It was held at the Gay and Lesbian Center in the village and it was all very gay. I mean that literally as well as figuratively. To announce the theme for the season, “The Greatest Shows on Earth”. The walls were decorated with vintage circus posters. Each table was done up in a different brightly colored table cloth with center pieces consisting of huge pop corn buckets. The buckets were filled with peanuts, cotton candy, toys and all kinds of circus treats. Multi colored balloons attached to the centerpieces floated above the tables….and darlings; they even had calliope music playing…Too Betty Hutton!

The open bar served the usual brunch cocktails, mimosas, bloody marys and my particular favorite, straight vodka. The food was too divine. Fresh fruit, French toast, glazed smoked ham, home fries, choice of omelets, assorted rolls, muffins, bagels and Danish. The big surprise at the end of the brunch was everyone was served ice cream cones in their choice of flavors…Too delicious!

The room was simply bursting with people eager to see some old friends and quite a few new faces. Of course, the buzz was going around about the upcoming season and some of the events the Arts Project board has planned. I’ll go into that in detail in my next communiqué. But, just to tease you a bit: Tommy Tune appearing on our community house stage?….Too terpsichorean! Casino night in the Pines?…Too exciting! No, no darlings that’s all you’re going to hear from these jungle red lips. Do watch out website for all the fabulous events to come.

Until next time……Love Love Love Sylvia Shapiro