Sundays at Café Tabac - The Podcast

Terez Mychelle is a thespian, entertainment executive and an accomplished administrator with more than thirty-five (35) years of experience working with Non-Profit Organizations, privately and publicly funded organizations, and LGBTQIA+ Global Foundations. Currently, Terez serves as Executive Director for Global Collective, a Global hybrid luxury branding, marketing, management, and talent agency. As a trained thespian, and entertainment executive Terez has produced shows in community theatre, off Broadway, concerts, and managed tours. Terez is a GLAAD Media Award winner, New York City Supportive Housing Trailblazer Award, Unity Fellowship Church L.I.F.E Award and Black Pride Trailblazer Award recipient respectively. She is a Brand Ambassador for the International LGBT Arts and Culture Music Festival. Terez is the owner/operator of True Lounge in Newark New Jersey and excited to join forces with the New Jersey Pride Chamber of Commerce. She resides in New Jersey with her wife, Monifa Carter and their fur baby, Brave. Support the Show. Recorded at The Newsstand Studio at 1 Rockefeller Plaza in NYC. Special thanks to Joseph Hazan & Karen Song. Produced by Wanda Acosta • Find us: @cafetabacfilm on Instagram & Facebook • Email us: info@cafetabacfilm.com • Website: cafetabacfilm.com/podcast • LEAVE A REVIEW

In May 2017, Uli Schackmann and her loyal canine companion, Jackson, took off on a six-thousand-mile solo bicycle trip from Alaska to Key West, Florida, to raise money and bring attention to the cause of HIV/AIDS. What began as a daring dream-come-true quickly became a physically and emotionally challenging adventure as Uli battled her own fears and the elements, surviving encounters with bears, rattlesnakes, cougars, and other wildlife. However, her most profound and life-changing encounters were with the people she met along the way—complete strangers who exhibited to Uli, a gay woman and a U.S. immigrant, both the best and the worst of humanity during a very divided time in America. Uli's Journey - Angels along the Way Uli's website AMFAR Support the Show. Recorded at The Newsstand Studio at 1 Rockefeller Plaza in NYC. Special thanks to Joseph Hazan & Karen Song. Produced by Wanda Acosta • Find us: @cafetabacfilm on Instagram & Facebook • Email us: info@cafetabacfilm.com • Website: cafetabacfilm.com/podcast • LEAVE A REVIEW

MURRAY HILL is a NYC legend, comedian, TV host, MC, an international entertainer, a relentless shtick slinger, larger-than-life personality, and freewheeling ad-libber. He plays Fred Rococo in Bridget Everett’s Somebody Somewhere (HBO). The show was awarded many “Best of 2022 & 2023” Awards, including “Best New TV Series” from AFI and was just renewed for a third season. He hosts the new competition show Drag Me To Dinner (Hulu). He can be seen on Amy Schumer’s Life & Beth and Welcome to Flatch (FOX) and upcoming in Paul Feig’s movie Grand Death Lotto (Amazon Studios) starring John Cena and Awkwafina. Murray was just a special guest correspondent for ABC News and Hulu’s live historic “Pride Across America” which featured Pride marches in SF, NYC, and Chicago. NBC News selected him as one of the 30 most iconic and influential drag performers in modern history and was selected as one of Logo30 for being a change maker in entertainment. Murray was awarded the New York Voices commission from Joe’s Pub at The Public Theater, where he debuted About to Break. His infamous holiday show A Murray Little Christmas has been a perennial sold-out destination for a decade at Joe’s Pub in NYC. He performed his solo comedy show at Just for Laughs, New York Comedy Festival, and Edinburgh Fringe Festival. For 10 years, Murray hosted Dita Von Teese’s international tour Strip Strip Hooray. He starred for two seasons at the Sydney Opera House in Club Swizzle, which toured major festivals throughout Australia. He’s in music videos for Peaches, Countess Luann, TV on the Radio, The Regrettes, LeTigre, Joan as Police Woman, Bridget Everett, and Gossip. The New York Times anointed Murray “Downtown’s New ‘It’ Boy.” He’s been included in “Best of New York” lists in the Village Voice, Time Out, PAPER, and New York Magazine; inducted into PAPER’s Nightlife Hall of Fame; selected as OUT’s Top 100 influential performers twice; included in New York Magazine’s “Fifty Most Iconic Gender Benders of All Time” and PAPER’s “Top Ten ‘It’ Boys in NYC Nightlife History”; and named one of the Top 12 gender-bending performers in NYC by Time Out. He was recently awarded the Trailblazer Award by Queerty. His campaign for Mayor of New York in 1996 was inducted in the New York Historical Society. Photo: Patrick James Miller Support the Show. Recorded at The Newsstand Studio at 1 Rockefeller Plaza in NYC. Special thanks to Joseph Hazan & Karen Song. Produced by Wanda Acosta • Find us: @cafetabacfilm on Instagram & Facebook • Email us: info@cafetabacfilm.com • Website: cafetabacfilm.com/podcast • LEAVE A REVIEW

PATRICIA FIELD, is a native New Yorker and one of fashion's greatest visionaries whose multi-faceted career has spanned more than five decades. Her distinctive approach to dressing is evident through her work as a costume designer. Field single handedly changed the way women dress through the HBO series Sex and the City and it's feature films. For her work on SATC Field won an Emmy Award and received five nominations for Best Costume Design. Field also received an Academy Award nomination for the film, The Devil Wears Prada as well as continued recognition for her work on television series such as Ugly Betty, Hope & Faith, and most recently for the hit Netflix series, Emily in Paris. Field is also a seasoned retailer, establishing her eponymous boutique in New York City in 1966, which remained a fashion landmark for 50 years. In 2016 Field sold her iconic retail property and launched a new concept, ARTFASHION. Born out of her long personal ties to New York art community legends like Keith Haring and Basquiat, ARTFASHION now sees Field as curator, working with an impressive group of today’s talented visual artists who, under Field’s guidance, have applied their unique aesthetics to hand painted one-of-a-kind clothing. In February 2023, Patricia published her memoir, Pat in the City: My Life of Fashion, Style, and Breaking All the Rules, where she chronicles everything from love, passion, culture, and the phenomenon that occurs when all three intersect with art. Pat Field on instagram Support the Show. Recorded at The Newsstand Studio at 1 Rockefeller Plaza in NYC. Special thanks to Joseph Hazan & Karen Song. Produced by Wanda Acosta • Find us: @cafetabacfilm on Instagram & Facebook • Email us: info@cafetabacfilm.com • Website: cafetabacfilm.com/podcast • LEAVE A REVIEW

CARL CAPOTORTO, is a writer, and actor best known for his portrayal of Little Paulie Germani on HBO's The Sopranos, and has appeared in several classic indie features, including Five Corners and Mac. He is a native New Yorker, born and raised in the Bronx, and lives in Manhattan. He is also the author of Twisted Head: An Italian-American Memoir (Random House, 2008), based on his solo show of the same name. His plays have been presented at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center (three seasons), Yale Repertory Theatre, the Vineyard Theater, Theater for the New City, and many other venues around the country. In this episode, Carl talks about growing up in the Bronx, discovering the liberating effects of Disco for a young gay man, his experience playing a tough guy on The Sopranos and the joy of living life authentically despite the challenges of family and self discovery. Support the Show. Recorded at The Newsstand Studio at 1 Rockefeller Plaza in NYC. Special thanks to Joseph Hazan & Karen Song. Produced by Wanda Acosta • Find us: @cafetabacfilm on Instagram & Facebook • Email us: info@cafetabacfilm.com • Website: cafetabacfilm.com/podcast • LEAVE A REVIEW

Multidisciplinary artist Mickalene Thomas is one the the most well know contemporary artists in the art scene today. She is a queer identified, African American woman working and residing in Brooklyn NY. Her visual work examines ideas around femininity, beauty, race, sexuality, and gender. In this episode, Mickalene speaks about her complex relationship with her mother, who inspired and influenced her photography and paintings, and set a trajectory for her visual work, as well as personal recollections on her journey of self awareness, queer liberation and coming to terms with the past. Mickalene Thomas's work is held in many collections, including, The Art Institute of Chicago, The Brooklyn Museum, The Guggenheim Museum, The Smithsonian American Art Museum, The Studio Museum of Harlem among many others. Photo: © Mickalene Thomas Support the Show. Recorded at The Newsstand Studio at 1 Rockefeller Plaza in NYC. Special thanks to Joseph Hazan & Karen Song. Produced by Wanda Acosta • Find us: @cafetabacfilm on Instagram & Facebook • Email us: info@cafetabacfilm.com • Website: cafetabacfilm.com/podcast • LEAVE A REVIEW

Rebecca Weinberg an Emmy Award winning Fashion Stylist, Costume Designer and Brand Ambassador, she is best known for her creations and styling on the hit tv series Sex & the City. Rebecca is a tastemaker, a visionary and a downtown NYC queer personality. In this episode, Rebecca shares her childhood memories of growing up with her single mom, her adventures during those rebellious teen years, falling in love for the first time and her emancipation to New York City after coming out to her mom. You can follow Rebecca on Instagram @rebeccaweinbergstyle Support the Show. Recorded at The Newsstand Studio at 1 Rockefeller Plaza in NYC. Special thanks to Joseph Hazan & Karen Song. Produced by Wanda Acosta • Find us: @cafetabacfilm on Instagram & Facebook • Email us: info@cafetabacfilm.com • Website: cafetabacfilm.com/podcast • LEAVE A REVIEW

In this episode, we welcome shapeshifting DJ, producer and activist Lauren Flax. Lauren began her career in the underground Detroit music scene where she evolved her style into techno, house, and electro music. More recently she is producing and recording her own music and we are pleased to showcase some of her music throughout this episode. She began her DJ career in the underground dance and rave scenes of Detroit as a resident at the Motor Lounge. Flax played the very first Detroit Electronic Music Festival in 2000 on the Motor stage. While originally starting off as a jungle DJ, Flax evolved her style into techno, house, and electro music. Flax moved to Chicago in 1999, where she honed in on music production while continuing to DJ. By 2002, she relocated to New York City which shortly followed the release of her first remix, "Much Finer" for Le Tigre. In 2019, Flax joined the mostly Detroit-born New York collective The Bunker New York, on which she released "One Man’s House is Another Woman’s Techno EP" (2019). The EP was highly successful and sold out quickly. More recently she linked up with UK rave veterans Jerome Hill and Posthuman, putting out suitably club-ready fare on their respective Super Rhythm Trax and Balkan Vinyl labels. She has also found the time to release Out Of Reality, Flax’s new EPa record that sits at the opposite end of the electronic spectrum. Right now, her activism is dedicated to making the Rave scene safer in the most fundamental of ways by hosting invaluable harm reduction classes and overdose response training. You can follow Lauren on Spotify and Instagram @laurenflax Support the Show. Recorded at The Newsstand Studio at 1 Rockefeller Plaza in NYC. Special thanks to Joseph Hazan & Karen Song. Produced by Wanda Acosta • Find us: @cafetabacfilm on Instagram & Facebook • Email us: info@cafetabacfilm.com • Website: cafetabacfilm.com/podcast • LEAVE A REVIEW

ZUHAIR NASHER is a queer-identified, first generation Yemeni-American man born and raised in Queens, New York. He is a risk manager in the financial services and technology industries, and a marriage officiant, presiding over weddings and ceremonies throughout the country. For more information and bookings, visit: http://www.wordsthatlast.com. Support the Show. Recorded at The Newsstand Studio at 1 Rockefeller Plaza in NYC. Special thanks to Joseph Hazan & Karen Song. Produced by Wanda Acosta • Find us: @cafetabacfilm on Instagram & Facebook • Email us: info@cafetabacfilm.com • Website: cafetabacfilm.com/podcast • LEAVE A REVIEW

Andrea is an original patron of Sundays at Café Tabac, and a participant in the upcoming documentary film based on those fabulous Sunday nights in NYC circa 1993. Originally from Washington DC, Andrea arrived in NYC as a model working with some of the biggest names in fashion, and became a sought after muse. After the tragedy of 911, Andrea decided to change careers and became a canine specialist recognized by the ASPCA of NYC for her fearless dedication and praised in Time Magazine for her dog care system. dreadogworld.com Support the Show. Recorded at The Newsstand Studio at 1 Rockefeller Plaza in NYC. Special thanks to Joseph Hazan & Karen Song. Produced by Wanda Acosta • Find us: @cafetabacfilm on Instagram & Facebook • Email us: info@cafetabacfilm.com • Website: cafetabacfilm.com/podcast • LEAVE A REVIEW

ELINA STREET, is a Franco-American filmmaker based in Brooklyn, NY and co-director of "The Lesbian Bar Project," the documentary film and campaign dedicated to raising awareness for the alarming trend of lesbian bar closures nationwide. Elina and her team have also created a fundraising project with the help of Jagermeister's #SaveTheNight campaign, to raise $200K in critical funds to help save our bars. In this intimate interview, Elina shares with us the seeds of this project through her coming out story and the vital role New York City's lesbian bars played in her own self-discovery and empowerment. You can watch Elina and Erica's film at www.lesbianbarproject.com and we urge you to also consider making a donation through their website, to help save our bars. The fundraiser runs only until the end of June, so please support this effort without delay. Support the Show. Recorded at The Newsstand Studio at 1 Rockefeller Plaza in NYC. Special thanks to Joseph Hazan & Karen Song. Produced by Wanda Acosta • Find us: @cafetabacfilm on Instagram & Facebook • Email us: info@cafetabacfilm.com • Website: cafetabacfilm.com/podcast • LEAVE A REVIEW

In this episode, we are so thrilled to welcome Hall of Fame basketball legend and New Yorker, Sue Wicks. Her distinguished career is defined by records set and numerous accolades, MVP, all-star game and gold medal honors. She played forward in the WNBA for our very own hometown team, the New York Liberty since its inaugural season and was awarded the 2001 Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award and was consistently voted fan favorite. You will soon understand why. Whether on or off the court, her characteristic humility and empathy makes it no surprise that she was, and still is a natural leader and a role model, especially for women, girls and LGBTQ people. Notably, Sue is the rare pioneer who paved the way for professional athletes to be out during their career. Even now in her role as owner of Violet Cove Oyster Company here in Long Island, she is making her mark as an oyster farmer and environmental activist for New York's waterways. If you want to learn more about Sue Wicks's oyster farm, check out: violetcoveoysters.com . And to learn more about harbor restoration initiatives, visit: billionoysterproject.org Support the Show. Recorded at The Newsstand Studio at 1 Rockefeller Plaza in NYC. Special thanks to Joseph Hazan & Karen Song. Produced by Wanda Acosta • Find us: @cafetabacfilm on Instagram & Facebook • Email us: info@cafetabacfilm.com • Website: cafetabacfilm.com/podcast • LEAVE A REVIEW

In part 2 of this podcast, we continue our conversation with Tara Rodriguez Besosa, a queer, latinx, agro-architect, organizer, and living resource within the sustainable & queer food, agroecology movements. Tara has increased access to local food economies, spotlighting the value of farmers within economic transitions from extractive to regenerative practices. She also invests a lot her time at OtraCosa, a queer collective land sanctuary in Caguas, Puerto Rico. In this episode, Tara discusses how queer farming practices are used to create resilience through food sovereignty and more. Support the Show. Recorded at The Newsstand Studio at 1 Rockefeller Plaza in NYC. Special thanks to Joseph Hazan & Karen Song. Produced by Wanda Acosta • Find us: @cafetabacfilm on Instagram & Facebook • Email us: info@cafetabacfilm.com • Website: cafetabacfilm.com/podcast • LEAVE A REVIEW

Tara Rodríguez Besosa (she/they/ellx), born, raised and based in Borikén (Puerto Rico), works at the powerful intersection of queer community and food sovereignty, often sharing how queer and agroecological practices are essential for the transition from extractive to regenerative food systems, as well as collective models and shared resources that empower those who grow, cook, and work towards decolonized bodies and lands. She is co-founder of projects ranging from a DIY architect-run gallery in Brooklyn, to El Departamento de la Comida in Puerto Rico, to arts venues like El Local en Santurce and a collective queer land project, OtraCosa. In this episode, Tara recounts her hesitation, desire and ultimate coming out to her beloved Abuela (grandmother). Recorded at The Newstand Studio at 1 Rockefeller Plaza in NYC with Joseph Hazan. Photo credit: Ana Paula Teixeira Support the Show. Recorded at The Newsstand Studio at 1 Rockefeller Plaza in NYC. Special thanks to Joseph Hazan & Karen Song. Produced by Wanda Acosta • Find us: @cafetabacfilm on Instagram & Facebook • Email us: info@cafetabacfilm.com • Website: cafetabacfilm.com/podcast • LEAVE A REVIEW

Sherry Vine (a.k.a. Keith Levy) has been performing her hilarious comedy shows, which features her "live" singing and saucy renditions of hit songs for over 30 years, earning her the title of Drag Legend. In this episode, we hear Keith's joyful coming out story amidst the growing pains of self identity, and the hilarious reality of having to come out "twice", once as a queer man and second, as a drag performer. She is the star and writer of her own variety show, She's Living For This, which is currently streaming on Hulu and can be seen in numerous movies and TV shows. She is a founding member of Theatre Couture, and is The Queen of YouTube, where her video parodies have been viewed over 19 million times. Sherry recently moved to LA where she can be seen as “Blanche” in Golden Girlz Live, Battle of The Bitches (with BFF Jackie Beat) and is enjoying living the showgirl life. Sherry is currently touring her new one “woman” show Hollywood & Vine. www.sherryvine.com youtube.com/misssherryvine instagram: @misssherryvine Support the Show. Recorded at The Newsstand Studio at 1 Rockefeller Plaza in NYC. Special thanks to Joseph Hazan & Karen Song. Produced by Wanda Acosta • Find us: @cafetabacfilm on Instagram & Facebook • Email us: info@cafetabacfilm.com • Website: cafetabacfilm.com/podcast • LEAVE A REVIEW

SAM FEDER is an award-winning director and producer whose films explore the intersection of visibility and politics along the lines of race, class, and gender in trans lives, while working towards higher ethical standards in filmmaking. His current film, Disclosure (streaming now on Netflix), which world-premiered at the Sundance Film Festival 2020 to high acclaim, thoroughly examines the history of transgender representation in film and television, revealing how Hollywood simultaneously reflects and manufactures our deepest anxieties about gender. His previous film, Kate Bornstein is a Queer and Pleasant Danger—portrait of trans icon Kate Bornstein—was named one of the best documentaries of 2014 by The Advocate, and won the James Aronson Award for Social Justice Journalism, among many other best feature film awards. His films were most notably programmed by the Sundance Film Festival, Tribeca Film Festival, CPH:DOX, MOMA PS-1, The British Film Institute, The Hammer Museum, and were featured in hundreds of film festivals globally. In this episode, Sam reflects on the mechanisms of coming out as he navigates his family, friends, and queer community, and discusses the paradox of trans visibility today, which led to the creation of Disclosure. Support the Show. Recorded at The Newsstand Studio at 1 Rockefeller Plaza in NYC. Special thanks to Joseph Hazan & Karen Song. Produced by Wanda Acosta • Find us: @cafetabacfilm on Instagram & Facebook • Email us: info@cafetabacfilm.com • Website: cafetabacfilm.com/podcast • LEAVE A REVIEW

Javier Peral is an internationally known sound stylist, music producer and music director, renowned for his intrinsic approach to sound design. He one of the most sought-after names for fashion show soundtracks, as well as creating music for art videos, performance and film. Born and raised in Madrid, Javier has been a fixture on the music scene since arriving in New York City in the early 1990s, where he was a DJ at the beloved East Village queer space, Wonderbar. In this episode, Javier brings us to his teen years in Madrid, where he discovers his sexuality, goes to his first gay club, gets outed by his mom and more. This episode was recorded at The Newstand Studio at 1 Rockefeller Plaza in NYC, with Joseph Hazan. Photo: Robert Mapplethorpe Support the Show. Recorded at The Newsstand Studio at 1 Rockefeller Plaza in NYC. Special thanks to Joseph Hazan & Karen Song. Produced by Wanda Acosta • Find us: @cafetabacfilm on Instagram & Facebook • Email us: info@cafetabacfilm.com • Website: cafetabacfilm.com/podcast • LEAVE A REVIEW

KIMBERLY BLISS, is a Philippine-born, Buffalo-bred and Brooklyn-boroughed novelist for hire. Her work has appeared in Hobart and Dime Show Review, she was a 2020 resident at the New Orleans Writers' Residency, and this summer's guest fiction editor at Hobart. She is currently working on her Great American Novel set in the Philippines, Death in Manila. Find her online at kimberlybliss.com and Twitter @blisster. Support the Show. Recorded at The Newsstand Studio at 1 Rockefeller Plaza in NYC. Special thanks to Joseph Hazan & Karen Song. Produced by Wanda Acosta • Find us: @cafetabacfilm on Instagram & Facebook • Email us: info@cafetabacfilm.com • Website: cafetabacfilm.com/podcast • LEAVE A REVIEW

LESLIE COHEN, is someone you might’ve often seen, but not necessarily have known it was her. She and her partner of 44 years, Beth Suskin, sit out in front of Stonewall in NYC, all day everyday. They were the models that posed for George Segal in 1979 and are immortalized in the sculptures at Christopher Park in front of Stonewall. Segal, despite being a highly established artist at the time, had a hard time finding models brave enough to pose for the statues that would commemorate the 1969 Stonewall Riots which marked the birth of the gay liberation movement. Leslie was also one of the 5 women who in 1976, created the first club owned and operated for women, by women, the legendary Sahara, at 1234 Second Ave at 65th street. This was no small feat then. Or even now. Then, it provided a safe haven from the seedy gay nightlife which was wholly run by and exploited by the mafia. It was a time when it was difficult for women to even obtain a state liquor license to open such a business, where a husband or father were required to sign the necessary legal documents. Sahara was a new vision for a women’s space, elevated, celebratory, and above-ground. Leslie brought her sensibilities having worked in the art world to bring to it its salon-like vibe, which would attract celebrities who appeared or performed there such as... Jane Fonda, Tom Hayden, Patti Smith, Pat Benatar, Nona Hendryx, Warren Beatty, Gilda Radner, Jane Curtin, Betty Friedan, Gloria Steinem, Bella Abzug, and Elaine Noble, the first openly gay state Representative. Her legacy of contributing to our community and history is rich, and it is rooted in love. Foremost. Love for her Beth, and love for her community. Leslie has just published her memoir “The Audacity of a Kiss, Love Art & Liberation” through Rutgers University Press which will be out Fall/Winter of 2021/2022. You can also find out more about Sahara online at storiesofsahara.com Support the Show. Recorded at The Newsstand Studio at 1 Rockefeller Plaza in NYC. Special thanks to Joseph Hazan & Karen Song. Produced by Wanda Acosta • Find us: @cafetabacfilm on Instagram & Facebook • Email us: info@cafetabacfilm.com • Website: cafetabacfilm.com/podcast • LEAVE A REVIEW

Linda Villarosa is an award-winning author, journalist, educator and activist, she is a contributing writer and editor for the New York Times Magazine, the NYT at large and its Science Times, where she covers race, inequality and health. She authored 3 books, was the former executive editor of Essence Magazine, and is the current director of the journalism program at the City College of New York where she teaches reporting, writing and Black Studies In this episode, Linda shares with us here, her truly inspiring and uniquely public coming out story. Support the Show. Recorded at The Newsstand Studio at 1 Rockefeller Plaza in NYC. Special thanks to Joseph Hazan & Karen Song. Produced by Wanda Acosta • Find us: @cafetabacfilm on Instagram & Facebook • Email us: info@cafetabacfilm.com • Website: cafetabacfilm.com/podcast • LEAVE A REVIEW