The New York LGBTQ+ scene is slowly recovering from the pandemic and the famous Lips NYC nightclub is finally re-opening with a post-pandemic showstopper.
If anyone felt the impact of COVID last year it was the entertainment industry. In the LGBT community drag queens were out of work and took to social media to perform for viewers with mobile payment services to get their coins.
But now with social distancing rules easing up a bit LGBTQ+ spaces and entertainment venues are ready to re-open to all travelers in a post-pandemic world.
One of those hotspots is Lips NYC. Lips is celebrating 25 years of drag entertainment with a grand opening on Thursday, May 20, 2021.
“The queens have spent their time in quarantine sewing new outfits and working on new numbers,” says Lips’ co-founder Edward LaFaye. “They are all vaccinated now and excited to present lots of classic and contemporary diva tracks including their new version of the song that has always been their anthem, but now more so than ever, Gloria Gaynor's ‘I will Survive.’”
With international travel guidelines still shaky most travelers are staying stateside at least this year. For pilgrims eager to plan an American staycation, Lips also has theaters in Atlanta, Fort Lauderdale, San Diego, and Chicago.
LaFaye says the pandemic didn't drive a wedge between the New York City performers. In fact, it had the opposite effect.
“All the staff kept in touch through social media and with lots of long phone calls through the pandemic,” he says. “It was so important to everyone, many of whom have been at Lips since day one, that the palace return for its 25th anniversary year. We are so incredibly thankful this day has come.”
If you're headed to New York and want to help Lips NYC celebrate in the grand re-opening there are a few things you should know about safety.
First, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines will be followed, and all performers will be wearing masks as they move around the theater interacting with guests. There will also be plexiglass partitions for added security.
Limited seating is in place with patrons required to wear masks inside the showroom, but LaFaye says that restriction might change on July 1.
"We survived by sitting back and staying safe," says LaFaye. "Plus the ladies have been sewing and stoning glitz and glam outfits for the reopening."
Opening night at Lips NYC will feature all-new numbers, costumes, and a revamped DIVAS: Fabulous, Fierce and Flawless show.
For more information on Lips NYC, click HERE.
And don't forget to check out the Gaycation Travel Show on YouTube where Ravi Roth tours Manhattan with you on May 14, 2021. Click HERE and subscribe!
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