On the last day of January, the Arts Project of Cherry Grove (APCG) began its 2016 season event schedule with its third annual “Winter Spectacular,” featuring favorite APCG and other Grove entertainers in a dozen-and-a-half numbers, at the historic landmarked Stonewall Inn on Christopher Street. Whore D’Oeuvre, assisted by Logan Hardcore, hosted; DJ Chauncey Dandridge was responsible for music, lights, and sound; and Mike Salinari was behind the bar. All performers volunteered services and all tips went to APCG. A total of $3,033 was raised for APCG at the benefit show, according to APCG Treasurer Eric Coyne.
As Mistress of Ceremonies and organizer of the fundraiser, Whore D’Oeuvre, Cherry Grove Homecoming Queen 2014, got the ball rolling by dedicating a rousing “Empire,” of Ella Henderson, to Cherry Grove Community Association, Inc. President Diane Romano; to our historic landmarked Community House; and to Whore’s own spouse Matthew George. APCG President, Grove Invasion of the Pines founder, and first—and second—Grove Homecoming Queen (HQ) Panzi and past HQ Philomena collaborated on a zesty “River Deep—Mountain High.” Reigning HQ Demi-Tasse took us back to Napoli with a spirited “Mambo Italiano.” Logan Hardcore offered an answer to Adele’s “Hello” in a mash-up that also included greetings from Lionel Richie, Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Kathleen Turner, “The Book of Mormon,” and Steve Harvey, and sang the final “Hello” in her own voice. Then Whore D’Oeuvre brought her mother to the stage to share a moment.
Saline Dijon sang a lovely “My Heart Will Go On,” introduced with an a cappella vocalise version of the “Titanic” theme. Kenny Holcomb recalled “Family Ties” by singing a dramatic “At This Moment.” Lavinia Draper dazzled us, singing “One Night Only,” from “Dreamgirls,complete with a spin and a split. Whore D’Oeuvre remembered Whitney Houston with “Nothin’ But Love” and offered a bawdy “My Cat Fell in the Well,” with Lavinia portraying the faithful feline. Panzi coughed up a storm in “The Girl with Emphysema,” a louche, nicotine-stained take on “The Girl from Ipanema,” and Philomena regaled us with the tale of the lusty “Lady from 29 Palms.”
Logan entrusted us with the secret of waking up looking as “Flawless” as Beyoncé, and introduced this writer and baritone, who sang “The Rose” and “Unchained Melody.” Saline brought down the house singing Annie Lennox’s “Walking on Broken Glass.” Kenny delivered a stentorian “(We’re all alone now and I’m singing this) Song for You,” and Kenny and Lavinia joined voices to invite us to the “Last Dance.” Whore D’Oeuvre, assisted by Panzi, gave us another take on “One Night Only” and Logan paid energetic tribute to Natalie Cole with “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.”
APCG’s season continues with “The Out of Town In-Town Party” at J. Mark’s Restaurant, in Fort Lauderdale, on February 21 at 12:30 p.m., and the “In-Town Party NYC,” at Bocca di Bacco, in Chelsea, on March 6 at 12:30 p.m. Visit www.artsprojectcherrygrove.org for further information.