I’ll Take Manhattan is W42ST’s new column from legendary NYC writer Michael Musto — a monthly dispatch from the city’s stages, sidewalks and secret corners.
You used to have to hit up the clubs and bars every single night in order to keep up with what (and who’s) happening, but nowadays, it seems like you can just go out one night a year — to the annual Glam awards for LGBTQ nightlife — and be fully sated. The 27th such event, thrown this past Monday at Sony Hall by Cherry Jubilee and Impulse Group NYC (with director Daniel Gold), was the most spectacular yet, with hosts Alaska and Bob the Drag Queen presiding over a room that was fuller than Dolly Parton’s bustier.
Alaska and Lux Noire London on stage at the Glam Awards at Sony Hall. Photo: Wilsonmodels
Everywhere you looked there were flamboyantly dressed presenters, performers and nominees, with names like Freeda Kuhlo, Angela Mansbury, Selma Nilla and Janelle No. 5. Each drag star had a big following, and the crowd was deeply engaged with the whole show, screaming and squealing over every sequined moment.
“Everyone at the Golden Globes was owned by a corporation,” Alaska spat at the crowd as an opening salvo. “But we are our own thing!“ How true — though many wouldn’t exactly mind a big corporation throwing them some cash. The acceptance speeches were gushy and grateful, though Best Drag King winner ShowPonii urged clubs to hire more kings, promoting Bob to ad lib, “Fire all those drag queens!”
The night’s performance numbers were full of shirtless chorus boys writhing around, but Jasmine Rice LaBeija — a drag Juilliard graduate — was brave enough to come out alone, belt a serious aria and keep going as the fire alarm beeped loudly throughout. It turned out to be the result of a fire in the kitchen, which had been put out, sparing us a lot of “flaming queens.” Better was Entertainer of the Year winner Essa Noche, who was adorned in feathers and cried as she told the crowd how she lives to make people happy. And suddenly it WAS the Golden Globes.
Peppermint, Alaska and Bob
Bootsie Lefaris and Nick Adams
Jasmine Rice LeBeija
Suzie Toot
Peppermint
Vanity LaVain, Olivia Lux and Ivy Fischer
Angel
Stella D’Oro and Michael Musto
The 27th Glam Awards 2026 at Sony Hall. Photos: Wilsonmodels
ONE BAGEL AFTER ANOTHER
Next year’s Glams will be a little more challenging because one of the best local places to get inexpensive hairspray and face powder at is going bye-bye. The final Jacks 99 store in NYC (223 W40th St bw 7th/8th Ave) is shuttering, an inevitable event that I thought would eventually be traumatizing, but here’s why, in 2026, it doesn’t matter as much. “Value” goes in cycles, but it never goes away.
Jacks is closing down on W40th Street between 7th and 8th Avenues. Photo: Phil O’Brien
New discount places like Lot Stop have already opened, providing shelves of those wonderful “looks like they fell off the truck” items that are both eye grabbing and penny saving. Reasonable grocery stores like ALDI and Lidl are also popping up in Manhattan, and even my local Trader Joe’s has items (pasta, yogurt, eggs) that are lower priced than the ones at Jack’s were! My cheapness will never go out of style.
And don’t worry, you can feel somewhat safe in the pricier zone too. In fact, I have to shout out Marseille, the long running French restaurant (630 9th Ave, corner of W44th St), which does a rollicking pre-theater business, but remains so civil that they gave me my table before the entire party was there and didn’t care that one less person showed up than expected. Two of us kept our table for four — and they were packed! Why? Because they are actually respectful to their customers!
Marseille, the long-running French restaurant at the corner of W44th Street and 9th Ave, does a rollicking pre-theater business. Photo: Phil O’Brien
But hold on, the phone’s ringing. “Hi, Musto, it’s me, the dealer who was longtime biz partners with the guy who’s angling to reopen that gay hotel on W42nd Street. Can I tell you my whole story, including his trying to arrest me and HIS own very recent arrest? Hello?….Hello???”
Ah, sometimes I just need to unplug and relax. I want glamour, so I forced a wealthy friend to treat me to a birthday dinner at Delmonico’s, the legendary FiDi eatery which I’m all too aware of from mentions in shows like Hello, Dolly! Well, not only was the Financial District hype all true — there are tons of people running around there at night, and they’re not lost — but the restaurant itself was fab, based on the idea that every customer is a person of great importance. I left with a swelled head to match my stomach.
Michael Musto had a glamorous birthday treat at Delmonico’s in the Financial District. Photo: Catie Savage
And back to the grindstone, I learned that the long simmering Devil Wears Prada musical is planning on coming to Broadway next year, after a run in Germany. I also heard about Del Valle, the one-man play written by and starring Ned Van Zandt (with whom I just did a podcast). It’s the true story of Van Zandt having wound up on a drug charge in jail, where a Klansman recognized him from One Life to Live and decided to give him “protection” in exchange for acting lessons. It sounds like The Piano meets Shawshank Redemption, and Van Zandt says it’s coming to Broadway this season! Yet another reason why I love NYC.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Congratulations Michael! He was honored at the Glam Awards as Best Blogger/Writer and told the crowd, “I’m the only one here who wears orthopedic shoes!” He’s pictured here with local drag performer Kizha Carr. Photo: Wilsonmodels
