Big-hearted, professional, photogenic and obviously hot as all hell, it’s hard to argue that this guy is not the most recognizable gogo boy in NYC right now. And on top of that, he’s gradually added promoter, party host, photographer, reality TV star and actor to his *ahem* extensive resume. And now he’s got the skinny on a new party he’s hosting this week! Thotyssey’s Living La Vinny Vega!
Thotyssey: Vinny, hello! You are such a familiar presence in this city’s nightlife, between dancing and hosting… and if you’re not here, you’re usually doing it in some other city! Do you ever see the light of day?
Vinny Vega: Of course! Haha, that’s a pretty common question for me doing what I do, but of course I have my life during the day that keeps me pretty busy. For those who saw my episode of True Life on MTV, you might know that I am trying to dive in further into my career in photography.
I’ve had some really great jobs coming my way, and might have some other exciting shoots coming up in the next few months. I recently turned 30, and it’s definitely time to venture outside of nightlife and see what the world ahead has in store. It’s more of a shift in my priorities, then a total change. Really, nightlife is still a big part of me and who I am, and I’m really excited about what’s going on right now.
Are you one of those people who can have a few drinks and still be “good” at what you do, or do you have to remain kinda level-headed when you’re working?
I would say that’s an accurate statement; I know how to balance having fun and being responsible. I think that’s a big asset in being an active part of nightlife. You have to work hard and play hard, at a pretty equal pace.
As far as dancing goes… on a typical night, are you into the sexiness and the music while you’re performing, or can you move mechanically and be like “hmmm, what should I have for breakfast tomorrow?”
I would have to say depends on the night and on the moment. Sometimes I’m lost in the music, and the atmosphere of the club. Then other times, I definitely have things on my mind outside of dancing. It really does depend on the night.
I read that you got your dancing start at G Lounge in 2009. Have you been to Rebar, where G Lounge once stood, yet?
I have yet to be to be at Rebar, but I know a lot of people who work there and I really wish them the best. From what I have seen, it has a fresh new field to it and a really great industrial New York city vibe. I think that something that is really needed in my life right now: a classic return to form.
You were a Fashion Institute of Technology student. I notice that you sport some avant garde looks sometimes when you dance and host, with masks and elaborate shoulder pieces. Are those your designs?
Some pieces come out of my closet for sure, and I love a good look, but I’d have to say for the most part it’s due to styling by those in charge of the party. It’s an exciting part of what I do, getting to transform yourself. I always like expressing myself creatively and artistically, and that’s a great part of being a presence in night life.
You get all the gigs, not just because of hotness (although there’s that!), but also because you have a reputation for being really nice and very professional. Are those traits you picked up over time, or did you come into it that way?
I think it stems from me being an outcast and a target of bullies when I was very young. It really helped shape who I am, and the kind of person I knew I wanted to become. The kind of man who would always reach out a helping hand, and keep an eye out for those in need. I often see people doing what I do who might be in need of a friend, and I’m always more then happy to help. Cattiness is not for me, I’m all about the heart.
What’s the best advice you can give a new gogo boy getting started?
Well first off, always be yourself. I tried to put on the “sex kitten” act when I first got started, and that’s just not me. I’m a bit of a goofball, and I don’t hide that when I talk to people. When you are yourself, that is when you are your most endearing.
And then of course there’s the aesthetic. Take care of your body, take care of yourself. Feed off the energy of the crowd, and know that you are part of the club’s atmosphere.
And go into it knowing that it is not a career path. I’m grateful for my job, and treat it with professionalism and fun, but it is not my career that lies ahead of me. But, it’s now part of who I am, and I couldn’t be happier to be a gogo, and done the things I have with that role. It’s been a wild ride, and I’m not quite finished yet!
Do you need to be 100% secure with your body to be a good gogo boy, or can you “fake” it if you have insecurities?
Oh, I have plenty of insecurities–that’s part of being a human being, in my opinion. There’s always something you might want to tweak or change, but when being a gogo, confidence is key. At times you can find yourself venturing outside your comfort zone, but I’ve always found that to be liberating for the most part.
As you mentioned earlier, you had quite a moment when MTV aired an episode of True Life profiling NYC gogo boys in which you starred. How did you like the experience of seeing yourself in the show, and did that fame change your life significantly?
I’ve certainly seen a rise in the amount of people who know about me, and I can’t express how grateful I am to have been part of that project. Of course, some scenes weren’t the absolute most comfortable to watch, but that’s why the show is called True Life. It showed a small piece of who I am outside of the late night world.
I also saw you pop up for a sec in Showtime’s reality show 3AM, profiling Markus Kelle, a few years ago! Did you know you were being filmed when that happened?
I did! I just wanted to say Hi [to Markus], and was a little baffled when I saw cameras, before I knew it I was signing a waiver [laughs]. It was such a quick hi and bye, I never expected it to make the cut. I adore Markus, so it was really fun to appear on his show even if just for a brief moment. I loved the series!
And you and fellow gogo Danilo appeared in a video for Koil & Vito Fun’s remix of Clean Bandit’s “Rockabye” that featured lots of pyro. Did your beard get singed at all?
Actually, it did! But it was a really fun experience and I love working with Vito: he’s such a renaissance man, he’s talented in so many ways. I’m actually working with him on another project that we’re just starting; he’s really an all around awesome person that I would not have met if it wasn’t for working in nightlife.
I didn’t get a chance to talk to you this past Halloween because you were so busy… you showed up at Bob’sOnly Bloodbath, you lurked the Blood Manor Haunted House, and perhaps most interestingly you starred as Rocky in a Monster production of Frocky Horror! What was the highlight of October 2016 for you?
You named them all! It’s hard to pick just one… but of course, singing and acting on stage for the first time in years was an invigorating experience, and the whole cast was off-the-charts awesome, I’d definitely be part of something like that in the future.
What do you think has been the biggest change about nightlife since you started?
A lot of the best venues in the city have closed. The Roxy, Westgay, Roseland, etc. That’s been so hard on the nightlife community; we all feel the loss of those amazing places. Roseland was one of my first big circuit events in 2009 with Black Party.
But with new venues opening like Flash Factory, there’s always hope that nightlife is beginning to thrive once again. I wanna see the big crowds come out and fill the dance floor! There’s nothing quite like the energy of a packed club.
As far as hosting goes, you’re a regular presence at such weekly parties as ACME’s STRUT and Ladyfag’s Battle Hymn, and you turn up at plenty of other places. Is it sometimes harder to engage people in those busy/loud settings with words than it is with your body?
For me, I often find myself conversing with patrons when I’m off-stage, helping them feel welcome in the environment and hopefully being a fun part of their night. Hosting feels very natural, and often times when I’m hosting you can find me dancing, I love the music. It’s a similar vibe, just a little less scandalous with my outfits!
This is exciting: you’re co-hosting a new Thursday night rooftop party at the Sky Room in Hell’s Kitchen this season… Lip Service! It’s you,
Scotty Em,
Anthony Paparelli
and
Maddelynn Hatter
in charge. How long has this been in the works, and what can you tell us about it?
I’m so glad you asked about that; I’m beyond excited for this event! “Lip Service” is an idea that’s been in the works for awhile. In fact, I’ve talked with Scotty and Maddelynn separately about producing a new weekly event, and now we’re all coming together and combining our own unique strengths to create a new weekly late night event. I haven’t worked with Anthony much so I’m excited for that as well! All three producers bring something different to the table.
I have high hopes for “Lip Service,” and NYC needs a new Thursday night party to kick off the weekend! I’m so happy to be part of this party, and we have some great guest hosts that will bring even more fun and personality to the night. If you’re out on Thursday nights, Sky Room is the place to go!
What are your Pride plans this summer? And anything else that you wanna discuss?
Everything is still in the works, I’m weighing out my options,but June is getting busy really fast. All I can say is, thank you to everyone that has helped me get to where I am now. At the beginning of this year, I said I wanted to take more chances and try new things. That resolution is really coming to be a reality. There’s a lot on the horizon that I hope people will take notice of and really enjoy.
Okay last question: what would your drag name be?
Hmmm…well, one time I was named “Venetian Blinds” by a friend of mine, and that sort of stuck. I like the sound of that! I’ve yet to really do drag, but there’s a first time for everything!
Thanks, Vinny!
Vinny Vega is constantly gogo dancing and hosting at various venues throughout NYC and beyond. He will host “Lip Service” at the Sky Room beginning Thursday, May 4th (10pm). Follow Vinny on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
On the road to recovery we may have to step over some bodies… Stay on the path to honor the fallen
No matter what, we don’t pick up.
Death whether by natural causes or not is a part life. We may feel that we shouldn’t allow ourselves to get to close to anyone because we fear losing them. It’s when we have such fears is when we take the contrary action and start letting people in. We break down the walls and cherish every moment we have with those around us.
Support each other in this time of mourning… Stay connected… Be of service… growth comes from pushing through the pain.
I found out today that a friend killed himself a few days ago.
His death makes me sad and makes me think how sad I would be if I lost you and felt I had not done as much as I possibly could to help you.
I love you and I hope you are ok.
Over the years, especially recently, you have spoken to me about your severe anxiety, depression, PTSD and other issues, and about wanting—at times—to kill yourself.
I have tried to be a good friend, to listen and, when you asked for it, give you names of therapists and other resources that could help you address these issues.
We haven’t spoken in a few weeks, so maybe you are feeling great these days and I am worried for nothing. If this is the case, I am very happy for you.
After losing my friend Tony, I can’t be silent. I have to ask: Have you followed up and sought help for the issues bringing you such pain?
If not, I beg you, call one of those therapists whose names I shared with you a few weeks back (after your request to me), or to seek help in other ways.
Even if you are feeling good these days—especially if you are feeling good—now is the time to do something about all this, while it is easier to take steps that connect you to support that will help you survive the times when you are not feeling so happy.
If you are feeling down these days, I still urge you to seek help. I know how hard it can be to seek help when we are down, you know I know this, but I still hope you will try. It could save your life. Just as importantly, it could help turn it around.
I keep learning and still have to keep reminding myself that nothing in life is permanent. Not joy and not pain. LIFE is not permanent! But it does not have to be painful. We may have to do some hard work to make things better, but things can get better.
As you know, I use Surat al-Asr as my mantra in times of loss, pain, confusion, and fear. This Qur’anic prayer tells me: Time itself is a witness, all humanity experiences loss and pain, except for those who have faith, do good works (or are of service), and live as an example of honesty and as an example of patience (and forbearance).
I’ve shared this with you before, and this painful reminder is impetus to share it with you again.
My friend Tony is dead, and I am still here.
I do not know why, but I do know this has been one of the resources that got me through those terrifyingly bleak times when I considered doing what Tony did.
How does this simple yet powerful prayer work for me? As any mantra, repeating it means I change the tape in my head from whatever terrible tape to this pre-recorded, familiar, repetition. In that way it functions like any prayer or ritual in which we can seek refuge.
But this prayer is pragmatic in other ways too.
It comforts me by reminding me that my pain and suffering is not something I alone endure—“The Ages witness: all humanity experiences suffering”—and it gives me practical steps I can take, solutions to my pain, loss, and confusion:
Faith (Imaan) The prayer directs me to have faith. To me this means making a choice to believe things can get better, even that a specific someone or Something loves us. Sometimes I have had to simply trust that this was true even when I doubted it deeply or didn’t feel it. But then, that is why it is called “faith.” :) Sometimes it has been faith in, belief in, someone other than myself, someone who told me things do get better. At those moments, again, I did not believe it was true, but I could believe my friend believed it, and, ”borrow” her faith. At times it has meant a faith in a Divinity, Most Merciful and Most Compassionate, Greater than any trouble I might face, an Everlasting (internal) Resource any one of us can tap into, in times of loss or not.
Service (Saalihaat) The prayer suggests that I do good works, that I be of service. I take this to mean reach out and help a friend or volunteer in an effort to improve my community. Doing something good for others gets my focus off my problems. When I do this, I shift the focus from the running commentary and obsessive concern with my own problems to the world outside my head. This liberates me from the not-so-merry-go-round of nasty thoughts *in* my head (that nasty committee that never has anything nice to say to me about me). There is always someone can use our help, so why not shift the focus from our complaints to gratitude and to service? Let us improve the world we find ourselves in! It sorely needs it. And we end up feeling better about ourselves because we are doing something positive in the world, rather than feeling stuck in, or focused on, our pain, fear, and confusion.
Honesty (Al-Haq) The prayer suggests that I live as an example of honesty and truth. What this means to me is that I am supposed to walk through my fears and be rigorously honest with myself and others about my fears and the reality (or falseness) of them. Living as an example of honesty means letting go of my fantasies or the narratives I spin about how things are. When I am truly honest, I can see what I can change and what really needs to change. I also see what is not in my power and how, if I have no power over it, it makes no sense to spend time worrying about it. You know what I mean: If I have a role to play or choices that could be different, I can do that, if I can’t, well, then I can’t. Talk about freedom! Living a life of honesty and truth also means unburdening myself with someone I trust about what I have done or am doing, or what I am feeling, all of which helps me not live in shame, secrecy, or fear. This frees me from carrying the burden of my troubles all by myself. Living honestly and in truth also means removing that awkward, painful, conflict and stress that arises when I say one thing (to be polite or because I am avoiding a confrontation), but I really mean or want to say another. This type of honesty also can be daunting, but it too sets me free.
Patience (Sabr) Lastly, the prayer says I am to try to live as an example of patience and forbearance (while facing all my troubles). This to me means, “Don’t give up.” Ever. It is a reminder that things get better. Things change. The hard work we can do (therapy or whatever path we choose) takes time. We didn’t get into our mess and messed up way of thinking overnight. We won’t get out of them overnight. We have to give time time. I know the despair can be all-encompassing, I have felt it. But I also have learned—as I am sure you have too—that I am strong in patience. No matter what troubles that befall me, even when despair feels like a reality convincing me to my bones, something that I feel as if I KNOW will always be my reality, I can be patient. I can wait the pain out. It too will pass.
Trust me. Things do get better, if we do our work and we are willing to wait.
Things have gotten better for me, and I promise they can get better for you too.
P.P.S. What are your favorite songs to get you through tough times?
Bio: Kamal Fizaziis a writer, activist, lawyer, policy wonk, strategic planning and program consultant, and all-around good guy who spends his time thinking about and working on issues of human rights and equality, diversity and inclusion, democracy and social justice, equity, gender, sexuality, public health, HIV/AIDS, addiction, mental health, recovery, faith-based anti-oppression efforts and interfaith organizing, and Lord only knows what else.
Nine: The spiritual meaning of number Nine bring us to the very height of vibrational frequencies in this number sequence. Nine represents attainment, satisfaction, accomplishment, and our success to achieve an influence in our circumstances. The spiritual meaning of number Nine deals with intellectual power, inventiveness, influence over situations and things. Nine beseeches us to recognize our own internal attributes, and extend these abilities out into the world to make a positive, influential difference.
27 2+7=9
Number 9 - Endings, completion, humanitarian, compassionate, romantic, selfless, generous, philanthropic, loving, wisdom, idealist, artistic, spiritual healer, all allowing, other worldly, blending.
Arthur Laurents, the Tony-winning writer-director who wrote the Broadway classics “West Side Story” and “Gypsy,” died yesterday. In 2007 he came to The Library for the Performing Arts to discuss West Side Story.
