Yes, yes, things used to be this and that, but let's not exaggerate things. Go spend a day in the stripmall ravaged culturally deprived Levittown Long Island (my home town)and you'll be kissing the sidewalk of Avenue A when you get home. Most of America is so awful, the East Village a lovely oasis. It's just an oasis with a Starbucks. Think of all the interesting friends and aquaintances you have, that you bump into here and there. It's still a special place.
The parties are smaller, but they're still there. There is definitely a "New School" of genius performers: The Dazzle Dancers, Dirty Martini, Julie Atlas Muz, etc. I think the underground just went back to being a bit more underground, but it's certainly still there. I think that rather than whine it's better to create.
As for the Wigstock bashing, it's been going on for years. I always hated when people would complain about how big it got. Well, if something's good, people will want to come. It's not Wigstocks fault. Things evolve. that's life. It's like complaining that your favorite singer turned 50.
Then these dumb fags would complain about Wigstock, saying it's not the same, no one dresses, etc, as if Wigstock had let them down. Really, it was that fag that has a normal job now and doesn't dress up and go. Don't blame Bunny. She's looking better than ever. Wigstock still came through. That fag just grew up, got boring, and blamed Wigstock for his vanishing enthusiasm.
So things are smaller, big deal. That's what non conformism is all about. Stop complaining and go dye your hair, make a painting, put on a show, throw a party, get naked, sing a song, pull ribbons from your pussy, and enjoy your freedom while it lasts...which may not be for long.