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Reply to "Is New York over?"

I came to the same conclusion you did, Michael, when I was recently in Berlin and Amsterdam. I mean, on the one hand it IS great to have complete freedom in your nightclubbing pursuits (clubs that never stop serving alcohol, dark corners of erotic play, lax drug enforcement, gorgeous late-night crowds, etc). In this regard Europe is waaaaay cooler than the United States and reminiscent of how NYC used to be once upon a time - and should be everywhere in my opinion. But on the other hand I have to say that so much of my enjoyment of club culture comes from the live performances, productions and the colorful, outlandish freaks that populate nightlife. And I found this element distinctly lacking in the other cities, particularly Amsterdam (I found some fetish/leather scenes and some "inspired" live sex shows, but otherwise limited theatre, little burlesque and very, very little drag). For example, I had been told before by drag performers I know here in NYC about the lack of good drag in Europe but I never really believed it until this trip. I've heard Sherry Vine has to jump around Europe to get work because there isn't enough of it in Berlin alone. Naturally there are spectacular special events in these cities, but on a weekly basis, New York is still way ahead.

Of course, some of it could be chalked up to just not knowing where to go or not being familiar enough with the underground. And on the plus side the lack of talented productions & performances could be read as opportunity for those seeking to create new scenes or exploit nightlife ventures.
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