GOOD TIMES: HIS HIGHNESS' BIRTHDAY / A PARTY FOR RICH KING

Last week, we celebrated the birth of one of the Good Times family's most beloved daddies: Rich King. Rich can pretty much have anything he wants up at our party because we love him so, and so when he asked if he could bring two turntables and spin vinyl for his birthday set, we said yes yes and yes.

My favorite lesbian pinoy Jew on earth, Cheryl (to be honest, I don't any other so if you're out there, holler!) dropped by with a friend on the early side to show face and hear my opening set, which has included lots of Finnebassen of late.

Chattin' it up in the space where the STRIPPER POLE USED TO BE! Yes, we're still grieving the loss of that Eastern Bloc stripper pole but we're told it was an insurance liability and we wouldn't be able to open otherwise. Wah wahhhhh.

So proud of our coat checker Marc, who has been making waves in both the adult film world AND, more importantly, the world of Instagram. Just wait til we get him back on the DJ decks and everyone realizes that he's actually a triple threat. 

On April 3rd, we're celebrating out six year Good Times anniversary, and we've invited one of our favorite guests named Dandylion (right, with Brian. His real name is Daniel but we like Dandylion better) to join us, along with a farewell performance by Miss Fire Island 2010 Sabel Scities, who will soon be off to the isle de fuego for the summer. 

It's birthday boy Rich King (!) and a guest that we thought was DJ Timmy for a minute but now we're not so sure.

East Village locals out for a beer, though as you can see by the poster in the background, "ASS JUICE" is now a shot option at Eastern Bloc as well. (Only $3!)

DJ BOOTH FACE OFF! Evans (left) and Buddy were actually giving face for 5 - 10 minutes but this was the best photo of the bunch.

Foxy furry friends, reunited! (with DJ Gustavo, Rich and Brian from left).

More DJ on DJ on DJ love from Anthony (left), Michael and Brian.

Solie and her hunky friend dropped by for a hot minute in leopard print leggings and a wig stolen from a Company B photo shoot. Fascinated!

I have no idea how Adam (left) and Quinn no each other nor do I understand how Michael T. convinced Quinn to meet him at Good Times (!) but I'm glad that all of the aforementioned showed up to party with us.

Best photo ever?

The Buddy and Evans photo shoot continues, with Evans giving MAJOR shoulders as per usual.

Adam insisted that I've never been in a photo with him and so we changed all that quite quickly.

This cuteness named Akimbo introduced himself and told me he was enticed by the Good Times party photos he had seen on twerking.com (or maybe Facebook). Either way, he was warmly welcomed.

Speaking of warm welcomes, here's Michael T. giving a warm welcome to a friend.

Darren and one of his many sexy threadbare tshirts.

Post-2am shows.

Yes to EVERYTHING about this jacket. #need.

The bad news is that Lina has already left for Fire Island and won't be coming back in to DJ her annual Led Zeppelin birthday party on April 10th at Good Times. But the Good News is that Michael T. is still on board for Led Zep night and has promised play at a major rock 'n' roll set in the vein of Zeppelin.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RICH KING! Thank you for partying with us and birthdaying with us and being an awesome person. Can't wait to make it to Rich's new Sunday party called Easy with Austin Downey and Brian Gately over at the Westside tavern (though it might be monthly).

Edwin throwing me some side-eye.

And a warm goodnight from Michael and Andrew. See you April 3rd for our Good Times six year anniversary party with Dandylion, Sabel Scities and moi! xo, Sparber

TONIGHT WE CELEBRATE HIS HIGHNESS RICH KING

GOOD TIMES: BRAZILIANS DO IT BETTER

Every winter, I promise myself I will go to Brazil the following year, where the height of summer and Carnival in Rio coincides with New York's darkest and coldest days. This year, however, my solution was two-fold. 1) I bought a ticket to Sao Paulo and 2) I hosted a Brazilians Do It Better night at our weekly Wednesday Good Times party at Eastern Bloc, complete with Brazilian guest DJ Gustavo.

Sarah, Jonathan and Armando (from left) gave me warm wishes and a care package to bring down to Sao Paulo, where their good friend Luke now lives and works year round...in a tank top.

Though Gustavo (left, with Eddie) has been living and DJing in New York for quite a while, he proved he can still serve up samba, funk and other Brazilian beats like none other. It is also rumored that he once sold his soul to retain his youthful looks for eternity but said rumor is still unconfirmed.

In the navy.

We have always been big fans of Xavier's sweet vocal tracks and we're equally as into our part-time coat check and full-time Miss Fire Island 2011 glamazon Sabel Scities.

 

Barman Rob, staying warm in his natural sweater despite the arctic temperatures outside.

  

Due to renovations, a detour in Sao Paulo and me being an all-around delinquent, these photos and this party actually took place three weeks ago when David (right) first introduced me to his handsome friend, the OTHER Michael T. Good Times!

Since someone asked a few weeks ago whether women were welcome at Good Times, let me reiterate: we love women, especially Denise (right), Lisa Lisa (of Cult Jam fame) and any other lass that can hold her liquor and refrain from Carly Rae Jepsen request.

SNAXX, reunited! We really loved Gustavo's set and Brazilian vibe (sadly, we missed out on some choice photos of the sexy Brazilians that showed up) and are excited for Rich King's upcoming birthday Good Times on March 27th. And yes, Rich has confirmed that he also sold his soul for eternal handsomeness.

Brazilian or just giving Brazilian effect? Either way, we were really into it.

World music parties are always a bit risky so we're glad that someone was giving us (or maybe just the camera) a thumbs up. Then again, everyone loves Brazilians because Brazilians do it better.

Eddy, putting Sabel's money where his mouth is.

Whatchu talkin' bout Willis?

We love a young Spaniard serving beard, face and body.

Joshua (left) always pops up out of NOWHERE and then dashes off into the night so we're glad we caught a pic of him here and and even got to say hey gurl hey when we ran into him at Horse Meat NYC.

RUMOR MILL: We hear DJ Kindbud (aka Buddy, left, with Evans) is teaming with a certain downtown vocalist who also runs the door at a nearby nightlight institution and DONKEY may or may not be involved with a remix.

Next winter, we hope to not only return to Brazil but to visit Puerto Rico as well and throw a party inspired by Brian's jaunt there this past winter.

By the end of the night, we concluded that Brazilians really do do it better. Big thank you to Gustavo for turning it out and everyone who came out and danced with us. Now who's up for Rio and Florianopolis in April? xo, Sparber

GOOD TIMES: YOUR LOVE IS (RICH) KING

Many months ago, my good friend and DJ buddy Rich King mentioned that his actual birthday fell on a Wednesday this year and asked if he could come kick it with us at our weekly Wednesday Good Times party at Eastern Bloc and maybe even DJ a bit too. Of course we said yes and even brought in entertainment in the form of Michael T., who performed a surprise Styx number for the one and only birthday boy.


Always one to steal the spotlight, Denise (right, with Eliot) reminded us that next Wednesday will be HER birthday and she wants a performance from EVERYONE. Make a note of it.


Given the chronological nature of these photos, it might help if I explain that (right) and his friend were chowing down around nightclub dinner time (11pm), though nightclub dinner time doesn't usually include eating in the actual nightclub.


This long-haired beauty named William was quite the chatty cathy with me during my early set and remarked how great the music had gotten ever since we switched from the bar staff's Adele cd to my disco mix.


Since RuPaul's Drag Race was all about playing dress up with daddy this week, I'm hoping a few of these daddies decide to play dress up next Wednesday when we celebrate the get-really-drunk Jewish holiday known as Passover (or pesach if you're nasty).


You can never tell when you'll get an early rush or a late rush but this is what an early rush actually looks like circa 1115pm or so.


Birthday boy Rich (right) arrived fashionably early with his boo Michael (left) and my next door neighbor Orlando (center). The earlier you arrive, the more time you'll have to party (and you might even catch $1 vodkas from 11 - 1130pm. Just sayin').


Stop the presses! Who's that hunk in the blue tee?


Oh yes, now I remember. The hunk in the blue tee is a Latin friend of our resident spanglish citizen, Mike V. (right). We hope Mike brings this one around a little more often, por favor y gracias.


That's me! Did you know the Imperial Court of New York has a fatwah on my head after I wrote up their Night of 1000 Gowns event for Next Magazine and included a quote from nightlife promoter Sir Mark Nelson saying he got his title from sucking dick? Those queens (literally) were not enthused.


Jason travels to and from London more than Richard Branson but I'm not complaining, since I'll get to see him again in NYC very soon and then again in London when Lina and I fly over to DJ starting Friday, April 13. Our party is at Vogue Fabrics and yes, it's called Miss Fire Island.


A surprise visit from Justin! We had no idea he didn't work at XES anymore and had gone full time into his gallery work and his long distance relationship work but between the two, we understand why he rarely sneaks out for a drink.


JR had moved from the East Village to the West Village and is back east now, hopefully for good so he can come keep me company during my early set like last week.


A LEGEND IN THE FLESH! When DJ Austin Downey shows up at a function, I can't help but play Roberta Flack and Steve Silk Hurley tracks just to make him dance and go wild, which in turn makes me dance and go wild and ensures a really awesome night ahead.


The only way we can lure Ryan (left, with Mikey and Rich) to Good Times nowadays is if we promise to play a setlist similar to Kylie's current B-Sides tour, even if the only track I've ever played from that tour is Cherry Bomb. Once.


Since I spy two work shirts crammed into this one phone, I'm gonna hazard a guess that work shirts might just be on the rise here this season, especially since you couldn't go a tube stop without seeing them last time I was in London.


This chap here with Andre was dressed to the nines in a bowtie and jacket just because. And that's how we like it.


We almost lost sight that this party was Rich King's birthday party, but that was only because we were unfamiliar with a lot of these early evening revelers.


I believe the fellow with the beard is named Chadd and looks deceptively like an East Village regular even though he hails from the more theatrical parts of town (and by theatrical, I mean musical theatrics).


Now this fellow on the right with the beard is one that I don't actually know but he is welcome back and damn time he pleases. As is DJ Dandylion (left), who already knows that.


HAPPY BIRTHDAY RICHARD! I hope that "pabst blue ribbon on ice" gets you in the birthday mood.


Ricky (right) got acquainted with our bowtied friend and our bowtied friend's friend, Rafael, who was visiting from San Francisco but promises a return to New York as early as next month.


Jew daddybear Douglas (left) really needs to consider hosting next week's Passover party since we know he can recite a mean Ma Nishtana, even if he's not the youngest Jew in the room.


I love this photo because I know nothing about these two but really hope they are boyfriends of like, 8 years who are adopting an interracial child before the Fire Island season starts back up so they can stroll their baby back and forth down the boardwalk.


These Long Islanders had actually been out partying in the East Village since St. Patrick's Day Saturday and were just using the St. Mark's Hotel as a crash pad for sleeping purposes only when they're not drinking. (Joking. No idea who these hoes are but one has a ginger beard so of course he ended up at Good Times.)


So much beauty crammed into one small digital photograph.


V-necks of varying sorts.


At some point, our extremely reliable photographer Kelvin turned up and got our friends and patrons to pose in silly ways such as this. I wanna say they're playing Mercy but I know that's not true.


Love a dude that orders a glass of white wine at an East Village dive bar on a Wednesday. And for all you red wine lovers, we promise lots of Manischewitz next Wednesday when W. Jeremy and I DJ a very Good Times Passover.


Sad Clown face.


The "caption this" photo of the week. Best entry gets a free drink at next week's party. Go!


It also happened to be not only Rich King's birthday but Rich's good friend Brewster's birthday. Not sure where Brewster was at this very moment but that's his posse, including his handsome gay brother Rusty (center).


Last week, I learned that David (right, with Jeff and Paul) 1) uses Grindr to chat with his friends, 2) loves a Bobbsey Twins denim vest look and 3) will be leaving us for five months starting next Wednesday. SAY IT AINT SO! Hoping we can connect in Europe though, and I'm not just talking about Grindr chat.


Some people call this a successful party. I like to call this "at capacity."


Wait. Are two of these guys related? Are all three related? Actually, if they all had buzzed the sides of their heads and grown out their beards, I most certainly wouldn't be able to tell them apart. #whitepeopleproblems


Behold the cover for our upcoming Good Times wall and desk calendar. (Bartender Darren will be featured as the pin-up for each and every month.)


This is EXACTLY the moment when the Good Times actually begin.


"We fell in love in a hopeless place" (aka Good Times at Eastern Bloc).


I see the good-hearted version and the evil version of the same person all in one picture.


There's the other birthday boy. Brewster (right), with his brother Rusty and their buddy Andrew. Brewster even passed around some yummy birthday cookies he had brought for the occasion and we're never mad at free cookies (even on Passover...wink wink nudge nudge).


I don't know when or how Michael T. (right) and Rich hit it off but since I've referred to each of them individually as Mom (Michael T.) and Dad (Rich) on many occasions, I very much feel like I'm hanging with my really awesome parents till 4am listening to the Who when we get together.


The Lean On Me portion of the evening.


The Lesbian portion of the evening!


The Michael T. Styx performance of the evening, which was THE moment of the evening if not the year.


Michael doesn't lip sync as much as he actually sings live with a full backup band these days so it's always a treat to see him get back to his roots and give full-blown SHOWS.


Michael was up on the TV, down on the ground and back on the stage with his special dedication to Rich for his birthday and it was everything.


Me and the elusive Tai Chi, who usually only comes out of hiding for fashion week or Honey Dijon or a fashion week event WITH Honey Dijon. But it is always so nice to kiki and catch up with Tai.


Andrew (center) and his trademark spread eagle pose, which he now teaches a personal training class solely based on this pose so you too can get wide legged for the Good Times camera come summertime.


Raf (center) acknowledged that his short shorts and sleeveless shirt were weather inappropriate for March in New York, but being a former fashion student from California, he really didn't care.


And let the late night rush commence.


Your former birthday boy Eddie (left), chug-a-lugging with the friendly Good Times staffers known as Rob (center) and Marc.


You too can become one of the chosen people too at next week's big gay Jew Good Times Passover party.


DANCE PARTY USA.


Darren (left) and Sam used to work together back at Barracuda before Eastern Bloc ever existed. In fact, after DJ Xavier gave up cocktailing, I'm pretty sure Sam (right) cocktailed each and every Monday when I'd go to see Candis Cayne perform religiously. #GoodTimes


Brewster actually can't see anything that's happening right now, let alone the camera and flash that are about to immortalize this late night birthday moment.


I'm Afraid of Americans.


Super stoked for me and Marko's mutual buddy, DJ Apt One (from Philly!), to return to Good Times and join us for some more disco dancing on May 9th.


Rikki (left) is a new face in nightlife who was wandering the country a bit before settling in New York City very very recently. He also looks much much younger without the beard, or so we suspect. #toCatchaPredator


Loving Maddox's color scheme from the hair down to the cocktail color choice. You better do it gurl, especially with that upcoming birthday of yours. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MADDOX MADISON! xoxo


All in all, the party was a wild success and we wish Richard the best year ever, though we know Rich is an optimist and a beacon of light and joy so we already know he will have the best year anyways.


The return of Krys (right) and Chad! It's been too long since I've seen these tattooed beauties. Welcome back boys.


This whole posse rolled through sporting major looks, like Jonathan's (center) Geri Halliwell does a Clockwork Orange look. (Why didn't I think to throw on some Geri Halliwell at this moment?! Look at Me?)


I love that long-haired kid even though we never speak and thus I have no information to share about him whatsoever. Sorry!


Thanks again for another amazing Good Times. See you next week for our gay Passover celebration with matzah and Manischewitz and our lovely guest DJ W. Jeremy from the House of Stank.


Now if you'll excuse these two, Michael (right) is a tuggin' at Rich so he can get him home and give him his birthday present. xo