Girl’s Night Out in The Hudson Valley
Angelina launches a new “Girls Night Out”
I had a very pleasant visit with Angelina Vail in her NYS home recently and we talked about her new endeavor which is a LGBT friendly venue/night club in the Hudson Valley (of NYS). She’s a natural promoter for transgender things. Angelina is a proud transgender woman and is seeking to support the community in ways she knows best. Since the demise of Triangles, the LGBT friendly night club in Danbury, Ct., there have been several similar venues popping up to replace Triangles.
My visit with Angelina
We are fortunate to have more options as a community that are TG-friendly and TG-positive, as well as LBTGQ-inclusive in general — thanks to those in our tribe that are taking the time and effort to find venues and organize events! There are few places for community to go in Hudson Valley (NY) and fewer night spots where the community feels comfortable going to (read safe). There’s a need locally for a place which is accepting for those living in the Hudson Valley which doesn’t require a long drive.
Angelina saw the need to have a place to get together with others. In 2014 she tried a venue in Kingston, NY which didn’t pan out so she has tried again. Angelina is the promoter and Zoe (a local transgender woman) is the DJ, graphic artist and does web things. Sounds like a good duo.
GNO
BSP Lounge Kingston
323 Wall St, Kingston, New York 12401
The new bar in Kingston, NY is in a very friendly neighborhood with the local LGBTQ Center just up the street. The new venue, BSP Lounge, has a DJ booth, working bar with reasonable prices, large dance floor and a very supportive staff. Angelina even arranged great prices ($55 a night) at a local motel which is less than a mile away from the venue. She’s even arranged for a pre-party party with a local makeup artist for $25 makeovers, with free appetizers & cocktails, and some local jewelry for sale. The cost of entry is $5 which helps cover the DJ and a local Tina Turner impersonator who will perform. It’s a safe haven with parking nearby. The venue is open at 8 p.m. and is expected to go into the early morning as NYS bars don’t have to close until 4 a.m.
Angelina Vail
There are summer GNO’s scheduled for June 6, July 3 and August 26. It’s also Gay Pride weekend in the Hudson Valley area with the New Paltz Pride March on Sunday June 7.
Angelina likes to do events, is a good organizer, and is a bundle of energy with lot of good ideas about what people and the LGBT (especially the transgender) community wants.
The bar called Triangles where the GNO event called Triangles was held monthly closed because a lack of ongoing attendance and not making money. It was in Danbury, Ct. The owner, Michelle, announced the closing just before closing time around 2 a.m. and it has not reopened (to my knowledge). A complaint which Angelina heard and experienced is the music played in some of the night clubs is “techno-music” which tends to be loud and not really what people want. She intends to have music from the ’80s, ’90s and dance music. There are other GNO’s popping up including eastern Mass., Taunton, Mass, New Hope, Pa. and New Haven, Ct.
Remember: these will only sustain themselves if we show support for them! If you are interested in more and continued TG-friendly options, then show us with your presence and help these events thrive!
Category: Out & About, Transgender Community News
About the Author (Author Profile)
Jan is actively involved in the transgender community in NYS and Florida where she snowbirds. Jan co-founded her local TG support group, Mid-Hudson Valley Transgender Association (MHVTA) in 2000 and gets out in her various communities (including retail therapy, dining out, and visiting places of interest). She has presented at various TG events including Fantasia Fair, IFGE, Southern Comfort, Be-All, First Event, Liberty and Empire) and was part of the Fantasia Fair organizing committee for several years focusing on programming and advertising.Subscribe
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