>FROM THE [VENUS DINER] ARCHIVES>>

If you happen to be strolling along 8th Avenue late one night and happen to pass by Venus Diner, you might catch a glimpse of a gazelle, a geisha, a young page and a doll. If you're in the know, you'll know these mystical beings and socialites as Gazelle, Gaisha, Lui Antinous and Amanda Lepore, just to name a few. Why do these creatures and their friends always seem to gravitate towards this 'Chic Freak Eatery' time and time again? Is it perhaps the extraterrestrial name that reminds them of their celestial natures? To answer that question one would have to know the answer to this question: "Who are the Chic Freaks?"

I always thought of the original Chic Freaks as: Gazelle, Moondust, Lui Antinous, Tallula Blu, Gaisha and Dres, but this is only my interpretation. Maybe it's because I think of these people as my extended family. Perhaps that is what the Chic Freaks are all about. To be put simply, one can say that a Chic Freak is someone who likes to dress up in an exuberant and flamboyant manner, while usually paying special attention to their makeup. Yes, this is true, but I feel that doing this alone does not make one a Chic Freak.

In addition to knowing how to dress and do your makeup well, a Chic Freak is someone who genuinely lives for the [club]scene and grows from living through it; the Chic Freak is someone who recognizes the comradeship of this little community and who accepts and embraces its members. Although all Chic Freaks live for Music, Lights, Discoballs and Dancing, sometimes we want to connect with one other on a more intimate level. That is why we go to Venus Diner.

"Venus," as all Chic Freaks call it, is a comfortable place where we can all get together after a debaucherous night at Happy Valley or Distortion Disko. There, seated along with Kenny Kenny, Paul Alexander, Jun Nakayama and Sultana, you'll also find scenesters and new kids like Raquel Reed and Kayvon. Venus gives us all an opportunity to converse, mingle, catch up and grab a bite to eat all while making the night last a little longer.

At Venus the Chic Freaks are respected and admired for who they are. On more than one occasion an onlooker picked up our entire tab before anonymously making their way out. Another time a note was sent over saying that we were an inspiration. Venus has also been a favorite place for the Chic Freaks because of people like Phyllis, a waitress who would always bring pickles and coleslaw as soon as she sat us. If you're lucky enough to be at Venus on your birthday, Kenny Kenny will sing "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow" in between writing his number on sugar packets for lucky young bucks.

So, if you happen to be strolling along 8th Avenue in Chelsea some late night, you might spot a few of these dazzling and distinguished creatures. Maybe you're one of them! If so, save a seat for Tallula and me and go ahead and order us a cheeseburger deluxe, medium, and a side of mayo!

--Originally published c. 2005