Terry Lee King also known as The Legendary Amazin’ Grace joins me in this delightful milestone episode. This award-winning drag queen is also a stage actor, director, script writer and has hosted multiple productions. This community activist does charity work with HIV and AIDS patients. He courageously lives with this condition himself while staying joyful, active and strong. In an Underground Ballroom competition in New Jersey, Amazin’ Grace was crowned Legendary. Talent for the performing arts runs in Terry Lee’s family as his mother was singer, dancer and actress Jewel Lopez King. His mother was his inspiration and role model. Not only was Terry Lee King my magnificently talented, heroic, admirable and charming guest this week, he is also a total sweetheart who I am overjoyed to welcome to my podcast episode.

Terry Lee King also known as The Legendary Amazing Grace joins me in this delightful milestone episode. This award-winning drag queen is also a stage actor, director, script writer and has hosted multiple productions. This community activist does charity work with HIV and AIDS patients. He courageously lives with this condition himself while staying joyful, active and strong. In an Underground Ballroom competition in New Jersey, Amazing Grace was crowned Legendary. Talent for the performing arts runs in Terry Lee’s family as his mother was singer, dancer and actress Jewel Lopez King. His mother was his inspiration and role model. Not only was Terry Lee King my magnificently talented, heroic, admirable and charming guest this week, he is also a total sweetheart who I am overjoyed to welcome to my podcast episode.

State of the Arts Episode 59 just published! My guests this week are guitarist Jeff Free of the Moonshine Runners, an alternative rock band based out of Queens, and his beautiful newlywed bride, Brenda. The Moonshine Runners were formed a few years ago. Their debut song was “Can’t Believe,” which was an original. They ascended to the finals in The Battle of the Bands Competition at the Music Hall of Williamsburg. This event was hosted by the Robert J. Efros Foundation. Recently they have reached three thousand followers on Instagram. On the horizon for this rising young band are music videos and national tours. Brenda shows her support for her husband’s music career by attending and helping out at many of his gigs. She is also a classically trained guitar hobbyist, a painting enthusiast and enjoys makeup artistry. I am so glad to be joined this week by this lovely, positive, hard-working and creative couple!

My guest this week is an actor, a singer, a songwriter, an LGBTQ community activist, an associate at the Imperial Court of New York, a board member at the Metropolitan Community Church of New York, a board member at the Big Apple Performing Arts-NYCGMC and a board member/first tenor for the New York City Gay Men’s Chorus. He is The multi-talented Nelson Gonzalez a.k.a. Domingo Diaz Jr. Aside from being a skilled performer, board member, writer and activist, Nelson is also a master chef who studied at the New York Restaurant School. In 2013 he founded Sofrito, an online magazine devoted to the Latino culinary arts. He interviewed many prestigious Hispanic chefs including Master Chef winner Claudia Sandoval for Sofrito. Once a manager of a popular NYC restaurant, Nelson is also familiar with every aspect of the restaurant industry. As an actor/singer he has participated in many shows throughout the years, from a childhood production of West Side Story to his most recent role in Terry Lee King’s musical, Dragita which I had the privilege of seeing. In addition to his talent for acting and singing, Nelson is also a stellar Latin dancer. I am overwhelmed with gratitude to have such an amazingly talented, accomplished, intelligent and all-around wonderful guest on my podcast this week!

My guest this week is an actor, a singer, a songwriter, an LGBTQ community activist, an associate at the Imperial Court of New York, a board member at the Metropolitan Community Church of New York, a board member at the Big Apple Performing Arts-NYCGMC and a board member/first tenor for the New York City Gay Men’s Chorus. He is The multi-talented Nelson Gonzalez a.k.a. Domingo Diaz Jr. Aside from being a skilled performer, board member, writer and activist, Nelson is also a master chef who studied at the New York Restaurant School. In 2013 he founded Sofrito, an online magazine devoted to the Latino culinary arts. He interviewed many prestigious Hispanic chefs including Master Chef winner Claudia Sandoval for Sofrito. Once a manager of a popular NYC restaurant, Nelson is also familiar with every aspect of the restaurant industry. As an actor/singer he has participated in many shows throughout the years, from a childhood production of West Side Story to his most recent role in Terry Lee King’s musical, Dragita which I had the privilege of seeing. In addition to his talent for acting and singing, Nelson is also a stellar Latin dancer. I am overwhelmed with gratitude to have such an amazingly talented, accomplished, intelligent and all-around wonderful guest on my podcast this week!

My guest this week is an actor, a singer, a songwriter, an LGBTQ community activist, an associate at the Imperial Court of New York, a board member at the Metropolitan Community Church of New York, a board member at the Big Apple Performing Arts-NYCGMC and a board member/first tenor for the New York City Gay Men’s Chorus. He is The multi-talented Nelson Gonzalez a.k.a. Domingo Diaz Jr. Aside from being a skilled performer, board member, writer and activist, Nelson is also a master chef who studied at the New York Restaurant School. During the 2020 lockdown he founded Sofrito, an online magazine devoted to the Latino culinary arts. He interviewed many prestigious Hispanic chefs including Master Chef winner Claudia Sandoval for Sofrito. Once a manager of a popular NYC restaurant, Nelson is also familiar with every aspect of the restaurant industry. As an actor/singer he has participated in many shows throughout the years, from a childhood production of West Side Story to his most recent role in Terry Lee King’s musical, Dragita which I had the privilege of seeing. In addition to his talent for acting and singing, Nelson is also a stellar Latin dancer. I am overwhelmed with gratitude to have such an amazingly talented, accomplished, intelligent and all-around wonderful guest on my podcast this week!

State of the Arts Episode 56, The New Years Special just published! Broadway composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim was a timeless legend. His famous works include West Side Story, Sweeney Todd, Follies, Merrily We Roll Along and A Funny Thing Happened to Me on the Way to The Forum. Many of his shows were converted into Hollywood silver screen films. Throughout his life, he has received an Academy Award, eight Tony awards, eight Grammy awards, a Pulitzer Prize, a Laurence Olivier Award and a Presidential Medal of Freedom. There were also a few movies he scored the music for such as Dick Tracey and Reds. Sadly, this 91 year old enigma passed away peacefully this year on November 26th. I’m joined on my podcast this week by returning guests Anthony Bonilla and Derek Upright, who are two performing arts connoisseurs and former academic theatrical artists, to honor this beloved musical master. Tune in for a touching, heartfelt New Years Eve episode that toasts one of Broadway’s most celebrated wonders!

State of the Arts Episode 55: The Christmas Special just released! This episode is dedicated to everyone who is battling or have battled breast cancer. My guest this week is Catniss Locati. She is an areonip architect, which is a tattoo artist who designs new nipples and areolas for women who have had mastectomies. “Areonip” is a word that she coined herself. Her extensive experience in the fine arts makes her a high quality micropigmentation specialist and areonip architect. Also a talented art instructor, she teaches painting, drawing and sewing in the Connecticut area. Group classes, individual lessons and children’s classes are offered by her budding new business. After many decades of being a photorealistic painter, she has accumulated thousands of original works. In addition to these accomplishments, Catniss has been commissioned to create many public and private murals. The holder of the title of Miss Montana USA 1981, she has been deeply involved in the beauty industry her entire life. I’m thrilled to have this creative, compassionate, intelligent and accomplished guest on my podcast this week!

State of the Arts Episode 54 just published! I am honored to have interviewed Robert Venuti, who is the owner of Carmine’s Italian Deli in the cozy, rustic town of Elmsford, New York. He has transformed this local staple into a cocktail lounge, a catering hall, a comedy club, a family restaurant and a rehearsal space/concert venue for his rock band The Surf. During the uncertain days of the 2020 pandemic lockdown, Robert started a YouTube channel teaching viewers how to cook delicious Italian cuisine on a tight budget. In addition to all these amazing accomplishments, he is also a fourth level black belt in Tai Kwon Do. As a martial arts master, he had taught many classes and traveled extensively to Asia. Always the entertainer he incorporates some of his martial arts moves into his performance when he sings with The Surf. I was privileged to have interviewed this dynamic, magnetic, smart and witty talent in person at his deli. He possesses a refreshingly unique combination of western charisma and eastern wisdom. It’s such a blessing to have such an amazing guest on my podcast!

State of the Arts Episode 53 just published! This week I’m joined by Mehrvash Janati who is an entrepreneur in the Persian rug industry and a painter. Mehrvash’s family has been involved in the timeless art of Persian rug preservation, cleaning, sales and creation for numerous generations. An expert, a dealer, a preservationist and for one sitting: even a craftswoman, she has extensive experience in every area of this artistic and historically rich Iranian tradition. Also a talented painter, her abstract work compliments the beauty of the stunning rugs she is surrounded by. Her home is a sanctuary of modern creativity and ancient splendor. I am so blessed to have this amazing artist, brilliant businesswoman and wise historian on my podcast!!