The new movie version of HAIRSPRAY makes this a good time to take another look at this piece I originally wrote back in 2003. It calls up the event that inspired Waters to create the original Hairspray film.

Buddy Dean died on July 16 2003. Probably not too many people besides Baltimore-bred baby boomers noticed. John Waters and Danny Schechter did.

Gonzalez y Gonzalez (625 Broadway, NYC) is the tropical rococo home to the longest bar in NYC. I can vouch for the bright eye candy, but without my tape measure I cannot confirm the size boasting. The food is your standard South of the Border fare and - at least for tonight - the margaritas were only $5.00. I'm not sure if this is normal. I did find out however that they offer Salsa lessons weekly ... but don't look for me there.