We bid farewell to the iconic Roseland Ballroom this past weekend after hosting the 35th annual Black Party, Rites XXXV. I first performed at the Black Party last year and met some of the most amazing performers who I now call friends. Though this was our last year performing together under the space that started it all, we celebrated the anniversary with a bang! The road to this year’s Black Party started Friday morning before the 2014 Hookies International Escorts Awards at BPM in New York City.
We started filming video interviews for some of the 2014 Hookies Awards finalists at The Out Hotel early Friday morning to allow each of them enough time for their interview, meet with clients, shoot any porn scenes, and return in time for the awards show later that evening. The interviews ran well, with each finalist detailing their life and experience working as an escort and how it led them to where they are today.
Being on the production end of this year’s awards show was an eye-opening experience. Not only was it a challenge to herd some of these hookers, but ensuring a smooth run of show meant having to be attached to my phone in case anyone needed assistance, directions, or other information. Once the awards show started rolling, things became much easier. We were all finally in the same space, presenters knew when to approach the stage, so all we had to do was sit back and let the show unfold.
Having previous event production experience, I was thankfully prepared for any last minute confusion and stress that was bound to happen. As Scott Bixby, writer for The Daily Beast, playfully noted in his review of the Hookies Awards, “Eli Lewis… the self-described ‘Pocket Gaysian’ seems to be the only Hookies organizer who manages to stay on point.” What can I say? I work well under pressure! After the awards show ended Hans Berlin, Brayden Forrester, and I made our way to Berlin Fridays where we met up with some of the other finalists for the after party.
The next day, after some last minute shopping for my Black Party outfit, I made my way to Roseland Ballroom to set up my slaves for the Rentboy auction being held as part of the pre-show warmup. Joined by Austin Wolf, Duncan Black, and Chris Harder, we started a slow and sensual show that grew in intensity, viewership, and raunchiness until I was on my knees surrounded by cocks that needed to be serviced. While I’m not a fan of loud music at circuit parties, I had a lot of fun hanging out with my friends downstairs in the backstage changing room where we gossiped and prepped for our stage performances. It’s a great time to catch up and fuck around, so long as we save the money shot for the stage!
It was around 6AM when my last performance ended, so I returned home to get some rest before the Sunday after-hours party, but I found myself too exhausted to rally. My hand was my best friend at this point in the day. After getting some much-needed rest, I met up with some of the other boys later that day for celebratory cocktails and shenanigans to celebrate another great show. This was a weekend I won’t soon forget and I’m excited to see what next year’s show brings. Over the next few months I’m excited to work with more of my friends in upcoming video shoots and live stage shows. Until then, stay kinky!