Out with Dr. Bill – Toasting Birthdays, Friendships and New Adventures

April was a whirlwind–not just for me, but for my entire April birthday community. It's been a month of celebrations, milestones, and meaningful moments. We toasted dear friends like Scott Pask, Philip McCarthy and Ryan Velandria McCarthy, Donna Bridgeforth, Robin Byrd, and Nolan Stamps. There were great meals, my first weekend at our Fire Island house, a birthday gathering for yours truly at the Perry Club, and a joyful Easter brunch with longtime friends. It's been a month rich with connection–a true reminder of how lucky we are to share these moments together.

Ritz-Carlton Nomad with Philip

Toasting with fellow Aries is one of my favorite ways to kick off this blessed birthday month.

This year, Eric and I started with a casual gathering at Bazaar Bar, tucked inside the Ritz-Carlton NoMad. Like most nights in Manhattan, getting there took a little planning–walk, subway, or taxi–but we all eventually found our way. When I arrived, three friends were already settled in, and Eric, Matt, and Grant followed soon after.

Bazaar Bar, designed by Martin Brudnizki, feels like a tucked-away library–comfortable, elegant, and a truly out of the box concept. We ordered a little of everything: bottles of wine, a round of martinis, and one brown drink–I think it was a Manhattan, though the details got a little fuzzy after a few toasts.

It was the perfect, easy start to the celebrations–full of laughter, old friends, and new stories. Nights like these remind me that no matter how fast the city moves, making time for each other never goes out of style–nor fails to refill my spirit.

From Broadway to Belvedere: A Chelsea Evening Well Spent

The next night started with an unplanned stop at Elmo. I was heading to KID for pizza and a Caesar salad when I spotted my Chelsea neighbor, the ever-talented Michael Lee Scott, through the window. I popped in, grabbed a seat–grateful for the sturdier new stools–and ordered a dry Belvedere martini up with olives.

Michael, one of the busiest people I know, caught me up on his latest projects. Best known as the former art director for "The Wendy Williams Show," he's also had a rich Broadway career, performed at the Tonys and Radio City, and is an accomplished trompe l'oeil painter. I've always admired him–not just for his career, but for the way he gives back through causes like Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

After our catch-up, I continued to KID–just a block away–for a bite. Two of my favorite bartenders, Hache and Gaspar, were on duty, always making you feel like you're walking into their home.

KID has been a great addition to the neighborhood–elevated comfort food, no attitude, and a stylish upgrade from the old plumbing company that once took up the block. It's a treat that never lets me down.

Fire Island First Weekend

That next weekend, I made my first trip to Fire Island for the 2025 season–and it couldn't have been a better kickoff. Two new housemates, Asheton Lemay and Chris Collins, joined our Pines family, and it's always such a treat to experience the island through fresh eyes. I call them "newbies," though they were really just new to our house.

We took the guys to tea at Sip N Twirl, where they quickly became the talk of the town–the new kids making a splash. Both incredibly talented, handsome, and full of energy, they left us more seasoned island-goers feeling inspired and a little in awe of the next generation.

Over cocktails–mixed by one of the venue's new bartenders–we talked about what's ahead for the summer, and how once the season hits full swing, the island will be buzzing with even more energy. Bringing new people into your home is such a personal thing, but when you find the right fit, it feels less like just sharing a space and more like growing a family. That's when the magic really happens.

Arts League

The following Monday, we had the honor of being guests of our friends Howard Goldfarb and Ron Chereskin at the beautiful home of Kelly Stuart Graham for an evening hosted by the Friends of the League Leadership Council in support of The Art Students League of New York.

When we first moved to New York, we lived just a few doors away on 57th Street and often passed the League, always curious about the creative world inside. Founded in 1875, it has nurtured generations of artists–including Georgia O'Keeffe, Jackson Pollock, Norman Rockwell, and Alexander Calder–offering a place to study, create, and thrive.

The highlight of the evening for me was meeting the inspiring Brandon Kazen-Maddox. Brandon, a Grandchild of Deaf Adults (GODA) and third-generation native signer of American Sign Language (ASL), noticed I was quietly signing guests' names to myself–a trick I use to remember them–and came over to introduce themselves. Brandon, who identifies as a nonbinary, Black Indigenous Person of Color and LGBTQAI+ artist, co-founded "Up Until Now Collective," a nonprofit creating opportunities for Deaf artists in ASL Dance Theater and building bridges across communities.

Most recently, Brandon and their collective were commissioned by Broadstream to create SOUL(SIGNS)–a series of ASL music videos celebrating iconic songs by Black women–featured in The New York Times, ABC World News, and in Times Square's Midnight Moment throughout July 2021.

Celebrating Friendship and Good Food at The Perry Club

We kicked off my birthday night with a pre-toast at the apartment. After a few laughs and a little sparkle, it was just a short stroll down the street to The Perry Club, a vibrant West Village staple that's become a go-to spot for special nights out.

I celebrated my birthday there this year with a small circle of friends, and true to form, Brandon Fay – a dear friend for over twenty years, going back to his Trattoria Dell'Arte days and his "Cooking with Brandon" segments on CBS News – made sure it was a five-star evening to remember.

The feast was truly something special: thinly sliced filet mignon over a bed of rocket greens with caramelized carrots and wild mushrooms, hand-made stuffed hot and sweet peppers with sautéed onions, vodka chicken Parmesan pizza, and, of course, his famous cheesy stuffed meatballs – the very ones featured on ABC's "Shark Tank."

One of the many things I've always admired about Brandon, beyond his infectious energy, is the way he ensures everyone feels seen and cared for. One of our guests was gluten-free, and without missing a beat, Brandon had a full assortment of gluten-free options ready to go.

To add an extra touch of magic to the evening, he arranged for the talented Micahl Evans on piano and two charming young singers, Lulu Hamlett and Annika Beth Nelson, to serenade us as we enjoyed dessert and a round of Limoncello.

We had the Red Room, the cozy, speakeasy-style space tucked beneath the restaurant, all to ourselves. It's stylish and intimate, the kind of spot that makes any gathering feel a little extra magical.

It was a birthday celebration I'll always cherish–surrounded by wonderful friends, unforgettable food, and the kind of heartfelt hospitality that Brandon makes feel so effortless.

Tiffany Haddish, Fashion Legends, and a Room Full of Rising Stars

I had the pleasure of attending the 29th Annual FGI Rising Star Awards luncheon, hosted by Fashion Group International, with the hilarious Tiffany Haddish keeping everyone laughing. I was lucky to be there as a guest of my dear friend Kimberly Carney from "The Wires."

It turned into one of those special afternoons filled with reconnections–running into my longtime friend, the legendary Fern Mallis; the incredibly talented Halston Creative Director, Ken Downing; the always-sweet and uber-connected Chiun-Kai Shih ("Chunky" to friends); and Nessi Erkmenoglu, a beloved former Harper's Bazaar colleague I hadn't seen in years. A true reminder of just how small–and indelible–this world can be.

Seersucker, Prosecco, and Potato Salad: A New York Easter to Remember

Easter Brunch at Bill, Fred, and James' beautiful apartment in the sky has become one of my favorite traditions. Just two blocks from home, their place fills each year with familiar faces, seersucker jackets, flowing Prosecco, and the kind of laughter that reminds me why these moments matter. Sure, a few of us move a little slower these days, and there's a bit more silver in the room, but the spirit of Easter–friendship, renewal, and celebration–pulls us together, year after year.

This year was no different. We brought along our dear friend Rex Reed, who never misses a lively gathering. The table was a feast: sweet indulgences like cookies, alongside showstoppers like savory bread pudding with mushrooms and James' famous potato salad–definitely not a carb-free zone.

Later, we wandered out onto the patios, standing under an apple tree covered in blooms, looking uptown toward the Empire State Building. It was one of those perfect New York moments you wish you could bottle.

One conversation I'll hold onto was with Mark Beard–the extraordinary artist whose work hangs in the MFA Boston, the Whitney, the Met, MoMA, and over 100 private collections, including ours. We talked about the time he and his partner, James Manfredi, split between Paris and New York, and the pure joy he finds in creating.

And of course, being just a short walk from home made the post-brunch pub crawl even sweeter.

Each year, this day reminds me that while time moves forward, the bonds we've built only grow stronger–and that's the real magic.

Gratitude, Friendship, and the Promise of What's Next

As the sun dipped behind the skyline and we made our easy walk home, I found myself overwhelmed with gratitude–for the traditions that anchor us and the friendships that continue to grow richer in depth with time. These gatherings–woven together with laughter, memory, and a touch of magic–remind me that while the years may pass, the bonds we build only deepen.

Next time, I'll take readers along on our trek to Tucson with two of our New York friends and Fire Island housemates, Alex and Luigi, where a surprise desert performance added an unforgettable twist the night before the guys arrived.

Internationally acclaimed recording artist Anthony Nunziata–whom we've been lucky to call a friend since his college days–had just wrapped his spring residency at Café Carlyle. He graced Green Valley audiences with three sold-out shows at the Community Performing Arts Center (CPAC), then joined us in Tucson for an overnight stay before heading off on his next adventure. Anthony is expected to return to the legendary Carlyle, along with his brilliant music director and accompanist, Yasuhiko "Yaz" Fukuoka, in 2026. Stay tuned–you won't want to miss this next chapter.