SAVE THE DATE Christina Visca, GMHC, LIFEbeat and AREA present KEEP ON DANCIN' REMEMBERING MEL CHEREN WITH THE MUSIC OF THE PARADISE GARAGE Saturday, January 10, 2009 Santos Party House 100 Lafayette St, NYC DJ Line-Up and More Details COMING SOON Door Proceeds to Benefit GMHC, LIFEbeat and AREA ...

The "2009 Keep On Dancin" remembering Mel Cheren with the music of the Paradise Garage (DJ line up to be announced) will be held at Santos Party House, New York, Saturday, January 10, 2009. All door proceeds to benefit Christina Visca, GMHC, LIFEbeat, and AREA (The American Run for the End of AIDS). ...

MAESTRO is a historical documentary film based on the underground dance music scene in New York City during the late 1960's through the 1980's. It was a precursor to the disco phenomenon which resulted into movie blockbusters such as "Saturday Night Fever" in 1977, and "54" in 1998. The documentary begins with the history of same sex dancing after the Stonewall riots in 1969. Same sex dancing gave a whole new meaning to freedom of expression through the art of dancing. A freedom that was unaffec...

By Maria Esteves - July 12, 2007 NewFest 2007: The 19th Annual New York LGBT Film Festival N.Y. Premiere THE GODFATHER OF DISCO documentary film, directed by Gene Graham was held at AMC Loews 34th St Theater, Friday, June 1, 5:45 p.m. A special Q&A immediately followed. The N.Y. Premiere after party was held at The Zipper Factory Theater Tavern, 7:30pm. I had the privilege of interviewing emerging award-winner director Gene Graham, Sunday, July 1, 1:00pm. Q: What inspired the making of ...

By Maria Esteves - May 23, 2007 THE GODFATHER OF DISCO, directed by Gene Graham will have its N.Y. Premiere at NewFest 2007: The 19th Annual New York LGBT Film Festival on Friday, June 1, 5:45 p.m., and Saturday, June 2, 1:30 p.m. at the AMC Loews 34th St Theater. Winner of the 2007 Emerging Filmmakers Award, Minneapolis/St. Paul International Film Festival, THE GODFATHER OF DISCO will also screen at the 20th Connecticut Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, Saturday, June 2, 2007, 4:00...

By Maria Esteves - December 16, 2007 Mel Cheren (January 21, 1933 - December 7, 2007), was a painter, founder of 24 Hours For Life, fiscal sponsor for LIFEbeat, CEO & Founding Partner of West End Records, and financial backer of the Paradise Garage dance venue. The documentary film of THE GODFATHER OF DISCO, directed by Gene Graham, based on Mel's autobiography "My Life and the Paradise Garage: Keep On Dancin" is the greatest historical gift from back in the day. In the 1980's...