September 5th 2006
I came to NYC last Wednesday to participate in the Fourth New York Burlesque Festival; a few hours into Manhattan I received a phone call that changed the nature of my trip. I was informed that my very dear friend Adam Goldstone had died at Burning Man. After grappling with my emotions and shock I decided not to participate in the festival as I was/am profoundly saddened by the loss of this bright soul and chose to spend quality time with many of my other dear friends in NYC and remember Adam and reflect on life.
Five years ago this week Adam literally danced into my life on the dance floor at the opening party of “Daddy” Adorable, dashing, and a witty flirt he had my attention right off the bat. Adam has been many things to me in these last five years, a lover, muse, collaborator, and editor, to name a few. That first week was a full of excitement and tragedy -911. We all know how strange and hard that was and I will leave it at that.
Adam was always supportive and caring “well” and sarcastic and sparring, I will miss him greatly. Because of his artist support and egging me on, he inspired me (and James Hillard too) to create Topsey Von Jekyll my drag persona that was the springboard into my current burlesque career. In 2001 Topsey performed in NYC at PTM (Princess Tiny Meat) and Escuelita. Due to complications with his flight out of SF on Jet Blue Adam could not make it to Topsey’s debut at PTM held at The Slipper Room, he was furious and never flew with Jet Blue again.
He has introduced me to many wonderful people including Andy Reynolds, James Hillard, Micky, Bruce Tantum, Ken Terry, Harmonica Sunbeam, Nancy and Phil just to name a few new and we found had many friends in common so the web just got a little tighter after that first dance. Adam was generous with what he had and loved his friends.
In May, Adam and I co produced a benefit on behalf of Harmonica Sunbeam held at Love. Due to obligations in Seattle and being in the final leg of producing the Exotic World 2006 contest and Friday Night Meet and Greet in Las Vegas I was unable to remaining NY for the benefit and sadly May was the last time I saw Adam. We had lunch at Life Cafe (the food was terrible and had fun making up stories about the couple sitting at the table a few feet away from us, catching up, taking pictures of each other with our telephones, and his telling me even more about his new found love, Burning Man. Though I found it truly bizarre that he was so moved by Burning Man it totally makes sense when I think about his is deep political distain for corporations and commercialism and love of a memorable party. I am happy that he was somewhere that was so profoundly inspiring to him when he departed our reality.
The thought of him camping in a tent on the playa wearing an neckerchief or ascot, Paul Smith socks and ankle-revealing trousers only puts a great big smile on my face.
I loved his irreverence and vanity and when it was shared with me that what was more than likely his last words; they were about the selection of trousers that someone (I still don’t know who) was trying to put on him to take him to the medic tent” No, No, Those simply won’t do!” It made me smile again.
I could write volumes about Adam and his antics and inspirations. I will miss our phone conversations and visits, dancing to his music, but mostly his friendship and very special laugh.
I would have loved to know him as an old man.
