Get Out! GAY Magazine – Issue 489

BY JIM SILVESTRI
Catching Up With
CHERRY JUBILEE
A longtime NYC drag hostess, Cherry Jubilee is best known as the creator and
producer of nightlife’s biggest evening: the GLAM Awards! Here, we dish about
the 23rd annual GLAMs, slated for January 30th!
PHOTO CREDIT: WILSONMODELS
DESIGN BY: DAVID SERRANO
Interview
Hello, Cherry! You
must be so busy with
everything right now!
I would say so. But
things are coming along
nicely. It’s a very exciting
time. And after a year of
lockdown, I’m super happy
to be busy.
So, online GLAM
voting just closed and I
understand
that the
response has
been one of
the largest
ever.
The largest
response
ever by far! I
was initially
worried that
the pandemic
may put a
damper on
things. But
thankfully,
that didn’t
happen. The
enthusiasm
of people in
NYC nightlife
is huge this
year, and it’s
definitely
one of those
years where
we see a big
insurgence of new talent.
So that may be one reason.
And Brooklyn has come
out in full force like no
other year before. It’s one
of the most inclusive and
diverse years ever. I love
that!
Last year, during
lockdown, the GLAMs
went digital, honoring
nightlifers who produced
online content. That
must’ve been a huge,
unique challenge.
Digital is a completely
different animal. Putting
together a pre-recorded
broadcast is very
technically challenging…
especially when it’s your
first time. And the fact
that you’re attempting
this during a raging
pandemic is definitely a
new kind of challenge.
But it’s as important in a
digital production as it is
in a live one that you are
working with talented and
professional folks. That
makes it easier and more
enjoyable. I learned a lot
and was very happy with
the results. But I’m hoping
never to have to do it
again.
The GLAMs return to
Sony Hall as a live event
on January 30th. Is live
event producing just like
riding a bike or do you
have to relearn how to do
everything, lol?
After putting in at least
three months of work
every year for over two
decades, you can pretty
much go on automatic
pilot once that time of year
rolls around. Even after a
year off. I’ve definitely got
it down at this point. I just
jump right back on that
bike and go!