GOSSIP ROUNDUP: Katy Perry Makes a "Splash"/ The Real Housewives Get "Ritzy"/ Gant Johnson Catches a "Brake"

(Katy Perry @ Splash. Photo: Kevin Hellmuth)

KISS ME KATY
Several weeks ago, we heard that Song of Summer front-runner Katy Perry was going to be making an appearance at The F Word. Then came a rushed e-mail that the whole thing was off. Well the California Gurl must’ve change her mind because she did indeed drop into Splash’s Friday-night freak fest. The club teamed up with Wigbar, the wigmakers to the stars, to doll its dancers up with some looks evoking “Peacock,” her new paean to the male member. “We thought it would be hot to put all of the go-go boys in colorful sexy mohawks—or "homohawks" as we called them—to fit the occasion better,” says Wigbar’s Isaac Davidson. “We ended up making and applying 15 in total.” Davidson admits not saying a peep about the “special guest star” was the really tough part.  “She had to use the downstairs dressing room because her costume—a glowing peacock tail—couldn't fit through the off-stage dressing room's path to the stage. Which is probably better, being that we had the upstairs one full of hair, go-go boys, drag queens and trannies!” Lady Perry arrived just before midnight with an entourage of more than 30 party people, then hit the stage to perform “Peacock” and then changed into a tight little number to belt out “California Gurls.”  The night might not have been the stuff of Teenage Dreams, but it certainly was a fag fantasy!

 
PUTTIN’ ON THE RITZ
Also having stars in their midst this weekend was the Ritz, which welcomed Real Housewives of New Jersey’s Caroline and Dina Manzo. DJ Xavier tells us Caroline had to leave to get home to her kids, but Dina “stuck around to greet people—she was a total sweetheart!” If you want to catch more of the Manzos—and some of their RHONJ costars—check out My Big Gay Italian Wedding at St. Luke's Theater. Cast members from the hit Bravo series are co-starring in the play—about a gay wedding interrupted by wacky in-laws and other obstacles— between Wednesday and Sunday.

HAIR TODAY…
Speaking of the Ritz, one of our favorite double acts, Sherry Vine and Epiphany’s The Blonde Leading the Blonde, is no more. Sherry emailed us to say they’re taking a break but promises to let us know if and when the show returns.

 

TRUTH BE TOLD
It looks like the gay play Veritas was the breakout hit of the recent  New York Fringe Festival. The show’s entire run sold out before the festival even started (ia festival first!) and it also nabbed the festival’s Overall Excellence Award for Best Ensemble.  The based-on-truth tale revolves around a secret “court” run by Harvard administrators in the 1920s to purge the school of homosexuals. Homos at Harvard? We’ve never head of such a thing! If you missed Veritas’ festival run, don’t fret. We have a feeling this drama will be getting a run of its own soon.
 

GIVE US A BRAKE
Never let it be said that New York's nightlife community doesn't give back. We've been to so many benefit shows and parties for Braking the Cycle— A 285-mile charity bike ride from Boston to New York that benefits the LGBT Center’s HIV and AIDS services —that we feel like we're riding in the race. (We tried biking once, but our cocktail kept spilling). On Thursday, we hit the Eagle for the New York Boys of Leather's "Jail and Bail" event, where a donation could get you thrown in the makeshift slammer, tied up and beaten. (Basically Lindsay Lohan's Wednesday-night ritual.) For a few weeks now, Will Clark has been giving proceeds from his weekly Porno Bingo at Pisces to the cause. And DJ Gant Johnson (left) just e-mailed us to let us know he's riding again for the fifth year in a row, and would rather get ride pledges than presents for his upcoming 42nd birthday. The ride kicks off September 24.  Go here to make a donation toward Gant’s ride.