She is...Amanda Lepore

For what now is an indeterminate number of years, the enigmatic nightlife personality known as Amanda Lepore has emerged as one of club culture's most audaciously dynamic characters. Many have thrilled to her go-go skills on the dance platforms -- everyone remembers the first time they gazed upon Lepore in her "barely theres." She's always had a predisposition to nudity.

Modeling herself into a fashion muse for photographer David LaChapelle, it was inevitable that every paparazzo haunting the darkened allies of the East Village hidey-holes Lepore frequented wasn't clamoring for the shot of the bathed in blonde vixen, or her latest arm-candy conquest. As her sculpted waistline diminished, Lepore's ambition only grew in intensity and the public's demand for her next confection only became more and more insatiable.

And now at long last Amanda Lepore is glamming it up with an inaugural performance at the Highline Ballroom on Saturday, June 25. There, she is set to debut her new full-length album project just in time for NYC Gay Pride.

The show is entitled "I...Amanda Lepore Live in Concert" and promises to be as great a spectacle as the lady herself. "I've been busily touring the world," Lepore tells me, "and really have made a lot of fans. I thought this would be the perfect time of year to put on this level of a show."

She Looks Fierce!

The concert will give Lepore an opportunity to realize on stage her fanciful set of hit singles. "It's been a lot of work...I've been practicing on the songs and getting the outfits together. I'm certainly not going to rush it," she says about performing on stage. On her set list expect the ultra-sweet "Cotton Candy" and the decadent "Marilyn" as well as (perhaps) her remake of the classic "I Know What Boys Like" with which Lepore made a signature hit with her gender-bending antics. "I really do want to perform the songs really well - that's very important to me." And yes, she will be looking the part when she performs "My Hair Looks Fierce."

Always the one to travel with an entourage, Lepore's show will feature several guest performances. "There are a lot of special guest stars...Cherie Lily, Roxy Cottontail, The Ones, and Cazwell are joining me," she revealed. The two have often collaborated on their music and performance efforts throughout their careers. They've demonstrated a uniquely crafted chemistry that Lepore has come to appreciate. "He wrote a lot of the music for me and knows what's going on in my life - he listens to me and gets me."

The evening will be hosted by club legends Joey Arias and Kenny Kenny, among others, and will be presented by the doyenne of New York nightlife, Susanne Bartsch. No surprise there: "There's going to be costume changes and dancers and David LaChappell has done a lot of the pictures," which Lepore says will be part of the set pieces and video imagery that will dress her stage and enhance the flow of the show igniting her performance.

The Girl Next Door...

"I always worked in nightclubs and have always been a part of the scene, even before I did music," Lepore notes. Having absorbed so much of the eclectic mix and atmosphere that has influenced nightlife and club culture, performance artistry that combines fashion, music and imagery is something that has greatly influenced this new show. "I really like to keep busy - and I'm open to a lot of new things, but I'm focused on doing the music right now."

With the booming success of artists like Lady Gaga, who have achieved notoriety on not only their talent but also provocative fashion and image to set new trends, Lepore is confident the perception of alternative musical artists is evolving.

"It's exciting...and as an artist it makes people look at me differently, where as someone who is more inline with say Britney Spears or Christina Aguilera would not be as interested in me." In the case of Lady Gaga, you would have to wonder...who influenced whom? Amanda Lepore after all performed at Gaga's first record release party in the very venue in which she now will be headlining.

Lepore is also very conscious of the positive attention that gay and other alternative acts are presently experiencing. The talent within the community is proving broad and abundant.

"It's always been there, but I think people are looking at it differently now...especially at me. I'm not exactly the 'Girl Next Door,'" she admits, "unless I'm the 'Girl Next Door' to the brothel!" She candidly jokes about her often-racy image. Just a couple of weeks ago Amanda and rap's Queen B Lil' Kim were running around Club 57 topless (at least Lepore was topless) amid a rabid collection of partygoers.

That's just what you'd expect from someone who has been influencing club culture so irreverently. "There have always been all kinds of different scenes - and nightlife as changed largely in part due to the recession," Lepore believes. "People will always say that the Studio 54 days were better, or the age of the Club Kids, or the roaring 20's even...but nightlife will always be great. It's what you make of it and it's always exciting."

In fact, you are guaranteed that where ever Amanda Lepore is the party is just getting started. "I'm a very happy person," Lepore confidently conveys. "I'm fulfilled in my life." And she encourages her fans to not let anyone get in the way of their own dreams. "Do what you want. Do everything so long as you do it spiritually."

Amen.

A night with Amanda Lepore "I...Amanda Lepore - In Concert!" at the Highline Ballroom, Saturday, June 25. Doors open at 6pm. Show begins at 8pm. For tickets visit the Highline Ball website at Highline Ballroom Ticket Info.