The calendar has been most cooperative this year. Saturday is the actual Fourth of July, so everyone and his momma has off on Friday; which works out perfectly for a long, three-day weekend beginning on Thursday.

No matter what time you leave work and no matter what time you get here, you will have to deal with the traffic, so we'll schedule something low-key and relaxing for Thursday evening. Get here, have a drink poolside, catch a few rays, let the real world melt away, enjoy a leisurely dinner and a mellow evening.

Friday, we turn the pool out full-force. Cute boys and girls, as scantily clad as the law will allow. Sure, you can pretend to be reading or working on your laptop, but we know you're really checking out the hotties. Expect 100 new faces (and bodies) - and you'll be one of them. Spend the day chillin'.

So why, you ask, has Amanda been so concerned with your conserving your energy and excitement? 'Cause on Friday night, Rainbow Mountain Resort is proud to present the one, the only
Peppermint
Dancer, Singer, Diva!
(photo credits, above and first on right, go to KarlGiant.com)

Let's start with Peppermint's official pr blurb:

"The hardest working woman in show business, Peppermint has conquered the New York scene with her high-energy and engaging personality. With consecutive shows 7 nights a week, Peppermint has the largest following of ANY drag performer in NY and has been named Best Breakthrough Artist, Best Host/MC, and Entertainer of the Year and nominated Best Pop Video, Best Vocalist, Best Dancer by L Magazine, The Village Voice, & HX Magazine.

"From her comedic and lively hosting to her live music performances of pop, rock and hip-hop, Peppermint’s refreshing style has helped develop a dedicated and eclectic audience. With an inherent versatility, she’s made the ultimate leap from fun entertainer to serious recording artist. “Servin it Up” was named one of the Top songs of the YEAR by Next Magazine and HX
Magazine. The “Servin It Up” video held its position on MTV/Logo’s TOP 10 for several weeks. Peppermint was recently featured on MTV’s The Real World Brooklyn and has been featured in videos with Debbie Harry and the Scissor Sisters. She has also performed alongside Chaka Khan, Martha Wash, and Ultra Nate’ for packed houses around the world and she recently took her show (complete with backup dancers and pyrotechnics) overseas to London and Australia. (Photo on right by Jeff Eason.)

"Peppermint has helped raise over $100,000 for the Human Rights Campaign (including a large bid from Vanessa Williams). She is deeply involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS and participant in the M.A.C. Aids Fund and Project Achieve." Photo to left by KarlGiant.com.

And other folks' words:

“Peppermint is NY’s Favorite New Flavor!” - Next Magazine

“New York’s #1 Drag Queen!...Quick but never mean, sassy but not cunty”
- Michael Musto, Village Voice

Paper Magazine’s “100 Most Beautiful People” issue
Winner! - Entertainer of the Year (3 years running)
Photo on right by Miles Davis.

Click on any pic to go to Peppermint's website or MySpace page.
And, finally, Peppermint on YouTube!

Great news! The weekend is still ahead of you. Saturday at the Pool, a Full Moon Party and Shadow Dance Contest in the Nightclub (remember, you're backlit behind a curtain, so we're not really seeing you, we're seeing your shadow, so all the usual good-taste restrictions are unenforceable!). Also - for all you small-breasted girls and under-endowed boys - the closer you stand to the light source, the larger your shadow will appear. Of course, you can expect your comeuppance if you choose to skinny-dip after hours.

(Sorry, Wendy Ho cancelled.)

And don't forget the
Rainbow Mountain Stimulates Your Package Deal