3rd Annual BIG GAY VARIETY SHOW Held at Le Poisson Rouge 4/13

The third annual BIG GAY VARIETY SHOW hosted by the New York Civil Liberties Union (the New York State affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union) Young Professionals will take place on Tuesday, April 13 at Le Poisson Rouge, 158 Bleeker St., with doors opening at 7 p.m.

In 2009, the Big Gay Variety Show was hosted at The Box and sold out to over 300 young, progressive New Yorkers.

This year's event will be emceed by comedienne, chanteuse and cabaret superstar Lady Rizo, and feature performances from "Modern Family"'s Jesse Tyler-Ferguson, trans singer-songwriter Our Lady J (named one of Out Magazine's 2008 Out 100), Tony Award nominee Celia Keenan-Bolger and acclaimed NYC singer-songwriter Maddy Wyatt, magician Matthew Holtzclaw, comedy troop Sunday Morning Mimosa, comedians Paul Case and Gloria Bigelow, award-winning cabaret act Mel and El, contortionist Jared Rydelek, singer Kate Pazakis (UnZipped) and some very special surprise guests. The show is conceived and directed by Bill Augustin.

All proceeds will benefit the LGBT work of the NYCLU. After the State Senate failed to pass legislation to give lesbian and gay couples the ability to marry in New York, the New York Civil Liberties Union has been working overtime as a leading advocate for the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender New Yorkers. The NYCLU's current LGBT work includes fighting for fair marriage laws; DASA, the Dignity for All Students Act; and GENDA, the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act. The NYCLU is New York's foremost advocate of civil rights and liberties. It fights discrimination and moves public opinion on LGBT rights through the courts, legislature and public education so that one day our state can be the standard-bearer on LGBT rights nationwide.

The evening will feature an open bar all night (sponsored by Smirnoff Vodka, Magic Hat, Red Stripe and The Artisan Wine Company) and a raffle with thousands of dollars in prizes including Broadway house seats with backstage tours, a Fire Island get-a-way, and dinner for two by an acclaimed personal chef.

Single tickets ($50 and $35) and premier table seating can be purchased at http://www.nyclu.org/event/big-gay-variety-show.