The Best of Binky's Johnny Weir Blog: Johnny in Chicago: Fandemonium!

Johnny at Scarlet Bar's

5th Anniversary party in Chicago.

Exclusive photo © Stacy McReynolds.

Kayso our Scarlet Bar story concludes with more fabulous exclusive picspam courtesy of Stacy McReynolds plus a few behind-the-scenes vignettes...

We'll start with this tidbit from Bill Pritchard's blog, where an interview with Johnny should be forthcoming. As a preview, Bill posted this photo yesterday:

Johnny with Bill Pritchard shortly before

the Scarlet anniversary party.

And he writes:

My friend Paul Cannella and his team at Scarlet really celebrated last week. Known for his generosity in the community, Paul opened Scarlet for five nights straight with a hosted bar [editorial note: Stacy wants me to mention that the drinks were really, really good!]. Additionally he brought in well-known friends in the LGBT world to ramp up the fun factor. One such special guest was Two-time Olympic Figure Skater, Three-time US National Champion, and Star of his own reality TV series, “Be Good Johnny Weir”, Johnny Weir!

I enjoyed the opportunity to host Johnny, Paul, and my friends from GayChicagoTV... While Paul was being interviewed in the other room, Mr. Weir and I had a chance to visit. I have to say, with all the hype about him being a diva; I found him to be very sweet, thoughtful, and ambitious. He was over the top professional and indeed, fun!

He also noted that Johnny had a few rules about what DJDOLO could and could not play during the Scarlet party:

I love how this list is beautifully written by Johnny

on what appears to be the back of a receipt.
Also: First on the "NO" list
is "Bieber," I think...

Johnny with Scarlet's owner, Paul Cannella.

Photo tweeted by @scarletchicago:

"This is beautiful!"

So to answer many, many people's questions, yes! I did get to chat with Johnny for a few moments at Scarlet, although "chatting" consisted mainly of shrieking in his ear at warp speed like a banshee on meth which I'm sure he found not at all unpleasant, but at least I was able to communicate through a combination of intricate hand gestures and literal ALL CAPS SHOUTING that I had STUFF from a FAN to give HIM that came all the way from RUSSIA, and I was in fact able to deliver said stuff to him, and also his ear did not fall off, so all in all I'm calling it a win. My only regret is that there wasn't time to have Stacy photograph him extensively head-to-toe so we could all fully appreciate him in those McQueen leggings.

Which reminds me: In addition to all the gorgeous merchandise already offered in the Team Weir-Voronov fan store (Go now! Buy stuff! Do want everything, including the iPhone case, and I don't even have an iPhone...), don't we need a Johnny paper-doll set that comes with tiny long black jackets and McQueen leggings and lots of pointy shoes and wedge heels...? Of course we do. Somebody get on that ASAP, please.

OMG adorable "Ave Maria" doggie tee—

only at the Team Weir-Voronov fan store!!

All proceeds donated to

Johnny's Comeback Gift Fund.

And finally: There were lots and lots of tweets about the Scarlet event from ecstatic attendees, but my favorite is the one below, especially juxtaposed with the following quote:

Geez, who remembers who won

the Grand Prix final anyway? Nobody remembers.

People only remember who won the Olympic Games

and the world championships. — Patrick Chan

(Except nobody remembers those, either.)

(They just remember Johnny.)

See you at Holiday Dreams on Ice this Sunday—Johnny's premiering his "Army of Me" program!!

(What? You don't have your tickets yet? Go go go here now!)

As always, please click any photo twice for larger view.

Our picspam today focuses on Johnny with fans,

by which I mean pretty much everyone

who came to the event because they
all wanted hugs, autographs,
and photos with him.

Autographing his book,

Welcome to My World.

Autographing this lovely lady's...

...body part, at her request.

With Julie Findon, center,

and her daughter Stephanie.

Autographing Stacy McReynolds' photo of him

from last year's Fashion on Ice...

...and one of the T. Rains T-shirts
specially made for the event.

With Scarlet owner Paul Cannella, in red hat,

and the rep from TPAN, the charity to which

the night's proceeds were donated.

Holding Traver's photo of him

as Traver prepares to autograph it
for fan Gary Podschun.

Stacy with Traver Rains.

Crowded!

The guy on the right is wearing

one of the T. Rains shirts in blue

(see below).

Getting his groove on
with Avo Yermagyan.

Bonus pics!! I was lucky enough to receive

several of the blue shirts to take home.

"They're very aggressive," Johnny shouted wryly at me.

Yes. Yes, they are.
View the full image at your own risk.

Love this quote from Lynn Rutherford's

excellent new interview with Johnny

posted on Ice Network yesterday:

Healing Weir to Headline 'Holiday Dreams on Ice'.

And one more. ♥

Very special thanks to

Stacy McReynolds

for the exclusive photos!!

Holiday Dreams On Ice 2012!
IT'S THIS SUNDAY, DEC. 16!!
(Rain date: Saturday, Dec. 22)

Visit the HDOI website for info and tickets!

Yes!! More Johnny on our TVs!

Check out the Rachael vs. Guy website for more info!

Patti has posted a new message

on Johnny's Comeback Gift Fund website,

with her thoughts on Johnny's Grand Prix events

and what lies ahead. Please go read it now!

Johnny's blogging regularly

about his comeback journey for ESPN!!

His first entry, "A Fresh Start"—personal, honest,

very Johnny—was posted last Friday and is the source

of the quote on the Spirit Day photo above.

Looking forward to reading more from him

as the season progresses!

Please alert absolutely everyone you've ever met

to "like" and follow the new

Johnny Weir To Host SNL! (Yes Please) campaign

on Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr.

Because he should be on all the things.

With or without ice.

But definitely with Viacheslav.

Yep, I'm still promoting this silly poll,
in which you can vote at least once a day.

Please vote for Johnny!!

Need to see Season 2 all over again?
Watch episodes online anytime on Logo!

Please be sure to check in with GetGlue
anytime you're watching the show...
or thinking about watching the show....
or wishing you were watching the show....

HE REALLY, REALLY IS!!
Landing quads and kicking ass!
Read his comeback statement
on his website!

Yes, YOU can be a part of Johnny's comeback!

Please visit Johnny's Comeback Gift Fund today

and chip in as little as $1 via PayPal.

Our small gifts can help make his dream of competing
in his third Olympic Games come true!
And now you can leave a message
of support for Johnny, too!