Under the Mink is a historical novel, based on little-known facts about the Mafia’s involvement in a gay entertainment subculture that flourished in mob-owned nightclubs in Greenwich Village in the 1940s-50s. The author was fortunate enough to know some of the performers. A short film opens the program, followed by tall tales, a show of vintage images, and a reading from the novel.

Suggested donation of $5 to benefit the Bureau. No one turned away for lack of funds.

Lisa E. Davis has lived in Greenwich Village for 40 years and loves to write about it. With a PhD in Comparative Literature, she worked for years in SUNY and CUNY, and at the Center for Puerto Rican Studies, Hunter College. Lately, her writing has appeared in anthologies and periodicals dedicated to LGBTQ culture. Her historical novel Under the Mink, about drag kings and queens of yesteryear, grew out of her long-time friendship with some of them. The new edition (2015) has a photo insert with vintage images. A second book in progress, The FBI’s Lesbian, is the true story of a notorious Village lesbian who worked undercover for the FBI in the American Communist Party. Lisa has a daily Iyengar yoga practice.