Accolades From All-Stars, as Bottcher’s Inauguration Plays The Joyce Stage

Launching at 1pm on Saturday, March 5 and taking place at Chelsea’s iconic Joyce Theater (175 Eighth Ave. at W. 19th St.), the inauguration ceremony for NYC District 3 Councilmember Erik Bottcher was peppered with New York City and State electeds who knew the man of the hour “back in the day” when he was organizing grassroots efforts in support of the Marriage Equality Act or serving as predecessor Corey Johnson’s Chief of Staff. Arriving early enough to claim her upfront, from which most of these photos were taken, was longtime Chelsea resident Pamela Wolff. Things kicked off, appropriately enough considering the pedigree of the venue with Tituss Burgess performing The Star-Spangled Banner and Bottcher holding his own alongside a choreographed contingent from the multigenerational troupe, Dances for a Variable Population. The ceremony, which in practice played out as more of a celebration distinguished by humorous anecdotes and heartfelt accolades, was near capacity–but made available as a livestream broadcast, via Bottcher’s Facebook page.

—By Scott Stiffler

It begins: The start of NYC Councilmember Erik Bottcer´s inauguration, as the Joyce Theater.| Photo by Pamela Wolff

Held at the Joyce, Erik Bottcher’s inauguration ceremony started off with, appropriately enough, some choreographed movement courtesy of Dances for a Variable population. | Photo by Pamela Wolff

Congressperson Carolyn Maloney, left foreground, and almost-sworn-in Councilmember Erik Bottcher. | Photo by Pamela Wolff

NY State Lt. Governor Brian A. Benjamin. | Photo by Pamela Wolff

Erik Bottcher, left, gives his father a helping hand. | Photo by Pamela Wolff

Erik Bottcher´s father stole the show with reflections on his son’s teenage tribulations, and what he would have done, had he known. | Photo by Pamela Wolff

U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer credited the previous speaker (Erik Bottcher´s father) for inspiring the warm reception given to his off-the-cuff quips. (“I’m not usually this funny,” he said.) | Screenshot by Scott Stiffler

Just prior to conducting Erik Bottcher´s swearing in, Letitia “Tish” James, Attorney General of New York, marveled at seeing Bottcher’s name on the marquee of the Joyce Theater. | Screenshot by Scott Stiffler

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Accolades From All-Stars, as Bottcher’s Inauguration Plays The Joyce Stage is posted on March 7, 2022