GAYLETTER

GAYLETTER

Friday 11.11.16

TINASHE’S NIGHTRIDE

I fell for Tinashe when I saw the Boss music video. I mean, this girl was eighteen, wrote a vicious song, taught herself to produce her own music, then self-directed its video. The vision and its execution left an impression. In one red-light setting, with a bright curly lion’s mane of hair, she sidles against an oversized county fair teddy bear, croons up over its head, then playfully decapitates it. And rips out its stuffing. It’s wild. Since then, she’s stayed focused, continually maturing her style.

 

Tinashe is twenty-three now and no longer needs the heels or hair or glam to prove that she’s grown. Nightride, released last Friday at midnight, is not child’s play. She came for every wig on this bi-coastal mess we call America. Released with a music video statement of purpose, Nightride is the accompaniment and precursor to Joyride, her upcoming sophomore album.

 

Her position relative to popular music in late 2016 is somewhere between Frank Ocean and Ariana Grande. Like Frank, Tinashe’s been roiling in music industry purgatory, her sophomore album suffering massive delays, her label increasingly hapless at managing her career. Both Nightride and Blonde are dark and pained, isolated (Nightride has zero features), but animated by the singer’s devotional faith in love and self-ownership. Both albums suit these suddenly darker days especially well. Like Ariana’s interstellar pop, Tinashe’s vocals pair dense production with an agile and winking sensibility. But Tinashe’s a more genuinely dangerous woman who belts out a bit more sparingly. …

Monday 11.07.16

On the Inside: An Art Exhibition by LGBTQ Incarcerated Artists

Directed by Tatiana Von Furstenberg (yes! the daughter of fashion designer Diane von Fürstenberg) in collaboration with Black and Pink newsletter, On the Inside is a group show of art made by incarcerated LGBTQ artists. When I first heard about the show, I was gagged. I imagined prison queens sitting in circles, dragging each other’s pieces. My only exposure to a prison setting is from Orange is the New Black, but I learned that it is much more interesting and complicated than that.

 

The art is made from supplies that are deemed “safe” enough for the prisoners to have access to behind bars. A majority of the pieces were made with letter-sized paper, dull pencils, and ballpoint pen ink tubes. Some of the prisoners created their own innovative tools for expression. For instance, one prisoner used an asthma inhaler with Kool-Aid to create an air brushed painting — fierce. The project started with a small ad in the Black and Pink newsletter, a monthly publication filled with prisoner-generated content. Over 4,000 pieces were submitted for consideration; the show features close to 400.

 

I had the pleasure of meeting with one of the featured artists, Jenn Mayo, who was recently released. She is a lesbian artist from Texas. She used her artistry as a means for a survival in prison. “I’ve always doodled and drawn, but when I came to prison it was a way to survive,” she said. While the basic essentials differ from state-to- state, in Texas the prisons don’t even provide the inmates with shampoo or deodorant. …

Sunday 11.06.16

Art: Pipilotti Rist – Pixel Forest

It was so good, you guys. I’m so obsessed with Pipilotti Rist after going to her exhibition at the New Museum, I’m amazed how much visual and mental stimulation I got so early in the morning — I’m not really a morning person. “Over the past thirty years, Rist (b. 1962) has achieved international renown as a pioneer of video art and multimedia installations. Her mesmerizing works envelop viewers in sensual, vibrantly colored kaleidoscopic projections that fuse the natural world with the technological sublime.” This exhibition takes over the three main floors of the museum. It’s the most comprehensive presentation of her work ever to take place in NYC, featuring 24 works. The show has been organized by Massimiliano Gioni, the museum’s artistic director, with Margot Norton and Helga Christoffersen. Rist even created an installation specifically for this presentation. All throughout the space are beds, pillows and couches where patrons are encouraged to lay down and view the incredible video projections. Even the underwear lamp (pictured) is mesmerizing. The whole show is truly wonderful, and very relaxing. You don’t need weed to enjoy it, but it certainly couldn’t hurt. Also, keep an eye out for one of her videos that might seem eerily familiar to the music video for Beyonce’s ‘Hold Up’ song from her last album. Clearly B was inspired by Rist’s work, and after seeing this show, we don’t blame her.

$16, 10:00-6:00PM, NEW MUSEUM, 235 Bowery New York, NY.

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Saturday 11.05.16

MUSIC: Roisin Murphy Afternoon Tea Dance

We interviewed Roisin Murphy for the last issue of GAYLETTER Magazine. I got to speak with her over the phone, which was an absolute thrill, considering what a fan I am of her music. I was equally excited to learn that she is performing in NYC this week, but then bummed when I learned that tickets are sold out. As a consolation we should all head to C’mon Everybody on Saturday night. DJs Sean Hanna and Tad Haes will be spinning their “favorite Roisin songs” all night long in celebration of Roisin’s return to New York City after 8 years. There’s no guarantee that she’ll show up, but it would be a lovely surprise if she did. For all of you who are unfamiliar with the Irish singer/songwriter we suggest you pick up a copy of issue 5 of our magazine and learn some more about the talented Ms Murphy. She’s a great talker. Or you could just google her, google also works.

Free, 4:00-10:00PM, C'Mon Everybody , 325 Franklin Ave. Brooklyn, NY.

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Friday 11.04.16

Party: POWERHOUSE – Sean B & Tad Haes

I guess we are back! Back partying that is. We were acting like old boring people for a few months, not hitting the bars as often, but Halloween got us in the mood. All it takes is a cheap wig and some heels to get us going. It’s nice to take break though, although I can tell you that we were not taking a break from drinking, we were busy, we were just being antisocial I guess. This Friday, Nov. 4, we (GAYLETTER) are co-hosting Powerhouse at Analog — which is an amazing venue to party at (pictured). It has a great sound system and great design. Last time I closed the place down, leaving at 6AM. This is the second installment of Powerhouse which was created by the guys from Xanadude (Sean B. + Deputy) and also Tad Haes from Occupy the Disco/Paradisco. Other people hosting with us are David John Sokolowski, Jason Roe, Matt Leiker, Samuel Cirenio Rodriguez-Burns, Terence Edgerson and Tanner Shea. Expect “visual stimulants” by Deputy — I love those. It’s on a Friday night, so you have no excuse to not come party with us, also it goes until 6:00AM! Thank god, ending a party at 4:00AM is soooo boring!

Limited $5 Tickets - $10, 11:00PM, ANALOG BKNY, 177 2nd Ave. Brooklyn, NY..

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Thursday 11.03.16

RICHARD HAINE’S LARGER THAN LIFE

I was thinking to myself the other day “what’s that queen up to?” The queen I’m referring to is Richard Haines, the artist whose show I want to tell you about… I know Richard has been busy, at least according to his social media, he just can’t stop traveling and attending events. I am sure Richard would appreciate that I have been following his “journey,” ha!

 

This Thursday Richard’s second solo exhibition ‘Larger Than Life’ opens at Daniel Cooney Fine Art in NYC. This is the first time that Richard is showning his paintings, in the past his focus was more on his drawings, and what a lot of people know him for, his fashion illustrations. “For this exhibition Haines finds inspiration in his Bushwick neighborhood’s drag performers, street style and high fashion runways.”

 

It sounds like the opening will be a fun event… “The second gallery will be an intimate salon of Richard’s small drawings including drag and street style. The smaller works will continue to show Richard’s artistic and conceptual evolution in a more familiar landscape. The exhibition as a whole celebrates and challenges gender, sexuality, beauty, decadence and raunch.” We are so excited for Richard, can’t wait to see the new work in person. Yas queen!

 

Below is a preview of the show Larger Than Life:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FREE, Opening reception — 6:00PM-8:00PM, Daniel Cooney Fine Art, 508 – 526 West 26 St. #9C, NY, NY. …

Wednesday 11.02.16

Do: Bronx Zoo FREE day

The last time I went to the Bronx Zoo I had a shaved head. I know that because we took plenty of photos of the adventure, and I stumbled upon them the other day — fuck that was a long time ago. The Bronx Zoo is one of the best zoos not just in New York, but in the whole country. I have mixed feelings about zoos. On the one hand it is cruel to keep animals in captivity, but on the other hand, they are treated well there (unlike Seaworld), and learning about animals helps many people develop empathy for them which in turn means they are more inclined to be supportive of protecting in the wild. It’s a complicated thing, but in the long run I always feel that educating people always has the biggest pay off. Wednesdays are your chance to educate yourself about all the wonderful animals they have housed there (more than 6,000 over 265 acres). Every Wednesday the Zoo is FREE. That’s right, free! Hop on that 6 train and head up to the Bronx for a day at the Zoo. Lions and tigers and Madagascar Tree Boas, oh my!

FREE, 10:00PM-5:00PM, Bronx Zoo, 2300 Southern Blvd. BRONX, NY.

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Monday 10.31.16

Photographs from BATTLE HYMN – Halloween Edition

Sunday 10.30.16

Party: Battle Hynm HALLOWEEN EDITION

Here we go again, another Halloween party where we gotta throw a wig on and a pair of high heels. I know Halloween is the most obvious excuse for a cis-gender man to dress up as a girl, or a drag queen, but c’mon, wearing heels is fun. It’s definitely more interesting than being a sexy masc superhero. Last year I said I won’t wear heels for that many hours again, but I guess as of now, that seems like the only option. I think Tom is trying to be Rihanna, but nothing is clear yet, it’s still too early to tell. Battle Hymn is going to be super lit this Sunday night. We are co-hosting, and we are not going to even pretend that we can compete with some of the looks that the queens are going to pull out. I mean, if we name just a few of the hosts in attendance this Sunday you’ll get a sense of the carry you can expect. First we must start with the main queen Ladyfag, then there’s Aquaria, Amanda Lepore, Desi Santiago, Viva Ruiz, Hector Xtravaganza, Epiphany and soooo many more. The costumes are going to come through. Music is by Eli Escobar, Honey Dijon, and The Carry Nation. Come early, and stay late. It’s a school night but you’re an adult, so live a little, and embrace “The Gospel according to the dancefloor.” says Ladyfag, yas!

$10 in a serious costume, $15 without, 10:00pm, Flash Factory, 229 W 28th St. New York, NY.

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Saturday 10.29.16

Party: Fifth Annual MoMA PS1 Halloween Ball

Last night I was looking at a photo we took with the pop star Robin at this event when they first did it, about four years ago. We debuted our first official GAYLETTER drag looks (which we created by screen-printing the word GAYLETTER across the chest of two cheap, short pleather dresses with some sort of mesh down the sides — the kinds of dresses that are supposed to be slutty if you have the right boobs and ass.) We bought it at this store called Runway on Canal St., I mean we still have the dresses, they are so trashy — real messes honey (pictured). I tell you this to give you an idea of how committed we were when we first went to this party at MoMA PS1, which was originally a drag ball theme, but is now a Halloween ball. If you know Susanne Bartsch, who’s organizing the event, then you’ll know that no matter what they call it, if she’s a part of it, it will always be a drag ball. Her crowd loves drag — and those bitches are creative. You are unlikely to see some looks from Runway...My advice is to step it up if you are going to this one. “This year’s timely theme ‘The White House of Horror’ features live performances, DJs, dancing, and the most artistic costumes in town.” There are so many people involved I have to keep the list short, but it includes BCALLA, Klaus Biesenbach, Kenny Kenny, Kevin Aviance, Macy Rodman, Aquaria, Scooter LaForge, Ryan McNamara, Kembra Pfahler, Eckhaus Latta and many more. Music for the night is by Amber Valentine,Valissa Yoe, W Jeremy and Occupy the Disco. This one will be epic!

$18 in Advance $20, 8:00, MoMA PS1, 22-25 Jackson Ave. Long Island City, NY.

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Friday 10.28.16

Cheryl: Crow – HALLOWEEN NIGHT!

The one and only Cheryl party returns Halloween night for a blow-out at Le Poisson Rouge in NYC

There’s so much going on this weekend it’s easy to forget that Halloween actually takes place on Monday. We suggest you save some juice for then, especially since one of our favorite parties is returning for a very special Halloween edition. CHERYL (the dance party that will ruin your life) brings us CHERYL: CROW at Le Poisson Rouge with a killer line-up. There’s music by JD Samson, Amber Valentine and DJ Grandma Internet.

 

“Join CHERYL (artist collective) on HALLOWEEN NIGHT for a celebration of celebrity failure, resurrected goth super heroes, birds, and public transportation wormholes. ***No, this is not a Sheryl Crow concert. Need costume inspiration? Think John Poppers, Big Bird’s moment of angst, bus terminal transformations, Lamps Armstrong, blood transfusions, Woodstock ‘94/’99, and boring hair.

 

It’s time for CHERYL: CROW, the ULTIMATE and only Halloween dance party worthy of — yet humbled by — your honorable presence.” 

 

The last time they threw this party on Halloween, it was at a Masonic Temple in Brooklyn — It was really something. These boys always turn it out, so we are super excited to see what they come up with this year! Click here for images.

 

Advance tickets are $15, Get them right……………HERE.

 

 

 

 

 

 


Monday October 31, 2016, from 9:00pm to 2:00am, Le Poisson Rouge, 158 Bleecker St. New York, NY.
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Party: Grand Opening of The Dreamhouse

This week is super lit. It’s not only Halloween, but there’s some interesting openings happening, like this one. The space formerly known as the Spectrum is reopening as the Dreamhouse. This is a queer space we should all get behind. When it was the Spectrum, they did some awesome, nuts parties there. We have no doubt this will continue under their new incarnation. The organizers are asking us to dress as dolls for their grand opening. Here’s what they have to say: “It’s Halloween grl, so be a doll of any sort. Scary doll, dead doll, muscle doll, ghost doll, gay doll, sex doll, monster high doll, Bratz doll, fuck doll, cray doll, ken doll.” I love this theme! Music for the night is by Abyss X, A Village Raid, Butched, Telfar. Some of the hosts include Casey Spooner, Forrest Wu, Melisa Burns, and more. There’s also live music by Lafawndah and Jelos Orgasm aka Joe plus performances by Mimi Isavirus, Gage of the Boone and Davon Rainey. Support The Dreamhouse and be generous with your donations at the door. Happy Halloween dolls!

$10-$20, 10:00pm, The Dreamhouse, 1022 Wycoff Ave. Brooklyn, NY.

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