GAYLETTER

We have been nominated for two Brooklyn Nightlife Awards, but weirdly we’ve never won one. This year we are not even nominated, which is extra weird, cos like, who else supports Brooklyn nightlife more than us? I guess if Selma can be snubbed then so can we. Whatevs, we hold no grudges (grudges give you get wrinkles). Once again, the awards are hosted by Merrie Cherry (who also created and organizes the whole thing.) She will be joined on stage by Misty Meaner aka Ryan Skilton and Rify Royalty. Performances for the night include Will Sheridan, Mizz June, Mocha Lite and Horrorchata, Jonathan Clarence, Chris of Hur, Aaron Thomas Dance, The Boobies plus Boy Georgia and Manifestany Squirtz and many more. Don’t cry for us Brooklyntina, just tell that loud bitch Merrie that next year GAYLETTER would like its Lifetime Achievement Award presented by Meryl Streep. Yasssssss.  —tom

While largely dominated by men, punk rock has been a powerful outlet for female artists to express themselves since the genre began in the early 70s (hello! Kim Gordon. pictured) This Thursday, March 12, at the Brooklyn Museum, “The Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art presents a conversation about the confrontational forces of punk rock and feminism through the provocative work and personal experiences of multidisciplinary artists, writers, and curators Osa Atoe, Johanna Fateman, Narcissister, Lydia Lunch, and Astria Suparak.” The panel discussion will be moderated by Leah DeVun the “panelists will discuss the aesthetics and politics of punk in their own lives and work.” This is the kind of event you should go to if you’re looking for a smart boy with good taste in music who you can actually have a conversation with after you fuck. Maybe do some research on punk and feminism before you get there though — you‘ll want to be on your A-game for that post-coital conversation.  —tom

If you are having some major Rupaul’s Drag Race withdrawal like me then this event is greatly needed. If case you are not familiar with DRAGnet then pay attention. The fierce queen Merrie Cherry (pictured) is hosting her drag competition for the fourth year with a brand new cast of “amazing performers,” Vic Sin, Anthony, Rachel Ratchet, Beverly Sage, Sparklez and who knows who else might show up. Merrie explains what’s going down best: “Every month for six months new and seasoned performers will grace our stage to show us all what they are working with! At the end of those six months, the winners from each month with fight to the death during a gulling semi-finalist competition, where the winner of Cycle 4 will be announced.” Judges for the night are Heidi Glum aka Miles Morrissey DeNiro, Daphne Sumtimez and Ryan Talamantes, music will be provided by DJ Jessamess.“Tis’ the season for drag queens, kings, and other bitches that wear makeup to twerk it out on stage and compete for the DRAGnet crown.”  —Abi

There’s nothing better than spending an evening with your friends, especially if they are good friends, those you can call family. Michael Cavadias (one of the organizers of this event) wrote to us to say he’s bringing his friends together for the 2nd year in a row of this event. Michael tells us we should expect “a variety, talk show, psychotherapy session for all the family.” This time around Michael, Dave Hill and John Early will welcome friends Jill Pangallo, Lady Bunny, Bridget Everett and more. I am not sure what the more is, but when Bridget Everett and Miss Bunny are involved you should always expect something extra — those two bitches are wild! It’s going to be a very fun and intimate night at the Liberty Hall at the Ace Hotel which is a fantastic location. Expect performances, lots of surprises and mini interviews with the performers after their acts. Chose carefully who you bring — no bitches allowed — this is a night for real friends only!  —Abi

I am so glad that there’s a biannual art publication produced by real witches, well, it’s by an agency called Witches —  a Brooklyn-based creative group specializing in events founded by Christine Tran. They’ve had this magazine for a little while now...“It’s purpose is to introduce readers to the people that are creating ground-breaking and unique projects. Each issue contains 13 features, in addition to contributing photographers, artists and writers that comprise the dynamic framework of our cultural movement.” Issue 3 is about the “celebration of Goddesses” and it features some amazing people including Juliana Huxtable, Arabelle Sicardi, Sir New York, IO Tillett Wright, Ms. Fitz, Minka Sicklinger, Amber Ibarreche, BOND Hardware, Thurmon Green, Sarah Tricker, Kim Anh, Abel Macias. At the issue launch party this Thursday, January 29th, expect music by A.E. Zimmer and ABBY. The issue will be on sale at the event. Go support this publication, if you care about printed media, contribute to keep it alive.  —Abi

Some of the boys at GAYLETTER are obsessed with this band, Patrick, one of our magazine editors told me that I must include them in this letter. I was already considering it, but he convinced me: “they are intense and weird...I like that they are danceable but also punk rock...they are dark and real and talk about hating their bodies…” They are also under the label of one of our favorite musicians JD Samson, who’s gonna be djing before their performance along with Ryan Smith (Wrecked) and Cartel (Body). Macy Rodman (from the party Bathsalts) will be taking care of the door. Bottoms (I mean you gotta love that name!) are celebrating the release of their EP ‘Goodbye.’ With all these people involved it’s guaranteed to be a super fun night. Here is what their FB page says about the band in case you’ve never heard of them: “Bottoms are a gender-problematizing goth dance band, made up of Simon Leahy, Michael Prommasit, and Jake Dibeler. Leahy, co-founder of the annual Bushwig festival, spearheaded the new “drag explosion” in the Bushwick nightlife scene. Leahy’s prior band, t3eth, has toured internationally.” Ok, enough said. Bring on the Bottoms!  —Abi

This is one of the coolest events happening in New York City this week and I don’t care if you don’t agree with me. The hyper-masculine world of Japanese gay Manga comes to one of our favorite bookstores in NYC, McNally Jackson Books. They are hosting the event Massive: Gay Erotic Manga and the Men Who Make It — which is “a survey introduction to a diverse and important group of men responsible for some of the most emblematic gay manga drawn for fellow gay (and non-gay!) readers.”  Some editors and designers behind the anthology will be in attendance including Anne Ishii - Massive, editor and the publisher of The Passion of Gengoroh Tagame, Graham Kolbeins, editor and designer at MASSIVE, a super cool label inspired by Japanese gay art, and Chip Kidd (just google him, he’s famous). The book signing starts at 7:00PM and according to the press release there’s something for everyone: “as the book also provides a rich background to each of the artists and a brief history of gay erotic arts and illustration.” See you there.    —Abi

If you live in New York and don’t care about performance art, or simply are not familiar with the Performance Space 122, then now is the time to pay attention. Performance Space 122 is a very important East Village non-for-profit organization that’s been around since the 80’s — they are known for showing experimental and provocative work. For example, a while back, I went to their space and saw Vaginal Davis eating a girl’s pussy out on stage as part of her show… This Sunday they are hosting their Red + White Party, held annually at Spin New York. This year the event will be curated by WoahMone, they are the adorable Nath Ann Carrera and Nica Ross. Nath Ann “plays music from across ages and genders” and Nica “projections combine a pastiche of found films, homemade amateur videos, and YouTube classics.” They are a great combo, trust me. The VIP tickets are expensive, but includes “10 tickets and a ping-pong table of your own all night.” So if you have a birthday to celebrate do it there. You’ll be supporting a great organization and likely have a ball. Expect lots of surprises, it’s a party!  —Abi