GAYLETTER

We went to this event a while back and had a ball. Bingo is one of those games that never gets old. It’s a very chill kind of gambling, it’s like a very slow slot machine. It’s great to play on your own, or in a group. I can’t wait till I’m 60 and I can play this every day at 11am with a Bloody Mary and a cigarette, in Palm Springs. Not Your Standard Bingo starts a little later at 10:30pm, but if you don’t have to be up early for work the next day it’s the perfect time. Try one of their giant punch bowls. They come with these very long red straws which allows everyone at the table to enjoy the punch at their own pace. The theme for this week’s bingo is “Bowie.” I’m assuming that means the hosts will be dressed like Ziggy Stardust and the music will be all David Bowie all the time. Sounds like a blast. Count us in! We’ll take 30 cards thanks.  —tom

Another weekend, another new party. Keep them coming! Sean B. from the Spank and Xanadude parties told us about the launch of this new night called POWERHOUSE. “If you’ve been to Xanadude or SPANK or Paradisco that will give you a good idea of the crowd and vibe — arty, cute and ready to dance all night.” It’s going to take place at Analog which has an amazing sound system and a great layout, I’ve enjoyed partying there many times. Sean told me how the party came about, “We had such a blast spinning at Wrecked’s 5-year Anniversary party at Analog BKNY, so we decided the gays deserve to dance in a space like that more often...and bring back all that energy to the dancefloor in ways New York is historically well known for since the 70s.” For the first edition of the party they invited Vin Sol (Clone Records/Club Lonely) to DJ and visuals will be provided by Deputy. Sean added: “We want everyone to arrive with their energy levels fully charged and only leave late in the morning when their batteries run out.” I’m glad it goes late, I always hate it when a party ends early. Get tickets here.  —Abi

Now this is an event I have a feeling many of our readers will be most certainly interested in. It’s a lecture by theatre producer Kyle Renick, at Bureau of General Services — Queer Division at The LGBT Center, on the history of gay porn from 1971 to 2016 with film excerpts. That’s right, with film excerpts. Why isn’t this a 100 part series?!?! It’s sure to be a busy event so we suggest you turn up early and find a good spot. We don’t have many details on the structure of the lecture except that it is a historical journey from the 70’s to today on gay porn. Honestly they had us at “film excerpts.” A word of warning for this event, avoid wearing sweatpants with boxer shorts underneath unless you want everyone to see your raging boner.  —tom

We haven’t written about DRAGNet in some time, and with Rupaul’s Drag Race airing its finale on Monday night (love Bob, but Kim Chi should have won, don’t even get me started) this is the perfect time to feature it. DRAGnet is “Brooklyn’s only performance based competition.” It’s held every third Thursday night at Metropolitan Bar. Here’s what host Merrie Cherry (pictured) has to say about it: “All performers are welcomed to showcase themselves and battle for Mrs. DRAGnet for the month, with the winner receiving $50 cash. At the end of this year’s competition cycle the winners from each month have the opportunity to win $150 cash prize and a 3 month co-hosting gig with me.” If you’ve ever thought about doing drag then this is the opportunity you’ve been waiting for. It’s like an open mic competition for female illusionists. Most people will be on their phones and drunk while you’re on stage, so you have nothing to lose, and $50 to gain! Ladies, start your engines, and may the best WOMAN, win!  —tom

I am so happy that I’m able to say pussy a few times in this post — it really is one of my favorite words. The Japanese “pussy artist” and mangaka (I just learned that mangaka is “the Japanese word for a comic artist or cartoonist”) Rokudenashiko is coming to NYC for the NYC Free Manko Tour Festival along with other Japanese Feminist comics. The festival will bring us several happenings including readings, book signings, panel discussions and parties, taking place at The Asian American Writers Workshop, Eyebeam and Powrplnt. The festival starts this Wednesday, May 18, with Japanese Feminist Comics — “two storytellers who are working at the edge of gender, sexuality, and the visual arts: graphic novelist MariNaomi, whose critically acclaimed new comic memoir explores her time working at hostess bars in Tokyo, and Japanese sculptor/manga artist Rokudenashiko, who was arrested last year in Japan for “distribution of obscenity.” Her crime? Creating explicitly feminist art based on her own vulva.” Also, do not miss, on May 19th, Lady Tech Guild and Friends “they will hold a fireside chat about the power of women working in technology...” (7:00-9:00PM) at Eyebeam in Brooklyn. Finally, there is the FREE MANKO Drink and Draw Party, for Rokudenashiko taking place at Powrplnt on may 21st. 7:00PM-11:00PM, it’s the celebration of Rokudenashiko’s “historic trial verdict and book release” where you can spend the night drawing vaginas. Sounds fantastic. Power to the Pussy!  —Abi

You know we treat you well and never let a new party slip by. Here’s a new one and it sounds very promising for the summer. It’s called MARGOT, and I don’t know why, but whatever. I chatted with the lovely Paul Iacono who is one of the organizers and he told me to expect a “sexy, subversive, and stylish” event. It’s “a new weekly Sunday daytime rage on the luxurious rooftop of STK Meatpacking. Brought to you by the creative team from HUMP.” It’s nice to see some of these people during the day. It’s outdoor, and starts at 3:00PM which means you can be completely wasted by 6:00PM if you are smart. Paul also told me that the party is a group effort  and that he’s very excited about the others involved. Some of them include Shoshana Fisher (who we looooove), Jake Greene, Rachel Wark, Andrew Shute, McCade Smith, Michael Cohen, Serichai Traipoom and so many more. The special performance for the opening night will be by Blake Deadly (pictured) — plus music for the night will be provided by DJs Chapman and Michael Cavadias. Bring a good face and a good attitude, remember the party starts during the day and people can see everything. Maybe bring a big hat just in case.  —Abi

We received an email, a Facebook update and a tweet from Penny Arcade about this event. We always pay attention to mother Penny, when Penny says something to us we listen. Mother Penny is wise and she knows what’s up, I mean she should really just suggest an event for us every week. This Saturday, May 14, is a memorial at La MaMa for the legendary transgender superstar Holly Woodlawn. Penny told us that we should let people know about this event because it’s open to the public on a “first come basis.” They are also planning to live stream the event at 1:30PM EST on Howlround. Woodlawn was a Warhol superstar and performer who had and an amazing life, she was featured in many films, stage productions and TV shows. She was a legend. Trust!  This is a rare opportunity to be a part of her final performance. If you don’t know much about Holly, take this opportunity to do some research. YouTube is a good place to start, also read this NY Times article. Ok?  —Abi

The Philip Johnson Glass House is one of the most beautiful houses in the world. Built in 1949 by Philip Johnson, the house is, according to Wikipedia (serious journalism here) “...an essay in minimal structure, geometry, proportion, and the effects of transparency and reflection. The estate includes other buildings designed by Johnson that span his career. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1997.” This Friday, May 13 and Saturday, May 14, is your chance to experience the house in way that doesn’t come around very often. Dancers Gerard & Kelly, in collaboration with Benjamin Millepied’s L.A. Dance Project, will bring to life their piece called Modern Living, which “explores themes of queer intimacy and domestic space within legacies of modernist architecture. The project brings into dialogue two homes lived in by the architects who built them — the landmark Schindler House in West Hollywood, California, and Philip Johnson’s Glass House — and marks the first cross-country cooperation between these legendary sites working on a single artist’s project.” There is no better excuse to visit this house than this. It’ll be fucking magical. MAGICAL!  —tom