GAYLETTER

This is the second event by the zine Straight to Hell at the Bureau of General Services - Queer Division. They’ll be featuring artwork from S.T.H. contributors and comrades. The event will feature photography and “special editions” from artists Anonymous, Luke Abbey, Michael Alago, Brian Brennan (Latino Fan Club), Matthew Burcaw, Walt Cessna, Wayne Coe, Thomas Dozol, Michael Economy, Greg Endries, Danny Fields, Ryan Foerester, Torrey Grobes, David Hurles (Old Reliable), Erik Hanson, Charles Hovland, Steve LaFreniere, Patrick Lee, Yeni Mao, Bobby Miller, Slava Mogutin, Bob Nickas, Josh Olsen, Christopher Schulz, Terry Smith, Daniel Trese, Jan Wandrag, Cornelius Washington, Jimmy Wright and more. I know I just listed a whole bunch of names, but trust me that’s a good thing — this will be a full on queer party. Expect a performance at 7:00PM. The show will remain on view until March 25th. I smell piss!  —Abi

You know how the end of year Parson’s show is where you’re gonna find the next superstar fashion designer? Well this is like that but for art. To be more specific it’s for the next generation of photographers at Tisch School of the Arts at NYU. And my projector is part of the show! Let me explain. Elliot Brown Jr., who has photographed for our magazine and website, is one of the students showing his work at this exhibition. His presentation is apparently pretty elaborate because he needed 3 projectors to show it (and one of them is mine). I’m excited to check out the show (and make sure my projector is still working). In total there’s 19 students exhibiting their work. On Thursday, March 24, at 6:00PM the school is hosting an opening night reception where you’ll get the chance to see their work and meet the students. Show some support — you never know the talent you might discover!  —tom

The best thing about a Mariah Carey party is that the bitch has sooo many good songs. I mean, she’s been singing hits since the 80’s and she’s still going. NO ONE CAN STOP HER! Anyhoos, on March 27th (this party is celebrating her a b’day a little early) she turns 45. I feel like Mariah has been in my world my whole life, I can’t believe she’s only 45. Expect DJs Amber Valentine & Horrorchata to be spinning Mariah tracks and remixes all night long, with a special show by Miss Bettina Jackson. I won’t rattle on about this party — it’s Mariah, it’s her birthday, gay people are involved, it’s gonna be cute.   —tom

It’s no secret to long time readers of GAYLETTER that we’re fans of Mx Justin V. Bond. Hell, we’d go to the opening of a Duane Reade if Justin was going to be there. We are so damn excited for this show that opened last week. It was originally staged in London in 2015 at the Vitrine Gallery. It features a collection of watercolors, sculptural installation, video, and performance. The show coincides with “Mx America” at Joe’s Pub, in which Bond explores “ways of seeing and being seen.” The show sounds like it’s full of surprises. Justin will even occasionally show up in person and appear “within the designated “step and repeat” space with customized wallpaper, red carpet, and velvet rope, wearing a pink silk dress designed by Frank Masandrea.” Please make every effort to see this art show, and also go see Justin perform Mx America at Joe’s Pub. V is one of the most electrifying, brilliant, hilarious and unique performers out there. We can be cunts a lot of the time so you know when we speak this highly of someone, we mean it!  —tom

“Do you like cerveza and tequila?” Yes and yes! Just reading the Facebook page for this new party in Brooklyn got me in the mood. Don’t you love 2016? There’s a new party almost every week. Here’s a brand new one called Yas Mama! created by the super cool Brooklyn drag queen and DJ Horrorchata. It sounds promising — It’s “Latin hip-hop and salsa...slaying musica cumbia-free style, hip-hop-80s-90s, reaggaton, salsa, ranchera...it’s going to be glam. Latinas Unite.” I feel so close to home (the D.R.) writing this, I am internally yassing as I am type. Other DJs for the night are Monkey (Raul de Nieves) and Bebe (Tortura). Performances are by Lady Quesadilla and Horrorchata herself. It’s also hosted by Miss Untitled Queen (Brooklyn’s Queen of the Year). Are you ready to get turnt? Yas Mama! It sounds nuts.  —Abi

I briefly studied the photographer Robert Mapplethorpe in school, but I got a real education on him (like many people) from reading Patti Smith’s wonderfully juicy, and well-written autobiography Just Kids. The book is essentially a love letter to Mapplethorpe, who died of AIDS in March of 1989. Maplethorpe, like Patty, was a talented artist, and an even better social climber. There was no one of note from the late 60’s and the early 70’s that these two didn’t find a way to meet. Their blatant opportunism is what surprised me most about the duo, but it makes sense, no one does well in NYC without some hustle. This Friday, a pop-up installation opens in NYC, and runs in tandem with the premier of the HBO documentary Mapplethorpe: Look at the Pictures debuting on April 4th. “This is the first feature-length documentary about the artist since his death.” It’s a fascinating look at his work and his life. We suggest you head to the pop-up to get a first hand look at some of his photography. “The installation will feature some of Mapplethorpe’s most famous works projected onto the side of shipping containers in Flatiron North Plaza, and a digital gallery of his more personal works — as well as a commentary from Mapplethorpe himself.”  —tom

Our cunt 22-year-old friend Christy Burlington Coat Factory told us that FIT was gonna host a Drag Pageant and there’s rumor that Bianca Del Rio is gonna be involved. We were very interested and were like, really the queens there have a pageant??? After that I have been googling and trying to find all the details. I’ve got to say, these queens are very bad at promotion. How are you gonna have a drag event in NYC and not plaster it all over the tristate area? How you gonna be a drag queen if you can’t promote yourself? I went to FIT and it’s gotta be one of the gayest school in the world — THANK YOU for that. The best way to get a ticket is probably to show up to the Dubinsky lobby and ask. Searching through FB, I found this status update: “This year for our 10th anniversary, we’re planning the biggest presentation ever!!!! Hosted by your crowned Queen of Comedy, hint, she’s another Ru girl...This is going to be amazing.” Girls, we’ll help you get the word out, you’re welcome!  —t&a