Wednesday 03.16.16
Party: HIGH & TIGHT
This sounds very interesting “a new, clothing-non-compulsory night of manual exploration premiering during N.Y.’s horniest week of the year...” Wow, I never thought Eastern Bloc could get more friendly. About two weeks ago, I was wandering around the East Village with a friend after a few puffs and we randomly ended up at the new Cock. The basement was very sweaty and seedy — you know what happens at The Cock stays at the Cock — my friend and I didn’t love it because we didn’t really like the menu, the boys there, were not really our taste. Anyways, I am assuming and hoping, that this party is gonna have a fresher, sexier crowd. I am probably not gonna check in my clothes, (your $5 entrance includes clothing check) but I’ll still go to see what’s up. You know we love a new party. Apparently, the place is gonna be darker, and “no flash lights.” So you have nothing to worry about, no one cares if you take your pants off, trust me you can probably still run for President even if you’ve been filmed naked at a sex party.
Tuesday 03.15.16
Thank U 4 a Funky Time
At the The Red Room until March 30th
Sooo the other night we were lucky enough to spend the evening with cabaret extraordinaire Salty Brine. Even though we weren’t intimate it definitely felt like we were. Taking to the stage in thigh high boots and sparkly fishnets he promised to take us on a sexual revolution, so we were obviously super down for that. The show, Thank U 4 a Funky Time is the latest installment in Salty Brine’s Spectacular Living Record Collection Cabaret and pays homage to the brilliance of Prince and his album Purple Rain. Co-creator, Nate Weida joins Salty on stage as they take us through a back catalogue of music and lovers. The show is a hilarious and honest look at sexuality and identity; it had us LOLing and AWWing in equal measures.
Here’s what the producers have to say about the show, “[We] know all the ways to please you in this funkalicious evening of grooves, moves, and attitude. Put on your bedroom eyes and leave your inhibitions at the door as this dynamic duo unfolds a tangled web of awkward sex stories and lessons in lovemaking, all set to the superfine music of Prince’s dirty little album Purple Rain.”
Salty Brine, Nate Weida and their band will be commanding The Red Room in the East Village every Wednesday ’til the 30th of March (with a special Friday edition on the 25th). PURPLE RAINNN, PURPLE RAINNNNNN.
Monday 03.14.16
DonChristian’s Chop
The Philly based rapper's latest music video
Firstly, DonChristian is so hot. Secondly, every single look he’s wearing in his new video for “Chop” is worthy of envy. The weather is finally getting warmer and I’ve been dying to show some skin (yes, I went back to the gym!) but he’s got me dreaming of pounds of winter layering with the Telfar, Daimorf, and Vejas (who was just announced as an LMVH fashion prize semifinalist) he’s wearing. That’s great styling. But lastly, we were happy to feature DonChristian in Issue 2 when he was just establishing his roots outside of Philly. It’s always good to see a familiar face continue to turn it out!
Having not put out a single in over a year, DonChristian’s Chop is a prelude to his forthcoming debut LP. “The video is an homage to Philly, featuring the most notable Fletcher Street Urban Riding Club — and dancers from the historically Black dance company Philadanco — where I grew up alongside my mother and aunts.”
The video scarcely shows DonChristian alone. It’s a constant, four minute celebration of friendship, which gets at the central production motives. “I made it with my friend, South African producer Applesawc whom I met via Soundcloud a couple of years ago. We developed a close yet remote working relationship via Skype, and were most excited by this track, before he passed away in August. The song and video are dedicated to him. The last thing he wrote to me was ‘I just want to put this song out, man’” Chop is a catchy, great song with a sweet history. …
Sunday 03.13.16
Party: BOTTOM SHELF
I’m so fucking glad it’s getting warmer outside. The streets are getting cruisy again — finally! It just puts everyone in a better mood. It’s time to go out more, even on a Sunday — to this party for instance. It’s called Bottom Shelf. The word “bottom” is used so loosely lately, it kind of makes sense because it’s more interesting than using the word “top.” It also feels that in 2016 everyone wants to be a bottom, I am not sure if the city is tracking these statistics, but I just keep hearing things. Bottom Shelf is a “vinyl-only techno house dance party.” It’s a monthly party, it’s low key, for the local boys and of course for those of you not in the East Village who want to travel. “SPRKLBB spins vinyl all night long with house, techno, and any deepness inbetween... Bar bae Cedric and host Rify Royalty bring the magic with gogo meat Lightning Blue Eyes.” Go get bottom shelf’d.
Saturday 03.12.16
Prince vs. Michael Party
A costumes encouraged evening at One Last Shag
Three words. Charity. Dance. Party. Need I say more? If you aren’t interested in dancing for a cause well then, shit, you and all the other New York narcissists (which is actually nearly everyone) can see yourself out elsewhere. This is for a great cause, so bring your best energy only.
Orchestrated by a long time admirer of Heights and Hills — a Brooklyn non-profit that supports older adults, helping them age with dignity and on their own terms — comes a costumes encouraged dance party hosted by Delirious at One Last Shag. The party will include a five-hour set by “DJ Stylus, celebrating not just Prince and Michael Jackson but the vast funk and pop grooves they spawned. From dub spin-offs of MJ’s classics to the vintage naughtiness of Vanity (RIP) and other Prince proteges, Stylus will be keeping it tight and danceable.” Sounds right. I’m pretty sure every time I hear P.Y.T. by Michael Jackson once my drinks are flowing I low-key lose my shit. Have I type-casted myself? Maybe. Do I care? No, because he made music for dancing, so a party spinning only Prince and the king of Pop himself just sounds correct.
“Plus there will be an opportunity to bid on prizes like: A roundtrip Virgin America ticket (includes Hawaii & Mexico), three $100 gift certificates at Three Kings Tattoo, a one-hour massage at Massage Williamsburg, a color and blowout at Hale Organic Salon, a free tour and 10 drink tickets at Brooklyn Brewery, and a handmade Spirit Eye plate from Demetria Chappo ceramics.” …
Party: Be Cute
Be cute, it’s not too much to ask I don’t think. Being cute doesn’t mean you have to be genetically blessed with beauty. Cuteness is a state anyone can achieve. Cuteness is an attitude, it’s a way of being. This party which they describe as “A booty bounce Queer Party for aliens that love to shake it to the ground” was born in Bed-stuy two years ago (it was at One Last Shag.) Now it’s at a new home, Littlefield, and we’re excited for what they have in store. Be Cute is a mix party in that it’s very welcoming of all “Drag / Girls / Boys / Transgender[s].” Which makes perfect sense because there’s nothing cuter than gender and sexual fluidity. Expect shows by Charlene, Lucy Balls, Lady Bearica Andrews (NOBODIES) and Areil Italic (NOBODIES). Snacks will be provided by the Empanada Lady (she gets around!). Have fun and remember to be nice — as they like to point out, Be Cute is a “is a no shade space.” OOOOOOK?
Friday 03.11.16
Art: BACALAITOS & FIREWORKS
Last week I went to the opening of the Brooklyn-born photographer Arlene Gottfried’s ‘Bacalaitos & Fireworks’ with my friend Chris at Daniel Cooney Fine Art — we both loved it. Previous to this show I was not familiar with Arlene’s work, I went because of the image on the flyer. She’s been around for a while now and has been creating amazing work even before I was born. “Gottfried’s work has been printed in several publications including The New York Times Magazine, Fortune, LIFE, and The Independent in London, as well as exhibited at the Leica Gallery in New York and Tokyo and at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.” And now she’s in GAYLETTER. The body of work we saw focuses on the Puerto Rican community of New York City from the 1970s to today. The gallery is having an event on April 2nd, where Arlene is going to be in attendance, I can’t wait to meet her — Yes Latinos!!! The photographs are candid, colorful, honest, raw, beautifully composed and powerful. Photographers with her talent don’t come around that often, Arlene’s work is very satisfying.
Photography by Arlene GottfriedPhotography by Arlene Gottfried
Thursday 03.10.16
Performance: Carol Lipnik at Joe’s Pub
Carol Lipnik is often described as an “alt-cabaret” performer. I think they call her this because she is so hard to classify. I’ve heard her described as similar to everyone from Yma Sumac to Diamanda Galás to a yodeling Joni Mitchell. Carol is most famous for her 4 octave range, something that makes her stand out in the world of cabaret singers. Apparently Carol’s singing is out of this world. It’s so good in fact that Earl Dax, who is bringing Carol to Joe’s Pub for a month long residency, is journeying back from Mexico, where he’s been hiding out, to catch her perform. “I’m leaving the paradise of Holbox Island in Mexico’s Riviera Maya specifically to be back in time for the show, so clearly I think it’s worth making an effort to be there.” If you’ve never seen a show at Joe’s Pub, then please do. Joe’s Pub is one of our favorite venues, the sound is always on point, and they serve food and drinks during the show! Go see Carol and hear her 4 octaves while you enjoy a tasty burger and martini with a twist. Yum.
Photography by Bobby MillerPhotography by Bobby Miller
Tuesday 03.08.16
Art: Mountain Light/Time in Times Square
I avoid going to Times Square as much as possible — the fact that people choose to hang out there on New Year’s Eve is mind boggling to me — so going there for an event that lasts just 3 minutes sounds like the right amount of time to be there. Times Square Arts has partnered with Moving Image to curate a month long GIF performance each night in Times Square. Mountain Light/Time by Lorna Mills is a 3 minute GIF of a sunrise over a mountain. It will play from 11:57 to midnight, every night for the next month. It doesn’t say which of the hundreds of screens it will play on, but I have a feeling it will be all of them. This is a great opportunity to see Times Square like you have never seen it before. Get in, get out. You really don’t need to be standing in that hell hole for any longer than 3 minutes.
Monday 03.07.16
Purple Crush’s “Vogue Opera”
The producer, singer duo's ode to vogue
Just last week, in my Queer Politics lecture, the professor spoke about queer safe spaces. Vogue nights and the ballroom scene were discussed — Paris is Burning was referenced though academically discredited (and rightly so. I suggest you read our feature on Pier Kids’ Elegance Bratton, from Issue 3, to further familiarize yourself on the topic). Still, with vogue nights being reduced to one night a month, you have to ask; after years of providing LGB&T minority youths with spaces of solace and familial vibes, where is voguing in 2016? The answer can be found in producer, and singer duo Purple Crush, who recently premiered their “8-minute long video “Vogue Opera” (directed by Ash + Bone) [which] is a miniature Vogue exhibition indebted both to the art, and a celebration of their own Banjee Ball.”
“Divided into four separate performances, individual dancers and teams compete by exchanging sensual spins and poses before color-filtered cameras. Joining them is Purple Crush’s singer Isla Chanel, herself a competing (and Grand prize winning) voguer in the house of Chanel.” From start to finish the video is nonstop neon, glamour, absolutely synchronized, pristine realness. Moving through a series of vignettes that get more gag-worthy as time progresses.
Voguing is fantastic and in the last few years has been hyper-visualized by social media in arguably the wrong way (as has everything else… tbh). But to fix that, GAYLETTER tries to do our share by throwing our annual ball during Pride weekend. …
Friday 03.04.16
PWR BTTM Premiers ‘West Texas’
The queer-punk band premier's their latest music video
Only certain kinds of things can actually make me shake my finger and yell YAS at my computer screen. PWR BTTM happens to be one of them. If you’re unfamiliar with PWR BTTM (outside of actually power bottoming), Ben Hopkins and Liv Bruce began the wonderful journey that is their gloriously queer band not too long ago, while they were both still undergrads at Bard. Fast forward to now, they’ve toured the country, been mentioned by Rolling Stone and are pumping out fierce ass music videos such as their latest, ‘West Texas‘, premiering today via NPR.
The video features both members clad in their natural element, that is, with hair doused in glitter and ill-fitted-but-it’s-working (!) outfits. Ben horrendously applies his lipstick. Liv slides into frame rocking scuba flippers. This is what makes PWR BTTM special. Their unapologetic tendencies to go completely over the top are not left untouched in their videos as they aren’t in their live performances. They’ve gone across America promoting safe-spaces and encouraging venues to function with gender neutral restrooms. They’re the Morrissey’s of queerness; calling out and making sure their performance spaces are comfortable for each one of their fans, which is arguably harder than Morrissey’s job as vegan-crusader. PWR BTTM’s inclusive mentality is a necessary movement against these previously white, male dominated alternative rock spaces, and it’s done with witty banter and drug-store makeup.
We here at GAYLETTER are huge fans and have been following them for a bit now and we’re excited to see where they end up. …
