Friday 05.05.17
Party: BATTLE HYMN MOVES TO FRIDAY
We told you last week that Ladyfag is gonna have a new Friday night party. Here you have it, it’s Battle Hymn! The Sunday night party is finally moving to Friday! Ladyfag told us, “We’ve done a year of Sundays and it’s been so amazing, but so many people kept begging to move it to a night that wasn’t a “school night,” cos they couldn’t come every week, so when the opportunity I came up I couldn’t say no!” The Summer is almost here I think it’s a nice time to switch it up. Battle Hymn has been such a great party I have a feeling that as a Friday party it’s gonna be nuts, based on my experience it’s always better to go wild on Friday night, so the rest of the weekend you can chill, that is if you are getting old like me… Starting this May 5th (Feliz Cinco!) the switch to Fridays is official with rotating DJs Honey Dijon, The Carry Nation, Eli Escobar and some special guests. Lady added “Eli Escobar who has been a regular & favorite since the beginning has just been made a resident... It’s going to get crazy, so we’re opening the second room that’s usually closed on Sundays so we can fit everyone in! We’re ready for you NYC!” Bring it Lady, NYC is ready! Get there early, there will be a line, trust me about that.
Nasty Drew and That Harder Boy…The Secret of the Prom Queen Curse
Follow the unlikely couple's prom misadventures at Baxxside High
After that god-awful release of Mean Girls 2, it seemed agreeable that the teen-movie prom queen narrative carried itself to the grave, but Chris Harder’s take on the story in his show, Nasty Drew and That Harder Boy…The Secret of the Prom Queen Curse was more than refreshing. Bringing the house down with each and every burlesque performance, the legendary cast of the show includes Nasty Canasta, Pearls Daily, Sapphire Jones, Miz Cracker, and, of course, Chris Harder.
With a cast sexier than MTV’s Teen Wolf (which I didn’t think was possible), we follow Nasty Drew and That Harder Boy as they go back to high school to investigate an alleged prom queen curse at Baxxside High. Along the way, Nasty Drew and That Harder Boy meet the school’s head bitch in charge, Becky, and her loyal sidekick, Candace, who make it very clear that the prom queen title is already taken. Following the formula of high school misadventure, the previously undisputed crowning is jeopardized, and the regularly scheduled high school drama ensues.
Nods to classics like Heathers and The Breakfast Club had me screaming at every reference I could catch and every scrunchie I could spot. Be sure to have a cocktail before and during to ensure you’re rum’d and ready to relive one of the most important moments of the high school experience. Trust, with a sexy troupe like this, it’s way more fun than you remember.
The show returns this weekend at the iconic Laurie Beechman Theatre on May 5 and later in the month on the 19th. …
Thursday 05.04.17
Party: SINKHOLE DE MAYO
I had to cover this party with a name like this, I mean ‘Sinkhole de Mayo’ it’s very catchy. Not to mention Cinco de Mayo deserves even a bigger celebration after all the hate that the Cheeto prez had directed to Mexicans, give me a break with that stupid wall. You’ll see all the racists in America drinking tequila pretending that it came from Ohio — that tequila that’s inside your margarita is Mexican you idiot. Sinkhole De Mayo is happening a day before the official 5 de Mayo celebration, but at midnight you know that tequila shot is going down for a good reason. In addition you are supporting a local gay bar and celebrating Darren’s birthday! We love daddy Darren (pictured), he’s just the best — Happy Birthday! The writer of the party flyer should probably write for us, here’s the text: “Come celebrate the two biggest bottoms since J-Lo and Kim Kardashian for their birthdays! Darren Dryden and Sammy Jo.” It’s presented by Daniel Nardicio, who probably wrote the text, he’s clever like that. That means that Eastern Bloc will be extra slutty, Daniel knows how to bring the sluttiest, comfortable-with-nudity crowd. Good for him, right? Expect “dirty dancers, tons of cake, a free drink if you bring a gift for Darren and Sammy!” Happy Sinkhole de Mayo!
Darren photographed by Vincent Dilio for GAYLETTER Issue 4Darren photographed by Vincent Dilio for GAYLETTER Issue 4
TODAY: Protest Trump Back In NYC
Don't let him think he is welcomed!
Today, May 4, as you may know, Donald Trump arrives in New York. The visit will be his first as POTUS. “In the last 100 days, he’s threatened to deport our neighbors, take away our healthcare, reject refugees from our shores and give even more tax breaks to billionaires. Not to mention spend millions of our money to protect Trump tower.”
The rally, which will meet and begin on 12th Avenue between 52nd and 54th, is a “Cacerolazo.” A Cacerolazo (or casserole) is a protest that is something akin to New Years Eve, but today is not a celebration, it’s a battle cry. For this specific kind of rally, you’re meant to bring your pots, pans, and stainless steel utensils. This kind of kitchen-wear is representative of Latin American countries, and with every hand locked and loaded with metal to clang together, the cacerolazo will bang their way to Trump’s gaudy tower on 5th Ave. If all goes well (as it probably will, New Yorkers love to yell and throw shit) the noise of the protest will drown out anything Trump even attempts to think.
“Wear white in honor of past immigrant and civil rights movements and bring pots and pans to drown out Trump and show that he and his policies are NOT welcome in New York.”
Take a late lunch at 2:00pm and get over to the gathering. He needs to be reminded we’ve heard enough out of his trash mouth. …
Wednesday 05.03.17
Art: MARCH MADNESS
You are probably thinking why in the hell are we talking about March Madness when it’s the first letter of May, but bare with us. This group show at Fort Gansevoort opened on March 17 and has just recently been extended through May 13. “The show features a roster of 31 artists, all women, whose artwork subvert masculine archetypes, and challenge more docile notions of femininity by highlighting the qualities of strength, fitness and agility that are characteristic of physical skill and capability.” How I haven’t heard about this show in recent weeks is a little beyond me. Some of the artists included are Cindy Sherman, Catherine Opie, Collier Schorr, Miranda July, and GAYLETTER friend and contributor Renée Cox whose triumphant and commandeering piece is featured in the press-email. I was browsing the online gallery and was surprised to see how many works included actual depictions of sports, rather than just pandering. Basketballs seem to be alerting the viewer to feminine body standards, and in another, trophies have never looked so totally worthless. You’ve got a little over a week left in the extension. Grab an iced coffee with almond milk and non-gmo ice and take a walk to Chelsea — the weather is right for it.
Renee Cox. 'Raje for President,' Raje Series, 1998.Renee Cox. 'Raje for President,' Raje Series, 1998.
Monday 05.01.17
WEB EXCLUSIVE: BTS Images of Katya for GAYLETTER magazine
She got filthy!
On the evening of May 11, 2015, the world watched with gaping mouths and finger-snapping YAAASSS BITCHes as Kennedy Davenport wiped the stage with Katya Zamolodchikova in a lip sync battle for their lives. Katya, the blond, kooky, insecure, Soviet-inspired, mostly pretty, very bendy audience favorite, was sent home from the competition. “Katya, you may doubt yourself sometimes, but I have no doubt that you are a star. And a hammer, and a sickle,” RuPaul said. “Now, sashay away.” Today, Katya is a star — an All Star, actually — but this isn’t about her.
This past winter, we invited one of our favorite collaborators, Slava Mogutin, into the studio for a photoshoot. Born in Siberia, Slava spent his early adult years as an acclaimed writer and journalist in newly post-Soviet Moscow. As one of few openly gay voices in Russian media, he pushed hard on the country’s barely-there tolerance for homosexuality. By 1995, facing threats of criminal convictions and jail time, he was forced to flee, with the United States granting him political asylum.
So we decided to pair Slava with Katya Zamolodchikova. Get it? They speak Russian; they have Soviet roots; they’re gay. Instead, Brian McCook arrived. Brian is the Boston-born performance artist whose life has been linked to his Katya character since her breakout success on RuPaul’s Drag Race. But one of the first things he told us was, “I’m not doing Drag Race drag today, OK?” What followed was a chaotic collaboration between two formidable artists. …
Sunday 04.30.17
Fire Island
Logo's latest reality show is a farsighted look at the gay hot-spot.
Fire Island — Logo’s latest foray into queer-reality television — follows six New York gays as they spend their summer weekends on the notorious Long Island buffer.
On episode one, we meet Khasan (the house’s ring-leader), his touchy bff Jorge, and the other roommates: Brandon, Justin, Cheyenne and Patrick. Each guy is looking for different things on the island, but collectively they’d all like to have the time of their lives, or something along those lines. After all, Fire Island is a place of gay community, where gays can rejoice and be happy. The cast affirms this multiple, multiple times over the premiere. So after episode two, the question remaining is: why are they all so unhappy?
Besides Justin — the show’s token bear — all of the housemates are very typical of the Fire Island crowd. This is made blatantly clear on the commercials, which show various clips of beefy men doing anything from drinking to shouting. This is worth complaining over. A gay man knows there are several other guys in his area who are 6’3’, 174 pounds and looking to top — all he’s got to do is go on his phone. To see this kind of hyper-contextualized guy on a large and, for lack of a better word, straight-media outlet’s commercial doesn’t feel triumphant. It’s a little nauseating.
I first had the idea to watch Fire Island after the commercials came on during RuPaul’s Drag Race and my entire room of gay friends groaned with pure disdain. …
Saturday 04.29.17
Event: 100 Days of Failure – Trump Protest
I don’t know why they want to protest Trump’s failures as a president, as far as I am concerned, the fact that he hasn’t managed to get anything done makes him a great success, because all his ideas are terrible for the country. This shouldn’t be a protest it should be a party where we all celebrate how wonderfully ineffective our orange cheeto prez is. His travel bans have been blocked, his funding restrictions to Sanctuary Cities have been stopped, his healthcare bill went nowhere, the only thing he’s done is elect a Supreme Court Justice, and that only happened because congress blew up the filibuster rule. Regardless, this is a worthwhile event to attend, whether you want to protest the moron or cheer him to keep on “winning” like the true loser he is. Bring a sign and let your voice be heard. “We will rally outside of Trump Tower to share all the ways that Trump is putting people at risk and making life harder for ordinary folks, with signs, flyers, and chants detailing 100 ways that the administration is reversing progress.” SAD!
Friday 04.28.17
Party: The Final 11:11
Ladyfag brought us the party 11:11 for over four years, that’s a long time for a NYC gay party — Congratulations for keeping it going so long! The party is now coming to an end with the final edition happening this Friday, March 28. Ladyfag told me that “it’s bittersweet for sure, it could have kept going for a lot longer, but I think it’s always wise to leave any party while it’s still fun and not at the end of the night...the same applies here. It’s been an amazing 4.5 years, it’s been a home sweet home for so many of us...my 11:11 wish really did come true...So much love & gratitude to my amazing team & most of all big thanks to my partner in crime Michael Magnan who has been my rock through it all.” Awe that’s sweet, we love Michael too, he’s such a great DJ and a sweetheart. Come to the last edition of 11:11, it’s time to say goodbye to another great NYC party. Music for this last event will be provided by Fatherhood (Michael Magnan & Physical Therapy), Christy Love, Donkey (Josh Sparber & Mikey Fuentes) and Will Automagic. Lots of hosts including the fabulous Amanda Lepore, Aquaria, Stephanie Stone, Bailey Stiles, Marco Ovando, La’fem Ladosha, Will Sheridan, Sussi and many more. Oh, and one more thing, I heard rumors that Lady might have another Friday night party coming soon, so stay tuned.
Bon Appétit by Katy Perry
Oops... Katy Perry did it again!
It seems that once again Katy Perry’s latest single has been totally ignored. This time, she can blame the gorgeous weather in New York City. Though you’re probably outside taking a really long lunch — maybe having a chilled class of pinot, or if you’re really gay: a glass of rosé — I do want to draw your attention to Miss Perry’s latest because it’s definitely better than her previous.
“Chained to the Rhythm” came out last month (I think?) and did not perform well on the radio, or on the charts. The beat was catchy, and ushered in a new, albeit contrived, direction for the ever-changing brand that is Katy Perry. However, Bon Appétit (feat. Migos), which she released on this glorious spring Friday is way cuter and deserves a listen.
Earlier in the week, Perry fans tweeted photos of pies they baked after Katy tweeted that if you baked her a pie, “you may get a surprise.” I was confused and didn’t follow the Twitter trail because that is always exhausting, but nevertheless, the singer’s Martha Stewart endeavor ended up being another really odd marketing strategy (RE : the disco balls no one tended to) for another new single.
Bon Appétit (feat. Migos) is really reminiscent of that kind of feel good track I only associate with Nicki Minaj’s “Roman Reloaded.” This is the kind of pop music that you can listen to at any given moment, meaning that it really has got no deeper meaning than what I assume is money-making. …
