GAYLETTER

Back in May, I was blown away by Latrice Royale in her show 'Here’s to Life'. We were set to interview her before the show, but she was very ill and it didn’t work out. Her lovely fiancé told me he’s never seen her like that before, but she carried on with the performance anyway. She sang, she told stories, she cried, I cried. Professional! Flawless! Magical! I usually feel that if you’ve seen a drag queen’s show, you’ve seen the queen’s show. If you go again, it’s similar to watching your favorite movie over and over — you really have to love her. But Latrice transcends that drag generality. She’s a true entertainer of the highest order. And on Sunday, December 11th, there’s even more. Kennedy Davenport is the guest star!!! During the season 7 finale of RuPaul’s Drag Race, RuPaul turned to the camera and told us: If you ever have the chance to get out and see Miss Kennedy Davenport in concert, it will give you life. Trust. I never forgot that instruction. Considering Ru hadn't made this sort of plug for any other queen (and hasn't since), I’m going to listen and take the opportunity while it’s here. Ru Girls don’t come through New York City often and Laguardia Newark Kennedy the Dancing Diva is even more rare. Don’t fuck this up. Click here for tickets!  —Bill Ivy

When Ladyfag throws a new party we have to tell you about it! It's only polite. This one is happening in Williamsburg at this place called Schimanski which I've never been to, I just googled it and it looks like it’s in the old Verboten space, so my drunk body has been in that space, but maybe it’s all remodeled into a whole new experience. The party is called The Closet and we just know she’s gonna turn it out. This is a new monthly party. In her email to us she says: “believe it or not, I still have holes that need filling...Brooklyn. Dark beats.” OK girl. She also said that the venue has 2 rooms with “an insane sound system....” The music sounds promising and molly-friendly, it will be provided by resident DJ's Fatherhood and Butched. For the first edition they flew in DJs Spencer Parker from Berlin and Kim Anh from Los Angeles. Others involved in the party, who Lady is calling "her skeletons," include Alissa Brianna, Bcalla, Forrest Wu, Gio Rgi Mjavanadze, Jor-El Garcia, Patti Spliff, The Culture Whore, Tyler Ashley and many more. “Come out, come out wherever you are…”  —Abi

Remember when this film first came out? It was such a carry. Not only was it the last film by the iconic Stanley Kubrick, but it also featured Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman, who at the time were married, plus there was an orgy scene. There was so much controversy around the film before it was released. When I saw it I remember thinking, that’s it? It all seemed pretty tame to me. Like all Kubrick films, it takes multiple viewings to see all the hidden nuance and visual metaphors. This Friday is my chance to give it another go, as it is being played in 35mm at midnight at the Nitehawk cinema in Brooklyn. It’s part of their Cinema’s Holiday Spectacular series. Bring a date, or go alone. If the macabre masked orgy scene gets you all hot and sweaty then after the film you can head on over to Gio Black Peter’s American Whorer Party: Apocalypto. For tickets email here. It’s an end of the world, anything goes party in a dungeon. I can’t think of anything more fitting to attend after a screening of Eyes Wide Shut. Tom Cruise would approve!  —tom

The Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar, who is now known simply as Almodóvar, is one of the most influential directors of the last three decades, I mean if you haven’t seen any Almodóvar films, please stop reading this and go watch one of his films right away. “Almodóvar has constructed a colorful universe inhabited by offbeat characters, fluid sexual and gender identities, and complex and singular women.” This new exhibition at MoMA features all his feature films (wow!) and coincides with the release of his latest, and 20th film, Julieta. The whole thing has been organized by Rajendra Roy, The Celeste Bartos Chief Curator of Film, and La Frances Hui, Associate Curator, Department of Film and it is made possible by the Spanish luxury fashion brand Loewe. It’s happening all week long so check the website for the full list, but coincidentally this Thursday, December 8th, they are showing two of my favorite films: Tacones Lejanos (High Heels) and La Mala Educación (Bad Education — pictured). They’re on at the same time, but you can’t lose seeing either. I recommend you go see as many of Almodóvar’s films as you can! They’re all been shown on the big screen. What a treat!  —Abi

We went to see Penny Arcade’s latest show, Longing Lasts Longer, at St Ann’s Warehouse last Saturday night and were enchanted from the moment we heard her from outside the theater welcoming the audience to their seats until the moment she left the stage. Not many people can hold your attention for 75 minutes, alone on an empty stage, but Ms. Penny Arcade can! She is an incredible documentarian of New York’s cultural life. This show is an autopsy of a city that once was. But don’t call it nostalgia! She quickly destroys that notion. It turns out Penny isn’t a fan of any of the last 5 decades. The 60’s were dangerous, the 70’s had hideous clothes, the 80’s were soulless, in the 90’s you couldn’t tell the artists from the capitalists and the 2000’s to today have all been a blur. This show is so much more than Penny complaining. Penny takes the audience on a journey through the historical heart and soul of the city ending in a transcendent moment of self-acceptance. I walked out of the theater inspired and grateful. I was grateful for everything this city has been and continues to be, and I was grateful for Penny. She is a real treasure. Longing Lasts Longer is required viewing.  —tom

Alyssa Edwards is a fan favorite and an even bigger GAYLETTER favorite. Without a doubt she should have been in the final 3 of All Stars (sorry Roxxxy, we love you, but it’s true.) Regardless of what week she went home, she made a lasting impression on a LOT of viewers. I’m sure her calendar since the show ended has been fuller than my stomach after Thanksgiving lunch. This Sunday night she is performing in NYC at the Monster. Joining her is Bob The Drag Queen and another one of our favorites Aja. Music is by DJ Steve Sidewalk. Also in attendance is Dusty Ray Bottoms and Terra Hyman. I can think of a better way to spend a cold Sunday evening in NYC than with these queens. I randomly saw Alyssa perform in Melbourne last year before All Stars had aired (she was the opening act for Sophie Ellis-Bextor, my friend Stewart is obsessed with Sophie). The bitch brought it, blowing every other queen on that stage out of the water. She is crazy for coco puffs, she is nuts and bananas, she is a carry, and a charismatic queen who might not hold the title of ‘All Star Winner’, but will always be one to us!  —tom

When I first heard about it, I had no idea what to expect. Naturally, I imagined queens reading each other to filth for an hour, and I was gagged – but that wasn’t the case. At Drag Queen Story Hour, drag queens read empowering gender equality narratives to children. I don’t have kids, but if I did they’d be there in the front row. It’s all so fitting – both drag queens and children love to dress up, refute the norms, and just be fucking sickening! The Feminist Press at CUNY and Merrie Cherry are hosting the reading. Rachel Aimee, the coordinator of children’s programming at the Feminist Press says, “kids of all genders love dressing up as princesses and fairies.” Yass mama - I know my queer 8 year-old-self was serving My Mom’s Closet Couture. The reading series, which happens monthly, allows parents to expose their kids to different genders in an effort to normalize them. Start them young hunty. This Saturday at the Brooklyn Public Library, Merrie Cherry will read from What Flowers Say, by George Sand. The story, which was originally written for Sand’s grandchildren, is fun, fashion, and an exploration of the self. Honestly, I’m sort of just upset that this wasn’t around when I was growing up.   —Gayletter

“NYC Inferno is a new monthly party for friends, fuckbuddies and lovers of all kinds.” I’m talking about a sex party! That doesn’t mean that if you go you must participate, but if that’s your mood, here you have it. I know that before people go to sex parties, they are not walking around saying “Mom, I am heading to a sex party tonight,” but come on, don’t pretend that it’s not a natural thing. We know you whores fuck around, it’s cool, it’s very popular with gay men. We are not gonna judge you, so go at it! Adam (who’s helping promote the party) told me more about what to expect at the party, “people should expect a hot, diverse, attitude-free crowd of people —  the vibe is very open, not-shady, kind and respectful whether you're into someone's scene or not…” Sounds chill. He also told me that they’ll have “a Troll Hole Popper Shop open from 10-12AM. Troll Hole, is Bushwick's amazing queer feminist sex shop.” So, you don’t have to worry about if you forgot to buy poppers. Also, “All proceeds for the evening will be split equally between two amazing charities that work for justice for queer people of color both in NYC and the Deep South: SONG (Southerners on New Ground) and F2L.” You can always just go and watch, or simply dance (DJ Will Automagic will provide tunes) don’t get too drunk, be safe and be friendly. Aren’t you glad I told you about this event, You are so welcome :).  —Abi

James Baldwin once eloquently said, “Know from whence you came. If you know whence you came, there are absolutely no limitations to where you can go.” I would probably just say, “Learn your fucking history homo.” But the point still stands. Now more than ever we must understand the history of queer activism in order to successfully continue on the legacy of those who came before us. Cleve Jones, a man integral to the history of queer activism, is coming out with a memoir called When We Rise that we all need to read. Jones worked with Harvey Milk, co-founded the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and came up with the idea for the AIDS Quilt for godsake. This Wednesday at The Strand we all have the amazing opportunity to hear him in conversation with OUT editor-in-chief Aaron Hicklin. They will talk all about Cleve’s inspiring work and activism in the age of Trump. Admission is the cost of a signed book or a $15 Strand gift card and you can reserve a seat on strandbooks.com. There will also be an after party at Nowhere Bar because obviously. Now come learn whence you came, you homos.  —Gayletter