The Deviant Dispatch: Cummunity?
She Stadium's takeover, the trans dance fest Body Hack, and more!
photos/collage by Patrick Arias
Hello Deviants,
Welcome to The Deviant Dispatch, your guide to culture that defies the norm. It’s Wednesday, which means it’s time for a roundup of upcoming online events. One day I’ll revert back to listing IRL parties in Brookyn bars and basements, but until then we have to make do with our screens.
Increasingly it seems that peeps are unable to make do. The reason that the New York government gave up and said “fine it’s not illegal to hang out with 10 people or less at a time u reckless fucks” is cuz the virtual! social! landscape! isn’t! working! People are going outside, hanging at apartments, dancing together in secret. The parties online are not keeping people glued to their screens. It’s not their fault (well kinda is). People who throw parties are not used to dealing with audio/visual technology and people are tired of looking at screens. It’s rare to find an online party that delvers the same thrill of being in a crowded room with the notion anything can happen. The collage at the top of this newsletter is made up of photos taken at one such BK party, The Mx. Nobody Pageant.
Last Sunday, a Zoom party popped up on my radar that lived up to the real thing: Bathsalts was doing a Chromatica-themed night. When she described the the party’s real-life incarnation, host Macy told Paper Magazine that Bathsalts was like sitting around your living room with your friends getting drunk. The party’s Zoom incarnation really brings that to life. The show uses the platform’s underutilized panelist feature. All of the performers appear as a Brady-bunch style grid, with no audience members present. This results in watching the hosts interface with each other between songs. Often it seems like they’ve forgotten the audience all together. Instead of shutting the viewer out, we’re instead treated to the delicious thrill of hanging out with the performers backstage.
The numbers themselves were great. Singer Magda did a “Rain On Me” parody about cum. Creme Fetale performed Aqua’s “Barbie Girl” but dubbed the word ‘barbie’ with ‘garlic’. Charlene Incarnate lip-synced Fiona Apple while spinning shirtless around a campfire, looking like a one-woman coven. I haven’t seen news that they’re doing Bathsalts again this week, but they could announce it at any time. Or it could happen next Monday. They’ll probs be up to something, and if not you should follow Severely Mame and Macy Rodman just to keep up.
Here are the events that I know are going to be worth your time. if nothing else watch Claire Saffitz make Choco Tacos from scratch or Juno birch do absolutly bonkers eyeliner. Please just stay safe and 6 feet away from everyone. Listen to healthcare professionals not politicians.
Oh, and make sure you subscribe to the paid tier of this newsletter. I go in every Friday on something of note. Last week was all about queer cheerleaders of sound and screen. Before that I talked about rich kids of indie pop. IDK what I’m doing this Friday but subscribe to find out.
Snack Theatre Presents: Sweet & Sour Variety Hour
When: Wednesday 8pm EST
Where: Twitch.tv/snack_theatre
What: Snack Theatre is an immersive drag theatre hybrid that normally takes place at the Chealsea Music Hall. The show always weaves together disparate drag/burlesque performances with a plot and theme. This theme appears to be a fruity variety hour (not the most inventive). Still with performers like Vigor Mortis, Zenobia, and Mini Horrorwitz (doing a Tank & The Bangaz tribute) it’s worth tuning in. Plus I’m sure hosts Angelica Sundae and Rara Darling will be sure to bring it.
How Much: Free but tip the dolls
Cabernet Caberet w/ Cat Cohen
When: 8pm EST
Where: Instagram at @catccohen
What: A comedic cabaret show. Cat Cohen is great. Just sit back and listen to her serenade you with songs like “I love my right hand” and “Look At Me.” Plus her producing chops means I’m going turn off tonight’s brodcast with a host of new funny people in my life
How Much: Free but Venmo the performers
Post World Radio: Shea Stadium Takeover
When: Thursday 4pm-12am EST
Where: Instagram live
What: She Stadium was a long running DIY venue in Williamsburg. For 8 years they threw sweaty shows and helped shape the scene. Since 2017 they’ve been searching for a new location after their landlord choose not to renew their lease. They’ve temporarily found on the punk streaming account Post World Radio. There will be performances streaming all day, but here are some names I’m geeking on: alt-pop/ R&B act Gemma, stoner indie pop star Gobbinjr, the poet NM ESC, bedroom punk singer-songwriter Told Slant (seriously always makes me cry).
How Much: Free but Venmo the artists/curators
Studio-19
When: Thursday 7-9pm EST
Where: twitch.tv/dj_babes
What: A disco party (that was supposed to happen last week but “technical difficulties” got in the way)! Tune in for frothy tunes and a video stream of DJ Babes spinning while wearing mounds of tulle in a picturesque backyard. There also is going to be compilation of soul train and disco diva footage. Festival vibes! Summer isn’t dead! I feel love! I also feel like I might pickup a quart of a margarita from a nearby bar and twirl in a mumu.
How Much: Free
Suzanne Barsch Wants You ON TOP
When: Thursday 9-11pm
Where: Zoom via this ticket link
What: a peek into the famed NYC nightlife maven’s current crew. Famed for throwing glamorous parties since the 80s, Suzanne Barsh is still at it trying to get zoom to work. Hearing her murmur into the mic without realizing she’s broadcasting is part of the fun. The other part is catching her crew of club kids like Linux, Bob Bottle, and Amanda Lepore mug in front of their camera’s like they’re in VIP. the 3rd part are DJs like Amber Valentine (style icon in her own right) who have never failed to keep me moving. Def dress up for this one, like as if you’re going to the met gala.
How Much: $5-25
FAIRY WORLD: DiSCO 3000
When: Friday 9pm EST
Where: Zoom (code TBA follow @enterfairyworld for updates)
What: “Enter the new era of the club kids” this party queer party highlites queers from around the web. This time the show is club kid themed. Not terribly original, but Brooklyn DJ and Drag Queen Dream Boi is going to be doing a set and his remixes are amazing. Expect bright bubblegum electronica and lots of glitter.
How Much: Free but tip the dolls.
Digital Drag Cyber 9
When: Friday 10pm EST
Where: twitch.tv/biqtchpuddin
What: The best place to go if you’ve never seen a modern drag show but you’ve always wanted to take a peak. Biqtch Puddin has made her one-off Twitch show a weekly affair. The Dragula winner is seamlessly mixing big names with well-deserving up and comers. This week BK’s very own Baby Love will be performing.
How Much: $10 Suggested Donation
Home Like Noplace Is There: A Quarantine Emo Night
When: Friday, 8pm-1am EST
Where: ask an emo kid for the Zoom ID*
*(this is punkspeak for ask one of the performers or people running the show. Traditionally the message reads “ask a punk for the address”)
What: Last week my buddy Tatiana assembled a night of journalists, and music industry insiders to celebrate the joys of emo. It was so popular that now it’s becoming a weekly thing. The vibe is friendly chatroom with occasional head-banging, sweet lighter wave-a-longs, and some emo “celebrities” appearing (i don’t think Christian from Hotelier counts as being famous but whatever). It’s a charity event for the org For The People, a health fund prioritizing Black and Indigenous, immunocompromised and uninsured people in Philadelphia who've lost income due to COVID-19.
How Much: Technically free but venmo @melanie-grinberg to support For The People.
Body Hack
When: Saturday 2-11 PM EST
Where: Zoom link via @_bodyhack_ on instagram
What: A party for trans and non-binary peeps the the ones who love them, this one caught my eye thanks to rapper Quay Dash performing on the lineup. Singer/producer Ah-Mer-Ah-Su will also be performing. Sure to be a cute daytime carry. Benefiting 3 different trans orgs: Transgrediendo - @citgny (New York City), No Tengo Miedo - @notengomiedo (Lima, Peru), & Casa de las Muñecas - @casamunecasec (Guayaquil, Ecuador). The party will have a similar global feel, AKA not hordes of white people.
How Much: donate to the charities you pig
Club Quarantine
When: Every night, 9-12:00 EST
Where: Zoom, check @clubquarantine on Instagram at 9pm EST for the code
What: I will continue to post this until they stop wowing me with their selections. This week millennial Disney duo Aly & AJ will be DJing! What else will they have in store this week? Check their Instagram everyday to find out.
How Much: Free
That’s it for this week’s dispatch. If you smiled or laughed while reading this please consider forwarding this email to a pal! If you’re the pal please subscribe. I write twice a week: once about upcoming worthy events and once about worthy subjects of my choosing. If you care about Drag Queens, illegal concerts, Charli XCX, and John Waters, you’ll definitely want to read The Deviant Dispatch.