Don't Click The Spam, This is The REAL Deviant Dispatch
Telfar's 24 giveaway, plus a noted drag queen's name change, controversy with Glossier, and upcoming events.
The drag queen Chiquitita, FKA as Juku
Hi Deviants,
Welcome to another edition of The Deviant Dispatch: your guide to underground culture and events. Hope you’re really loving this newsletter, because my friend Eric thinks that in 2 years Substack won’t exist anymore. He has no facts, just the nihilistic view that “nothing lasts.” Maybe he’s right! Anyway time for some Gossip.
First of all, I’m glad you all enjoyed my paid subscriber post last Friday Was There a Rave Last Night at DIY Venue Shea Stadium? If you missed it, well it’s because you’re not on the paid subscriber tier of this newsletter Susan!!!! Fix that!
The black-owned, non-gendered fashion brand Telfar made a bold stance against re-sellers. Telfar bags have become a VERY coveted accessory, earning the nickname “the Bushwick Berkin.” Previously the brand only did limited drops that would quickly sell out. Recently people on Twitter started complaining (do they do anything else?) about how re-sellers were buying up all the stock and reselling at gouged prices. This goes against’s the brands ethos of accessible luxury, so Telfar launched an unlimited pre-order program. For today only you can pick any color and the brand promises that you’ll have it by January. Very cherry. Get your bag here. Here’s a pic to entice you.
The drag queen formerly known as Juku, formerly known as Harajuku, has changed her name to Chiquitita. In the past the queen has said that she picked her name at age 16 and correctly noted that it has nothing to do with her drag. Chiquitita is a latinx trans woman, and while her looks in the past are certainly colorful, she’s not connected to the culture in the Harajuku neighborhood of Tokyo, Japan. We stan a queen who recognizes Gwen Stefani’s vulturistic and racist past!!!!
The hipster beauty brand Glossier now has their own Instagram account (@outtathegloss) run by disgruntled employees. When the brand promised to donate 1 million dollars to black organizations, they rankled in-store workers who felt that the brand’s support was simply for show. They describe being totally unsupported by the management even as horrid things happened in the store, such as MAGA-hat wearing teens arriving and doing blackface in the store in front of the BIPOC employees. Glossier has since come out with a plan to address the problems in their workplace, but we’ll see if they actually follow through.
And now, this week’s events
Black Girl Magic
When: Tonight, 8pm CTS
Where: https://www.twitch.tv/thevixensworld
What: 28 black performers come together in the latest installment of the Vixen’s show Black Girl Magic. I’m especially excited to see Brooklyn beauty Serena Tea recreate Solange’s “Cranes In The Sky” video. You can get the whole lineup of the performers here.
How Much: TIP YOUR QUEENS, at least $15 overall
Michelle Shocked’s 2016-2020 in Review
When: Thursday, 6:30 EST
Where: Zoom, RSVP here for the link.
What: Only in 2020 would you have a combination drag show and phone bank happening on Zoom. Local queen Michelle Shocked is going to be giving shows, and then everyone on the Zoom call is going to phone bank for Biden in the contested South Lancaster county of Pennsylvania ( a swing state). We love a direct action that will help get trump out of office!
How Much: Free!!!!
No Joy Live on Baby.tv
When: Friday, 8:00 pm EST
Where: The internet, specifically here.
What: Leading the shoegaze revival for years now, Montreal-based act No Joy has recently started incorporating trip-hop influences for a very nostalgic mix. This Friday they’re celebrating their first album in 5 years called Motherhood live on Baby.tv. Perfect music to pull up on your laptop as you sit on your roof and stare at the sunset.
How much: $5
Bikini Bottom
When: Friday, 6pm-11pm
Where: 260 Meserole St
What: A faggy time for sure. This drag show has a beachy theme and performances by Magenta and the offbeat Shocka Yaw. What really draws my eye is the lineup of DJs. There’s Rosemont regular P_A_T_ , who is responsible for North Brooklyn’s Kim Petras standom. There’s Dicap, who can bounce from techno to pop without missing a beat and has been along so long that most of the sketchy venues I first saw him play at don’t exist anymore. Finally, there’s the fashionable Tory Stiletto, who I know from serving cunty looks at clubs all over the city. Unclear what their DJ chops will be like, but I love a suprise.
How Much: $10 cover
Effy Present’s Monday Night Not Raw
When: Monday, 8-11ish EST
Where: https://www.twitch.tv/effylives
What: You may know professional wrestling networks like the WWE, but did you know that there’s a scrappy anti-corporate scene throwing down in bars and concert venues across the country? Effy is one of those independent wrestlers, a faggot in a magenta leather jacket covered in spikes who loves talking shit and showboating in the ring. His Monday night wrestling commentary show is a great showcase of how accessible and campy the sport (?) can be. Last week we watched a match with Sonny Kiss, who is a gay black fem wrestler who spins, flips, and kicks ass! Plus you get to soak in Effy’s equally cocky and kooky persona.
How Much: FREEEEEEE
That’s it for this dispatch. Consider forwarding this email to a pal! If you’re the pal please subscribe. I write twice a week: once about upcoming worthy events (for free subscribers) and once about worthy subjects of my choosing (for paying members). If you care about drag queens, illegal parties, the spirit of the underground, experimental pop, and social revolution, you need to read The Deviant Dispatch.