and old picture of Paris Hilton and Avril Lavigne, just cuz
Hi there girlies,
This is The Deviant Dispatch. I’m Mo, your guide to the underground. I write about NYC-based events, gay shit, and cool kid gossip. There will be snark, typos, and lots of Charli XCX updates. If you like what you see, become a paying subscriber, share this with someone, or hit the heart button.
I know this edition of the newsletter is coming late, but that’s because I’ve been to caught up in living! I’m writing this hungover from drinking French 75s and Negroni’s at the french bistro Lucien. My waitress was a classic downtown gremlin with skunk hair wearing a Chicago Bulls sweater shirt over a slip dress. The steak was fine, but the real tea is the peppercorn sauce.
In sad news, the Melting Point organizer/promoter Brytani Caipa AKA @Gabbersnack has passed away. The cause of death has not been publicized, but community members took to instagram to share their grief. Dani of the Deli Girls wrote that Brytani “cared about the people in the scene, and made an actual difference, and organized direct action (well before quarantine or bernie bros). She’s one of the few who always kept her promises about where the money went.” DJ/Vocalist Chippy Nonstop and the underground blogger S3R also shared their memories with the promoter.
Melting Point is a monthly fundraising rave started in 2018 in response to Donald Trump’s anti-immigration stance. The collective also threw pop up raves as “noise protests” outside I.C.E. offices. Caipa was key in booking the DJs and performs that helped define the Melting Point sound: a mic of techno, punk, harsh noise, and Latinx sounds like bachata. “By focusing thoughtfully on both music and politics,” Resident Advisor gushed, “Melting Point is building a community that wants to party and agitate in equal measure.” Now that community will tragically have to soldier on without Caipa.
In happier news, Karaoke is back at Heaven Or Las Vegas. The bar is owned by the same duo who opened the tiny club Mood Ring, which quickly became the go-to for queer and queer-friendly Gen Zers looking to dance. Heaven or Las Vegas had the same neon point of view, but when it wasn’t throwing dance parties it offered karaoke Sunday through Wednesday. They’ve been open for drinks for a few months now, but now they’re finally brining back karaoke. Due to Covid-19 they’ll have a separate area for the singer to do their song (wearing a mask is required), and the microphone will be disinfected between each use.
Pom Pom Squad have put out their second single from their upcoming album Death of a Cheerleader. It’s called “Head Cheerleader” and is a chugging 90s-era rock song about realizing you’re a gay dirtbag. Lead singer + songwriter Mia Berrin proclaims “I’m gonna marry the scariest girl on the cheerleading team” and “my worst decisions are the ones I like the best” before deciding that ultimately “I’m learning how to be someone I could put my faith in.” The song features backing vocals from queer rock elder Tegan Quin from Tegan and Sarah. For additional cool points, the song was co-produced by Sarah Tudzin from Illuminati Hotties.
The music video has no plot, just copious vibes. We’ve got a giant pink cake, Mia rocking a pastoral white gown with lace-up red boots, the band in marching band uniforms, and Mia singing from her grave. The video ends with a teaser of the song “Be Good” from their debut album. As someone who’s heard the whole album, The Deviant Dispatch can confirm it’s amazing. There’s the ragged confessional rock we’ve come to expect from Pom Pom Squad mixed in with some 50s/60s dream pop sounds. It’s all anchored by Mia’s tight songwriting and the lush instrumentals. It’s out June 25th and you can pre-order it now!
What’s promising to be equally lush is the nightlife scenery this weekend. New York bars are finally allowed to stay open until midnight! It’s not the 4am days of old but it’s a little better. If you’re thinking of just rolling up at 10pm like the before times a word of caution. While only 30% of adults in New York City are fully vaccinated, 100% of those people were at the bars last Saturday.
Every table at the Rosemont was full of white normie-looking people, save for the cluster of tables on the (former) dance floor Magenta and her well-wishers occupied. I can’t tell you how strange it was to be in the Rosemont full of people but with everyone sitting at tables. At least the music was the same as always, invoking a wad bubblegum being shot from a cannon. Spotted: Tik Toker @RicoTaquito.
Happyfun Hideaway on the other hand was overflowing with queers of all colors. While the Rosemont had someone at the door counting occupants, Happyfun is a bit more laissez faire, with some bold patrons even twerking on the wall. Spotted: the comedian Ziwe outside with a pink floor length nylon coat and green furry bucket hat. While I could technically squeeze inside, the bar was so packed I had to take refuge at Birdy’s next door. Let these scenes be a lesson to you: if you’re going to a bar this weekend, get there early.
In terms of events this week, there’s the Linux warehouse party mentioned in the above tweet (although she continues to be a polarizing figure in NYC nightlife). A friend of the newsletter tried to message her for details but got left on read, so good luck getting in.
Since the Rupaul’s Drag Race finale is this Friday you’ll find some places doing screenings, but since Charlene and Tyler Ashely’s viewing party The Hole Stretch is sold-out you’re better off watching from home. You can make an account on VH1’s website to watch live TV for 24 hours. If you’re feeling like your evening won’t be complete without an IRL drag queen giving you numbers alongside a stiff cocktail, my old friend Mini Horrorwitz is teaming up with the Rosemont to do drag delivery. Just dm @therosemont on Instagram with your drink order and she’ll arrive to do numbers outside.
Here are some other specific things to put on your calendars in the coming days.
See you out there!
xoxo
Mo
Pinc Louds in Tompkins Square Park
When: Friday, @ 7pm
Where: Tompkins Square Park
What: Despite the challenges of being a band during Covid-19, Pinc Louds have built a cult following for their Tompkins Square Park shows, attracting alternative-looking NYU students and young families alike. They come for the whimsical indie rock but also for the theatrics. The last show I went to there was someone dressed in a rat mascot who threw glittery faux intestines into the dancing crowd. I used to pass Claudi of Pinc Louds all the time as she played on the F train platform at Essex street. It was 2015, and I would have never guessed that I’d still be seeing her playing in colorful grandma dresses years later, but here we are!
How much: Free
Discakes Does Narcan Training
When: Saturday, 2-4pm
Where: Maria Hernandez Park
What: Narcan is a chemical that can be used to treat opioid overdoses. That’s fentanyl, heroin, oxycodone, ect. Discakes, a nightlife collective focused on queer + trans POC, have organized a Narcan distribution and training session alongside New York Dance Safe. The reception form is no longer working so don’t worry about RSVPing, but get there early before they run out of doses.
How much: Free
Str8 to DVD: Spring Wake-Up-Ing
When: Saturday, 6pm
Where: The Vale of Cashmere in Prospect Park
What: Str8 to DVD are the theatre kids who are really into My Chemical Romance of the Brooklyn drag scene. This Saturday they’re bringing their manic energy to the Vale of Cashmere in Prospect Park for outdoor shows. Bring a blanket and a joint.
How much: free but bring cash to tip the queens
BFF Party
When: Wednesday 8pm-12am
Where: 3 Dollar Bill
What: The BFF party is Brooklyn’s only Hyperpop party, and they’re coming back to 3 Dollar Bill for a bizarre dinner theatre experience. You’ll have to remain seated at your table but you’ll be able to enjoy shows from Boyish Charm and Rayne in between DJ sets. It’s def the only chance you’ll have for a while to hear the Umru remix of AG Cook’s “2021” on club speakers.
How much: $25 (comes with a standard or vegan appetizer) BUY TIX HERE
GIGS
When: Thursday, 8:00 pm
Where: The Sultan Room
What: The newest drag show from Horrorchatta, one of the minds behind the drag festival Buishwig. This one combines the freaky (satanic drag king God Complex) with the fabulous (Charlene, Nicky Ottav). Similarly to 3 Dollar Bill, you have to stay seated the whole time. You also have a minimum (2) drinks per person, (1) food item per table.
How much: $25. Get your tickets here
That’s it for this dispatch. If you liked it please consider hitting the heart button on this post or forwarding this email to a pal! If you’re the pal please subscribe. I write once a week about upcoming worthy events underground, news & gossip, and gay shit. You can send me tips about those things by emailing thedeviantdispatch@gmail.com. If you care about drag queens, illegal parties, independent music/art/film/fashion, Charli XCX, and rebellion, you need to read The Deviant Dispatch.
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