New York Isn't Dying, You're Just Boring
secret backyard parties and the survival of old institutions prove the city has plenty left.
*Rupaul voice* Hello Hello!!
Welcome to another issue of The Deviant Dispatch, your guide to the events and gossip of the underground. So many new subscribers after my last issue! Welcome everyone. To celebrate I put this very rare photo of me in the wild, which you can see above.
I will be updating y’all this Friday on the rumors about certain Brooklyn venues closing, so please if you haven’t already make sure to subscribe to the PAID TIER (just $5 a month).
Finally, I would like to address the rumors that New York is dying by providing the following events, which include classic summer staples along with the newer internet-only functions. If you think New York is dying, maybe you just don’t know the right people? Or you’ve been dead for a long time but haven’t noticed because of all the mimosas.
xoxo Mo
Girls Gone Viral
When:Wednesday 8pm-12
Where: 290 Meserole Street in Brooklyn
What: a shameless plug, first of all. This is a weekly drag show where I am, in fact, the DJ!! Hosted by the new queen Lusica Fuscia, this show is very insistent on safety: you have to be masked for the shows to begin, even if you’re sitting at your table.
The bar has food as well as drinks, and while the queens might be afraid of the virus they’re not afraid of jumping into a split on the concrete! We also do a drag roulette, which means for 30 mins the audience picks the songs for the queens to perform without them knowing, which always leads to chaos! The queens start giving shows at 9 but I start playing at 8 so come keep me company.
How much: $5 and money to tip the queens
Around The Campfire with Long Neck
When: Friday 7pm EST
Where: https://www.twitch.tv/longnecklass
What: The New Jersey band Long Neck started hosting a weekly concert series on their Twitch in August, and they’re back again this month. Happening every Friday on Twitch, this week’s lineup has on of my fave current indie bands Cheekface on the bill. Reminiscent of the 90s geek-rock band Cake, Cheekface combines deadpan vocals with wry critiques of our post-liberal hellscape. Sounds grim, but the band always includes a bouncy tempo. They’re joined by Long Neck (obviously), Shay, easy listening outfit Diners, and pop-punk band Pinkshift.
How much: free
Tanlines 5000
When: Saturday, 3-9pm (with an afters)
Where: secret location, DM @ickarus for the address
What: A daytime summer bash by DJ Ickarus, in the past Tanlines has featured a pop-up market. No sign of that this time around, but there is a contest for the best mask! The party happens in two blocks, drag queen brunch style. Both blocks are stacked with local drag talent, but I’d opt for the second round. Neon Calypso and Jax are some of the most caffeinated performers in Brooklyn right now, and Zavaleta is known to pull shenanigans like performing in roller skates. Find me at the afters. :)
How much: $10 suggested donation
Moma PS1 Warm Up
When: Saturday 12-8pm EST
Where: 22-25 Jackson Ave, online at Boiler Room TV , various other locations
What: Moma PS1 parties are a summer institution in New York City, so it’s nice to see that they’re making a go of it before winter comes *shudder. The functions is streaming online as well as happening in person at the museum. There will also be streams at multiple venues around the city: The Rockaway Hotel, Queens Botanical Garden, 99 Scott, Cafe Erzulie, Elsewhere, Ode to Babel, Public Records, and Rise Radio. Highlights from list 8 hour affair are the boys from the POC-centric queer party Papi Juice, experimental pop artist Eartheater, and the Latinx DJ collective Sazón Department. You can find the full lineup here.
How Much: Free
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, frequently showcasing women and mixed gender matches. What more do you want?
How Much: FREEEEEEE
That’s it for this dispatch. If you liked it 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 (for free subscribers) and once about underground news and gossip (for paying members). If you care about drag queens, illegal parties, the spirit of rebellion, experimental pop, and social revolution, you need to read The Deviant Dispatch.