The Halloween Parties Are Starting But I Still Feel Dead Inside
as we enter the final days of the season, here are some spooky + non-spooky gigs
Hi hi,
Welcome to The Deviant Dispatch. I’m Mo, your guide to the underground world of Brooklyn and beyond. On Wednesday I write about events for free. On Friday I write about gossip for money (paying members only).
It’s Halloween in less than two weeks and I’ve never felt less excited. Fear, the prickle that inspired every cartoon ghost or plastic skeleton, is no longer novel. It has been all around us for months. It’s in the news of the rising Covid rates across the country. It’s underneath everyone’s plucky reminder to vote. It climbs on top when people remind you to vote early.
Early on in quarantine I tried escape into horror movies. For two hours at a time I substituted the fear of dying with a ventilator jammed down my throat with the terror of a zombie apocalypse or a masked person with a knife. But the what’s the fun of trying to scare yourself if you’re anxious to begin with? Horror movies aren’t an exciting alternative to reality anymore. Look at the fly on Mike Pence’s head. We’re in one.
With the horror element of halloween defanged due to pure saturation, we’re left with the surface kitsch. But the childlike joy I used to get from witches hats and fake fangs is hollow now. There’s no fun in dressing up like someone else when a lack of social connection has made you doubt who you are to begin with. Will you just stay home and post photos into the abyss? Where will you even go in your costume?
Well, if you asked the last question you should subscribe to the paid tier of this newsletter. This Friday for my paying piggies I’m going to give you a preview of the festivities in store for next week. Some will be IRL places that you can wear your costumes out like it’s any other year. If you’re on the free tier, you’ll just be late to the party.
For now we have list of events happening the next few days. Some are on theme, others are not. While I personally am only celebrating Halloween by wearing increasing amounts of black clothing (Is he spooky? or depressed?) I hope y’all are feeling spirited enough to attend.
xoxo
Mo
Girls Gone Viral
When: Wednesday, 8-11ish
Where: Now and Then (290 Meserole)
What: This is a shameless plug: I DJ this show every week with a gaggle of high-energy young queens. My fave part is always the drag roulette, where the queens do picks from the audience. This week we have the glamourpuss Islaya as the special guest, and despite my lack of Halloween spirit I’m preparing a spooky set for those who get there at 8.
How much: $5 and fucking TIP THE QUEENs
Ghoul-a-Rama or Fun House From Hell
When: Thursday- Sunday, various evening times
Where: The Rubulad (it’s a secret address, but it also shows up in google maps)
What: The Rubulad is an art space in Bushwick with a massive yard filled with slides, giant lip sculptures, and gazebos that look like set pieces from Midsummer’s Night Dream. The venue was one of Brooklyn’s last truly illegal DIY art spaces, but it’s been inactive since the pandemic began. UNTIL NOW *loud spooky sound effect*
The space is hosting a haunted house that also doubles as an art show because Bushwick. Among the long list of artists is the shock-rapper/ drag queen from hell Christeene and ultra glam fashion photographer Ricardo Rivera. You can sign up for your socially distant art via Artery (link below).
How much: $10 in advance, $15 day of, $20 on Halloween, grab your tickets here
XTRA: Pop Punk Takeover
When: Thursday, 9pm EST
Where: https://www.twitch.tv/aqueerpride
What: A pop-punk themed drag show full of Dragula Ghouls (Biqtch Puddin, Dollya Black, and Chicago drag spooks (Laila McQueen, Bambi Banks-Coulee). There will also be a special Live performance from Brooklyn’s own Macy Rodman to promote her “Vasaline” remix EP. Hopefully someone does the Panic and The Disco cover of This is Halloween. Seems likely.
How much: free but tip your performers
Honey I’m Homo
When: Friday 9pm EST
Where: Zoom 856 6850 6622
What: This flyer promises a lot, but at it’s core this is a variety show with a killer cast. We’ve got the drag performers Ra Ra Darling, Theydy Bedbug and special guest JAX. Someone named Harlow will be singing live. Zenobia will be DJing (which is sadly rare, as she’s a great DJ). There’s a raffle. Costumes are encouraged if you’re feeling normal enough to get into the holiday spirit. This whole thing is a benefit for drag performer C'etait BonTemps’ top surgery.
How much: $5 for the raffle, tip your performers
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). You can send me tips about either by emailing thedeviantdispatch@gmail.com . If you care about drag queens, illegal parties, independent music/art/film/fashion, experimental pop, and social revolution, you need to read The Deviant Dispatch.