Hi 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 to get the newsletter weekly, share this with someone, or hit the heart button at the top of the post.
Before we get into all the new gossip I wanted to say hi to all my new subscribers! Hello! Hello! Hello! Normally I put half the month’s newsletters behind a paywall, but in honor of all the new faces I’m making this one free. Don’t get used to it.
Ok so it’s time for the story my subscribers have been asking about, the question on everyone’s lips: Someone is throwing parties at the Dreamhouse again? This story has everything: a popular designer getting snubbed, the re-opening (?) of a beloved underground dance spot, the triumphs of some local DJs, and the downfall of heterosexuals.
Most of this is cobbled together from overheard accounts, social media screen caps, and some leaps in logic. Everything is alleged, and if you see something here that’s inaccurate please reach out by emailing thedeviantdispatch@gmail.com.
First, some background on the Spectrum from Gayletter:
“Founded by Gage of the Boone and Nicolas Gorham, Spectrum promoted itself as a community space for queer artists, musicians and performers. There were self-defense classes, disco yoga and queer pilates but nobody I knew went during the day. Everyone went at night, when lights went off, the cover went up and the DJs took over.”
People like Le1f and Myyki Blanco got their start at the Spectrum. It was the epicenter of the queer Brooklyn renaissance of the early 2010s. This is the time that birthed Bushwig for goodness sakes. It was before Sasha Velour won Drag Race, when the performance artists, drag queens, and club kids of Brooklyn were only making their art for the misfit toys around them.
Eventually the Spectrum closed, as all scrappy artist-run spaces do. Undeterred, the organizers moved to the Dreamhouse at the Ridgewood/Bushwick border. Like the Spectrum, it was a semi-lawless smokey haven where you could party till 6 in the morning. A true community hub, if you stayed late enough you’d see all the drag queens of Brooklyn arriving after their bar/club gigs ended.
Despite their success, the Dreamhouse closed at the beginning of 2019 when they fell behind on rent. You can look at this Gayletter photo album for a peak of the vibes. Gage spent the rest of the year throwing parties under the spectrum name at other venues.
That was where the story ended, until earlier this month when people started getting messaged a flyer about a party at the same address as the Dreamhouse. Was Gage and company finally getting their space back?
No, it turns out. Someone at the Dreamhouse is doing parties, but the new promoters aren’t respecting the legacy of their space. During their first party around April 17th they (allegedly) turned away modern queer power player Telfar Clemens away at the door. At an actual queer party the designer would have immediately been ushered to whatever passed for a VIP. In addition to this faux pas, the organizers charged a reportedly exorbitant cover. People online pointed out that new party spat in the face of the spirit of The Dreamhouse.
All was not lost however. Somehow, two trans girls made their way to the DJ booth and somehow managed to take control of the music, briefly taking back the space that they and other queer misfit toys had built. One of these DJs is rumored to be @antpuke, but the precise identity of them remains unclear, at least to this publication.
Despite the disastrous first outing, a second party was planned for the following weekend April 24th. Called “Nostferatu” the party required mandatory temperature checks at the door as well as showing the secret flyer. Despite all the secrecy, reportedly the party was still busted by the police. As much as The Deviant Dispatch loves seeing straights learning a lesson, we wouldn’t with the NYPD (New York Pig Department) on anyone.
No word about things happening at the space since then, but I’ll keep you updated.
Other Miscellaneous Gossip
NYC is stated to fully reopen July 1st!!! “We are ready for stores to open, for businesses to open, offices, theaters, full strength,” de Blasio said in announcing the date on MSNBC. Broadway will still probably have to wait till the fall, but this is very exciting! Until then seating at bars will be allowed starting May 3, while outdoor dining curfews of midnight are set to end by May 17. Indoor dining curfews will expire May 31.
LSDXOXO put out another single from his upcoming EP. The song is called “The Devil” and you can steam it here or the top of the newsletter.
Melting Point, the fundraising rave who’ve defined a subset of techno and hardcore in Brooklyn, are raising funds in honor of co-founder Brytani Caipa’s life and recent death. 20% of donations will go to Melting Point to continue the work that Brytani started. The rest will be divided between Al Otro Lado, the organization supported by Melting Point to aid asylum seekers and immigrant rights, and the Brady Caipa Memorial Scholarship. You can donate here.
The promoter Black N' Blue Productions has been effectively banned from planning shows in Tompkins Square Park after a hardcore bill of theirs drew thousands of people. Hopefully this doesn’t affect Pinc Louds and Hello Mary’s ability to play in the future. (story via Gothamist)
Bikini Kill will be playing a show at Pier 17 this summer. If you’re willing to brave the horrors of Wall Street, tickets go on sale Friday at 10am.
Charli XCX went on a podcast with writer Gia Tolentino and revealed that she’s working on music with Hyperpop artist Glaive despite being vocally uncomfortable when journalists ask her about the music genre.
Charli XCX also put out a remix of “Drama” by bladee & Mechatok. The pair’s album was a hit in the hyperpop world last year due to standout tracks like “Rainbow”. The "Drama” remix is *chef’s kiss*, but if you’re not a Charli fan you won’t be converted. But if you’re not a Charli fan, why are you here? Anyway, the remix is below.
That’s it for me this week! Make sure you subscribe to the paid tier of the newsletter so you get the Deviant Dispatch next week. Until then, here’s some worthy events*.
xoxo
Mo
*(Not included are the queers celebrating Beltane this Saturday in the Vale of Cashmere or MTHR TRSA’s sold out show Hole Pics on Sunday.)
SOUR WIDOWS with CHRISTELLE BOFALE & TENCI on Baby TV
When: Friday, 8 pm EST
Where: https://www.letswatchbabytv.online/streaming
What: Are you still procrastinating getting a vaccine appointment? Waiting for your second dose? Finding the news of variants has you afraid to leave the house? This indie-folk show will sooth your anxieties and give you something to do with your Friday. Of special note is Christelle Bofale, whose sounds blend soul, jazz, and indie rock. If you care about Pitchfork, the new Sour Widows EP just scored a 7.4. The reviewier seems to think they’re a Next Big Thing, so tune in to see if you agree.
How much: $5 Get your ticket here
Girlboss Today
When: Saturday, 12pm PST
Where: twitch.tv/chesterlockhart
What: This “Empowering™️ Talk Show” hosted by Chester Lockhart is a mockery of the current state of corporate feminism. The stream features musicians Dorian Electra, Rebecca Black, Zolita, Hana and mood killer who I assuming will be playing tunes. The drag queens Miss Toto and Miles Jai will also be attending. Sure to be a lolfest no matter what goes down.
How much: Free
CD Bushwick
When: Saturday, Dusk til Dawn (or till the NYPD arrives)
Where: secret rooftop location, DM @qdbushwick on Instagram for details.
What: Does anyone remember that short-lived TRL knockoff called CD : USA sponsored by Direct TV? Anyway CD Bushwick is a secret rooftop party with DJs playing a combination of disco, house, and techno all night long. The flyer says till dawn!!! There’s too many of them to list here, but you can click through the instagram post above and see who’s tagged for the full lineup.
How much: ???
Lain’s Room
When: Saturday, 10pm-4am EST
Where: ????
What: A hardcore fundraver for trans/queer poc, this function has a secret IRL aspect as well as a stream. Local hero and possible Dreamhouse avenger @antpuke will be spinning and genre polymath Machine Girl will be headlining.
How much: $10 buy tickets here
Whole New World
When: Sunday 3-7 pm
Where: Maria Hernandez Park
What: A mini-music-&-drag festival featuring an all trans & gnc line-up of musicians & drag queens. Noted names include Macy Rodman, BABES IN SUBURBIA, Jette Grey, Magenta, and my new fave Robyn Edges. DJ PAT will be DJing starting at 3.
How much: The event is FREE but donations via Venmo/Cashapp @bushwig encouraged. All money will be split between performers.
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.