Your Halloween 2020 Plans (For Non-Paying Subscribers)
move fast kids, these parties are selling out
Tyler Ashely performing at a past Baby Tea Brunch. The party makes it’s IRL return next Saturday. Photo by Elyssa Goodman.
Hey there trick-or-treaters,
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).
The week of Halloween is here, and things are already rumbling. Despite the pandemic, New York is fully preparing to get as wild as ever. Several of these parties are reposted from my paying subscribers-only post on Friday. Two of them have already sold out (Baby Tea Brunch, and Horrorchatta’s rooftop party at the Turks In). Let this be a lesson: subscribe to the paid tier of this newsletter so you don’t miss out next time!
That’s not to say there isn’t plenty still happening! I’m brining you 4 IRL parties for Halloween. For my cuties who are being sensible and staying in as the Covid rates rise, I’ve got a virtual event for you (at the house of yes) and several more throughout the week.
Happy haunting!
xoxo Mo
Independant Venue Week
When: 7pm Monday through Friday
Where: Trans Pecos
What: What could be more scary than all the local venues closing!?!? local promoters Siren Sounds are doing their best to keep us from finding out.
“We’re featuring a different local venue each day with a curated night of pre-recorded live performance, streaming DJs, food, merch and more” the promoters shared on Instagram. “Tickets for each online stream will be available via each venue. 100% of donations and online tickets will go directly to the artists involved and the out-of-work venue staff.”
The artists include Thick, Shamir, Pure Adult, Wiki (from Rat King), and Gustaf.
How much: $5
The Cake Night Show
When: Wednesday, 10pm EST
Where: twitch.tv/the_cakeboys
What: The Cakeboys are a drag king collective in Brooklyn, and their presence is sorely needed: drag kings don’t get nearly enough credit. This crew (core members include Geminemisis, Muscles Monty, Richard) and aren’t afraid to get get dirty or gross. In their brief run they’ve already attracted some likeminded misfits, many of whom are appearing at the collective’s first Halloween show. This sprawling lineup is full of faces who are spooky year round. They’ll def be brining some tricks so this should be a real treat. *dad joke emoji*
How Much: Free
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: This haunted house/ art show singlehandedly put me in the Halloween spirit. It also legitimately scared me. The landmarks of Rubulad’s iconic yard have been fully transformed in the spirit of the season. The slide has a dead body tapped to it. The giant mouth sculpture now has vampire fangs, and the outstretched tongue is covered in spikes. The space is big enough that I could wander without being that close to anyone, and you get your temperature checked upon entry before getting hand sanitizer.
Among the long list of artists is the shock-rapper/ drag queen from hell Christeene and ultra glam fashion photographer Ricardo Rivera. My personal faves were the musician providing a live spooky soundtrack via some kind of distorted violin and some chimes. You can sign up for your socially distant art via Artery (link below). Don’t miss out!!!
How much: $10 in advance, $15 day of, $20 on Halloween, grab your tickets here
PARIS IS BUMPING
When: 10pm EST
Where: https://independentwrestling.tv/
What: A queer wrestling match combined with a vogue ball. There’s going to be a death match (no rules wrestling which features blood and weapons) and a sex siren category (who can give porn star realness). You’ll see Billy Dixon and Darius Carter compete to see who can give Wrestling Executive Realness, and watch Candy Lee slay the Vouge femme queen category.
How Much: $10 for a monthly subscription to the Independent Wrestling TV network.
STR8 TO DVD: PHARM TO TABLE
When: Friday, 6pm Oct 30th
Where: The Vale of Cashmere in Prospect Park
What: The last Str8 to DVD in the park was a hoot and a half. Never have I felt more at home as when I watched Linda Felcher run through the grass performing Kate Bush, or when another performer used mayo to shave their legs. This show is VERY diy, so I suggested getting there early to nab a seat close to the bluetooth speaker they use for sound. If you get there late, don’t worry: the queens will have enough charisma to make the music optional.
How much: free, but tip the performers
Baby Tea: Halloween Brunch *Sold Out*
Where: The Turks Inn
When: Saturday, 12pm + 2pm Oct 31st
What: If you’re subscribed to the paid tier you would have had a chance to grab tickets to see Charlene and Tyler Ashley’s iconic brunch return for in person viewing. Oh well! It’s supposedly going to be a monthly thing at the Turks Inn so you’ll have another chance in November. But just a pro tip: pick the later time slot because the duo will already be drunk when they start giving shows. Embrace the chaos to witness the majesty.
How much: $40 per ticket for bottomless brunch and the best shows of your life. It’s sold out though, so you have to find someone to let you sit at their table.
The Voluptuous Horror of Karen Black Live in Tomkins Square Park
When: Saturday 4pm
Where: Tompkins Square Park
What: Kembra Pfahler is from the crack-riddled era of New York where Sonic Youth and Lydia Lunch cut their teeth. She looks like Elvira on PCP, and her performances in her rock band The Voluptuous Horror of Karen Black are a sight to behold. She announced on Instagram that she’ll be playing in Tomkins Square park on Halloween night, so soak up a piece of old school New York while you still can.
How much: free
American Horror Story: America
When: Saturday 3pm to 7pm
Where: Maria Hernadez park
What: The girlies of Bushwig are back AGAIN with an aptly titled Halloween shindig, cuz we know this country is the biggest horror of all. MTHR TRSA, Zavaleta, Juniper Juicy, and Magenta, Merrie Cherry, Babes Trust, Neon Calypso, and Horrorchatta will be performing. SVX, who appears to be a producer with a song featuring Merrie Cherry on the way, has also been tagged in the flyer. I’m imagining that they’ll be providing the “dance” portion of the event, but Horrorchatta and Babes Trust could also do a DJ set. Show up to find out!
How Much: Free but tip the girls
Janelle’s Body
When: Saturday 6pm
Where: The Rosemont
What: Janelle No.5 hosts a Jennifer’s Body-themed Halloween Shindig. The Rosemont has a decent-sized backyard space, so it’s possible this won’t be a super spreader event. DJ P_A_T_ will ensure that you’ll be dancing between shows from Janelle and the incomparable Jax and Tina Twirler.
How Much: DM Janelle to RSVP
House of Hallucinations
When: Saturday 8pm EST
Where: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/house-of-hallucinations-halloween-2020-tickets-125414083901
What: The House of Yes used to be the most reliable place to go dance in Bushwick if you wanted more than just a dark smokey room. The club was immaculately decorated and filled with outrageously dressed go-go dancers, who would dance on bars or swing from the ceiling in cages. Now the club has launched a Patreon so fans can ensure they’ll emerge from the pandemic in one piece. Their Halloween party this Saturday is available only to members, so subscribe for the secret code and to dance in the the safety of your home. Soon we will all dance together.
How much: $5-$25 a month for Patreon membership
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.