The Legacy of Lynching: Confronting Racial Terror in America

Earlier this fall I saw The Legacy of Lynching: Confronting Racial Terror in America, an incredibly powerful exhibition at The Brooklyn Museum. It provided a heart wrenching, gut wrenching look at the violence of lynching, the horror of racism, and the sickening history of this country. The show was put together with the Equal Justice Initiative and includes videos chronicling the stories of several individuals and their descendants that were so powerful and upsetting. It showed the violent resistance to the civil rights movement. There was powerful contemporary art by several amazing artists who tackle race and racism in their work, such as Kara Walker and Glenn Ligon. There were artifacts and newspaper articles, and a shocking interactive map of the US that showed all the lynchings that took place in the country, but state and by county.

Randy Rainbow at Birdland

The other night I got to see the talented and charismatic Randy Rainbow at Birdland.

This year -- I mean last year -- I was tightly wound around the election, and his video parodies were such a welcome relief from the frightening insanity. I was first introduced to him on facebook during the early debate season, when he did a serious of "GOP dropout" videos. So hilarious. I was hooked and eagerly looked forward to each installment. Every video I watched at least five times.

At Birdland he screened and performed along with some of these. It was fun, but also kind of moving to be in an audience watching these. Kind of like a sense of community.

The evening also featured a number of singers whose performances complemented the videos.

I will say one thing -- the entire election season when I enjoying Randy Rainbow's videos I never for a second thought Trump would actually be elected. Back then (so long ago, our halcyon days), it was fun to laugh at the big ridiculous jackass and the surreal debates. But now that he has won it feels different. I think that was some of the energy in the room, seeing these videos in retrospect created a kind of sadness for our country. It was good and important to be among like-minded people. But disconcerting realizing how much of the country supports such ugliness.

Anyway, looking forward to more Randy Rainbow parodies after 1/20.

Cinderella again!!!

Company XIV is by far my most favorite performance troupe ever! This weekend I went back to the Minetta Lane theater to see their production of Cinderella for second time.

They do such an amazing job of every single aspect -- the dancing, the costumes, the eroticism, the camp, the singing, the athleticism. It all comes together in a very sexy and aesthetically sophisticated way.

This time I had better, more center seats, and was able to get a better visual sense of the whole. The performers are all so fun and beautiful, the show is so generous in how much entertainment it provides. Again my favorites were the chanteuse Fairy Godmother, and the high camp Stepmother.

Cinderella -- Company XIV

Austin McCormick is a genius! His amazing Company XIV did it again! This time a sexy fantasmagorical interpretation of Cinderella. The combination of opera, circus, Baroque dance, vaudeville and cabaret is enormously engaging in this erotic and fun production. The costumes, lighting, music, and movement were all incredibly top-notch and mesmerizing. They certainly know how to maximize the aesthetic possibilities of 18th century undergarments!

The Cinderella narrative is kind of sparse -- providing the occasion for incredible, sultry and comedic numbers that I can't wait to see again. My favorite performances were Katrina Cunningham as the chanteuse/Fairy Godmother, and Davon Rainey as the high camp, extraordinary dancer playing the Stepmother.

How Cats Took Over the Internet at MOMI

Yesterday I also took in the Museum of Moving Images new show, How Cats Took Over the Internet. This small exhibition provides a timeline of cats in the media, exploding with the rise of personal videos and ubiquitous phone cameras, along with the internet. It features a lot of cuteness, and an interesting film loop of various wonderful videos. I wouldn't make the trip just for this exhibition, but if you're going to be there anyway, it's definitely a fun thing to check out.

Matthew Weiner's Mad Men at MOMI

Yesterday I went to the Mad Men exhibition at Museum of the Moving Image. This show featured many artifacts from the brilliant show that I loved so much. It was wonderful seeing all the clothing, furniture, items, and small details that went into capturing the era. Clearly the producers wanted to get everything just right, and they did an amazing job. From taking photos of Don's childhood and aging them, to having Sally Draper write lists of her favorite things about Glenn, the cosmetics in Betty Draper's vanity... the many cigarette lighters, the old version of typewriters and phones and office supplies. The exhibition was really fun and made me want to watch the show all over again.

GUTS at Dixon Place

Tonight I enjoyed two really fabulous performers at Dixon Place. Dia Felix has put together what so far is very much a marvelous series, Guts.

I got to see Morgan Bassichis deliver a monologue that started with reflections on the Going Clear documentary (which I just saw the other night) and a lifelong fascination with cults, then Morgan explored an interest in fathers, and ended with an engaging story about losing a friend a friend in the woods. Morgan was incredibly funny and just so great to watch.

Becca Blackwell's monologue centered on her relationship with her vibrator, from when it first entered her life to her present day involvement with it. Her humor is delivered in a polite, unassuming manner, but at the same time it's unapologetically in-your-face.

What made both performances so incredibly great was how amiable and conversational they were. They are just both very charismatic and talented artists.

Miranda July in Conversation with Lena Dunham

Last night I attended a wonderful event at BAM: a talk between Lena Dunham and Miranda July about July's new novel. I recently finished, and adored, The First Bad Man, and it was so exciting to hear the author discuss her work. She talked a lot about what the writing process was like for her, and her ideas and feelings about the characters and events in the novel. Lena Dunham asked great questions, and spoke about her own reactions to certain parts. This was very interesting, and made me question my own reactions. I read The First Bad Man so quickly, that maybe I didn't fully absorb what was happening. That's what made this conversation so valuable to me -- it deepened my experience of the work.

There were also lots of fun and humorous anecdotes, and lots of laughter. The two writers are friends IRL and I think this added to the fun.

Killer Heels

The Brooklyn Museum has a tantalizing show up now on the high heel shoe, Killer Heels. Every single piece I saw was spectacular and a pleasure to look at. Really engaging. Most of the works were very contemporary, from the last five years. I think I had expected a more historical perspective and wasn't prepared for so much current high fashion. It was still interesting. I think the small section on fetish footwear could have been more out there and elaborate, and was disappointed by the small appearance of just one (I think) Fluevog.

AGAIN! Rococo Rouge, Company XIV

I can't get enough of an amazing thing! Tonight I saw Rococo Rouge for the second time, and it was just as stunning, if not more so, than last week.

We had more center seats tonight, which made a difference, as last time I had a pillar of some sort kind of obstructing my view. Tonight we saw the performance full frontal, and it was incredibly sexy, and dramatic, and beautiful.

Everything about Rococo Rouge hits the right note. The diverse and uniquely talented singers, the choreography, the mesmerizing acrobatics, the wondrous costumes, the decadence and high camp. All the performers were wonderful, but the host or emcee, Shelly Watson, with a powerful singing voice and fabulous regalia, stole the show for me.

I can't wait to see what Company XIV's next production is!

Company XIV: Rococo Rouge!!!

I enjoyed stunning entertainment tonight! Company XIV is the most amazing performance troupe in the city! Rococo Rouge is a delicious confection of beautiful singing, sexy and commanding costumes, burlesque numbers, and acrobatics. There's nothing else like it. Utterly raunchy and masterful.

I had seen their luscious version of The Nutcracker earlier this year and was excited to see them perform again in an intimate venue on Lafayette Street. The performance space was loungy and elegant and decadent, the perfect place for this company.

I enjoyed every moment of Rococo Rouge, but I think my favorite tonight was the sultry blonde chanteuse.

(The second, better photo here is taken from the company's facebook page)

United States Memorial Holocaust Museum

I spent three hours exploring the permanent exhibition at The United States Memorial Holocaust Museum. I started to cry the moment I entered. The exhibition is presented in chronological order, starting with the Nazi's rise to power and concluding with the end of the war and the establishment of Israel. It is filled with artifacts, footage, and photographs detailing many aspects of the war and the genocide. Immersing myself, I felt overwhelmed by grief and confusion. At the end I spent time in the Hall of Remembrance, tearing up with emotion and awe at the devastation. I felt that this museum is truly an important memorial. The exhibition was packed all day, and I am glad so many visitors to DC take the time to experience this.

The National Museum of Crime and Punishment

The National Museum of Crime and Punishment is a somewhat informative, albeit heavy-handed and sensationalist, look at the history of the criminal justice system. It covers medieval punishment practices, outlaws of the wild west, crimes of the great depression with an emphasis on Capone and organized crime, serial killers, financial scams including Madoff's Ponzi scheme, presidential assassinations, computer crimes, famous cold cases such as JonBenet Ramsey, as well as presentations on the procedures of justice and forms of punishment including incarceration and the death penalty.

It did not look at the history of racism in the justice system, the role of power, police and prosecutorial corruption, the social and financial costs of mass incarceration, or wrongful convictions.

Nutcracker Rouge

 OMG - WHAT A TREAT!!! Tonight I saw Nutcracker Rouge, performed by Company XIV. This burlesque take on the ballet was amazing -- so incredibly entertaining.

Very, very loosely following the original story, Company XIV takes Clara (now Marie Claire) on a festively erotic journey. Incorporating all sorts of music, from iconic parts of Tchaikovsky to jazz and even a rendition of Madonna's Material Girl, the show went from one incredible number to another. Wonderful dancing throughout.

Some of my favorites included the Licorice Boys -- doing an S&M dance to Tchaikovsky, the hoop/circus artist and Candy Cane girl, the androgynous Flamenco dancer, and, throughout, Shelly Watson as "Mrs. Drosselmeyer" MCing the show and singing amazingly -- she rocked Marlene Dietrich and Madonna, among others.

The costumes were glitter galore -- sparkling pasties and g-strings -- and very evocative, cool, and a bawdy. The set and costumes were designed by Zane Philstrom and were truly delicious.

(first image courtesy Meridita)

Gorillaz Demon Days Live at the Manchester Opera House

The other night at my friend's house in London I watched a DVD of the band Gorillaz' concert, Demon Days Live at the Manchester Opera House.

It was incredible! The music was kind of trip-hoppy and featured many special guests. The band played in silhouette and graphics were projected on a screen above them. The music was incredibly dynamic and exciting. It must have been incredible, over the top live.

Tower of London

On Wednesday we visited the Tower of London. This impressive, ancient, awe-inspiring structure was very cool to be in and walk around. However, it was also a bit of a tourist trap. Very crowded. The biggest disappointment was the crowned jewels. The lines were incredibly long, and when you get in there isn't much to see. Plus, you're hurried through and don't have time to take much in.

Sister Spit!

I just saw Sister Spit perform at the SF public library and it was an amazing show!

The first reader was Ali Liebegott who read a terrific poem reflecting on Avedon's photography and the donor's family from her knee surgery.

Cassie J. Sneider read a hilarious and very well-written story about music, her family, and Long Island. I liked it so much I bought a copy of the book for a friend who grew up on Long Island.

Michelle Tea, who hosted, charmingly, read from a recent Jane XO post about trying to get pregnant. Like Sneider's story, this was chatty, smart, very funny, and wonderfully observed.

The afternoon featured a screening of chapter of Tea's Valencia which is being filmed by 21 different filmmakers. To my very pleasant surprise, this chapter (directed by Hilary Goldberg) included footage of my beloved Orange Alley!

A wild, wonderous, hilarious story was also read by Brontez Purnell that had the audience in stitches. Really excellent work.

The afternoon ended with a reading by Dorothy Allison, whose Bastard Out of Carolina broke my heart in the early/mid 90s. She was a powerful, moving reader, and felt honored to be in the audience.

All in all, a fabulous Sunday in San Francisco.

Pride NYC 2011

Yesterday was the first time I went to the Pride parade in about a decade. It was so much fun! My friends and I had a great spot on 19th and 5th, right behind the barricade. It was awesome. Although on an intellectual level I'm critical of the institution of marriage, it was thrilling celebrating Pride a day (or two?) after New York passed gay marriage. Very exciting.

The weather was perfect, warm and mild. Not too hot, not too sunny, not too humid, and the spirit in the crowds was great.

Topped the afternoon off with many margaritas at Rosa Mexicano...

Low Life 5: Flaming Queens at the Howl! Festival

I enjoyed a wonderful set of performances on the main stage at the Howl! Festival in Tompkins Square Park. Particularly entertaining was Low Life 5: Flaming Queens, a raunchy and dynamic drag cabaret.

The acts included a trio of bishops or cardinals dancing to an image of a crucified Justin Beiber (and going down on him); a terrific Diana Ross impersonator; a sexy male stripper; and a French duo costumed circa 1700s (or whatever, point is: great wigs)

Lady Gaga The Monster Ball Tour

Last night at my mother's house I watched the HBO special, Lady Gaga: The Monster Ball Tour.

I missed the first 20 minutes, but what I saw was really fabulous. She rocks very hard and has terrific energy and a strong voice. I love her wild, aggressive aesthetic and really enjoy her hit pop numbers. I was only aware of about four or five songs: Bad Romance, Poker Face, Alejandro... so most of the numbers I was not familiar with, but I was riveted by her, her clothes, the choreography, the music.

When she talked to the audience she was slightly insipid, but it wasn't that annoying. Her message is, don't ever not feel like a star.

Anyway, I might have to make my mother rewind the DVR so I can watch the beginning of the concert. Also, think I'm going to have download those Gaga hits.