LAST TUESDAY I WAITED for two hours with the very female and very flamboyant masses at Chelsea Handler’s book signing at B&N in Union Square. Because of the size of the audience, she didn’t read from the new book, “Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang
DON’T STOP NOW »
While the name Alex Chilton may not be immediately recognizable to some, the voice attached to that name is almost certainly recognizable to anyone whose heart has ever been touched by rock and roll. The singer-musician who entered the pop pantheon with his band the Box Tops‘ smash single “The Letter” (incidentally the first record a then-prepubescent Madonna remembers buying) at the ripe old age of 16 has, according to the Commercial Appeal of Memphis, left the material world Wednesday at the age of 59. After the Box Tops’ demise in 1970 Chilton taught himself to play the guitar and began work on solo material but he is perhaps second-best-remembered as a member of power pop legends Big Star, whose three albums would prove hugely influential to the generation yet to be enthralled by punk’s nihilist noise. Chilton would remain active with both of these groups and as a solo act through reunions and tours until his death, Big Star having been scheduled to play the SXSW festival in Austin, TX this coming Saturday.
The clip below is of the Box Tops performing “The Letter” on some TV show or another. An ex-boyfriend of mine remembers seeing this performance as a child and experiencing his first pangs of gay lust. Ah, rock and roll. Goodbye, Alex Chilton, and thank you.
Catherine Opie, Julie (play piercing), 1994 Ink jet print 9 1/2 x 10 inches (24.1 x 25.4 cm) Copyright Catherine Opie, Courtesy Gladstone Gallery, New York
Catherine Opie can be considered, in many ways, a social documentarian — one who has used her skills behind the camera lens to reveal the faces of both the culturally celebrated and culturally suppressed groups within the framework of American society. First garnering attention in the 90s for her portraiture of friends and partners in the LGBT and leather communities, she swung to documenting surfers and American high school football players and has now returned to some familiar subjects in her newest show, entitled “Girlfriends”, which opens this Thursday at the Gladstone Gallery. This new collection of work represents both unprinted work from her early years as well as new color portraits, all exploring the nature of butch-dyke identity. Included in the collection of images are notable public figures such as k.d. lang and Eileen Myles. More photos included after the jump (may be NSFW).
Ryan McGinley is well-known for his ground-breaking, free-spirited depiction of American youth, epitomized by his yearly cross-country road trips that gave birth to a uniquely colored, frequently unclothed, vision of his generation. For his most recent collection of photographs, opening to the public starting this Thursday in an exhibit entitled “Everybody Knows This is Nowhere”, McGinley removes his subjects from the outdoor wilderness and explores their expressivity in the classical, simple and controlled environment of the studio. This is McGinley’s third solo show at Team Gallery, which will be hosting an opening reception Thursday, March 18th from 6-8pm. NSFW images after the jump. All images copyright by Ryan McGinley, courtesy of Team Gallery.
Photo: Bobby Joe
The unforgettable Jil Zarin, dressed in Dolce & Gabbana, opened the 21st Annual GLAAD Awards this weekend. Did you know that Real Housewives star is also an author? Her new book, “Secrets of a Jewish Mother,” is out next month
DON’T STOP NOW »
Photo: Bobby Joe
One of our idols, Sandra Bernhard, took a moment to chat with HN about her work at the 21st Annual GLAAD Media Awards this weekend. We didn’t get to ask her all the questions we’d prepared, but we’re happy with the few quotes we got. BTW, Sandra is a huge twitterer — she updates at least once a day. If you are following anyone on twitter, Sandra should be on your list. All you Texans out there should rejoice! Lady Bernhard is headed your way for SXSW.
How do you balance the activist and the artist in your work?
Even when it’s not didactic or obvious, my work is always infused with political consciousness. So, for me it’s not a big conflict.
What’s tonight’s biggest take-away?
It’s really time for everybody to be on equal footing in this country regardless of their sexuality or gender. We gotta just get there in a hurry.
Will Phillips, the 11-year-old from Arkansas who refuses to recite the pledge of allegiance because we do not have “liberty and justice for all” until LGBT people have full equality, accepted the award for Outstanding TV Journalism Segment at the 21st Annual GLAAD Media Awards for “Why Will Won’t Pledge Alliance” (CNN American Morning) with his parents Jay and Laura along with segment producer Beth Marengo. His powerful speech brought the crowd to his feet. Sandra Bernhard and Sarah Paulson presented the award.
We still don’t know who the mystery machine behind these videos is, but damn it, she’s fascinating to watch. We’ve read all the rumors, especially the ones tying her to Christina Aguilera who has a new album out this year featuring several tracks in collaboration with Ladytron. Still, we’re skeptical. How is it that the woman who brought us “Genie in a Bottle” has ventured this far into the dark, dark forrest? That in mind, the video for Liverpool-born electropop foursome Ladytron 2009 track, “Tomorrow,” was much more inline with the visuals above… Still Ladytron’s music has always been more danceable, more synth and less stargazing and brooding than this.
DON’T STOP NOW »
One of the best dressed men of the evening was Bryan Batt (Mad Men). And not only is he dashing in a three-piece, bespoke Zegna suit, he’s a total sweetheart. He spoke exclusively to HN about his new memoir, “She Ain’t Heavy, She’s My Mother” which drops on May 4, 2010.
You have a new memoir coming out! Can you tell us about your mom?
She’s amazing! We just found out yesterday, she’s been battling cancer, it’s kind of spread a little bit, and she’s about to start a new
Chemo. She’s 79. She just had a knee replacement earlier this fall. She’s amazing. She will not stop.She’s the energizer bunny. They’re going to have to drag her kicking and screaming. She’s one of these ladies that hair is always done all the time: the nails, the make up. Everything. She’s amazing. She’s a Steel Magnolia she’s Auntie Mame. She’s the sweetest thing. What I love about her the most she can tell someone they can go to hell in a way that they would say “Thank you very much” and then ask for directions.
No stranger to GLAAD, Bryan (yes, we’re on a first name basis now) hosted the GLAAD Media Awards in Advertising back in October 2009.
Photos: Bobby Joe. The Tempermentals cast: Michael Urie (left), Arnie Burton (right)
HN caught up with the adorable Michael Urie (”Ugly Betty,” “The Tempermentals”) at the 21st Annual GLAAD Awards in New York City this weekend. “The Tempermentals” was nominated for “Outstanding New York Theater: Broadway & Off-Broadway,” and although the GLAAD Award went to “A Boy and His Soul” by Colman Domingo, Urie was gracious enough to talk exclusively to HN:
1. In the Internet age, how do you get guys excited about going to the theatre?
You go to the theatre to escape your Internet, to escape your phone and your twitter. Because it’s a place where you cannot have them. You have to turn them off, and if you do not, and if it rings, you will be shunned. The theatre is one of the last true arts. Performing arts is pure. It happens in front of you. You cannot get what we give you on a stage on your phone. The theatre, the world of dance, opera, live performance and music is your escape.
2. What’s been your favorite part of the whole ‘Tempermentals’ experience?
I think it’s that we keep moving. We’re now in our third venue. We did it for 40 people a night, and we did it for 99 people a night. Now we do it for 200 people a night, and we keep filling the house. It’s growing. And that’s a really nice feeling. It’s really nice. I knew it was good the first time I read it 6 years ago. So now that we’re doing it still and it’s still getting all this attention it’s very cool.
3. At HN we write a lot about being a gentleman. Not like a stuffy, Jane Austin one, but a modern one. What’s a good quality in a gentleman?
Table manners. Not in and old fashioned way, but in a keep your mouth closed when you’re eating way. Figure out what fork is for what, when you put your napkin in your lap. I think table manners are pretty important. The art of the table manner, I think that’s gentlemanly.
Photos: Bobby Joe
Energy was high at the 21st Annual GLAAD Media Awards in new York City this weekend. One of the night’s biggest winners, ‘Sex and the City’ star, Cynthia Nixon, (Vito Russo Award honoree) who looked stunning BTW, said this to HN about this significance of her award:
“Vito Russo is a man we should all want to remember. Because life would be entirely different for gay people in America if it weren’t for him.”
Photos: Walker Brockington
Eat your heart our homos. Here’s the latest editorial shot in New York City with the beautiful new Brazilan model, Pedro Frizon, photographed by Walker Brockington and styled by Fernando Lahoz. We’ve written about Pedro before, check out the short video here. Wardrobe courtesy of Marc Jacobs, Uniqlo, Thomas Christopher and Prada. [More photos here.]
On Saturday, March 13, 2010, the man behind PIN-UP and BUTT, Felix Burrichter, hosts this weekend’s Saturday Sessions @ PS1 in Long Island City featuring three videos by Julika Rudelius and a special performance by Perfume Genius from 4-6PM in the 3rd Floor Main Gallery. 4p – 6p.
QUEERS, BEERS & REARS | Cake Shop’s crowd at the monthly QxBxRx homopunk party last Saturday was just as sticky and moist as we had heard. Edie Sedgwick and Xtina Midnight’s energetic performance kicked off the evening while the rock-n-roll go-go boys—Twinkie, Stachie, and Wolfie—kept the audience entertained between sets. Next up was Little Victory—for which HN’s Mister Zan is the lead singer—who electrified the audience with their first public performance. We left before High Teen Boogie came on, but you can listen to some of their songs as well as music from other bands who’ve appeared at QxBxRx after the jump.
Photos: Arthur Cornelius
Director Henry Akona could not have chosen a more palatial location to stage Edward Einhorn’s new play “Rudolf II” than the Grand Ballroom of the newly restored Bohemian National Hall in the UES (which also houses the Consulate General of the Czech Republic). His subject is after all the bisexual and bipolar Austro-Hungarian Emperor, Rudolf II Habsburg. Yes, Habsburg, of the we-ruled-most-of Europe and interbred with all the royal families Habsburgs. With its high ceilings, new crown moldings, iron handrails and sparse, yet deliberate set design, accompanied by a live chorus and musical ensemble — the Grand Ballroom gives you a sense that you’re entering a royal palace.
DON’T STOP NOW »
If the link above doesn’t work, use this: http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=047_1268356832
More like a short film than a music video, the new highly anticipated “Telephone” vid with Lady Gaga and Beyonce leaked tonight and it’s sooo good. There are a bevy of historical film, feminist references in equal proportion to the product placements. In other words, the Diet Coke cans in Gaga’s hair are just as relevant as the Women in Prison genre aesthetic of the opening credits and the “Thelma & Louise” homage. Watch it now. [via Kris Pointer]
While Spicky Hilton, Mimi Imfurst, Sherry Vine and the other queens were putting on a show for The F Word Drag Off, the crowd—not at all shy in showing off their goods… or showing what they could do with a beer bottle—was providing plenty of entertainment of their own. Note to self: g-string + suspenders + sock garters are going to be the hottest new look.
You can view the work-safe photos here.
Photos by Bobby Joe.
Right now many of you are probably wetting yourself in anticipation for tonight’s long awaited premier of Lady Gaga and Beyonce’s “Telephone” video, (not to be confused with their other collaboration “Videophone”). If you’re a super fan you have already had an exciting week with the release of the next great American classic “Lady Gaga: Behind The Fame” by Emily Herbert. Yes, after only a few short years of public awareness and on the cusp of her 24th birthday, Lady Gaga born Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta already has a tell all biography.
DON’T STOP NOW »
Designer/photographer Hedi Slimane shares with us a shoot with model Brad Bowers, styled by Nicola Formichetti, from a recent collaboration with Vogue Homme Japan, with which he has worked frequently since the magazine’s launch last year. It turns out Mr. Bowers isn’t just a pretender with the musical aspirations, as demonstrated in this YouTube video. For more photos from the series, check out Hedi’s Fashion Diary.
