Everyone — literally, it seemed — wanted to see the new Crobar. They
packed Ric Sena’s Alegria Party on Jan. 18 and 19. Sena himself jumped
on top of a box. (Photo: Hilton Wolman)
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By Rachel Kramer Bussel
Friday, January 23, 2004
’twas the night before Christmas, and all through Joe’s Pub, all
the creatures were stirring andcradling drinks in their hands — and straining
their necks to see “Nice Jewish Girls Gone Bad 2,” hosted by Goddess
Pearlman.
The two varying sets featured talent such as lesbian comic Michelle Balan,
Phat Mandee, a bouncy bald woman who sang something in French that I didn’t
understand, and Dottie Lux of Red Hots Burlesque, showing us just how naughty
a waitress can be. My personal favorite was a fast-twirling hula hoop girl
with a huge dreidl on her head who managed to move her hips in a way that made
the hula hoop a very sexy accessory.
Reverend Jen, Downtown art star and all-around wacky performance artist, hosted
a uniquely bizarre magazine launch party for A.S.S. (Art Star Scene magazine — what
better name could we expect from the woman who once personified Doo-Doo, the
fifth Teletubby?). Looking elegant in elf ears and a slinky dress, her little
pooch tucked into her bag, she encouraged us to ogle her own ass on the mag’s
cover, while presenting mimes, musicians and a particularly political and unfunny
(not to mention unrecognizable) Janine Garofalo.
A male nun passed a plastic ass around the room, with a perfectly sized hole
for donations to support the shoestring publication. The room was packed (though
not as packed as the New Year’s Day Spoken Word reading), but I think
I spied Moby amongst the crowd.
The Publishing Triangle Co-Chair Charles Flowers’ new literary magazine
Bloom (www.bloommagazine.org) reading on Jan. 13 was so crowded I could barely
get in. But I did spy “Mercy Mercy Me” author and Bloom contributor
Elena Georgiou slipping into the crowd. The thick, slick mag features fiction
by Andrew Holleran and Stacey D’Erasmo along with the crème de
la crème of queer lit. It was a busy night on the lit scene, with “Ferocious
Romance” author Donna Minkowitz reading from her memoir in progress (which
she describes as “family horror narrated with some humor”) at Barbes
in Park Slope as well.
I finally go to experience Center Bingo, after having sampled many other queer
bingos around town. A bit flustered at the multiple odd games being played
throughout the night (including getting bingo in the shape of a headless kitty!),
I nevertheless got into the spirit of using my multicolored stampers, making
campy jokes and enjoying the songs of Sybil Bruncheon. The next bimonthly bingo
is Friday, Jan. 23. Get there early!
I recently had the pleasure of appearing on SiriusOutQ’s “Derek & Romaine” radio
show (www.siriusoutq.com). Those of you who recall “The Laramie Project” will
know that Romaine Patterson (who has the Best. Site. Name. Ever! with eatromaine.com)
is the friend of Matthew Sheppard who created Angel Action, and is a fun, lively
host.
I got to fondle a lifesized cardboard version of Pamela Anderson’s boobs!
regaling us with trashy trivia on “Tabloid Tuesday.” The show’s
on every day for four hours and features plenty of gossip, sex advice, and
guests such as lesbian porn producer Shar Rednour and sex toy entrepreneur
Rachel Venning.
There’s lots of sexy events to keep us warm as the weather gets even
colder. The Knitting Factory, home to Downtown hipster bands, is moving in
a slightly new direction, with some sexy acts that are sure to whip you into
a frenzy.
They’re hosting the Suicide Girls burlesque tour on Feb. 6, sure to
feature plenty of hot, tattooed stars from everyone’s favorite indie
porn site. After you’ve recovered from the nudity (or as much as legally
allowed anyway), Feb. 7 the second annual Sex Workers Art Show (www.sexworkersartshow.com)
hits town with a touring cast including cult writer Michelle Tea, activist
Scarlot Harlot, David Henry Sterry, Annie Oakley and local sexpot Ducky DooLittle.
This diverse crowd shows us that sex workers are creative, vital and alive,
and showcases their unique perspectives on art, sex and life.
For those who want to learn the art of twirling those pasties and bumping
and grinding, mark Feb. 22’s “Burlesque 101” workshop at
Toys in Babeland (TIB) on your calendar, taught by Ducky DooLittle, who will
teach you to “lure your audience into the palm of your hands with tantalizing
moves to inspire hot encores.” Ducky knows: She worked in many a Times
Square peep show.
Actually, you can block out almost your entire calendar that week, because
Feb. 24 at the TIB on Rivington Street I’m hosting my book party for
my latest erotica collection, “Up All Night: Adventures in Lesbian Sex.”
This is one of the hottest dirty books around. Why? Because all the stories,
written by such authors as Tristan Taormino, Amie Evans, Stacy Bias of Technodyke.com
(who co-edited the book with me), Alison Tyler and Rosalind Christine Lloyd
are 100 percent true.
These aren’t just your ordinary encounters between the sheets; most
of them take place far from the bedroom, in clubs, outdoors, on a train, in
the office, you name it! Susie Bright is also in town promoting her wonderfully
delicious new collection “Mommy’s Little Girl: On Sex, Porn, Motherhood
and Cherry Pie” (yes, there’s even a recipe for cherry pie at the
end), and will be at the Museum of Sex Feb. 24 and at Soho TIB the 26th with
a “Best American Erotica 2004” reading.
Rachel Kramer Bussel can be reached at blade@rachelkramerbussel.com
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