Hello, everyone! It's me, Dandy Darkly!
On Sunday it was my extreme honor to host the 2012 HOT! Festival kick-off party where a variety of HOT! Festival performers previewed their upcoming shows. Everyone was fantastic, but a few acts really caught my artfully shadowed and mascara'd eye. Here's just a few suggestions, in my humblest opinion, of 2012 HOT! Festival "cannot misses!"
A big THANK YOU to Dixon Place for hosting and organizing this annual festival -- now in it's 21st year. Amazing!!! Support your local NYC artists, ladies and gentlemen!
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REBECCA NAGLE - "Rusty, the Anger Management Cowboy!"
Hailed as a "little bundle of deconstructionist feminist showgirl joy" (fab!), Rebecca Nagle charmed my knickers right off with her burly mustache, rough talking demeanor and an iron grip that nearly broke my hand!!! Rusty is a Cowboy trapped in Anger Management as he works through his issues with the guidance of a soothing therapist's voice. Monday, July 2nd at 7:30
MEGAN GENDELL - "Stand Clear of the Closing Doors"
Ms. Gendell's preview was easily the simplest in presentation, and one of the most powerful in execution. The bitch did a handstand for two minutes!!! Lordy! I can barely footstand for two minutes! She's a trained circus performer, a gymnast and defies gravity in her show "Stand Clear of the Closing Doors." Monday, July 2nd at 7:30.
TESS SKARA and JOSEPH CASTLE BAKER - "Goodnight. Sister. Goodnight. Brother."
Interactive theatre is a tricky prospect, ladies and gentlemen. But this pair of spunky youngsters had this tired old dandy eager to break that fourth wall into a billion pieces. "Goodnight. Sister. Goodnight. Brother." is an interactive experience where the hosts may or may not be your brother or sister? Includes slapstick, musical theatre and cocktails - and if the enthusiasm of Ms. Skara and Mr. Baker are any indication, this show will be a hoot! Wednesday, July 11 at 9:30
BULLETYME - "Battle Bwov Fi Dead!"
I was left speechless following the artful execution of this young man's fluid form and powerful grace. "Battle Bwov Fi Dead!" is dance meets movement theatre against an aural backdrop of monologues tracking the lives of three characters "Sissy Boy", "The DL Thug" and "The Spiritual Guru" - all performed by the incredible Bulletyme. Wednesday, July 11 at 7:30 in the lounge.
CONSTANTINE LINGOS - "The Matryoshka Doll"
"The Matryoshka Doll" portrays a housewife who, following a hysterectomy, starts dreaming she's Cleopatra, Lucille Ball and other iconic women. I absolutely adore the concept. I love Lucille Ball. And Mr. Lingos laughed at my jokes, so he's a must see, ladies and gentlemen! Tuesday, July 17th at 7:30
JOHN FARRELL - "Amorous Wet: Walt Whitman in Love"
John Farrell brings the "poet of Democracy" to life in his show "Amorous Wet: Walt Whitman in Love." Do see this amazing transformation of one of my most beloved American poets. Includes puppetry and a gloriously shaggy white wig! Friday, July 27th at 7:00 pm in the Lounge.
MARGOH! CHANNING - "Skanks in Pearls!"
Pass the Vino and Vicodins! A wonderfully skanky trailer park variety hour hits Dixon Place. Hosted by Ms. MargOH! Channing, you can expect burlesque beauties, skanky sexies and literary fancies. It looks trashy, and I love some good trash! Saturday, July 28th at 9:30 pm.
AMANDA DAVIDSON - "When It Comes"
I dig a big, loud, jazz-handsie spectacle as much as the next big, loud, jazz-handsie homosexual, ladies and gentlemen. But Amanda Davidson's "When It Comes" is a meditation on presence and delay as a family waits for a message to arrive. I was entranced by Ms. Davidson's quiet power. See it. Monday, July 30th at 7:30 pm
D'LO - "D'FunQT: Stand Up or Die"
D'Lo is one of the 2012 HOT! Festival's featured performers, and after a few minutes of hilarious stand-up, I know why! His shit is funny. D'Lo performs like every day of the HOT! Festival. Check out the times (and more info) here. Fierce and funny.
and finally... (yes. of course I think I was fabulous!)
DANDY DARKLY - "A Case of THE VAPORS!"
I'll be sharing my brand-new story "A Case of THE VAPORS!" (and other tales) on Saturday July 14th at 9:30 and Wednesday, July 18th at 9:30, both shows in the cocktail lounge. Come hear "Bearskinner", "The Fleshlight Follows!" and (also new) "Captain Chad the Bitch Pirate of Fire Island Bay." Plus prizes! And introducing Hookah (Adam Tendler), my manservant and pianist for the event. It's going to be alot of fun, ladies and gentlemen.
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Once again, a big thank you to Dixon Place and the 2012 HOT! Festival! Beat the heat and get HOT! this July. Come out and support your local artists!
xoxoxo
Dandy Darkly!
