The Snow Queen

 “We think back through our mothers if we are women.”  Virginia Woolf 

The new season of Performance Space New York’s “First Mondays: Readings of New Works in Progress” launches with Act One of THE SNOW QUEEN, a new musical by DUDLEY SAUNDERS and SARAH SCHULMAN that uses the classic fairy tale to reveal how women's lives are driven by their mother's trauma.

Featuring Lacy Rose, Candace Lynn Matthews, Camila Maric, Charles Coleman, Malcolm Gold and Taylor Van Cleave under the musical direction of Michael Visceglia.  With narration by Winsome Brown.

The performance will take place Monday October 7th at 7PM in PSNY’s Neilma Sidney Theater, 150 First Avenue (corner of 9th Street).  Free with RSVP at https://ci.ovationtix.com/203/performance/11499318?performanceId=11499318

Dudley Saunders’ best known works include music albums (OutMusic Album of the Year, Mountain Stage NewSong Award), performance art collaborations (the Obie-winning “Tale of 2Cities:An American Joyride on Multiple Tracks”) and public television (Emmy and Prism Awards).  He has written for such magazines as Rolling Stone, New York and the Village Voice, and recently completed a novel, THE WHORE ARTIST.

Current Mood

Doll Parts
Olivia Rodrigo

Hello to the first week of May 2022. I hope this finds all of you Minions in a good place, or at least one that is solid. 

We have arrived at the first Monday of the month and Olivia Rodrigo with a doll on the streets of New York, captures my Current Mood right here, right now.

Maybe it's Olivia's excitement over something so simple, or perhaps the whimsy of the moment that was captured. Whatever the case, this gives me Good Vibes Only and feels fitting to our current month of May.

Hey, to me May has always felt like a new beginning and nothing captures that like Ms. Rodrigo's obvious enthusiasm (say that three times fast!!!)

Thus today I decree we go forth and bend it like Olivia Rodrigo...

Hello Dolly!

Olivia on IG -

https://www.instagram.com/oliviarodrigo/?hl=en   

These Boots Were Made For Walkin'

Walkin' in NY
Shay Mitchell

"These boots are made for walkin', And that's just what they'll do, One of these days these boots are gonna walk all over you" Nancy Sinatra, These Boots Were Made For Walkin'

Are you ready, boots? It's time to start walkin' - remember Shay Mitchell from Pretty Little Liars and the first season of You? 

Well here she is in NYC wearing a really cool pair of red boots with the caption:

I  NY (I also love these boots and not wearing pants )

No lies detected in this statement. Anyway Shay is so stylish and pretty and I'm sure a liar, like everyone else given specific situations.

But when you have boots like these you can do pretty much whatever you like.

Do you!!! 

Shay on IG -

https://www.instagram.com/shaymitchell/

Hump Day & Chill

In the Age of ‘OK Boomer’, Michael Fairman Releases “Other Side”

You don't have to be a boomer to Hump Day & Chill to these cool beats...

Michael Fairman is after what his name implies: a fair chance.  He is out now with “Other Side,” his mid-tempo pop/soul track about ageism, personal struggles, and finding ones inner-strength to face adversity and ultimately triumph.  He co-wrote the track with engineer and producer, Kyle Mangels, in hopes it might inspire those over 35 into action.  “For years now, I have been told, ‘You’re doing music? You sing? How nice!’ when what was really meant was ‘Good Luck with that boomer, you’re too old for the music industry,’” he explains.  Fairman says he understands that pop radio is targeted to those under 25, skews female, and that there are only a few coveted spots for artists.  Many amazing talents – both younger and older - simply don’t get the airplay they deserve.  He hopes to be the artist to break that barrier, because the music he performs and writes is similar to that being played on pop radio and in dance clubs right now. “I have a point of view and a unique vibe and sound to share, and I hope listeners will give me a chance.”     Michael Fairman’s “Other Side” is being distributed independently and is available on Apple Music, Spotify and all major music digital platforms. 

Michael Fairman

“It’s a song for all the disenfranchised,” Michael Fairman continues from his Los Angeles home.   He believes “Other Side” is relatable for anyone who has ever felt disconnected, alone, or has broken out of a relationship and is trying to come terms with it.  “It’s a reminder that it is ok to feel down, to cry, to hurt, but eventually we all need to rise up, and fight the fight with whatever life throws our way.”

Michael acknowledges there is still plenty he has his sights set on in life.  A self-professed ‘workaholic’, Michael would like to spend more time cultivating a personal life, but he also has his lifelong dream of performing in-concert in front of thousands of people who are singing his songs.   And why shouldn’t he pursue it?

“We should never listen to people who say something cannot be done because it’s a pipe dream or we’ve missed our chance.  While we’re still breathing, there is hope.  The worst that can happen is it doesn’t lead to where you hoped it might, but at least you gave it that shot and fulfilled that part of yourself.”

Michael Fairman grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin where music was always his passion and first love.  As a teen, he released his first recordings through a small label in Chicago.   Once he graduated high school, he moved to Los Angeles and eventually to New York to pursue his career as a recording artist.  He formed a band with some of the top studio musicians in the city, performed in rock, pop, and soul clubs, recorded, and tried to get the A&R reps out to his showcases in order to get signed by a label.  Between the financial drain, and the disappointment of not having key people show up to his gigs, Fairman eventually felt burned out and needed a major change.  He decided to put music on hold and move back to Los Angeles where he began a career in TV Production and entertainment journalism. 

Fairman has no idea where this next attempt at a music career will take him, but it’s something he feels he had to do now or regret forever.

“One of my great musical influences was George Michael and his passing made me realize how short life is and how I was wasting my talent,” he explains.  “God gave me a voice, and it is time that I share it and make others aware that this is a part of who I am, at my core.”

Michael Fairman’s “Other Side” is being distributed independently and is available on Apple Music, Spotify and all major music digital platforms.  Follow Michael Fairman on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

"Cruising"

The controversial thriller hits Blu-ray August 20th...!

Academy Award-winner William Friedkin (The Exorcist, The French Connection) directs Al Pacino as an undercover cop pitched into New York's seedy underbelly in Cruising - available for the first time on Blu-ray in a brand new director-approved transfer. New York is caught in the grip of a sadistic serial killer who is preying on the patrons of the city's underground bars. Captain Edelson (Paul Sorvino) tasks young rookie Steve Burns (Pacino) with infiltrating the S&M subculture to try and lure the killer out of the shadows - but as he immerses himself deeper and deeper into the underworld, Steve risks losing his own identity in the process. Taking the premise and title from reporter Gerald Walker's novel, Cruising was the subject of great controversy at the time of its release and remains a challenging and remarkable movie to this day, with Pacino's haunted lead performance as its magnetic centerpiece.

Bonus Materials

• Brand new restoration from a 4K scan of the original camera negative, supervised and approved by writer-director William Friedkin
• High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation
• Newly remastered 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio supervised by William Friedkin
• Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
• Archival audio commentary by William Friedkin
• The History of Cruising – archival featurette looking at the film’s origins and production
• Exorcizing Cruising – archival featurette looking at the controversy surrounding the film and its enduring legacy
• Original Theatrical Trailer

Order Here - https://mvdb2b.com/b2b/s/AV219

"The Alarm" Is Sounding Off!

Brand New Album Sigma Set For June 28^th Release

 A fraternity of alternative British rock bands led by acoustic pioneers The Alarm, post punk auteurs Modern English, and the charismatic Jay Aston’s Gene Loves Jezebel have announced they will take to the road throughout North America this summer 2019. See initial dates below.

The Sigma LXXXV Tour #sigmatour2019 will stop by some 30 plus North American cities, presenting the very best music and ideas from a generation of enduring artists, brought together through a legacy of timeless sound and song. Tickets go on sale today Friday, February 22 and information is available at all three bands websites:  www.thealarm.com, www.modernenglish.me,www.genelovesjezebel.co.uk

With all three artists still proving to be as creative as ever, The Alarm will release a new album Sigma to coincide with the tour on June 28th alongside a reissue of their significant 1985 album Strength (available March 15). Strength is available to PRE-ORDER now from thealarm.com. All individual CD and LP pre-orders placed through thealarm.com will qualify for a Free CD that is exclusive to the alarm.com entitled: ‘The Alarm – A Story of Strength‘ featuring a host of exclusive Alarm tracks and narration by Mike Peters. This fascinating CD tells the entire story of The Alarm’s Strength period from 1985-1986. A special Limited Edition package of 300 is also being made available to pre-order which will include both the CD and LP Editions, a free CD copy of The Alarm – A Story of Strength, along with a very special Replica Strength Era Backstage Pass personally signed by Mike Peters, that can be used to create a unique ‘collectors’  edition. The Limited Edition Collectors package is only available at thealarm.com All titles have been remastered from the original master tapes by mastering engineer Pete Maher (U2, White Stripes…) under the supervision of Mike Peters.

Photo:
Andy Labrow

 The Alarm will perform a full and lengthy set at Irving Plaza on April 13^th as part of their US/NYC “Gathering” concerts and will also headline The Gramercy in NYC the day before (April 12) performing a set list that was originally performed by the band during the “Spirit of ’86” concert that was historically broadcast around the world via MTV on April 12, 1986.  

Sigma acts as the sequel to 2018’s critically acclaimed EQUALS release and features musical contributions from original Alarm guitarist Dave Sharp and Billy Duffy from The Cult. Full details on Sigma will be revealed in the coming weeks.

In addition, Mike Peters was recently honored with an MBE (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) Award by HIs Royal Highness Prince Charles Prince of Wales at Buckingham Palace.  The MBE is one of Britain’s highest honors.  Mike was awarded for his services to charity having raised thousands for cancer care projects in the UK and abroad and dedicating his life to giving hope for families affected by cancer.

Modern English first toured on a double bill with The Alarm back in 1985/86 during the Strength tour. Modern English released their latest album Take Me To The Trees in 2017, and are still a staple of American First Wave Alternative radio station playlists with amongst others, their classic hit ‘I Melt With You’.

Also hailing from Wales UK, are Jay Aston’s Gene Loves Jezebel, who first broke onto the American charts in 1985 with a cocktail of infectious hit songs such as ‘Desire’, ‘Jealous’ and ‘The Motion Of Love’, and will be joining the Sigma LXXXV Tour in support of their most recent album release, Dance Underwater which was received with delight by their legion of fans.

Throughout the Sigma LXXXV Tour, members of all three bands will join together each night for a Grand Finale version of the ‘Love Hope Strength’ charity anthem to highlight the additional life-saving aspect of the tour.

Love Hope Strength is a charity dedicated to ‘Saving Lives One Concert at a Time’ and throughout the Sigma LXXXV Tour it will be hosting bone marrow drives at each concert aimed at finding donors for people suffering from Blood Cancer who need a transplant for a second chance at life! The charity has already registered over 200,000 individuals and located some 4,000 plus potentially lifesaving matches. Visit

www.lovehopestrength.org for more information.

Alarm Fans attending the tour will also have the opportunity to enhance their participation by purchasing EXPERIENCE SIGMA LXXXV TOUR 2019 passes which will be limited to '85' which matches the tour theme, and will feature additional and exclusive pre-show acoustic performances with Mike Peters, along with an interactive Q&A / Record signing session and a guaranteed photo opportunity Attendees will also have the opportunity and to catch up with exclusive tour merchandise along with the most recent Alarm record releases in the tour ‘pop up record store’ and merchandise emporium.

QUOTE FROM MIKE PETERS of The Alarm

"The Sigma Tour will bring out the best that The Alarm has to offer the 21st Century, and along with our friends Modern English and Jay Aston's Gene Loves Jezebel, we look forward to taking part in an event that will hopefully, live long in the memory for all our fans." says Mike Peters. "Our music, which still gets played on the radio every single day, gives us all a platform for creativity that will shine through every second of the Sigma Tour. Fans can expect collaboration, moments of reflection, camaraderie and also the unexpected. The tour will be alive on all the social media platforms allowing fans from around the world to see what its like for British bands to be on the road in the USA. Each show will be presented by an in-house MC / DJ and play host to intimate pre-show events that will connect fans to the musicians in a setting away from the spotlight. Up on the main stage every night, The Alarm will be celebrating the release of a new music album entitled Sigma, and honoring the 1985 Strength album reissue that has literally changed and saved lives through Love Hope Strength, the charity which sprang from the intention of the lyrics. The Sigma Tour will look, sound and feel like no other. It's an opportunity for our generations of fans, to make themselves heard, and for us as artists to prove that we are still as relevant as when we first helped shape the musical landscape of America, and when it's citizens looked to British bands for inspiration and alternatives."

QUOTE FROM JAY ASTON of Jay Aston's Gene Loves Jezebel

"We are so excited to be touring the U.S. with our dear friends The Alarm & Modern English." says Jay Aston. "We all go way back back of course. I remember The Alarm & Gene Loves Jezebel regularly playing different nights at the legendary RockGarden in Covent Garden and as a fellow Welshman, I always kept an eye on their incredible progress. We opened for Modern English early on in our career & often bumped into Rob & the lads at our label (Beggars Banquet) in London. Always great fun to see them and I can vividly remember Ivo (A&R man at 4AD), playing me songs from “After The Snow” & being concerned at rising studio costs (I think 4AD might have got a fair return on their investment…). I once played solo gigs with thee Mike Peters in the UK of course and James Stevenson has been playing with the The Alarm for some time. It’s actually amazing that we haven’t toured together before! We can’t wait to play songs from our “Dance Underwater” album and music from all our albums on the upcoming tour. We’re all planning to make it a very, very special tour." Jay Aston

QUOTE FROM ROBBIE GREY of Modern English

"We are all really looking forward to it." says Modern English vocalist Robbie Grey, "Three bands all from the same era, still creating and performing and coming together for this summer tour. The response has been amazing from promoters and fans alike. Modern English has known Mike Peters and The Alarm since the 80's, same with Jay Aston and Gene Loves Jezebel. It’s going to be fantastic. Modern English are looking forward to performing our early post punk material including 'After The Snow' songs, along with tracks from our most recent album 'Take Me To The Trees' and hopefully a new song which will be the first Modern English single in a long time (that’s a maybe by the way!!). When Mike said did we want to do it ? We said f…k yes".

 Sigma LXXXV Tour 2019 Dates

Friday, July 19, 2019 Austin, TX 3Ten Live Saturday, July 20, 2019 Dallas, TX Gas Monkey  Sunday, July 21, 2019 Oklahoma City, OK Tower Theater  Thursday, July 25, 2019 San Diego House of Blues Friday, July 26, 2019 Temecula  Wiens Family  Cellars  Saturday, July 27, 2019 LOS ANGELES MICROSOFT THEATER  Friday, August 02, 2019 San Francisco Regency Ballroom  Saturday, August 03, 2019 Sacramento Ace of Spades  Monday, August 05, 2019 Portland, OR  Aladdin  Tuesday, August 06, 2019 Seattle, WA Triple Door Wednesday, August 07, 2019 Spokane, WA Bing Crosby Theater  Friday, August 09, 2019 Denver Oriental Theater Saturday, August 10, 2019 Lawrence, KS Liberty Hall  Monday, August 12, 2019 St. Louis Delmar Hall Wednesday, August 14, 2019 Minneapolis Fine Line Thursday, August 15, 2019 Milwaukee Turner Ballroom Friday, August 16, 2019 Chicago House of Blues Saturday, August 17, 2019 Detroit St. Andrews Sunday, August 18, 2019 Cleveland House of Blues Wednesday, August 21, 2019 Boston, MA Paradise  Thursday, August 29, 2019         Asbury Park, NJ               Asbury Lanes

The Alarm “Gathering New York” solo shows:

April 12             Gramercy Theatre        New York – Performing “Spirit of ‘86” setlist

April 13             Irving Plaza                   New York – Full electric concert

Gathering NYC 2019 Weekend Passes and Tickets are on sale now exclusively via ticketmaster.com

Fans who purchase weekend ticket passes for both events, will also receive a commemorative collectors laminate pass as they enter the venue on April 12th.

Click here to view The Alarm - Strength Live from The Gathering on February 2019.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiAvNhjZPew&feature=youtu.be

Click here to view the original video for The Alarm - Strength 7" Single (1985) Remastered. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyPm_B8dPMs&feature=youtu.be

Today's WTF Moment...

Supermodel
Kendall Jenner & Kate Moss

The Grammy's air today in case you give a F#ck. However this is the image that caught the apple of my eye. "Yes" it's two iconic models, Hey it always takes two. Give your wafer up for Kate Moss & Kendall Jenner!

WTF are they doing? I'm so glad you asked. They are sitting in the front row at the Longchamp runway show during New York Fashion Week. (say that three times fast, I dare you MotherF#ckers) -

Since I am no fashionista - really F#ck that Sh!t - I liked the surprise element of this image and the passing of the torch sort of thang.

Oh, and let me state something. Even though Kendall Jenner has had it easy in the lucky break department. Honestly she is what the modeling industry looks for. So shut the F#ck up and quit your bitching assh#les.

Who knows why I am using such profanity today??? Also you shouldn't give a F#ck!!!

biss mich dumm hund aka bite me dumb dog.

NY Fashion Week on the WWW:
http://nyfw.com/

Time For Some S&M! "Mercy Mistress"

I'm Begging You For Mercy!
Poppy Liu

SM WEB DRAMA SERIES MERCY MISTRESS EXECUTIVE PRODUCED BY MARGARET CHO COMING…

JAN 7

Based on the real life of professional dominatrix Yin Q.

Asian-Femme-focused digital drama explores the complexities of our secret taboos: Bondage, Submission, Sado-Masochism, Fetish, and Kink.

Museum Of Sex to host Red Carpet Premiere

"Give it up, do as I say" - Erotica, Madonna 

 In a surprise announcement from her private lair, Margaret Cho announced last week that “I have joined an amazing new series, Mercy Mistress, as an Exec Producer. You will watch.”

Mercy Mistress is based on a memoir by Yin Q. The show follows the character Mistress Yin, played by Poppy Liu, as a queer, first-gen, Chinese-American professional and lifestyle dominatrix in Manhattan. Season 1 is directed entirely by Amanda Madden, and produced by a primarily woman-led crew, with support of the POC, Asian American, queer, and kink communities. The show simultaneously explores immigrant life, stories of Asian culture in America, the struggles and challenges of sex workers, and authentic experiences in the kink world.

It is likely NSFW, so adventure with discretion!

Yin Q said “We are thrilled to bring Mercy Mistress to the communities it represents, as well as to the greater audience. I am personally ecstatic to work with the legendary Margaret Cho. She has long championed the myriad voices inside and behind this series.”

No Mercy

Cho added “Yin’s universe, executed by Amanda and inhabited by Poppy, embodies the wonderful mad mix of diverse people living in our world, and making art in our culture. Unfortunately, these very voices – the Sex Worker, the Chinese Immigrant, the Asian Woman, the secret Kink – often remain invisible. It’s an honor to help get them seen.”

Cho and her partners Sarah Martin and Jessie Boemper also join Mercy Mistress as Executive Producers, along with their frequent collaborator, Evan Shapiro. Together the team recently announced their sale of comedy series Almost Asian, a series which takes on the Asian American experience from a significantly lighter tone.

Cho’s declaration came via Instagram, with an announcement that the first episode of Mercy Mistress dropped on the show’s YouTube page (www.bit.ly/watchmercymistress). The series, which will be released on January 7, will be celebrated at The Museum of Sex in NYC with an exclusive premiere experience.

Margaret on IG -

https://www.instagram.com/margaret_cho/?hl=en

Sheryl Crow - Live At The Capitol Theater

For all you Sheryl Crow fans, a treat, for those of you who aren't - well...trick!

Sheryl Crow - Live At The Capitol Theater

Coming to Deluxe Blu-ray + 2CD and DVD + 2CD Packages November 9th 

Since exploding onto the global stage in 1993 with the multi-platinum Tuesday Night Music Club album, the one-time music teacher and studio vocalist from Kennett, Missouri has forged a career to become the finest female singer/songwriter of her generation. 

On November 10th 2017, at the historic Capitol Theatre in Port Chester New York, Sheryl Crow played the final night of her Be Myself tour. The show features Sheryl with her all new band in top form, performing new songs from her 8th studio album. featuring the Title Track "Be Myself" along with her newest hits "Halfway There" and "Atom Bomb ", and featuring her classic hits including "Comon' Comon" All I Wanna Do", "Leaving Las Vegas ", "First Cut Is The Deepest", "Soak Up The Sun", "If It Makes You Happy" and many more hits. 

As a bonus, this package includes a vintage black and white flashback introduction of many legends who have graced the Capitol Theatre stage over the years, interspersed with exclusive interview segments with Sheryl recently filmed at her farm in Nashville.

Pre-order at MVDshop.com

Trailer: https://youtu.be/UTTDxmfwdTk 

Track Listing:

• Every Day Is A Winding Road
• A Change Would Do You Good
• All I Wanna Do
• My Favorite Mistake
• Be Myself
• Long Way Back Home
• Run Baby Run
• Can't Cry Anymore
• The First Cut Is The Deepest
• Atom Bomb
• Half Way There
• There Goes The Neighborhood
• Leaving Las Vegas
• Strong Enough
• Heartbeat Away
• Roller Skate
• Best Of Times
• If It Makes You Happy
• Soak Up The Sun
• Midnight Rider
• I Shall Believe