The Origins of 1980s Goth Subculture
Lest you forget that being goth wasn’t always about Hot Topic and posing in trees, this week the Morbid Anatomy Museum will explore the movement’s roots with a discussion titled “A Desire for Dramaticism: Semiotics of the 1980s Goth Subculture.” Led by an expert on the music and the fashion of the scene, the conversation will look at the trailblazers of this intriguing counterculture built on morbidity, zines and The Cure.
Tuesday, June 23 at 8PM, at the Morbid Anatomy Museum, 424 Third Avenue, Brooklyn.
morbidanatomymuseum.org
Mykki Blanco
Few tickets in town this week could be more intriguing than Mykki Blanco. The gender-fluid performer and artist, who recently revealed she has been HIV-positive since 2011, is a firestorm of honesty, power, creativity and talent. While fans can’t get enough of her rapping, she has announced that she’ll soon be leaving music to write about LGBTQ issues and continue delving into the art world – making this potentially last-for-a-while show all the more mandatory.
Friday, June 26 at Palisades, 906 Broadway, Brooklyn.
palisadesbk.com
The Aural History of Jackie 60 & Mother
Even if you missed the heyday of iconic New York night club MOTHER and its Tuesday night Jackie 60 party, you can relive the glory with artist Rob Roth’s “soundscape journey” at MAD on Friday. The installation is a silent disco listening party that promises to throw participants right back onto the dancefloor like a time machine. The sounds in question are music and stories told by scene fixtures like Marc Jacobs, Debbie Harry, Joey Arias, Lucy Sexton and Alba Clemente.
Friday, June 26 from 3PM to 9PM, at the Museum of Art and Design, 2 Columbus Circle.
madmuseum.org
Paris is Burning in Prospect Park
1990 documentary Paris is Burning is every bit as celebrated (and controversial) today as it was 25 years ago, when it blew open the doors on the African American and Latino gay and transgender ballroom scene in New York. Filmmaker Jennie Livingston created an intimate portrait of the families her subjects created among themselves and the electrifying drag balls they held – centered on the infamous walk-offs and “voguing” dance style they pioneered. Friday’s screening will kick off with a drag ball and appearances by Livingston and original scene members like Junior LaBeija.
Friday, June 26 at 7:30PM, at Prospect Park Bandshell, 9th Street and Prospect Park West, Brooklyn.
bricartsmedia.org
Morrissey and Blondie
A double-headline of Morrissey and Blondie is like a collision of two musical worlds. Morrissey’s soul-plundering songs have created and maintained an entire community of hopelessly devoted fans; Blondie gave New York punk its too-cool attitude and brought out its fun side. What will ageless goddess Debbie Harry perform and wear? Will Moz treat us to some of his vegetarian wisdom? Who wouldn’t want to find out?
Saturday, June 27 at 8PM, at Madison Square Garden, 7th Avenue and 32nd Street.
thegarden.com
Credits
Text Courtney Iseman
Photography Bruno Staub