Something New in NYC

Where have I been and where am I going?

Well, this is tomorrow, and I’ve been working around the clock (amidst moving back to Brooklyn) to bring this bit of magic to you. Special pseudo-secret guest reader Jennifer Blowdryer just announced!

Something New is an underground creative showcase featuring a monthly hand-picked roster of our favorite brilliant creators from the NYC and surrounding areas.

Our first event is coming up on Tuesday, March 27th and is called “Dress Up / Get Down”. Check your press badges at the door – this is a night celebrating theother side of fashion. The side that’s not sponsored by a multi-million dollar car company; the side of fashion that’s happening in sewing studios and on the streets. We’re celebrating one of our favorite media: wearable art.

So what to expect?

Host and nightlife maverick Leo Gugu Geaux, avant-garde monster burlesque by Laura McMillan, cheeky readings from Thought Catalog editor Ryan O’Connell, a spandex circus runway show by Third Earth Designs, performance and videos by Andrea Diodati and Occupy Fashion Week, stylish rhyme-spitter Mykki Blanco, booty-short bumpin’ DJ Nolita Selector, and cosmopolitan cabaret by Rococo Caine.  We’ll also have local designers, including Klub Kid Vintage, prancing around in fresh duds, a mini pop-up shop, and a faux-shion contest with prizes donated by photographers, and local boutiques and event sponsors AUH2O, Yours Truly Brand and Uncropped Magazine.

Guests are encouraged to use this opportunity to show the world their inner-beauty, personality, and impeccable taste. Save the date, and get ready to dress up and get down!

PS. Here’s an insider tip: for your personal invite and a secret code to get reduced admission, RSVP at SomethingNewNY.com

Fall: Chicago, NYC, The (virtual) World

Where haven’t I been this fall?

I just returned with from the Hand In Glove conference  in Chicago with my co-directors at Lowbrow Society for the Arts. We spent the whole weekend at art boot-camp, inspired by conversations with folks from organizations across america such as Creative Time, Southern Exposure, FEAST, The Soap Factory, and The Franklin Furnace. Future collaborations coming your way!

Meanwhile, I’ve begun to exist as an artist on facebook! If you want to keep up with where I am & what I’m creating, please, feel free to “like” me. I made multiple short films, and built a cinema booth before leaving Elsewhere. There’s a screenshot of one of them below, clicking it will take you to the film on my facebook page.

Finally, right now I’m at a cute organic cafe in New York, sitting with a room full of creative types and prepping to perform produce this incredible event on thursday with McSweeny’s writer Casey Plett.  More details can be found on the Lowbrow site.

Now I’m off to buy treats & tricks for the show, and watch the leaves turn golden.

Summer Update: Bitch Magazine, Artisphere, SF Bay Guardian, Interfaith

Where has the summer gone?

I have been all over the US, involved with many projects. Here’s a taste of what’s been happening:

SUMMER ISSUE OF BITCH MAGAZINE

I have 2 pieces in the most recent issue of  feminist pop-culture magazine Bitch! You can find my interview with Altercation, Big Freedia‘s backup dancer & a short snippet about magical artist Monica Canilao. Support the magazine and buy the issue directly from them.

ARTISPHERE

June 18th, I performed to a full house with Regie Cabico as part of Sulu DC‘s Gay and Fillipino Pride event at the awe-inspiring Artisphere in Rosslyn.

SF BAY GUARDIAN

May 19-21st, I was part of Lowbrow Society’s Great Expectations experience performance installation extravaganza, which was a San Francisco Bay Guardian pick of the week. If you missed the event, more photos can be found here.

INTERFAITH

As a queer Iranian artist with a secular Muslim background, I was invited by  a friend to attend an afternoon of speeches by the White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships, including a certain charismatic Eboo Patel from the Interfaith Youth Core.  Since many religious groups have a history of prejudice when it comes to LGBTQ folks- this conference was an opportunity to meet a few current leaders and question how they plan to create faith-based projects that are safe for all faiths (including humanist/spiritual), genders, and sexual identities.

New Event: Great Expectations Art Show

I’m moving away from San Francisco in June, but not before curating (on behalf of Lowbrow Society) and participating in this amazing event:

Great Expectations: The Opulence of Alone

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – On Thursday May 19^th and Friday May 20^th, from 7-10pm, The SchoolHouse, 1592 Market St, will be transformed from bare walls to Great Expectations, a lush art happening created by four boundary-bending queer artists inspired by the opulence of being alone.