June 24 marks six straight (ahem) weeks of queer culture and performances, all part of this year’s HOT! Festival, the world’s longest-running LGBTQ performance series. Over the month-and-a-half period, 60 shows will be put on at Dixon Place on the Lower East Side, so we’ve distilled some of the more interesting, provocative or intellectual shows that are must-see. All shows are $10 in advance, $15 at the door, but you can get a pass to the entire festival for $60 bucks. Here are our picks:
After Collapsing Or Anna Nicole Smith
Written and performed by Laura Berlin Stinger, this performance piece uses various media to metaphorically reconstruct the late starlet’s public personality and the “unknowing feminist disaster” that came with Smith’s death. July 2 at 9:30.
Blatant
Gore Vidal’s novel Myra Breckinridge fuels the fire for this show. Self-proclaimed “super bitch” Janis stages a continuation of protagonist Myra’s mission of turning tough-guy meatheads into beauty queens, all while trapped in the confines of a web-cast of a medical soap opera called Red Alert. Sounds like a multi-layered brain feast. July 6 at 9:30.
Sinking Hearts
In the tradition of Dark Shadows, Twin Peaks and True Blood, this gothic drag comedy by playwright Joshua Conkel (MilkMilkLemonade) is the first episode of a continuing soap opera. Directed by Meg Sturiano. July 12 at 9:15.
One Man Show—The True Story of Miss World Famous BOB
This true story of how a girl had to become a drag queen to learn how to become a woman is told through the eyes of writer/performer World Famous BOB. It promises to be simultaneously heartbreaking and hilarious, and is directed by Kate Valentine, with gowns by David Quinn. July 23 at 9:30.
The Ones
Super-progressive electro/disco three-piece The Ones is going to shake things up at Dixon Place with a set that will showcase the band’s new album and videos. Collaborators will include Amanda Lepore, Ladyfag, Colton Ford, Nomi Ruiz, Erickatoure Aviance and more. After the show, the band is hosting a cocktail party in the Dixon Place Lounge. Aug. 3 at 9:30.
I Light Up My Life: The Mark Sam
Celebrity Autobiography
Don’t worry if you’ve never heard of the star of this show, nobody has—yet! Still, we’re told to expect “jaw dropping, pants dropping and name dropping” from Mark Blanche Survives Katrina in a FEMA Trailer Named Desire Sam. Aug. 6
at 9:30.
