Dean Johnson Found Dead

Details surrounding the death of writer, drag performer and party promoter [Dean Johnson]'s death are still sketchy. He apparently died last week in Washington, D.C., but his body was only [recently identified](http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2007/09/promoter_and_queer_icon_dean_j.html). Johnson fronted two bands, Dean and the Weenies and [Velvet Mafia](http://www.velvetmafiatheband.com/index.htm). He also founded Rock and Roll Fag Bar in the late '80s, as well as HomoCorps, a monthly gay music showcase at CBGB, and was a perennial supporter of the Downtown art and club scene.

He was set to host his weekly "Reading for Filth: Queer Writers Read Queer Sex Stories" series at [Rapture Cafe] this Wednesday, which will now be used as a time to celebrate Johnson's life. The cafe's owner John Birdsong requests well-wishers to "bring photos, music, writings or any other Dean Johnson-related memorabilia for the Honoring Wall which has already sprung up around our stage."