Don’t Believe In Modern Love (Dorian Gray ’80s Party)

Last week’s social butterfly quest ended with a night at Dorian Gray. Usually I’m not that much of a clubber, but the way NYC has become so sterile as of late, perhaps it was good to take what I could get. First on Friday, I attended the Kunst party in Williamsburg, on Saturday it was Hank’s Saloon to celebrate Mike Moosehead’s birthday (Blackout Shoppers, Skum City), a break on Sunday, onward Monday to the 16th Annual Mr. L.E.S. Pageant, now this.

For those who don’t know about Dorian Gray, it’s a monthly club party created by Kayvon Zand, which combines Glam, Goth, and all around creativity. This month’s theme had an ’80s vibe. Many of the current nightlife personalities took to the stage to cover songs by David Bowie, Grace Jones, Pink Floyd, Siouxsie and The Banshees, and more.

One of the hosts of the party was NYC legend Gerry Visco. She’s a photographer, writer, academic, performer, nightlife personality and NYC legend.

Gerry Visco, writer, photographer, actress, academic, performer, nightlife personality, and NYC Legend. One of the hosts for the Dorian Grey party. Photo by Michele Witchipoo Feb. 2015.

Michael T did an amazing cover of Bowie’s hit ‘Modern Love.’ As an adult, listening to the lyrics of this tune made me reflect a bit about my own life.

MC of the 1980s Dorian Grey party, Michael T. Photo by Michele Witchipoo Feb. 2015.

A personal favorite of the night was seeing a club goer dressed up as a member of Strawberry Switchblade.

Someone dressed as a member of Strawberry Switchblade. Dorian Grey party. Photo by Michele Witchipoo, Feb. 2015.

Classic Madonna. Dorian Grey party. Photo taken by Michele Witchipoo, Feb. 2015.

Someone doing a Siouxsie cover of ‘Happy House’ Dorian Grey party. Photo by Michele Witchipoo, Feb, 2015.

Two Devo fans. I’m the one in the yellow. Dorian Grey party. Feb. 2015.

A cover of Bily Idol’s ‘Eyes Without A Face’ at Dorian Grey. Photo by Michele Witchipoo. Feb. 2015.

Cover of Bronski Beat’s “Hit That Perfect Beat’ at Dorian Grey. Photo by Michele Witchipoo Feb. 2015.

Originally I had wanted to come dressed as Boy George. Someone suggested I go as Siouxsie Sioux. Which was a good suggestion within itself but I had spent a good part of my teenage years cloning her. My trusty old DEVO outfit ended up being recycled. To be honest, I wasn’t expecting much of a reaction, knowing how the rest of the club revelers dress to the nines at Dorian Grey. To my surprise, DEVO got a positive response.

Here’s a video of Leo Gugu covering Grace Jones’ ‘Pull Up To The Bumper.’

Now I must get back to my own work, since March is going to be a much busy month for me. You can check out another link  of the night’s activities in the NEXT Magazine article. With that I’ll leave you with the Video of the Bowie cover, by Micheal T.

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Robot Stripper

This Friday, I will have two space related paintings exhibited at the Hi-5 bar and gallery. The two paintings will be shown for a month, or until further notice. It’s part of a ‘Space Porn’ theme, along with other artists. My paintings are more for a PG-13 crowd, or at least one of them. Guess I’ve toned it down somewhat.

Here’s one of the better paintings:

Robot Stripper.
Materials: Acrylic and glitter.
Date: July 2012.
Artist: Michele Witchipoo.

I really like this particular work a lot, and it looks like I already have a buyer. If you’re interested in getting a commission from me, either with drawing, illustration or painting, just email me: Witchipoo@witchesbrewpress.net

Hope you enjoy this piece as much as I do. See everyone later.

Wham Glam Thank You Ma’am

To be Glam. Last night I came across some photos on the internet. Soon afterwards I did this pencil sketch.

Back in the mid to late ’80s, the whole ’80’s ‘Hair Metal’ scene was huge. Bands like Poison, Motley Crue and such ruled. They were the fantasies of American teenage rebellion. Although I was never into the whole ’80s hair metal thing. In fact, I hated it. I preferred the ’80s Goth subculture, which I suppose would be considered ‘old school’ among today’s gloomy youngsters.

In the 1980’s, Goth subculture wasn’t as mainstream as it is today. To get a better idea of that era, nothing captures the underground Goth following like the NYC magazine Propaganda. I remember Propaganda not so much for the reviews, but for the conceptualized photography.

Now what ’80s Goth and Glam did have in common was androgyny. Personally to me, the classic Glam Rock wasn’t really the ’80s L.A. glam rock era, but more like from the 1970’s. Early Bowie when he was Ziggy Stardust, T-Rex, The Sweet, etc. I still love Sweet. In fact, their album ‘Desolation Boulevard’ is still one of my all time favorites.

Although hair glam metal was never my thing, there were a few exceptions. Take Hanoi Rocks for instance. I remember meeting Hanoi member Mike Monroe in NYC back when I was a teenager. He was a pure rock star through and through. Even in broad daylight, he would walk down St. Mark’s street in full glam gear. It wasn’t uncommon to see him somewhere in the Greenwich Village area. Last time I saw him, it might’ve been during 1986 or ’87. He was in some deli on Broadway, near NYU. (FYI, when I met Mike Monroe, he was a nice guy.)

Today I’m not so hateful towards hair metal. Now bands like Motley Crue is sort of like nostalgia to me. Although I still much prefer the ’70’s glam stuff. Does it really matter anyway? ‘Cause you realize that everything intertwines and connects anyway. It’s just depends on personal opinions and tastes.

Having said all of that, I still prefer Sweet over Cinderella.

Glam guitarist, pencil sketch by Michele Witchipoo. Created June 2012.