Another night, another legendary New York treasure. Tuesday night Lady Bunny, last night the one and only Joey Arias. Does he need any introduction? Well, for the uninitiated, “Joey Arias A-Z” was really a mini-retrospective. Sponsored by MAC Cosmetics at Irving Plaza, there were Joey’s “makeup wipe” face drawings, artwork, photos, posters and memorabilia, costumes (with video monitor heads) a GIGANTIC Joey head on the stage and then, there was Joey himself with a live band, of course.
ARIAS PLAZA: Masks of Joey; a film by Manfred Mugler; Joey through the years; Klaus Nomi’s famous suit; MAC “makeup drawings”; Arias costumes were on display at Irving Plaza
The crowd was chock-a-block with downtown divas and celebs like Penny Arcade, Susanne Bartsch, Roxanne Lowitt, Drena Deniro, Johnny Rozsa, Scooter LaForge, Flotilla deBarge, Adriana Kaegi, Maripol, Montgomery Frazier and Johnny Dynell who was spinning some vintage gold. Halfway through the night I was talking with art dealer Brian Clamp and his boyfriend James Eastman next to a low platform in the middle of the club and the next thing we knew, there was Joey again to recreate a little Bar d’O magic. Bar d’O was the scene of many a fun night in NYC about 15 (or more) years ago and after a little number he intro’d the fab Sherry Vine, who did a “moving” cover of Lenard Cohen‘s “Hallelujah” reworked into “How I Blew Ya” – there was not a dry crotch in the first three rows. Then, sure enough after we had just invoked his name, there was Raven O looking amazing and sounding even better. The sistas finished with a rousing “Sisters” (which I managed to video, see below) and Jean Marc who ran Bar d’O came up for a big round of applause.
BAR DO!: Joey Arias, Raven O and Miss Sherry Vine recreate some Bar d’O magic
Later, Joey went onstage again to do a few numbers as Z Chromosome his new character in theMugler Follies, which looks incredible. The show is the mastermind of Manfred Mugler. (That’s the new moniker of former fashion genius, Thierry Mugler) Joey’s first outfit was by Mugler and a new film of Joey by Manfred was screened as well. There was more, but suffice to say, it was an amazing night centered around a major talent. Joey always brings such good vibes, wherever he performs, and you could really feel the love everyone has for him. Couldn’t happen to a nicer guy – gal – man… person. He’s in Rehoboth Beach at The Blue Moon June 30 with Sherry Vine. Go see him. Joey NEVER disappoints. (You can follow Joey on Twitter @JoeyAriasNYC)