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It's true that Kevin Aviance is a kind of litmus test performer, a
love-him-or-not personality, a kind of prickly pear, but for those
of us who admire him, he's giving a helluva ferocious show at xl
here in New York. Last night was his opening, and he had, as might
be expected, some choice remarks about his recent appearance at the
Pines. More importantly, for us, he did an incredible show with a
back-up band called Ruff Trade and Ari Gold on back-up vocals. Kevin
sang his circuit/dance hits, of course, but in more jazzy
interpretations, and he also covered "Lush Life" which produced the
striking effect of him channeling both Billy Strayhorn and Billie
Holiday, at the same time. He worked his dresses and shoes, did a
costume change, brought up a gay rapper to accompany him, and also
sang two songs from a forthcoming theatrical show called "Saturn."
And he ended his performance, around two a.m., with a song called
"Seattle," which was about those sisters/brothers/mentors of his who
have passed on from AIDS.
If you like Kevin as much as we do, he's doing this show again, next
Monday the 14th, as part of xl's continuing Twisted Cabaret series. |
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