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.