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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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