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FRIDAY, MAY 30, 2008
THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF DEAN JOHNSON PRESENTED
ROCK N ROLL FAG BAR 2008
THE BENEFIT CONCERT
DON HILL'S NYC
On what would have been Dean Johnson's 47th birthday, five hundred of his friends, cohorts
and fellow musicians joined for an epic celebration of New York City's recently
lost Star. ROCK N ROLL FAG BAR 2008 was a real New York City club spectacle several months in the making, crowned by great performances and a wildly receptive crowd.
Visit THE MOTHERBOARDS' DEAN JOHNSON MEMORIAL CONCERT topic on the party for links, pics and reports.
Visit BETH JOHNSON's YOUTUBE CHANNEL for concert videos.
Pictures also at the JACKIE FACTORY's FLICKR site.
The towering Johnson was a pioneer in many ways, helping to shape the NYC gay
and transgendered nightscape with his parties ROCK 'N ROLL FAG BAR and
HOMOCORPS. Best known as songwriter and lead singer for two influential NYC
bands, DEAN AND THE WEENIES and THE VELVET MAFIA, he was remembered that way at
this benefit concert.
Both bands took the stage for extended sets with guest artists from Dean's many
nocturnal circles performing his most classic songs. They included AMANDA
POLLOCK, BEBE BUELL, BONNIE BOWERS, CONNIE FLAMING, COREY TUT, DAZZLE DANCERS,
DUELLING BANKHEADS, EUNICE HOLLAND, JENNY MAUL, JUSTIN BOND, LUCY SEXTON (OF
DANCENOISE), MELISSA TIERS, MICHAEL "FORMIKA" JONES, MISS MANDY LEMONS, NURSE
WANDA (JEAN WALSH), PERRI MASCO, PHOEBE LEGERE, WORLD FAMOUS *BOB* and XAVIER.
The inspired DJs were Dean's longtime collaborators CLARK RENDER and
TENNESSEE.
Besides celebrating Johnson's cultural legacy in video and song, the evening
also nodded to his big heart: $3,300 was raised to benefit
SYLVIA'S PLACE,
providing shelter for homeless GLBT youth in NYC. The night was produced by
Dean's sister BETH JOHNSON with three of his longtime co-producers - CHI CHI
VALENTI (THE JACKIE FACTORY) and JOE BIRDSONG and HATTIE HATHAWAY of RAPTURE
EVENTS. ROCK N ROLL FAG BAR 2008 was also planned with the help of visual
and musical curators ALICE O'MALLEY, LESLIE STERNBERGH and ADAM ALEXANDER,
STUART KLINGER (THE WEENIES) and SUSANNE HASSENSTEIN (THE VELVET MAFIA).
If you were not able to attend but would like to make a donation of any size to this wonderful cause in Dean's memory,
donate through the SYLVIA'S PLACE website
Publicity and more information:
THE JACKIE FACTORY NYC - events@jackiefactory.com or 212 929-6060
Images: Above left - Dean JOHNSON at CBGB's, photograph by ALICE O'MALLEY *
Below left - Event invitation by ADAM ALEXANDER and LESLIE STERNBERGH
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