Raven O Interview
Raven-O
by Graciano Nunez.
The sun setting upon the first Monday in September is a gay rite of passage. This means that another Labor Day bites the dust, the sand from well trodden gay heels, coming and going, back and forth to Fire Island is over and done. New batches of cream filled twinks descend upon the city with big, bambi eyes that are ready to party. Well, don’t feel bewildered or bewitched because this writer is here to make sure that the chicken-hawks don’t descend on you. Or that you don’t end up being tuna tare-tare and that you are up to date with the hottest scene makers and fetes!
My latest interview was with none other that night-life Presario Raven-O. The O stands for orgasmic entertainment. The kind that makes your toes curl as your eyes roll to the back of your head. Raven is a New York City nightlife veteran and a gay artist of the highest caliber. Raven most recently led the infamous nightclub venue “The Box” backed by Simon Hammerstein (son of famous Broadway composer Oscar). The nightly fete was attended with some of New York’s most infamous celebrities and socialites.
Raven is an artist that has been working at the craft for an entire lifespan. The training as a dancer, going to Broadway Dance Center and Steps, gave the discipline and self-respect needed to maintain longevity in an industry known for burnouts. During the early years Raven led a dual life pursing the course of a classically trained dancer while at the same time working at Limelight as a go-go boy. The first thing I had to ask was “Did you party with Michael Alig?”. “Michael came a little later and was part of a party that had messy end”. Raven said. I thought of being at Pieces Bar two nights before in the west village the weekend earlier, fretting about this interview, having a drink while the movie “Party Monster” played on the flat screens. As I listened to Raven it made total sense. There is a reason that nightlife performers like Amanda Lepore make cameos in that film! Twink lesson number one, party hard but try to recognize the signs of being a hopeless mess.
As a dancer and choreographer Raven has worked with the likes of Jody Watley, “Zumanitiy” at Cirque Du Soliei in Las Vegas and also as a singer at the legendary “Bar D’O with Joey Arias and Sherry Vine.
Since leaving “The Box” Raven has come to embrace the transition of an artist life by working on new projects to be coming soon. Raven is working on an album that is going to combine a transgender spirit of rock infused with a svelte punk rap that is going to demonstrate the signature of sound passion. Raven has worked with Pat Briggs of famed punk band Psychotica and the innovator of legendary nightclub “SqueezeBox” from which the rock documentary film debuted last year. Pat is working with Raven to produce this album which should drop at the beginning of next year.
Most recently, Raven has been vetted to program the nightlife calendar for the 18th Floor “Boom, Boom Room” at the Standard Hotel in the Meatpacking District. I immediately squealed and blurted out “Are you bringing back the Bar D’O Trio!!!”, “We got Sherry and Joey back on board for a night in October through the new year.” said Raven. Just the other week, I was watching the nightly news listening to Sue Simmons. She talked about peep shows being given at The Standard Hotel to pedestrians on the High Line Park. The space is a swirl of tan, golden leather and suede with wood that looks as if dipped in warm honey according to Raven. A room like this just calls out for body heat on a snowy winter night and taking off ones clothes one piece at a time to a pulsating beat with a smooth caressing song blowing gently in your ear. With Raven and company coming to the meatpacking’s Boom, Boom Room, The Standard’s reputation might take on a connotation that will be the destination for twinks and anti-twinks alike.
For more on Raven-O’s music and parties
check out:
www.raven-o.com
