Get ready New York.  The Cockettes will be taking over Joe’s Pub on September 9^th!  The Cockettes were an avant garde psychedelic hippie theater group founded by Hibiscus (George Edgerly Harris III) in 1969. Their brand of theater was influenced by The Living Theater, John Vaccaro’s PlayHouse of the Ridiculous, the films of Jack Smith and the LSD ethos of Ken Kesey’s Merry Pranksters. The troupe performed all original material, staging musicals with original songs inspired by classic Hollywood movie musicals. They gained an underground cult following that led to mainstream exposure with JOHN WATERS and DIVINE that continues today.  You’re in for a real tweet!  We had a wonderful opportunity to talk to Birdie Bob about The Cockettes and being an artist.

For Birdie Bob, being a member of The Cockettes goes beyond entertainment.  “I don’t consider being a Cockette as part of history as much as an ongoing philosophy. Often, we edit our impulses to consider how palliative they are to others or for an unseen judge in our minds. The Cockettes embraced an effusive joy of finding exuberance in excess. Too much is never enough if it doesn’t release the inner you. Why wear just one sparkly when 3 or 4 will bring such pleasures to you and others? An unbridled and audacious expression of spirit!”

Birdie Bob has performed in New York before and is excited to return to perform again and get some enjoyment from this vibrant city.  “The San Francisco Thrillpeddlers went to New York to participate in the Howl! Festival in 2012 and brought their revival of the Cockettes‘ “Vice Palace”. Scrumbly, Steven, Bonni, myself and others performed songs from the show at the St. Mark Theater. It was an elegant trip! I’m hoping to spend less time Midtown West, and am excited at the week of events planned including seeing “Some Like It Hot.” It’ll be a wonderful whirlwind!”

Next for Birdie Bob is continuing with The Cockettes and all their exciting future artistic endeavors.  “My future plans seem small & fuzzy in view of such a trip. I imagine that the group will continue with revival retrospectives or latch onto one of a few ideas kicking about for a new absurdist musical.”

You won’t regret seeing the Cockettes!

COCKETTES: THE SECOND CUMMING

Joe’s Pub at the Public Theater, Saturday, Sept 9 @ 9:30pm, 425 Lafayette St, New York City.

Returning to NYC after a 50-year absence, San Francisco’s legendary,  underground-breaking, gender-bending theatrical troupe, The Cockettes, are bringing their bawdy, colorful, cabaret show to Joe’s Pub celebrating the music of original Cockette Scrumbly Koldewyn. Event produced by Dan Karkoska featuring Matt Bratko, Noah Haydon, Kitten on the Keys, Steven Satyricon, Ellie Stokes, Bonni Suval, Birdie Bob Watt and the “original Cockette,” composer and performance artist Scrumbly Koldewyn.

 TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW
LEARN the history of this Underground-breaking troupe!
Visit them on FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM and here’s a SNEAK PEEK