It’s been a minute (or 10) since Brandy gave the public a little something to shake to, and for a number of reasons: She lost her deal and had to find a new one, the last project was just a little off, and she was convinced for a while that only Darkchild could deliver the goodies. Well thank goodness things have been shaken up! She’s just leaked a new jam to the public that I’m actually looking forward to hearing through a club’s sound system, and IT WASN’T PRODUCED BY DAVID GUETTA!!! (No hate to David Guetta, but I’m just OVER every R&B act under the sun following trend and deciding to become a dance music artist.)

The Bangladesh produced track “Put It Down” features Chris Brown (I know, but what are we gonna do. He’s obviously got Titanium running through those damn veins…), and it’s got me doing the “Lean Wit It” topped off with a slight bounce. Check it out below! Go B-Rocka!

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This week I got to experience one of those magical/accidental moments in New York City that remind you why you came here in the first place and why we all LOVE NYC. Late afternoon a friend of mine popped up on GChat to ask if I had any interest in taking an extra ticket he had and accompanying him to a new musical a childhood friend of his was in called Fat Camp. I was totally already imagining getting under the covers at home and catching up on some back-log TV, but I never pass up an offer to a show. I feel like I never see enough because I’m always  too busy preparing and appearing in my own projects; a problem many fellow performers face.

Fat Camp tells the tale of a summer spent at Camp Overton where secrets, s’mores and self-image collide in a coming-of-age rock musical comedy. From the producers of Jersey Boys and Rock of Ages, Fat Camp features a book by Randy Blair and Tim Drucker, music by Matthew roi Berger, lyrics by Randy Blair and is directed by Casey Hushion.

Boy am I glad I went! The show was fucking amazing! The actors and performances were phenomenal. The songbook and band were awesome, and the story was entertaining and well constructed. It could possibly have been just a touch shorter, but in reality I had absolutely no problem with the length and number of songs. Entertaining is entertaining. I mean, I’ll most likely be going again, because I MUST pay it forward and take a friend or two that I know will LOVE it like I did. GO. SEE. IT.

FAT CAMP FACEBOOK LINK

FAT CAMP ON TWITTER

PS, I kindof think there’s very few things that are hotter than when a big boy/girl can dance and know how to move that thang; they delivered.

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Two years ago while performing in Los Angeles at The Redcat Theater with the performance company I work with Big Art Group, I was presented with the opportunity to perform at “this really fierce underground queer party” called Wildness. I was just finishing up production on my debut album, and I was feeling at an all-time creative high. I was feeling free, and from the moment I walked into that party and prepared to perform, I felt the energy of freedom all around me as my LGBT family let loose in a space meant for just that.

Fast forward to the present, the documentary about this party from director Wu Tsang is finally ready for the world to see, and it’s making a big splash with screening this Wednesday night at MoMA. The buzz around the film has been major, and was even featured in this week’s Arts Feature in The New York Times! My performance that night was captured by Wu Tsang, and apparently some of it made the final edit of the film! Not only am I excited to see myself serving up aggressive house music in my “militia-fierce” look for that moment, but I’m also just excited to see this film that captures a very special moment in time for a special section of people living in LA.

• Wildness

  2012. USA. Directed by Wu Tsang. Wildness is a portrait of the Silver Platter, a historic, LGBT-friendly bar on the eastside of Los Angeles that has catered to the Latin immigrant community since 1963. With a magical-realist flourish—the bar itself becomes a character in the film—Wildness captures the creativity and conflict that ensue when a group of young, queer artists of color (Wu Tsang, DJs NGUZUNGUZU, and Total Freedom) organize a weekly performance art party, called Wildness, at the bar. What does “safe space” mean, and who needs it? The search for answers to these questions creates coalitions across generations. 75 min.

See you there!

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Downton Abbey is currently being celebrated as one of the best series on television right now. (Thank you PBS’ Masterpiece!) I’m a sucker for a period piece, and I occasionally go on insane BBC binges that lead to me driving everyone in my house insane with my new British accent. One of the BEST parts of the show is the great Maggie Smith, who appears as the snobby, witty Dowager Countess of Grantham. Her lines are to die for, and have inspired quotation blogs all over the internet. Even a side-eye from her is enough to have you on the floor.

I also love a guilty pleasure and the occasional trash TV, and VH1′s Mob Wives fulfills that craving. One of the best parts of the 2nd season has been the introduction of a new character named Big Ang. She’s… let’s say unique. One thing you can’t deny after watching her on the show though is that she’s a sweetheart with lots of love to give, and I think that’s one explanation for her meteoric popularity.

Now, if you  mix the two, you get the the clip below:

Big thanks to US Weekly for the genius to put this together. You made my week.

Enjoy!

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Xavier Channels His Inner Diana "The Boss" Ross

Every Valentine’s Day a very talented singer and dear old friend, Xavier, blesses the public and his adoring friends and fans with a special song recorded and released especially for the holiday of LOVE. This year is no different. In fact, he’s stepped up his game and is also hosting a special show at Joe’s Pub tonight (February 13th) in honor of the holiday paying tribute to The Ladies of Soul.

Valentine’s Day EVE
Ladies Of Soul Tribute at Joe’s Pub

starring XAVIER, LADY RIZO, SXIP SHIREY,

HELOISE (OF THE SAVOIR FAIRE), MYKAL KILGORE,

CELINA CARVAJAL, DEAH HARRIOTT

ANDRE SPRINGER aka the artist fka SHAQUANDA COCA MULATTA, MATT DALLOW and more!

Monday, February 13, 2012

9:30 P.M. SHARP at JOE’S PUB

425 Lafayette Street, N.Y.

$12 in advance / $15 at the door

I’m so there! And a little birdy has told already told me that there will be some Whitney Houston all up in the show as well!

See you tonight! Grab those last few tickets while they’re still available! In the meantime, I leave you with the Youtube video of the newest Valentine’s Day treat from Xavier. It’s a cover of Anita Baker’s early hit “Angel.” Ms Baker even tweeted Xavier back this weekend to let him know just how much she loved his version and was moved to TEARS!

Break a Leg, Xavier!!!

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Whitney Elizabeth Houston, 1963-2012

Wow. Like the rest of the world, as I create this post I’m still in a great deal of shock. Just as a I was about to check out of the real world and begin watching a DVD at home to close out the night, I got a text that read, “Holy shit!!! Whitney!!!” My heart immediately stopped for a second because it was from the same person that was the first to tell me about Michael Jackson’s death, (I’m going to have to make this person lose my number…)

Whitney Houston was simply one of the greatest singers AND performers to ever exist… EVER. Her music has been the soundtrack to most of my life, and there isn’t a song of hers that I can’t connect to a specific memory or period of growth in my lifetime. The loss of such a treasure is just too tragic for words. I’m sending all the love and healing energy I have out to her friends, family, and all of us that feel spiritually connected to this mega-star that was such a major part of the last 30 years of entertainment.

When I was younger, there was one song that I used to keep me going during challenging times… still do. I leave you with this amazing performance that shows you just why she is, and always will be, one of THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME.

Rest In Peace Whitney!

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Oh my goodness! Could it be true? Might the music world be blessed with a new Fiona Apple album in 2012? Well that seems to be the case according to the folks over at Pitchfork Media. Apparently, Epic Records CEO, L.A. Reid, recently tweeted that we’d be hearing new music from Fiona Apple in the next few weeks. After further investigation by Time Magazine, it appears it might not be in the next few weeks, but more like sometime this year.

I can deal with an unknown release date within this year a hell of a lot better than the giant question mark we are forced to normally accept. I’m all for the artist’s process, but I’m also sometimes like an itchy crackhead when it comes to artists that stir my soul. And three albums does not an extensive catalog make!

Please Fiona, give us the goods! Don’t rob us of the pain and pleasure! Quit being that Criminal:

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This past Saturday night I went out to The Wild Project to support some of my friends in the debut of a new musical. As many of us know, that means you NEVER know what you’re gonna get. This time I was PLEASANTLY surprised.

A huge congrats to the writer/director, Lola Rock ‘N’ Rolla, on pulling together a stellar piece in what she told me was WITH ONLY 10 FULL DAYS OF REHEARSAL!!! I almost can’t believe it. Brandon Olson as Gaylien was an obvious standout, but in reality the entire cast was on point if not brilliant. I was in love.

Homo The Musical! was not only hilarious and entertaining, but the music was AWESOME. Run, don’t walk to Homo The Musical!

Here’s a little taste…

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CALLING ALL DANCERS!!! Thursday September 8th, 2011 from 7AM until 1PM that afternoon Madonna’s hot choreographers Rich & Tone will be holding an initial round of auditions as the selection process begins for dancers for her next world tour.

I’ve attached the flyer with the details. Make sure to share it will all your people.

You can also get involved at facebook.com/smirnoff or facebook.com/madonna

GOOD LUCK!

xo,

Farrad

AND IF YOU HAVEN’T ALREADY, PEEP MY LATEST VIDEO BELOW… YOU WON’T REGRET IT…

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