“I don’t embarrass easily,” says author Wayne Koestenbaum. “That’s because I’m used to gay culture’s flamboyant embrace of embarrassing positions.” Perhaps it’s that bravery, that hold-your-chin-up attitude, which allows Koestenbaum the courage to delve so deeply into the shame, guilt and suffering of others. “Humiliation” is the latest book by Koestenbaum who will appear on Thursday at the University...

“If you’re doing a program about sex, you can hardly avoid a piece by me,” says David Del Tredici.  The American Modern Ensemble certainly didn’t take a pass in putting together their “XXX” concert on Sunday (5/1) at the Galapagos Art Space in Brooklyn.  Along with Del Tredici, the program also features music of Jacob Druckman, Robert Paterson, John Cage and Glenn Crytzer. Del Tredici will be represented...

Pianist Anthony de Mare has been a champion of contemporary music of many sorts. Yet his trademark is the amazing things he can do at the piano besides play the keys, namely talking. The pinnacle of his accomplishments, in what might be considered a new genre of works, is Frederic Rzewski’s “De Profundis,” an amazing setting of portions of Oscar Wilde’s letter from prison that de Mare commissioned and...

Peter Orlovsky published five books of poems in his own right, but is famous for having been the long-time lover of one of the 20th century’s greatest poets, Allen Ginsberg. He died in Williston Vermont on May 30 at age 76. Make my grave shape of heart so like a flower be free aired and handsome felt. Grave root pillow, tung up from grave & wigle at blown up clowd. Ear turnes close to underlayer of green felt moss...

Let me be honest. I “read” OUT Magazine for the pictures.  And the March issue is particularly sexy with more photos (in ads and editorial) of shirtless young men than usual.  This month’s cover boy is a gritty Ewan McGregor. But the issue actually has something worth spending a bit of time and thought on – a 22-page spread called “80 American Classics” celebrating “the spectrum of queer talent...