Greg Newton (facing camera, right) speaks to Shane Shane (back to camera) outside of BGSQD. (Photo: Joshua Kristal)
The Bureau of General Services – Queer Division, a trailblazing bookstore and event space on the Lower East Side, will launch an indiegogo campaign on Friday to secure a more permanent home.
Since November, Strange Loop Gallery has played temporary host to The Bureau. Originally meant to last two months, the arrangement between both operations went swimmingly, so a couple-month visit turned into eight.
The Bureau has hosted an event almost every night at Strange Loop — from readings, book discussion groups and workshops t0 more intrepid happenings like the twerktastic party hosted by performance artist Shane Shane earlier this month.
The Bureau’s Indiegogo campaign aims to raise $50,000 in 50 days, aided by a fundraiser at The Pyramid Club on Wednesday, August 7. Entrance is $30 day-of or $25 if you donate prior to the party, where Shane Shane will perform once again.
The Bureau will remain at Strange Loop until August 31 but, “unless there is some sort of miracle,” says co-owner Greg Newton, “we anticipate there will be a time between when we move out and when we move in.”
If things go his way, BGSQD will remain nearby. “When we started fantasizing about [our space], we thought about the East Village and the Lower East Side,” Newton says. “Culturally, it’s a really good fit.”