If you missed Kathleen Hanna and Ad-Rock’s performance at the book party for St. Marks Is Dead, don’t worry, they may be sharing a stage again soon. Neal Medlyn, husband of the book’s author Ada Calhoun and the guy who brought the Beastie Boys-Bikini Kill power couple together for a round of punk covers at Cooper Union’s Great Hall, is performing as his ridicu-rap alterego, Champagne Jerry, and he’s bringing some of his famous friends with him.
From March 2 through March 5, when Champagne Jerry’s second LP will be released digitally, he’ll be taking up residency at New York Live Arts. His so-called “Champagne Club” will include special guests Horovitz, Hanna, cult cabaret comic Bridget Everett, and, per the show listing, a “series of real and invented bands” trafficking in “a world of cheap gold, dance, effervescence and memories.” It’s uncertain which of the five shows will incorporate Ad-Rock and Ms. Julie Ruin, but check out Champagne Jerry’s video for “Yo, Kev,” starring Ad-Rock and Murray Hill (along with Calhoun), and you may want to buy a ticket regardless.
Oh, and the Live Arts residency is just the start of it. Medlyn is also doing a Dec. 15 show at newish Bed-Stuy venue C’mon Everybody with pantsless performance artist Adrienne Truscott, and on Dec. 16 he’ll be at The Kitchen with feminist punk band Penis.
Pantslessness? Penis? You’re probably getting a sense, by now, of just what you’re signing up for. In “52,” Champagne Jerry issues what can only be considered a warning: “I’ve whipped out my dick on 52 stages.”
Correction: The original version of this post was revised to correct the spelling of Kathleen Hanna’s name in certain instances.