Greetings after such a long time from a joyous Late Autumn In New York City. The 20 (!) months since we last wrote were hard to believe and harder to navigate. Since Johnny’s first gigs for small and private events last Spring, Gotham has continued to re-emerge. We are hopeful this joyous rebound can continue and so glad to share two very special December events. Since it HAS been that long, we include some highlights from the “dark” months since March 2020.
DECEMBER SHOWS AND EVENTS
Saturday, December 4
HORSE MEAT DISCO
ELSEWHERE
Johnny spins with his pals HORSE MEAT DISCO and LAUREN FLAX for HMD’s uber-popular monthly residency. Talk about pent-up demand – this edition sold out hours after it was announced on Friday! Sure to be memorable, check out the resale tickets link on Resident Advisor if you are hoping to join in.
Sunday,December 12
SAGE TOYS PARTY 2021
CHELSEA PIERS, PIER 60
The beloved holiday tradition/ “LGBTQ Event of the Season” returns for its 36th annual edition after a pause last year. Guests bring an unwrapped toy and/or donation to SAGE and Johnny provides the festive soundtrack. This is another event that sells out quickly, so grab your tickets soon after they go on sale November 29!
HIGHLIGHTS AND PROJECTS 2020-21
Like millions of others, Johnny spent the first few months of the pandemic in lockdown in his NYC apartment. Suddenly the decades-long beat had stopped, so what was a DJ to do? He turned to his archives and unfinished projects, and got to work. As the months wore on familiar events and shows were reshaped for 2021, and gradually even travel itself returned. Here are some highlights from The Covid Times.
JULY 2020 Johnny remixes G-SONG by the legendary English punk band and art collective CRASS as part of NORMAL NEVER WAS. The remix project asked noted DJ remixers to reshape a song from their seminal 1978 album “The Feeding of the 5000” with proceeds going to REFUGE UK.
NOVEMBER 2020 Johnny’s 1983 classic JAM HOT (RHUMBA ROCK) was included on Norman Cook aka FATBOY SLIM’s new album BACK TO MINE. The album is a compilation of the favorite rare tracks he and his friends would play while “winding down” after a show.
FEBRUARY 2021 While in his second home New Orleans, Johnny continued his collaboration with MAX MARA creative director IAN GRIFFITHS. Johnny’s reworking of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony and Handel for the MAX MARA FALL/WINTER 21 collection was truly a challenge but the results were worth it. (The collection was shown only on film due to the ongoing pandemic.)
MAY 2021 The vaccines had kicked in and nightlife began to return with protocols in place. Johnny resumed his residency on FIRE ISLAND at THE ICE PALACE for the return of DANIEL NARDICIO’s world famous weekly UNDERWEAR PARTY. It was a fabulous run that ended for the season in late September.
JUNE-JULY 2021 Johnny’s first in-person runway show was on glamorous ISCHIA for MAX MARA RESORT 22. The collection (inspired by Truman Capote’s time on the island) was shown live to an intimate outdoor audience and filmed by GINEVRA ELKANN. Johnny included his Pink Martini hit UNA NOTTE A NAPOLI in the soundtrack. He stopped in MILAN to do some recording on the way home (see SEPTEMBER), and snapped this eerie photo at Malpensa Airport.
JULY 2021 Johnny’s first post-covid international gala, the AMFAR CANNES 2021 was scaled back and re-imagined for the times, as was the entire CANNES FILM FESTIVAL. The uber-glamorous event was held at the beautiful VILLA EILENROC – a perfect setting for the Great Gatsby theme – and raised over 11 million euros.
SEPTEMBER 2021 First full-on Milan Fashion Week since coronavirus brought the whole thing to a stop. Johnny was back for the MAX MARA live runway for SPRING/SUMMER 2022, inspired by the seminal 1954 novel BONJOUR TRISTESSE. He’d co-written and produced the soundtrack music and recorded it in Milan in July. Even more joyful to be there in person for its debut.
So many other moments, nights and small steps of progress during this long time. Thanks to all our collaborators and those who never let the flame go out for long. For now, on to the closing of the year and as always, Thank you for dancing!
