EARL DAX is regularly referred to a New York City “downtown impresario” in the publications such as “Time Out New York,” “NEXT” and “New York Press,” yet he prefers to think of his work as an extension of his background as a community organizer and activist for progressive social change. In effect, he approaches his work as a curator/producer/promoter as an organizer amongst a community of artists that have been under assault for over 30 years by gentrification, HIV/AIDS, the culture wars and defunding of the arts. Recognizing the profound changes in technology, politics and culture that have occurred since the heyday of New York’s “downtown scene,” Dax attempts to adapt to and work within this new landscape to expand the range of performance opportunities available to queer and otherwise countercultural artists while simultaneously helping develop and expand the audience for live, alternative performance
Dax produced his first show (“Mike and Marga” featuring Mike Albo and Marga Gomez) in Philadelphia in the Fall of 2003. The success of that show compelled him to establish the Direct from NYC performance series with a mission to bring the best of New York’s downtown performance scene to Philadelphia. In less than two years, he produced nearly 50 shows including Karen Finley’s “Make Love,” Taylor Mac’s “The Face of Liberalism,” and a Philadelphia FRINGE series featuring a Festival Kickoff at the Trocadero Theater with Kiki and Herb and solo shows by Vanessa Hidary (“The Hebrew Mamita”), Mike Albo, Slanty Eyed Mama and Murray Hill (in his first-ever solo show). Before moving to New York, Dax presented the weekly “Vanguard Sundays” at L’etage featuring (among others) Penny Arcade, Kimya Dawson, Julie Atlas Muz, Joey Arias, Sherry Vine, Lady Bunny, and Kenny Mellman as Grace Jones!Dax moved to New York in January 2005 and began working closely with his friend and mentor, Murray Hill. Since then he has produced, associate produced, and/or curated nearly 200 shows, parties and events.
Highlights include:
- Weimar New York – a theatrical cabaret which has played Joe’s Pub and Spiegeltent in New York, LA Art Weekend and innaugurated the Live Art program at SFMOMA with 2 sold-out productions hosted by Justin Bond and Ana Matronic in the museum’s grand atrium.
- Tingel Tangel Club – an event originated at Glasslands in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn in October of 2006 and celebrates its 2-year anniversary in San Francisco on March 19, 2010 at Cafe du Nord. The event has also been presented in a fine art context as a one off at Deitch Studios in Long Island City in conjunction with an exhibition by Assume Vivid Astro Focus and at (le) Poisson Rouge in conjunction with an exhibition of work by Ofri Cnaani.
- HOT! Festival! – the longest-running festival of queer performance culture in the world, Dax has twice helmed HOT!, first, as curator in 2006 and again as Festival Director in 2009, inaugurating the new state-of-the-art Dixon Place theater complex.!
In addition to PUSSY FAGGOT! upcoming projects include serving as one of four guest curators for The Center for Performance Research’s “New Voices in Live Performance” series and developing Joey Arias’ Escapades in the CoNcReTe Jungle for a June 2010 world premiere at Abrons Arts Center.