Matt Fennemore talks David Wojnarowic.

Michael Langan talks to performance artist Matt Fennemore about the queer arts pioneer David Wojnarowicz, whose work has inspired his new piece, You Killed Me First!

“Film-maker, performer, photographer, iconoclast, AIDS campaigner and all-round agent provocateur, Wojnarowicz belonged to an age when to be gay, queer, or whatever you want to call it, was to be fighting a constant battle against prejudice, bigotry and, as a matter of life and death, striving for human rights.”

22 September, 2012

Recommendations from Polari’s writers based on what they are watching this week.

“This week: We Need To Talk About Kevin, The Countess, Criminal Minds, Vegan Zombie..”

Search terms that have led readers to Polari.

It’s madness, and part of Polari’s WTF Friday features. Roller Coasters, Seafarer lovemaking, and the death penalty….

“It’s good to see the bigots are getting a trip to Polari …”

[rating=3]
Released September 14, 2012, RCA

The new album from Pink, The Truth About Love, has its moments, but is nothing remarkable, and fairly bland in one too many places.

“Pink manages to capture my feelings about the walk of shame completely, coming across like a slightly soiled Katy Perry, still smelling of JD and cigarette smoke, and I’m more than happy with that.”

[rating=4]
Released September 14, 2012, Mosley / Interscope

Nelly Furtado is more herself on The Spirit Indestructible and is well matched working with R’n’B legend Rodney Jerkins.

“Working with Rodney Jerkins was a smart move, as he’s allowed her songs to flourish without being drowned in style. He’s also musically innovative enough to cope with Nelly’s quirky and alternative writing style.”

Lauderdale House, Highgate Hill, London, N6 5HG • September 19 -30

Bryon Fear is impressed by the haunting images in Dan Hall’s photography.

“If this excellent debut exhibition is anything to go by we can expect Dan Hall to engage us emotionally and intellectually with many more future retrospectives..”

[rating=4]
Released September 03, 2012, Matador

Cat Power’s ninth studio album, Sun, is emotionally powerful and as life-affirming as its title.

“Sun stands tall as an album eloquently informed by emotional experience and maturity.”

[rating=5]
592 pages • Penguin • 26 April, 2012 [HB], originally Chapman & Hall • 1861

Great Expectations is a glorious, mesmerising book about hope, and how that hope is used against people by those who have been disappointed.

“This tale of great promise, and the disappointment of that promise, is extraordinarily powerful. Throughout his work, Dickens is interested in how people are created by circumstance, as well as the characters that wield circumstance to their own ends.”

[rating=5]
Released October 01, 2012, Deutsche Grammophon

Nick Smith finds the new Tori Amos album Gold Dust, a reinterpretation of her songs arranged with an orchestra, to be both magnificent and enchanting.

“Gold Dust is a cathartic journey through Amos’s mindmap and is a truly captivating and earnest affair. The powerful lyrics, the stunning orchestral arrangements and that beautiful, haunting voice form a superb testament to one of the most distinctive sonic architects of our time.”

Tough Balls.

Scott De Buitléir learns the truth about rugby, but still keeps his eye open for a handsome winger …

“If anyone ever thought rugby is sexy, they need to try playing it themselves. It’s not – whatever you may think about the players off the pitch. Every bit of me hurt.”