Andy Warhol was among the most iconic and prolific visual artists of the 20 th century, a highbrow and low class culture cultivator of profound influence. The pop artist is just as recognized for his soup cans or Marilyn Monroes as he is for the silver New York "Factory" where those works were produced (while his Superstars and other celebrities milled about, glamorously bored). But Warhol was also an avant-garde filmmaker, publisher, producer and dabbler in performance art. One facet of this multidimensional career was The Exploding Plastic Inevitable, a series of traveling multimedia shows that occurred between 1966 and 1967. The shows featured Warhol’s films, dancing and performances by Factory regulars and house band The Velvet Underground. In reverence of these legendary parties, on Saturday, Aug. 27, the Alibi’s Group Hug will host its own Factory Party featuring film projections, screen printing and real-live superstars. Famed underground auteur Jon Moritsugu—responsible for absurdist comedies such as Mod Fuck Explosion , Fame Whore , My Degeneration and 10 others—will be attending the party. He and his wife Amy Davis (the co-producer and star of his films) play in Low on High, a lo-fi garage band with no wave tendencies. Lauded local garage rock band The Dirty Novels, founded in 2002, will be reuniting to play its final show. (My husband’s in the band—and has an excellent ascot collection—I’m obliged to tell you.) Taos band Manby’s Head, featuring guitarist Peter Greenberg (ex-Lyres, ex-DMZ—both noted late ’70s Boston garage punk bands), shall hold court, and The Scrams opens the show with warehouse rock. Oh yeah, and yours truly will play go-go danceable records in between the bands’ sets. Basement Films will be screening Warhol films and perhaps some other items in artful collage. Screen-printing by artists from 111 Media Collective (get the limited edition, Warhol-derived party image emblazoned on the surface of your choice for $3, or an Alibi -provided T-shirt for $5). Low lights and trick mirrors will create a dazzling ambiance—the perfect environment to be beautiful, exciting, famous.
The Alibi’s Group Hug presents The Factory Partywith Low on High, The Dirty Novels, Manby’s Head, The Scrams and DJ Cassyleplus, Basement Films and 111 Media CollectiveSaturday, Aug. 27, 8 p.m.Launchpad618 Central SWTickets: $5, 21-and-overlaunchpadrocks.com
