On Saturday night at The Journal Gallery, it was too hot to be a woman. Otherwise, the publication's Irina quipped, Michael David Quattlebaum Jr. would have worn a dress from his recent reading at Opening Ceremony.

In a room full of friends and Patrick Griffin paintings, Quattlebaum (who also goes by Mykki Blanco) read excerpts from his poetic debut, From the Silence of Duchamp to the Noise of Boys. Each poem displays his unique perspective as a questioning adolescent in the Pacific Northwest who runs away to New York, before finally culminating in spiritual awakening. Afterwards, the artist performed with the band Pablo Picasso. The band's blaring drums flowed into the streets, where neighbors also gathered to watch. Lead singer Darius Greyson joined the band, rounding up the night with a bang and a howl. Check out the pictures below!


FILED UNDER: benjamin barron , art , exhibition , the journal gallery , new york , mykki blanco , michael david quattlebaum jr. , pablo picasso , nikolai rose