I’ve raved about wunderkid/ performance artist/ singer/ cutie, Joseph Keckler, here before. He lives in New York but look out Hollywood, he’s in your town this Sunday in his first evening-length performance in Los Angeles, an Easter concert that incorporates themes of death and resurrection… in a fun way.
It’s not hyperbole to say people are in awe of Keckler for his wide-ranging voice and razor sharp wit. The New York Times reviewed his piece, I Am an Opera in 2013 and the same year Joseph was named the “best downtown performance artist” in NYC by the Village Voice. He just received a Creative Capital grant for his new performance piece, Let Me Die, a collage of opera deaths.
I’ve never met Joseph, but we have many friends in common, who adore him. I think like probably almost everybody who sees him perform in person or on YouTube, I have a minor crush. (Cute, smart, funny and insanely talented always gets me.) On the subject, he told Out last year,
“I was in a relationship for a few years and ending it broke my heart. I have been seeing people some — and enjoying it. I like being alone, though, because it really allows me to listen to my inner voice. Mostly the voice tells me: Start smearing eyeblack across your cheeks in everyday life. I’ve never been an athlete, but I like that look. Future mates better like it too, because that’s what they’re getting.“
For the record, I like being alone and eyeblack too.
He has a new video coming, but this writing it’s not ready, so you can watch, listen and trip on this classic, Shroom Trip Opera (Italiano) and/or The Ride. Don’t fall in love, OK.
UnCabaret Presents Joseph Keckler with Special Guests Julie Goldman and Del Shores. Sunday, March 27 at 8PM. Au Lac DTLA, 710 W 1st St, Los Angeles. You can get tickets here.