CYBURLESQUE @
Anthology Film Archives, NYC
September 8 & 9, 2003
*V*I*R*G*O*'s 'CYBURLESQUE' is an ongoing multimedia exploration, a collaboration of daring, and exciting artists who together push the boundaries of the live concert performance to create a genuine theatrical experience that is truly memorable. On September 8 & 9, 2004, at New York's prestigious Anthology Film Archives, the journey began with the eclectic musical acts Whirr & Click (9/8) and Zenen (9/9), followed by a viewing of the sexxxy cyber-fetish photo installation by Jo Lance.
Then, as the theatre went dark, a stunning array of video projections by Jessica Shaw slowly emerged onscreen, forming a surreal landscape for the performance to come. "Name your pleasure... Test your limits... Live out your darkest fantasy..." As these words reverberated through the darkness, *V*I*R*G*O* appeared center stage in gorgeous, innovative costumes by avant-garde fashion designer Yaron Zino. To his right stood rock guitar virtuoso Robert Urban, and to his left stood sultry diva Stacey Williams, a passionate and incredibly versatile vocalist.
The sounds of *V*I*R*G*O*'s dark, ominous cover of the Billie Holiday classic 'Strange Fruit' swept through the theatre like a haunted fog, followed by his raw, stirring rendition of 'Black Coffee'. Then, like a pair of lovers, Stacey and *V*I*R*G*O* entwined in the sensual musical embrace of 'Organiq', followed by the smooth, sexxxy R&B groove of 'Rent Boy'.
The audience didn't even see it coming when *V*I*R*G*O* hit them with his 'Hard Candy' (co-written with Detroit funkmeister Aaron-Carl), which brought down the house with its tight, hip-hop beats and sassy, suggestive lyrics. This set the perfect mood for *V*I*R*G*O*'s provocative 'Black Leather', which introduced two new characters, as Mistress Amanda lasciviously used and abused her eager slave boy, Juan. Then, *V*I*R*G*O* closed the evening in an impressive one-two punch of rock-n-roll drama with his powerhouse hits 'Parasite' and 'U SUCK'.
Throughout 'CYBURLESQUE', *V*I*R*G*O*'s captivating stage presence beamed like a laser light; he and his diverse cast of performers created a vibrant, multifaceted stage show that transcended the genre of live concert and ventured into the fantastic realm of theatrical experience.
