Justin V. Bond Stages Free Association Show 'The Drift' at Joes' Pub

On September 11, Justin Vivian Bond embarks on a new, free associative collage of spoken word and song that is inspired by Tennessee Williams' story "The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone," about a retired actress who drifts from one space to another, either in her mind, in couture or in bed.

"Karen Stone is the character in the story, but when you see the show I think it becomes obvious that I use her as a thinly veiled conceit to explore my own vulnerabilities and strengths at this time in my life," said Bond. "She's an actress who has given up acting and finds herself at a crossroad where she is rediscovering herself as a fifty-year-old woman who has to contend with age, desire and an emotional fragility she wouldn't allow herself to entertain in her youth."

Bond worked with Scott Wittman and Matt Ray to put together a bunch of new versions of truly beautiful songs by Billy Strayhorn, Tim Buckley, Jeff Buckley, Joni Mitchell - plus a few other surprise favorites.

Bond promises to hit on a lot of literary references including the words of a Jean Genet, Oscar Wilde and Jacqueline Suzanne, explaining the process as a collage of a bunch of queer poetry made into a work of beauty.

"The songs are carefully chosen as well," said Bond. "I am tackling Billy Strayhorn's 'Lush Life.' He wrote it when he was 17, but it has a world-weary wisdom only a young queer person could truly capture."

The show is in free association style, which Bond said is actually "my regular way of thinking" as someone whose Mercury is in Gemini. The challenge was not with coming up with the thoughts, but in editing them.

"The Drift" combines cabaret singing, poetry and audience patter. Lest you think Bond is a three-hit wonder, V. noted, "I also paint, so I keep that separate. I have a show of my watercolors currently on display at the AMP Gallery in Provincetown through September 21."

But after a summer on the Cape, there's really no place like home. And that's what Joe's Pub is for V. -- a performance home, where the staff is like family.

"I'm so grateful to be able to work someplace so close to where I live. I honestly think of it as my living room," said Bond.

Best of all is the extended family, including outspoken 'sister' Bridget Everett, currently performing her show "Rock Bottom" at Joe's Pub.

"I love Bridget. She started coming to Kiki and Herb shows years before she started performing," said Bond. "I think of her as a sister and am so thrilled by all of her success. I feel that way about so many performers who I've been hanging out with backstage for years: Sandra Bernhard, Taylor Mac, Erin Markey, Joey Arias and of course Kenny Mellman who has worked with everybody. I owe a huge debt to Earl Dax who has managed to put us all together at one point or another. I mean, we're all kooks who support each other, bitch about each other, cry together. It's gorgeous really."

So come out and enjoy this family affair! Although it's a remount of the show Bond performed in the spring, the run time is only six shows. Watch as Bond and friends make beautiful music together.

"Justin Vivian Bond: The Drift" runs from Sept. 11-Oct. 3 at Joe's Pub, 425 Lafayette St. For information or tickets, call 212-539-8500 or visit joespub.publictheater.org