The former local sensation and now global performing star, Justin Vivian Bond returns again to San Francisco for a new concert at Feinstein's at the Nikko June 5 to 7. With a selection of songs written by lesbian musicians, and a nod to Radclyffe Hall’s classic sapphic novel, “The Well of Loneliness,” Bond’s fashion-forward sense will combine with their unique singing style.
In a telephone interview from Bond’s home in upstate New York, dubbed The House of Whimsy, the singer, actor and trans icon discussed their breadth of success, succinctly, and the specific inspiration for the new cabaret show, “Oh, Well.”
“I had been thinking that I should perform an evening of songs by lesbian singer-songwriters, because we have so many,” said Bond. “And every time I do one in my show, I say I have to do a show of all lesbian singer songwriters, but I never found the right context.
“And then last fall, [designer] Erdem Moralioğlu did a collection that was inspired by ‘The Well of Loneliness.’ And I thought, ‘Oh, that’s great. That’s perfect. That’s what I'm going to do.’
“So, I did a show called ‘Oh Well,’ and everybody loved it so much that I decided I was going to do two more. I just finished ‘Well,’ and in June, I’m doing another version in New York called ‘Well, Well, Well.’ Since I’m going to be in San Francisco in June, I’m going to combine the three and just do my favorite from the three shows with Matt Ray, my musical director.”
Bond’s new show includes songs by Joan Armatrading, St. Vincent, Indigo Girls, Chappel Roan, Ferron, Hurray For The Riffraff, and the late Bambi Lake.
Asked to tally how many times they’ve graced the Feinstein’s stage, Bond said, “It’s my fourth year in a row, but I performed before COVID, and I’ve been back every June since then. Mine might’ve been the first show there after the lockdown, as a matter of fact.”
Bond added, “I love to kick off Pride Month every year in San Francisco like this, because all my old friends can come to me.”
Not satisfied with multiple accomplishments, ranging from films and TV roles to books (V’s memoir “Tango: My Childhood Backwards and in High Heels” is a 2012 Lambda Literary award winner), and of course the hilariously dark performances as Kiki & Herb (with Kenny Mellman) that earned a Tony nomination (and Obie and Bessie wins), Bond, 61, who was last year bestowed a MacArthur Genius Grant, is also delving into the world of opera.
“My friend Anthony Roth Costanzo, whom I recorded an album with, also did a show with me (the acclaimed “Only an Octave Apart”). He’s now the creative director of Opera Philadelphia. I had this idea for an opera called ‘Complications in Sue,’ in which the main character is Sue and the singers are all singing what’s going on inside of her brain. So, I’m Sue, and it’s in ten sections. Each decade of Sue’s life has music by a different composer. But the libretto for the entire show is by Michael R. Jackson, who did “A Strange Loop,” and my costumes are going to be created by Jonathan Anderson.”
This is just one of many creative collaborations in Bond’s busy schedule; make that Dr. Bond. Only days after our interview, Bond was bestowed an honorary Doctorate in Fine Arts at Bard College’s commemncement ceremonies. Bond has taught, performed and curated programs at the upstate New York school for five years.
“My new cards are going to say ‘Dr. Justin Vivian Bond, Genius.’ And I ordered a stethoscope that’ll be decorated with crystals so that I can cosplay doctor with the right people!”
Jokes aside, Bond certainly has captured multiple opportunities for creativity.
“I’ve definitely kept myself doing fun and interesting things over the years,” said Bond. “I don’t know how it’s happened, but I’m very fortunate.”
Performance as activism
Of course, longtime local folks know Bond from early performances during their time in the Bay Area from 1988 to 1994.
“I became myself in San Francisco and I started performing in queer theater with Kate Bornstein’s play, ‘Hidden: A Gender,’ which was at Theater Rhinoceros,” they said. “And it was when I did that show that I realized I was just going to dedicate the rest of my life to queer performance and queer art. That was during the Queer Nation days, and I took it a heart.”
In an era when nightlife blended with activism, Bond became a local mainstay as the character Kiki DuRane began to emerge. Now, with an apartment in New York City, Bond also owns a house in upstate New York.
“When I curated performances at the Spiegeltent at Bard College, after five summers, I didn’t want to go back [to the city]. My cat didn’t want to go back, so I bought a house.”
Even domesticity can be a revolutionary act. As Bond says, “Glamour is resistance.”
“I just considered everything I do to be activism, really,” Bond said. “I know it might sound pretentious, but when my neighbors asked if I was going to put up a Pride flag, I replied, ‘My house is pink, blue, and white. I don’t need to put up a flag. My house is a trans flag. I’m the parade.”
Although Bond has recorded several albums, EPs and group collections, it’s live performances that are more of a favorite outlet, like their decades-long residency at the Public Theatre’s Joe’s Pub. London fans can enjoy the return of Kiki and Herb July 3-5 at the SoHo Theatre Walthamstow, and V’s “Sex With Strangers” at the same venue July 11 and 12.
“I love singing, so I’m singing when I’m in the recording studio,” said Bond. “But I don’t get any pleasure out of the recording. Once it’s done, I’m not in the room with the audience who’s listening to it. Whereas when I perform, I’m in the room; we’re all communicating with the audience.
“I always say that the audience is my director because it’s an exchange of energy, and that creates something that’s much better than me alone or them at home listening to my recording. There’s something magical about live performance. I mean, I’m glad other people make records.
“I talked to Tracy Thorn from Everything But the Girl, and I asked if she was going on tour with her new record. She said, ‘No, I don’t like singing in public.’ I never even thought of that. And she loves recording. She loves being in the studio. That’s her art. And mine is performing live.”
So, take advantage of the intimacy of Feinstein’s to once again enjoy our homegrown, now international star, Dr. Bond: Genius.
“I feel just as comfortable on the stage of Carnegie Hall as I do at Feinstein’s, because it’s still the same thing,” Bond concluded. “There are just more people. But I do enjoy the intimacy of Joe’s Pub and Feinstein’s because I can actually walk into the crowd and touch people, which I enjoy.”
Justin Vivian Bond performs ‘Oh Well’ at Feinstein’s at the Nikko, 222 Mason St. June 5-7, $69-$91.
https://www.feinsteinssf.com
https://www.justinvivianbond.com
Never miss a story! Keep up to date on the latest news, arts, politics, entertainment, and nightlife.
Sign up for the Bay Area Reporter's free weekday email newsletter. You'll receive our newsletters and special offers from our community partners.
Support California's largest LGBTQ newsroom. Your one-time, monthly, or annual contribution advocates for LGBTQ communities. Amplify a trusted voice providing news, information, and cultural coverage to all members of our community, regardless of their ability to pay. Donate today!