Kayvon Zand

Last updated

Kayvon Zand
Born Wilmington, North Carolina, U.S.
Genres Electronic
Occupation(s)Singer, performer, actor
Years active2011–present
Website kayvonzand.com

Kayvon Zand is an American nightlife personality and founder of Zandwagon, a model management and specialty casting company.

Contents

Background

Kayvon Zand was brought up in a single parent household by their mother. [1]

Nightlife

Zand is the "ringleader" of the Zand Collective, a performance group of a dozen members. [2] In July 2010 they gained attention when their act was banned from the Highline Ballroom, as the venue deemed their act to be too shocking. [3]

They were nominated for a Paper Magazine award in 2012, [4] and they are known for throwing extravagant parties. Their dark, dance party, Dorian Gray, ran for the year of 2013, [5] causing a controversy in the LES when the original venue for the party, the DL, came under fire from the local community board. [6] The DL claimed they fired Zand because they were unaware they were throwing a dance party. [7] Zand moved Dorian Gray to the Bowery Electric for its duration, and the party continued to receive favorable press. [8] [9]

In 2014 Zand began a new event called Sex Fifth Avenue. The first edition took place at the Museum of Sex, where it was successful in cementing Zand's reputation for revitalizing NYC nightlife. [10] [11] [12] Zand proceeded to launch Kayvon Zand's Metropolis at Webster Hall across 2016–2017. [13]

Zand has partnered with the Eventi Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants for a Halloween event in 2016. [14] [15] After taking 2020 off due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Zand's popular 849 party returned in 2021 with an Edward Gorey themed event titled Gorey 849. [16]

Music

Zand creates '80s inspired electronic dance music. They write their own music, but work with producers including Chew Fu and Gomination to create the final tracks. They are a self-taught pianist, [2] [1] and also play the violin and viola.

Zand performed at the Life Ball in Vienna in 2011. [17] [18] They have also released two EPs; the One Way Flight remix package (2012) and Just Give It Away (2014). Zand was featured in Paper Magazine's music issue in 2012. [19] Zand has created one music video for each of their EPs. One Way Flight and Just Give It Away were both directed by Mike Ruiz and have both received favorable press, being launched by Interview Magazine [20] and Wild Magazine [21] respectively. Zand headlined the Jersey City Pride festival in 2021. [22]

Acting

Zand has been both a film and a stage actor. They played a terrorist in RuPaul's film Starrbooty, Elvis Presley on an episode of the popular Japanese show The World's Astonishing News and starred in Alfred Preisser and Randy Weiner's "Caligula Maximus-Featuring Kayvon Zand", produced by Stephen Pevner. [23] [24]

Zandwagon

In June 2017, Zand launched "Zandwagon", a model management and specialty casting company. [25]

Personal life

Zand is married to their longtime partner, Anna Zand. They have three children. [25] [26]

Related Research Articles

<i>The Picture of Dorian Gray</i> 1890 novel by Oscar Wilde

The Picture of Dorian Gray is a philosophical fiction and gothic horror novel by Irish writer Oscar Wilde. A shorter novella-length version was published in the July 1890 issue of the American periodical Lippincott's Monthly Magazine. The novel-length version was published in April 1891.

<i>NME</i> British music, film, gaming, and culture website

New Musical Express (NME) is a British music, film, gaming, and culture website and brand. Founded as a newspaper in 1952, with the publication being referred to as a "rock inkie", the NME would become a magazine that ended up as a free publication, before becoming an online brand which includes its website and radio stations.

<i>Caligula</i> (film) 1979 film by Tinto Brass

Caligula is a 1979 erotic historical drama film about the rise and fall of controversial Roman Emperor Caligula. The film stars Malcolm McDowell in the title role, alongside Teresa Ann Savoy, Helen Mirren, Peter O'Toole, John Steiner, and John Gielgud.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Alig</span> American club promoter socialite

Michael Alig was an American club promoter and artist who was convicted of felony manslaughter. He was one of the ringleaders of the Club Kids, a group of young New York City clubgoers who became a cultural phenomenon in the late 1980s and early 1990s. In March 1996, Alig and his roommate, Robert D. "Freeze" Riggs, killed fellow Club Kid Andre "Angel" Melendez in a confrontation over a drug debt. In October 1997, Alig pled guilty to first-degree manslaughter. Both men were sentenced to 10 to 20 years in prison. Riggs was released on parole in 2010. Alig was released on May 5, 2014.

The Club Kids were a group of young New York City dance club personalities. The group was notable for its members' flamboyant behavior and outrageous costumes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mischief Night</span> Informal holiday practiced mainly in areas of the British Isles and English-speaking North America

Mischief Night is an informal holiday on which children, teenagers and adults engage in jokes, pranks, vandalism, or parties. It is known by a variety of names including Devil's Night, Gate Night, Goosey Night, Moving Night, Cabbage Night, Mystery Night and Mat Night.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mudd Club</span> Former nightclub in New York City

The Mudd Club was a nightclub located at 77 White Street in the TriBeCa neighborhood of Lower Manhattan in New York City. It operated from 1978 to 1983 as a venue for post punk underground music and no wave counterculture events. It was opened by Steve Mass, Diego Cortez and Anya Phillips.

Heatherette was an American fashion company that closed in 2008. It was founded in 1999 by Club Kid Richie Rich and Traver Rains. The pair first began designing T-shirts and leather goods. When Rich wore one of their leather tops to a party, he caught the attention of a buyer at the downtown store Patricia Field.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amanda Lepore</span> Transgender American model, singer and performance artist

Amanda Lepore is an American model, singer, and performance artist. A former Club Kid, she has appeared in advertising for numerous companies. Lepore is noted as a regular subject in photographer David LaChapelle's work, serving as his muse, as well as many other photographers, such as Terry Richardson and Ruben van Schalm. She participated in LaChapelle's Artists and Prostitutes 1985–2005 exhibit in New York City, where she "lived" in a voyeuristic, life-sized set.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Graham Masterton</span> British horror author (born 1946)

Graham Masterton is a British author known primarily for horror fiction. Originally editor of Mayfair and the British edition of Penthouse, his debut novel, The Manitou, was published in 1976. This novel was adapted in 1978 for the film The Manitou. His 1978 novel Charnel House and 1983 novel Tengu garnered positive critical reception, the former receiving a Special Edgar Award by the Mystery Writers of America and the latter being awarded with a silver medal by the West Coast Review of Books. Masterton was also the editor of Scare Care, a horror anthology published for the benefit of abused children in Europe and the United States.

Jeffrey Cyphers Wright is an American lyric poet, writer and publisher. Wright graduated from West Virginia University before coming to New York. Beginning in 1976, Wright studied with Ted Berrigan and Alice Notley at St. Mark's Church in-the-Bowery. He also studied with Allen Ginsberg at Brooklyn College and received an MFA in poetry from there.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryan Knowles</span> American actor

Ryan Knowles is an American actor, singer, comedian, writer, television host, speech coach and motivational speaker.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nightclub</span> Entertainment venue at nighttime

A nightclub is a club that is open at night, usually for drinking, dancing and other entertainment. Nightclubs often have a bar and discothèque with a dance floor, laser lighting displays, and a stage for live music or a disc jockey (DJ) who mixes recorded music. Nightclubs tend to be smaller than live music venues like theatres and stadiums, with few or no seats for customers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ladyfag</span> Canadian-American writer and performer

Rayne Baron, known professionally as Ladyfag, is a New York City-based writer, performer, nightlife personality, and events producer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ruen (DJ)</span>

Ruen is an American DJ and producer based in Miami, Florida, United States. Born in Newport Beach, California, Ruen spent his childhood playing guitar and bass before turning to DJing Ruen moved to Miami pursuing a career as a DJ in 2003. Ruen can be seen playing weekly with the world's top artists such as Alesso, Dirty South, Diplo, Flo Rida and A-Trak. Ruen was featured in Miami Magazine as the city's top DJ and listed as one of Refinery29's 5 hottest DJs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryan Pardey</span> American singer-songwriter

Ryan Pardey is a musician, singer, songwriter, promoter, tour manager, actor, left-handed guitar player, and DJ from Las Vegas. He is best known as the singer and songwriter for Halloween Town, which has featured members of The Killers, Louis XIV, and The Shys. Pardey is also well known for portraying Santa Claus on A Great Big Sled (2006) and Don't Shoot Me Santa (2007), two Christmas music videos released by The Killers. Pardey appeared as Santa again for The Killers in the two sequel Christmas singles, I Feel It in My Bones (2012) and Dirt Sledding (2015). He also appears in the videos and as illustrations in the artwork for both singles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">FaltyDL</span> American electronic musician and producer

Drew Lustman, also known as FaltyDL, is an American, New York-based record producer and electronic musician originally from New Haven, Connecticut.

Stephen Pevner is an American film and theater producer and literary agent.

The Skivvies are Nick Cearley and Lauren Molina, American singer/musician/actors, who perform "stripped down" arrangements of popular songs, and original tunes while stripping down to their underwear. They have had residencies at several venues including 54 Below, 42 West, Highline Ballroom and Joe's Pub. They have reviews from established publishers in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, People, Playbill, Theatermania, OUT Magazine, The New York Post and Sports Illustrated.

The House of Aviance is one of the "legendary/iconic" and major vogue-ball houses in the United States, with its base in New York City. It was founded in Washington, D.C., in 1989 by voguer/dancer, record label owner (CEO/A&R), nightclub host, music artist and secretary Mother Juan Aviance—one of the nightlife personalities of New York City. Since its founding, the House has played an integral part in U.S. and world ball culture, especially U.S. nightlife.

References

  1. 1 2 Berusch, Martin. "Spotlight on Kayvon Zand: An Intimate Exploration Into a Wondrous Mind", The Blog (The Huffington Post), June 28, 2013.
  2. 1 2 Raygoza, Isabela. "Kayvon Zand: From Iranian Heir To New York Nightlife Icon" MTV Iggy, July 16, 2013.
  3. ↑ Coscarelli, Joe. "Miss the Old New York? Head to Highline Ballroom Where Fire-Eaters Have Sex Onstage", Village Voice blogs, July 10, 2010.
  4. ↑ Webb, Rebecca. "And The Nominees For The 8th Annual Paper Nightlife Awards are...", PAPERMAG.com, October 2012.
  5. ↑ Hagopian, Mark. "We're Not Sure What Happened At Dorian Gray, But We Loved It" Village Voice, August 29, 2013.
  6. ↑ "Op-ed: An Open Letter to the DL from LES Dwellers". Bowery Boogie. September 26, 2013. Archived from the original on May 17, 2022.
  7. ↑ Peck, Jamie. "Is The DL Nightclub Restaurant Lounge Operating Illegally? Its Neighbors Say "Yes!"" Village Voice blogs, October 9, 2013.
  8. ↑ Lewis, Steve. "Two Nights With Kayvon And Anna: The Best Halloween Party" Black Book Magazine, October 30, 2013.
  9. ↑ Lewis, Steve. "Where To Go Out This Week In New York + Brooklyn" Black Book Magazine, May 21, 2014.
  10. ↑ Lewis, Steve. "This Weekend In Sex, Stones + Savoia" Black Book Magazine, May 2, 2014.
  11. ↑ Lewis, Steve. "Another Michael Alig Day + James St James And I Make Up" Black Book Magazine, May 8, 2014.
  12. ↑ Ferrell, Alannah. "Sex Fifth Avenue" Wild Magazine.
  13. ↑ "Kayvon Zand Archives". NickyDigital.com {SMILE}. July 28, 2017. Retrieved August 19, 2019.
  14. ↑ "Celebrity Photos from Kayvon Zand's Epic Halloween Bash: Hospital 849". www.out.com. November 2, 2018. Retrieved August 19, 2019.
  15. ↑ "Watch Luann de Lesseps & Sonja Morgan Turn Up the Fright as Sexy Nurses Ahead of Halloween Bash". People. Retrieved August 19, 2019.
  16. ↑ Feitelberg, Rosemary. October 20, 2021
  17. ↑ Schreiber, Abby; Kessler, Max. "PARTY PROS SHARE THEIR CRAZIEST SPRING BREAK STORIES" Paper Magazine, March 22, 2013.
  18. ↑ Zand, Kayvon. "Kayvon Zand and the Zand Collective Live Performance In Life Ball" December 14, 2011.
  19. ↑ "JUST A FEW 'WILD AND CRAZY GUYS' (PLUS ONE GIRL)" Paper Magazine, June 30, 2012.
  20. ↑ Visco, Gerry. "Exclusive Video Premiere: One Way Flight, Kayvon Zand" Interview Magazine.
  21. ↑ Visco, Gerry. "Just Give It Away" Wild Magazine, May 25, 2014. Archived July 9, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
  22. ↑ August 24, 2021
  23. ↑ Galloway, Jordan. "Until The Last Star Falls From The Night" NY Press, April 13, 2011.
  24. ↑ "Kayvon Zand Leads CALIGULA MAXIMUS At House Of Yes 3/31-4/17" Broadway World, March 30 2011.
  25. 1 2 "Zandwagon: The Queer Model Management Company Breaking All The Rules" Osenlund, R. Kurt June 21, 2017
  26. ↑ "The Zand Family Reveal How Their Daughter Inspires Them To Be More Accomplished" Nazim, Hafeezah July 8, 2017
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.