Michael Lynch

Michael Lynch In Concert:

His Life His Times

By: Terry Christopher

On Saturday October, 30 at 7:30pm, I went to catch Mr. Michael Lynch on his final night at New York City's Dixon Place in his show called Living On The Real. Michael had such a great draw his first nights a few months ago, that he was invited to come back for another 2 weekends. In NYC, to be asked back to a venue is a huge compliment and a tip of the hat, however, to be asked back for two additional full weekends while being paid by the venue that is asking you back, is something rather extraordinary in the indie music scene of New York City.

The performance art space was a typical black box theatre setting with newly installed state of the art lighting system with ample seating and generous stage space. Michael and his long time and good friend, Steve Kaufman, took to the stage and quite honestly from the time they hit the space, you couldn't imagine it without them. I will tell you this, when Michael Lynch picks up the mic, you KNOW you are going to get a show.

Michael's show was a musical narrative of his journey thus far from coming up in the Bronx while being a colorful and always OUT kid, to his current place on his walk of feeling, showing and sharing that "I am me in being free." The reoccurring themes of self identity, self awareness, exploration, love and irony were the constant seasonings at this musical banquet which celebrated life, living and learning.

With the always steady Mr. Kaufman as the keeper of the rhythm through his musical contributions, Mr. Lynch combined synth beats, with story telling and at certain points dance that included African movement phrases. Michael unashamedly and unabashedly told of his colorful and flamboyant childhood with a comedic timing to rival that of today's best stand ups. His stories unfolded one after the other with a built in lesson that was as much for him when he first learned it, as it was for us hearing about it for the first time. Sadly, many of the themes of homophobia, self doubt, family angst, and gay bashing from society are still major themes today. Unfortunately, some of Michael's stories are from the 70's and one would hope that we would have evolved further than seeing and hearing many of the same headlines as of late regarding the LGBT Youth, than what Mr. Lynch experienced 30 years ago. It is artist like Mr. Michael Lynch who truly are the role models and leaders in the LGBT community for not only standing up and being counted, but also singing about it and taking the spotlight that for so long has been denied to so many creatives unless they stayed in the far recesses of their closet. Michael Lynch blew them damn doors off decades ago and ain't going back any time soon.

Bravo, Michael Lynch, Bravo!