Book Launch & Panel Talk: Aqua’s Aquarium

“I'm a Barbie Girl, in a Barbie world,” the ubiquitous refrain that dominated the airwaves in summer 1997. Art historian and cultural critic C.C. McKee has recently published a book on Aqua’s infamous debut album, Aquarium, that employs camp and queer theory to unwrap a bubblegum dance classic to offer the first in-depth examination of what lies beneath the band’s sticky-sweet veneer. In addition, McKee curated Aqualaxy, a cover album with interpretations of the album's singles by contemporary musicians analyzed in the book. Join us in celebrating the release of both the book and record at Ulises!

McKee will offer some context for the project, give a reading from the book, and moderate a panel with Evelyn, Scotia, and The Moon Baby, three of the musicians who participated in Aqualaxy.

Reception to follow from 7pm until 8pm.

Host or Publisher Ray Philly