Q-Seattle Events: Tacky Tourist Clubs

Local blogger "Ted" has a great video from Saturday's Blue Ball "Drag Bus" fundraiser. And it really does look like a fun time was had by all, proving that both boats and buses can successfully raise funds on the same day.

After seeing their splashy float in the downtown pride parade, we looked for a link to post something last month about the event, but didn't find it in time. We're delighted to now (even though we're way late) to find the link to event sponsor rosmariesbaby.com and to learn the history of the Drag Bus party and other parties sponsored by Philip:

John Gardner, of Aria Floral, started "Birthdays Are A Drag" years ago in New Orleans.

In order to ride the Birthday Bus, party goers were required to wear drag. The bus would take the participants on a bar tour of the city, terrorizing unsuspecting folks along the way.

In 1998, John moved to Seattle. Along with him came the party. There were 18 participants that first year. Each year thereafter, the party grew immensely - constantly changing the surprise locations, until the last party in 2005 tallied over 100 people. "Birthdays Are A Drag" was named the "Most Coveted Party Invitation" by OUT magazine in 2001. A documentary crew followed the 2002 event.

John passed on the torch to Philip Heier in 2006. The "Drag Bus" was then re-created into a charity event where drag is not required (though encouraged), the color theme mandatory, and the locations of the tour are no longer a secret.

Labels: drag show, fundraisers, gay party, Gay Seattle

One of the more unique drag shows you're ever likely to see happens tomorrow morning at Pier 55 on the downtown waterfront [get directions]. And that, right there, should tell you what's unique about it. It's in the morning, and when you consider how much time it takes these boys to put the "face" on, you'll recognize why an 11 am start time for a show is a rare thing. And there's more... It's free and its outside in the center of our town's tourist neighborhood.

This thing has happened every year for the past decade. It's the pre-boarding show for the Queen City Cruise, but you don't need tickets to the Cruise to enjoy the show. Just head down there and take in the show, and the reaction of the tourists -- a show in itself.
The Cruise this year is packed with entertainment, even beyond the highlights that the party's passengers will create. The event's mix-master bucket has been slaving over his computer mixing board for weeks to prepare the sounds to get keep you moving and shaking -- and occasionally laughing -- on the upper-deck dance floor. Carlo Cochran returns to play the mixes for the dance floor and for the entertainers.

Marina Dennis returns -- direct from Miami Beach -- to mark her tenth year as co-host of The Cruise and of the pre-boarding show.

"I can't believe it's been this long already since you first trusted me with this huge responsibility and opportunity," Marina said. "I have been so grateful to be a part of Tacky Tourist tradition, so if I haven't said it lately -- 'THANK YOU!' And I really want to thank all the passengers who have helped make this a wonderful 10 years."

Tony Buff did an outstanding job last year in his virgin outing as Marina's co-host and will be back again this year to see if he can manage more costume changes than the drag queens.

The entertainment starts at 11 am at Pier 55. Enjoy performances in the dock's amphitheater by Marina Dennis, Aleksa Manila, Chablis, Portland stars Marcy Kraft and Poison Waters, and -- of course -- by the incomparable LVHS
Cheerleaders. (See The Poodleer.)
Marcy Kraft [MySpace] and the Cheerleaders were all-stars of Lavender Valley High with several memorable performances during The Prom...You Never Went To! Marcy -- aka Jayson Malone -- went on from the Prom to perform for 11 years in the Las Vegas revue, An Evening at La Cage at the Riviera. At the Prom and in other Seattle appearances Jayson he worked with his uncanny resemblance to the incomparable Bette Midler to hone an act that is the next best thing -- and sometimes even better -- than seeing the Divine Miss M herself. During a nine-week run on London's West End, Jayson also wowed audiences with his impersonations of Judy Garland, Barbara Streisand, and Dolly Parton.

Poison Waters also returns to The Cruise show from her home in Portland. Poison is not just a personality, Poison Waters is an experience. Hundreds of thousands have enjoyed the one of a kind entertainment and dynamic presence that only Poison Waters can provide.

Chablis brings her irreverent spirit into the daylight with another Cruise appearance. Chablis also entertains fans each week during her popular Sunday night show at R-Place, Lashes.
Aleksa Manila has held many titles since first appearing as "Alexis" in 1998 at a Halloween party among friends. Elected to posts including "Miss Gay Philipino", "40th Miss Gay Seattle", and -- last year -- Imperial Court Empress "Olympia XXXIII", Aleksa Manila is known in Seattle and beyond as a stellar drag artist, consummate host, and community activist. When not in face, 'he' educates the community about the harms of crystal methamphetamine with Project
NEON, a program of Seattle Counseling Service; tests for and counsels about HIV & STD with Public Health - Seattle and King County; and serves as Honorable Commissioner with the Seattle Commission for Sexual Minorities with the City of Seattle - Office of Civil Rights. Aleksa Manila will host ICON 4 this September.

And hey, if you want to try to get on the boat to watch a continuation of the party, you can get to the standby ticket page through that back-door link. A few more of the tickets have become available.

Labels: drag show, gay party, Gay Seattle

What has become one of the major drag shows of the year returns September 8 when Seattle Counseling Service presents its major annual fundraiser, ICON 4, A Celebration of Drag, Art & Life. The event will be held this year at Town Hall on First Hill [get directions], beginning at 6:30pm.

It's worth mentioning this now because the $50 tickets to ICON generally sell out long before the night of the show. Make your reservations by calling SCS at (206) 323-1768 or emailing info[at]seattlecounseling.org.

The lovely Aleksa Manila [MySpace page] once again hosts the evening with an all-star lineup. Arnaldo! Drag Chanteuse makes a "special appearance" along with "Las Vegas sensation" Miss Toni James. Sara & The Rhythm Knights will offer what is billed as a "surprise performance".

But there's far more, including performances by local stars Sylvia O?Stayformore [MySpace], The Queen Bees [MySpace], Nina Maxwell, Rosita, Miss Gay Latina Chica Boom [MySpace], Miss Gay Seattle Regina King. Kristina Kash and Empress Jaylene travel from Vancouver to join in the evening's festivities.

And that really is an all-star-drag lineup.

It's notable, too, that the name of the even, Icon, now gains greater significance in the event's fourth year because SCS will lit its iconic signs yesterday.

[Gawd, how we hate the need to post those MySpace links, but that barely-working non-web News Corp/Fox site has the numbers. There may be more, but we can take only so many "Server busy" messages.]

Labels: drag show, fundraisers, Gay events, gay organization, Gay Seattle

Whether or not you ever won one of these things at your real high school, you'll have a chance Sunday to show off your high-schoolish talents (or, even, more mature versions thereof) this Sunday when Chablis hosts a talent show during Lashes, her regular Sunday night at R-Place [see bar map].

The show is a late addition to the LVHS Classless Reunion events sponsored by Tacky Tourist Clubs of America leading up to the August 11 climax party of the reunion aboard Queen City Cruise: Pier Pressure.

Chablis and the Tourists welcome all comers for the show -- singers, dancers, acrobats, magicians, body-builders, twirlers, cheerleaders. If you think it's a talent, go ahead and show it off. Chablis is likely to be at least as receptive as Sharon Osbourne on NBC's America's Got Talent and you don't have to worry about a Hoff.

(Unfortunately for real high school talents, of course, this is a 21+ event in the tradition of The Prom...You Never Went To! -- the party that inspires this Reunion.)

Tacky Tourist Clubs will award one ticket to the Cruise to the winner of the competition. If you'd rather get your tickets by more traditional means, you can still buy the $50 boarding passes on the TTCA website.

The event's founder and producer, Randy Henson, tells us that it's a mostly-pleasant surprise that it's still possible to buy tickets. For the first several weeks of sales, tickets to the limited-capacity party were selling at more than a dozen per day. It looked then like it might sell a month before the cruise date. A slower rate of sale during the past week has saved a few dozen for those who weren't able to commit earlier to the August 11 party date.

Labels: drag show, gay bar, Gay Seattle

Matthew Browning has posted his usual collection of great shots from the May Gay Bingo night which had the entertaining Mother's Day theme, "Come As Your Mother."

It looks like Glamazonia's mother is ready to shove a Pop-Tart into the toaster and send the kids on their way.

It's sold out, but there is still one more game: Rocky Horror Gay Bingo on June 9. Lifelong offered a few last minute tickets at their thrift store this month, so there's still a slight hope that you could get in there to do the Time Warp again. Matt's MySpace blog offered a warning for this month's rush tickets. You might watch and hope again this month. (That link goes to Murdoch's closed MySpace world, so it may not work from the unprivileged web.)

Labels: drag show, fundraisers, Gay events, gay party

Time magazine finds some evidence that drag queens have become the defacto callers for bingo games throughout the country.

Following a long-established Time formula, the magazine then explains, "How Drag Queens Took Over Bingo".

Bingo and drag queens. Where, you might understandably ask, did this ever come from? Seattle, as it turns out. In the early 1990s, as director of development for the Chicken Soup Brigade, a support organization for people with AIDS, Judy Werle was charged with dreaming up fundraising events. "I checked out places where people gathered and spent money, because I figured if you had that, you could redirect the money to a good cause," says Werle. That logic led her to bingo halls. "They were totally full of obsessed people," she says. "But it was also extremely boring. So we decided to liven it up in the way that only gay men can."

The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, drag queens dressed as nuns, hosted the Brigade's first gay bingo (the game's original name), and the line wrapped around the block. The charity quickly scheduled more. In the beginning, the crowd was almost entirely gay, but slowly straight people started showing up ? good news for the Brigade, now part of the Lifelong AIDS Alliance, which was eager to expand its donor base.

And you thought it was hard to get tickets this year.

Link: Lifelong AIDS Alliance

Labels: drag show, fundraisers, gay organization

Seattle's extraordinarily entertaining drag chanteuse Lady Chablis will take on one of the demanding roles as she "and Company" offer their take on Dreamgirls this Saturday at R-Place [see map]. The show starts at 8pm in the dance space on the third floor. Cover charge is $10.

The show is a benefit for Seattle Black Pride (SBP) which will, once again, hold its [controversy-free] Black Pride celebration this July.

SBP, by the way, is a registered non-profit organization "dedicated to empowering, educating, and entertaining the Black same-gender loving community in Seattle/Tacoma." They offer social services and organize events that offer "opportunities for us as a community to be proud of our culture and sexuality while celebrating our diversity. SBP is dedicated to hosting events throughout Seattle/Tacoma for the Black Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community and our allies."

Labels: Black Pride, drag show, gay organization, Gay Seattle

Julia's on Broadway [see map] follows up on last year's hit drag revue, Hell on Heels, with its latest burlesque/drag revue, Le Faux, which has been running to packed houses since last fall.

The shows continue through the May 26, at least, and now feature online ticketing. (Unfortunately, you'll have to run through the signup process before the ticket service tells you if a show is sold out.) Tickets are $15 each for the Saturday night shows that kick off at 10:30 pm. The show is open to all ages. You can also make reservations by calling 206-334-0513.

Stars of the show are Mr. Sean Paul from Boylesque and La Cage, Fosse K. from La Cage, Trinity Storm from Simply Flawless, Mystie Rayne of Tacoma "Queens of the night", and Seattle burlesque standout The Shanghai Pearl. The show is choreographed by Kelsey Hamon. The ladies are usually joined by special guests both from the local and national drag scene.

The fabulous Lady Chablis will join them for two shows on March 17 and April 7.

On March 24, the ladies of LeFaux will welcome Jayson Malone aka Marcy Marcy Kraft for a one-night-only guest appearance. Malone has thrilled audiences as Bette Midler in "An Evening at La Cage" Starring Frank Marino @ The Riviera hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

He's more recently found a home at the legendary Darcelle XV and Company in Portland.

Photographer Brian Buck has two galleries of photos from the shows at Julia's. Check out his other galleries including Coronation 2007.

Labels: drag show, gay bar, Gay events, Gay Seattle, Seattle

If you've never been to a Court of Seattle Coronation Ball, you owe it to yourself to jump in just one time at least. This year's ball promises to be one of the better ones to sample because it was created under the guidance of outgoing empress, Aleksa Manila, one of the best drag performers in town. (That quality, unfortunately, is rarely the primary reason they select an empress. Fortunately, Aleksa also is a wiz with fundraising and community service.)

The honorary co-chairs for this year's fete are Tina Podlodowski of Lifelong AIDS Alliance, Ann McGettigan of Seattle Counseling Service for Sexual Minorities, LGBT activist Marsha Botzer, celebrity author Reichen Lehmkuhl, Thomas Lauderdale of Pink Martini, and international recording artist Kristine W.

Last month, Philly Gay News interviewed Reichen who once raced around the world on the Amazing Race. That was before he started racing from the tabloids who became briefly fascinated with the possibilities of juicy gay affairs. (Briefly.)

And no... We don't think it would be a good idea to ask about any of that.

There is, after all, far more going on there. It is, as Aleksa puts it on her MySpace blog (which may or may not be visible without an account in that closed world), "a celebration of the Court of Seattle's year of fundraising, social awareness and community involvement of Their Majesties and their Court, and honoring over 30 years of the organization's work in the LGBT communities of Seattle and beyond."

The Court will honor Jose 'Mama Jose' Sarria Empress 1 of San Francisco, The Widow Norton. Mama Jose founded the International Court System which claims to be the world's largest LGBT organization with over 60 chapters in Canada, United States and Mexico.

Aleksa offers this bit of history so that all in attendance can recognize the significance of the event:

Current San Francisco Supervisor Bevan Dufty said in a recent San Francisco Chronicle article,

"For more than half a century, José Julio Sarria, once dubbed the 'Nightingale of Montgomery Street,' nurtured San Francisco's and America's gay communities through the periods of McCarthyism, the backlash against gay rights and AIDS... Sarria backed Harvey Milk's political campaign for city supervisor, defying the fears of many gay men and lesbian political leaders that Milk's openness would antagonize the city's heterosexual progressive politicians."

Bevan quotes from Michael Robert Gorman's biography of Jose, "The Empress Is a Man" (Haworth Press, 1998):

"In 1963, facing ongoing police pressure, the owner of The Black Cat closed the bar. Within a week, police had closed five other gay bars, and by 1964 only 18 of the city's 30 primarily gay and lesbian drinking establishments remained.

"Sarria and the bar owners formed the Tavern Guild and put on San Francisco's first large, public drag ball. More than 500 lesbians and gay men bravely crossed police lines and faced the camera flashes of police photographers to attend this ball, during which Sarria was crowned queen.

"The Tavern Guild began to hold an annual drag ball, marked by the election of a citywide empress to succeed Empress Jose. It developed the bylaws and functions for the Imperial Court of San Francisco, a local charity that raises money for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender and other charities through drag shows and other functions. By the early 1970s, similar court systems had been established in Vancouver and Portland, and over the next 40 years individual courts have been established in 66 cities, states or provinces in the United States and Canada."

We posted ticket and location information info here.

Lily Armani: Finger Lickin' Good

Coronation night isn't a cheap date and it isn't for the feint-of-heart but there is an alternative on Saturday night for those looking for a great drag show without quite so many drag queens with long titles. (And we won't even try to explain why this would set some tounges a-waggin'.)

Lily Armani presents her show Finger Lickin' Good Saturday night at Rendevous [get directions] along with special guest star Patty O'Furniture. The show starts at 10:30 pm (which means that the brave could do both the Coronation and Lily). Tickets are $10 at the door.

In the latest installment of the Lily Armani the mini-series, she takes on such topics as: solutions for the war in Iraq, the Astro-NUT, Valentine's Day...not just for lovers, and the recent tragedy, and loss of, (the best friend she never had) Anna Nicole Smith.

Labels: drag show, Gay events, Gay Seattle

The Imperial Court of Seattle Coronation Ball -- the mother of all drag shows -- takes to the stage and to the bars the weekend of February 15 to 18, but with previews this weekend.

Coronation 2007 is Saturday, Feb. 17, at the Red Lion Hotel downtown at 1415 5th Ave [get directions]. The night begins with a monarch's reception at 5pm followed by dinner and show at 6pm. Tickets are $75. The night is hosted by former emperor George Rey, who is a very good show announcer when he isn't begging for money or fawning over cooks at Channel 9. Empress Jack E. of Reno is co-host. The night offers "command performances" by The VisQueens, Filipiniana Dance Co, Miss Gay Seattle XXII Miss Smokee, Arnaldo! Drag Chanteuse, and many more.

This whole affair is the big deal of the year for the "Imperial Sovereign Court of Seattle and the Olympic and Rainier Empire", aka ISCSORE and includes far more than just the coronation ball. The annual affair kicks this weekend with voting day starting at 11am on Sunday followed by a show and in-town awards Sunday evening at Neighbours, 6pm ($15).

Folks from other courts far and wide travel to these affairs, so there will not only be a large number of fabulously dressed "dignitaries" at the ball, but there will also be shows during the week leading up to the big night.

The courts of Denver and Salt Lake City will present a show for Seattleites on Thursday, February 15 at Sugar (see map) at 6pm. Pay only $7 at the door. Another out-of-town show will be presented on Friday at Neighbours and also at 6pm. Cover is $15. That show will be followed by a "Las Vegas Dam Water Party" at The Cuff (see map) starting at 11pm.

On Sunday following the coronation, you'll have a chance to congratulate the winners at an 11am Victory Brunch at the host hotel, the Best Western, 200 Taylor Ave [get directions] ($25). At 3pm the newly crowned Empress and Emperor will preside at the "Alaska Bird Water Party" at C.C.Attle's (see map) .

Advance tickets for any of the shows can be purchased online.

This ball includes not only the crowning of new Seattle royalty, but also the crowning of Empress Nicole The Great as Queen Mother of the Americas. She succeeds Empress I Jose, founder of the international court system and, until that night, titular head of International Court of Council of USA, Canada and Mexico, which will be holding its annual meeting in Seattle on Saturday.

Labels: drag show, fundraisers, Gay events, Gay Seattle, Seattle

Yes. That's Jake Gyllenhaal from last night's Saturday Night Live. Yes he's doing Dreamgirls drag. Gotta love it.

He's no WonderRobbie, but he is J-j-jake GyllenHot.

Mine's huge: Oh, yes... and then there's this repartee between CNN's Anderson Cooper and Larry King sit-in Ryan Seacrest.

HatTip: Oh My God blog and The Malcontent.

Labels: celebrities, drag show, Dreamgirls, TV, video, youtube

Seattle's wacky Gay Bingo kicks off its 13th season on Saturday, January 13. If you're superstitious and worried about that doubling of 13's, don't sweat it because there will be plenty of folks in attendance capable of fighting off any dastardly deeds of bad-luck: The theme of the premier-week event is Superhero Gay Bingo.

The monthly party happens at the old Naval Reserve Building on South Lake Union, 860 Terry Ave N [get directions]. Individual tickets are $20 and can be bought in advance at the Lifelong AIDS Alliance Thriftstore at 1017 E Union [get directions] on Seattle's First Hill.. Your $20 ticket allows you to play ten bingo games with a $100 cash prize for each.

Doors open at 6 pm.
Gay Bingo starts at 7 p.m

The Thriftstore is closed today but will resume normal hours tomorrow: Mon-Sat 10:30 am to 6:30 pm and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m

Although it features similar cash prizes, calling, and big marker pens, this isn't your grandma's bingo game. The frivolity is hosted by 7'2" drag queen extraordinaire Glamazonia, with assistance from Miss Intermission and the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. Gay Bingo is a wild night of fun, glitz, glamour, cash prizes, costumes and music -- all while playing bingo. Everyone is encouraged to dress to the nines for the night?s theme. You could win a $50 cash prize for best costume.

Large group tables are sold out for this month's games, but tables for eight or more can be reserved online for future games. You and your table-mates will be given special consideration as Queens For A Day at that game.

[[Note to Lifelong: Despite what you claim in several places on your websites, your offices and thriftstore are on First Hill and not on Capitol Hill. Check the sign on Broadway just to the west and north.]]

Labels: drag show, fundraisers, Gay events, Gay Seattle, Seattle

Whatever we might have said before, we are now convinced that our favorite YouTube drag queen is so good that hair, makeup, and dresses would only detract from the performances.

We first noticed him because of his amazing lip-sync to Jennifer Holiday's Broadway-cast performance of "And I Am Telling You...".

Just in time for the Dreamgirls movie release, WonderRobbie and his busy camera have released a new performance of "And I Am Telling You..." channeling the new (but never the replacement) diva, Jennifer Hudson.

Jennifer #1 is now worried that her diva status may be rescinded because Jennifer #2 is getting all the attention after the boffo box-office for the movie version of Dreamgirls. Although we haven't yet checked with authorities on diva-dom, we believe that there is room in the diva pantheon for two Efies.

Who could we ask? Unfortunately none of the Dreamgirls divas made in onto the top 10 of divadom voted by LogoOnline users. And that means they must all be dismissed as possible authorities. (And besides, they voted Whitney to the #1 spot. We're sorry, but that just doesn't jibe with our admittedly flawed divameter.)

Fortunately, though, WonderRobbie himself now answers questions from his thousands of YouTube fans. Our question is on the way: Is there room in Divadom for both Jennifers?

Labels: drag show, Dreamgirls, video, WonderRobbie, youtube

Lily Armani mounts a new show this weekend at Rendezvous in Belltown [get directions]. It's tomorrow night, Friday, October 20 at 10:30 pm. Tickets at the door are $10, but there's limited seating in that bar, so head there early.

The show is called "My Life on the F List," so we're sure to find out more about the second of those three "F" words, "Fired". She doesn't tell us much more about the show on her website, but how can anything derived from Kathy Griffin be anything but Fabulous?

Girl4Girl Productions presents it's second annual Rock Against Cancer Benefit, Saturday, October 21 at Fenix in Pioneer Square [get directions]. (The reborn Fenix is in the building previously occupied by Premier at 1700 1st Ave S.)

Although the original press release for the benefit stated that men must be accompanied by women for entrance, an announcement from Overload Productions states, "Yes, the guys are invited too, to ROCK Against Cancer for a second time! It?s a $20 cover for both MEN & WOMEN for this all-inclusive event LGBT community fundraising event for Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, Puget Sound Affiliate."

Doors open at 7 pm for the busy evening.

The seven-hour party features Dream On, an all-female Aerosmith-tribute rock band; Hip Hop duo God-Des & She as seen on the hit series "The L Word"; dancing to DJ SPINDERELLA of Salt N Pepa on the best sound system in the city surrounded by multiple flat screens. Comedian Dana Goldberg (rated one of the 15 best in the country) is master of ceremonies.

Head over to Broadway Grill [see map] to buy a raffle-chance to win a pink 2006 Harley Davidson Motorcycle. ($5 donation for each raffle ticket.)

Technorati tags: Seattle Gay Seattle Gay Gay events Drag show Benefit

Labels: drag show, Gay events

How, we ask you, how could we avoid linking to a YouTube video that features even a brief cameo by a drag mermaid (find her at about 3:05) along with a huge cast of other fabulous creatures, including bois in sequin speedos?



Technorati tags:Gay Gay video Drag show YouTube Drag Video

Labels: drag show, Gay events, video

Seattle Black Pride has released more details about the lineup of sparkling entertainment they have planned for everyone this weekend. Tickets will be available at the door for all of the shows, dances, movies, and conferences on this busy weekend. Tickets can also be purchased online.

SBP has planned this as a special weekend of celebration and information for the entire LGBT community and beyond. Everyone is encouraged to take part.

It all kicks off tonight (Friday) with a show and reception at the Langston Hughes Cultural Center [get directions], a gorgeous venue where most of the events will be held. The headliner for tonight's show is ókànomodé (pronounced uh-kahn-uh-mah-day) aka SoulChilde.

He "fuses gospel tinged soulful balladry with romanticism and lush arrangements. ókànomodé is a psychedelicfunk & soul-folk singer of 'grit-gut', with an audacious offering of the spoken blues." He's been a part of the progressive art and underground scene for the last 17 years.

You'll also enjoy drag performances by Aleksa Manila, Gia Manila, Lady Chablis, Sapphire Night, and Pebbles. All that, plus a fashion show.

Tonight's show and reception is hosted by Xavier Onassis Bloomingdales one of DC's most talented drag performers whose legendary show at Club Chaos is, itself, monumental in that city of monuments.

It all starts at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $15.

Saturday night's big dance, It's Going Down, will be held in two rooms at Langston Hughes with House and Hip-Hop in one, R&B in the other, and go-go dancers in both. DJ Kun Luv is featured. Things will keep on groovin' until 4 am.

Doors open at 9pm. It's a 21+ party with no-host bars. Tickets are $15.

And, of course, (and as we mentioned before) there's a whole lot more going on as part of the weekend. Check the full schedule on the SBP site and get out and enjoy this new and wonderful contribution to our community.

Technorati tags: Seattle Gay Seattle Gay LGBTQ Gay events Drag show

Labels: drag show, Gay events, gay organization

The twenty-fifth anniversary tour of Queen City Cruise disembarks at noon on Saturday, August 12 from Pier 55 for a five-hour cruise of the hot spots of Seattle's inland waterways.

Along the way, the nearly 500 Cruisers aboard the boat, which is dubbed the HomoAquatic tour this year, enjoy dance music spun by DJ Carlo Cochran and mixed by the bucket. During dance breaks, the show's co-hosts, Marina Dennis and Tony Buff and entertainers keep the crowd hopping with contests and performances.

For the past several years, the bucket (whom very many of you know, whether you know it or not) has created special dance mixes for DJ Carlo Cochran to play on the Cruise. We asked him to give us a hint about any of the booty-shaking surprises he might have in store for Cruisers this year.


What do you look for when picking dance music for the Cruise?

We also managed to get the event's producer, Randy Henson who created the party 25 years ago, to pause for a moment in his hectic schedule of preparation to answer a few questions by email.

It's been 25 years. Can ticket holders expect anything new on this year's Cruise?

For the pre-boarding show at Pier 55, you have drag queens performing at 11am in broad daylight on a public dock. How do you convince them to get up so early? (Or is it convincing them to stay up so late?)

What's the usual reaction when you explain what the venue for the performance is?

The passage through the Locks is often a highlight for both those on the boat and those on the shore. Are you planning special performances there again this year?

Are you really going to sell out so early this year?

Why do you think that happened?

Even though they're expected to be sold out by sometime next week, tickets are still available by online order at the Tacky Tourist Clubs website. $50 each.

The Cruise is produced by the Seattle Chapter of Tacky Tourist Clubs of America, an organization known for its imaginatively outrageous events and excursions.

Sponsors include Purr, R Place Bar & Grill, manray Video Bar, Changes in Wallingford, Martin's Off Madison, Rosebud Restaurant and Lounge, the Embers Avenue (Portland), Stoli Genuine Russian Vodka, and Coors. [see map]

Proceeds will benefit the Legal Marriage Alliance of Washington, Action Northwest, and Seattle Metropolitan Elections Committee for Sexual Minorities (SEAMEC) [which has a great new website].

Technorati tags: Gay Gay party Queen City Cruise Seattle Queer Seafair

Labels: drag show, Gay events, gay organization

Seattle Black Pride (SBP) hosts a busy weekend of dances, film screenings, workshops, and discussions at the end of the month, Friday, July 21 through Sunday, July 23.

Most of the events are hosted at the Langston Hughes Cultural Arts Center at 104 17th Ave S [get directions]. The panels and workshops on Saturday and the Sunday films will be held at the Seattle Asian Art Museum in Volunteer Park (1400 E Prospect St) [get directions]

SBP is a newly organized non-profit organization dedicated to empowering, educating, and entertaining the Black same-gender loving community in Seattle/Tacoma. They have already organized a variety of events that cater to the diverse interests of our community, including several during Pride Week.

Tickets to each event or a three-day pass are available through the SBP site.

SBP will kick off the long weekend on Friday, July 21 with a reception and show at Langston Hughes Center. The reception, which starts at 8 pm, features a fashion show, drag performances, guest speakers, and more surprises. Tickets are $15.

They will also host a hip-hop and R&B Youth Dance Party on Friday at Langston Hughes Center at 10 pm for those 16 and over. Tickets are just $5.

Saturday is the night to kick it at the big blow-out 21+ dance party at Langston Hughes Center. It's Going Down! promises go-go dancers and plenty of hip-hop, house, and R&B in two rooms at Langston Hughes Center. It starts at 9pm. Tickets are $15.

A two-day film festival will screen eight "non-mainstream movies on subjects of matter to the Black LGBTQ community." The screenings start at noon both days. Descriptions of the movies (both features and shorts) can be found here. Tickets are $10 for all films.

On Saturday, the films will be shown at the Seattle Asian Art Museum in Volunteer Park. The films are "Brooklyn's Bridge", "The Ski Trip", and "Dani and Alice".

Sunday's screenings will be at the Langston Hughes Center. The films are "Walk in the light", "DL Chronicles", and "Inclinations."

You can also buy a three-day full pass for just $30 which will get you into any or all of these events.

Participation in the panels and workshops on Saturday at the museum is free. The day begins at 11 am with a panel discussing "Equal rights in Washington: why people of color don?t matter." Panel members include representatives of Human Rights Campaign, National Black Justice Coalition, Entre Hermanos, and Equal Rights Washington.

Health related forums on HIV/AIDS and diabetes are held later in the afternoon at 1 pm and 1:45 pm.

On Sunday, SBP will host a Gospel Praise & Worship at Langston Hughes Center at 10 am.

The weekend concludes with a free barbeque and picnic at Bratt Park, 1800 S Main St [get directions]. The food is free. The event is family friendly. It goes from 2 pm until 6 pm.

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Labels: drag show, Gay events, gay organization

Note to Tim Eyman: This is how Star Wars drag is done.



But then again, "I think you're crazy" could serve as an Eyman theme song. Maybe he was trying to tell us something more with his getup.

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The third annual Fruit Bowl Awards will be held tomorrow, Friday, June 9 at a unique venue: The old Safeway building at 530 Broadway East [get directions].

The awards show is presented by the Seattle LGBT Community Center. The show includes a buffet, runs from 5:30 pm until 10 pm. Tickets are $75 or $100 if you'd like to get a "Fruity Swag Bag." Unfortunately, they haven't set up an online order form, but you can pick up tickets at the Center, 1115 E Pike [see map], or email shannon[at]seattlelgbt.org. (Remember, though, that's it's a really bad idea to include credit card information in an email.)

Awards will be presented to individuals and organizations in Seattle who have made significant contributions to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender communities. Nominees include Dyke March and Dyke Community Activists, Washington Won't Discriminate, Religious Coalition for Equality, Nicole Lee Taylor, Ann Schuessler, Sheri Hill, Gail Ronen, Alisa Bierra, Marla Nonken, Roger Winters, Florentino Lopez, Nevin Jefferson, Lincoln Rose, Aidan Key, Walker Burch-Lewis, Blue McKeon, and Yasmeen Perez.

Col. Grethe Cammermeyer (retired) will be guest of honor at the event. Aleksa Manila, court empress, will emcee. Comedian Peggy Platt is the auctioneer for a silent auction (count on it: It's the bidding process that will be silent. Peggy won't be silent.) The Queen Bees will perform and an LGBT "community video" will be presented.

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ICON III brings "a star-studded evening of performances by locally and nationally acclaimed performers." to Town Hall, 1119 8th Ave near Freeway Park [get directions]. The show is Saturday, June 10, at 8 pm.

The show, organized by and hosted by Aleksa Manila, is a major benefit for Seattle Counseling Service, where Aleksa's creator, Arnold Martin, is a staff member.

Tickets for ICON III are $15 general admission or $35 for VIP seating. All proceeds benefit SCS. Advance tickets can be purchased by phone at 206-323-1768 or in person at the SCS offices at 1216 Pine St, Suite 300 [see map].

Now in its third year, ICON is an innovative show that features Seattle headliners Arnaldo! --Drag Chanteuse, the Queen Bees, Sean Paul, Sylvia O'Stayformore, Mark 'Moms' Finley, Suni Dac, Chica Boom, April "G", Jesse Volt, Nina Maxwell, Rosita, and more.

Audience members will also be invited to participate in the "American Idol"-style finals of an amatuer drag contest that Aleksa has been hosting at Neighbours Underground for several weeks. Each of the two finalists will perform one number at ICON. In true A-I style, audience members will be able to cast as many votes as they wish and are willing to pay for. (A ballot is available for a $1 donation.)

The winner will be announced at the show.

There is even one more chance to get a preview of the contestants next Friday, June 2, at Neighbours Underground (18+ club) when Aleksa will host the finals of the drag contest, which was open to both drag queens and drag kings age 18+.

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Drag shows

The popular Friday night drag revue at Julia's [see map], Hell on Heels, has now been extended through June 30. On Monday nights, head over there to enjoy a campy movie made even more campy and funny by your movie-night hostess, comedian Peggy Platt.

Lily Armani, the host of the Friday show at Julia's, continues to entertain on Sunday nights at Manray with her show, Salvation Armani.

Empress Aleksa Manila attempts to combine the best personality traits [??] of Simon Cowell, Ryan Seacrest, and Paula Abdul as she hosts Icon Idol at Neighbours Underground. The show is a search for the next great drag king/queen that's open to anyone 18 or over. Catch the second preliminary round this Friday, May 19. The semi-finals start June 2. The finals will be held June 10 at Town Hall on First Hill.

Mark "Moms" Finley continues to host GetWet, "one of Capitol Hill's naughtiest nights," each Wednesday at R-Place. It's an all-male underwear contest with "porn karaoke" and water. One might call the night "homoaquatic" if that term weren't reserved for other things.

Genderqueer cabaret

On a far different (but still related note) Rebar presents the Scarlet-F Cabaret on Saturday, May 27. This "celebration of queer femininity and femme identity" features performances by Queen Bees, Tara Hardy, jazz sensation Mercedes Nicole, Amy Mahoney, Katinka Kraft and many more.

Rebar promises, "These genderqueer liberators link what is missing in queer politics, tie it in a bow, and deliver it with glitter. They will entertain, perplex, upset and comfort -- the only thing it won?t be is boring." (And, frankly, we could use a bit of glitter-sprinkling and bow-tying of queer politics, these day, eh?)

Doors open at 7 pm. The show is at 8pm. The cost is $8. And if, like us, you're a bit confused by this kind of category-busting entertainment, Ladyking Productions explains it all for us.

Memorial weekend dancing

There's sure to be plenty to do on Memorial Day weekend you visit any of the places on our gay bars map. Some examples:

The Cuff presents a White Party and Underwear party on Saturday along with the T-Dance on Sunday.

Chapel guarantees that it can become a very full weekend for those with stamina. The After Hours vibes continue there throughout the night from 10 pm Saturday night, May 27 until 8 am Sunday (and the 'tenders start serving drinks again at 6 am). The party features DJ Wesley Holmes from 10 pm until 2 am, DJ Brian Gorr [site plays music] from 2 am until 5 am, and DJ Bruno from 5 am to 8 am.

Pride weekend parties

If you're not into the weird politics of the thing, it may seem a bit early to be thinking of pride week at the end of June, but then again, you might find a few pride-weekend venues sold out if you don't get tickets before long. Overload Productions is already selling tickets for both of their big Pride bashes. On June 24, start out with a Saturday night of dancing at Neumo's with ONE. DJ Brian Gorr supplies the beat along with DJ Kyler opening. Overload promises "performers, drummers, massage, lasers, treats, spectacles." Advance tickets are $15. The bash will cost $20 at the door.

The party continues through the night on June 24-25 with Red Light at Chapel featuring DJ Rob Hall from 2 am until 8 am. (The bar, once again, opens at 6 am.) Overload warns that this one might sell out so advance tickets ($10) are recommended. Tickets will be $15 at the door if they're available.

For $50, you can buy one of 50 VIP passes to both One and Red Light. You'll get special access and other pampering treatments.

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Labels: drag show, Gay events

This Friday, May 12, Sofonda Cox -- who is not only a great performer, but also has a great drag name -- will join Lily Armani and the other divas at the Hell on Wheels show at Julia's on Broadway [see map] that we mentioned too late last week.

Be sure to call 206-334-0513 for reservations now if you want to see this week's show, which is scheduled to be the last. (But then, it does seem to be popular, so we might be seeing more hell-raising drag on Broadway in the weeks to come.)

Sofonda tells us that she'll be performing two numbers in the show. But whatever happens with the show itself, it may be your last chance to see Sofonda in Seattle. Her creator tells us that he'll be "moving to Arizona in a month or so." Yikes! Arizona in the summer?

Sofonda adds, "I would love to see everyone. You've all been great supporters and friends throughout the years and I want to thank you for that."

Speaking of our gay-clubs map, we've recently added a listing for Sugar, the new 'mo dance club in a crowded section of Pike St. We don't yet have a picture on the map, but you can't miss it. It's behine the very white facade with the long line of hot young guys on weekend nights. It's across the street from Neumo's and next door to The Comet. (No. The other direction, on Pike, not the door for BP on 10th .)

Do you have something to say about the show at Julia's, the new club, or any other night spot on the map? Leave a comment. Even though few of our readers take advantage of it, we've always welcomed comments to this blog. You don't even have to reveal your name.

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Let us clarify from the very start that we're not saying anything else about WonderRobbie, the cute guy in this great vid, except that she he sure does hit it for the lip synch part of a drag act. (And that is a rare talent, after all.)

Let's not assume anything from the cutesy fantasy print hanging on the wall behind him or from Robbie's impeccably pressed t-shirt featuring an exaggerated fantasy chick of some sort. Nothing. OK?

But if anyone wanted to offer costuming and dressing services for him, we figure you'd be hooking up with a star. Come now. Look at him. Look at those eyes. You gotta admit, getting him dragged up as Jennifer Holiday would be fun, no?



Compare his act with Jennifer Holiday's original from the '82 Tony Awards. (Jennifer's solo starts at 3:30 into the scene.) Notice that Robbie avoids doing that shaking chin bit that nearly every Jennifer impersonator falls into. A star, we say. A star.

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Labels: drag show, Dreamgirls, video, WonderRobbie, youtube

The ladies kick out all the stops as they kick up their heels tonight and again next Friday, May 12, at a limited-engagement show at Julia's on Broadway [see map]. But don't head over there until next week unless you already have a reservation. Tonight's show is sold out, but reservations are still open for next week's show. Call 206-334-0513.

The middle blocks of Broadway take on a character they haven't enjoyed in years as Julia's presents Hell on Wheels at 10pm both nights. Fosse K, Trinity Storm, and Patty O'Furniture are among the drag stars introduced and egged on by the always-lovely Lily Armani. We've also heard rumors of at least cameo appearances by other divas. We'll admit, however, that Lavanda might have been teasing us with that. The only way to find out is to show up.

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What do you suppose will happen when you mix an old-timey game show format with a drag queen host, a DJ, and a half-dozen or so exec-director types from local LGBT ('mo) non-profits?

The Seattle LGBT Center expects it to turn into an evening of fun and frivolity this Friday when they host The Dating Gayme at the Center [see map]. Doors open at 6pm. The Gaymes start at 7pm. A no-host bar will be available. General admission for the audience is $10.

For those not familiar with old 60s game shows, let's review a bit: The original Dating Game featured three potential "dates" in each segment. They were divided by an asterisk-filled wall from the contestant who got to ask questions of each of the dates. This was 60s TV, so even though it was edgy for its time, the sexual innuendo was carefully buried. The schtick was that these attractive young folks were competing only for a date at an exotic locale. The show always pointed out that the daters would be accompanied by "chaperones" -- by which they meant hallway-monitor types who would (supposedly) make sure that the TV show didn't encourage wayward hanky-panky. (This was, after all, an era when even married couples slept in separate beds on TV.)

The fabulous ISCORE Empress Aleksa Manilla (Her Most Imperial Majesty) will host. Music to keep the game show mood upbeat and over-the-top will be spun by DJ Luying. The executive directors/program managers/organizers who will be available for dates are Arthur Padilla of Multifaith, Allena Gabosch of The Wet Spot, Robert Yoon of Gay City Health Project, C. Dean Jackson of Queer People of Color Liberation Project, Kathie D. Townsend of Verbena and Sistah To Sister, and maybe more. For a mininum bid of $20 you can become part of the Gayme as a bachelor/ette wittily responding to questions of the (semi) mystery dates.

Call Call Kim at (206) 322-2437 to place your bid to play in one of the fifteen
(three per gayme) coveted bachelor/ette spots.

The general admission fee to watch the festivities and to hoot and holler in proper game-show fashion is (as we mentioned) $10.

The night of frivolity is a benefit for the Center and for Dunshee House.

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There's a new group in town called QueenBees, that just might be looking for you if you, dear reader, have some imaginative combination of the following:

A 'stache, glitter, high heels, crafty hands, rapier wit, an urge to perform

QueenBees is a sassy group of mastachioed and glittering drag and burlesque performers. They're looking for musicians, karaoke stars, crafy folk, and performers to join them in growing the group into -- well... who knows? And that's the fun.

QueenBees will hold an organizational meeting on March 29 from 7 to 8pm at Home Alive -- 1415 10th Avenue (between Pike and Union) [get directions,] . The QueenBees website is still just a placeholder, but you should be able to find them at that link sometime real soon now (in web time). You could also email seattlequeenbees[at]yahoo.com.

You can get a taste of what they're about so far at a show at at Rebar [see map] on Saturday, March 25. The multi-act show is called Genderlicious: What's your Flavor? QueenBees joins a tasty lineup of "gender queer performers and innovative acts".

For the show, QueenBees will join international burlesque star Miss Indigo Blue, Ms. Gay Latina 2005 Chica Boom, Empress of Seattle Aleksa Manila, Seattle's Best in Trapeze Performances Tamara the Trapeze Lady, burlesque power trio The Von Foxies, hysterical drag king hottie Randy Andy, saucy vixen Sandra Dee, the smashing debut of Seattle?s newest queer performance phenomenon, Your Gay Lover, and many more!

Doors open at 7pm. The show starts at 8pm. The cost is $10 to $15 on a sliding scale.

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You'll have plenty of opportunities to see a drag show in February, from the most traditional one of them all to the most youthful and (perhaps) creative.

On the traditional scale, the Imperial Court of Seattle (full name: Imperial Sovereign Court of Seattle and the Olympic and Rainier Empire, aka ISCSORE) will hold its coronation ball on Saturday, February 18 at the Mountaineers Building (300 3rd Ave W) at the foot of Queen Anne Hill (get directions). Doors open at 5pm. The Ball starts at 6pm and continues (and probably continues and continues until 10-ish). Tickets are $45 and will be available at the door or at the hospitality room at the other end of the hill at the Best Western Executive Inn.

This whole affair is the big deal of the year for this organization and includes far more than just the coronation ball. Things kicked off for the coronation season Saturday at Neighbours when the candidates for this year's Court election were announced.

There's not a lot of mystery about who will become the Empress, Olympia 35. Aleksa Manila is the only candidate for that august office. Congrats, Aleksa! (And we promise not to misspell your name again... Really.)

Three candidates will compete for the title of Emperor, Rainier 32: Larry Ryan, Mark DuBois Baranger, and Douglas Anderson.

Coronation week begins with voting day on Sunday, February 12 from 11am to 6pm at the lobby of the Richmark Building at 1605 12th Avenue in Seattle (next to the liquor store [get directions]). Any residents of King, Snohomish and Island Counties as well as residents of Hat Island are eligible to vote with valid ID. There is no age limitation.

Folks from other courts far and wide travel to these affairs, so there will not only be a large number of fabulously dressed "dignitaries" at the ball, but there will also be shows during the week leading up to the big night. An in-town show and awards dinner will be held on Wednesday, February 15 at Thumpers (see map) starting at 7:30pm.

The courts of Denver and Salt Lake City will present a show for Seattleites on Thursday, February 16 at Neighbours (see map). Doors open at 7pm. The show is scheduled to start at 8pm. Pay only $5 at the door. Another out-of-town show will be presented on Friday, also at Neighbours and also at 8pm. Cover is $10. That show will be followed by a "Las Vegas Dam Water Party" at a place that hasn't yet been announced.

On Sunday following the coronation, you'll have a chance to congratulate the winners at a Victory Brunch at the host hotel on Sunday ($25) and at the "Alaska Bird Water Party" following the brunch at The Elite (see map).

The coronation ball and events surrounding it are highly informed by the organization's decades-long history. There are often at least one or two funny performances during any ball, but those are usually the exceptions. The ball itself and the entire week tend to be so traditional and so reverential of the group's serious fundraising purposes that the events lack a sense of irony.

But still, it's something you just gotta see at least once or twice.

Snowflake Festival: Youthful energy

There is, however, one more unaffiliated drag event during the same week that could feature greater joi de'vivre and more pure, youthful exuberance.

It's Snowflake Festival -- one of the year's major fundraising events produced by the youths of Lambert House [see recent post]. The festival is a "Drag Performance and Valentine's Dance Event" featuring drag kings, drag queens, belly dancers, and a DJ. It's at Richard Hugo House (1634 11th Ave [get directions]) next to Cal Anderson Park in Seattle on Friday, February 17. Cover is $3 at the door for those 22 and under, or $10 for everyone else.

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