Tuesday, October 20, 2020

VANDER

 When I first saw Vander Von Odd perform at The Ritz in Hell’s Kitchen several years ago, I didn’t know at the time he was the winner of the first season of Dragula. At that point I hadn't seen the show yet.  All I saw before me was a drag queen who commanded an extremely strong presence onstage, right up there with Sasha Velour — even more than most queens I’d ever seen live, including that of Sharon Needles . Looking like a cross between Dracula, a witch and a femme fatale, Vander wore a crown on his head that read “FAG.” During his performance, he took off the crown in a way that embraced his identity as queer person while simultaneously fighting against bigots who try to demean the humanity of LGBTQ individuals .His performance is one I’ll never forget. His look so was polished and very well executed. The message of his high-concept performance shone through clearly. And when he opened his mouth wide  revealing pearly white fangs  you couldn’t help but feel frightened yet slightly aroused. There was a horrific beauty in both his look and his performance.

But even thought Vander's form of drag may not be for everyone, what I love this most about him is he has said he loves opposing forces and the juxtaposition of something that is visually stunning and beautiful,  but is simultaneously disturbing or horrifying in nature.  Vander Von Odd said in an interview on line once. “It’s like something you feel you shouldn’t be admiring, but you can’t look away. It’s that clashing of raw emotions that really fuels my art.” And THATS what I really love. Plus this queen had a major set of balls.


26 comments:

  1. The perfect queen for Halloween!

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  2. OMG! She is fabulous! Scary glam!

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  3. The top picture - that's my outfit for the next work MS Teams meeting sorted. Jx

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    1. I assume you use a wide angle camera shot to get the wig in the zoom meeting?

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  4. Where have you been hiding this one, dear? Under the stairs, I hope. She looks like she'd be at home there. I'd love to have a cup of tea with her. I bet she's got some lovely tales to spill. Thanks, hon. A perfect offering for this most macabre of seasons. Kizzes.

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    1. I do think you'd enjoy her cabaret shows.

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  5. Horror Glam. LOL.

    BTW - That Bette Davis film... "Dark Secret of Harvest House" based on the novel by Thomas Tryon. I highly recommend it.

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  6. This is probably one of the most mesmerizing drag queen and performances by one, I've EVER seen. I literally keep playing it back. WOW!

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    1. You need to go to a Nightgowns show. All the queens are performance artist.

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  7. Vander is the greatest!!!! What is always so funny at these shows, is the audience is a tad scared of them by their style....but most of these macabre queens are the sweetest girls you'll meet.

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  8. Omg! Vander has me snatched af! This is EVERYTHING!

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  9. I'm afraid this is much too dark for me, but still an amazing performer.

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    1. Believe it or, I've seen even much darker and odd.

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  10. This isn’t just drag, it’s Art!!!! Stunning.

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  11. it's amazing how Vander can express a whole beautiful story in each performance right? They're so well thought and played that every Vander lip sync is a masterpiece. She's a gift to the drag culture really.

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  12. A lot of Ru-gurls tend to throw around the word "artists" freely, and yes look great.. but most are men in women's attire prancing around a stage, lip syncing to someone else's song to collect dollars! While this performer is lip syncing too.... but she IS a definition of a performance. artist!

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    1. I agree. There is a hand full of queens that are WAYYYYY beyond drag race.

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  13. Vander is the ish.
    Really. She was ready when the Boulet Brothers crowned her. And you are right, she's as conceptual as Sasha Velour with the touch of scary that Sharon Needles has. I saw one of her shows where she IS a haunted house. Speechless.
    She also speaks flawless Spanish.

    Love her.

    And I want that black dress and wig. They're giving me Joey Arias vibes.

    XOXO

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    1. You need tp see a Nightgowns show in person if it gets to Chicago. When i saw the one in Philly last December I was blown away.

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  14. Good god I love her!! She is seriously so mesmerizing and captivating!! I would love to see her perform.

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  15. No doubt in my opinion, one of the most talented queens on the drag circuit. Absolutely every inch an artist ! Ever Gore-geous!

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  16. I love her, she is an amazing drag. Love the dress with the penis on it!!

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  17. again what marvelous costumes and such!

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  18. I love drag queens and Vander is extraordinaire!

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Go ahead darling, tell me something fabulous!