One of my favorite styles for drag is a good retro look with a huge bump style in the wig and this queen has it. Mocha is a 26 year old London based queen originally from Essex and just landed herself on the 8th season, already? of Drag Race season 8. In my opinion she doesn't need the show already gaining a huge following. Adore Mocha's look and she reminds me of the style of drag of my early club days, that drew me into drag in the first place. Mocha has a great cartoonish, yet vintage and showgirl inspired style with just the right amount of kooky twist. Her style is a blend of Soho perfection meets East London grit. And not only is she a marvel with the makeup brush...and even though she DESPISES sewing, she makes all her own ensembles not to mention the looks of many other drag queens. I think I need a trip to Madam JoJo's in Soho.
And for some reason not only does Mocha conjure early memories of my club scene, so does this new Madonna ditty. Take me right back to that sound. Mocha could turn this number.
Another part of the Mistress's early gay years comes to an end. The legendary flapper girl bobbed, redheaded drag queen, and Philadelphia legend, Carlotta Tendant is putting away the Bingo balls and hanging up the heels. A sad day for Philly indeed. Across almost four decades Carlotta has called hundreds of games all while performing tomfoolery, eliciting laughs, along with wise cracks, a pinch of profane and a healthy dose of silliness, all while being donned in anything from retro looks to Chicago musical looks, to Eva Gabor gowns and sensible high heels. In that time and fun Carlotta has managed to raise almost over $5 million for people living with AIDS/HIV, and numerous gay charities, and helped steer a community through crisis, providing a respite to those experiencing immense loss and stigma. This swan song came to the closing of the cities 30th season of Pride month, The man behind Carlotta, Micheal Byrne hung up his heels, packed the wig and bid adieu to his drag persona and his longtime gig hosting Philly's Gay Bingo. Now at 65 arthritis stifles her strut in stilettos and says drag is a young girl's game.
Even as medicine has advanced and HIV/AIDS has become manageable, she's crafted a safe place for years for Philadelphia's queers. For one night each month for over 30 years she's been an entertainer and equalizer, responsible for uniting gay and straight alike. When I first moved to the Philadelphia about the only two queens I can recall were her and Brittany Lynn and have such fond memories of both of them...everyone knows Carlotta! All I can say is thank you Carlotta for all the good you have done for future queens, who have up and came, and coming, and all the tremendous things who have brought about for the community...$5 mil ain't bad for a queen in a bob calling bingo. It's going to be really different without Carlotta. No one's going to fill her heels, but I think that the vibe and her energy is going to live on.
This past weekend was the last Pride event for me for the season. I always get asked by many just why does Harrisburg always have their Pride Event so late when it's at the hottest? Not sure for certain, but I have been told they don't have it in June, the official Pride month, because they fear with Philadelphia, New York City, Baltimore and DC'S, it will compete and loose some pride goers if it ends up on one of those weekends in bigger cities. Luckily the weather was a winner this past weekend, as some of the clan and I hit the parade and festival. It is held at the Capitol building, and the surrounding area. I enjoyed some of it, then we went to lunch, and then later had to get to the club to start getting ready for the Pride show, and making sure Sigourney Beaver, one of the headliners, got there, and was treated to some hospitality. And I'm here to tell you children she is ever the crazy bitch and filled with stories!!!! I was treated to one gem, where she was at a show once, and she thought what would be the thing to gross out all the gay men? That's right...MEOW! Vagina! Well, at this said show she pulled out a blow pop from her, ah, well, MEOW....and stuck it right in the gaping mouth of a guy in the front row!!!!! Now there is something you won't see on Dragula! The whole weekend went off without a hitch, the show and the festival. Plus there was Discord Adams too! Needed to say, Sunday. Was. Ugly. Some scenes from the weekend.
Betty Whitecastle
The Cork and Fork
Discord, Cody, one of our gang, and don't bully him, he cums.... and Sigourney Beaver.
And this dudo bird...your hostess with the mostess!!!!
Yes, I'm still picking out feathers!!!!! But I HUGE THANK YOU to Fat Sissy, AKA Miss Bill for the creation and making of this spectacular ensemble!!! The headdress almost went down to the floor in back....he nailed the Mistress's over the top style. I always did like to keep it understated you see.
Some glamping postcards! Last weekend found me at the Woods campground hosting the Drag Me To the Woods weekend, where everyone who wanted to do drag could do so, and then hosting a huge dance party in the clubhouse that night. Over hundred people donned drag! It was a good weekend as usual in this slice of gay fairy land.
Fort Dix, the naughty bath house, or as I call it, the head shed! I wouldn't know ANYTHING about what goes on in there of course.
The drag party and just some of the queens! Yours truly is off dead center in the black and sky high piled blond wigs under the left Woods sign. Never mind two wigs on and it was over 90 degress!!! But some of these guys were a hoot and we camp queens helped them with drag.
And then there was this tall, towering drink of water! I asked how tall he was, and he said "Well Madam, I'm 6'9" tall. I said, " Well...never mind the 6 feet,, let's talk about the 9 inches." You'd be surprised how much room there was in that little tent for two. If that was" roughing it", I'll see him again!!!
This Novus team is always there at the Woods on weekends, sponsored by the campground and they do free HIV and STD testing, and mind you supply free PREP if you can prove your signed off to take it! I think it's great and nice to see many taken advantage of it's services.
This was about the time I had a nice pew , sat and contemplating and was thinking how I will hate going back to work after such a long vacation. But here it is Thursday and I all most made it!
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