A WORD FROM OUR SPONSOR....

......Pickle Surprise!!!! 

A blast from the past... David Dalryple, Lady Bunny, Lahomma, RuPaul and Sister Dimension. Made one wonder what we were all on back then.

Can I get anyone an English muffin, mayo and ham sandwich?

DRAG IS EMERGING

In the book Drag, Baker says cross-dressing remained a pervasive part of theater culture until the late 19th century, when it began to take a new form. Female impersonators developed their own vaudeville acts, wherein they created caricatures of women. Some of the first queen were the likes of Julian Eltinge, Barbette and Marcel Dunchamp, who started their own highly entertaining shows and became popular acts in the numerous vaudeville theatres across America from the turn of the 19th Century until the late 1930s. 

This moment in time birthed such mocking personas as the "wench" and the "primadonna." But in order to find the first iterations of the "drag queen" as we know her today, we have to pinpoint the moment drag culture became inextricably linked with the gay community, which some believe  didn't really happen until the 1930s. Before then, the scientific field of sexology was forming and began to talk about the 'third sex, The third sex was discussed as a feminine man or a masculine woman who desires members of the same sex. By the 1930s this scientific conversation had worked its way into the popular culture and linked drag with homosexuality. This connection marked the switch: drag culture no longer belonged to straight, white men. Can you believe that??? In this moment, we witness the emergence of the first true drag queens. It was then in the mid 30's that different kinds of drag queens occurred at the time. While other female impersonators existed, the drag queens were integral to the new, gay-friendly spaces that began to pop up. Queens like Jackie Jackson, Gilda, April Stevens,  Jose Sarria and the girls of the infamous Jewel Box Revue, were among the first to start all drag revues and shows in little hidden clubs and taking  drag in a new direction. 

The modern iteration of the drag queen developed in these underground clubs over the next handful of decades. Meanwhile, in the public eye, female impersonation was given a comedic edge; cross-dressing was portrayed in film and TV as a punchline, or an object of strangeness. One classic example is Some Like It Hot, which follows a farcical, almost Shakespearean story of two men posing as women. In Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho, Norman Bates is a deranged man who dresses as his mother before killing people. Who could forget the eerie shrieks of the score as the shower curtain pulls back to reveal the poorly styled wig on Norman Bates's head?

Now  venturing into the late 20th century, we can see how drag queens finally began to become a more visible part of arts and culture. Drag was a powerful movement in NYC during the 1980s and 1990s, due in large part to the explosively experimental East Village performance scene, and its products such as the Pyramid Club and the annual Wigstock drag festival. At this point, drag queens were amassing large followings. Some of the first drag icons emerged: Divine was a legend out of Baltimore who frequently worked with director John Waters. 

There was something striking about a 300-pound drag queen who gave no fucks — Divine's incredible presence even served as inspiration for Ursula the Sea Witch in The Little Mermaid. According to the story, none of the character designs for Ursula worked, until an animator named drew a vampy overweight matron who everyone agreed looked a lot like Divine. And speaking of Wigstock, Lady Bunny is the founder and creator of the event.

 Lady Bunny once told the story of her first performance in NYC, which speaks to a drag queen's complete willingness to make a fool of herself. A drag queen challenges you to laugh with her, and laugh at her. That's what makes queens so alluring and captivating.  Lady Bunny and Wigstock were what got me inspired into drag... as they captured the fierce, unyielding spirit of someone who is so sure of who they are and what they're doing that nothing can drag them down. RuPaul, who also came from Atlanta with Lady Bunny, both swung open the doors of drag in New York in a big way.

 There are many more historic queens: Australia's Dame Edna, Pepper LaBeija ,often referred to as the Queen of Harlem Drag Balls), and Flawless Sabrina. And of course, I'd be remiss if I didn't also say that Pepper La Beija and the ball culture didn't also bring about some new style of queens and performance style.

 Paris Is Burning, chronicled the aforementioned Harlem drag balls, where Pepper LeBeija reigned supreme. As we descend into this unfamiliar world, we witnessed the true artistry of a drag ball, which was like a sporting event for the LGBTQ+ community. It is also where the term reading, shade, and spilling the t came from. These balls marked a safe space for individuals to express themselves and find escape, I also firmly believe indirectly it also helped slur the "club kid" where the like of the legendary Leigh Bowery, Richie Rich and Amanda Lepore were bore.

LET'S TALK DRAG

Well dumplings, looks like it's the time again....and I know some of you really dig this month, so we find ourselves in drag history month again!!!! This month I plan to feature some of the more popular posts we  had with some updating, and sprinkle in some new ones too, in addition to powdering it a bit heavier in the drag queen element, which was what this blogs roots were entrenched in to begin with. We will even see some music to get us threw the days. I may still have some regular post this month, but look for it to be like a behind the drag scene show!!!! And what a better song to get us started then with the gay would's Queen....RuPaul and Back to My Roots!!!

But of course, I can be border line snark and filth,  and if you know me, you'll know my true Queen is the legendary Lady Bunny....here spilling major tea on the drag race girls...all of them, set to Vogue. The snarky bitch is brilliant. But if you don't watch drag race you probably won't understand the insults. But the cow is right on RuPaul out of drag....can you say Urkel!!!!!

Enjoy!!!

DRAG NOSTALGIA IIII

Lady Bunny, Mistress Formica, Sweetie, Anna Conda, Tabooo

In the spring of 1969, the modern gay rights movement was emerging in the United States after all the Stonewall Riots were done. With any drag revues shuttering and the after math of the riots drag was getting near extinct with exemption to major gay clubs...and even then was falling out of vogue. A few queens in the 70's early eighties got things started up again, with exemption to the few well known female impersonators, like Jim Bailey and Charles Pierce.

  Divine was one of the first on the scene and was one of the first queens to break into huge mainstream culture, notably in the films of director John Water. Her fearless and uncompromising manner influenced others to be a badass bitch like herself. Tragically, she died of heart failure in 1988 at the age of 42. Meanwhile on the West Coast we had the like of Pristine Condition

and May Doll,

Jean Hardlows

bringing drag slowly back into the light.

Meanwhile in New York, Mother Flawless Sabrina was out and proud. The flawless one challenged LGBT issues  all along  the east coast and led in rallies against New York businesses that refused to serve gay Americans. She was arrested more than 100 times during her fight to normalize cross-dressing.

Sarria A.K.A. The Widow Norton, Absolute Empress I de San Francisco, was the first openly gay candidate to run for public office in the United States, paving the way for other gay politicians to follow. From the west coast, she was an activist for gay rights during the 1960 and 70's. Sarria also founded the International Court System of the United States which helps aid LGBT issues. Sadly Sarria died in 2013 at age 90.

Pepper LaBeija who was known as “the last remaining queen of the Harlem drag balls”, LaBeija had a successful career as a fashion designer. She ruled the drag scene of the ’70s and early ’80s with her wild persona alongside queens Angie Xtravaganza, Dorian Corey and Avis Pendavis. She passed away in 2003 at the age of 53.

But then in the late 80's there was a drag explosion! I myself firmly believe, in part it was the NYC club kids and Leigh Bowery and the arrival of a yet to be known Rupaul, Lady Bunny and Lahomma Van Zant who arrived from Atlanta with their looks and shtick to get things jump started.

Lady Bunny with Leigh Bowery

Lady Bunny and Rupaul

LaHomma Van Zandt

The club kids with Amanda Lepore

It was glamorous, glitter-drenched nights that crept into mornings. From notorious East Village spots like the Pyramid Club to mega venues like the Palladium, Roxy, the Limelight and The Tunnel, it seemed more and more people were taking notice of drag again....and soon a evolution and eventual explosion of drag into a widely-acknowledged subculture. But in my mind, it wasn't until the 90's that drag really went nuts. I remember living in Harrisburg and started going out in the mid 90's right out of college. I became enthralled by drag when I first met Lady Bunny in New York and that was that. But outside of the big cities it was still risky. It was to the true God Mother of drag, Rupaul, who got to big for New York and went mainstream.

After that, drag came out of the closet and never did go back in. All of a sudden , even in Harrisburg and other little cities drag queens went from 2 to like 20 over night it seemed. Rupaul was everywhere, radio, tv, a talk show and it seemed hard to find anyone who disliked him. RuPaul,to me, really altered history more then anyone. I know people who watch Rupaul's Drag Race, who I never thought would.....and they can't get enough. These queens of the 90's really did bring drag out, and into everybody's face, like Lady Bunny who put on the wildly popular Wigstock every year, and drag shows at clubs would be packed...even still to date. I knew drag was here to stay when one New Year's Eve, yours truly in 2000, went to a party. I was decked in a white floor length,  skin tight gown, that was  lace, beaded and pearled, huge hair with white plumes and doves in it and jewelry. I was informed the party was going downtown right before midnight to watch the ball drop in the center of Harrisburg. Well, I had never been in drag outside a gay club, in a huge crowd before. The friends I went with had rented a limo, which we drove down in. Once there, we got out. I was shocked by the reception. People were enamored by me. people talking to me, and commenting my look. There was even a huge fraternity there from Penn State and they had a group picture taken with me. It was quite something. And this was a time when Harrisburg was not as gay friendly as it is currently.  I swear it was because of Rupaul!!! Everybody loved her and was all curious about drag. I firmly believe because her him, drag was more accepted and more mainstream then ever before. Now we have drag queens on web shows, recording their own tracks and completion shows. And we have all our fore Queens to thank for that and Rupaul. We must always remember our roots and history.

IN THREE WORDS....

In this weekly feature, I'll share a weekly guest, and you tell me in only three words what comes to mind.

In three words....

RuPaul

THIS SUMS UP 2016

I think Norma will agree with me.

STOP THE CAR, I SMELL AN IGNORANT BITCH!

Well, not that either candidate is a complete box of chocolates, but I have long said give him enough rope, and he'll hang himself.

As for me this coming election, I plan to write in RuPaul for President. I say screw president, it is time for a Queen. And she wears much more glamorous frocks and fabulous wigs!

JUST IN TIME FOR EASTER........

 

And speaking of Hyacinth Bucket......

SISSY THAT WALK

You know, sometimes you just have to sissy that walk.

 

 

  

 I had forgotten how fun this song is, It's been in my head for days now. And I had also forgotten how all the girls looked FABULOUS in this video.

IT'S RAINING MEN

 

 How can anyone not love one of the original Weather Girls, Martha Wash, and the fabulous RuPaul together!!!!! Can you even imagine singing with a weather girl??????

 

 

Lately some raining men might be a welcome relief to the cold and snow, and just how fabulous is Ru's wig!!!!!!

A LITTLE BIT OF LOVE

I told you RuPaul had many songs!!!! Here is another of my favorites. "A Little Bit of Love" is a song and music video performed and produced by RuPaul and released in 1997. This was the second single released from the Foxy Lady album. The song would reach 28 on the Hot Dance Chart and the fun video depicted RuPaul along with talented female impersonator Jazzmun and the FABULOUS ex-drag queen- now beautiful transgendered cabaret performer and actress Candis Cayne as aliens out to conquer the world. Candis went on the star oppsite William Baldwin on the ABC drama Dirty Sexy Money. I so use to shake it to this....

 

 

You go Gurls!!!!!

BACK TO MY ROOTS

Another of my favorite RuPaul videos. Back To My Roots followed Super Model and House of Love upon RuPaul's arrival on the scene. The house/dance track is a tribute to black women's hairstyles as well as to the tradition of community often found in urban hair salons.  She also names several of her relatives including her mother Ernestine Charles, who at the time owned a hair salon in Atlanta, Georgia. His mother is played by comedienne LaWanda Page, who worked with Ru on several videos, with voice work or starring parts.  I remember hitting the floor with dancing and runways with this song..... Fun way to start the day....Peace, love, and hair grease!!!!!! Love all the wigs.

  

HOuSE OF LOvE

Whilst I still enjoy nights on the town, nothing will compete with the large club days and the dance music of the 90's. It was then like having church. And hands down, my favorite RuPaul song will always be House of Love. Here is RuPaul performing House of Love at Wigstock, A Celebration of Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Big Hair!  Wigstock was an annual outdoor drag festival that began in the 1980s in New York's East Village that took place on Labor Day. Traditionally the festival would act as the unofficial end to the summer for the gay community of New York City. The name references the 1969 Woodstock Festival. What a hoot it was!

But this song always put a smile on my face and a free feeling when dancing to it.....

 

LoOKING GOoD FEELiNG GOrGEOUS.....FOR MaC

Many , I don't suspect know just how many dance singles RuPaul has had besides the obvious one. I have 6 of his cd albums. This used to be one of my favorite songs of his to get ready in drag to.....

 

I hope Mac enjoys the little surprise. many more too come of my favorites.

THE EVoLuTION OF RuPAUL

There have been many stunning, and talented, and brave drag queens over time..... all shattering that glass ceiling, each adding their mark in gay history, but when RuPaul  emerged, she hit with a vengeance!!!! If you were big into the club scene like yours truly, she was around for quite some time before the Goddess you see now. I truly believe she is one of the main forces drag is so accepted now, more freely. RuPaul's best known as simply RuPaul, and is a actor, drag queen, model, author, and recording artist, who first became widely known in the 1990s when he appeared in a wide variety of television programs, films, and musical albums. Previously, he was a fixture on the Atlanta and New York City club scenes. I have met RuPaul on two occasions, what you see is what you get! Very hospitable, kind and funny as hell. RuPaul was born in San Diego, California. His name was given to him by his mother, a Louisiana native. The "Ru" came from roux, an ingredient used in gumbo.  RuPaul struggled as a musician and filmmaker in Atlanta during the 1980s. He participated in underground cinema, helping create the low-budget film Star Booty, and an album by the same name. In Atlanta, RuPaul often performed at the Celebrity Club as a bar dancer or with his band, Wee Wee Pole. RuPaul's first prominent national exposure came in 1989 with an extra role dancing in the video for "Love Shack" by The B-52's.

 

In the early 1990s, RuPaul worked the Georgia club scene and was known by his full birth name. Initially participating in genderfuck-style performances, RuPaul performed solo and in collaboration with other bands at several New York nightclubs, most notably the Pyramid Club. It wasn't long before he and friend Lady Bunny both moved to NYC permanently. He played opposite New York City drag performer, Mona Foote in the one act Sci-Fi parody "My Pet Homo".  In the 1990's. It wasn't long before her first hit  Super Model of the World took off with the release, Super Model You Better Work. And if you were in the club scene, followed by A Shade Shady, my personal favorite-House of Love, Back to Roots, and two years later,  with Foxy Lady, A Little Bit of Love and Snap Shot. Over the years she went on to a talk show, a radio show with Michelle Visage, movies, a book, and ultimately more dance singles and of course, RuPaul Drag Race. And everybody, gay or straight I know just loves this fun loving drag queen, and how can one not love him!?!?!? Part of it is he really makes people feel comfortable in his presence I believe. But whatever it is, he really will be in the gay history books for making such strides. And like a Virginia Slim, she's come along way baby......

 

 

THEY HAVE STYLE, THEY HAVE GRACE

And probably even painted good face!!! One can't really have a proper drag history without noting some of the pioneering queens who lead the way. Continuing from the queens from Stonewall on, these are some of the talents that were going to burst open the closet doors and push drag and glamour for all to see.

Charles Pierce

One of the most famous drag queens of the 20th century has got to be the late Charles Pierce. His impersonations of Bette Davis, Mae West, Joan Collins and other famous stars brought drag to the forefront of theatre and radio. He performed sell out concerts in theatres across America, his whit and humor being the main draw to his work. He described himself as a male actress rather than a drag queen – the ‘original, over-the-hill, valley girl’ The 1960s and 70s saw the development of a number of drag stars. Jim Bailey performed on over seventy television shows, performed a series of concerts with Liza Minnelli, had several runs in Las Vegas and even performed to the Royal Family.

Divine who was featured in the original John Waters film Hairspray and grew to notoriety after eating a real dog turd in another of Water’s films, Pink Flamingos.

                                                                       Candy Darling

 Candy Darling was one of Andy Warhol’s Superstars, and a muse for The Velvet Underground. In the 1980s, Lypsinka rose to fame performing long, show length soundtracks featuring edited snippets from old Hollywood films. Her meticulously precise lip syncing amazed audiences across America, landing her slots on The Joan Rivers Show, amongst others. The late 1980s and early 1990s saw the rise of the club kid. Particularly in New York we saw a 90s version of Studio 54 emerge with Michael Alig and James St James at the helm. The club kid era saw the rise of model and muse Amanda Lepore and the fabulous performance artist Leigh Bowery. The club kids were known for going out in elaborate and controversial costumes.

                                                                    Leigh Bowery

One of these clubkids, who rose to international fame, was RuPaul – arguably the world’s most famous drag queen. With a career that spans several decades, RuPaul is the undisputed queen of drag queens.

In the 1990s RuPaul was to drag what Naomi Campbell was to modelling – RuPaul was the world’s first drag superstar. His career has included a string of dance singles, a duet with Elton John, and a presenting slot at The Brits. He also modelled worldwide, including a campaign for MAC, and landed his own TV chat show in 1996. In 2009 RuPaul created RuPaul’s Drag Race, which was a fusion of America’s Next Top Model and Project Runway. The drag queen with the most Creativity, Uniqueness, Nerve and Talent too the crown. The show was a hit success, with a sixth season  getting ready to start. Drag queens have often been featured in films, in a variety of different roles. The most noted of these are Priscilla: Queen of The Desert, Hairspray, The Birdcage, Rocky Horror, and Hedwig and The Angry Inch. These films often showed the beautiful, glamorous side of drag mirrored with the difficult lives of their male counterparts suffered. The internet allowed more drag queens to find fame.  Jeffree Star rose to fame on MySpace for his cult following from emo kids and his offensive rap lyrics. He recently signed a record deal with Akon’s record label.

Lily Savage, Danny LaRue and Dame Edna Everage make the trio of famous British drag household names adding to the cause. Combined they have over 100 years of drag experience.

                                                                        Lily Savage

 Lily Savage was one of Britain’s most successful queens, most noted for her show Blankety Blank. Previous to that Lily performed for eight years at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern in London.

                                                                      Danny LaRue

The late Danny LaRue,  was quite the talent, and rose to fame in the West End, performing in seven major shows, and a string of Royal Variety performances. Dame Edna, whilst not British, has received wide success and admiration with British audiences.These three queens are a small handful of drag queens who have hit the big time in Britain – there hasn’t been a drag star that’s matched their fame in recent times.

There are, however, a number of queens working in and around London who are making a name for themselves, and have been for a number of years. DJ Jodie Harsh’s fame, whose music I have featured several time here, has long outlasted that of her biological namesake. Tasty Tim is another favourite on the gay clubbing scene and Lady Lloyd has recently come off tour with Ke$ha, and is a model for Vivienne Westwood.

                                                                    Maria Millionaire

Leeds has a large number of exciting drag artists. To say it’s gay scene is relatively small, it’s number and popularity of drag queens in the city is immense. Anna Glypta was one of the first drag queens to perform and promote drag in the city, helping shape Pride events and much of the community. Another big name in Leeds is Miss Orry – famous for being one of the original Blackpool Funny Girls, and who has appeared on Deal or No Deal and Emmerdale. Other notable Leeds drag queens include Carla Jackson, Anja Bach, Roxxxy, Raven Mandela, Gisele Batrice, Bears Aloud, Cheryl Hole, Daisy DuPount, Pixie Monrue and Maria Millionaire. We will be looking at some of these girls up closer soon.