I took a little bit of a break from writing about shows, for a bit. The loss of Shaunna Rai's "friend" page on Facebook, and the subsequent fallout from that has kept me busy, trying to show her how to work within the confines of a "Like" page. It's a change, that's for sure. But, once you get used to it, it's not so bad. The fallout though, has continued to be a hell. All the queens who have been effected by having their page examined with a fine toothed comb by Facebook to determine if they are who they say they are, has created a mania of sorts. "Who is responsible for this?" is the ever present question, and unfortunately, a month and a half later, it still hasn't been resolved. Still nobody knows who's to blame. And, they're all just waiting for the Facebook police to come and take their pages away.
So, while all that has been going on, I haven't been on a hiatus at all. I've been trying to expand my reach a little. I now have a presence on Instagram as dragged2inside. I have a Twitter page, which is basically an extension of my Facebook page, as @Dragged2inside and, of course, I have my Facebook page (which is used far more frequently than the blog here) facebook.com/draggedtotheinside . I don't know how many people really pay attention to what I have to say, or what I want to show...but there you have them...all the ways you can stalk me.
I took a break, to re-evaluate whether I've been a dick to anyone or not, because over the course of time, you know how it is. People say to your face that you're awesome, and then, the talk comes from behind your back, saying that you're a horrible person, and that you don't deserve to have a voice, because you don't agree with the status quo. (Case in point, Bernie Sanders vs. every other politician vying for the presidency this year.) Anyhow, it's gotten back to me, that a while ago I managed to piss some people off. I'm going to take this moment to say, I'm sorry that you got pissed off, but I'm not sorry for what I've said. On occasion, I may criticize, but, it's meant to be creative criticism, not just me being bitchy. If you've ever taken anything that I've said to be anything other than the way it was intended, I apologize.
With all that being said, I'm going to talk briefly about the February shows, as a whole, just because I really want to break them all down, and talk about them individually. February, for whatever reason, has been the busy month for drag, for as long as I've known Shaunna. Fresh on the heels of the Facebook debacle, Shaunna was actually considering making a break from all of the responsibilities that she had agreed to...in other words, she almost canceled her February bookings. Fortunately, she decided against it, and February turned out to be a really fun month.
It started with the Acme Club's Mardi Gras show. (Ok, not really the Acme Club's show, since they had nothing to do with it other than being the venue...it was really Sheneeda Diet's show). Buffy Halliwell and Dahlia Black, two performers from New Hampshire, were fresh faced, welcome additions to the local talent. Shaunna hosted with Sheneeda, and performers included Mizs Queery, Miss E,on, Jacinda, Buffy and Dahlia. I may have had a little bit of a meltdown at the end of the show. (Read this as, I did have a meltdown.) But, I got over it, and looking back at the night, enjoyed the majority of it.
Next up, was a Boys Night Out on the Town in Portland. Dan and I went to see a show at Styxx on a Friday night. This was the first time that I had an inkling that there was really much of a "next generation of drag." Gigi Gabor, Lady Ginger, Chloe Lyne-Baquer, Dick Diesel, Delilah N'Chains, and ClubKid MizzDiveena. I've known Chloe for as long as I was a part of the Portland scene, and I have to say, I was quite impressed with how far she has come. Gigi, if I hadn't known better, I would've believed was Lili Whiteass from Boston. They look like they could be sisters, and they even have similar performance styles. I was so happy to see that there is a future for drag. And, they were good! I was even happier to see Styxx packed for a drag show. Styxx should be holding shows on a regular basis, because they usually draw in a crowd. (Just saying!)
The next night, was the Golden Goddess Productions show at the Lewiston Elk's Club. I can't complain about the shows, because they always deliver, and this one delivered so much energy, it wasn't even funny! It was like everyone really wanted to be there, and was doing their best to impress. (This is a really good thing.) The usuals were there: Jacinda, Sheneeda, Shaunna, Miss E,on, Prodigy Diamond, Mizs Queery. And, new additions to the roster included: Cherry Lemonade, Lady Ginger, and ClubKid MizzDiveena. I loved it, because I was the official photographer, and I was feeling it that night...and I think the camera was too.
Sunday night, we were starting to feel the weekend...Shaunna had a show at Blackstones. It was Valentine's Day. It was a typical Blackstones show, hosted by Danielle Dior, with Shaunna Rai, Madame Sheena, and an out of towner, Tracey White. Like most of Danielle's shows, the show was short and sweet, with two numbers each, and extra numbers for Danielle. It was fun, because JR, one of the bartenders, actually did the opening number with Danielle...the duet of Unforgettable with Nat and Natalie Cole. Tracey exceeded my expectations. Shaunna stepped outside of her comfort zone, with a comedy number. It was great.
We ended out the month, with big plans. We went to Boston for Drag Bingo with Kamden T Rage, and Mizery, because it was a benefit for Task Force (the NH/MA equivalent of Frannie Peabody Center). I didn't expect to win as much as we did. It was so much fun. The plan was that afterward, we would go to Machine for the Early and Late shows, and see Violencia and Lili Whiteass...unfortunately, we kind of lost our gumption, and instead went home...which was just as well, because both Z and I had to work in the morning. But, 4 bags later, and a package of Ramen, wasn't a bad haul, considering the number of people who were actually playing. I just wish that I could decisively say that we will, definitely, for sure be able to use the gift certificate to Club Café that we won...well, Z won, and then gave to us...before it expires at the end of March.
Now, we're looking onward to bigger and better things...Buffy is hosting a show at the end of March, that Shaunna will be performing in. March Dragness is back in Bangor, the following night. In April, Shaunna will be performing with Lady Sabrina and Ongina (From RuPaul's Drag Race Season One). May is the Southern Maine AIDS Walk weekend, Dragapalooza and Moose-stock (the Zumba retreat). There's a whole list, that keeps being amended, that I'll post soon. But, it's going to be a busy next few months. As much as I hate to admit it, I'm going to enjoy it...even if I don't particularly look enthused about it.
And, finally, I can announce that Shaunna Rai is going to be working with DragQueenMerch.com to start a line of merchandise with her face on it. It's exciting. I can't wait to see the first of the t-shirts!!!
So, while all that has been going on, I haven't been on a hiatus at all. I've been trying to expand my reach a little. I now have a presence on Instagram as dragged2inside. I have a Twitter page, which is basically an extension of my Facebook page, as @Dragged2inside and, of course, I have my Facebook page (which is used far more frequently than the blog here) facebook.com/draggedtotheinside . I don't know how many people really pay attention to what I have to say, or what I want to show...but there you have them...all the ways you can stalk me.
I took a break, to re-evaluate whether I've been a dick to anyone or not, because over the course of time, you know how it is. People say to your face that you're awesome, and then, the talk comes from behind your back, saying that you're a horrible person, and that you don't deserve to have a voice, because you don't agree with the status quo. (Case in point, Bernie Sanders vs. every other politician vying for the presidency this year.) Anyhow, it's gotten back to me, that a while ago I managed to piss some people off. I'm going to take this moment to say, I'm sorry that you got pissed off, but I'm not sorry for what I've said. On occasion, I may criticize, but, it's meant to be creative criticism, not just me being bitchy. If you've ever taken anything that I've said to be anything other than the way it was intended, I apologize.
With all that being said, I'm going to talk briefly about the February shows, as a whole, just because I really want to break them all down, and talk about them individually. February, for whatever reason, has been the busy month for drag, for as long as I've known Shaunna. Fresh on the heels of the Facebook debacle, Shaunna was actually considering making a break from all of the responsibilities that she had agreed to...in other words, she almost canceled her February bookings. Fortunately, she decided against it, and February turned out to be a really fun month.
It started with the Acme Club's Mardi Gras show. (Ok, not really the Acme Club's show, since they had nothing to do with it other than being the venue...it was really Sheneeda Diet's show). Buffy Halliwell and Dahlia Black, two performers from New Hampshire, were fresh faced, welcome additions to the local talent. Shaunna hosted with Sheneeda, and performers included Mizs Queery, Miss E,on, Jacinda, Buffy and Dahlia. I may have had a little bit of a meltdown at the end of the show. (Read this as, I did have a meltdown.) But, I got over it, and looking back at the night, enjoyed the majority of it.
Next up, was a Boys Night Out on the Town in Portland. Dan and I went to see a show at Styxx on a Friday night. This was the first time that I had an inkling that there was really much of a "next generation of drag." Gigi Gabor, Lady Ginger, Chloe Lyne-Baquer, Dick Diesel, Delilah N'Chains, and ClubKid MizzDiveena. I've known Chloe for as long as I was a part of the Portland scene, and I have to say, I was quite impressed with how far she has come. Gigi, if I hadn't known better, I would've believed was Lili Whiteass from Boston. They look like they could be sisters, and they even have similar performance styles. I was so happy to see that there is a future for drag. And, they were good! I was even happier to see Styxx packed for a drag show. Styxx should be holding shows on a regular basis, because they usually draw in a crowd. (Just saying!)
The next night, was the Golden Goddess Productions show at the Lewiston Elk's Club. I can't complain about the shows, because they always deliver, and this one delivered so much energy, it wasn't even funny! It was like everyone really wanted to be there, and was doing their best to impress. (This is a really good thing.) The usuals were there: Jacinda, Sheneeda, Shaunna, Miss E,on, Prodigy Diamond, Mizs Queery. And, new additions to the roster included: Cherry Lemonade, Lady Ginger, and ClubKid MizzDiveena. I loved it, because I was the official photographer, and I was feeling it that night...and I think the camera was too.
Sunday night, we were starting to feel the weekend...Shaunna had a show at Blackstones. It was Valentine's Day. It was a typical Blackstones show, hosted by Danielle Dior, with Shaunna Rai, Madame Sheena, and an out of towner, Tracey White. Like most of Danielle's shows, the show was short and sweet, with two numbers each, and extra numbers for Danielle. It was fun, because JR, one of the bartenders, actually did the opening number with Danielle...the duet of Unforgettable with Nat and Natalie Cole. Tracey exceeded my expectations. Shaunna stepped outside of her comfort zone, with a comedy number. It was great.
We ended out the month, with big plans. We went to Boston for Drag Bingo with Kamden T Rage, and Mizery, because it was a benefit for Task Force (the NH/MA equivalent of Frannie Peabody Center). I didn't expect to win as much as we did. It was so much fun. The plan was that afterward, we would go to Machine for the Early and Late shows, and see Violencia and Lili Whiteass...unfortunately, we kind of lost our gumption, and instead went home...which was just as well, because both Z and I had to work in the morning. But, 4 bags later, and a package of Ramen, wasn't a bad haul, considering the number of people who were actually playing. I just wish that I could decisively say that we will, definitely, for sure be able to use the gift certificate to Club Café that we won...well, Z won, and then gave to us...before it expires at the end of March.
Now, we're looking onward to bigger and better things...Buffy is hosting a show at the end of March, that Shaunna will be performing in. March Dragness is back in Bangor, the following night. In April, Shaunna will be performing with Lady Sabrina and Ongina (From RuPaul's Drag Race Season One). May is the Southern Maine AIDS Walk weekend, Dragapalooza and Moose-stock (the Zumba retreat). There's a whole list, that keeps being amended, that I'll post soon. But, it's going to be a busy next few months. As much as I hate to admit it, I'm going to enjoy it...even if I don't particularly look enthused about it.
And, finally, I can announce that Shaunna Rai is going to be working with DragQueenMerch.com to start a line of merchandise with her face on it. It's exciting. I can't wait to see the first of the t-shirts!!!
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