Midsummer Night Queens: Week 3: BenDeLaCreme

I waited a year for the second installment of Midsummer Night Queens shows. I was most looking forward to the final show, for two reasons. One, was that initially, Katya was supposed to be a part of it. And, two, was that when Katya was unable to be there, and it was BenDeLaCreme, I felt like it was a second chance of sorts, for me to make a better impression.

When Ben came to Portland for the BOTS Tour, I felt afterward a little like a creeper, because when we stayed for the "after party" at Styxx, I went into my "I'm a superfan, and don't know what to say, so I'll say nothing and just watch and take everything in," creeper mode.

And, after two days prior of shows, I was ready to get it over with...and was so excited I could pee.

Since we got in early from the Cancer Schmancer show, I felt like I actually got enough sleep, for once.  And, due to the traffic the previous two shows, we decided that the best thing to do, would be to leave early.

So, when Dan/Shaunna Rai got a text halfway to Portland, on our way to pick up Cherry Lemonade, saying that the show had been canceled, I didn't believe it. Like, I seriously thought that it was a joke.  Until I got the details...a pipe had burst at the Seacoast Rep Theater. The matinee show of Avenue Q was canceled. The water had bathed the lighting system, so it was all unusable space.

Given the fact that BenDeLaCreme had been flown in, it seemed like an impossibility for the show to not go on in some way. How much money would've been thrown down the toilet, if the theater lost money on BenDeLa,  and on tickets that needed to be refunded? It just made sense for the show to move venues...which was exactly what ended up happening.

During lunch with Shaunna and Cherry, I did what I do. I took to the social medias and started promoting the new location, in every way I could think of. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Tumblr all got some version (pretty much the same version from Instagram ) of the information..."The show has been moved, here's the new location, hope to see you there." I more or less figured that this was a lesson in futility, but I needed to do what I could to make sure that everyone I knew who was coming, would know where to go.

After lunch, we headed to the Rep, so that the girls could paint, as the space at the new venue was going to be too small for everyone's stuff. There was so much going on that the conversations have all melted together in my memory...although, I do remember talk of Rocky Horror, which was how Cherry and Bunny Wonderland met.  And, Mimi Imfurst was also around back in those days.

I ran upstairs, as the bar was open, and the girls wanted drinks. On the way up, I very nearly gave myself a heart attack, and then did it again on the way back down.  There was a mannequin with what looked like hockey gear on, standing in a dark corner. And I got jumped by it every time I walked by it.

Finally, we loaded the makeup cases back into the car, and it was time to head to the new space, 3S Artspace.  We got there easy enough, and it was then kind of a mess finding parking...so we parked at the bank...on the grass...and went in to find out where to bring the bags and stuff.

The staff were very helpful getting us to the stage area...presumably,  because it's not often that they get men in women's faces coming in. They were excited about the show though. The stage was great. Although, backstage was tiny. There were going to be about 6 people at a time back there with costume changes, etc. I'm still not sure how they all fit.

After getting them situated, I went back out to move the car, so I wouldn't fear being towed. And, grabbed the bags. On my way back into the building, I heard someone yell my name. I looked around, but didn't recognize the voice. As I got to the building, they said my name again. I recognized the person as a Facebook person. He thanked me for the update about the change of venue, and asked if I knew where we were going. I told him to follow me, but that I couldn't guarantee that they would let him in, because at this point, it was still really early. He thanked me then went on his way, as I made mine back into the backstage area.

Wendy showed up shortly after, and I bugged Bunny again, to let her in early. So, while I waited for everything to start, and for the doors to open, I at least had company.

Because of the change of venue, and the time change, and drag shows just about never start, on time, it seemed like forever for the show to start.  But, the show was totally worth the wait, and the hassle of exploiting social media.

Bunny did a version of her witches mix, that includes clips from Wicked and Maleficent from Sleeping  Beauty. 

Lili Whiteass did a version of Rocky Raccoon, in full raccoon drag. I had never heard the song before, but I got a kick out of it. Later, Lili did an homage to Devil Wears Prada and Madonna's Vogue.

BenDeLa did a hilarious number that started off with her lip synching to herself "talking to the dj", and then trying to follow a number, where the music was off...first too fast, then too slow. And, watching her do a perfect synch to slow motion music, and The Chipmunk speed music was awesome.

BenDeLaCreme later did her Burlesque number, that she had done when we saw the BOTS Tour. It's a number that I love, because it's funny. I didn't expect to get a glitter bomb though. I found out later, that Shaunna and Cherry told her to look for me, and throw glitter at me. Which, in a way made it better.

Cherry did a number from (I think) one of Barbara Streisand's movies. It was great until the end of the number, when the character falls off a building to her death, and it looked like Cherry overestimated the space between the stage and the first row if audience, because she quite nearly fell into the audience. 

For whatever reason, there was a carpet on the stage, and a number of times I caught a slip happening. 

Rainbow Frite again did her Somewhere That's Green, only, this time, it was the version she meant to do the first show...complete with an Audrey II puppet, that eventually devoured her.

Before I knew it, the show was over, and everyone was clearing out.  BenDeLa had finished out the show, and there was a couple bucks of tip money, and I think a cover up, left on the stage. So, when I felt like it was safe and nobody was going to be like "Wtf do you think you're doing," I grabbed the stuff, and took it backstage.

Once I got backstage, Shaunna introduced me, as her boyfriend, and as a surprise to me, she remembered me from the BOTS Tour. After I recovered from the idea that she knew who I was, I went out to wait with everyone else...because, the backstage area really was too small for me to be there too.

One by one, the girls came out, and I started up my, "I'll take your picture" thing, and from that point, time flew by. So many people. So many pictures. So many other people's cameras.

Finally, it was time for me to get my picture taken. And, nobody knew how to use my camera. I had it all set up, so that all that needed to be done was a click of the button, and the picture would've been perfect. I handed it off, and then proceeded to stand with BenDeLaCreme through 30-ish pictures that were not at the zoom I had set it for. We laughed a little, then headed outside.

Those who smoke smoked. The young girls who had been at the Jujubee show, were waiting outside, and proceeded to "tell the past" and  "tell the future" for BenDeLa, by reading her aura.

BenDeLaCreme put up with it, although, much of what they were saying was already public knowledge, or it was something that could apply to any generic gay man. They finally left, and BenDeLa said that was a relief. She didn't buy any of it.

At this point, it was just me and the queens, and the staff who were closing the theater for the night, and I would say that it was well after midnight. We went back inside, and everyone started to de-drag and pack up. BenDeLa admitted that she had forgotten to bring boy clothes for after the show. It didn't stop her from asking about bars around the area...only, she seemed shocked when she was told the time for last call. New England, and our Puritanical rules about alcohol being unavailable at a bar past 1am.

Unfortunately, for the girls, the bar at the theater had also closed for the night already, although cans of beer and soda were readily available.

This was the best part of the night for me, because I hadn't really gotten a good chance to meet Lili or Rainbow, in spite of the three shows. In my head, they were "above me," but proved to be just as human as me. Lili was trying to close her contact case, and couldn't figure out why it wouldn't work. She handed it off to Shaunna, who also couldn't figure it out. I had been watching, and couldn't figure out why the cap looked different, and asked if I could look at it. It turned out that they were trying to put a cap from a water bottle on it. We all had a good laugh, and then, got kicked out of the theater. It was about 2am, and the staff were ready to go home.

Everyone said their goodbyes and promised to keep in touch, and then began the trek back to Maine.

On the return trip, conversation turned to the guy who asked me how to get in, and that I am officially part of the drag crew...and that I play a bigger role than I think I do.

I snap pictures at every show I go to. I post them for the world to see, and for the girls to use for their own promotional purposes. And, I blog about the experience. The girls do the shows and have memories of this or that, but generally not the whole show. My stories about what the show was like, give them something solid to remember. I give a written history for them to look back at and say, "I remember that show," and to see how it went over with the audience.

We finally made it to Kennebunk and stopped for our usual BK stop. I don't remember exactly what led up to it, but at one point, I could've sworn that the cook was going to whip out his penis for Cherry. Quick as it started, he had gone back to the grill.

We headed back to the car, and I became the subject of conversation again...well, not me, specifically, but...my butt, specifically. How nice and round it is, and how many people, male or female would be jealous of it. Cherry asked if it was ok to grab a cheek, got the ok, and did. I was a little embarrassed,  but since I was driving, it didn't make much difference. I went into listening mode again, and then just like that, the night was over. We dropped Cherry off. I helped bring her stuff up to her apartment. And, then, an hour later, we were home.

Midsummer Night Queens: Week 2: Joslyn Fox

The trip to Portsmouth, was very uneventful, and conversation was much like it was the prior week...these guys take drag seriously, as a business, these guys don't, and the ones who don't, and go out in drag every night (for fun) ruin paid gigs for the "business-minded" queens.

We got held up again at the York toll. This time, for even longer than the first time.  Sundays, and the end of the summer, lead to mass tourists heading south, to return home. (I know, tourists make or break businesses in Maine, during the summer, but I'm usually glad to see them go home.)

We got to the Rep, and I again dropped the girls off, then drove around trying to figure out where I could park. Unfortunately, the bank parking lot was full, and I didn't want to risk it with the church possibly towing the car. So, I drove around the block three times, and by the grace of all that is good, as I was getting ready to give up and go park in the parking garage a few blocks away, someone pulled out. So, I got a spot right in front of the theater.  Only, Portsmouth runs their parking meters until 7pm on Sundays, so I had to rush to find quarters for two and a half hours worth of parking. Once parked, I took a minute to relax before heading back down.

Because I spend so much time as a man on a mission, I had planned to just head backstage to get drink orders. Only,  I got held up by puppets.  The Avenue Q puppets were again a part of Bunny's number. And I walked in on the rehearsal for it. It was brilliant, and I was so excited to see it actually worked into the show.

During the Jujubee show, Wendy had asked me how to get a backstage pass, to hang out in the dressing room with the girls. I told her that with some begging, and her being there early,  that we could probably get her in.

Once we arrived, though, I had actually forgotten that I was going to talk to Bunny Wonderland about getting her in. And it occurred to me when I saw her outside, that I had forgotten. Fortunately, Cherry Lemonade asked, and it was not a problem.

Because the room is set up with lights and mirrors on both sides of the room, I could stare at myself in the mirror, and see everything that was going on in the rest of the room. (I'm sure everyone knew that I was watching, but, I tried to play it off otherwise.)

Wendy was all aglow, because she had just gotten back from P-Town, where she met John Waters, and saw Jinkx Monsoon and Trixie Mattel. And, she was in all her glory hanging out backstage with the queens. I don't think that the entire time we were downstairs I saw the smile leave her face.

Unlike last year, Joslyn painted at her hotel room instead of the theater. She arrived and they did a quick run through of the introduction staging directions , I did a last drink run, and then Wendy and I went to take our seats.

Our usual seats were reserved...for someone else. When I asked about who they were for, apparently, someone is trying to set up a ferry to P-Town from Portsmouth, and those were the people who stole my seat. Which worked out well enough, because with the puppet number, I wouldn't have managed to get the whole stage from the first row. So, second row it was.

It's always fun, watching the crowd come into the Rep, because, it's like walking into a crater. A very deep crater with very steep sides. (It really sucks carrying suitcases with drag queens in them down the steps, but it's fun to watch other people.) The reaction is usually somewhere along the lines of, "Jesus, could they make these steps any steeper?"

Finally, showtime! All my usual people were there this time, including the new people from Jujubee. The only one missing was the ever stoic Brian, who had to work.

My favorite act, by far, was the Mary Poppins/Avenue Q number,  which I watched in rehearsal after parking. Bunny Wonderland made an amazing stoned Mary Poppins, being greeted by the puppets of Avenue Q, to the tune of "It's a Jolly Holiday With Mary".  Which, incidentally was why I needed to not be in the front row this time...

Joslyn as JLO surprised me. The hair was spot on, and occasionally during the number, I went off into a world where I was watching JLO and not JFO. 

I guess I was in the zone, because, it's rare that I have a conflict of reality, that allows me to suspend disbelief enough to buy a person as another person. (If that makes sense? This is why I could not watch TED...Peter Griffin is not a walking, talking teddy bear...I couldn't deal with the wrong character with the right voice.)

I was excited for Shaunna Rai's "Out Tonight" from RENT, because when we saw the stage the first time, I was like, "YOU NEED TO!"

Cherry Lemonade did a number, that I really didn't get. It started off with a phone call about her dad (presumably) dying, and then launched into a chain of memories about lost time, and that kind of thing. It was amazing, and showed off her vocal projection, because the mic crapped out on her.  It was important to Cherry,  and I later found out that it was one of her "for me" numbers.  A number that the audience doesn't have to "get" because it's about the character, more than it is the audience.

Lili Whiteass did again, her number starting with Elsa Mars singing "Heroes", and transforming into a skeleton tap dancing to "Puttin on the Ritz." And, I accidentally got one of my favorite pictures ever, of her, with the skull mask on.

The numbers kind of run together,  sometimes, for me, because as a photographer, I'm paying more attention to whatever action is happening, than the actual music.

Joslyn, as I expected, did not disappoint. Where her night last year was Broadway based, I has expected at least one Broadway number from her. Instead I got three Pop divas...JLO, Rhianna and Pink. And, I can honestly say I have never heard Pink do "Bohemian Rhapsody", but she's brilliant. And, Joslyn amazed.

Before I knew it, the show was over. I ran backstage to check on Shaunna, and see if she needed any help. We got the corset off, and I headed back up, to be ready for the Meet and Greet. I was there before the queens were, and, so I started to chat with the people I knew.

Andre, Joslyn's husband came up and started setting up merchandise for sale. I, immediately, searched out Wendy, who had said earlier that she was looking for Joslyn t-shirts.

Joslyn and the rest of the girls made their way up, and, as usually happens, the crowd swarmed. "Joslyn, take a selfish with me," and, "You're so (insert any adjective here), can I get a picture with you?"

So, I went around to get shots of people, and began to hand out my business cards to people, explaining that I was the official photographer, and showing where I would be posting photos from all the shows. (Because, what blogger doesn't want to promote their blog along with their photographs?)

Joslyn finally set herself up, with a table, for signing items for people. And I took control of the line. "You're next," and, "Smile," left my mouth more that night, than they ever have in my life. When the line was gone, I got panicky, because, it's my thing to get my picture with the Ru girls, and Shaunna was busy with her own paparazzi, so I had no idea who would take my picture. I didn't need to worry. I got my picture...And only then realized that I had forgotten to get one with Jujubee, the week before.

Finally, the crowd started to peter out, until only the few people who were getting paid were left. (And me, and Andre) Everyone went down to pack up, and leave. Feeling a little awkward, because the dressing room felt very crowded, I stayed outside, and probably made a complete fool of myself. I reintroduced myself to Andre (because I had met him in Ogunquit the day before they got married, and again at last year's show.) And, so, because I was trying to actually have a conversation on my own, I talked about the only thing that I could think of...Facebook...And the fact that we weren't Facebook friends. So,  I asked if I  would be weird to friend request him, since I was already friends with Joslyn's boy page. He said I would be fine, and I was like, this is so cool.

The ride home was a very interesting ride. Apparently, there was a mix up in Shaunna Rai's check and Rainbow Frite's. And, there was a difference in pay scale.

This set up a huge discussion about how the pay scale should've been the same across the board, for all but the Ru girls. I was silent, because I didn't know what to say for one, and I kind of expected that from girls who do this as a living, as opposed to the girls who have day jobs.

When we finally got to Kennebunk, I was ready to get out of the conversation. The Burger King people who worked the previous week were working again, AND recognized us. Shaunna asked Cherry if she wanted to take more pictures in the gazebo. Cherry said she would, and this time, the BK guys gave her a hard time about it.

The rest of the ride home was uneventful, but, I was so glad to finally get home. With these trips, I realized that the only downside to living in Lewiston, is that it's so much longer a ride when we're coming from out of state. That is the only time that I miss living in Portland.

Midsummer Night Queens: The Ru-Turn: Jujubee

Jujubee

So, the Seacoast Rep Theater invited Shaunna Rai back for a second round of Midsummer Night Queens.  They also invited Rainbow Frite, Lili Whiteass (who had done a winter version) and Cherry Lemonade (for her first time.)

Bunny Wonderland

Everything was on point, we were ready to go early, and everything.  So, it felt like something needed to go wrong.  Because, well, you know, that's kind of how my luck goes.  Surprisingly, nothing did go wrong.  Although, it did feel a little strange leaving to go to Portsmouth, and not stopping to pick up Miss E,on.

We left early, to stop for lunch.  And then, did some shopping while we killed time before we were supposed to pick up Cherry.  At 3:30pm, sharp, we were at Cherry's getting the car loaded, for the trek out of state.  And, everything went so smoothly...until we got to York.

Traffic went along great, and then we got to the York toll booths.  And, what with it being Sunday, everyone was headed south.  I kid you not, it took almost half an hour to make a 10 minute drive across the state line.

Lili Whiteass does Little Edie
from Grey Gardens

We got to the Rep, and I was given strict instructions.  Park in the bank parking lot, not the church parking lot.  If you park at the church, you will be towed!  (They share the same lot, but they're separated by a partial brick wall.)  Easier said than done. I drove around what seemed like forever, trying to find a spot.

Conversation for much of the trip down, revolved around shows, and drag as a career.  And, how seriously people take their drag.  And, how occasionally, you have a great queen, who could really wow people if they took themselves a little more seriously, and decided not to rely on the camp they could become a force to be reckoned with.

Cherry Lemonade

I got drinks, and really appreciated the fact that I was essentially touring with the Maine queens and got to take a little advantage of the drink tickets...not that I took a lot of advantage of it...two drinks and I'm pretty much done. After a quick tour of the stage, Jujubee showed up, in "boy drag". And I realized that this was the first time I had met Airline in person, although I have met Jujubee a number of times. A run through of the introduction, and then faces started to go on.

Shaunna Rai does Proud Mary

While I love to sit and watch Shaunna Rai put on her face, I enjoy watching everyone else get into face more...Because they're all so different.  And, so, I watched Jujubee, Cherry Lemonade and Bunny Wonderland  get into face.

Watching Shaunna put on a face, I more or less know the timeline for how long it takes for Dan to start looking like Shaunna. So, seeing the speed at which Airline became Jujubee, I was in awe...And so was Dan. It became a topic of conversation for the rest of the night.

Rainbow Frite as Frank N Furter
(Sort of)

Since Jujubee, Lili Whiteass and Rainbow Frite  are all Boston girls, of course some talk was about the drag scene in Boston. There was a little talk about the upcoming season of Drag Race and All Stars 2.

Lili Whiteass as Elsa Mars

The best and worst thing about working with someone who is/has been on a tv show,  is that you get inside information, on occasion, but then, you have to sit on that information, until the show airs. Then, when you say, "I've known since, whenever," people write you off as making it up.  So, I'll say it now, I know a couple things about a couple things, but I can't say a word about them.

I of course, in an attempt to actually talk to someone who I adore, started talking about my blog, and my less than favorable review of Pandora Boxx at the BOTS Tour, and that Pandora had seen and commented on the reciew. Jujubee then, jokingly said that I would need to go, because If I was a blogger, she couldn't be quoted talking about the show. (And I wanted to hide my head in shame. Until I realized she wasn't totally serious about it.)

and again as a tap dancing Skeleton

Bunny Wonderland

Shortly after that, it was almost showtime. I went up to claim my seat before the doors opened, leaving my camera bag and a shirt. I grabbed last minute drinks for Shaunna and Cherry and went back to the dressing room. Making sure that everyone was good, I went back to claim my place. And, immediately went into a panic. My camera bag,  with camera, was still there, but my shirt was gone. (A brand new shirt, I'd only worn once before.)

Wendy came, and took the seat next to me, with her friend, the boys (Cody and Frank), Jodi and her partner, were all there. And a few new people who I knew from other places as well.
During the introduction,  I pointed out for Wendy (who was video taping) where the girls were going to make their entrances from.

The show went off without a hitch. As usually happens, I got lost in trying to capture everything and lost some of the music.

Brian actually did smile...

Cherry Lemonade

A few things stand out, as they usually do. Rainbow Frite did Somewhere That's Green, from Little Shop of Horrors, and, somehow I remember hearing that the version that she had was not the version she meant to have, because it changed the content of the performance. Rainbow also did a Britney Spears mix of sorts...as a parody, with "I love Cock and Balls", as one of the parody songs. Which was great, until it turned a little awkward, when Rainbow grabbed Wendy's hand and made her simulate a hand job on me.

Jujubee

There was a guy (named Brian) and his girlfriend in the audience, that every single queen gravitated to. Poor Brian got lap dances and was teased mercilessly, due to the fact that he refused to smile, throughout the whole show.  (Although, there is photo proof that he did in fact smile.)

Shaunna Rai

Lili Whiteass did a mix that started out as Elsa Mars from American Horror Story: Freak Show and ended with the 1980's version of Puttin' On The Ritz. It was great, because it showed off her tap dancing ability. And, I loved it, because of the music. (Then again, I love it when I actually know the music, to begin with.)

Rainbow Frite's Somewhere That's Green

Across the theater from Brian and Tricia, was another "couple" in matching peachy orange shirts. The guy went to lean over the railing and the railing let go, almost spilling him to the floor. I was mortified, not knowing whether to get up, or just let the show go on...I did nothing, but watched him retake his seat, and NOT lean on the railing again.

Lili Whiteass

Sitting next to me, in the front row were a couple of young girls, who didn't look old enough to be there. (They were in their early teens.) At some point, I became a point of interest,  because they were told that I was Shaunna Rai's "husband".

The show flew by, and before I knew it, it was over. As usually happens at the end of a show,  I checked out back, to see if I was needed for anything. I was asked to take a couple of backstage pictures of the entire cast of the show, then, I undid Shaunna's corset, and then headed upstairs for the Meet and Greet.

Cherry Lemonade

Unlike last year, when we went to the Gaslight,  the Meet and Greet was held right at the Seacoast Rep.  There were a lot of familiar faces, looking to get their pictures taken with Jujubee. And there were quite a few new faces.

Shaunna Rai performs Donna Summer's
Last Dance

The photographer in me was having a meltdown, because I wasn't getting every picture with every queen, buy I tried my hardest to get as many as possible. At least until Jujubee made her appearance,  at which time, I decided that the reason I was there was for the pictures with Jujubee, and pretty much followed her around snapping pictures until I had made it through everyone waiting.

I always get my picture taken with the Rupaul girls, when I get the chance. But, for whatever reason, I got so into the zone of taking pictures and handing out my handwritten business cards explaining that the pictures would be on my Facebook page for the blog, that I forgot to get my picture with Juju. I'm half tempted to photoshop myself into someone else's picture...

Rainbow Frite as
Morticia Addams

After the Meet and Greet fizzled out, and everyone was pretty much gone, I went back downstairs to see what was ready to get loaded into the car. I had to pretty much sit on the suitcase to close it, but, it was ready.

 I finally, officially met Jujubee's fiance, Chris. I say officially, only because I'd seen him before at shows, but never been formally introduced.  I walked out with them, and said goodbye, then headed back in to get the rest of Shaunna's stuff, and see how Cherry was coming with hers.

Bunny Wonderland and the Bad Idea Bears
from Avenue Q.

On the way back from the car, I finally found my shirt.  Apparently, because Avenue Q was playing before the Midsummer Night Queens show, someone assumed that the shirt belonged to one of the Avenue Q cast members, and so it just got stuck out back.  I could finally stop panicking that I had lost my shirt.

Jujubee

Once the car was loaded, we went out so that Cherry and Shaunna could have a drink, before we hit the road. One drink turned to two, and then it hit me, that I had to work a long day,  the next day.  We hit the road, and stopped in Kennebunk to get some food at the Burger King. While waiting for the food, Cherry decided to try to climb into the gazebo in the middle of the food court...while Shaunna took pictures. And the clerk at the counter couldn't stop laughing.

Finally, Dan (Shaunna) and I made it home. I realized how much further north Lewiston is from Portland, after dropping off Cherry in Portland, and helping bring his stuff up to his apartment. The last leg of the trip was killer. We finally made it home at about 3:30am, just in time for me to get to sleep before work.

Back:Shaunna Rai, Lili Whiteass, Rainbow Frite, Jujubee
Front: Bunny Wonderland, Cherry Lemonade.

It was a great start to the season. I think I loved it more than last year's incarnation. And, not just because it started with "my girlfriend," as Dan has been teasing me.  And, it's nice to be able to say, "Hey,  I know them!" and not feel like I'm being pompous, because I actually do know Jujubee...just not Airline. (Dan knows them both, and was told to call or text any time that we're in Boston, to see if they're around.) Which,  I think is totally cool.

There's No Place Like Home...

The last few months have been a whirlwind.  I've missed blogging about so many events, and, I'm not sure that I could keep up, even if I tried.

May was full of the Southern Maine AIDS Walk, Dragapalooza (and I feel like there was something else...)  June was full of Pride stuff.   July was all about moving.  August has been about settling in, loss, and the beginning of a second run of the Midsummer Night Queens show in Portsmouth.  September is going to be about my brother's wedding, and a night to "Remember the Underground" (the previous incarnation of Styxx in Portland...before I was "allowed" to go out to the gay bars, so before my time...)

The AIDS Walk was three days of awesome.  Porcia Chanel and Scarrlett Couture came from New Hampshire, and spent the weekend in Ogunquit with us.  As usual, because they were essentially, new people, to me, I was kinda freaked out.  But, they made me feel like I belonged there, which is always a big thing for me.  The fundraising part of the Walk bypassed last years $100,000, which will go to benefit the Frannie Peabody Center, and all the work that they do with local people who are coping with HIV/AIDS and the struggles that come with it.  And, as it always does, the weekend itself makes me proud to know the people who I know, because they make me strive to be a better, more understanding person.

Dragapalooza was a huge show this year.  Like 39 numbers, or something like that.  As always, it was a fundraiser for Lewiston/Auburn Outright, and there were quite a few student entries, in conjunction with the professionals.  A couple of returning acts from last year. I'd brought two cameras, because I knew that I was going to need them, for pictures...and I wasn't wrong.  I drained the batteries from both cameras before the end of the show.  (Which, prompted me to go Ebay shopping, and bought myself two extra rechargeable batteries for my good camera, for less than I could buy them in an actual store.)

1920's Steve and Shaunna Rai
Photo by Steven Bridges

June started off with the Great Gatsby party, to kick off Pride.  It was a great time.  I looked like a cross between Mario and a News Boy from the 20's...Apparently, I can't pull off a mustache properly, and should probably just give it up...

Shaunna Rai and Miss E,on were asked to perform for a cruise out on Portland Harbor.  In spite of the fact that I am deathly afraid of drowning, I went, and had an amazing time.

I came thisclose to actually getting to go to Pride, but stupidly decided that I needed to work that day.  The closest that I got was that I drove by the set up sites, while everything was getting set up for the parade...and then I got to drive by the park at the end of the afternoon, when things were starting to be taken down.  I think I learned my lesson.

Dan and Ariel

July was the month that I didn't expect to make it through.  The old apartment had begun to leak, badly, in places that it shouldn't have been leaking, especially, since it was in the ceiling of the second floor of a three story building... Dan and I ended up in a time crunch, and I'll just leave it at there being a lot of yelling.  Things have since calmed down.  But, it was a very stressful time.

August sadly, marked the passing of Ariel Maranda Gibbs.  She's one of the few people who Dan/Shaunna talked about a lot, who I never actually met.  When things calm down, I would like to talk to a few people about her, so that I can get some idea of who she really was, and give her a nice "send off."

We're finally getting settled into the new place in Lewiston.  Dan has a car of his own again, for the first time in three years.  And, although it's had a couple of issues, he appears to be less stressed out than he has been in a long time.  Shaunna Rai's drag rooms are still in transition (no pun intended) as Shaunna is still half packed away.  I've claimed myself a corner of the garage for doing my own thing.  I have my drafting table set up for drawing, a 300 disc CD changer set up for music (that I need to update with some newer drag-ish music), and more space than I will be able to use...at least when the car(s) aren't parked in it.

Which brings us to the Midsummer Night Queens.  Last year was a blast...Manila Luzon, Jessica Wild and Joslyn Fox, along with Bunny Wonderland, Shaunna Rai and Miss E,on.  Tonight, August 16th, starts the Ru-Turn...another three part, weekly show.  It starts off with Jujubee (one of my favorites), and will feature Joslyn Fox (week 2) and BenDeLaCreme (week 3), along with Bunny Wonderland, Shaunna Rai, Lili Whiteass, Rainbow Frite, and Cherry Lemonade.  I will again be taking pictures of the three evenings, and am looking forward to sneaking a little bit of backstage time with the queens, to say hi, and geek out...(and hopefully creep BenDeLaCreme out less than I did when I met her after the BOTS tour.)

So, that's been the summer, in a nutshell.  I'll get back in the swing of things.  And, hopefully, be less stressed out about everything.  I managed to get a new job, where it's highly likely that I will have weekends off, and be able to do more with weekend shows...and have a life, like a real person, in a normal job...

I'm On the Outside, Looking In

I have a bad habit of being anti-social, so it always surprises me when people consciously choose to spend time with me.

When the Seacoast Rep Theater announced that they were going to do a show with Jujubee from Season 2 of RuPaul's Drag Race, I decided that I wanted to go. My schedule worked for it to happen, because I chose to work an overnight shift the night before, in exchange for the weekend off.
Our friends Wendy, Cody and Frank, who we met during last summer's shows were all going as well.

So, plans were made to meet for dinner, then go see the show, and maybe go for drinks after. We went to Dos Amigos, a Mexican restaurant, and got dinner. I was shocked that Wendy decided to foot the bill for both Dan and myself. (Not that I should've been. She's super sweet.)

During dinner, we caught up a bit. And, the boys said they would meet us at the theater, because they were running behind.  Dinner for me was a large thing of chicken nachos (I ate all of them) and a margarita.

Rainbow Frite

The walk back to the theater was icy. The wind was blowing, and the temperature couldn't have been any more than 20°, if that. So, there was a lot of walking fast and not a lot of talking.

We got to the theater and picked up our tickets. And, I realized how much I missed the shows that Shaunna Rai did over the summer. It felt weird to be there without Miss E,on. It was  even weirder to not be hauling Shaunna down to the depths of the building.  It became such a habit dragging the suitcase down the steps, praying that I didn't lose my balance and fall down them.

Discussion, while we waited for the boys turned to the new season of Drag Race, and its mysterious premiere date change. I tend to be a listener, and take in bits and pieces of conversation around me, as well as the people who are actually talking to me. A little ways away, across the room, there was a group of older people. The last time I had seen them, there were two elderly ladies talking, and all of a sudden, I hear, "Do you know how to twerk?" And, so, I had to turn around and see what was going on. Sadly, turning around ruined the picture in my mind.

The boys finally showed up, and it was a, "Hi, you've you been? Wanna go for drinks later?" Before turning back to Drag Race. And, I realized that I need to do some rewatching of old seasons.  As a fan of the show, and drag in general, I should know who Yara Sofia is, and I should also have some idea of what some of my favorite queens look like out of drag.

Lili Whiteass

The crowd finally started to move toward the doors, and the wait was on.  Finally the doors opened, and I felt a bit like a cow being led to slaughter...there were so many people trying to get in at the same time.  I almost lost Dan.  And, I got stuck next to a girl who smelled like a ferret.  It was great... I was glad when I finally got ahead of her, and the smell was gone.

My old spot, with Wendy and the boys was taken by the older group.  So, we got second row, center.  Not a bad place to be, but for pictures, the front row is definitely better.

I told Dan how the whole feeling this time, was different than the shows during last summer.  For one, there was no going backstage.  It's weird having that freedom, to just disappear backstage, and say hi, or get drink orders, or whatever, and then having that freedom taken away.  It's kind of like the experience that everyone else gets when they go to a show, I guess.  I wanted to go say hi to Bunny, but, it wasn't appropriate this time.

Delta Miles and DA Michael

The show started like the Red Light Series Drag Race girl shows did, with an introduction to each of the queens.  And, I started my ritual of taking pictures.   And, then I went into a full blown panic.  During the short break between the introduction, and the start of the first number, I checked out the pictures...and they were bad.  Like you couldn't even tell what I was taking pictures of.  So, I started playing around with every setting on the camera that I could play with, to get it right.

Bunny Wonderland started off the night, with her high energy performance, getting the crowd prepared for the amazing night to come.

Rainbow Frite was up next.  I had seen Rainbow Frite in Boston, at Jacques, before, however, it was as a server, not as a performer.  I didn't realize that Rainbow Frite was a singer, and I especially didn't expect her to come into the second row to grab tips...and then climb on my lap, and ask me to say "Cock and Balls" on the mic.  As usual, the embarassment took over, and I was ready to die.  And, at the same time, I was enjoying the hell out of it.  I will admit, while it looks like I'm cringing on the outside, and wishing that I could die, on the inside, I'm so excited to be picked on that it's not even funny.  And, I spent part of the time wondering what Dan was thinking, while all this was happening.  (Apparently, he expected it to happen, and it was all cool, I guess.)

JuJubee

Lili Whiteass went next.  She came out in a pink gown, blonde hair and a beaver skin hat. And, then she started singing.  It took me a minute to recognize the song, because in my head, it had to be a "girl" song...only, it wasn't.  It was Billy Joel's  Leningrad.  I was pretty much blown away.

Next, was Delta Miles.  Well, it was supposed to be...until there were technical difficulties.  (I was surprised that it was "technical difficulties", because generally, at a drag show, they're called "testicle difficulties"... With a dead mic, Delta came out, and gave the sound crew hell, then went on for a bit with no mic.  She asked if anyone had a birthday, and it turned out that a guy named Michael  muchdid.  And, it turned out that he was a DA.  And, she pulled him up on stage, and used him in her number, as a prop.  And, he seemed to love it.  And, I just couldn't stop laughing.  She was hilarious.

Bunny Wonderland

Jujubee was up next.  She was beautiful.  I wish that I could remember all the songs that all the performers did.  Juju came out with the perfect hair, a tear-away and a stoned leotard.  I remember when Juju came to Styxx, almost being disappointed in her performance.  I'm not really sure what it was that she did differently, if anything, but I was so much more impressed with her performance this time.  (Which was good, since Jujubee has always been one of my favorite RuPaul girls.)

Rainbow Frite performing
Memory

Bunny came out again.  I can't even describe how much I enjoy Bunny's performances.  They're usually a bunch of songs mixed together, along with soundbites from movies.  And, I think for anyone else, it would come off as odd, but for Bunny, it just works...with the high energy that she throws into her performances.

Rainbow Frite came back out, and did a mix of The E-Harmony Cat Lady Song and Memory from the Broadway Show Cats.  I nearly died with the E-Harmony Cat Lady part, because, although I knew of the song, it had been a long time since I had actually heard it, and I totally wasn't expecting it.  When it switched over to Memory, I did what I always do...I broke out in song, along with it...all the while, snapping pictures.

Lili Whiteass, Anything Goes

Lili Whiteass was up again, and cemented her place in my mind as someone with a ton of talent.  Anything Goes.  Not only was she singing it herself, but, my God, she could tap dance too! How is it that I don't ever think about all the hidden talents that queens have?  All too soon, the number was over.

JuJubee

Jujubee came back out.  At one point during her number, she talked to a girl in the audience.  She asked her about who she was with, and if it was her girlfriend...and it turned out to be her mother! At the end of the song, Juju and Bunny chatted for a little bit, before bringing on Delta.

Delta Miles

Delta Miles again called out the sound crew...and a drunk girl in the audience.  And, then proceeded into a number, in which she did 'shrooms, coke and some kind of pills, along with what I could only imagine was a pot cupcake.  Watching the various drugs take effect and lose their potency was a hilarious descent, which ended with her backward somersaulting off the stage.

Rainbow Frite

Intermission came up, and Dan asked me what I thought about the show.  I explained how funny it felt being "on the outside, looking in".  It felt weird having him in the audience with me, because Dan doesn't usually go to drag shows.  Shaunna does, and she only usually does, when she's in them. Dan, started talking to a couple of people behind us about Drag Race, and shows at Fran's Place.  Then he started talking to the people in the front row.  They explained how they like to go to shows.  They go visit a gay couple in Florida, who go to bed early, while they stay up and go to gay bars, because the people are nicer there,than they are at straight bars.  They gave an example of a couple of guys who gave up seats at the bar to them, because of their age (presumably, since they didn't come right out and say it.)

Bunny Wonderland

The show came back up, and Rainbow Frite was back up.  This was probably my least favorite of her numbers.  Although, I had to laugh.  Earlier in the show, someone had commented about the front row having a blanket, to keep them warm.  Rainbow, toward the end of the number, used the blanket to her advantage.  She went right to the front row, and simulated oral sex with the old man in front of me.  (I was a little relieved that it was him, and not me.)

Bunny was back again, for her next number.  Dan leaned over to tell me to make sure to get a picture of her outfit, (because Shaunna might need something like that in her future...)

Delta Miles

Delta was back again, and sought out Michael in the audience again, for an introduction to her number.  And, she had to shut up the drunk girl in the white tank top again.  Along with training Michael to play along with what she needed him to say, to introduce her song about Jealousy.  For whatever reason, during this number, I spent a lot of time, thinking about how much she reminds me of Miss E,on.

For the first time (and last time for the night) Lili Whiteass did a lip sync.  I was a little disappointed that it was actually a lip sync, until she came over to get some tips...when I realized that she was actually singing along to the lip sync.

Bunny popped back out for a final number, and a response to a letter to the editor,  that had been posted earlier in the week, criticizing the Rep management for allowing the drag shows and B-movie nights to happen.

Lili Whiteass

Juju came out for her last number.  And, I was panicking at this point.  My camera battery was just about dead.  And, for whatever reason, I had decided to just bring the camera, and not the camera bag, which has a backup camera in it...That'll teach me.  (You'd have thought I would've learned after I forgot to bring any camera to Cherry Lemonade's American Idol viewing party...) With a couple of pictures I got, though, you'd have thought that Juju knew that I was the one taking pictures, because, at one point, she was staring dead into the camera, and it was almost like the end of the night was just for me and my camera.

The show was over.  And, so, we followed the herd back upstairs, for an after party.  Dan and I stood back, as much as possible, to stay out of the way of everyone who was getting pictures taken with the queens.  As people started to file out of the building, I went to get my last drink of the night.  Finally, when most of the crowd was gone, I asked Dan to start getting some pictures with the girls.

JuJubee posing for my camera

My pictures with Delta Miles came first.  She was fun.  We took a couple of serious ones.  Then, she decided to cover my face with her hand.  And, then, when we were done taking pictures, the sleeve of her dress got caught in my earring.

Rainbow Frite decided that Dan needed to be in the picture too, so she took a selfie of us...which kind of made me happy, because we don't really have a lot of pictures of us together.

I was kind of star-struck with Lili Whiteass, just because of how surprised I was by her performance...and because at one point, she had followed me for a second or two on Instagram.  And, I told her so...and then got home to find that I either had imagined it, or it really was for a second or two, because when I checked my followers, she wasn't there.  But, I found out that if she had followed me, even for a second or two, it was a fluke, because she doesn't usually follow people she doesn't know personally.

And, finally, I needed to get another picture with Jujubee.  Having met her before, and being able to talk to her that time, I knew I could talk to her this time.  So, I asked for my picture with her, and told her that the last time I got a picture with her, she had bitten my lip.  She was going for that again, and, well, she missed.  the picture makes it look like she was trying to eat my chin.  Which, actually, I thought was awesome.

Finally, we were the last people, aside from the performers, there.  So, it was time to head out.  The boys were staying in Portsmouth, so they were planning to go out.  At that point, I was tired.  I'd worked the overnight, and only slept about 4 hours after getting home.  So, I chose to go home, instead of going out.  Although, plans were made for definitely going out, in March, when they all come for the Battle of the Seasons show, here in Portland.

The show was amazing.  The night was amazing.  The people were amazing.  And, I realize now, why I need to make more of an effort to talk to people.  I need more people like this in my life.  I need more situations like this in my life.  Thank you to everyone who helped make this a night to remember!

If negativity breeds misery, then positive energy breeds happiness.  And, we can all use a little more happiness in our lives.  

White Hot Winter

I spent a bunch of time last summer, working with a few of the RuPaul's Drag Race girls at the Seacoast Rep Theater, in Portsmouth, NH.  Jujubee, while not one who I worked with there, is overall one of my favorite queens from the show.  I'm going to try to make it to this, because I think I'm working the overnight the night before, so I should have the day off...and potentially the weekend as well, to recover.

Hope to see you there!

You Asked For It. It's Back! Red Light Presents: 

White Hot Winter: A Ru Paul's Drag Race Revue Starring JuJubee. January 16th 8PM only at Seacoast Rep. 

Start your engines, and slap on your snow tires! The Rep gets heated up this January with some of New England best and brightest drag stars. Featuring Jujubee from Ru Paul's Drag Race Season 2, and Boston's Best Queens, Lili Whiteass, Rainbow Frite, and Delta Miles. Hosted by Portsmouth's Own Queen of The 'B's, Bunny Wonderland. 

$25 per person, General Admission.

Tickets are on sale now, and are ALREADY HALF GONE! 
Go to www.seacoastrep.org to purchase your tickets today...