An Evening With Danielle Dior

The host for the night,
Danielle Dior.

So, the night started out with me in a panic, that I wasn't going to make it to the show.  It was pretty much, in my mind, a case of, I wish I'd known sooner.

When I finally left work, on time, for once, it was with the expectation of arriving back in Portland at the end of the show, with nothing to do, but go home and go to bed.  The drive was long and boring.  And, finally, I made it back to Portland...where the roads were iffy, because we were still digging out from a storm that left a couple feet of snow.

Madame Sheena

I got to Styxx and Shaunna Rai was there, talking with a couple of people that we know.  I got a drink, and proceeded with talking about my frustrating day at work, with a co-worker, who had a hard time keeping track of residents. And, I was reminded that I smile, a lot.  My parents came up in conversation, about how accepting and supportive they are.

Lo and behold, the show had yet to start.  By the time the announcement was made that the show would be starting in five minutes, I think I'd gone through half my drink... Cherry Lemonade made a point of welcoming me to the show...and it made me smile, because who doesn't like a personal "Thanks for coming."

Cherry Lemonade in an Adore
Delano inspired look.

I'd smuggled my camera in, because, well, that's what I do.  I'm the picture guy.  And, for whatever reason, I want to document the drag that I see.  They're all the Candy Darlings, to my Andy Warhol.  (If you don't get the reference, Google it.)

The show started, and I had to say, it was a little odd to me.  Danielle is a Blackstones girl.  I hear, back in the day, when Styxx was the Underground, that Danielle was there a lot.  But, as long as I've known Danielle, it's been rare to see her out at Styxx, much less, performing there.  Danielle always starts the show off, with a thank you to us, the audience, for being there, and then goes into her first number.

Danielle Dior

Shaunna commented that she loved Danielle's outfit, and Cherry Lemonade came over and sat with us for a few minutes, before heading to the back to get ready for her number.

Madame Sheena was up next. I always enjoy her performances...although, my camera, doesn't as much.  She's a fast mover, and the camera tends to have a hard time focusing on her.

Madame Sheena

Cherry Lemonade came out for her number, looking like Adore Delano.  I loved the look.  She used the cage on the dance floor in her number.  At the end of the number, she took the mic, and reintroduced Danielle, for her second number.

Cherry Lemonade working
the Stripper Pole

Sheena came back out for her second number, and Cherry was back out for her second number.  This was one of the more memorable numbers for the night, because, well, the Stripper Pole.  While there was no upside down hanging, Cherry worked the pole, and I was happy to see that I got some cool pictures of it.

Danielle as Liza Minelli

Danielle came out for her next to last number.  I was a little disappointed, because initially, the DJ started playing the Madonna version of "Don't Cry For Me, Argentina," in error.  The correct song was actually a Liza medley.

Madame Sheena

At this point in the show, I was apparently, in the photo zone.  Why do I say that?  Well, for one, I'd taken probably 1100 pictures at this point.  (I took advantage of the settings that I'd found before the last show.)  But, apparently, at some point, about halfway through the number, there was a wardrobe malfunction.  When editing the pictures later, I was very much distracted by Danielle's nipple staring me in the face in about 100 pictures or so.

Danielle Dior

Sheena did one more number, and Danielle came out for her final number.  And, just like that, the show was over.

I sometimes wonder if the shows actually go so fast for the performers as they do for me.  I think part of it has to do with the fact that I'm focused on things, usually, other than enjoying myself.  (Not that I give up the enjoyment of the show, for the pictures, because that's totally not the case.)  I'm just usually more in the zone of point and shoot, than watch, tip, enjoy, repeat.

But, I have to admit, sometimes it pays off to be the guy who zones out by taking pictures.  On the way out, I mentioned to Josh (the bar owner) that I had taken a ton of pictures.  He told me to make sure to post them, and he'd make sure that next time I was there, I got a drink or two on the house, as payment.  Not a bad deal, for something that I would've done for free anyway.

I Wanna Kiss You at Midnight

Each time that Shaunna Rai has a show out of state, it brings about a slew of new stressors for us both.  I have to be sure that the car is loaded and that I haven't forgotten anything.  I have to be sure that I have the time off from work.  I have to be sure that if we're bringing someone with us, that I have the time to get them before we have to leave for the venue.  Toll money, gas money, ID, all of it. 

Add caption

So, Miss E,on was part of the show, so Tuesday night, we drove to Lewiston to pick him up.  Any time with Benni is always fun.  And, it was nice to see him, since it's been a long time.  

Wednesday morning, I had to be at work at 7am, so I had to go to bed early Tuesday night.  And, I had to be up early Wednesday morning.  The day was long, and frustrating, because I wasn't really feeling it.  I wanted to be off from work.  And, finally, 3pm came, and my day was over...sort of.  The boring part was over.  The fun part still was a few hours away.

Miss E,on does a Weird Al Yankovic mix

I enjoy the process of dragging up when E,on is around, because (quite frankly) I don't have to help as much with the location of hips, butt, etc.  I get to pretty much goof off, and get dressed for the show.  Then I'm the bag boy, and chauffeur.  E,on does all the hard work, and given their history, Shaunna and E,on have worked together for a long time, and know how to deal with each other's bodies.

Bonita Katrina

The drive is always the worst part, when it's an out of state venue.  While I was waiting for the girls to come out, I'd run to the gas station, to fill up, and remembered to set the GPS for Fran's Place. This is huge, because I never remember to do either before going somewhere new.  So, yay, me.  

Upon arrival, I parked in a loading zone.  And, then panicked, because it was 15 minute parking, and I was going to be there from 8pm-2am.  We checked in with Asia, and met Dineen, the manager, who had invited Shaunna Rai and Miss E,on to come perform, and then I took Shaunna's suitcase upstairs, to the dressing area.  Asia told me that I could move to the rear of the building into the No Parking zone, and I would be fine for the night.  So, I went to move the car...and promptly got lost, because where I thought there should be a cross road, there was none.  So, I turned around, and then, very rebelliously, I parked in the no parking zone. And, then prayed like I have never prayed before, that I didn't find my car missing at the end of the night.

Asia Thavone

I had to go back through the bouncer, and tell him who I was, and explain that I was the photographer for the night, and my name was on a list.  I was a little annoyed, but, hey, I'm a new face, and how is he to know who I am?  Shaunna and I grabbed drinks, with our drink tickets, and then went to talk to Asia.  Dineen came over to talk to us, and let us know what to expect for the night.  She asked me about my plans for pictures, and whether I was going to be selling CD's of the night, or not.  Figuring that it wouldn't hurt to try selling them, I said I would, and then started what was a very stressful tour of the bar, during which I  

Shaunna Rai performs
to Proud Mary.

went around to random people asking if  I could take their pictures, explaining that I was selling the CD's of the night, and handing out business cards.  And, surprisingly, I actually managed to sell a couple of CD's.

After being able to hardly conceal my excitement of having sold the CD's, I ran back over to Shaunna, to share my excitement. Dineen came back over, and introduced us to the owner of Fran's Place (whose name I have since forgotten).  He told us that he was excited to work with some new queens.  He told us about a couple of queens who had come to work with Fran's before, who had since moved on, but he wanted to keep queens in the picture.  

Cindy and Candy got engaged.

And, then, it was almost show time.  Shaunna and E,on went upstairs to start getting ready for their numbers, and tasked me with letting Bonita Katrina and Dee-Lish know that the show was close to starting.  This was cool.  I always kind of like getting to interact with the queens I don't know.  Bonita, I had seen on Facebook, prior to the show, so I had no problem talking to her, because I knew exactly who she was and what she looked like.  Dee-Lish, I didn't know.  And, I'd heard her called Delicious.  I wasn't sure what she looked like, and so I hoped when I actually saw her that I would recognize her.  And, I lucked out and did.  Only, I had to bite my tongue, and not use her name, because I couldn't remember it, in the moment, and would have, more or less put my foot in my mouth.

Dee-Lish

Just before the show, Dineen had me go out on the stage with her, as she told everyone who I was, and that I was going to be selling pictures.  She plugged this blog, and told people who were interested in getting pictures, to see me.

The show finally started. Dee-Lish was first, E,on did a Weird Al Yankovic number that I always enjoy, then came Bonita.  Shaunna was supposed to be up next, but the DJ was having trouble with the music, so there was a last minute switch up, for Asia to go, and then Shaunna.  And, as usual, the audience was singing along with Tina Turner's "Proud Mary." And, the first half of the show was over.

Miss E,on

Food was brought out, and a buffet set up.  People were dancing.  And, then, the countdown started.  10, 9, 8.... The clock struck midnight, and everyone kissed.  I got a rare kiss from Shaunna Rai.  And, then there was an announcement.  A pair of women were called out to the dance floor.  And, I witnessed my first proposal in person...and got to photograph it.  I just wished that I could've had a flash that recharged faster, so I could've gotten more pictures.  

Bonita Katrina

At some point in here, Dineen asked me to show myself again, while she let everyone know that I was going to be selling pictures from the night, and that anyone interested should see me. 

Dee-Lish again started off the second half of the show, E,on was "All About That Bass", Bonita did a number, that was mixed with clips of Miss Swan, from MAD TV (and I just about died, because I was laughing so much), then Shaunna and finally Asia.

Shaunna Rai

While my CD sales came to a grand total of two CD's, I had a lot of fun.   I started off the New Year, doing something that I love doing.  And, I started it off doing something that scared me.  Because, let's face it, I'm too shy for my own good, unless I'm hiding behind my blog.  By stepping out of my comfort zone, and actually talking to people I don't know, I proved to myself that I could do it.  I don't have to be the guy who hides in the background while Shaunna Rai mingles with her "adoring public."  Because, I can do that too, and get my name out there as someone who writes a silly blog about what it's like to go to all these drag shows, and hang out with drag queens, and as a photographer, who takes a ton of pictures.

I took more pictures throughout the rest of the evening, although, after the end of the show, things cleared out pretty quickly.  

Asia Thavone

Then, came the long trek back home.  The, "Oh crap, I hope I don't get stopped, because I don't know where I'm going, or which lane I need to be in..." moments.  The customary trip to pick up fast food for the way home.  And, finally, the minute we walk back through the door at home, and I more or less run to the bedroom and pass out on the bed.

In my history of 34 years worth of New Years Eves, I would say that this was, without a doubt top two.  The only rival, being the first year that Dan and I were together, when we went to Mainestreet, in Ogunquit.

Dineen, and Fran's Place, thank you so much for having us, and for having me, specifically.  I look forward to coming back in February, for Valentine's Day!

New Year's Eve Plans

So, it's inevitable.  Every year, I end up working New Year's Eve.  And, every year, I end up being so tired at the end of the night, that I struggle to make it to the ball dropping.  And, then, when it's all over, I conk out, and I'm not heard from again, until the following year... (haha).

Because I'm so flexible, and I worked Thanksgiving, and will be working both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, work decided to honor my request to have New Year's Eve evening, and New Year's Day off.  Which is a good thing, because Shaunna Rai booked a show in Lynn, MA, for New Year's Eve.

 I'm excited about this, because it's a New Year's Eve party with Shaunna and E,on, and that in itself should be a ton of fun.  But, along with seeing Asia again, and meeting some new girls, I'm going to be working the event.  This will be an opportunity for me to start off the New Year, by cracking my shell a little bit.  I'll be taking pictures of the event, the audience, and whatever I feel like taking them of, really.  And, I have the okay to actually sell photo cd's, which will be sent out in the days following the event, while I'm there.  So, just a heads up, if you're reading this, and will want to get a copy of the photo CD, it will be $10, you can email me here.  I'll need mailing info, and will be able to send you to my paypal.

My biggest nervousness, comes from the fact that the last few shows that I've done, my battery has run out before the end of the show.  So, I have to have a backup camera ready, just in case, because I generally am not taking pictures of the audience as well.

Anyhow, it should be an amazingly fun night.  I can honestly say that I've never spent New Year's Eve out of state with Drag Queens.  I encourage all my friends who are available to come and hang out with us and make this a night that we won't forget any time soon.

Also, I heard a rumor, that Shaunna may bring out some "Old School" (before I ever knew her) music for the night.  So, on top of getting to see a show, I get to see some numbers that, while not exactly new, are new to me.

And, I want to throw out a big thank you to Fran's Place, and Dineen Bartolo for having me as the photographer, and promoting me and my photography for your show!  I hope I can do it justice.

Daytime Drag

This ended up being one of the most emotional days for me.
Snapping this picture, I got caught up in what it all meant.

Saturday was the longest day of the entire weekend. Saturday brought about the AIDS Walk, and Lewistunning Dragapalooza. So, the day started in Ogunquit, took a road trip to Lewiston, and then returned to Ogunquit.

The morning started with me making a coffee run, while faces started to go on. As usual, I got to sit and watch both faces go on.  And, as usual, I was impressed by the difference in how the makeup gets applied.  Because, neither of the ladies puts on their makeup the same way.  And, oddly enough, this will not be the last time that I'm impressed by the differences in makeup application.

Because I get to be in the same place with them, while they're putting on the makeup, and, at this point, we're on day 4 of putting on a face, it seems like the time just flies by, and the face is ready.  And, then, I do the "husbandy" thing, and fix bra straps, and tuck fabric flaps, and then, my job is done.

And, they're off!

We walk to the beach.  The girls are getting attention, and if it were anywhere other than Ogunquit, I'd probably be worried about the fact that they're getting attention because of the daytime drag.  But, because it's Ogunquit, and I realize that the majority of the attention that they're getting is from people that I know, it's all good.  We arrive at the parking lot, where Frannie Peabody has set up, to give out numbers, and the race is going to start, and I start snapping pictures like crazy.  Chulani, one of the karaoke singers from Friday night sings the national anthem.  The girls pose for some pictures with runners/walkers.  The race starts.  And, we get to go ride on a stretch golf cart, to cheer on the runners.

Our Limo Awaits!

The girls originally got in the way back, which faces out away from the driver, until Shaunna pointed out that maybe it would make more sense, for me, with the camera, to be facing that direction, to take pictures of the runners.  So, we do a short Chinese Fire Drill, and I end up in the way back.  And, within minutes of the switch, I almost fall off, when the taxi starts to move.

Miss E'on, Shaunna Rai, Leanna Love

We only go to the halfway point, because the taxi isn't allowed on the beach, which is pretty much (from my understanding) the rest of the course.  We cheer on the last of the walkers, and then head back to the parking lot, for lunch, and more pictures.  Then, it's tear it all off, pack up the car, and get on the road!

We stop home long enough to repack bags, with new outfits, for Dragapalooza, throw clean clothes in the overnight bag, and then we're off again.  We pick up Cherry Lemonade, and book it for Lewiston.  And, it hits me while we're driving to Lewiston, that I totally need a bigger car!   Between the passengers, and the drag, we're packed. Fully.  And, I'm supposed to be fitting one more person into the car.  It's impossible.  And, I stress about it for a little bit, on the drive.

ClubKid MizzDiveena

Once we get to Lewiston, I get to relax again.  There's not a whole lot going on, other than reminiscing, and discussing the show.  This is Cherry's first year doing Dragapalooza.  And, this is really the first time that I've spent much time with Cherry or her male alter, Conor.  This is also the first time that I've really caught myself being judgmental about people that I don't really know.

I've always tried to not make snap judgments about people in general.  Give people a chance, before you decide for certain that you like them, or not.  This has a bad habit of backfiring on me...when I give people the chance to prove that I shouldn't dislike them, they prove to me just why I should dislike them.  Fortunately, this was not the case this time.

Because Cherry had hosted Cherry's Drag Race, and had taken a former friend of mine "under her wing," I had a preconceived notion of the type of person that Cherry is.  Read as, someone that I'll be social with in a social situation, but not someone that I would spend much time with.

One of the best parts of the weekend for me, was finding out how much of an ass I was, when I found out that Conor/Cherry was nothing like I thought.  It was decided that I needed to go pick out something for lunch, because, with my specialized diet, I should be the one to do the looking for something gluten-free.  And, Conor decided to go with me.  The first part of the walk was quiet, because I didn't know what to say.  And, then, there was a bit of bonding over, of all things, the blog.  From there, conversation came pretty easily.  I actually realized that this is someone that I have a lot of respect for.  He does the drag thing, he works for a magazine, and dj's at Styxx.  He puts me to shame.  Lol.  I work in group homes, and write a blog...

After eating, I felt better, and faces started going on.  And, with Shaunna, E'on, Leanna Love, and Cherry Lemonade, there was no shortage of differences in how the faces were done.  Some of it's war paint, some of it looks like geisha face paint.  The eyes are all different, even when the same colors are being used.  Tips are traded.  Upcoming shows get discussed.  And, then it's time to go...and I'm lost. I have no idea how to get to Bates College, from Benni's (E'on), and thus have no idea how to get back.  And, I know that I can't fit four drag queens, all their hair, outfits and makeup in the car.  So, I end up taking two trips, with Leanna as my co-pilot.

Prodigy

Returning to the college, to drop off Shaunna and Cherry and park myself, I get the first hint that the weekend is catching up with everyone, because some fool has decided that since the queens get to park by a side door, that so can they.  And, my parents are walking up, trying to figure out where they're supposed to get their tickets from.  And, I just want to run screaming away from the whole thing, at this point, because I'm having a hard time staying focused on what I need to do first...which is get the costumes/hair back to the dressing rooms.  So, I dismiss my parents, and tell them I'll be right back, because I still have to park...two blocks away.  And, by the time I get back, they've already got their tickets, and mine as well.

Shaunna Rai

We go get seats, and it hits me that, I've been using my camera all day.  I have no idea how much battery I have left.  And, I start panicking.  What happens, if I killed my battery during the walk, and can't get any pictures during Dragapalooza?

Cherry Lemonade

The show starts, and there is a request for no flash photography.  So, we can still take pictures, but not with a flash.  On the one hand, this is a good thing, because the lack of the flash is going to save the battery life.  But, on the other hand, it's going to make it harder for the camera to focus on what's going on on stage, because we're kind of far away from it, and it's not like the stage is super well lit... So, I start snapping away, and I have changed the speed to action, so that I can get more pictures, with less work.  And, then I realize that I'm taking too many pictures!  Because, the battery starts to flag, quickly.

Jacinda

And, 2/3's of the way through the show, it dies on me.  Mentally, I begin to curse the camera out, for having wronged me...because, apparently, this is a Leo trait, or so I was once told.  Then, I spot it.  At the end of our row, is a plug.  And, I have my charger!  The night's not a total loss for me.  Not that it would've been, even if I wasn't able to take pictures...but, I like having the record.  Finally, it's intermission.  Hopefully the battery will charge enough in the 15 minute break, to survive through the rest of the show.

Sara Tonin

Unlike last year, I never made it outside to snap pictures, thanks to a dead battery.  So, I sat with my parents.  And, this is when I find out that there's a good possibility that my dad is going to need to go in for back surgery.  ('Cause, of course, I'm not stressed out enough already, I need something else to throw in the mix.)

Intermission is nearly over, and Shaunna comes looking for me.  I try to gauge how much longer the show is going to be, because I'm going to have to leave, literally, as the last number ends, to get the car, and get it back to pick up all the drags before the lot empties, and I'm stuck in traffic forever.  As we're halfway through the show, there's no real time given.  So, I make it known, that this is my plan for the rest of the evening.

And, lo, the battery has charged enough to get me almost all the way through the show.  This year, there were far more first time performers, both picked from Outright, and established performers who haven't done the show before.  And, I was blown away by how good they were.

And, somewhere in here, Shaunna made the announcement that we'd been waiting for all weekend.  Frannie Peabody Center's fund raising had broken the record by more than double last year's numbers.  They had in fact broken $100,000, and there was still money coming in.

The turning point in the night, for me, was ClubKid MizzDiveena's second number.  In unloading the drags initially, I thought I'd recognized a friend backstage, who I wasn't expecting to see.  But, I wrote it off as being delirious from all the other days that we'd been going.  It turned out, that I, in fact, had seen Tony backstage.  And, he was performing with Diveena, as a demon of some sort.  And, so he came down the ramp around the seats, and happened to be on my side.  Putting things together, and realizing that it was him, made me chill out, and enjoy the rest of the show.

Then, just like that, the show was over.  I booked it to the car, and beat all the traffic.  Then, it was time to load the car back up, bit my parents goodbye, and head back to Portland, to drop off Cherry, and head back to Ogunquit, to rest up for the Sunday Brunch at Bessie's.

I Don't Know How to Thank You...

Danielle Renee Phillips

So, last night, was the benefit show, at Blackstones, to raise money for the victims of last Sunday's fire on Irving Street.  With less than a week's notice, I wasn't sure what to expect for a crowd.  Shaunna, Vanila, Dan, Ryan and I were promoting via Facebook, as was Blackstones.

Vanila Honey-Bush

We got there early, as the show itself was early in the night.  There was a good sized crowd.  And, as it got closer to show time, the crowd grew a bit.

The girls mingle with the crowd, on show nights, before shows.  It's an awesome way to build a fan base, and let people get to know who you are.  And, to show that you're a real person under all the masking of drag.  So, while the ladies were mingling, I was finding my usual seat, to get the best pictures during the show.  This is normally the time, when I get all anti-social, and only talk to people I know, and avoid contact with everyone that I don't know, in hopes that they'll leave me alone. (I say that half joking, because I know subconsciously that's exactly what I do.)

Shaunna Rai

For whatever reason, though, last night was a different night for me.  A guy I didn't know, started chatting with me.  He kinda buttered me up, and made me talk to him, by telling me that I was the best looking thing in the bar. (It was nice to hear...) I got nervous, so I immediately brought up the fact that I am not a single man. He continued the conversation, and it was a nice change. A good way to experiment with breaking out of my comfort zone.  He eventually moved on, to order a drink, and continue making his way through the bar.

Cherry Lemonade

It turns out, that the lady who was sitting next to me, was there in support of her brother...one of the victims of the fire.  She and I spent a bit of time talking.  She was impressed that the community would pull together something like this.  And, said that her brother couldn't believe that the queens would put on a show, to help raise money to help him out.  The final count, I believe that I heard from Dan, was $500 was raised to help out the fire victims, both from raffles, and tips that the queens received.

Danielle Renee Phillips

During, and after the show, I spent some time getting to know a couple who has recently moved to Maine, who had friended Shaunna Rai on Facebook.  Andy and Tommy were really good company, after the show, while Shaunna Rai was off mingling again.  They were friendly, and nice.  You know, all the qualities that I look for in people who I'm hoping aren't going to turn out to be ax murderers.  (Just kidding.  My list of qualities that I look for in an ax murderer is much, much, much longer than that.)

Cherry Lemonade

 I personally want to thank everyone who came out to support the show, because this is the kind of thing that helps us to remind people that we're good guys too.  Aside from our witty sarcasm, and anal sex, the gay community, is known for their contributions to charitable causes.  And, given that we as a community raised $500 in one night, we were on our game.

Shaunna Rai

 And, I want to thank Ralph, the owner of Blackstones.  Every time he sees me without my camera, when I'm out with Shaunna and Vanila, he asks me where it is.  This time, I actually got vouchers for free drinks.  It was a very sweet gesture, given that while I do promote shows, I don't do nearly as much promotion for the bar as Shaunna and Dan do.

Vanila Honey-Bush

 Contrary to what usually happens, it was an early night.  I had to work at 5am, so bed was calling my name.  As was a gluten free half pizza, that I hadn't eaten at lunch.