I Still Get Jealous...

Shauna Rai, photo by Lauren Kennedy

It's no secret that at times, I am totally jealous of Shaunna Rai. Today (Sunday) gave me yet another reason to be jealous.
Today was a photo shoot with a local photographer, Lauren Kennedy.

Dan got up early, to get Shaunna together, for a 10:30 am appointment. I slept in, if you can consider sleeping until 8:30 am sleeping in. By the time I got up, Shaunna was already taking shape.

We got to the location for the shoot, Lauren's mother's house, before Lauren. She'd gone to get coffee.  She was back minutes after we got there, but, not before I was convinced that I was at the wrong house.

Lauren showed us in, and let us know kind of what to expect from the shoot. She had some questions for Shaunna about drag, that came out, throughout the shoot. 

Shaunna Rai,
photo by Lauren Kennedy

The first question was about pronouns, a topic that I feel like I'm relatively well versed in. I was glad I didn't try to answer for Shaunna, though, when she gave her answer. "Some people want you to use the pronoun that fits how they look. I, personally don't care either way. If you call me Dan when I'm Shaunna, I'll look. Just like if you call me Shaunna when I'm Dan, I'll look. To me it doesn't really make a difference, they're both me."  She then talked about how there are some queens, such as Mizery, who she has known for decades, but has no idea what Mizery's actual name is.

While Shaunna got into the first outfit, I talked with Lauren about whether it would be okay for me to take pictures of her taking pictures, for the blog. She said that would be fine, and encouraged me to get up and take pictures while she took hers.

"If you could turn this way..."

The first round of shots were to get the lighting right. As everything was being shot with a digital camera, I took adadvantage of being able to see the pictures as they were taken.  Once these shots were taken, she went to town. I thought that I took a lot of pictures,  as my average per show is about 100-150 useable shots...I'm sure that the total was well over twice that of shots in general.  Between having the vision and the speed with which the camera recovered from the flash, I was super jealous.


Lauren asked Shaunna about Drag Mothers. What are they,  exactly,  and are you one? Shaunna is drag mother to Jacinda, although,  she tries to avoid saying that she's anyone's drag mother. She would much prefer to be referred to as their "fairy drag mother," as Bunny Wonderland once called her.

Red Ribbon Gown, 
photo by Lauren Kennedy

For a little bit,  I got to play Shaunna's personal assistant...helping with costume changes, getting jewelry ready for this shot or that, and a couple times, I jumped to keep the lights from falling on someone. Oh, and a couple times, I ran to shoo Lauren's cats out of Shaunna's suitcase.

As Lauren posed Shaunna,  I often was looking at the pose from a much different angle, and had no idea how the picture was going to look good.  "Put your hand like this, but away from your face." What I saw made no sense, but apparently, translated much better from where she was standing.

"Just like that."

During another costume change, Lauren asked me about what I do...aside from writing the blog.  I explained about being a DSP and working in a group home.  And, lo and behold, she had actually done DSP work, as an ovenight staff.  I often forget how many agencies there are that provide long term and/or short term care for people.  And, it's always nice to be able to talk about my job, when I'm talking to someone who has actually done the work before, because they can understand some of the frustrations that other people may not.

Shaunna came back out, in the last outfit, and after what seemed like a million pictures,  the shoot was over. I was a little sad, because there were so many outfits that Shaunna had brought along, that never got used.  I jokingly said later, that Lauren just wanted to shoot Shaunna naked.

One of my shots of Shaunna Rai

Lauren who had been using her laptop to bring up a Pinterest board with pictures that she was using for inspiration for the shoot, took the memory card, and started uploading the images into her laptop, asking Shaunna to go through and mark the pictures that she liked.  Even the pictures that were just the pre-shoot test shots were amazing.

Lauren asked about if there were any photographers who only took pictures of queens.  Shaunna mentioned a couple of names of photographers (that I don't remember).  Really, the only name that came to mind for me was Jose Guzman Colon, who has shot a few of the RuPaul girls's pictures, that tend to be used mostly for promotional materials.  Lauren then talked about wanting to do some more shoots, with other drag queens, and maybe doing some group shots, and that sort of thing.  Shaunna was totally interested in doing something like that, and made sure to say so.

And, now, I'm jealous.  I want to have a photo shoot of my own.  Not that I expect much from it.  I'm far less photogenic than Shaunna is.  And, like everything else in my life, when I'm in front of the camera, I'm awkward.  I smile like a Cheshire cat, and look like a goofball.  But, I still wouldn't mind having some pictures of myself so that I could pretend for a few days that I'm famous enough for someone to want to take my pictures.  

They Tried to Make Her Go to Rehab...

Back in July, American Idol held auditions, here in Portland.  My friend Conor (Cherry Lemonade), went to the auditions.  From there, the trail went cold.  Conor wouldn't talk about how he did on the audition...and then there was a random trip to Kansas City, MO.

I've known for a while, that he was at least going to be on air.  I don't really know much more than that.

For the last week or so, Cherry has been in the midst of a media blitz.  Radio interviews, TV interviews, newspaper articles, and even a write up in an online article through INSTINCT magazine.

Thursday night, the second night of the premiere, was the first night of the Kansas City auditions.  Cherry had spent the week promoting a viewing party at Styxx.  For once, my schedule worked in my favor, and I was going to be able to go.

About 7:30 pm, we left to go to Styxx, just to make sure that we were going to get a seat, and be ready for the start of the show.  Cherry was mingling with her adoring fans, making sure that everyone knew how grateful she was that we were all there.

Given the fact that Cherry has been doing shows over the last few months, and has a few coming up in the next few months, talk turned to the upcoming shows, and the possibility of getting into some shows in Boston, in addition to the shows at Fran's Place.  Cherry told us about how that morning, 4 minutes into what should have been a radio interview, she was just waking up, and how non-stop all day, there were interviews, here, there and everywhere.  And, then, she was off again, mingling.

We grabbed our seats, in the alcove, by the DJ booth, in the front room.  As it got closer to show time, people came streaming in.  The guest list was pretty much a who's who of Portland.  For once, there were more people that I knew, at the bar, than that I didn't know.

Me with Cherry Lemonade

  We put ourselves in the perfect spot, apparently.  The TV screen was in front of us.  The TV crew from WGME, Channel 13, the CBS affiliate in Portland was parked outside, but the camera man was literally directly behind us...he asked us if we minded being recorded. And, I ended up on tv, so obviously, I didn't mind.  And, Cherry was back and forth in the DJ booth, all night, so we got the best of everything.

Of all the days, to not think before the show started, I forgot my camera at home.  I asked Cherry for a picture, to which she asked, "Will it end up in Dragged to the Inside?" It's cool to know that one of "my" queens is actually hoping that I'll write about her event.  

Our new friend the Camera Guy,
 in blue

The show started, and people quieted down.  Cherry gave a play by play, on some of the singers.  She revealed that each person was asked to prepare three songs to sing for the judges.  She also revealed that there were two other Mainers who made it to the "out of state" auditions, and that both of them had been invited to the event, to perform live.

Halfway through the show, it was still Nashville, and I began to wonder if we were actually going to see Cherry on tv...  And then, cuteness happened.  Conor, Cherry's male alter ego, would probably be able to give me names, because I'm bad about remembering names, but, I remember events...A mother came on to audition, and brought on her little girl.  The daughter sang "Let it Go" from Disney's Frozen, and I started tearing up, when JLo give the little girl a golden ticket (a feat that is usually only accomplished by watching Titanic. RENT or Philadelphia).

Cherry talking about the show

During commercial breaks, Cherry would alternate between showcasing local singing talent, and sharing stories about what it was like going through the audition process, occasionally jumping behind the bar to help keep up with the bartending duties.

At one commercial break, I checked my Facebook, and that was when I found the blip about Cherry on INSTINCT's page.  After freaking out about how cool it was, and reposting, I ran out to let Cherry know that she had made it as far as a National Gay Magazine's viewership, and since it was on Facebook, that meant international...

Finally, the Kansas City auditions started.  The stakes were getting higher.  This is the right city.  Each time a contestant finished, the next one could be Cherry.

Yeah, I might've taken a pic
of the heckler...

Unfortunately, for my little camped out group, this also became the time, when we received a big distraction from the show.  Around this time, a girl came in, who, most decidedly, is not a fan of, "What?! American Idol? The worst show ever..." and some choice expressions of disgust toward the show.

At this point, it was time for another drink.  Cherry had Cherry Lemonades as a special for the night, and I figured that since I've tried Shaunna Rai's Shaunna Rai drink, it was only fair.  Unlike Shaunna's Jaeger, Grey Goose and Redbull, Cherry's Cherry vodka and Lemonade was right up my alley.  It made the heckler just a little more bearable...or, maybe it made the responses to the heckler from Dan just a little funnier.

And then, the show was over.  And, Cherry wasn't on it.

There was disappointment, because, hey, we're all here to see Cherry. But, really, it wasn't Cherry's fault that the information she was given was that Kansas City would be on on Thursday... So, poor Cherry, apologized profusely, inviting everyone back for Wednesday's show, because that episode will also feature the Kansas City auditions, so she should be on that episode, and we should find out then, whether she got the Golden Ticket to Hollywood.

This is just my personal speculation, at this point, that she actually did get the Golden Ticket, because, to me, it wouldn't make as much sense to have a viewing party, if she knew she'd gotten the boot...

While this week, my schedule worked out, for the viewing party, Wednesday's schedule is not going to do the same.  Fortunately, I work in a home, so I can claim the TV while I do my paperwork, at 8pm.  But, it won't be the same as it would be if I were watching from Styxx.

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!

Me, Me, I'm First!

Me, with Mimi Imfurst

Over the summer, last year, Dan and I watched some Dvd's of past Dragapalooza performances. On one DVD, was a familiar face.  Mimi Imfurst, who is one of the most hated RuPaul's Drag Race queens, was performing on the same stage with Shaunna Rai. I watched amazed, and was at a loss for words.

When Styxx announced Mimi's Holiday Hangover Show was coming for one night, and the cover was only $5, it was a given that I would have to go. I needed Mimi to redeem herself for doing androgynous drag at the Pride finale on Peaks Island. I needed a picture, so I had proof that I had met her. And, the androgeny just wasn't going to work for me.

Just after the announcement was made, Shaunna Rai made the announcement that she would be performing with Mimi and a "new" girl, from New Hampshire, Cece Georgia. I quickly rushed to update the poster with the guest performers.

Mimi visited my parents' table, and kept grabbing my drink.

Over the next few days, I heard about how Mimi was texting Dan, talking about how excited she was for the show, and getting music sets for everyone. And, in the meantime, I'm just still thinking how cool it is that my boyfriend is texting Mimi Imfurst. 

Since the show was two days after Christmas, I made it part of my parents' gifts. They came to visit, took me out to eat (since Dan doesn't eat until Shaunna is packed away) and we got a doggie bag for later.

Having been given a time constraint on when to be back, I made sure we made it back on time.  Then came the process of putting on the body. This is the part that I think I like the least. I know what needs to be done, and I have a bad habit of not communicating what I need Shaunna to do. Needless to say, it causes a bit of tension.

 For the first time, my mom saw exactly what goes in to putting Shaunna Rai together. For the rest of the night, she couldn't stop talking about it.

We got to Styxx early. So early, that Mimi wasn't even Mimi yet. Finally they opened up the dance room, for the show. I bought the tickets and then we went in to wait for the show to start. 

Cece finally showed up, and looked lost. Doing my duty, I showed her to the dressing room.

Shaunna Rai

Finally, it's show time. Mimi comes out, introduces everyone, and starts her performance. Somehow, I had forgotten that Mimi actually sings live. And, in the first song, my feelings toward Mimi as a performer changed completely.

Given that during Mimi's appearance on Drag Race, she picked up India Ferrah, and earned a place as a "Villain", she ended up relatively low on my list of queens I wanted to meet. But, after seeing her performances, she earned my respect. Mimi is now at the top of my list of queens I would see again.

Shaunna, as usual was amazing. It was funny hearing Mimi talk about Shaunna. What I didn't know is that Shaunna has been around since before Mimi was created.  Hearing Mimi call her a legend and "historic" was really cool.

Cece Georgia

I was nervous for Cece, since it was her first time in Portland, and she was working with someone famous...and needed to impress. She did great. As a photographer, I had a hard time getting pictures of her, just because she was in the audience more than on the dance floor/stage.

And, just like that, the show came to an end. My parents had to leave, as mom had to work early in the morning. After they left, I went out back, and got in a couple of selfies with Mimi and Shaunna. We stayed for a couple drinks, then it was time to go home and get some food.

Mimi proved that she could bring it, the same way she did on the Drag at Sea Cruise, roasting Michelle Visage. Seeing her live and in person, she is super sweet and, not at all the villain she was portrayed as on RuPaul's Drag Race.  And, unlike many of the Drag Race performers that I've seen come "from away," she didn't "dumb it down". Maybe she picked someone up during a lip sync for her life, but I think it's time to forgive her and move on. Thank you, Mimi Imfurst, for a great show, and giving me a reason to reexamine what I thought I knew.

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...

2014: A Year in Drag

Each year, I realize that I'm getting older.  A thought that I am still not ready to succumb to.  This year, like every year before, has gone by faster than I would have liked for it to.  Some awesome things happened.  Some horrible things happened.  Some things that are really sad happened, and some things that I will never forget, (because I took the time to write about them, so when I get to be old and senile, I'll at least have some kind of record of what I have done).  Over all, I don't have a lot to complain about for the year.  And, yes, I know I still have 4 days, technically, before the year is over...but the news channels have been pushing this end of the year crap for a week now, already, even before Christmas...

Manila Luzon

I'll start with the sad stuff, first, and get it out of the way.  This year marked the passings of Crystal Eaton, Scott Randall, Chase Wakeling, and Mildred Poland.  These are all people who at some point have had some kind of impact on my life.  Only one did any kind of drag.  Evie Does-It/Scott, made an otherwise exciting day, less so, as his passing happened to coincide with Latrice Royale's appearance at Styxx.  Crystal, who got her own post at the beginning of the year, was my babysitter, when I was a kid.  Chase invited Dan to live with him and his husband, when Dan had to evacuate an apartment, with only days notice, and Dan was still living there, when we met.  Chase was a supporter of us as a couple, from the very beginning, and it's still a shock to me that he's gone.  And, Mildred was my ex's aunt.  She reminded me an awful lot of my grandmother, and even after the breakup, she kept in contact with me via Facebook.  Her passing was a shock, but, it wasn't unexpected, and she had already made plans that it was her time to go.  Out of respect to the family, I opted to not go, because I didn't want anything to be weird, nor did I want to make it about me.  

Jessica Wild

2014 also marked the passing of one of the first "drag queens" that I was exposed to...Robin Williams, as Mrs. Doubtfire.  When I first heard the news, I thought it was another hoax, like, Macaulay Culkin's three deaths.  When it turned out to be true, it brought up a lot of things, for the kids I work with, as well as myself.  If nothing else, Robin Williams, as Mrs. Doubtfire, taught me that there is sometimes a thin line between the place where Love is Everything, and Love just isn't enough.  And, his final teaching, was that life is short, and let the people who mean anything, and everything to you, know that, because you never know for sure, when you won't get the chance to tell them again.

Joslyn Fox

There, now that the sad stuff is out of the way, I'll focus on some of the big things that happened this year.

2014 brought about my biggest year in RuPaul girls, yet.  I will have met, by the end of tonight, seven different RuPaul girls... Jujubee, Joslyn Fox (twice), Manila Luzon, Jessica Wild, Alyssa Edwards, Latrice Royale, and Mimi Imfurst.  It also brought about the first time I've ever won any kind of contest.  It only took me 34 years to win something more than a participation ribbon... This was the year, that I accidentally won a VIP ticket to see Alyssa Edwards...accidentally, because I forgot that I had entered, and, given that it was a Facebook contest, I didn't actually expect to win...

Alyssa Edwards

While my attempt to create a graphic novel, featuring drag came to a screeching halt, due to a lack of interest (on my part), and an attack on my creativity and imagination, due to doing some actual research by interviewing some queens, I put it aside.  It hasn't been scrapped entirely.  But, it's not a main focus.  At this point, I'd do better, writing a book..."The Boyfriend's Guide to Drag Husbandry." While it wouldn't necessarily be a best seller (or maybe it would), it would give me an opportunity to write what I know, and then nobody could attack me based on a lack of creativity, or plagarizing stories, by using bits and pieces of someone else's life...

Latrice Royale

I learned just how much my parents love the drag.  I have to admit, when I first started dating Dan, the biggest fear, was how they would react to the drag.  I obviously had nothing to worry about, since my mom's goal for this year was to start getting picture

s of her with the RuPaul queens, and, she's now working on hunting down DVD's of all the seasons of Drag Race.  It's been through this whole process, that I realized just how cool my parents really are.  They probably always have been, but you never think that your parents are cool, when you're a kid.  

Mimi Imfurst 

The year has been a giant teaching experience for me. I started to take my blog seriously, as a soapbox of sorts. On top of teaching about the acceptance of drag as an art, and an understanding of trans issues, I have also tackled why drag is dying in Maine, why we need to continue to teach about AIDS, and I grew a beard for testicular cancer. 

My No-Shave November Beard

At work, I've also been able to teach more about acceptance as well.  We took the kids to Salem, Massachusetts back in October, just before Halloween.  While we were there, the (at the time) Duchess Gigi Gill was out and about taking pictures with the tourists.  The boys all saw her, and started saying really mean things about her. So, it was my job to talk about the fact that not all drag is RuPaul "grade". And that it is as much about playing a character, as it is about dressing in the opposite gender's clothes.

Cherry Lemonade

Over the course of the year, I made some friends, and lost some friends. The friendscape of my life is in a big time flux right now. People are moving away. Other people just have stopped making the effort. And, I've done the same. Yet other people have surprised me. Cherry Lemonade has become someone  I consider to be a good friend...and she's going to be famous now. Starting January 7th we'll get to see her journey on American Idol.  

I went to so many shows throughout the course of the year.  Two fundraisers in January, March Dragness,  Jujubee at Styxx, Joslyn Fox at Mainestreet,  the Frannie Peabody AIDS Walk weekend in Ogunquit, Dragapalooza,  Zumba Wekend at Point Sebago,  all the Pride events and fundraisers, the shows at Seacoast Rep with Manila Luzon, Jessica Wild and Joslyn Fox,  Alyssa Edwards at Paradym, Latrice Royale at Styxx, the Miss AIDS Awareness Pageant, and Mimi Imfurst at Styxx. And I'm sure I missed a few shows as well.

The year gave me a totally different view of RuPaul's Drag Race, as a show. While it is still one of my favorite shows on tv, I learned through listening to stories from some of the girls, just how much the show is edited. What you're seeing on air, likely is not necessarily the way things happened in reality. 

I learned that some people just don't get how to promote. If you're trying to get people to come support your venue with a show,  it's important to get the word out on the street as early as possible. A last minute, "I need a poster for tomorrow,"  is NEVER going to get you the same business that you would get if you let people know a month or more in advance. 

I'm looking forward to New Year's Eve in Lynn, Massachusetts. I'm hoping that this will be the beginning of a year when I finally step out of the role of silent photographer, and start mingling on my own. I've done it a couple times this year, but it's always awkward.  I just have to keep trying. You know, "Fake it til you make it."

And, here's to a great 2015,  to all of you, my readers. Thank you for your support!

You're Kinda Famous, You Know?

Shaunna Rai: Photo by Jason Poulin

I've never been what you would call popular.  I keep mostly to myself.  And, I have a hard time letting people get close to me.  I have issues with speaking.  I don't stutter, or anything like that.  But, I just have a hard time, stringing words together on the fly, when I speak.  You might not know that, reading what I write, because, generally, I do much better writing than I do speaking.  It's a thing, you know?

Having lived with both Shaunna Rai, and Vanila Honey-Bush for a year, I learned quickly, that keeping to myself is boring.  People wonder what's wrong.  And, I often wonder what's wrong with me.  Since I started the blog, I've had a number of people come to me, while I'm out, and tell me how much they love it.  This is always an awkward situation for me, because on the one hand, I'm all like, "Go on, tell me how much you love it," and on the other hand, "I'm like, you read my blog?  Really? And, you think it's good!? What's wrong with you?"

I find it funny, sometimes, to know that Dan feels the same way about Shaunna Rai as I do about the blog.  Shaunna Rai has been around for two decades.  She's worked all over the Northeast.  She's worked with some big names...Joslyn Fox, Manila Luzon, Latrice Royale...She's performing with Mimi Imfurst this coming weekend...And I remind him, often that Shaunna Rai, is famous in her own right.

Dan went to get his hair cut, by his daughter, and while I was there, she was telling us that she had cut someone's hair, and told him that she was Shaunna Rai's daughter.  According to the story, the guy went wild! He couldn't believe that she knew Shaunna Rai, much less, that she was his daughter.  These are the kind of stories that I try to remind him of.

Why?

Drag in Maine, is on the decline.  There are shows on a semi-regular basis, but those have been trickling away.  This is a sad thing, because people love it.  Dragapalooza sells out every year, as well as the Royal Majesty Drag Show.  People want the drag...but they don't want to pay for it.  And the performers don't want to do it, if they're not getting paid for it.  It's kind of a vicious cycle.  Why would I work for free, when other queens have a booking fee of $2000 or more, plus transportation, lodging and free drinks on the house?

The truth of the matter is, though, that the only way to get that kind of recognition, aside from being on RuPaul's Drag Race, is to put yourself through all the free benefit shows, and the "you're working for tips, and the door", and the, "Hey, you wanna work with a Ru Girl?" shows.  Because the Ru Girls talk.  Joslyn remembered Shaunna from the AIDS Walk weekend in Ogunquit, and recommended her by name to do the shows at the Seacoast Rep over the summer (if memory serves correctly).  

Shaunna really is, the "IT Girl" of Maine. If there's a show, she's usually there.  If there's a show she's doing, it's promoted more than anything has ever been promoted in the history of promotion.  Dan promotes it, Shaunna promotes it, and I usually promote it both on my Facebook page, and here, either with a poster, or a shout out to it.  This is really how to make yourself famous.  Because it works.  Everyone knows what Shaunna is doing when.

This became most apparent, after the announcement of the RuPaul's Drag Race Battle of the Seasons's announcement that it was coming to the State Theater, here in Portland, in March.  As soon as it was announced, Shaunna and Dan were both promoting it like crazy.  And, it paid off.

During the Drag at Sea cruise, which Dan/Shaunna have been dying to get on for the last two years, a friend of ours went.  He was hobknobbing with Michelle Visage, one of the judges (my favorite, aside from Ru) of RuPaul's Drag Race.  He was talking to her about the upcoming Battle of the Seasons in Portland.  She told him that she didn't really "know much about Maine, other than it's cold, it's near Canada, it's pretty redneck, and there is this one queen there, Shaunna Rai, who comes across my feed all the time."

If Michelle Visage knows who you are, and talks about you to people, then you're definitely doing something right.  With a following of over 2,700 people, you're doing something right.

 Meanwhile, I'm limping along on Facebook, with a following of 137 people.  But, it's enough people to remind me that in my own little way, I'm a little famous too.

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.

Gender.....Fuck!

I have a bad habit of believing that because drag is a constant in my life, that it makes me a scholar, when it comes to the topic of gender. And, then, events come along that prove to me that I still have a long way to go before I will ever be able to teach a gender studies class.

Over the course of the last couple of weeks, I got my schooling. Pride! Portland had posted a request for ideas of entertainment for the week. Dan/Shaunna Rai suggested getting some talent that originated in the area, and Ian Harvie was on the list. As Dan told me this, a couple things clicked. Ian was the first trans person that I knew of. I followed him on MySpace, back in the pre-public Facebook days. And, Ian is in the Amazon Prime show, Transparent. And, since I just got a subscription to Amazon Prime, we decided to watch it. And, I'm hooked. I'm actually disappointed that we binge watched it, as there are only 10 episodes, and I have no idea when the new season comes out.

Anyway, the timing was good, because just after we watched it, University of Southern Maine had their annual USM Royal Majesty Drag Show.

And with all the understanding that I had developed, just from watching Jeffrey Tambour's character out himself as a trans woman, and begin his journey, it was all undone, walking into the conference room they used as a dressing room. I, of course walked in with Shaunna Rai, and dropped off her suitcase with her costumes for the show.

And, the need to box people into a gender all of a sudden went into overdrive. A few, I knew for sure, because they're people I interact with on a regular basis...drag queen...cis male...cis female...but then there were the ones I didn't know. And I couldn't stop second guessing myself. That's a boy. That's a girl. And, then I caught myself doing it.

I excused myself from the room, figuring,  "ok, I have my camera, and I'll be shooting like a fiend, so I should go find a seat." Going to get a seat would be the distraction I needed to get back to my "genderless" normality.

Only, because the show has been a staple for 15 years, it's a draw for all people. And, I found myself trying to box people in the audience, as well. (Is that a gay boy in a leather harness, or a drag king? I just don't know.) And, it just would be rude to walk up to someone you don't know, to ask.

Finally, the show starts.  I'm glad,  because,  now, I have something to focus on. Between the performances and the music itself, I no longer am concerned with who's a boy, who's a girl, who used to be a boy, who used to be a girl, or who is just fucking with perceived genders. I have pictures to take. I have music that I can lip sync to, along with the performers.  And, all is right in the world again.

Except, I'm not the official photographer, this time. There are actually a couple of other pro photographers there. And we're all going for the same shots. And, we're trying to avoid getting each other in our pictures.

A few performers in, I'm intrigued by someone I've not seen perform before. I wish I could remember his drag name...but he came out with a glam rock look, with  Stephen Amell's Green Arrow eye makeup on. And suddenly, something that happened years ago made sense to me.

I had taken a group of kids that I worked with to see the show I participated in a year or two later, Guys in Gowns. One of the acts was done by Kings, who called themselves the "Whoa Men." And on the way back someone asked about them. And I explained that it was a group of women dressed as men. It later came out that there was a crush going on, and it became an issue, because "...I'm not a lesbian..."

And, now, not only have I been transported back in time, but I'm the "lesbian" in the equation now. The number was good. And, by the end of it, I had talked myself into just enjoying the show, and not even worrying about gender, for the rest of the show. Because, gender is what's on the inside and not what's on the outside...although, it's important for some people to have both match.

Shaunna did her number, a Pussycat Dolls mix, ending in Hush Hush/I will Survive (a song I could watch her do every show and never get bored.) Her tear away outfits had people gasping,  and left them wanting more.

Prodigy Diamond was up next, and got read by Cherry Lemonade, who was hosting, for being late. A mix including Evanescance's Bring Me to Life. The outfit was along the lines of Beetlejuice, as a blonde drag queen. And the performance left people wondering how much of her tottering around acting like she was drunk was for the performance, and how much was her actually being drunk.

During intermission, I talked to a couple of the judges,  then went out to see what was going on in the dressing room. Shaunna came out and took my chair, as I had decided that the way to go for this show was sit at the end of the stage, on the floor.

The show started up again,  and this time it was the "contestants's" turns to perform. It was almost all Kings competing this year, with one Queen. E standouts were, Michael Jackson, and John Legend. There was another one, but I can't remember the song.

John Legend was good.

Michael Jackson was amazing,  and, in my mind should clearly have won first place. She knew the dance from the music video step for step. And, looks-wise, until she looked you dead on, she was a dead-ringer.

The song I don't remember,  ended up winning. And, she earned it. The lip sync was on point, as was the dancing. And she's deaf. Until they asked her her "pageant" question,  and an interpreter answered for her, I never would've guessed.

Speaking of interpreters, because they want to be inclusive of everyone, they always have ASL interpreters at the show. And, sometimes, it's actually more fun to watch them perform than to watch the actual performance.  They lip sync to it, and occasionally, they get swept up in the music and start dancing, themselves.

The night was fun. And not a bad way to spend the eve of Dan and my 3 year (Facebook official) anniversary. We went home early, ordered pizzas,  and relaxed, before a trip to Boston the next day.

But, the night was the slap in the face that I needed to realize that even I am not immune from putting people in gender boxes. And, I'm one of the people preaching to others not to... And, I again realize that there are still so many questions I have that I don't know how to get answered, without coming off ignorant and rude...

Miss AIDS Awareness 2014

For as long as I've known them, Dan and Shaunna Rai have been synonymous with Miss AIDS Awareness.  Given the fact that the pageant hadn't been held in three years, for various reasons, I, more or less expected Shaunna Rai to carry on the title, indefinitely.

However, after a three year break, the pageant was held again this year.  It was hosted at Paradym (the former Club 313), presented by Envy Chanel's alter ego, and the NH Task Force.  

Chantel Chanel

Tatoola Tess Tosterone

I've taken a long time to write about the pageant, because there was a lot of things that I needed time to process, and think about how to best sum it up.  I was involved in creating the poster for the Pageant, which became a task all in and of itself.  For a donated piece of artwork, I put far more work into it than I have ever put into my paid work, due to multiple change requests.  (That however, I won't get into, because it'll just make me mad about it again.)  I got the poster out as quickly as I could, once I had the information, and had made all the changes to it.  Unfortunately, for the fundraising part of it, the poster wasn't distributed in enough time for there to be a particularly large audience.  

Countess Morticia

Competitors couldn't register online, or early.  Registration happened about an hour before the show.  Sadly, there were only four entrants. For a title that helps fund raise for what is still known as a primarily "Gay Disease," I would have thought that there would have been more interest in helping out with the fight to find a cure.  (But, maybe I'm in the minority, because I want to spread awareness about this kind of thing?)  Scarrlett Cuntyfierce Couture, Tatoola Tess Tosterone, the Countess Morticia, and Chantel Chanel were the contestants, and former title holders, Miss E,on, Shaunna Rai and Porcia J. Chanel all performed, and the whole thing was hosted by Violencia Exclamation Point.

There was a lot of down time, during the personal interviews, to which I was not privy, so I ended up sitting alone, drinking, waiting for the show itself to start.  The show began, and I was impressed.  I was a little sad that Mercadies Chanel wasn't able to host, due to illness, but I was quite impressed with Violencia.  

Scarrlett Cuntyfierce Couture

The things that stood out the most for me, for the night, were: Dueling Chers with the Newspaper wigs, Honey Boo-Boo's entry into the "Gown Competition", the Disney's Pocahontas montage act, and the fact that all of the contestants, when asked why they would be the best pick for Miss AIDS Awareness, they all kind of skirted giving an actual answer.

Going into the night, knowing a little bit of history, I was not surprised that a couple of the entrants brought people with them to tip, given that tips make up part of the points that you earn overall, and can actually change the final outcome.  E,on won the crown over Shaunna Rai, one year, by one point, because E,on brought in more tips.

Tatoola's "Rose's Turn"

I went into the night, rooting for Tatoola, because we're friends.  But, I know that Tatoola is less into the performing than she is the dressing up.  And, the audience was less than receptive of her.  Although, I thought that she was great.  I loved her "Rose's Turn" performance.

Scarrlett took the show.  The minute that she came out and started doing the medley of Pocahontas songs, I was pretty sure that she had it in the bag.  I love the theatricality of drag, and given that she had backup dancers to perform the parts of John Smith and Powhatan...I may have had to pick my jaw up off the floor.  I agreed with the judging, that Scarrlett deserved the crown.

The Passing of the Crown

Overall, it was a great night.  After the show, I found out some things that made me really sad.  There is so much information that needs to still be redistributed over and over to the gay community about HIV/AIDS.  While it may have just been nerves, none of the contestants could answer how you get the disease, and one contestant actually said that there is a cure for it.  Now, I get that we're not living in the 80's and 90's, when the majority of the gay community actually knew someone who had, or had died from AIDS.  But, there is so much information out there about how it's transmitted, that you would hope that someone would at least know that it's passed through bodily fluids, and not just liquids.  Yes, people still live healthy, productive lives, on a cocktail of meds, once they contract the disease, but that is, by no means a cure.  

I can only hope that Scarrlett will help bring awareness to the younger generation of the community, that while it's not a death sentence anymore, it's still far from being cured, and that the best things to do are get tested, talk about it often, and use protection.  Because, I know that Shaunna, in spite of giving up the crown, will still be doing as much as she can for education and fundraising.