Quest Magazine Volume 17 Issue 3
Quest Arts & Entertainment Features

mm
Arts & Entertainment Volume 17 Issue 1 Click Here

Arts & Entertainment Volume 17 Issue 2 Click Here
Michael Johnston Talks to Bruce Vailanch

In this issue: The Art of Female Illusion
An Interview with artist Leah Driscoll
and the Bookworm Sez: Reviews "Forgetting the Alamo"
mm

Should it be called Drag or Female Impersonation? Personally, I don’t care what you call it as long as it’s entertaining. For the sake of saving space, I’m going to call it drag. Dressing up in drag appears to have existed through the length of civilization and the breadth of its cultures. As an artform, the theatrical aspects (performance, costuming, glitz and glamour) are what seem to continue through time. While some impersonate celebrities, others create their own persona and you can find a mix of both in just about any show or pageant no matter where your travels may take you.

Some of you may remember “The Pageant” aka Miss Gay Wisconsin. In 1971 it was originally called Miss Gay Milwaukee and Jamie Gays was crowned the winner. Not to leave the boys out, in 1974 they added the Mr. Groovy Guy contest with the top honors the first year going to Jeff Schultz. The same year they also changed the name to Miss Gay Wisconsin. The title, Mr. Groovy Guy, was eventually changed to Mr. Gay Wisconsin and the contests were held on the same night. The Marc Plaza Hotel’s Crystal Ballroom was the host venue for a number of years. A grand, black tie affair complete with dinner and cocktails followed by a “sitting on the edge of your seat” competition. It was an event not to be missed!

While many bar titleholders were either expected or encouraged to enter Miss Gay Wisconsin throughout the years, they did allow anyone to enter. Miss Gay Wisconsin’s list of titleholders is a who’s who of drag history in the state of Wisconsin; Rona, Abbey Rhodes, Tina Capri, BJ Daniels, Miss M, Nichole Saunders, Vanessa Alexandre and Dynasty DuPonte to name only a few.

Many bars have had shows at one time or another throughout the years. The biggest “rivalry” in the late 80’s and early 90’s was between LaCage and Club 219. I’m not sure if there were any actual issues between the two clubs other than who would have the largest attendance for their shows on Sunday nights. With show directors Holly Brown (LaCage) and Ginger Spice (Club 219) at their respective helms, it was often standing room only and audience members couldn’t get enough.

The popularity of drag in Milwaukee caught the interest of bar owners in other cities around the state and they wanted these Milwaukee LGBT celebrities do shows at their clubs. Club 219 cast members BJ Daniels, Tiffany Thomas, Mary Richards and others could occasionally be found entertaining packed houses in Green Bay, Appleton and Madison. Not only did the shows offer these headliners the opportunity to showcase their talents away from their home bar, it was great entertainment and it sparked the “drag bug” in a number of future entertainers and titleholders from around the state.

Drag performers come and go, most just retire from the artform but others can be found from time to time donning their gay apparel for special events or fundraisers. Some can’t get enough of the spotlight and the roar of the crowd. Two that immediately come to mind are Mimi Marks, who made a name for herself in Milwaukee and is still performing regularly at The Baton Show Lounge in Chicago and Lily White who is now the show director at The Townhouse in St. Paul, taking to the stage twice a week in the Pumps & Pearls Revue.

While it had been rumored for more years than most of us care to remember, the top floor or LaCage Niteclub officially opened in November 2009 as Montage Lounge. The current owners, Michael and Kris, had “show lounge” as one of their top priorities after purchasing the club over 4 years ago. Complete renovation was a daunting task but the newest space in the LaCage Entertainment Complex, is now open 7 days a week with regular shows on Wednesdays and Fridays. The new space also allows them to easily host fundraisers, special shows and pageants. The Entertainer’s Spotlight mini-show on Wednesdays offers the opportunity for the “newer” girls to rack up some stage time to perfect their craft along with some more well-known performers, but the Friday night TransFormations show features the regular cast of LaCage along with at least one special guest.

As with just about everything else, there’s competiton. Not just between the bars that have shows, but the entertainers. Pageants offer the opportunity for those interested, to bring their “A” game and pit themselves against their friends, fellow cast mates and the occasional rivalry for the top honor of wearing the crown and representing the title for a year. It could be as simple as a bar title, but there are a number of franchised pageant systems throughout the country. Wisconsin has been host at one time or another to state contests for the Miss Continental, Miss Gay America, Miss Entertainer of the Year and Miss Gay USofA to name a few. The winners of the state contests usually are required go on to compete at a national level against the representatives from other states and regions.

The national contests for these franchised systems are attended by hundreds and hundreds of fans and supporters from all over the country. Generally, each national title has their “home” city or state. Miss Continental being held in Chicago, Miss Gay America recently being held in Memphis, Miss Entertainer of the Year in Louisville and Miss Gay USofA in Texas.

Out of these nationally franchised systems, Miss Gay Wisconsin USofA has endured the longest in our state, crowning it’s 22nd titleholder, Jackie Roberts, last October. She will be heading to Dallas with her 1st Alternate, Betty Boop, to compete for the title of Miss Gay USofA 2010 in May. During the 4-day event, 40 to 50 contestants are judged in 3 categories; personal interview, evening gown and talent. The top 12 highest scoring individuals will take to the stage at the Lakewood Theater, a beautifully restored Art-Deco theater with 800 seats on the final night to re-compete in evening gown and talent. A capacity crowd is expected as with their past national contests. The newly crowned diva will be at Miss Gay Wisconsin USofA 2011 when Jackie Roberts steps down and crowns a new Miss Wisconsin USofA this coming fall.

Miss Gay Wisconsin USofA is one of the few USofA contests around the country that has required preliminary pageants, such as Miss City of Festivals, Miss Lakeshore, Miss Bay City, etc. that are held locally. In other words, you must be the Winner or 1st Alternate of one of these in order to be eligible to enter the state contest. Think of it as a stepping stone to qualify and prepare for the “big dance” as it is often called. Jackie Roberts, Miss Gay Wisconsin USofA’s Symbol of Excellence, will be performing and representing Wisconsin USofA at each preliminary pageant to help groom, encourage and mentor those interested in competing for her title this coming fall.

USofA Pageants, based in Dallas, has gradually introduced a variety of sub-systems over the years for just about every type of potential contestant. Each have various requirements such as the Miss USofA at Large division for those weighing over 225 pounds, Miss USofA Classic for those contestants who have reached the age of 40, Mr. USofA® and Mr. USofA at Large® for the boys and Mister USofA M.I.® (which stands for Male Impersonator) for the drag kings. The most recent addition is Miss Gay USofA Newcomer. The first Wisconsin preliminary for USofA Newcomer will be held on March 27th in Montage Lounge.

Everyting goes in cycles and the interest and popularity in drag in general is on the upswing again like it was in the early 90’s. Is it due to the attendance of a more diverse crowd for shows? Perhaps it’s due to the overwhelming popularity of the Logo Network’s reality show RuPaul’s Drag Race in which actor, drag queen, model, singer-songwriter RuPaul plays host, mentor and inspiration for the series to find America’s next drag superstar. On the show, top drag queens compete to be selected by RuPaul and a panel of judges as the number one drag performer in the country. Now in it’s second season, RuPaul was quoted as saying “You have to remember, we’re queens. So, there’s gonna be drama. Lots of it!”.

There’s not always a lot of drama when it comes to drag in Wisconsin. It’s generally light-hearted and fun backstage whether it’s a weekly show or a pageant, but once a performer steps on stage, the music swells and the spotlight hits them you’ll probably see a little attitude, some drama, quite a few flashy costumes and most likely a lot of glamour … but it’s drag, that’s how it’s supposed to be.

LOVE SLAP Leah Driscoll Tears It Up
By Phil Bessimer

According to club diva Leah Driscoll, there are several stages after a break-up. There’s the sad, weepy stage when you re-read every text message and think back on all the good times. There’s the self-loathing stage when you blame yourself for the split. Then there’s the angry stage when you tear up all the pictures and toss out every remnant of the jerk. Leah calls it the “Angela Bassett in Waiting to Exhale“ stage, where the jilted lover gets all pyro.  

That’s what her latest track, “If This Is Love”, is about. It’s a girl-done-wrong-who-now-seeks-revenge track. Gay men, of course, are eating it up. After all, who’s more vengeful than a dumped bitter queen?
It also helps that the track comes from the same artist who lit up dance floors last summer with her celebratory anthem “Pride”, a song seemingly made for gay dance floors. The track was so rainbow, it solidified her status as gay clubland’s biggest fag hag. It even led some to wonder if Leah Driscoll was in fact a gay man in a hot wig. Or – more likely- if she is a gay man trapped in a woman’s body.

Did you expect “Pride” would make you gay clubland’s biggest fag hag?
(Laughing) I knew the song would touch more gay fans than straight.   It’s a powerful track and I always get the same reaction: “this is totally a gay club anthem!“  

Have you always has a lot of gay friends?
I can’t answer this with a more emphatic YES!  As early as my teens, I always had gay friends. Of course, they were closeted at the time.  

What’s drawn you to the queens?
It’s not that I ever intentionally went out looking for gay guys to be my friends, it just somehow always turned out that way.  If I walk into a room with 100 people and there’s one gay man, he’s coming over to talk to me. Even my gay friends joke about it.  

You’ve said in interviews that you can relate to the gay mans’ plight.  How so?
I’ve always had a huge capacity for empathy, which is good and bad. Sometimes it leads me to get sucked up in other people’s drama, especially my gay friends’ drama!  

There is no drama like a gay mans’ drama!
But on the good side, it’s allowed me to understand how difficult life can be for some people.  I’ve always had a soft spot for anyone who’s an “underdog” because I am one too.  I guess that’s the main connection I feel with gay men.  We also seem to cope with life’s difficulties in similar ways, like watching Golden Girls.  There is much to be learned from Sicilian fables and St. Olaf stories.  

Why is a self-described wall flower seeking the spotlight?
I ask myself that a lot!  I love my private time. I love solitude.  But I also know that good ideas, good messages, and good music don’t mean very much if no one hears them.

Do you break out of your shell when you perform in front of crowds?
Oh yeah, for sure.  I’m definitely a magnified version of myself on stage.   I’m able to get over any shyness because I really feel its part of my purpose to be out in front of people, delivering something meaningful.  I feel empowered on stage.  

What’s the inspiration behind your new single, If This Is Love?
I think there are different stages of ending a relationship. There’s the sad, weepy stage where you re-read every text message and think back on the good times.  Then there’s the angry stage where you’ve had enough.  I call this the “Angela Bassett in ‘Waiting to Exhale’” stage, where she gets all pyro.  That’s what the song is about.

There’s not a woman or a gay man in the world who hasn’t felt the need to go pyro.
(laughs) I certainly have!

What’s your take on love? 
I am getting ready to read four different books on love, so I may have a different answer in a few weeks.  For now, though, I think love is great as long as it’s an unselfish love.  The problem is most people can’t recognize that what they think is love is not love at all.  

The gays love their kiss-off songs.  Is that why you’re promoting the song so heavily to gay fans?
The single is similar to the ultimate gay anthem, Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive”. So yeah, I’m hoping gay fans will embrace it.

What’s something your fans might be surprised to learn about you?
When I’m feeling stressed out, I like to do my hair. It’s the best therapy.

Many of your gay fans can probably relate to that!
(Laughs) You’re probably right! Another thing that might surprise fans is I once won a geography bee.  Also, I like crossword puzzles.  I guess I’m a bit of a closet nerd.

Come out of the closet, girl!
OK, I’m a nerd!

What’s next for you?
I used to think about the future a lot.  I use to try to plan how everything was going to turn out but you know what? It never turned out that way.  

So are you now living for the day?
Exactly. My focus right now is on promoting the record and performing. And in between, you can find me watching Glee and re-runs of The Golden Girls.

You are a gay man.
(Laughs) I guess I am.
Visit http://www.leahdriscoll.com.

mm

“Forgetting the Alamo, or,
Blood Memory” by Emma Perez

m

c.2009, University of Texas Press
$24.95 / $34.95 Canada 206 pages


Your first introduction to hiding was a game called Peek-A-Boo. Then there was Hide & Seek, and after that, you learned to hide milk money from playground bullies and your diary from your mother. Through the years, you covered up your ignorance of school lessons (don’t want to seem too smart), your lack of dates on Saturday night (don’t want to seem too unpopular), and your growing body (don’t want to seem too appealing). But that’s small stuff. Hiding can be life-saving necessary. It can be life-or-death. It can be a means to revenge, as you’ll see in the new novel “Forgetting the Alamo, or, Blood Memory” by Emma Perez.

From the time that she was a very small girl, Michaela Campos knew that she was more like her father than she was like her mother. Because of that, Michaela went everywhere with Agustin - even to Miss Elsie’s, where little girls weren’t supposed to see what big people were doing.

So it was no surprise that, in the days after the battle at the Alamo, Michaela was with her father when he found her Tio Lorenzo, his brother. In anguish, he buried Lorenzo and in anguish, he rode off for revenge and battle, leaving Michaela to watch over the ranch, her mami and her twin siblings, Rusty and Ifigenia.
Michaela couldn’t let her papi fight without her, so she went after him but was too late. Carnage met her at the battle site and she found her papi dead. Grief-stricken, she returned to the ranch, where she found the twins murdered and Mami raped.

So Michaela ran.

Wrapping her body tightly and wearing her papi’s buckskin coat, carrying his rifle and the knife that killed him, she ran, hiding her femaleness and looking for the men who started it all: a man named Rove, a Colonel who was no colonel, and her cousin, Jedidiah Jones, who somehow always managed to make Michaela smaller.

She aimed to find them and kill them.

She never aimed to fall in love.

Clara was beautiful, with hair to her waist and a bright smile. Michaela loved her, but couldn’t tell her so. Instead, she watched the woman she loved fall for one of the men Michaela chased.
Filled with lush beauty, harshness, and horrifying brutality, “Forgetting the Alamo, or, Blood Memory” is one of those books in which you just know what’s going to happen at the end.

And you’d be wrong.

Author Emma Perez says in her acknowledgements that she traveled through her settings, letting her imagination go while she did her research. That shows in this story of a young woman who is forced to come of age as the new state of Texas is born and settled.

Be aware that – though this novel is as chaste as any western – it might not be the kind of material Grandpa would read… and that’s too bad. I loved this oater, and when you read “Forgetting the Alamo, or, Blood Memory”, you’ll have a hard time hiding your appreciation, too.