post-PARIS IS BURNING vogue films playlist

I put together a playlist of short films (and short extracts from longer films) that people should watch once they have seen Paris Is Burning. These films fill in some of the gaps of PIB, give background details and information, and show where ballroom culture is at right now - which is important, as I feel people watch PIB and think they all there is to know about ballroom, which leads to this vibrant, living, breathing, evolving culture being dismissed as some kind of "90s relic", which plays into the kind of co-option and exploitation Madonna is guilty of. VOGUING IS NOT DEAD, IT IS ALIVE AND BETTER THAN EVER!

On this playlist you will find extracts form How Do I Look (the unofficial sequel to Paris Is Burning), footage of Crystal LaBeija in "The Queen", rare footage of Willi Ninja and pier kids voguing in the late80s/early90s, a film about the lost ballroom "classic" Icy Lake from LA's Fade To Mind label, a very short peek inside Vogue Knights (NY's weekly voguing showdown) and a look beyond the US scene to the modern voguers making Paris burn.

JA'MIE KING Private School Girl

I'm like SO obsessed with this show right now it's QUICHE bitches!!! If you haven't seen it yet WATCH IT. Chris Lilley as Ja'mie King is one of the best drag performances ever IMO, I'd go so far as to say it's beyond drag, it's just incredible character acting. With some of the nastiest, bitchiest dialog on TV.

I just couldn't help making this tribute to this genius show. I hope they don't sue:

ROXY interviewed by Josh Caffe (Batty Bass)

ROXY!!!! One of my fave drag divas, interviewed by one of my favourite Batty Bassers:

LOUIE BALO (Ride Committee/Tribal Recs) interview for Faith Mag

One of my fave 90s drag house acts, Roxy & Ride Committee, are back with a new single released on Batty Bass. I was asked by Hannah Holland, of Batty Bass, to interview the duo's producer Louie Balo for Faith zine in London. How could I say no?!  

It goes without saying that I love house music. The rhythm, the sounds, the energy, the emotions, everything about it. I love house so much, you can even find me grooving to the background music in a Clairol advert. Sometimes. But beyond what we perceive as being the main tenets of house music, one of the reasons I love it so much that it has validated gay and queer identities in the public consciousness. For real. It may seem outlandish to some, but I am convinced that being shouted at, and sung to, by various drag queens and obviously “queer” vocalists throughout the Nineties is partly responsible for the recent Marriage Equality Bill that passed in the UK (where many of these songs were regularly in the charts).

One of my all-time favourite draggy house vocalists is Roxy, best known for tracks like “Get Huh” and “Accident” with the Ride Committee, released on the legendary Tribal label in the mid 90s. So it came as a very pleasant surprise to find out that the next release in the Batty Bass’ “NY Series” label would be the return of Ride Committee ft Roxy, with the pumping “Guess Who”. It kinda makes sense though, what with 90s house sounds being back in vogue (literally) and also with New York’s current “gay revival” and the re-queering of house music in general. With all that in mind, and also wanting to get the low down on the current NY club scene, the legendary Tribal label, Ms Roxy herself and the Ride Committee’s comeback, I reached out to the man behind the act, DJ/producer Louie Balo, who was kind enough to answer my barrage of questions:

How did you get into djing?

I started djing around the age of 12. My dad owned a social club, and had two complete different stereos, and I would not allow the music to stop. I didn’t even use a mixer, ha ha, and I remember that one set of the speakers on one of the hi-fi stereos sounded better than the other. It was spanish music, but eventually it moved into 80′s r&b, dance, party music, etc… When I finally got two turntables (with a mixer) and a mic, it was popping.

How did you get into music production?

As many dj’s do, I wanted to transition from playing other people’s music to playing my own. So I bought a keyboard, synths, and a drum machine.

What do you use to produce now, and how is that different from what you started producing music on?

Read the rest here, inc questions about the NY scene, Tribal records and Ms Roxy herself...

My personal fave: Roxy & Ride Committee "Accident"

LADY BUNNY Take Me Up High

Loving this feeling! Awesome old school diva house/garage vibes from the legendary drag goddess Lady Bunny - if you dug the Hard Ton tune below, you will love this:


Lady Bunny is a class act - she uses her position as a well known drag performer to speak out against all kinds of social injustice, and with a large dollop of righteous anger. She doesn't take any bullshit! If you don't follow her on Facebook or Twitter, then DO IT. NOW!

LATEX BALL 2013

2013 LATEX BALL CATEGORIES

Performance
Realness with a Twist-The Stonewall Riots $200
The Stonewall Riots was a historic movement in a community wanting to be accepted and treated equally as their fellow New Yorkers. On June 28, 1969, gay and trans New Yorkers fought back against the NYPD in a single moment that would change an entire nation. Tonight for your tens come as a police officer with a sign protesting against a fellow competitor who you feel should not be walking Realness with a Twist. For your battles come back dressed as one of the protestors of the Stonewall Riots (Gay and Proud).

Old Way .vs. New Way-Pop Art Censored
Though Pop Art was said to have started in the early 1900s, it wasn’t until the arrival of artists like Keith Haring and the Prince of Pop Art himself Andy Warhol where their work became truly controversial. Tonight, Old Way use Andy Warhol’s work as an inspiration and New Way use Keith Haring as inspiration for your effects.

BQID .vs. FQ Performance- Identity Thief of a Female Rapper $200
Rap and controversy in the mid-1990s belonged to one individual alone Lil’ Kim. With her scandalous outfits, raunchy lyrics, and constant appearance on magazine and tabloid covers, Lil’ Kim was definitely the Queen of Female Rap. However, in 2010, the world started to become familiar with a new Queen of Rap, Nicki Minaj. Nicki like Kim has the avant-garde outfits and appearances some say mimics Lil’ Kim’s to the T. It became so tense that the two even began to record dis-tracks. Tonight FQs bring it as Lil’ Kim and BQID as Nicki Minaj, let’s see who really sits on the throne.

Women’s Performance- The Ice Queen $100
In 1994, the USA had women’s figure skating on lock with stars such as Kristi Yamaguchi, Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan. The three held gold, silver, and bronze medals in the prior Winter Olympic Games and planned on doing the same in the 1994 Winter Olympics. However, while training Nancy Kerrigan was brutally attacked by an individual who was connected to rival and teammate, Tonya Harding. Tonight bring it in a look inspired by a Women’s Female Figure Ice Skater.

Face
BQ Face: The White Glove $100
The Iconic Michael Jackson is known as one of the most influential person in music as well as one of the most controversial due to the many of false allegations that he was charged with over the years. Tonight, we want to end the allegations by having BQ Face children create their carta without paint. Tonight come in any look you would like. However you will be asked to wear a white glove just to wipe your mug---if accused.

FQ Face: Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend
Marilyn Monroe is said to have been one of the most controversial women that has ever lived. She is known for her sexy and seductive aura and for her many diamonds she received as gifts from her male friends. Tonight inspired by Marilyn come glamorously done, but don’t forget your diamonds.

Women’s Face: Missed Miss America
In 1984, Vanessa Lynn Williams was crowned Miss America. Vanessa was plagued with hate mails and threats from her being the first African American Major Beauty Pageant holder in the USA. Yet her most startling threat came later that year when Penthouse Magazine released a statement that they were going to publish nude photos that she has posed for. Eventually, Vanessa resigned her title due to funders who threatened to pull out of the Miss America franchise. Tonight as the beauty queen come with a crown and sash.

BQID Face: Studio 54
From the lights to the music, to the crowd, and the scandals, Studio 54 night-club is known as the one of the best Disco clubs of America. Tonight we want you to take the look of Studio 54 night-club goers and to turn it into beauty by infusing the story of Disco into your makeup and outfit.

Realness
Butch vs. Trans-Man Realness: Sammy the Bull $100
When it comes to the Mafia, controversy seems to always follow. However, one thing that is not tolerated in the Mafia is a RAT a/k/a informer. On November 11, 1991, John Gotti and the Gambino crime family learned that their underboss known as Sammy “the Bull” Gravano had become a FBI informer. Tonight, we would like Butches dressed like a Mafia Lord and Trans-Man like a FBI Agent.

FQ Realness: The Blue Dress in the Oval Office
Who can forget the controversy surrounding President Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinski? Tonight bring it in a blue dress but make sure there is no stain to get you clocked.

Drags Realness: Amy Fisher
Young, gullible and in love is what drove Amy Fisher to commit a heinous crime against Mary Jo Buttafuoco. Tonight, the love of your life is simply realness and you’re taking shots at anyone who dares. Dressed as a high school teen girl, bring a picture of your rival who you wish to shoot down with realness.

Big Girl Realness (BQID vs. FQ): Bloomberg’s Plan vs. The First Lady’s Proposal $100
Mayor Bloomberg has put a stop to the purchase of any soda beverages more the 24 oz. at local businesses mainly fast food restaurants to stop the increasing obesity rate in NYC. But on the other hand Michelle Obama decided to come out with work-out routines for her efforts to stop obesity. Tonight you are not going for it or any ban of that matter. Come in honor of your favorite fast food restaurant with props and all, and tell the judges why there shouldn’t be a band on anything…well your favorite food especially. Or come dressed in work-out gear to show that you are into keeping healthy.

BQ Team Realness: Gay’s in the Military: Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell! $300
Tonight we are looking for 3 different types of BQ Realness, from 3 different houses, representing 3 different branches of the USA military. In honor of the former “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy each member must be unclockable, for if not, your team will be discharged from the battle zone.

Runway
Female Figure Runway: The Runway Rivalry $100
In mainstream fashion there is said to be only room for one black female top model. For years we have seen Naomi Campbell wear the crown of the Queen of Runway. Yet, some will disagree and claim that the Queen of Runway is Tyra Banks and not Ms. Naomi. The disagreement even begun to surface between the two models with shade and reads. Tonight we would like to end our own battle of what gender really runs Female Figure Runway. Women vs. BQID vs. FQ
The look is totally up to you; however, the walk must be ovah.

All American Runway: The Traditional American Look vs. The Avant-Garde Look
When it comes to the different traditional American designers and the looks they want their male models to reflect, there is not much difference between the design houses. However, in the new era of things American designers have become more avant-grade and flamboyant with their styles and models. Tonight, you decide what side of the fence you stand on. Bring it in a traditional American look or an Avant-Garde Euro-American look.

Fashion
OTA Labels: IRS and The Stars
We have all heard the controversial stories about celebrities and their mismanagement of taxes. Tonight the star is not Lauryn Hill or Wesley Snipes, it’s you, and instead of tax receipts we want to see labels….really, the labels.

Best Dressed: The Fashion Police
Will your look be the next to experience Joan Rivers disapproval? Or will Kelly Osbourne go crazy over your style?

Bizarre: The Call Me Now Gimmick! $100
Ms. Cleo fooled us all once we found out that her zodiac psychic readings were not only wrong but untrue. Tonight using the zodiac as your muse, show us that your prediction of winning bizarre at the Latex ball is not a gimmick when you captivate the judges and destroy your competitors.

Sex Siren and Body
BQ Sex Siren: The Calvin Klein AD $200
In the 90s designer Calvin Klein and his sexy male underwear commercials were TV censor organizations’ main target. Tonight we would like for you to revisit the original commercials and bring us that classic Calvin Klein look.

FQ Sex Siren: The Playboy Mansion
Hugh Heffner’s home is known for many scandals, controversy, and if not anything else the sexy playgirls that flood his mansion. Tonight bring it as a sexy Playboy Pin-up.

BQ Body: Mr. Olympia
There has been controversy surrounding the Mr. Olympia Contest since the start of the organization. The majority of the controversy stems from the contestants and the use of steroids, which are not permitted to be used. Tonight, bring us nothing but body in the colors of red, white, and blue.

Women’s Body: Anna Nicole Smith
We all fell in love with Anna’s blonde-girl antics and her silly characters. But her millionaire husband fell in love with her luscious body. Can you make the judges fall in love with your body?

Mini Grand Prizes
BQ Vogue Femme & BQ Runway: The Military Draft (The Top 20 invitees)
The idea of a military draft is an ancient one, used around the world. In America, a form of a draft was first used at the start of World War One and most controversial during The Vietnam War. Under increasing pressure, Congress discontinued the draft in 1973, and the new, all-volunteer army began.

Tonight we will bring back the draft lottery to Ballroom by hand-selecting the Top 20 individuals of BQ Vogue Femme and BQ European Runway. Only these chosen individuals are allowed to compete for the BQ vogue femme and BQ Runway category. The effect is totally up to you. The catch is that there will only be one winner and the battles will be chosen through the luck of drawing names out of a hat.
BQ Vogue Femme Invitees: $500 plus $20 pot
Alex Mugler, Baby Hurricane Khan, Bambi Revlon, Bamzy Garcon, Boom Revlon, Bootz 007, Chaos Mizrahi, Chi-Chi Mizrahi, Dae-Dae 007, Divo Icon, Elzon Ebony, Justin Khan, Lil’James Khan, Lil’ Ronnie Aga, Lil’ Vick Prodigy, Lollipop 007, Magic Khan, Moo-Moo Ebony, Niama Mugler, Omari Mizrahi, Pumps Mizrahi, Salina Prodigy, Smiley 007, Tails Mizrahi, Tiny Aga

BQ Runway Invitees $500 plus $20 pot
Aliquon Pocotti, Boi-Boi Khan, Corey Chanel, Demetri Mugler, Dvon Garcon, Durrell Milan, Egypt Garcon, Giovanni Khan, Iman Aga, Iman Milan, Justice Aga, Kenyatta Xistence, Kwon Ebony , Lil John Khan , Meme Khan, Mini Me Milan, Oreo Mugler, Peppa Khan, Rodney Lavin, T.K. Chanel, Tez 007, Toxic Mizrahi, Tracey Prodigy, Trez Prodigy, Twiggy Garcon

Legendary Categories: The Controversial Win (Legendary FACE, RUNWAY, REALNESS & PERFORMANCE) $150 each
If you ask any legend of any category about a time when they should have won grand prize but didn’t due to shade, drama, or controversy, we guarantee you there will be a hundred stories. Tonight you are the legend and you are telling us the story of when you lost a ball that clearly you should have won. Recreate the look, bring the attitude and hopefully this time the ending of this story will be different--without all the controversy.

The Rise of a Generation: As a House Production (KiKi House .vs. Major House) $500
This year in the ballroom scene there has been controversy surrounding its future due to the popularity of the Kiki scene and the lack of participation of the new generation in the major scene. Many KiKi participants say that the major scene is shady and unfair, and they would rather just walk in the KiKi functions. On the other hand, many major scene participants feel like the KiKi is a waste of time and doesn’t really prepare its youth for the real scene. Tonight as a house, showcase to the audience scene your talents by presenting a production that includes 1 Runway, 1 Face, 1 Realness, 1 Fashion and 1 Performance. The production must include a message tackling the issues of the Ballroom community (for example; HIV/AIDS, violence, homelessness) and how your house will help in its resolution.

Latex Ball Facebook page

LEGENDARY: a celebration of Paris Is Burning with PEACHES CHRIST and LATRICE ROYALE

Originally published on Dangerous Minds, March 2013.

Latrice Royale onstage at The Castro Theatre, photo by Robby Sweeny.

NOTES FROM THE NIALLIST

If you have not seen Paris Is Burning, you’re just not doing it right. I’m talking Life, honey.

I’ve written about Paris Is Burning before, and referenced it in my recent ballroom piece for Boing Boing, but the truth is that the impact of this film on gay culture, and by extension culture at large, cannot be overestimated. That a film about underground drag culture and voguing resonated so strongly amongst gays should not be a surprise, but what is surprising is how far its influence has spread in “straight” circles. Its language and imagery are now common parlance, and it won a recent PBS “best documentary” poll by an overwhelming landslide.

Which is why I was so delighted to see Paris Is Burning get recent a Midnight Mass screening in San Francisco, hosted by the queens Peaches Christ and Latrice Royale. Barring stars of the film itself (most of whom have sadly passed) I could not think of a better pair to present it. Peaches Christ is a legendary San Francisco performer and the regular Midnight Mass movie hostess, and is so obsessed with films, ickiness and camp that her boy alter ego, Joshua Grannell, recently directed the future-cult-classic All About Evil, starring Natasha Lyonne, Mink Stole and Elvira. Latrice Royale, meanwhile, was a competitor on last year’s season of RuPaul’s Drag Race, and through a combination of straight-talking and motherly warmth, went on to win the show’s “Miss Congeniality” prize, and has become one of the most popular contestants that Drag Race has ever seen.

I couldn’t waste this opportunity to ask two legends of drag about this legendary drag film, so I sent them both a set of questions to answer.


Peaches Christ and Latrice Royale

THE NIALLIST: When did you first discover Paris Is Burning?

LATRICE ROYALE: I believe it was 1995.. I know a little late, but again I was very new to the lifestyle at this time in my life.

PEACHES CHRIST: I was a junior in high school and the movie was such a huge indie hit in the urban markets that Miramax did a wide release, which meant it played at the local Maryland mall where I grew up. I remember going to see it with my closeted lesbian friend and my hands were literally shaking when I went to purchase a ticket—I was a closeted queen and was terrified someone would see me buying a ticket to the movie—that my secret would be revealed. I watched it wide-eyed and in awe and while there is clearly a tragic element to the film, especially ending with Venus’ murder, I found it to be inspiring, creative, loving, and it really showed me that there was a way people like “us” could find a family, create a world for ourselves, and that the world could be imaginative, unique, and FABULOUS. I went to see it three more times in the theatre and each time I did, my hands shook a little less when I bought a ticket.

TN: What kind of an impact has it had on your career, and how has it influenced you personally?

LR: Well from my own personal experience in life, I totally could relate to these young kids. As I was one of them. I was too scared to come out after being outed by my brother. But I did learn that you could rebuild your family with people to your liking.

PC: I kind of feel like there are two drag worlds- the one pre-Paris Is Burning and the one post-Paris Is Burning, because after the movie came out and was widely distributed, queers sought it out, understood it, embraced and appropriated its culture on all levels of queer culture. It’s effect on our language, style, dance, etc. can not be underestimated. Whether people know it or not, it changed queer culture and then of course popular culture because it’s my belief that most of the best parts of popular culture start with the queers.

TN: How do you feel time has treated the film?

LR: Knowing what I know now, and seeing how bullying is such the trend.. We need to have a world wide revival of this movie. So many are unaware of a crucial part of our history.

PC: I watch it today and am again blown away by how much of everything we do and saw comes from this seminal film. It’s timeless.

TN: What would you say to younger queens who haven’t seen the film?

LR: Well as I stated earlier we need a revival!! Our youth should be aware of just how far we’ve come, while realizing we still have so much further to go. But with knowledge comes power, and hopefully our youth will learn that they too, have a voice.

PC: It’s a must see of course. Completely required viewing. I’m actually teaching a class in 2014 at the SF Art Institute that’s essentially “Drag In Cinema” and I’m building the course around this film.


Peaches Christ as Dorian Corey, photo by Nicole Fraser-Herron

TN: Who is your favourite character in Paris Is Burning?

LR: Pepper LaBeija LEGENDARY MUTHA!!

PC: I can’t choose one- seriously. I’m obsessed with Dorian Corey, Willi Ninja, Pepper LaBeija, Venus Xtravaganza, and Octavia St. Laurent. I love them all.

TN: Peaches, could you tell us about the process of getting Paris Is Burning to the big screen again?

PC: I’ve wanted to do a Peaches show around Paris Is Burning for years and years but really needed to do it the right way and create a show that felt authentic- so it took some time but I was able to seek out members of the West Coast ball scene who came on board to create the show with us. I reached out to Latrice because I really feel like she embodies the true spirit of the film—inspiring a new generation of queens to perform with style and grace, understanding their history while also serving it to audiences—making them eat it. I have been in touch with Jennie Livingston, the film’s director, and she’s been so supportive and WONDERFUL and we’ve been talking about how this Paris Is Burning zeitgeist will hopefully lead to more projects, more longevity, more celebration, and that this community’s legacy will live on forever.

TN: And finally, Latrice, how was the Paris Is Burning Midnight Mass screening?

LR: I must say the whole experience working with Peaches Christ was one that I will never forget!!! So brilliant, and such an honor to be a part of more history in the making.

TN: History indeed!
For more info, and to view the picture gallery of images from the screening, visit PeachesChrist.com.

DORIAN COREY: The Drag Queen Had a Mummy in Her Closet

Originally posted on Dangerous Minds, Jan 2011





Here’s an interesting aside to the Paris Is Burning post from yesterday. Dorian Corey, the older drag queen featured heavily in the film, kept a mummified corpse in her apartment for an untold amount of years. Shot in the head, wrapped in fake leather and stuffed in a suitcase, it was only discovered after her death.

Figueroa said the body was “half-way” between mummified and decomposed. “When you have all this wrapping no air is getting to it” he explained. “But it is still losing liquid out of its body. So the body sort of floats in its own soup.” The skin was in very bad shape. “It was like very old fabric” Figueroa said. “If you touch it, it’s going to fall apart.” Figueroa spent several days treating the skin so he could take ten fingerprints off it.
...
I asked Figueroa if he thought the person who wrapped the body in imitation leather was trying to emulate the Egyptians. I thought it possible that Dorian Corey was into high camp with dead bodies as well as live ones.
“I don’t think so” he said. “People just wrap a body in whatever is available. It’s just spontaneous. You wrap it up. Then you put it in a suitcase. Then you put it in the closet. Then you just look at it periodically and wish it would go away.”

To this day nobody knows for sure who killed Bobby Worley or why. The full story, from a 1995 issue of New York magazine, can be read here. This is a bona fide legend of the drag scene, so it’s good to finally get the full low down. Or at least as much of it as possible.

Thanks to Geoff for digging this out!

MYKKI BLANCO support slot

I had the pleasure of supporitng Mykki Blanco at Islington Mill in May.  It was an awesome gig. I was really curious to see Mykki live, and she didn't disappoint. In fact, she went way beyond what I was expecting.

What a brilliant gig; dark, thrilling and intense. Mykki is a great rapper with awesome freestyle flows, and the drag is definitely not a gimmick. She’s the real deal. She has an overall aesthetic that is tight and well thought out - she's not just another "queer rapper" spitting over random productions, she has a vision and it's great to see in practice. 

Musically and visually it all makes so much sense when you see Blanco live. The beats are heavy and ominous, and the rapping goes from in your face and hyped-up to introspective while still being mesmerising. There's a bit of valley girl going on with the persona too, but it feels natural, not forced. It's strange, it's hard to articulat this, but it does make a lot osense in the live context. Soo see the Mykki Blanco live experience if you can, you’ll come away a fan.

 

Just a picture of us chilling backstage with Mykki Blanco and Midnight Growler. Mykki was just about to go on, and I had just come off. And her jacket is BADASS!

And another pic of Mykki, this time a pre-show portrait by my sis Pam Van Damned.