Portland’s queer New Year

Kelly Moe will perform live at Fruitcake's NYE party

The craziness of New Year’s Eve parties, be they gay or less gay, is well established and usually find me in the safe confines of a cozy NE Portland bungalow. You would think that with this year’s economy that would be especially true. But alas, this year I will be swinging down to the inner SE industrial district to partake of some holiday Fruitcake with DJs Nolita, Gottesfinger, Freddie Fagula, Chelsea Starr (Hotpants/SF)  and Yer Mom (Blo Pony).

My favorite NE party that recently succumbed to the Rumpapankers implosion, will see its last foray and one of organizer Nolita’s last sets at Branx (320 SE 2nd Ave). Mix in live performances by The Lovers, Portland’s most ethereal best-new-thing, Kelly Moe, the sensual chanteuse I used to call my video store boyfriend, and Judy!, art-rock extraordinaire, and you have a holiday happening I’ll venture out for.

Fruitcake is likely to be a bag up mixed-gender bash that combines a midnight champagne toast with hugs and grinding for a distinctly debauched form of class. For those that want a more specific form of girl on girl or boy on boy, maybe I suggest Out Like That‘s The Heat is On for the ladies and CC Slaughter’s Platinum Ball or Red Cap’s NYE for the gentlemen.

OLT’s poster children Delilah Sinn, and Pegatron have the perfect assets for a hot day in January. Pegatron’s fire dancing will surely melt the ice and Delilah’s words and burlesque will warm up any cold shoulder. The BB Dolls and their usual excessive use of body paint will make this a steamy lesbian palace.

But if hard as ice pecks are more your style there seems to be plenty of go go dancers, flashing video screens, drag queen and cash, along with the briefs, droppin’ from the ceiling.

Check out our New Year’s calendar for a full listing of events.