|
|
  Chi Chi and Chonga at September's Disco Miss Thing. Photos courtesy Just Out Emerging from an occasionally painful adolescence Portland is finally enjoying the freedom of young adulthood (and college parties, whew!) and there’s no better example of this than our catty but loving drag scene. This year saw one the introduction of a truly well crafted drag competition called Miss Thing and this Friday brings its outrageous finale.
“I think drag has gotten somewhat of a bad name in Portland because there is so much sameness and traditional drag going on,” Co-creator Heklina Heklina has said. “Audiences and performers want to be challenged by ideas—another great thing about Miss Thing. There are no rules—no rules as to gender, what you need to look like or how you dress. All that matters is what you do onstage.”
Not that we’ve ever cared about a bad reputation, but we’re happy that now it’s a thematic, originally bad rep. And it’s all coming to a climax when the year’s best of the best take the stage to win 500 dollars and a trip to San Fran to perform with Trannyshack. And competition is fierce.
Continue reading »
 Sally Ingus Wilder
Variety shows, drag and performance art in Portland can be hit or miss. For as many mind-blowing acts, there are long drawn out talent shows featuring more talking than artistry. But local (and NICE) drag diva Artemis Chase has hit on something fabulous with this year’s Miss Thing so I have no doubts that tomorrow’s Peep Show will be equally worth seeing.
I was […]
  2007 "People" category winner Lee Kyle's “Kajanne Pepper in Stripes” Even though it is still may and the rain continues to dampen our spirits as we head into the official beginning of summer, Memorial Day, and Pride Season, I’m starting not to be able to control my upcoming seasonal excitement.
qPDX has plans to march, of course, cover the hell out of our local festivities, and tweet all the cool stuff the whole time (my apologies if the tweets start to get messy by the end of each evening). But even better? We’re going to be doing it all again the next weekend from San Francisco!
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. QDoc will kick off the season shortly, and we’ll have some stellar review coverage this year. But you can get just ask excited as me RIGHT NOW by entering Just Out’s 2010 Amateur Pride Photo Contest. It’s bound to be an interesting competition this year with all kinds of new staff at the JO as well as…drumroll…celebrity guest judging from yours truly. (You’re calling me a local celebrity? Well of course I’ll [fill in the blank]. Flattery will get you everywhere…) Here’s some of my judgemental comrades:
Continue reading »
 Hosted by the austere and delicious Artemis Chase
In case you missed last night’s alt-queer raging sweat fest at Rotture, I was there with my camera! Artemis Chase and Ecstasy Inferno performed for the mob and DJs Airick, Kinetic, Jodi Bon Jodi, Trans Fat, iL Camino, Yer Momm, and Banana Juice Jiggle mixed awesome tracks for the undulating […]
  Meghan Mayhem at last month's Cuda Cabaret Besides the all weekend long Circus Artemis, which you absolutely should not miss, there’s plenty of other queer happenings worth dancing it out to this weekend. These are what I’m considering…
Tonight
The Gong Show – Bad Scene Productions brings you a 70s game show redux for the 2nd time to benefit outside in. Judged by The Mercury’s Wm. Steven Humphrey & Marjorie Skinner and William Batty & Sadie LaGuerre of Wanderlust Circus there’s bound to be nothing appropriate of the former Sissyboy members performing as KD Rang and Mami Tsunami hosted show.
But I’m especially excited to see openers Hammercise with members of the Sprockettes bringing you a whole new way to exercise for summer getting in shape.
Check out a video recap below for a taste:
Continue reading »
  Winning contestant Kaj-anne Pepper with backup dancer Robert Tyree Monthly drag competition Miss Thing at the Fez has quickly become the show to experience the breadth of Portland drag as well as a who’s who of almost every queer circle. And indeed, that night competition was just as fierce as we have come to expect.
Nonetheless, no one was surprised when the incorrigible and amazing Kaj-anne Pepper took first place with his ironic, satirical and beautiful medley of both Gaga and Madonna. With live vocals and backup dancers perfectly exemplifying the Gaga aesthetic it was a no-brainer, despite the quality of all the acts.
The ultra-gay theme, Lady Gaga vs. Madonna, produced a host of great performances starting with judges, including winner of last month, Bulimianne Rhapsody, who performed her own rendition of Paparrazzi instead praising the joys of wino-loving Carlo-Rossi.
Continue reading »
  Sally Ingus Wilder debuts This month’s Miss Thing: Broadway Babes on Wednesday is a tribute to all things showtune. Hosted by Heklina and the ladies of Trannyshack, San Francisco Miss Thing takes to the Fez (316 SW 11th Ave) monthly to showcase thematic drag numbers that have a chance of winning it all. And by all I mean a “best of show” performer will be chosen to compete in November to become Miss Thing. The winner will win $500 cash and a trip to San Francisco to perform at the legendary Trannyshack.
Continue reading »
 Artemis Chase Along with the return of popular Logo show RuPaul’s Drag Race, returned Portland’s own Drag Race with host Poison Waters earlier this February. The new Red Cap Thursday staple goes for 13 weeks with 8 contestants who will be lead through a variety of creative challenges. One will be chosen the weekly winner, and awarded prizes donated by sponsors and community partners. At the end of the series, one contestant will come out on top to claim the grand prize which includes $1,000.00 cash and round trip airfare, lodging, and VIP party passes for 2.
One of the favored contestants, Artemis Chase, is a much beloved local queen who almost made it onto the national show. But today even her race towards the local championship has ended as she has pulled out of the local competition.
Continue reading »
 Fruitcake goes all out for All Homo's Eve Whether you like dressing up in order to explore your faggy sense of fashion, to explore the costumes and the performance on self or just for the silly, scary fun of it all, Halloween is a homo-happy holiday. Here are some of the events you shouldn’t miss. Let the screams begin.
Saturday Oct 24th
Halloween week starts off right with Blow Pony‘s Night of the Living Queens brain draining dance party. Hosted By the Scum queen Artemis Chase with performances by Anna Conda (SF charlie Horse), Glamamore (SF charlie horse), Muthachucka (SF charlie horse), Hoku Mama Swamp (SF charlie Horse), Turleen (SF charlie Horse).
Continue reading »
|
|
