It is currently 1:55 pm Friday afternoon. I have not gone to bed yet. The events of life night were out of control, and the weekend hasn't even started yet. This post might be a long one, but it's the experiences of last night.
It's 10:00 pm Thursday. I am on my way to a club named Bob and Barbara's, for their drag show at 11. It takes me a while to find a parking spot anywhere close to the bar (city parking is crazy). Closes spot I find is 8 blocks away. I take it and begin my walk. I'm totally alone. Salatta T could not come out tonight, and I'm not to happy about it. Sal did tell me that if I had any problems then to just say that I knew her and I'd "be fine." I get up to the door of the bar. There is a crowd of 15 gathered outside for a cigarette. They all stare at me. I'm uneasy about this situation. I pay the $5.00 cover and show my id. As I'm doing this, there is a brush across my shoulder. A light almost massaging touch. I turn around. I'm face to face with an Asian "tranny" (transvestite). I give a friendly smile. During our short lived conversation, I'm called "cutey" at least 10 times and I've also been invited out to a hotel..His hand does not come off of my shoulder/chest until I start walking into the bar. It's going to be interesting.
10:50. The bar is packed. Standing room only. There are small two person tables crowded by five or more. The only open space is on the stage that the queens will be performing on. I walk through the crowd of men of all ages and sizes. I notice at least half of them "checking me out", some even give me a "hey" shout out. I've become an object. An object of lust, and it doesn't help that the testosterone level in the place is through the roof. Think of it this way. In straight bars, guys are always looking for sex, girls hardly are. In gay bars guys are just always looking for sex. I am going to try my best to explain things here:
In straight bars you have a man and female. Usually the male is the "predator". In the gay bars there are men and more men. They are separated from the "twinks" (young pretty boys who really take their time to look perfect), the "bears" (big hairy men who don't care about things and like sports), the "trolls" (old scary men who still after all these years have their libido and are always on the prowl), and lastly the "regular gays" (the rest of them who don't fall into any of the above categories). Among these groups, they take separation a little further and categorize "tops" and "bottoms". It's important for them to find their top or bottom match. If one guy is a top he doesn't want to go home with another top. And because they are all men, everyone wants sex. Sex sex sex! I hope this clears it up a little. And yes, I have already been place in the "twink" category.
Back to the bar. I find a space, back against the wall. It's amazing how comforting a wall can be at times. The show begins. It is another lip sync show, only this time the girls can dance. They also look great. Some of them if I saw them in drag walking down a street, I would really think they were females. Needless to say I'm impressed with this show, and the crowd is loving it to. What I liked most about the show was the variety behind each queen. Some of them were small and petite, others were muscular, one was overweight. There was a Latino queen, a black queen and Asian. Everyone in the crowd had a different preference, and some would cheer louder than others when their favorite had finished her act. Again though, people would still give them dollars like they were strippers.
12:30. The show finishes with a great act performed by "Crystal T. Elektra." A lot of the crowd disperses while some of them stay and drink and talk about their favorite part of the show. I wait for a little til one of the queens come out. It's Crysta T. He's no longer dressed in drag, but there is still traces of makeup on his face, and a lot of glitter everywhere on him. He has a very young face, I place him around 22-25 in my head. I try to have a chat with him, let him know about my project and that I've been working a lot with Salatta T. Here's the ironic thing. Apparently in their drag back stories, Crystal T is Salatta's daughter! I try and get some information about all of this, but he's in a hurry. He's going to the club down the street. Because I mentioned Salatta though, he invites me out with him. Against my better judgment I decide to tag along. What's the worst that could happen...
1:00. We get to the entrance of Pure, an after hours nightclub. There is an $8 cover for non-members. Crystal gets me in for free. I love saving money. I walk through the red, velvet curtains. The dance floor is about half way full of guys dancing. The high pumping techno music is blaring through an amazing system. There are people on the second floor hanging out looking out over the crowd on the dance floor, and many people all crowding the bars all around. I stick close to Crystal T. We find his friends that he was meeting up with. We do our introductions and sit at the bar for a drink. There is no way I can talk to him about drag, between the music and his friends. I stick close to my beer
2:30. I've met several people. All buying me drinks. I've got a great buzz going, and I'm a little more relaxed. I'm talking to Mike right now about how Philly needs a larger gay community. Pee break. I feed my way through the now packed dance floor. It takes a good while for me to get through guys grinding on one another, hands down pants and up shirts, glow sticks twirling, and lights flickering. Mike gets me through. I finally make it to the bathroom. There are 6 stalls. 3 side by side and the other 3 side by side directly in front of each other. So while you're peeing you're looking at the other guy peeing across from you and vice versa. Talk about intimidating urinals. But whatever, with the amount of booze I've drank nothing is stopping me from draining my bladder. While i'm draining, i notice a small gathering of boys by the sink. They are Crystal T's friends that I've met. I watch one of them roll up a dollar bill and snort the white powder. They notice that i'm looking at them and ask me if i want some. I decline. Instead they hand me a little blue pill with a transformer symbol imprinted on it, and say "here take that instead," and hand me a bottle of water. There can't be anything bad with a transformer symbol on it! Transformers rock!
The effects and "dangers" of "E" or ecstasy can be found at these sites:
http://www.mydr.com.au/default.asp?article=2982
http://www.everything2.com/index.pl?node_id=880453
3:00. I am on the dance floor. The bass of the music is heavenly in my ears. My eyes are infatuated with the swirling lights. I don't ever want this to end. I love everything. My shirt is off and swinging over my head. Crystal T and his friends are shirtless also, as with most of the people on the dance floor. The floor is so crowded i am automatically pressed up against sweaty bodies, all moving and bouncing in different directions. I don't care, I'm sweating profusely myself. All i care about is the music. Everyone is having a great time. Cheering loudly for the dj.
3:30. We are outside the club, putting our shirts back on. I have trouble getting mine on with all the sweat shooting out of my pours. People are still packing out of the now closed club and all congregating in front of it to talk and meet each other. More than half of the people I meet have dilated pupils. I still want to dance. Crystal T. finds me in the crowd, and tells me we're going to an after party. I'm still wide awake. I tag along.
6:00 am. I am sitting on an amazingly comfortable black leather couch, in a lavish condo. The coffee table in front of me has a mirror sitting on it. There are a few lines of coke all placed out. There is also a small rock of "Tina" (crystal meth). I am offered several times for my choice. I just stick to my bottle of water. I am fading fast, but i don't want to sleep in a random place. I watch in amazement at at least 5 people doing drugs. I'm wondering how they will survive at work in a few hours (if any of them are even going). I come to find that most of them aren't.
8:00. I'm pushing my limit and it's time for me to bounce out. I thank them all for the invitations. Everyone that's left is pretty messed up right now, so I try not to make a big deal about my dismissal. One of them hands me an ambien, and tells me I'll need it. I leave. God the sun really REALLY hurts your eyes after partying all night. The hustle and bustle of the city on this Friday morning makes me feel so awkward. All these people in business suits and dresses, traffic everywhere. And here I am just getting out of a party. It's a long way to my car. I decide to walk it and get my dunks coffee on the way. God bless dunkin donuts.
3:21 pm. I am finally finished with this blog and I'm going to take a nap. I have another show at a different club, and who knows what else after it. Am I nervous? Damn right I am.
Friday, August 3, 2007
Thursday, August 2, 2007
TUESDAY JULY 31
After karaoke the night before with Salatta T, I was told of another drag show that was going to be held in Northeast Philly. The name of the club is Lyrics. The show starts at 11. I meet up with Sal about an hour before hand, cause he tells me he wants to go see the show too. Sal and I talk for a little outside the club, mostly about karaoke. Sal is still so friendly. I'm feeling more comfortable around him, especially since he's the only one I know at this point. I have no idea what to expect when i walk through the doors of Lyrics so Sal, in my mind, is going to be my "body guard."
10:45 comes around and we walk into the club. There is a little dark entrance way we had to walk down before actually getting into the bar. It smells of hair spray, mixed with liquor and cigarettes. I'm guessing the drag queens must be around, but i don't see any of them.
The club has a dance floor sandwhiched between two long bars. Only the bar on the left is being used. There might be about 10 people here including Sal and I. There are no attractive people anywhere, just older men who's skin show's the years of partying they did when they were younger. The bartender is a female. She is leaning over the bar trying to flirt with two guys for some extra tips. I question her motives. It's a gay bar and the two gentlemen that she's flirting with are more into each other than her. Whatever. I glance over at Sal, he catches my eye. We sort of do the eyebrow raise and the eye roll. I can tell he thinks this place is as sketchy as I do. I'm not looking forward to seeing the show.
They begin sound check. I go to the bar to get a beer. The bartender takes my order and tries flirting with me. I just want my beer. I need it to calm me down a little. She won't lay off, and wants to know all about my life. I notice a tattoo on her arm. It's flabby and discolored, makes me never want one. i get my beer and set up the camera. The show begins. It's a lip-synch show. They introduce the host, and she comes out lip syncing and dancing to her song. The 8 people in the crowd start cheering. She starts dancing in the crowd, as men start handing her some dollars. The way they give the dollars reminds me of a strip club. I guess they have to make money somehow. She comes closer to me, and I get my first glimpse of her face. She gives a big toothless smile. It's hideous. It just fits my stereotypical idea of this bar and show. She doesn't stop dancing around me. I'm hoping it's because of the camera and not because I'm the only young one in the bar who's skin is still intact. I give an uneasy smile and pray she leaves me alone. It's going to be a long night I fear.
The show finally ends. It's around 12:30. There was nothing that impressed me about the show. All the queens looked like they were fresh out of construction jobs or prison. One queen even did a number with a dildo. I still don't know how I feel about it. All I know is that A.) I want to get out of the bar and B.) I want to get out of the bar! Sal doesn't let me leave. He knows about my project and wants us to meet up with the queens. I'm amazed that he's into my project as much as he is. I can't say "no". So I agree to go talk to some of them.
Surprisingly they were totally cool. All of them were so excited that I was doing a project about their culture. They all have stories that I would like to share, but that's what my video is for. The unfortunate thing though was the lighting in the bar was so low that I couldn't possibly have given an interview, but they told me that they would all be more then willing to get on camera and speak to me. I'm looking forward to listening at what they have to say about this culture.
10:45 comes around and we walk into the club. There is a little dark entrance way we had to walk down before actually getting into the bar. It smells of hair spray, mixed with liquor and cigarettes. I'm guessing the drag queens must be around, but i don't see any of them.
The club has a dance floor sandwhiched between two long bars. Only the bar on the left is being used. There might be about 10 people here including Sal and I. There are no attractive people anywhere, just older men who's skin show's the years of partying they did when they were younger. The bartender is a female. She is leaning over the bar trying to flirt with two guys for some extra tips. I question her motives. It's a gay bar and the two gentlemen that she's flirting with are more into each other than her. Whatever. I glance over at Sal, he catches my eye. We sort of do the eyebrow raise and the eye roll. I can tell he thinks this place is as sketchy as I do. I'm not looking forward to seeing the show.
They begin sound check. I go to the bar to get a beer. The bartender takes my order and tries flirting with me. I just want my beer. I need it to calm me down a little. She won't lay off, and wants to know all about my life. I notice a tattoo on her arm. It's flabby and discolored, makes me never want one. i get my beer and set up the camera. The show begins. It's a lip-synch show. They introduce the host, and she comes out lip syncing and dancing to her song. The 8 people in the crowd start cheering. She starts dancing in the crowd, as men start handing her some dollars. The way they give the dollars reminds me of a strip club. I guess they have to make money somehow. She comes closer to me, and I get my first glimpse of her face. She gives a big toothless smile. It's hideous. It just fits my stereotypical idea of this bar and show. She doesn't stop dancing around me. I'm hoping it's because of the camera and not because I'm the only young one in the bar who's skin is still intact. I give an uneasy smile and pray she leaves me alone. It's going to be a long night I fear.
The show finally ends. It's around 12:30. There was nothing that impressed me about the show. All the queens looked like they were fresh out of construction jobs or prison. One queen even did a number with a dildo. I still don't know how I feel about it. All I know is that A.) I want to get out of the bar and B.) I want to get out of the bar! Sal doesn't let me leave. He knows about my project and wants us to meet up with the queens. I'm amazed that he's into my project as much as he is. I can't say "no". So I agree to go talk to some of them.
Surprisingly they were totally cool. All of them were so excited that I was doing a project about their culture. They all have stories that I would like to share, but that's what my video is for. The unfortunate thing though was the lighting in the bar was so low that I couldn't possibly have given an interview, but they told me that they would all be more then willing to get on camera and speak to me. I'm looking forward to listening at what they have to say about this culture.
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
MONDAY JULY 30TH
The trip from yesterday really took a tole on my body. I just relax until it's time to go meet my first drag queen. In the heart of the Philadelphia "Gay-borhood" there is a club named Woody's. On the upstairs level of the club is a side bar which is empty except for one man. There is makeup scattered everywhere on the bar, and a dress and wig is sitting behind him. I meet Sal with a firm handshake. We both sit at the bar and start discussing what this project is all about. He is very enthusiastic about it, and tells me he'll help me out in anyway he can. He begins applying make up all over his face. I'm dumbfounded with how much there is. Skin toners, whiteners, blushes, darker blushes, glitters, eye shadows, eyebrow stuff, lipsticks, he cakes it on his face all while entertaining me with stories. I'm amazed at how good he is at this. In my mind he is a face artist, taking his time for perfection. He presses on some long fake eyelashes, turns to me and pronounces that he's done. He face looks very different. He puts on female clothes and he has completed his transformation from Sal, to "Salatta T." We have a couple more minutes before he has to go out on stage, so we spend this time talking some more and getting to know one another. He is very friendly, but I remain cautious. I don't really know what to expect or what to think about the situation I've put myself in. Show time.
I find a place to sit at the bar. The bar has flat screen tv's all around a bright pink wall. There are giant over sized Mardi Gras beads hanging from the ceiling above the dance floor. It's only 9:00 pm so it's pretty empty. There is one other table of people. Salatta T is introduced and begins to sing her karaoke song.
After listening to many songs and having a drink or two, the bar starts to fill up. There is a good crowd of guys and girls.all waiting for their chance to get up to the microphone. Except for Salatta comparing the Mardi Gras beads to a "different type" of beads, there is nothing to out of the ordinary and I feel relatively comfortable.
SUNDAY JULY 29TH
I am up at 5:00 am. There is still so much that needs to be done before I can start on my trip. Shower to wake up, the smell of Irish spring really doesn't kick in so well this early in the morning. Cup of coffee, chug, repeat two more times. Fold a few more shirts and put them into a half packed suitcase. My eyes are still closing. it's 5:45. Lay on my bed for a minute. Darkness
Eyes snap open! Look at my watch. 7:00 am. "Crap! Crap! Crap!" Take out the garbage, pack up the camera, stuff the rest of my junk in my suitcase throw it in the car. Wipe down my counter. Clean some dishes. Check the house. Go to my car. Check the house again, and even one more time after that. Look at my watch, 7:24 am. Jump in my car, ignition starts, journey begins.
Time passes...
My car clock says 3:44. My watch says it's 10:10. Maybe I'll fix that clock one day. I'm a good ways through Ohio, and I drive by two cop cars that have pulled over a white van. There are about 8 or 9 Hispanic people standing behind the van, all with their arms over their heads. All I can think about is the opening scene from Men In Black, and how much I would love to pull the car over and tell the cops "I'll take it from here!" I don't though, and just continue driving.
Time goes by...
I'm in West Virginia, my ass is totally asleep! I hate driving! The further East I go the hotter it gets, and when you have no A.C, that can make one pretty cranky. I'm ready for this trip to be over, but the more I think about how much further I have to go the more irritated I get. There is a lady walking her baby, with carriage, on the side of the highway! I don't really know how I feel about what I just saw, but it takes my mind off of things for a while.
More time...
Things to do while driving for 10 hours straight.
1.) Play the license plate game. The furthest I saw was California. God bless those people
2.) Think about how important your peripheral vision really assists while driving. Kind of amazing
3.) Road Bingo. I won every time!
Finally...
And the clouds opened up and let in some light, and there was a heavenly "awwww" as I finally reach my destination, Philadelphia. Time, 6:00 pm. I just want to shower and relax.
Eyes snap open! Look at my watch. 7:00 am. "Crap! Crap! Crap!" Take out the garbage, pack up the camera, stuff the rest of my junk in my suitcase throw it in the car. Wipe down my counter. Clean some dishes. Check the house. Go to my car. Check the house again, and even one more time after that. Look at my watch, 7:24 am. Jump in my car, ignition starts, journey begins.
Time passes...
My car clock says 3:44. My watch says it's 10:10. Maybe I'll fix that clock one day. I'm a good ways through Ohio, and I drive by two cop cars that have pulled over a white van. There are about 8 or 9 Hispanic people standing behind the van, all with their arms over their heads. All I can think about is the opening scene from Men In Black, and how much I would love to pull the car over and tell the cops "I'll take it from here!" I don't though, and just continue driving.
Time goes by...
I'm in West Virginia, my ass is totally asleep! I hate driving! The further East I go the hotter it gets, and when you have no A.C, that can make one pretty cranky. I'm ready for this trip to be over, but the more I think about how much further I have to go the more irritated I get. There is a lady walking her baby, with carriage, on the side of the highway! I don't really know how I feel about what I just saw, but it takes my mind off of things for a while.
More time...
Things to do while driving for 10 hours straight.
1.) Play the license plate game. The furthest I saw was California. God bless those people
2.) Think about how important your peripheral vision really assists while driving. Kind of amazing
3.) Road Bingo. I won every time!
Finally...
And the clouds opened up and let in some light, and there was a heavenly "awwww" as I finally reach my destination, Philadelphia. Time, 6:00 pm. I just want to shower and relax.
THE BLOG
For those of you who don't know, I am immersing myself in the culture of drag queens. I will be meeting and talking with them, going to their shows, etc. to get a better understanding of this culture. As mentioned before I might not be able to blog everyday, but that doesn't mean I don't have anything to say. I am bringing a pad of paper and pen everywhere I go to write down anything significant that I want to blog about when I get a chance. Things that I write about may be way off topic of drag queens, but that's because there will be a lot of cultural differences that I will also be experiencing on my travels and I may want to write on some of them. In other words I'm treating this blog as more of a journal of my own personal experiences while on my journey.
INTRODUCTION AND CATCH UP
Big hello to everyone! This is the first chance I've had to blog since coming to Philadelphia. When you don't have a lap top, finding a computer with internet can certainly be a challenge. But I found one none the less. I will try and blog as much as possible to keep everyone updated on what's going on. This first blog will be a little bit of an intro and a lot of catching up. All of you are invited to make comments at any time. If you leave any questions I will try and answer them as quickly as I can. Enjoy!
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