Life Can be a Drag or Just an Illusion

(Kim Stacy plays several characters in Priscilla, including the awkward woman.)

I'm experimenting with this entry as I started it on one computer and I want to see if I can insert or combine the information. If not there will be two separate entries.

(Jack Donahue plays Bernadette, the role played by Terrence Stamp in the film.)

(Anthony Vincent Toudjarov plays Felicia)

(Kwame Michael Remy as Miss Understanding)

(Stephen Anthony plays various roles in Prescilla Queen of the Desert)

(Boyce Templin plays Farrah and is a part of the Ensemble)

I had been wanting to write this for quite some time. Currently, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, The Musical, is being performed at ZACH. It’s an incredible musical based upon the film of the same name. The show runs Wednesdays through Sundays, with two shows on Saturdays until Sunday October 30, 2016. There are still tickets available.

Abe Reybold directs this lavish and colorful production. Of course there are some differences in the musical, but the story remains the same. There’s more music and this time they actually do sing when the get to the top of Ayers Rock.

When I met the film makers at the Seattle International Film Festival we discussed musical rights and getting Terrence Stamp to play the part of Bernadette.

In the ZACH production, Jack Donahue does an incredible job with the role.

There are many events in New Orleans where I can take pictures of people in costumes, mainly during Mardi Gras, Southern Decadence and Halloween.

In 2009 I was introduced to Coca and I decided I would try to photograph the process of the transformation. I shot video and still images and it was quite interesting.

(Coca beginning the transformation process)

These images are from a benefit that was held at the Golden Lantern.

I’ve written about this when I used to write about my travels. In 2005 I went to Louisville, Kentucky to visit a friend and he liked watching drag. I went to one of those competitions and I was blown away. I was never a big fan of drag other than watching people on TV doing it and Jim Baily who considered himself an illusionist.

In 2002, I had gone to a club in Pensacola called Emerald City and I saw something so unusual that I was changing my mind about the art form. Anorexia performed: an alien like creature that was just so theatrical you felt as if you were somewhere else.

(Coca as Lucille Ball in the famous Vita Vita Vegeman commercial)

So, back to Louisville, quite a few of the acts actually sang, there was no lip syncing. Some of the costumes and dancing was so professional. Now that I write this it reminds me of a line from Bernadette, that the art of drag is gone, but everyone is finding their way to be a star thanks to RuPaul. Although Sylvester paved the way.

There was one person that did Tina Turner and there was another number that I don’t recall, but the costume was a leather antebellum gothic look that was just awesome.
Then there was a group that sang Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody, they were dressed in black an white like children from the corn, but the lead was Edward Scissor hands and this was just the best thing I had seen in quite some time.

(Rikki Redd performing at a benefit at the Golden Lantern in New Orleans)

More and more those that do drag are bringing out their art just like the entertainers that they impersonate. Of course there can be a thin line between impersonation and drag.

Like all art, it’s not for everyone. Some people don’t understand it and there are others that see too much of themselves on the stage or it’s a secret fantasy to perform.
That’s why Halloween and Mardi Gras gives them the chance to embrace those hidden fantasies.

(Monique Michaels performing at the Golden Lantern for a benefit)

Artography by Dlonzo “It’s not just a Photograph, it’s Art!”

If you are in need of an artist/photographer to capture your event from concept to completion contact me, 1960Photo@gmail.com or Photo1960@aol.com

Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind and do come back again to see where the journey leads.

Check out my other blogs for more insight.
http://dlonzo-OpenYourMind.blogspot.com
http://filmlover4pg.blogspot.com
http://artbyDlonzo.blogspot.com

Thanks for stopping by; and keep an open mind.
Taking it one day at a time. Keep the faith.

Remember Artist Trading Cards (ATC) are available simply by asking. Send an email with ATC in the subject and I can email one to you.

http://www.dlonzo-OpenYourMind.blogspot.com

While you’re here, why not become a follower (fan).

Check out the links below for some of my videos.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmgUzGZGt98

The above link is a video for an organic flutist in New Orleans.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hciIcHFm3Yw&NR=1

The above is a link of a performance from Oz in New Orleans.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-qcybZsUzc

The above link is for a promo of a DJ in New Orleans.

http://www.myspace.com/darqueleight/music/songs/d-bohemian-31098704

Computer generated music.

The Story behind the Photograph (Part 11)

I first met Coca in 2009. I am not a big fan of drag. I guess mainly because its people lip sinking. Even an artist doesn’t always get particular art forms. I do remember watching Jim Bailey on various shows doing what he did, but he considered himself an illusionist. It was a well deserved title as he brought the dead back to life with his Judy Garland performance and he was great as Barbara Streisand.

(It starts with the face. Doesn't matter what someone does, if I am going to photograph them they have to have a face.)

I think the other reason I wasn’t a big fan is because it all looked the same. Maybe I was too young to understand it.
In 2005 I was in Louisville, Kentucky and a friend took me to one of those competitions. I wish I had brought my camera, but I didn’t know it that was allowed. I saw some of the best performances I had ever seen. A lot of the performers did their own singing and they were really performing. There were a few performances that were just incredible. One performer did Janet Jackson, another did Tina Turner and a group did their version of Queen’s Bohemian Rapsody which if I had to select a winner it would have been them. They presented the song as if Edward Scissorhands were the boy. This was beyond drag, this was illusion.

This where my fascination with Coca comes in. After talking I decided I’d like to try to do a video of the transformation process. I’ve always been interested in why some people do what they do and how they get ready. Of course Coca is outstanding and does sing as well. These are only a few still shots as most of my time with Coca is shooting video footage.

(Performing Stevie Nicks' Bombay Saphire at a benefit at the Golden Lantern bar in New Orleans.)

(Below you’ll find links to my videos which should lead you to find videos that I shot of Coca.)

My project with Coca is on going. Every time I go to New Orleans I try to shoot some video. We still have to work on an interview and I am going to have to reshoot the transformation process. That’s art, sometimes its never completed. We learn to work with what we have.

(Coca as Lucille Ball doing that famous vitamin sketch.)

Coming up: Jack, The Story behind the photograph (Celebs)

Thanks for stopping by; and keep an open mind.

Check out some of my art at Bluecanvas.com/Oznol. Some of these are for sale. Remember Artist Trading Cards (ATC) are available simply by asking. Send an email with ATC in the subject and I can email one to you.

http://www.dlonzo-OpenYourMind.blogspot.com

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=58144381
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=54325957
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=54365247

While you’re here, why not become a follower (fan).
Taking it one day at a time and keep the faith.

Check back and see where this journey leads. Check out the links below to my other blogs and videos.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmgUzGZGt98

The above link is a video for an organic flutist in New Orleans.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hciIcHFm3Yw&NR=1

The above is a link of a performance from Oz in New Orleans.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-qcybZsUzc

The above link is for a promo of a DJ in New Orleans.

http://www.myspace.com/darqueleight/music/songs/d-bohemian-31098704

Computer generated music.