New Queer on the Block
Seattle-based event production and theater company
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NEW QUEER ON THE BLOCK: “What does it all mean?”
I sit down to finally kick off the shoes and lay back to relax to then look back at the week and ask myself…
“What does it all mean?”
We live in a crazy world and events happen from all directions that some of us do feel a bit overwhelmed, am I right? First and foremost, we bid a heatedly farewell to Amoania Ammoania for she left us this week to head south to San Francisco. Her unique style of drag will be missed in Seattle, but I’ve got a feeling we haven’t seen the last of her! Thursday night was the grand celebration of RuPaul’s birthday at The Baltic Room and with three extremely sad queens trying to lipsync for their life to a RuPaul single made my eyes screaming out the door. However, they returned to dance and bump to Jason Dottley’s new single release. But what does all of this mean and where is my spiritual counselor to feed me explanations? Thursday night a few questions piqued my interest while out with the boys.
How many tricks you hold on your date book does it take to make you classify as a slut? This was a question that popped up Thursday night – or rather Friday early morning – and it made me think about the difference of sexual patterns from a guy in his early 20s to a guy in his late 20s. As we get older, do we gay guys slowly turn into u-haul lesbians?Then I started thinking about open relationships and where does the line – the very fine line – start and end? But that was just a thought and I escape this queer mayhem for just a few days. But all of this – it’s just another week, another day, and there really is no meaning, except to have fun, let loose and see where the road takes you. Isn’t that part of the greater picture of life?
Thanksgiving is this week that means exactly one thing for this homo… no partying, no drinking, no crazy mayhem for the week. It’s a tradition of mine to cleanse my body the week of Thanksgiving and it’s already making a difference. Looking forward to be thankful for what has been given to me this past year and the people who are in my life. You know who you are – without you, I’d be just garlic mashed potatoes and that’s not very pleasing to the next suitor. I smell the turkey, yams, potatoes, and all the fixings with some friends who I love very much. Catch you next week for another episode of New Queer on the Block – same bat time, same bat channel. I’ll be announcing something fierce and magical for your pleasures.
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Interview with RPDR 4’s Phi Phi O’Hara
Phi Phi O’Hara is only one of thirteen drag queens on season four of RuPaul’s Drag Race and Seattle Gay Scene has the inside scoop with one of the fiercest queens on the boulevard. Phi Phi welcomes the beginnings of her “Phan-a-tics” fans as we gear up for the fourth year of the Drag Race. O’Hara is a club host for Spin Nightclub in Chicago, where she has built a name for herself
Get your up-to-date drag info right here on Seattle Gay Scene!
B.Michael Peterson: Phi Phi O’Hara, where did your drag name come from and how has it become a part of your career?
Phi Phi O’Hara: My original drag name was Phoenix O’Hara. When I moved to Chicago, everyone started calling me Phi Phi as a nickname. Phi Phi has since stuck and has really grown as a fun and sassy name that still sounds feminine and fierce!
BMP: Where did you grow up and where do you live now?
POH: I grew up in San Antonio, Texas and moved to Chicago at the age of twenty-two.
BMP: Welcome to season four, Hunty! How many times did you have to audition to get on this show?
POH: I always planned on auditioning and just didn’t feel it was my time to shine yet. I felt I still had some growing to do before making the leap to compete against the other divas. This is the first time I auditioned.
BMP: What animal do you represent in the jungle?
POH: I would say an eagle, because I fly above all the rest.
BMP: Excluding RuPaul and Lady Bunny, what previous drag race contestant do you aspire to, or look up to and why?
POH: My favorites have always been the girls from Puerto Rico, I admire their art and passion for what they do and I admire the fact that they stand outside the box and really stay true to themselves and putting 100% heart, body and soul into what they do!
BMP: Without revealing details about the show (of course), how would you describe this season in comparison to the previous seasons?
POH: PHIERCE! The competition is so much more intense and there is so much talent on this season that every challenge you had to be on top of your game!
BMP: How confident are you in getting crowned the next Drag Superstar?
POH: 100000000000000% lol jk I want this BAD!!!! I have worked my butt off to get this crown so I am just hoping hard work and dedication along with passion and heart earns me the crown!
BMP: On many reality shows, people have said that they are not here to make friends. What’s your take on making friends on reality shows?
POH: I will say I was one of those that was in it to win it only and realized QUICKLY that this is a FAMILY and these ties we have are going to last a lifetime and these girls we work with are really there to help and support us whether we win or lose.
BMP: Are there any special groups that are formed this season with some of the girls?
POH: I think with any group of people you find people that are quickly attracted to and gravitate towards. 
BMP: Every season, there is always a sewing challenge on the show. Do you sew and if so, how well are you gifted at this trade?
POH: I am a seamtress! I sew anythign and EVERYTHING! I pray for sewing challenges becasue that is my forte and time to shine!
BMP: There are a handful of fabulous guest judges for this season. How well did you respond to the criticisms of Michelle Visage and Santino?
POH: When you are watching the show versus being on the stage getting critiques, it is easier to say, ”Bitch wouldn’t say crap to me”, and then when they do you say, “YOU’RE RIGHT I SUCK and run off in tears!” But It was great to hear feedback because they have said it before they are honestly there to help you!
BMP: What is your strength and what is your weakness as a drag queen and artist?
POH: I pride myself in being able to do everything under the sun whether it is singing, dancing, sewing, acting, whatever is needed because I feel a true entertainer should be well rounded and have dipped their feet in all sorts of water.
BMP: Where does drag fit into your overall career?
POH: I am an certified optician by day so I work in a VERY professional environment with patients and customers. Drag for me is a way to break free and just be creative and have fun with life and be a positive role model for all communities!
BMP: What is your current relationship status? Single? Partnered? Widowed?
POH: I am taken! I have a boyfriend who really pushed me to auditioned this year and has been there every step of the way! I couldn’t ask for a better guy. He even helps with my hair and sew costumes if I am backed up, and he puts up with all my s$%^ and I am not easy to date!
BMP: What three words would you say to Michele Bachmann if she were standing right in front of you?
POH: “What the F**?”
BMP: What person, dead or alive, would you love to spend an entire day with and why?
POH: I would love to spend the day with Wendy Williams and find out “How’s she doin!?”
RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 4 AND companion series UnTucked will premiere in January 2012 on LOGO.
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Interview with Gary Zinter, Artistic Director of the newly formed “The Schoolyard” about Rocky Horror Show
The Schoolyard is a new theater company born out of the ashes of the late Open Circle Theater, but as a different entity and they are kicking off on the right note with a revival production of Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show, directed by Gary Zinter. The show is running from October 28 through November 19, at 8pm, including a special performance on Monday, October 31 and opens this coming Friday night at Re-Bar and you can purchase your tickets through Brown Paper Tickets. Given that this company is under a new name, I wanted to get the low down from Artistic Director, Gary Zinter, and to talk more about the revival of this cult classic musical. What’s new with this remount is the spin of DJ Girth…
B.Michael Peterson: You’re bringing your version of The Rocky Horror Show to Re-Bar. How excited are you and the cast about this revival and what can we expect artistically from this revival? Gary Zinter: The whole cast is excited to do it again. The tone is the same: bloody and sleazy and rockin! We’ve made some adjustments being in a different space and we’ve improved things we didn’t think quite worked in the last go-around. BMP: Through my personal connections, I’ve heard that a couple of your leads from the original production are not returning for this revival. Who are the replacements and how do you feel about that change? GZ: We only lost two cast members. One moved out of state and the other got a union gig. One was a lead, who was amazing, but our new folks are great. They do it their way and they’re not trying to emulate the previous actors. This isn’t your parents’ Rocky Horror thank goodness. The show’s inherent lustiness is put right back where it belongs, center stage.” -Seattle Pop Culture Examiner, on last year’s production of “The Rocky Horror Show” BMP: Open Circle Theater shut their doors completely and The Schoolyard was born. Was that an easy decision for the board of directors and the staff of Open Circle Theater? GZ: It was very hard for the board. The board thought it was necessary, but waited because they were concerned about leaving the new, highly energized company homeless. We talked to the company then assured the board we would take our recent work and continue as a new entity. BMP: For you and your company, what is the message behind The Schoolyard? GZ: We chose the name because of the many, many different ideas it conjures: play, bullying, etc. We tend to lean toward darker subject matter and our upcoming shows reflect that taste. We plan on eventually nurturing more original work from within the company, and we’re growing new directors in the ranks. By mining the play’s nihilist roots Zinter takes a big risk; as a result, Rocky, a 38 year old musical, feels relevant for the first time in a long time. Josh Hartvigson owns the role of Frank N Furter” Seattlest on Gary Zinter’s version of “The Rocky Horror Show” BMP: What lies in the future for The Schoolyard? GZ: We have a number of shows planned, but the only official show on the calendar isCabaret in April and May next year at Re-bar. We will keep Seattle Gay Scene posted! BMP: One of the most used phrases of critiques that was spread around the media and social networks was the sound quality of the band. Were you able to enhance the band for this revival production? GZ: The earlier part of the run was tricky for sound and the band sounded fine, but vocals got lost. We have a much better sound setup at Re-bar and someone in the sound booth is in a better position to hear the mix of the band and the performers. BMP: Have you announced your season for 2012? If not, will there be a season announcement in the near future? GZ: There won’t be a traditional season; however, we are planning on announcing shows as we lock in venues for them. There’s no need to wait because The Schoolyard is gearing to open their first show in less than a week and you don’t want to miss this production opening on Friday at Re-Bar. (Note: they frequently sold out during their spring run at Open Circle!) Purchase your tickets online before this show sells out, yet again, on Brown Paper Tickets and support local artist and local theater. While you are at it, bookmark their website which can be found here!
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“NQ on the B” Column Update: Comedy Show this Thursday Night at Re-Bar
The last time that I performed standup was five years ago when I hosted the annual QLaugh-off, a fundraiser for Eugene’s Q Center (LGBTQ Community and Resource Center), and the audience every year packed the house of Cosmic Pizza in downtown Eugene. Five years later and I’m here in Emerald City with a comedy routine to debut. “New Queer on the Block Comedy Show” at Re-Bar is first and foremost a theatrical presentation and secondly it’s my birthday celebration. What is to be expected and what the final outcome is out of my hands! It’s live show, my peeps!!! Am I tooting my own horn about this event that I’m producing and performing in? You betcha! Joining me along this adventure is Dion Vox of Ramona the Band. Ramona the Band is described to be an underground pop ghetto tech band and I’m so very pleased to have one of my good friends in Seattle share with you her music talents. You can checkout her musichere. Originally, I had planned to have two great DJs spin mixes after the show for a dance-off-your-face party, but have decided to team up with ElecktroPOP at Baltic Room, which is where the after-party will be happening. Hosting the show is the infamous Mark “Mom” Finley with his comedic personality and drag-tastic flame. We are also raffling off two tickets to Gay City’s 2011 BUMP Halloween Party for the following night. Have I mentioned that I’ll be stage managing this year’s Halloween Party and it’s at the Showbox at the Market? Raffle tickets will be available at the front door for $1 each or 3 for $5. Also, when you come to the show, you will see the final product of my photo shoot with local professional photographer and artist,Kymberlee della Luce. Support her work by visiting her website. Regardless, you should consider to include this event in your plans for this coming Thursday, and did you know that Thursdays are the new Fridays? How can you pass up comedy, music, dancing and drinking all in one package? Purchase your tickets online and receive three raffle tickets at the front door.
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Poetry Confession: Tattoo’d Man at CoffeeStump
Coffee in the sun exploding sincere words Angry Italian guy marches to and from Still, sipping fresh coffee Gorgeous men with babies Fag hag’s baby stroller with equality stickers BMW’s Hummers driving by collecting cans and bottles Honking horns, at my politically correctness, You’re there walking in spiked hair, Where’s the board? “Curiosity killed the cat!” “I know”
encouragement
Happy eyes floating about seeking
doggie treat – barista!
what is he looking for?
who is he looking for?
why is he looking? pacing?
sitting outside in the sun
Soaking in warm, eluding beams
gawking at shirtless men
walking about
wrong choices, me thinks!
Harley Davidson’s,
Salt n Pepper haircuts,
Levi Johnston’s,
plaid shirts,
flannel,
hot pink shades,
moccasins.
Iranian,
Indie,
Rock!
shirtless, beautiful
sensual exquisite life,
In the emerald city of hopes and dreams,
we all know as
Seattle, Washington.
white tank-top
inked arms in beautiful colours
winking, twice
cargo-blue shorts
skater-boi shoes
Where’s the jewels?
Where’s the blood?
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Radio Bedlam is Tonight, Will the Seattle Monsters be there?
Tonight I’ll be invading the weekly open mic night at Belltown’s “Bedlam Coffee” and you are cordially invited to partake in this weeks line up. If you got a poem to read, a song to perform, a piece of standup to try or just want to make some noise on the mic, get your butts down here! If you sign up, then you get a free coffee drink and along with that you will intake a pleathera of live entertainment at its’ beginning stages. Come one, come all!
RadioBedlam is a weekly event held at BedlamCoffee located in Beautiful Belltown on Tuesdays @ 7pm. Come play and hang out and you will receive a 12oz drink of your choice for performing. Looking forward to seeing you! We are located near the corner of Bell St and 2nd Ave. Can’t miss us! BedlamCoffee is open 7am-10pm everyday.
Sign up begins at 6pm! See ya in Belltown!
