Wigstock 2005
There aren't many occassions these days that still give me goose bumps. I would never say I am a jaded New Yorker but I have seen alot at the ripe ole age of 29. I do declare that it may sound odd that seeing the Taj Mahal and seeing a bunch of Drag Queens on stage gets me equally twitterpated.
I used to hear about Wigstock in Atlanta and read about it in underground magazines like Popcorn and Project X, so to attend the event was something I looked forward to once I moved to the city. Of course it is not nearly as good as it used to be, one of those relics of 'the good old days', but it is still equal amounts hoot and holler.
For the past several years the event has been held during the HOWL festival in Thompkins Square Park. What was once a 6 hour event of performers and dance routines has been whittled away to a two hour non stop drag revue. And this is a good thing. The first Wigstock I attended (although I was a devoute attendee at Wigwood in Atlanta for many years) was held on a pier on the Westside Highway and was jammed with thousands of crazies, 5 port-o-potties and neary a chair to rest your heels in. There were tele-trons, broadway worthy acts and lots and lots of heat stroke trannies passed out in a wig clutching a Budweiser. Not a pretty site.
It got too big for even Lady Bunny to handle so she called the whole thing off for several years until HOWL offered her their stage for a two hour spot. P for Perfect. The only thing is, not nearly as many people dress up for the occassion. Why? God knows. What other reason does one have to done a wig, makeup and heels and prance around NYC during the day and not think twice about it? And don't say Halloween silly because thats at night.
Anyways, this Wigstock I went with Sue Saas and she strapped on a tiny top hat and I yanked on a shaggy man wig and gave myself a glitter fade across my face and we headed downtown to the park. Once we got there there was an energy in the air that only happens at Wigstock. Everyone is out and about and rubber necking is modus operandus for the day.
The sun was shining, there was a slight breeze and as we approached the park we could see a sea of heads sporting everything from beehives, tinsel and even massive chinese takeaway boxes. Paradise.
This was a special Wigstock because this year they were celebrating the 20th anniversary. Bunny had quite a line up in store for us including Jimmy James, Sade Pendavis, Jackie 60 and Kate Pierson. Kate cancelled and we were really let down. Who wouldnt want to see a B-52 back on stage? I was most looking forward to the performance of Lady Kier. She hasn't performed in nearly 10 years and she was ready to rock.
Bunny dazzled us even though she had a broken toe. She had to break down and sport some Sketchers instead of her usual lucite mules. Her costumes were still be-dazzling though, starting off with a 'Pigs in Space' number followed by several moose knuckle skimming caftans and ending with a floor length number and a wig I can only describe as an Atomic Hair Bomb.
Sue and I took in every act, taking time out to scout the crowd of young kids with their hippie parents and little old black ladies wide eyed and full of razor tounged comments. There were even politicians theres shaking hand with every sort of person to win the gay vote. Whatever it takes kids! We raced back in time for Lady Kier's numbers, one reggatone like and very political, the other disco down as she was accompanied by a male stripper. My girls still got it! And her look was nothing short of sizzling: black corset with a skirt of tulle piped in hot pink with a matching pill box hat with more tule and piping standing erect on the back like a cockatoo ready to shake a tail feather.
After the show I walked over to the back stage area where every year I have mingled with RuPaul and Boy George. This year my ego was bruised as I got a stern NO from the security guards who were only letting performers and press back stage. Ouch! Guess I should of gotten totally gussied up. I turn to walk the walk of shame and see Kier getting interviewed for Logo. I wait for her for a minute and the longer I wait the more people notice her. I felt like I was back at a rave in 1994 with everybody screaming her name and primping hoping to get a picture with her. When she is done and begins walking over the cameras go wild, the fans start screaming and I head out. I am so excited for her that the fan base is still huge and I was glad to see her basking in her glory.
After chilling out at a luscious BBQ at Tali's I head to the Slide and meet Kier, Charlie and Justin and we get the party started. Kier is still in costume but her corset is let out 5 inches so she can really get down. We tear up the town that night heading to Taboo!'s performance then the Boy's Room and finally the Roxy where we realize we really didnt want to be.
The night ends at Kier's apartment with her in her nightgown and three boys and one deconstructed Drag Queen laying on her guest bed giggling and reliving the night bit by bit.
Once I pass out at 530am I am still riding on cloud 9 minus a wig but still glitter encrusted.
Kier darling, I owe you a new pillow case.
For more wigworm madness click on www.ladybunny.net
I used to hear about Wigstock in Atlanta and read about it in underground magazines like Popcorn and Project X, so to attend the event was something I looked forward to once I moved to the city. Of course it is not nearly as good as it used to be, one of those relics of 'the good old days', but it is still equal amounts hoot and holler.
For the past several years the event has been held during the HOWL festival in Thompkins Square Park. What was once a 6 hour event of performers and dance routines has been whittled away to a two hour non stop drag revue. And this is a good thing. The first Wigstock I attended (although I was a devoute attendee at Wigwood in Atlanta for many years) was held on a pier on the Westside Highway and was jammed with thousands of crazies, 5 port-o-potties and neary a chair to rest your heels in. There were tele-trons, broadway worthy acts and lots and lots of heat stroke trannies passed out in a wig clutching a Budweiser. Not a pretty site.
It got too big for even Lady Bunny to handle so she called the whole thing off for several years until HOWL offered her their stage for a two hour spot. P for Perfect. The only thing is, not nearly as many people dress up for the occassion. Why? God knows. What other reason does one have to done a wig, makeup and heels and prance around NYC during the day and not think twice about it? And don't say Halloween silly because thats at night.
Anyways, this Wigstock I went with Sue Saas and she strapped on a tiny top hat and I yanked on a shaggy man wig and gave myself a glitter fade across my face and we headed downtown to the park. Once we got there there was an energy in the air that only happens at Wigstock. Everyone is out and about and rubber necking is modus operandus for the day.
The sun was shining, there was a slight breeze and as we approached the park we could see a sea of heads sporting everything from beehives, tinsel and even massive chinese takeaway boxes. Paradise.
This was a special Wigstock because this year they were celebrating the 20th anniversary. Bunny had quite a line up in store for us including Jimmy James, Sade Pendavis, Jackie 60 and Kate Pierson. Kate cancelled and we were really let down. Who wouldnt want to see a B-52 back on stage? I was most looking forward to the performance of Lady Kier. She hasn't performed in nearly 10 years and she was ready to rock.
Bunny dazzled us even though she had a broken toe. She had to break down and sport some Sketchers instead of her usual lucite mules. Her costumes were still be-dazzling though, starting off with a 'Pigs in Space' number followed by several moose knuckle skimming caftans and ending with a floor length number and a wig I can only describe as an Atomic Hair Bomb.
Sue and I took in every act, taking time out to scout the crowd of young kids with their hippie parents and little old black ladies wide eyed and full of razor tounged comments. There were even politicians theres shaking hand with every sort of person to win the gay vote. Whatever it takes kids! We raced back in time for Lady Kier's numbers, one reggatone like and very political, the other disco down as she was accompanied by a male stripper. My girls still got it! And her look was nothing short of sizzling: black corset with a skirt of tulle piped in hot pink with a matching pill box hat with more tule and piping standing erect on the back like a cockatoo ready to shake a tail feather.
After the show I walked over to the back stage area where every year I have mingled with RuPaul and Boy George. This year my ego was bruised as I got a stern NO from the security guards who were only letting performers and press back stage. Ouch! Guess I should of gotten totally gussied up. I turn to walk the walk of shame and see Kier getting interviewed for Logo. I wait for her for a minute and the longer I wait the more people notice her. I felt like I was back at a rave in 1994 with everybody screaming her name and primping hoping to get a picture with her. When she is done and begins walking over the cameras go wild, the fans start screaming and I head out. I am so excited for her that the fan base is still huge and I was glad to see her basking in her glory.
After chilling out at a luscious BBQ at Tali's I head to the Slide and meet Kier, Charlie and Justin and we get the party started. Kier is still in costume but her corset is let out 5 inches so she can really get down. We tear up the town that night heading to Taboo!'s performance then the Boy's Room and finally the Roxy where we realize we really didnt want to be.
The night ends at Kier's apartment with her in her nightgown and three boys and one deconstructed Drag Queen laying on her guest bed giggling and reliving the night bit by bit.
Once I pass out at 530am I am still riding on cloud 9 minus a wig but still glitter encrusted.
Kier darling, I owe you a new pillow case.
For more wigworm madness click on www.ladybunny.net