A Literal Flashmob & The Gayest Thing You'll See This Week

Illuminati?

Search "Flash Mob" on The Revenge and you will find 13 entries (including this one). And while "Flash Mob" hardly has as many entries as say "Movies" (587); "Horror" (284) or even my beloved "Zombies" (101), it's still an intriguing idea and something I desperately want to plan. And while some posts combine "Flash Mob" with entries like "Zombies;" "The Gayest Thing" and "Music Video," there are plenty of ways to read about what I call a "Mini-Obsession."

One of the very first Flash Mobs to go viral was Improv Everywhere's Frozen Grand Central. I immediately loved what they were doing:

They've since gone on to several "No Pants Subway Ride" events; a board meeting in the middles of an office supply store; synchronized car alarms and any other number of insane and amusing events, all of which can be seen on YouTube. Since they made their big splash at Grand Central, they returned to help celebrate the fabled and historic terminals 100th anniversary with a synchronized light show, literally 'flashing' their audience (see, I know you all have minds like mine, and I do not mean this). Via comes this clip of "Grand Central Human-Powered Light Show:"

I'll bet you're glad I didn't link to that Bondi Beach video again, aren't you? 

Since I'm already talking about videos and "The Gayest Thing," below (also via) is Sherry Vine's latest bit of nonsense; a parody of Tina Turner's 'Private Dancer.' Really? A parody of a 30 year-old song? Why not? It works, mostly because the hilarious lyrics are about the men gay boys (who, me?) lusted after in the 70's and 80's. And because Vine never takes any of it seriously, mocking both her performance and the production values in a very silly and obviously last-minute bit of foolishness. Enjoy:

There is another 'snowpocalypse' predicted for the East Coast tomorrow and Saturday (which would cause grief for me both personally (postponing a much-anticipated second date with T) and professionally (you don't want to know). If the fear-mongering TV Weatherfolk are wrong (as my rational, non-ratings-seeking, airport meteorologist friend Chris says they are), then I will hopefully not be posting tomorrow night as I have something much more exciting planned (wink-wink, nudge-nudge).

More, anon.
Prospero

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Jiggedey Jig

Drag at South Beach

While I may not have slept very well while on my business trip to Miami (I truly despise hotels and never get much sleep while in one, no matter how luxurious), I did have a good time.

After arriving in Miami on Friday afternoon, my coworkers and I spent the afternoon preparing for Saturday's event. Once released, three of my lady coworkers (ranging in age from mid-20's to early-60's) and I headed to South Beach in search of fun. After visiting the beach, where the surf was exceptionally rough, so our youngest adventurer (also the niece of my rock, K) could dip her feet in the very warm waters of the South Atlantic, we made our way along Ocean Avenue where countless waitstaff at lots of restaurants and clubs attempted to lure us for dinner and drinks. And while we saw many tourists taking advantage of truly gigantic Margaritas; Mai-Tais and other exotic drinks, we kept on walking until we found The Palace Bar. The Palace not only had an affordable dinner menu but also advertised a Drag Show from 6 to 10 PM. The ladies were intrigued and I found myself very comfortable among the gay restaurant's patrons (many of whom were incredibly hot).

We settled in at a sidewalk table as our adorable waiter kept plying us with pitchers of a delicious German beer (we drank four but he only charged us for three) while a bevy of beautiful 'ladies' kept us entertained for over three hours. We dished; we laughed (a lot); we ate and drank and had an all-around great time. Uncle P even got 'molested' by the drag queen in the picture above. The show was fantastic and the performers even made their way onto Ocean Drive where they often stopped traffic to perform in the middle of the street. So much fun!

The next night (after a successful work event) the same four (plus one who had heard stories of our grand adventure), made our way to the Bayside Market, where we had an amazing Italian meal a Lombardi's and did some shopping. It was a less exciting, though equally enjoyable evening for all of us. We ended the evening with a ride back to our hotel (the gorgeous Hyatt Regency Miami) on the Monkey Shuttle; a free, open-air electric shuttle that allowed for delicious wind in our hair and a very amusing and knowledgeable driver who worked only for tips.

My only previous stop in Miami was for dinner on my way to Key West with college friends while on Spring Break in the mid-80's. I remember it being seedy and a bit scary. My, how times have changed. 

I do hope to return to Miami someday on a proper vacation, without the restrictions of traveling for business. I have been on many business trips for the Day Job to cities which I have truly enjoyed (Chicago among the best of them) but I can honestly say that Miami will remain one of my all-time favorites.

I'll be back tomorrow with a Retro Review of Snow White and the Huntsman.

More, anon.
Prospero

You have read this article Drag Queens / Miami / Nonsense / The Day Job / Travel with the title Drag Queens. You can bookmark this page URL http://tammycross.blogspot.com/2012/09/jiggedey-jig.html. Thanks!

The Gayest and Scariest Things You'll See This Week.

Elizabeth Olsen in "Silent House"

So I'm sort of torn between two movies I very much want to see this weekend. First, I practically begged D to come see John Carter, which he less-than-enthusiastically agreed. Then I said "Unless you would rather see Silent House, then I'll see John Carter with K or Dale."

He replied "What's Silent House?"

Directed by Chris Kentiss and Laura Lau (Open Water), Silent House is a real-time, found-footage, single-take horror movie starring the very up and coming Elizabeth Olsen (Martha Marcy May Marlene) in the American version of the Uruguayan horror movie, La casa muda (The Silent House). If it was indeed filmed in one take, I imagine rehearsals would have been pretty intense. And how many versions did they shoot before they got perfect take? Personally, I know of plenty amazing single-shot sequences (The Bird Cage and Children of Men come immediately to mind) but I don't think I've ever seen an entire single-take film. Here's both trailers:

So what do you think? I haven't seen the original, but I am so very intrigued by the whole thing and I'm dying to see how they pull it off.

I know - I promised a Gayest Thing, too. Fear not. Perhaps this should really be called the 'Most Fabulous Thing,' because I promise you, it is Fab-U-Effing-Lous! I found the below clip earlier on Towleroad and since I'm rehearsing for Musical Theatre's second greatest drag role (Albin in La Cage is undefeated, though Victoria in Victor/Victoria is a close 3rd), I've been keeping my eye out for reference material and when I saw the clip I am about to share, it inspired me to give at least as joyous (though hardly as elaborate) a performance as the star of this piece. I wish I was sure enough of the clip's national origins to give proper credit, all around. My Spanish is practically non-existent. If you know, please let me know. 

Anyway - this is how you do drag, bitches!:

Talk about owning it! Am I allowed to say "You go, girl," as long I use it both sincerely and ironically,  like Chelsea Handler uses it?  I think (and hope) that person won that competition. And if (s)he* didn't win, who the hell topped that act?

*Don't judge; I have no idea how that person identifies (though if you do, please let me know).

And since we're already talking about performing in drag, I had my measurements taken while wearing the custom bra I'll be wearing in Hairspray. This Edna Turnblad is a 67 Triple F. Jealous, much?

Didn't think so.

More, anon.
Prospero

You have read this article Drag Queens / Foriegn Film / Ghosts / Hairspray / Horror / Movies / Scary / The Gayest Thing / Trailers with the title Drag Queens. You can bookmark this page URL http://tammycross.blogspot.com/2012/03/the-gayest-and-scariest-things-you-see.html. Thanks!

Some Advance Shameless Self Promotion

So Scary

Uncle P rarely posts posts pictures of himself on Caliban's Revenge. The poor quality photo on your left was taken in the dressing room just before curtain on opening night of the JTMF production of Torch Song Trilogy in June of 2004. Uncle P is on the right and my sweet friend Bruce is on the left. Normally, Bruce is only a few inches shorter than me, but put me in 4" heels and I am a giant(ess).

Audiences will once again have the chance to see Uncle P in drag this coming spring as Edna Turnblad in the musical "Hairspray," April 13 - 22 at the Kelsey Theatre on the campus of Mercer County Community College in West Windsor, NJ. The JTMF is collaborating with the college's Dance & Theatre and Entertainment Technology programs on our first musical production as part of our 10th Anniversary celebration. And I will be performing in a musical for the first time in almost 10 years.

Unlike Torch Song... I will not be playing a drag queen, but rather a character who is actually a woman. Last summer, I cast a gorgeous, straight and very masculine actor as a women in the JTMF production of Die Mommie Die!. Like Edna, Angela Arden is traditionally played by a man. David has some rather amazing bone structure and after make-up, looked pretty good. I, on the other hand, look like my mother's brother in a dress. Still, I am excited to be playing the part. But I have to wonder how I will compare to those who came before me. 

Unlike Divine, who created the role in the 1988 semi-musical John Waters' film, I am not a traditional drag performer. Like John Travolta, I have a history of appearing in musicals. Unlike Harvey Fierstein, I am a singer. Like Harvey Fierstein, I have on occasion appeared in drag. Like Divine and Fierstein (and according to rumor, Travolta), I am gay. Unlike John Travolta, I am not a terrific dancer. Like all three of them I am about to play a woman's role which by tradition is always played by a man. 

And... Shhhhh... I am terrified. Honestly, I don't remember being so scared by a role since playing Sweeney in Sondheim's Sweeney Todd. Oh, I know I'll be fine. But still, Edna is one of those iconic roles that comes with some massive audience expectations. I am also the only actor to have been pre-cast in the production, which adds an extra psychological burden. I am expected to be not just good, but amazing.

Crap.

I'm sure that once rehearsals start (January 30th) and I get back into the swing of doing a musical, I will be fine. And I may just be putting extra pressure on myself because I know so many of my friends and Day-Job co-workers are already anticipating seeing the show (many have already bought tickets). Still, I hope I'm up to it. My knees aren't what they used to be, even back when I could fake it as a dancer. And I haven't sung in public since 2003. And I am by no means the star the of show - that title goes to the lucky auditioner who lands the role of Tracy Turnblad. And I have already heard from several talented friends who have expressed interest in auditioning for some of the show's other supporting roles, which would set my mind at immeasurable ease, were they to be cast (personally, I'm pulling for my Dear D as Corny Collins).

If you are in the Central New Jersey area and should be so inclined to support a wonderful cause, I suggest you order your tickets in advance. Musicals at the Kelsey tend to sell out rather quickly and despite my presence in the show, Hairspray is not likely to be an exception. And if you should attend, please stick around after curtain call and say "Hi." I may take a few minutes to 'de-feminize' myself, but I promise to make myself available to those who want visit after the show.

Of course, don't think that by any means that this is the last time I'll be writing about this show. Once a Theatre Whore, always a Theatre Whore. I'll remind you at least three or four (or more) times as Opening Night approaches.

And if you miss Hairspray, you will still have a chance to see me reprise my role as Sterling in the Official JTMF 10th Anniversary production of Paul Rudnick's Jeffrey, in June.

More, anon.

Prospero

You have read this article Drag Queens / Hairspray / JTMF / Musicals / Shameless Self-Promotion / Theatre / Uncle P with the title Drag Queens. You can bookmark this page URL http://tammycross.blogspot.com/2012/01/some-advance-shameless-self-promotion.html. Thanks!

The Flashiest Things You'll See This Week

By now, you know how much I love a well-organized and entertaining flashmob event. And no one seems to do them better than Australian drag queens. And Joyce Maynge seems to be the queen of drag queen flashmobs.

Joyce was the star of my favorite flashmob of all time, the Bondi Beach event promoting Sydney's Gay Mardi Gras. Well she's back, this time in a dance-off with Decoda Secret at the Sydney Harbor. It's like the drag version of the Jets and the Sharks, down under. Personally, I think Decoda is more successful in impersonating a woman, though Joyce has a certain charm. And Joyce's "posse" seems way gayer.

Oz has always seemed to me to be one of those places where getting one's freak on was perfectly acceptable. Though what can one expect from a country founded by criminals? And that's not meant to be disrespectful to Australians in the least. I've known my share of folks from the land of koalas, wallabies and platypuses, and they've all been just lovely people. And I, for one, have nothing at all against getting your freak on. As long as those helping you to do so are in full agreement in the matter. So, without further ado, please enjoy Ms. Maynge's latest public display of affection (via):

And the "Glee" flashmob phenomena continues with this entry at OSU's Ohio Union:

And finally, there's this dance flashmob for the NJ Arts Council's ART MATTERS campaign, recently organized by my friend Jonathan at the Jersey Gardens Mall in Elizabeth, NJ:

How fun are these? I can't wait until I get to participate in an event like these.

More, anon.
Prospero

You have read this article Australia / Drag Queens / Flashmobs / Glee / YouTube with the title Drag Queens. You can bookmark this page URL http://tammycross.blogspot.com/2010/05/the-flashiest-things-you-see-this-week.html. Thanks!

Mama! Just Killed a Frog?

Via everyone and too silly to resist, the Muppets take on one of my High School anthems; Queen's Wagnerian opus Bohemian Rhapsody:

Delightfully silly, eh? Of course, nothing will ever compare to the original, especially for an angst-ridden gay teen who was sure the song was written just for him:

70's Art Rock at it's finest. Well, there were a few others... and I promise to talk about them soon (maybe even tonight). See? Freddy Mercury continues to inspire.

More, anon.
Prospero

You have read this article Bohemian Rhspsody / Drag Queens / Freddy Mercury / Muppets / Music / Music Video with the title Drag Queens. You can bookmark this page URL http://tammycross.blogspot.com/2009/11/mama-just-killed-frog.html. Thanks!

The Gayest Flash Mob You'll See This Week

Also via Towleroad, this Australian flash mob tribute to The B52's; Dolly Parton; Whitney Huston; Beyonce; The Village People; The Pointer Sisters and more, led by Oz's favorite drag queen, Joyce Maynge (I suppose she's their less pretty version of RuPaul) at Bondi Beach:

Honestly, how FABULOUS was that? And it certainly doesn't get much gayer than that, does it?

Even more, very anon.
Uncle Prosper

You have read this article Clips / Disco / Drag Queens / Flashmobs / The Gayest Thing with the title Drag Queens. You can bookmark this page URL http://tammycross.blogspot.com/2009/11/the-gayest-flash-mob-you-see-this-week.html. Thanks!