What a tumultuous week it鈥檚 been! I was stranded at Sydney Airport due to the ash cloud (almost as bad as some ash clouds I鈥檝e encountered emananting from dressing rooms I鈥檝e worked in!) but kept myself entertained on my iPhone with Words with Friends, Facebook and Grindr 鈥� which came up with an obscene number of horny trolley dollies looking for trade between flights!
While on Facebook I learned some sad news. After 25 or so years of business, the Xchange Hotel announced its shock closure, with last weekend being its final weekend in operation. I have fond memories of The X, as it was the first Melbourne venue that employed me. After entering Lucy鈥檚 Thursday night Star Search contest, the venue formed The New Sensations, featuring Sasha LaCroix, Sensation and me.
I was also part of the cast of Priscilla, the Drag Show or, as Barbra Quicksand aptly put it, 鈥淭he drag show based on a musical, based on a movie, based on a drag show鈥�! To work at The X meant you had made it as a performer in Melbourne.
I was in awe of the Savage/ Spiced Girls production numbers 鈥� and was starstruck the first time I met drag legend Miss Candee (sipping her legendary VB with a straw).
To all the staff and performers of the Xchange Hotel 鈥� a big thank you for giving me my big Melbourne break. I will never forget you!
Speaking of drag contests, Melbourne鈥檚 two drag pageants are coming close to announcing a winner in the next week or so.
I was flattered to be asked to guest judge at both Wilma Fingerdo鈥檚 鈥楽o you think you can Drag鈥� (at Robarta on Monday nights) and Destiny Forbidden鈥檚 鈥楧rag Race鈥� (Priscilla鈥檚 on Thursday nights). I was completely blown away by the level of talent, creativity and commitment of all the contestants of both pageants 鈥� with some girls even entering both contests 鈥� and can鈥檛 wait to see which girls will be crowned the winners!
If you鈥檙e in Tasmania, I鈥檒l be in Hobart performing at Flamingos for their Gagalicious party on Saturday, June 25. Pop in and say hi.
Until next time, my lips are sealed (but my legs are wide open!).
