Pl Via‘? OUT IN THE MOUNTAI -*"’vI’-«lrfl 1v’- /’flIn>I N5 — JANUARY 1998 5 15 Teri Ilwn The ans 0 Id BY /V\|CHAEL C. AALBERO Lifting the tattered sleeve of my red checkered flannel shirt, I once again glanced at my watch and felt the aggra- vation, which I had taken great strides to hide throughout the evening, suddenly threaten to make itself known. Despite my reputation as a patient per- son, I found myself becoming extremely irritated, having waited over forty—five minutes for the performance, ”Drag Kings and Subjects,” to com- mence. Silently, I began to stare intently at the thin, yel- low backstage entrance, will- ing it to open and allow admit- tance to the small congregation of students that had formed. As if upon command, a harried theatre assistant magically ap- peared, unlocked the door and quickly herded us into the dressing room. The procession continued up a small staircase and onto a darkened stage, made stranger by the odd sounding rhythms of a New Age selection, flowing through the theatre like a delicate dove ' in flight. The weird sensations pervading my body were fur- thered after arriving on stage and viewing three glass “A kn of in e n didn't ac- ttially Hunk I was a woman They aH thoughtl was a transvestite and that I had a penis taped up under my scrotum....” bottles, each possessing a bub- bling solution and a wiggling, human tongue. Taking a seat in the audience, I realized that the organs on stage had been moving in perfect harmony with the futuristic music. Pre- paring myself for what proved to be a truly unique perfor- mance concerning gender in the '90s, I finally relaxed and allowed myself to enter the world of a provocative artist, Diane Torr. A native of Scotland, Torr first arrived and began to per- form in the United States after graduating from England's Dartington College of the Arts in 1976. An accomplished dancer, Diane possessed a vast array of skills, as well as a unique interest in exploring ”the self (her physicalbeing)/’ but was forced to go-go dance in order to survive. Even though she was basically danc- ing for dollars, Torr made the best of her opportunities, con- tinually using her work as a process for self—exploration. ”Go-go dancing allowed me to make... studies of my own erotic possibilities as a mover. When you are dancing... you’re on the line. You have to come up with the goods; you have to find out what you're made of and what you’re re- sources are. I quickly learned the go-go formula... fingers down the inside of the leg, cir- cling the nipples, bending over and looking between the. legs- simulating sex or what- ever. You have to do those moves in a way that you feel like they have some kind of fla- vor to them, but at the same time also make your own moves.” With the assistance of entity With..- Aikido, a Japanese martial art form in which Torr holds the rank of Nidan, a second degree black belt, she began to design her own movements and show within the confines of her job as a go-go dancer. Her inter- est in martial arts, as well as yoga enabled Torr to develop physically and she believed, "A lot of men didn't actually think I was a woman. They all thought I was a transvestite and that I had a penis taped up under my scrotum....” Conse- quently, Diane did not con- form to the typical dancer ste- reotype and decided, ”I'm just going to make my own explo- ration. And I started to bring in toys like rubber snakes and objects to amuse myself, and to improvise with, and it became a go-go dancer/ performance art/ sex experiment.... In fact, I made my own erotic piece.... Some of the men really appre- ciated it, though a lot of them wanted the same old, same old. But for myself, it was re- ally an interesting experiment, and I decided to make a per- formance with that.” The performance that evolved, ”Go—Go Girls Seize Control,” was a true represen- tation of the artist, Diane Torr, a product of physical knowl- edge, critical thinking, investi- gatory performance and some- thing that defied all systems of labeling. When the show de- buted 1981 at the Women's One Theatre Festival in New York City, many of the audi- ence members were aghast. For much of the performance, Torr and her dancers masquer- aded in costumes designed as .-~. , ._. r- "~ caricatures that overly exaggerated their chest and vaginal areas, while performing erotic . dances complete with sound effects for the viewers. Critics of the show believed it exploited women and other dancers found the perfor- mance too sexually explicit. They did not see it as the re- search experiment, for which Torr had hoped. During one performance at a women's fes- tival in Amsterdam, a riot oc- curred as bottles were thrown at the performers and women arm-linked themselves across the front door of- the theatre, forcing Torr and other artists to flee through the ‘rear exit. Many in the audience believed. Torr was performing only for men and were appalled. In sharp contrast to the criticism concerning ”Go—Go Girls Seize Control,” attitudes toward Diane Torr’s most re- ,cent endeavor ”Drag Kings and'Subjects,” as well as her cross-dressing workshops, are surprisingly positive. The show centers around Silvia, a rich, middle-aged woman who enjoys dressing as a man. The a1ter—ego created is a middle- class, hard—working, Pitts- burgh native named, Danny King, who establishes an ”American Society of Men,” through which he instructs other males on issues such as, masculinity and the role of men in society. His views con- form to the typical, hetero- sexual male stereotype, but are shattered when it is later re- vealed that Danny possesses a secret, a desire to dress in women's apparel. The person- ality created is Dolores, a sexy, cabaret singer with a sultry voice and dynamic move- ments who concludes the A KING, p16 Bur|ington's fabulous live-performing drag duo (8 p.m.),.to benefit the Project's Gay & Bisexual Men’s Program. Michael's Seafood & Steak Tavern Route 103, Ludlow VT. $10 donation cash bar & complimentary hot & cold hors d’oeuvres. FMl, call Carey (802) 254-8263 or Michael (802) 228-4479 - Full Moon ritual, potluck, and Burlington UU Circle meeting.All who support the Covenant of UU Pagans’ mission are welcome.Wear garb if you like, and bring something for feast, a musical instrument, and a cushion to sit on. HC accessible. 6 p.m., First UU ‘ Society of Burlington, 152 Pearl St. FMI Dian 658-9689. @MON DAY Book Night, Gay And Lesbian Literature Discussion.We will discuss Andrew Ho||eran's now classic gay novel, The Dancer From The Dance, which highlights the fast life in pre- AIDS New York and the rewards and punishments of life in the gay ghetto. The novel thrives on an intriguing and convincing cast of characters ranging from the recently out to the “born out". Is this a comedy or a tragedy? You decide and we'll discuss it amongst ourselves. 10% off at Chassman & Bern if you mention Glitter. The Rhombus Gallery is located at the intersection of College & Church Sts. in Burlington. 652-1103. Enter on College St. Gallery is on the second floor. For more information, 802-434- A 5653 or email:GL|TTERvt@aol.com Potluck at Kelly & Lynn’s Town Hill Rd Marlboro, 7 p.m.. FMI Lynn or Kelly (802) 258-2518 Directions Coming from Brattleboro (get off Exit 2 if you’re coming from I-91), take Route 9 west to Marlboro. Traveling‘ about 10 minutes, you will pass the Spiral Shop on your right, with its world-famous sculpture garden. About 5 miles later, just before Route 9 curves sharply to the right, you will pass “App|ewoods" woodshop on the right and a sign that tells you to veer left to Marlboro College. Don't veer left, go 1 mile further along Rte 9 and turn left onto "Town Hill Road." Kelly & Lynn's is the 2nd house on the left. Jan.'17 - Winter Fun and event planning with Women of the Woods. 1 PM, Williamstown, VT, Pizza at 5. FMI: 802-433-5990. The Burlington Women's Council, in cooperation with the Burlington police Department, is sponsoring a self defense/rape awareness workshop for women. The workshop will be taught in a series of two 3 hour classes meeting Monday the 12th and Monday the 19th, from 6:30 to 9:30, at the FletcherAllen Hospital Campus. FMI or to register call 865 7200. Rutland CAN meeting 6-8 at High School. Rutland HlV+ group meets. call 775 5884 FMI. MWEDNESDAY Rainbow Business Assn. mixer. 6:30. $10, call 658 7023 FMI. @TH U RS DAY 15-18: Theater Factory Presents, Tons Of Money, a delightful 1920's farce adapted by Alan Ayckbourn. Tickets ar'e\$6.50 and are available only at the door. FMI 872 2738. Staring Cherrie Tartt. St. Johnsbury, Men of the Kingdom, -Caledonia Home Health. 7-9pm ‘ “ton's of money" cnusnnnli CONTINUES I 17 ‘~