NEW PIILL-IIIIT sEI:IIoIII Yolanda Rocks Goddard CoHege BY CHRISTIAN LOVEGROVE It seemed like a bad idea. hen Yolanda and The Plastic Fam- ily announced they would be playing at Goddard College on April 16th, people wondered how the evening ould turn out. Few could imagine a less likely union than that of a glam- orous, gender—bending drag diva and her five-piece rock/dance band paired ith the granola-crunchy, Phish-loving students of one of Vermont’s more infamous progressive schools. There was nothing to worry about. It turns outYolanda, also known as Roger Anthony Mapes, has a de- gree from Vermont College in Gender Studies - an academic concentration hared by countless Goddardites. And Goddard's Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/ ransgendered Alliance, underthe leadership of Cole Clymer and Chris- opher Diani, has worked hard this emester to sponsor activities that build a stronger sense of community between its queer students and the rest of the residents of its tiny Plainfield campus. In fact, Yolanda’s performance was scheduled to imme- diately follow Goddard's observation of the Day of Silence, a national event ocusing on the need for laws inclu- sive of people of all sexual orienta- ions.After a nine-hour vow of silence, Goddard was ready to rock. Yolanda delivered. Draped in layers of Saran and bubble wrap, with light-up breasts and codpiece, she mesmerized the crowd with her se- ductive charm and campy stage pres- ence. With a honeyed voice equal parts Dusty Springfield, Toni Braxton, and Elvis, she cooed and crooned her ay through a solid set of entertain- ing originals and kitsched-up covers. Highlights of the show ‘included “Let Me Love You,” a heartfelt plea from an -- v ,' 7.2. photo by Harris Begovi Books. the inrlelillle alison Ileellllel shunning. eltkins caters to customers openly gay person to his closeted lover, “Sickness of Beauty,” a smart . commentary about the price paid when perfection is valued above all else, and the hilarious "Control Queen." Yolandafied versions of The Partridge Fami|y’s “I Think I Love You” and Patsy Cline’s “She’s Got You” kept the audience dancing and laughing throughout the night. Equally captivating were the rest of The Plastic Family, with sump- tuous vocals provided by backup singer Rainbow, ivories tickled mas- terfully by keyboardist Cooper Hesby, searing strings courtesy of guitarist Tommygram. Jonny Ace, RI. thumping the bass guitar with aplomb, and funky, foot-stomping rhythms provided by drummerwilly Tanglewood. Though their lyrics deal specifi- cally with queer life and transgenderism, Yolanda and The Plastic Family's message of love and Yolnal respect is universal. That notion wasn’t lost on the various students, faculty, and staff of Goddard who poured into the Design Center to watch the performance. “Yolanda is fabulous!" one student marveled, “l’ve never seen so many people dancing at a Goddard show!” By night’s end Yolanda had a slew of new fans, and perhaps a few imitators; several stu- dents donned drag for the festivities. ‘‘I felt very honored that the people of - Goddard were so receptive and_ seemed to enjoy our music," Yolanda gushed, ‘‘I had a great time!” Yolanda and The Plastic Fam- ily can next be seen playing, along with Chin H0, at Metronome in . Burlington on May 10th. They're also tentatively scheduled at Club Toast on May 30th, andwill be part of 0lTMs lineup on Vermont Gay Pride Day, June 20th. .11. -cTt"r7rI.- FRIDAY Church. Vermont Freedom to Marry Task Force is hosting ‘The Freedom to Marry; a Green Mountain View. A diverse panel of Rev. Catherine Cadieux, minister at Christ's Church Saxtons River; Michael Gigante, Psychotherapists and Gay Rights Ad- vocate; and Angie Dodd, Generation XlBixex will address the topic of same gender civil marriage. We will show the video,The Freedom to Marry;a Green Mountain View. There will also be an opportunity forthe audience to voice questions, concerns or their support to the panelists. FMI Bari Shamas 802 387-5788. Boston Gay Men's Chorus, 8:30 p.m. United Church of Christ in Keene, NH. $14 in advance, $16 at the door, $12 Seniors/Stu- dents/People Living with HIV. To order tickets, call AIDS Ser- vices for the Monadnock Region at 603-357-6855. SATURDAY Gender Role-Free Contra Dance for gay/lesbian/biltransgenders and friends - all welcome Kathryn Wedderburn calling,live music by Hilltown Fling. 8:00-11:00 pm sliding scale admission $5-7 Putney Community Center, Christian Square, Putney, Vermont. All dances taught - no experience or partners necessary. Smoke/drug/ alcohol free space. Beginner’s introductionat 8:00 pm. Please bring light-soled shoes to dance in. For more information call Sam at 802-387-2066 or Mike at 802-257-8984 Westminster West, Vermont Freedom to Marry Task Force representatives, Bari and Diane Shamas, will lead a discussion at the Congregational Church of Westminsterwest at 7pm. Their talk will focus on the spiritual aspects of social change and the spiritual burden placed on families who are denied basic civil rights.Pot luck dinner precedes discussion at 6pm. FMI Gail Holman 387-2578 or Bari Shamas 387-5788 Chris Williamson andTret Fure in concert. Sponsored by Women Hand in_ Hand. Advanced tickets only. 7:30 p.m. Concord UU Church. FMI 603-746-3339 or WHlH@ao|.com. SUNDAY Green Up the Gorge - Celebrate Spring at Huntington Gorge and thank Mother Nature by picking up trash (not the kind you might usually pick up there)... Meet at the usual spot at 2PM. Bring gloves & trash bags. Rain date - Sunday May 3rd, same time. Call Steven 434-5653 FMI. MONDAY Glitter Film Fest Planning Meeting - Monday May 4th at OITM office 6:30 PM. Glitter is planning a Pride & Joy Film Festival this June. Tentatively called 9 Days in June, videos will be screened every Sunday and Monday evening in June at the Rhombus Gallery. We invite your participation and suggestions. FMI — Call Steven 434-5653. '- Glitterz The GLBT Literature and Film Club of Burlington,Monday Nights At The Rhombus Ga||ery.7:30-9:30 PM, Because we could all use a little more glitter in our lives... No dues, just the obligation to have fun and expand your horizons... To Support The Rhombus Gallery - please donate what you can at the events-$2-$6 and eat the goodies in the Rhombus Caie.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. http://www.rhombus.org For more information, Con- tact Steven Kcpstein at 802-434-5653 or emai|:GL|TTERvt@aol.com “Female Perversions" - (1996, USA) Affirme, Mindy. Based on the book, Female Perversions:The Temptations of Emma Bovary by Louise J. Kaplan, Susan Streitfeld’s Female Perversions is a beautifully scripted, sophisticated drama about female eroticism vis-a-vissocial conditioning. Tilda Swinton plays a high-powered sexy lawyer who is under consideration for a court judgeship. In the corporate world, Eve is on top. She is adept at manipulating the male power system and the cIIIEIIInIIn ""'".'l“."E3.- I112 ,.l,' " ’.J--1.. \ .. .,,, _. M .,;..: ‘,..~__-,: _,..—,_, i__. -4 - 't‘_l -._-.- I.- Brattleboro, 7pm in Memorial Hall at the Centre Congregation , . .