urlington’s drag queen

extraordinaire, Yolanda,

has gone bi-coastal. In an
exciting one act debut perfor-
mance, Yolanda treated a stand-
ing room, only San Francisco
audience to a taste of what drag
from Vermont looks, sounds and
feels like.

The night was Halloween,
known as amateur night to more
experienced drag queens, and the
venue was Josie’s Juice Bar &
Cabaret - located in the heart of
San Francisco’s famously gay
Castro district. What better stage
for Yolanda to grace than Josie’s,
which operates as a vegetarian
restaurant and drag cabaret per-
formance space.

Yolanda was the featured per-
former for a special evening host-
ed by United with Pride, the orga-
nization for United Airlines gay,
lesbian, bi-sexual and transgen-
dered employees, family mem-
ber, and supporters. After a rous-
ing warm up by stand up lesbian
comic Suzie Berger, the crowd
was ready to rock with Yolanda!
And she didn’t disappoint.

After a wonderful introduc-
tion by another performance
artist, Chili Bowles, Yolanda
entered the stage to a recorded
song called, “Donde Estas
Yolanda?” hiding behind a self-
created curtain that bore the per-
fonners name in brightly colored
lettering. She slowly exposed
herself and changed into a daz-
zling ensemble which included a

Fransisco

short—short skirt, lots of taffeta
and an illuminated headdress that
reminded me of the top of a very
festive Christmas tree.

Yolanda opened with her clas-
sic crowd pleasing rendition of
“It’s Now or Never” which was
met with rousing applause. She
continued to charm the audience
with tales from her youth and the
set included songs to help her tell

her interesting story.

Is she an “Alien Love Child”,
as her song proclaims? Yolanda’s
offered up her unique blend of
intelligent musical stylings and
witty lyrics in a fun folk-rock for-
mat. San Francisco ate it up faster
than you can say “Golden Gate
Bridge!” Her rendition of
“Control Queen” and “Cock
Ring” seemed to be most appre-
ciated by the audience. Was their
appreciation a reflection on gay
life in San Francisco?

After the show, Yolanda and
her entourage found
a suitable location
outdoors to observe
the throngs working
their way over
towards Castro
Street_. What ensued
was a near riot as
passers by on foot,
in cars and in buses
observed her unique
light up breasts with
glee! Yolanda, who
‘is not one to deny
her fans, took out
her guitar and start-

I Periwinkle Reporting from
San Francisco — or perhaps it
should be ren.amed

YOLANDA’S WORLD? ,

ed playing to the gathering
crowds below.

People in various stages of
dress and undress stopped by to
cheer her on and appreciate her
unique talents. The highlight of
the evening for me was when a
gaggle of tiny Japanese Lady
Tourists begged Yolanda for a
photo with the Star of The Street.
Yolanda was only too happy to
oblige.

At one point in the evening, a
teenage girl climbed the steep
stairway and lay herself at
Yolanda’s feet. Later, a boy, who
admired her costume and then
claimed to be straight turned
around on his heels and said - hey
- “You guys got any beer?” - It
seemed like the difference
between gay and straight on the
streets of the Castro on

Halloween are a matter of a six-
pack or two. Unfortunately for all
of us, we had no beer! V

 

Gav chorus
Perlomances Announced

o celebrate the holidays, A Vocal Minority-The

Vermont Gay Men’s Chorus is pleased to

announce a series of upcoming appearances. The
inaugural performance of the new chorus will be on
Sunday, December 13 at 6 p.m. as part of the annual
Caroling service at The Unitarian Universalist Church
at 130 Main St. in Montpelier.

The next appearance will be at the Contois
Auditorium in Burlington on December 19 at 6:15
p.m. The chorus will perform prior to the presentation
by Adam Reese of a hilarious evening entitled “Totally
Scrooged”. Before this performance the chorus will be
caroling on the steps ofthe Burlington City Hall.

A Vocal Minority is teaming up with the renowned
female illusionist Noel and back-up singers The Bad
Puppies for a performance at First Night in St.
Johnsbury. The joint performance will take placeat
approximately 11 p.m. on December 31 at the
Unitarian Universalist Church in'St. Johnsbury, on the
corner of Eastern Ave. and Cherry Street.

Dates are currently being arranged for joint perfor-
mances in May 1999 of A Vocal Minority and The
Samadhi Singers.

All those interested in assisting the growth of
Vennont’s very own Gay Men’s Chorus are urged to
contact our Director, Tim Tavcar at 802-229-2160 or
reach us via email at robnyves@together.net or snail-
mail at c/o Tim Menk, PO Box 69, S. Ryegate, VT
05069 or Vermont Gay Men’s Chorus, PO Box 123,
Mclndoe Falls, Vermont 05050. V

Join the Rainbow Business Association
for it's special holiday mixer!

REA

Rainbow Business /lssociulion

phone (802) 848-7037 - email RBAvt@aol.com - address P.O. Box 8335, Burlington, VT 05402
Visit our website at vil|agetrade.com/RBA

-o
111111111111111jjjj11111111111111111111111jjj11jj1:11111jj2jjj2jjjij1:111—

 

 

 

Mona's

3 Main Street, Burlington, VT

Wednesday, December 9
6:30 - 8:30 p.m. o $10.00/person:

Lots of hors d'oeuvres o Door prizes!‘

P.O. Box 147
171 Commerce St.
Hinesburg, Vermont

0 r mailing services can save‘

you postage dollars on your
next bulk mailing!

 

Contact Sarah Harrington at
- "your printing 8’ mailing resource”

%VPv.NI7

VALLEY PRINT 8ZWAIL

     
      
  

Proud member of the
Rainbow Business Association

  

'I‘. (802) 482-2995
F. (802) 482-2999
sharring@vpminc.com