RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE VIEWING PARTY: MORGAN & RAVEN DRAG QUEEN LIVE PERFORMANCES, MICKY’S WEST HOLLYWOOD. SEASON 2 CONTESTANTS.
Start your engines! Can I get an AMEN for RuPaul’s Drag Race, the reality TV contest to find the next drag queen superstar? Yukiro reports on the viewing party and live performances, held every Monday at Micky’s in West Hollywood! Take it away… and remember… don’t f#*% it up!
I’m a big fan of the RuPaul’s Drag Race, so naturally I was panicking with my make-up till the last minute (I couldn’t bear to look less stunning than tonight’s queens!). My lovely partner-in-crime La Carmina and I decided to go to the official TV screening party, hosted by Raven and Morgan from this season’s show. We finagled good seats and watched the show with a cheering gathering of gay-guys (some of whom had even had made their own fan-shirts to pay tribute to their favourite competitor). In the commercial breaks, they had some amusing Absolute Vodka ads featuring season one’s winners (since they are one of the sponsors, “proud of Sweden”). After the episode, they aired some raw bitching-behind-the-scene material called “Untucked” — where RuPaul wore a hideous moustache! What was going on in that queen’s head?
After, everyone gathered around the stage for live performances. The fierce ladies were not going to “lip-synch for their lives,” but pull off a show that we’ll won’t forget for a long while. Raven entered in a smoking-hot glittery outfit with a capuche and cigarette in hand, lip-synching with a fierce gaze at the audience. She then chatted dirty with the audience, which made us laugh and drop open our jaws.
Morgan did a superb upgraded version of the Stacey Q lip-synch she had to do against Sonique in that night’s episode. She and all the queens were drowned in tips from their rabid fans.
In between the outfit changes, some random drag-queens took the stage. First we had Lorraine, an older “Dame Edna” who did a slightly humorous act. After, the fabulous all-over plastic Bianca-Nichole did a hardcore strip-show and was not afraid to shake that voluptuous ass. She had a girth that only those who live in the Hills can afford! Then two sluttily-dressed-boys entered the stage and danced like they had never done anything else. It was impressive at the moment, but their glory quickly faded after we saw some better pieces of art.
Despite another marvellous glamorous lip-synch from Raven and the others, tonight’s queen was crowned. In one of the last numbers, Morgan came out with an “Evil Queen” costume from Snow White — and my pinball wizard lights lit up. (I had just seen the Disney film in English for the first time on the plane here.) Morgan started off by miming to the actual recorded voice of The Evil Queen when she demands her magical mirror. She started a furious dance number and it was so overwhelming you could barely breathe. She jumped and spun around her cape in all directions; it was like beauty in it’s truest form. In spite of the thick garment that enfolded her, Morgan’s dance-moves were extremely quick and highly developed. I am hard to impress when it comes to impersonations of my favorite characters, but this showgirl did it splendidly. I was moved by her performance so much that I had to sit down a bit to catch my breath after the act. I also got the chance to speak my mind to her and get a picture (happiness!).
This was not just a night of gorgeous drag queens in eye-catching outfits; this was live entertainment in its highest form. Simply, it was a performance to die for! Next Monday, you’ll find me among the geeks with a “Go Morgan” fan-shirt in the front row.
Thank you, dear Yukiro, for the breathtaking report! Who are your favorite drag racers? Any predictions for who will take home RuPaul’s crown?
Our friends Kynt and Vyxsin (the Goth contestants on The Amazing Race) are taking part in a Sick and Twisted fashion show in Seattle on Feb 27! You’ll see them in punk, industrial, cybergoth/rave, fetish, Japanese street fashion, Goth, glamrock and more. Free and 21+; click here for the full info. Say hi to them from us!
Song of the Day #313: The Knife – Pass This On (“because its Swedish, Raven sang it and there’s a beautiful drag queen in the video”)
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TOKYO FASHION FESTA NYC: GOTHIC LOLITA RUNWAY SHOW, HARAJUKU JPOP CLOTHING AT FIT MUSEUM, NEW YORK FASHION WEEK.
I am glad to be drag racing with RuPaul’s crew in sunny LA instead of turning into a Popsicle at NY fashion week. But I must admit my heart skipped a beat when I saw photos of the Tokyo Fashion Festa, a presentation of Harajuku street style at FIT Museum in New York. Thanks to my roving East Coast spooks, we’ve got the runway show covered. Words by Kyshah Hell; photos from Shichi of The Other East (more photos posted on his blog).
On February 19th the Museum at FIT held a large event entitled Tokyo Fashion Festa. Encompassing live music, a fashion show, and visual-kei rock videos, it was the first of its kind in New York City. Opening the event was a short greeting from Misako Aoki, Japan’s Lolita “Kawaii Ambassador” (second from left).
Next, the Visual-Kei duo VY, comprised of singer Moe and DJ Rio, made their New York debut. Moe is ethereal on stage; she is transfixing with her angelic vocals, and floating movements. As all the models proceeded to parade by, Moe, sitting at a piano clothed in h.NAOTO, stole the show. Her partner Rio kept the performance grounded in an electronic soundscape without missing a single beat.
Both Lolita and Gyaru (gal) styles were on display during the fashion show. All of the major brands were represented, including Alice and the Pirates, Amy’s Love, Angelic Pretty, Baby the Stars Shine Bright, Black Peace Now, and Mielette Tautou.
In addition to the thrilling variety of Lolita styles, Gyaru brand Madame-Killer showed urban, rap music inspired street looks. (Madame-Killer has a store in NY’s Soho. Also, you can find many of the Lolita brands at Tokyo Rebel located in NY’s Alphabet City. See store photos in this post.)
After the fashion show h.NAOTO addressed the audience in a pre-recorded greeting, which led into a music video of his female Visual-Kei duo Hangry & Angry. (It reminded me of the obscure, yet amazing British due named Shampoo. Look them up, you wont be disappointed.) Another video followed with highlights from an h.NAOTO fashion show/rock stadium concert with what looked like 100,000 people in the audience. h.NAOTO is the Karl Lagerfeld of Japan. Not only does he design seven collections, but also he can fill a stadium like a rock star!
The audience included everyone from fashion muse Daphne Guinness, to both American and Asian Lolita enthusiasts, to FIT teachers and students, to journalists, bloggers and photographers. (Above: Visual kei/metal legend Morrie with Kanae.) This event was a scene not to be missed. The only critical comment I can make is that part of the unique appeal of Japanese Street Style is the way each participant combines elements to create a whole look. And even though the clothes and the models were amazing up on the FIT stage, Lolita outfits are much too intricate for viewing from thirty feet away. These clothes need to be seen up close to be appreciated to the fullest extent.
This event was a veritable who’s who of Lolita Kawaii as it currently exists in New York. It is so exciting that a Museum of FIT’s caliber is hosting subcultural fashion events, which are helping to foster creative ideas and a wider feeling of community amongst fellow fashion devotees. Stay tuned for the Japan exhibit opening at the museum in September 2010.
What do you think of the Japanese fashion show? Which outfits are your favorites?
Song of the Day #312: Check out a video of the fashion show, featuring music by VY.
LA CARMINA
