17.15 Divas & Drag

3700 N. Halsted St. #2-S Chicago, IL 60613 773.975.0264 Editorial: boieditorial@aol.com Advertising: boiads@aol.com

EDITORIAL Mike Macharello: Publisher Rick Karlin: Editor

layout & design Titanium Graphics, Inc.

advertising Freddie: freddie@boiMAG.com Dave: dave@boiMAG.com National, Rivendell Media: sales@rivendellmedia.com

photographerS Eamonn Sexton, Ken Brown, KAB Photography

COVER David Cerda, Hell in a Handbag Productions

editorial contributors Gregg Shapiro, Parker Carr Sue Deaunym, Anita Taylor, Michael Elder

VIEW boiMAGazine ONLINE AT: www.boiMAG.com BOI Magazine, Inc. Š 2000−2015 All rights reserved

Quote of the week:

My fake plants died because I did not pretend to water them.

D I VA S & D R A G Hell in a Handbag Continues a Tradition in Theater

From its very beginnings, theater was a place for men to dress as women. In ancient Greek theater, it was believed that allowing women to perform publicly would be too dangerous and that having men portray them neutralized the danger. In Shakespearean times, women’s roles were routinely played by men in drag. During the first half of the 20th century Vaudeville stars Julian Eltinge and Bert Savoy, built careers based on cross-dressing. During WWII a cadre of soldiers traveled from camp to camp and dressed in drag to entertain the troupes. Following the war, the rise of conservatism forced drag to move underground to gay clubs.

In New York City a number of small theaters developed in what came to be known as off-Broadway. La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club produced Harvey Fierstein’s “Torch Song Trilogy” in 1978. The king (or queen) of campy drag theater, Charles Busch began producing and starring in his plays which parodied and celebrated classic film genres, and in which he often appeared as the leading lady, Chicago has been lucky enough to have our own queen of camp/drag theater, David Cerda, the artistic director and leading force behind Hell in a Handbag Productions (HIAH). Cerda and his troupe follow and expand upon this tradition and have developed a loyal and devoted following.

Cerda first made his mark as a member of Sweetback Productions in the 1990s in shows such as “Scarrie”, “Joan Crawford Goes to Hell” and “Valley of the Dolls”. He and a few other members of Sweetback went off on their own to form HIAH in 2002.

The company’s premiere work, “Poseidon!

An Upside-Down Musical”, a parody of the classic 1972 disaster film, was an instant hit. It went on to play the 2003 New York International Fringe Festival where it received an Outstanding Ensemble award.

They followed that with “How ‘Whatever Happened to Baby Jane’ Happened” which was both a parody of the classic horror film and a peek behind the scenes of the feud between its co-stars.

Cerda as Joan Crawford Cerda then penned “Caged Dames” a musical parody of women in prison film noir. All of this led up to one of HIAH’s biggest hits, a parody of Hitchcock’s classic film, “The Birds” which also explored Hitchcock’s obsession with the film’s star, Tippi Hedren.

Cerda also starred in Charles Busch's camp cult classic “Die, Mommie! Die!” and HIAH took on the film noir world again - this time doing a parody of the Bette Davis film, “Marked Woman” in 2009’s “Lady X”.

Cerda has been ably assisted by a stellar ensemble, but perhaps the most beloved is Ed Jones. Jones, moved to Chicago from the east coast on the advice of Lily Tomlin and has worked steadily ever since. His sense of comic timing is flawless and he moves smoothly from leading lady (“L’ Imitation of Life”, “Maude”) to supporting roles that steal the show (Nonnie in “Poseidon! An Upside Down Musical”, Margaret White in “Scarrie” and Cathy Brenner in “The Birds.”)

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>> Continued from previous page

Ed Jones assists Cerda in "Trogg!"

Cerda shows no signs of slowing down and Chicago can look forward to more of his twisted humor as long as he can put on a pair of heels.

Hell in a Handbag Timeline 2002-3 Poseidon! An Upside-Down Musical

Rudolph the Red-Hosed Reindeer 2004 How ‘Whatever Happened to Baby

Jane’ Happened

Ed Jones as Nonni in "Poseidon!"

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2005

2006

2007

Rudolph the Red-Hosed Reindeer Scarrie The Musical Rudolph the Red-Hosed Reindeer Caged Dames Weber and Church's Judy's Scary Little Christmas Caged Dames The Birds Rudolph the Red-Hosed Reindeer 2008 Charles Busch's Die, Mommie! Die!

Wilkins & Remington's Haywire!

Ryan Landry's Silent Night of the

Lambs 2009 Poseidon! An Upside-Down Musical

Rudolph the Red-Hosed Reindeer 2010 Lady X

Rip Nelson Halloween Spookatcular

Rudolph the Red-Hosed Reindeer 2011 Trogg! A Rock and Roll Musical

Ryan Landry's Pussy on the House

Rudolph the Red-Hosed Reindeer 2012 Sexy Baby Scarrie The Musical

Rudolph the Red-Hosed Reindeer 2013 The Birds

Ricky Graham's L’ imitation of Life Christmas Dearest 2014 Caged Dames The Birds Rudolph the Red-Hosed Reindeer 2015 Dan Savage's Miracle!

Bette, LIVE at the Continental Baths Scream, Queen, Scream!

Christmas Dearest

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M iss C o n t i n e n ta l Pag e a n t Held L abor Day Weekend These regional competitions are held

by Miss Continental franchise owners (much like a KFC or Dunkin’ Donuts). It is up to the franchisees to determine who represents them in the finale in Chicago. Franchises are purchased and are available to all. That is why you may find numerous candidates from the same city or state and none from other states. There are many franchises held by those in the New York City area, but, to the best of my knowledge, there is no Miss South Dakota Continental.

By Rick Karlin

Once a girl is “crowned” a regional Miss Continental, she begins preparing for the two-day marathon of interviews, talent performances and evening gown and swimsuit competitions.

It is not unusual for a contestant to pay thousands of dollars for gowns, swimsuits, costumes, back-up singers and dancers and set pieces. It is an investment in their career, as most of those participating in the pageant perform for a living and winning the title can guarantee some big time bookings.

Every Labor Day female impersonators from across the globe descend on Chicago for the Miss Continental Pageant. It is to female impersonators what Miss America is to other beauty contests; the ultimate title. Whether the participants identify as transgender, transvestites or drag queens doesn’t matter. The only rule is that they must still have, um how to say this delicately, “outdoor plumbing”.

They may have had breast, hip or cheekbone implants or facial feminization surgery, but in the end, they have to be boys (biologically speaking) dressed up as girls.

The weekend begins with every contestant, which can number as many as 50, doing a round of interviews before a panel of judges. The first evening, Sunday, Sept. 6 at The Vic, all contestants model a white presentation gown, evening gown and swimsuit and perform in the talent portion of the pageant. The following night, Monday, Sept. 7, whittles the group down to a dozen or so finalists. The finalists repeat the process from the previous evening. Far from being a rehash, this is when the girls pull out all the stops, often in even more stunning gowns and performing even more over-thetop production numbers for the talent competition.

Baton owner Jim Flint founded the pageant in 1980 and it has grown exponentially. The road to Miss Continental is an interesting one. In order to qualify for the final pageant a contestant must win a preliminary regional competition.

At the end of the night, the winner goes home with a giant tiara, the Miss Continental title and sash, prizes and some seriously sore feet. Tickets, if there are any available, can be purchased at www.thebatonshowlounge.com. boiMAG 13

Miss Continental 2015 Pageant

Par t icipa n t s *

Aubrey Synclaire * Louisiana Continental Catalina Santana * New York Continental Victoria Granti * Carolinas Continental Dash Davenport Dupree * Pacific Coast Continental (Las Vegas) Alyia Dumure * Liberty Continental (NYC) Deja Devonier * Florida Continental (Ft. Lauderdale)

Tiffany Hunter * Illinois Continental Gizzelle Barbie Royale

* All-Star Continental (Orlando) Renata Ferreira * Aloha State Continental

(Honolulu) Kata Klysmic * Iowa Continental Kourtney Van Wales

* Heart of America Continental Serenity Lopez * West Coast Continental Laila Star * Latina Chicago Continental Yeveah Altieri * Puerto Rico Continental Kelly Kline * llusion Continental (Austin) Nichelle Paris * Tennessee Continental Donet McKim * Miss Texas Continental *As listed on the Miss Continental web site by our deadline.

Past Miss Continental Winners

1980: Chilli Pepper 1981: Heather Fontaine 1982: Tiffany Arieagus 1983: Chena Black 1984: Cherine Alexander 1985: Maya Douglas 1986: Tandi Andrews 1987: Dana Douglas 1988: Kelly Lauren 1989: Lakesha Lucky 1990: Chanel Dupree 1991: Amber Richards 1992: Mimi Marks 1993: Monica Munro 1994: CĂŠzanne 1995: Lady Catiria 1996: Paris Frantz 1997: Tasha Long 1998: Michelle Dupree 1999: Tommie Ross 2000: Danielle Hunter 2001: Candis Cayne 2002: Yoshiko Oshiro 2003: Erika Norell 2004: Erica Andrews 2005: Domanique Shappelle 2006: Victoria Le Paige 2007: Necole Luv Dupree 2008: Tulsi 2009: Armani Stevens 2010: Mokha Montrese 2011: AlexisGabrielleSherrington 2012: Sasha Colby 2013: Naysha Lopez 2014: Brooke Lynn Hytes boiMAG 15

QMUSIC

By Gregg Shapiro

Had she lived, the legendary Billie Holiday would have turned 100 in April of this year.

Jazz vocal goddess Cassandra Wilson, who had been working hard to establish herself for more than 10 years before her 1993 breakthrough album Blue Light ‘Til Dawn, pays tribute to Lady Day on Coming Forth

by Day. According to producer Nick Launay, Coming Forth by Day is not a “traditional covers album.” These new interpretations of eleven Holiday standards, originals and covers, “digs deep” into the lyrics to reveal something new for the listener. Sung in Wilson’s trademark smokey and sultry vocal style, “You Go To My Head” is more intoxicating than ever. “Crazy He Calls Me” will affect your head in a completely different way. “Good Morning Heartache” moves the impact from the head to the heart and the ache is palatable. Wilson’s reading of “What A Little Moonlight Can Do” is darker than Holiday’s, and her rendition of “Strange Fruit” is as haunting as you might expect. The album closes with the Wilson original “Last Song (For Lester),” which perfectly maintains the mood established by the other songs.

Emily West, second place finisher on AGT’s ninth season, had already taken a shot at a professional music career in country, including a recording contract with Capitol Nashville, resulting in a couple of charting singles. For this goround, on her full-length debut All For You, West gives her sound, bolstered by a powerful and affecting vocal style, more of a pop sheen. West is a gifted interpreter of other people’s songs and her choice of cover material speak volumes about her taste. Sia’s

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Divas Got It Covered “Chandelier,” the newest of the cover tunes, says something about the song in that it doesn’t lose any of its gusto when performed by another artist.

West’s take on The Moody Blues’ “Nights In White Satin” is fittingly dramatic, while her ballad reading of the David Guetta/Usher collaboration “Without You” transforms the song into, in her words, a “worship song.”

Similarly transformed, West imbues Roy Orbison’s “You Got It” with new meaning. For sheer chills, West’s duet with Cyndi Lauper on the latter’s queer classic “True Colors” is nothing less than impressive. As far as the originals go, West proves herself to be a decent songwriter on “Fallen” and “Battles.”

Becca Stevens is a singer/songwriter who is becoming almost as well-known for her taste in cover material and the way she leaves her mark on the songs of others as she is for her own original compositions.

Perfect, credited to Becca Stevens Band, is no exception.

Stevens takes ownership of songs by Frank Ocean (“Thinkin About You”), Usher (“You Make Me Wanna”) and Steve Winwood (“Higher Love”), leaving her distinctive stamp on each one. The layered vocals on “You Make Me Wanna” sounds like Stevens has been listening to her share of Imogen Heap. Stevens originals such as “rick,” “Imperfect Animals,” and “Reminder” are also highly recommended.

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Motor Mouth Diva Wheels!

By Parker Carr

Since this is our “Divas & Drag” issue, I though it appropriate to do a little research and find out which auto manufacturers are the most inclusive when it comes to transgender issues. I know that not all drag queens consider themselves part of the transgender community, and most transgender people are not drag queens. But, there are certainly those folks for whom the categories overlap, and today’s drag queen may well identify as transgender later in life. So now that we’ve got the politically correct stuff out of the way, which car companies treat the trans community best?

the highest of heels, and with nearly 60 inches of shoulder room you can do your best ‘80s Dynasty drag and still have room for Crystal Carrington in the passenger seat. Hip clearance of 57.2 inches means you can pad AND still have room for your Big Gulp! The Entune multimedia bundle lets you practice your songs without taking your eye off the road. Lighted front visor mirrors allow you to touch up your make-up on the go. I’m sorry to disappoint you, but the “Lip Spoiler” isn’t what you think it is. However, the 60-40 folding splitbench front facing manual reclining fold forward seatback rear seat will allow you to pack in nearly every outfit you own.

While many companies score well on the HRC Corporate Equality Index (CEI), many stumble when it comes to the T in GLBT. 89% of Fortune 500 firms included sexual orientation in their non-discrimination policies, but only 66% did the same for gender identity. Far fewer, 33%, provided trans-inclusive healthcare coverage So make your automotive purchases accordingly. In the meantime two of the most trans-friendly companies in America are found in the auto industry: Ford and Toyota. So, if you want to buy a car from these manufacturers, what are your best options?

The 2016 Toyota Highlander has been redesigned with a hip interior, newer technology and better engine line. Getting around will be easy. Front head clearance of 39.5 inches means you might not even have to take off your wig. Front leg room of 44.2 inches means you can drive in even

The 2016 Ford C-Max is an economical, fun-to-drive alternative to typical hybrids.

With a stylish and well-made interior, responsive handling and an abundant features list, it’s a whole lotta car for a small price. Voice-activated hands-free technology means you can make a call with the sound of your voice, or plug in your USB drive or SD card and browse your music collection without missing a beat.

With fuel economy of 42/37 mpg you’ll save enough to buy outfits to fill the 52.6 ft³ cargo volume. It will be easy to load, thanks to the “kick-gesture” power lift gate.

Hold your purse and open the hatch? It’s a drag queen’s dream come true! If you need even more room, check out its sister car, the Grand C-Max. But even in the smaller CMax you get more head (room). At 41 inches it’s even higher than the larger Highlander, so tease that hair up to Jesus girl! There’s plenty of front leg room (43.1 in.) to strap on those heels.

Priscilla, Queen of the Desert will have nothing on you in either of these vehicles! boiMAG 21

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FIT TIPS

Kill Those Hamstrings:

By Michael Elder

If you are looking for a killer exercise to help build those hamstrings, look no further than the Romanian Deadlift. A bodybuilder favorite, this exercise can add some serious volume to the dense hamstring musculature while also targeting the glutes and lower back on a synergistic level. This exercise may need to be avoided for those with lower back problems.

Depending on the weight used, you may need wrist wraps to perform the exercise and/or a raised platform in order to allow for better range of motion. Care should be taken to treat this exercise with respect and to focus on proper form and technique before trying to lift heavy weight. It is a fantastic exercise, but always use caution.

The Romanian Deadlift

To perform the exercise:

Put a barbell in front of you on the ground and grab it using a pronated (palms facing down) grip that a little wider than shoulder width.

Bend the knees slightly and keep the shins vertical, hips back and back straight. Your pelvis should be tilted slightly forward. This will be your starting position.

Once you are standing completely straight up, lower the bar by pushing the hips back, only slightly bending the knees, unlike when squatting.

Keeping the back straight, inhale and lower the bar until you feel an adequate stretch in the hamstrings. Exhale as you push through the heels and extend through the hips until you reach a fully standing position again.

Your lower back will thank you. And eventually, your hamstrings will really thank you!

Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

Michael Elder has been working as a fitness professional in Chicago for the last fifteen years. He comes from a background in gymnastics and is certified as a personal trainer through the American Council on Exercise (ACE). He can be contacted directly through his website, www.MichaelElder.com. boiMAG 25

Beach, Please!

By Gregg Shapiro Why isn't Psycho Beach Party, the movie adaptation of the witty Charles Busch's wacky stage play funnier, campier, kitschier, more over the top, and just flat out gayer?

As parodies go, Busch's askew vision of beach/ surfer flicks crossed with horror/slasher cinema gets some of it right (including the period choreography, costumes, goofy lingo, and homo-erotic sexual tension), but there's still something lacking.

Perhaps it’s the cast of mainly TV-star actors.

Thomas Gibson as surfer god Kanaka; Nicholas Brendon as Northwestern U. psych-major dropout Starcat; Lauren Ambrose as the morbidly psychotic schizophrenic Chicklet/Florence/Ann; Beth Broderick as Florence’s overprotective mother Mrs. Forrest; and Matt Keeslar as Swedish "foreign exchange student" Lars, come close, but stop just short of hanging ten. Even Busch himself, as career-oriented and love-scorned detective Monica Sharp, is needlessly restrained.

More than anything, Psycho Beach Party is notable for co-starring Amy Adams, in her second feature film role, as boy-crazy Marvel Ann. So, who’s to blame for the actors holding back or not being given enough to put forward? Inexperienced director Robert Lee King, whose previous work consisted of two "shorts," is probably the one at fault.

Busch adapted the screenplay, so one would hope that he knew what he was doing. Whatever the case is, 15 years after

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debuting in Psycho Beach Party is still kind of a party-pooper. Bonus features on the newly remastered Blu-ray include commentary with writer/actor Busch and director Robert Lee King, as well as a Los Straight-Jackets music video.

Co-written/ co-directed

by Filipe Matzembacher and Marcio Reolon, the queer Brazilian film Seashore is yet another coming of age story albeit one with an unexpected twist. Martin and Tomasz, friends who are not as close as they used to be, embark on a journey to Martin’s abusive father’s beach house so that he can attend to business related to his late grandfather’s estate.

As the days pass and the boys re-establish their friendship, they go to the shore (in spite of the cold temperatures), play video games (in a funny scene in which it at first appears they are doing something else) and hang out with friends. Martin also finds time to meet a few times with Mrs. Marisa and her family who refuse to make the trip’s transaction an easy one.

Seashore takes its time setting up the Tomasz’s official coming out to Martin, and it’s almost worth the wait. Martin is, naturally for someone of his generation, accepting of Tomasz. Their interaction during this sequence, near the end of the movie, is emotional and authentic.

Things take an unforeseen, but not all that surprising, turn just minutes from the end. In Portuguese with subtitles; the DVD contains little bonus material.

Chicago's

in the know

By Sue Deaunym

Sweaty Balls

Football (is that the one you catch with a glove?) is all over the place at Crew.

With NFL games on Sundays.(My husband said he was going to watch the games on Mondays-where has he been going?) Then, it’s the college games on Saturdays, with bottomless mimosas for $15. Is that a drink traditionally served at football games?. Well, we’re gay and can make up our own rules. So I declare that from now on all college football games should be played in the nude. Who’s with me? No one?...

Okay, then. The least those ballers can do is show up at Touché on Sunday, Sept. with their sweaty jocks for the jockstrap and underwear fetish party. Granny panties don’t qualify, I assume… If Chicago seems a little more glamorous Labor Day weekend, it’s because the Miss Continental Pageant is being held Sunday and Monday at The Vic. If you need something to warm you up for that event, check out the Mr. Continental contests Friday and Saturday at Park West….

Thursday, Sept. 3 Matt Yee brings his outrageous adult sing along show to Davenport's… Got a wedding coming up? Take ballroom dance classes at the Center on Halsted. Check the Center’s website for dates and times…Our editor Rick Karlin is jetting into town Labor Day weekend. No he's not competing in Miss Contnental, just getting a show tunes fix at Sidetrack.

... ON THE GO!

Party on Sept. 5 with a Pup party with DJ Herrbear and Ragin Stallion Aleks Buldock, followed by a big brunch on Sunday and then a series of dance parties starting at 3 p.m… Homolatte at Big Chicks/Tweet continues this fall and Scott Free is bringing in his excellent mix of spoken word and music. Nelson Rodriguez and Carolyn Reynolds perform on Tuesday Sept. 15, followed by Bea Cordelia and Jakob Paul on Oct. 6, then on Oct. 20, it’s the big 15th anniversary show with Robert McDonald, Congress of Starlings, Deb R Lewis and Carrie Lydon…

Hamburger Mary’s brings Menage-AHah Sex-themed variety show to the Attic on Thursday, Sept. 3…

Ayy, Papi!

Manhole brings DJ Marvin Ayy from Mexico for his Chicago debut on Sunday, Sept. 6… It seems as if Circuit is bringing all of Mexico up for its Thursday, Oct. 1 Club Papi party. Has anyone alerted Donald Trump?... Out in the Park takes over Six Flags on Saturday, Sept. 12. Amanda Lepore hosts (I can’t wait to see her on a roller coaster)…Reeling, Chicago GLBT Film Festival opens on Thursday, Sept. 17.

The fest will host the Chicago premiere of the controversial “Stonewall”, let’s see how that shakes out… Scruff presents Cazwell in “Live At Work Hard, Play Hard” at Sidetrack on Friday, Sept.

4… You’ll barely have time to recover from Labor Day when it will be time to celebrate Oktoberfest. Touché is the first to announce its celebration, Let’s Hear It Fur Happy Hour! running Sept. 19-Oct 4… Totally 80's Hooray for return of the Happy Hour. returns Sept. 4 at Big Chicks… The Kit Kat is offering $4 martinis and half 5th Annual "Over The Rainbow" on priced small plates. Pretty soon it’ll be Wednesday, Sept. 9 will benefit Gilda’s that you can slap an Eleanor on the House with performances by Amy bar and get shit-faced!... Do bears shit Armstrong, Dixie Lynn Cartwright, in the woods? Ask one yourself as the Mimi Marks and Chadwick Stadt…

Great Lake Bears hibernate at Touche The weekend after Labor Day will be on Saturday, Sept. 5… Okay, so Man’s LezPlay Weekend, as five new plays Country now offers free wi-fi. What’s from Pride Films and Plays' LezPlay the point of looking for sex on-line, if it’s contest get enhanced staged readings all around you?....More Pride in Rogers and Sue is out of breath...

Park, The Glenwood is holding a Pride boiMAG 29