WELCOME TO MY MAGIC CITY

Something hit me the other day. I live in one of THE hottest cities in the world — Miami, Florida! And, I’m not referring to the heat and humidity which can be BRUTAL six months out of the year. Spring hasn’t sprung and it’s starting to feel like summer already (at least during the day) . At night, we are in the low 70’s here in South Florida. But, why am I writing about this? Well first, let’s face it people from all over our country and the world flock to experience “The Magic City”. What’s not to like about the beautiful beaches, the palm trees swaying, and international cuisine galore? I am talking DIVERSITY on steroids on practically any street corner. We have international book fairs and film festivals. We have carnivals from Calle Ocho to Gay Eight to Miracle Mile just to name a few. There are so many activities year round that it’s hard to keep up.

A lot of people that come to visit Miami love it and some that live here love to COMPLAIN! They complain about the traffic (no doubt we do have a lot of that). They complain about how rude people can be. But guess what? Some of these people that complain are objectively awful drivers themselves which doesn’t help the traffic situation. And some of these people that complain about rude people are not exactly the models of congenial pleasantness either. Any major urban area has its drawbacks and Miami is no exception. But, in my view the good things Miami has to offer its residents and visitors FAR outweigh the bad ones.

I love it here! And yes, I too have complained about the traffic or some rude person I have encountered. Would I live anywhere else? Probably not. It’s perfectly fine to be informed a week in advance that “WE ARE IN THE CONE” of a tropical disturbance, storm or hurricane. The local authorities and news stations give us plenty of time to prepare every single year. And prepare we do!

So to the “snowbirds” I say,“Welcome to the Magic City ” and to my Miami natives my message is simple — WE LIVE IN PARADISE! So, show a little gratitude. Enjoy the weather, savor the delicious food and dance the night away! Why? BECAUSE WE CAN!!!

HDM: Your new show, DITA VON TEESE & FRIENDS: THE ART OF TEESE, manages to have the essence of what it’s like to see an old-fashioned burlesque show. What’s your secret to capturing that feeling?

DVT: I’m always reluctant to try to explain the show because if you don’t have the accurate frame of referrence, it’s really hard to capture the feel of what true burlesque is. Also, I don’t know about you, but during the pandemic I was watching a lot of people try to do shows from home, not necessarily just burlesque shows, but whatever — talk show, variety shows. I just thought, “God, wow, everybody needs a little bit of glamour and sparkle to make this work. And, you can only do that when you in the room watching the performace.” There’s just something about the energy of a live show in a beautiful theater. There is not other way to explain it than to expeirence it first hand.

HDM: Your show celebrates alot of body positivity over the actual nudity. Is that your intent?

DVT: Absolutely! You kind of forget about the nudity because you’re so wrapped up in the energy and the joy and the body positivity. It’s really exciting. We don’t get to see bodies undressed as often as we should, especially not in mainstream media. Also, my goal, to be honest, was never really,“I’m going to make this big show about diversity.” It was really like,“Who are the best people in the world doing burlesque?” That’s what I went after, and that’s still what I go after in every show I produce. I’m sorry. People can say what they want and have their opinions, but there’s not one person that could come to see my live touring show and not agree that Dirty Martini number took the house down every single time regardles of who was in the glass splahing around and squeezing the olives!

To know AXEL ANDREWS and watch him perform is an absolute joy! The first time I saw him, his persona commanded the stage and was bigger than LIFE! Now, one would think a performer like that would be overwhelming and hard to approach - NOT AXEL ANDREWS! He beams with pure light from within and a welcoming smile.

I’ve now had the pleasure of watching him grow as both a performer an a man for many years. One of the few regrets I had when producing the first incarnation of this publication was not being able to feature AXEL ANDREWS on it’s cover. Now, I’m able to not only feature him properly, but alongside an awesome interview!

If you have a chance to see AXEL in your city – RUN

DON’T WALK to see him! He is unique in an industry that can sometimes border on “cookie-cutter formulas” for success. He took time out of his blistering HOT schedule to answer some of our questions and let us get to know what makes this fascinating man “tic”. ENJOY!!!

HDM: When and how did amazing Axel Andrews spring into existence?

AA: In the summer of 2008, I relocated from a small town in Florida named Seminole to Orlando so I could attend UCF. Fresh “out of the closet” and with no gay friends, I attended a few LQBTQA+ meetings and gatherings and was soon thrust into the nightlife scene. Long story short, I found a home and creative spark as I became more involved in the gay community. Watching drag shows and getting to know the entertainers, inspired me to create my own character. I had been playing around with the idea more and more when Kitana Gemini asked if I’d like to do a number at a charity event she was producing for the American Cancer Society Axel was born and I’ve never looked back!

HDM: You are very unique! I can’t think of any other performer that does anything remotely like you do. What would you describe your style of DRAG?

AA: I get this question more than any other! (lol) . For a long time, I considered myself a “Club Kid” . I knew that I loved the art and creativity of drag but didn’t relate to female artists. Over time I’ve realized that I’m more of a hybrid between a male entertainer and a drag queen. Mixing the makeup, wigs and over the top illusion with a more masculine approach.

HDM: You come from an iconic drag family? Tell us about them and what their love and support mean to you personally?

AA: I’m beyond thankful for the drag family that I have! Roxxxy Andrews has this gift that is unmatched. Turning anything she touches into glamour and grace. What she saw in me when I was first starting, I’ll never understand. But, as her first child and being someone so different, I’m thankful every day to call her my mentor and friend. The late, legendary, beautiful and kind – Erica Andrews gave me her blessing when Roxxxy first took me on and that’s a gift I am eternally grateful for. Erica took the legacy her mother Tandi built and became one of the most influential and memorable artists in our industry. Roxxxy adopted that from Erica and thats all I can hope to do in return. I’m a part of one of the most impressive and recognizable drag houses to have EVER existed and everyday I do my best to make them proud.

HDM: When you are not performing or traveling, what is your favorite hobby or pastime?

AA: I love to spend time with friends mostly. Long days at any of the DISNEY theme parks, game nights of all kinds, beach days and delicious barbecues! (If you have any further questions refer to my Tinder profile! lol)

HDM: We all went through a very traumatic experience in 2016 at PULSE nightclub. You were actually there on the night of the attack. What if anything do you want to say about the legacy or ramifications of that fateful night for you?

AA: PULSE itself and the tragedy will always be a part of who I am now. PULSE was my home, my safety, my creative outlet and I was blessed to have them while I was finding myself. I do my best to remember the good times and the great impact the building and people brought me. The tragedy changed me forever but, it won’t defeat me. Rather than be a victim to its hate I’ve decided to do my best to be there for people who need a friend, people who need someone to talk to or feel special for a moment. In hopes that the small impact I have can possibly change someone’s opinion on our community, and prevent them for contemplating hurting themselves or others. I think most people just want to be seen and I don’t mind taking the time to show someone that.

HDM: You are known for your amazing theme parties and performances! What are your influences for them?

AA: I LOVE cartoons! Ever since I was a child I was the “TV boy” in my house. Nickelodeon, DISNEY, Comedy Central and ALL Superheroes I loved the concept of unique personalities, special abilities and most importantly a strong moral compass. Fighting to make the world a better place. As silly as that sounds, I love it! So, any chance I get to cosplay and bring some of these iconic characters to life really brings me a lot of joy and happiness.

HDM: Now that RPDR rules are expanding to include so many types of drag, do you think you would be interested in following in ROXXXY ANDREWS’ footsteps and entering the world famous competition?

AA: As much as I’d love to, I don’t think I’ll audition until they make it clear that they would take someone like me. I fall more in the “king” category and it would have to be a season of performers who are similar to my brand and aesthetic for it to be fair. Additionally, those audition tapes are excruciating to make and producing one every year in the slight hopes they might do a “boy season” isn’t a good investment of my time right now (lol). But, if it does arise then you bet it’ll be jumping in the competition!

HDM: What’s next in the AMAZING career of Axel Andrews?

AA: I’m taking each day as it comes. I’ve recently stopped drinking and intend to continue on that journey. With that change alone, I’ve had time to reflect on things that are important and fall back in love with my performances and drag in general. So, I plan on doing my best at continuing to throw wonderful parties that bring people together and shine a spotlight to parts of our community that may not always get the attention they deserve. Especially our Trans and POC communities. MY brain is ALWAYS on overdrive! Sometimes I don’t even know what going to POP into it! But, no matter whatever tomorrow brings – I’ll ALWAYS be working my hardest and doing my absolute best!

Chi Chi LaRue began performing when she moved to the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area and started performing in drag as one-half of “The Weather Gals”, a “hag drag” revue. He and a friend moved to California, where LaRue was hired by Catalina Video as an administrative assistant and publicist because of his knowledge of porn and the workings of the porn industry.

A popular DJ, Chi Chi conducts most public business as his drag persona, and has a significant presence in the pornographic film industry, moving up the line of responsibility and creativity so that he was soon directing high-demand pornographic product. Chi Chi has directed hundreds of gay porn films since 1988, mainly for Falcon Studios. He now operates Catalina Video, a label under his umbrella company Channel 1 Releasing.

In 2003, Chi Chi began to divide his directorial attention between 2 porn studios: Vivid Video, where he got along with much of the female talent (particularly Jenna Jameson and Tera Patrick ), and his own Rascal Video.

In 2007, Chi Chi was chosen as one of OUT Magazine’s Top 50 most influential people in the LGBTQA+ community.

In August 2008, he directed the controversial bisexual film titled Shifting Gears. Chi Chi coined the term “straightfor-pay” (a play on “gay-forpay”) , to describe performer Blake Riley’s first encounter with a biological woman.

In 2012, Chi Chi directed the music video for “Trouble” by RuPaul’s Drag Race contestant Willam Belli, which premiered on LOGO TV

With this legendary career and more amazing stories than you can even possibly imagine, DO NOT MISS the opportunity to see this ICON LIVE and in person performing at the beginning of the incredibly popular BEARS IN THE ALLEY: TROPICAL WEEKEND at the Wilton Manors EAGLE on March 9th.