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BACK9 – NIGHTLIFE
More Is More by Athena Chock
D r a g que e n , c hef , ph i la nt h r opi s t , a nd DJ: it ’s a l l i n a d ay ’s w o r k f o r J u a n i t a M o r e , S a n F r a n c i s c o ’s h a u t e s t m u s e .
PRODUCTION, MEET CREATIVE PHOTOGRAPHER: ANTOINE VERGLAS MODEL: SPENCER [ONE.1] MAKEUP: DONNA F [CHANEL] HAIR: DAVID COTTEBLANCHE [RED MARKET] STYLIST: BRANDY [NEXT]
Like Sichuan peppercorns or Versace prints, less is definitely not more when it comes to SF drag icon Juanita More’s merrymaking pursuits. Beyond throwing her weekly parties and DJ gigs, More also hosts an irrefutably legendary annual Pride fundraiser. This year’s fete takes place at Jones Restaurant on June 28 and benefits the good deeds of the Gay-Straight Alliance Network. Recently, Juanita spoke to us from her home in Nob Hill about her dancing days at the I-Beam, SF’s premier 1970s gay disco club; her soft spot
Above: Juanita More
Photograph by In The City Photography
S PLAS H LI G HT.CO M
for queer elders; and the amazing things she can fit into a Ziploc bag. Burn the Floor I consider myself a disco baby. When I play music, I try to re-create that life-changing moment when I f irst heard Donna Summer’s “I Feel Love” on the dance f loor of the I-Beam or watched my parents get down to Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love.” Fare Lady I’ve always considered cooking my first true artistic gift. As a
kid, my curiosity in the kitchen was insatiable, and I spent many hours quizzing family members about recipes, such as tomato salsa and my grandma’s capirotada, which I still prepare today. Heart to Heart Coming out is still one of the most diff icult things queer youth have to survive. They need all the love and support they can get to be amazing adults. At the other end of the spectrum, our queer elders often become invisible in our community. They need support
too, whether it comes in the form of companionship or just helping them with daily chores. Chic Magnet I have worked with only one designer, couturier Mr. David, in the twenty-five years that I have been in drag. He has created over 3,000 pieces of clothing for me. Recently, I came across a pink silk chiffon robe that was folded into a small square and pressed into a Ziploc bag. It’s lightly “dusted” with five hundred Swarovski crystals. I hope it ends up in a museum one day.