Seattle Gay News
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Issue 31, Volume 37, July 31, 2009
Diva-lycious, out Voices Rising celebrates & out fun at Julia’s LGBT artists of color
by Milton W. Hamlin SGN A&E Writer Diva-lycious: Girls Gone Diva August 2, 9, and 16, 7 PM Julia’s On Broadway Diva-lycious: Girls Gone Diva, the new cabaret revue at Julia’s On Broadway for the next three Sunday nights, is more out-andout fun than any new show should be. Four terrific singers, four outstanding musicians, dozens of the greatest hits from girl groups from the past 100 years, a dazzling array of costumes – the snappy show has all the ingredients for a highly
entertaining look at the songs and styles of yesteryear. A capacity crowd cheered the opening night last Sunday. A clever marketing plan offered all tickets at just $10, half of the usual $20 cover. Every table was full of happy people, enjoying Julia’s dinner menu or drink choices. Yes, it was hot. Yes, there were minor problems with technical details. Yes, the show will undoubtedly add polish and even more zest over the coming performances. But, all in all, the show is a delightful, entertaining triumph that deserves see diva-lycious page 32
The LGBTQ community in Seattle is diverse. For Voices Rising founder Storme Webber, “that’s a beautiful thing.” In July of 2007, Storme said she saw a real need for an arts project that would promote LGBTQ artists of color. Turning her observation into action, Storme founded Voices Rising, a program designed to promote and nurture the arts and culture of LGBTQ people of color, and to build community across cultures. “I saw many incredible artists who deserved and needed support,” Storme told SGN. “LGBTQ artists of color are often marginalized – [Voices Rising] is a place where we are celebrated.” So far, the program has presented the work of almost 40 artists of diverse disciplines and cultures in five shows. Dakota Alcantara-Camacho, 18, performed at a June 6 Voices Rising show at Richard Hugo House. Storme saw Dakota perform at an earlier performance and asked the Latino spoken-word and hip-hop artist to be a part of the program. Dakota agreed, and his performance at the June event was an absolute showstopper. “Art is, for the most part, solidi-
Shaun Knittel
Jason Ganwich
Diva-lycious
by Shaun Knittel SGN Staff Writer
Storme Webber, Voices Rising founder
fied. It is sort of permanent,” Dakota told SGN during a phone interview from Madison, Wisconsin, where the teen attends school on a scholarship. “Music that is recorded is permanent, art that goes on a wall is permanent.” For Dakota, a performance can also leave a lasting impression, if done right. This is why the recording artist says he always wants to stay connected to the purpose of “why I create art.” He said his art is about telling stories, and “telling
stories is liberating.” “There is a magical ‘something’ that is born at every show,” said Storme, “as artists and audiences collaborate to create a modern ritual of truth and beauty.” The June Voices Rising show, which drew a full house, featured spoken-word performances by Crystal Ybarra and Landon Longhill, a spoken-word and music performance by Mikeya Harper, and see voices rising page 37
Royalty crowned at King and Gay City: Vol. 2 brims Queen of the Seas Pageant with emerging talent
by James Whitely SGN Contributing Writer The Imperial Court of Seattle’s 34th annual King and Queen of the Seas Pageant, “Ride the Showboat,” was held at Neighbours
nightclub on Saturday, July 25. This stellar drag show featured a handful of impressive drag kings and drag queens, who lent their style and talent to charity and put on a good show, which included
by Shaun Knittel SGN Staff Writer Bailey-Coy Books hosted the editor and contributing writers of Gay City: Volume Two for a book launch party July 23 at 7 p.m. inside the Capitol Hill bookstore. The party was open to the public and gave readers a chance to meet with the contributors and have their copies of the book signed. The second volume of the Gay City publication is a celebration of how far the Gay movement has come in the 40 years since the Stonewall rebellion. Gay City: Volume Two celebrates the ongoing transformation with 69 pieces of Queerthemed short stories, comics, poetry, photography and art. The book features works by 27 contributors, most of whom are from the area. Beyond the notable multi-awardwinning contributors, the book is full of emerging talents. The proj-
Shaun Knittel
james Whitely
Ryan Hazy steps down as "The Broadway Baby" King of the Seas #33
a belly dancer with a sword act. Former Imperial Court of Seattle Empress Sapphire Knight, Olympia XXXVI, offered her services as emcee and performer for the evening, The evening ended when Ryan Hazy, “The Broadway Baby” King of the Seas #33, for 2008-09, performed a solemn final showtune and the new King and Queen of the Seas were crowned. Miss Vera Hazy, the newly crowned Queen of the Seas, told SGN, “It’s my first title, and it’s my year to give back to those who have given to me.” Rychard was crowned as King #34. The Imperial Sovereign Court is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit social/charitable organization that provides funds and services to other nonprofits within the Seattle Gay and Lesbian Community. Funds are raised throughout the year through various fundraisers and donations. The Court of Seattle then uses these funds to provide educational scholarships to high school and college level students throughout the state of Washington. All proceeds from the show went to the Court's Lady Graytop Scholarship Fund.
Vincent Kovar
ect’s editor, Vincent Kovar, penned a dedication at the beginning of the book, which reads, “This book is for all the artists and authors we’ve lost and for all those we’ve yet to discover.” Within the nearly 200see gay city page 37