Tuesday, April 18, 2023

Drag Queen Of The Year

Photo:
Shaun Vadella

Docu-series stars drag icons Alaska Thunderf*ck and Lola LeCroix


2023 DRAG QUEEN OF THE YEAR COMPETITION AWARD CONTEST COMPETITION PAGEANT

TO TAKE PLACE LIVE IN-PERSON SUNDAY, MAY 14 AT THE MONTALBAN THEATRE IN LOS ANGELES

 

OUTtv, the leading LGBTQ+ streaming platform, has announced the premiere date for “Behind the Drag Queen of the Year Pageant Competition Award Contest Competition”, a new docu-series that goes behind the scenes of legendary drag queens Alaska Thunderf*ck and Lola LeCroix’s Drag Queen Of The Year contest. The new season will premiere on

Friday April 21, 2023 in the US.

 

“Behind the Drag Queen of the Year Pageant Competition Award Contest Competition”

follows renowned drag queens Alaska Thunderf*ck and her creative drag partner Lola

LeCroix as they put together their annual drag pageant to crown the Drag Queen Of

The Year. The docu-series provides a detailed look into the planning and creativity that

occurs backstage of drag competitions, and closely follows the duo as they come up

against challenges and setbacks, including a nightmare in tech rehearsals with just

hours until showtime. Contestants on the show include Andrew Barret Cox,

Bambi Banks-CouleƩ, Dvvsk, Militia Scunt, Neon Calypso, Ramona Slick and Twink

Trash.

 

Alaska Thunderf*ck and Lola LeCroix added: “Our goal with The Drag Queen of the

Year Pageant Competition Award Contest Competition is to provide a platform for Drag

artists who come from a variety of unique Drag perspectives. In a time where the

artform of Drag is under attack, amplifying queer voices is more important than ever,

and we’re looking forward to continuing this Pageant’s legacy. We’re grateful to all of

the incredible 2022 DQOY contestants, our crew behind the scenes, and to OUTtv and

Froot.tv who, through this series, will show the Pageant from all sides-- capturing the

stressful, chaotic, and ultimately inspirational essence of Drag Queen of the Year.”

 

Philip Webb, COO of OUTtv, said: “This show is every bit as chaotic and fun as its

name suggests – giving audiences a back stage pass to one of the most iconic

competitions in drag! In the face of bigoted and damaging legislation placed on drag

performances in the US, we’re proud to show the world the creativity, artistry, and

positivity of all forms of drag. There’s nobody more knowledgeable than Alaska and Lola

to show us the immense amount of hard work that goes into these events and to guide

us through the sea of glitter, wigs - and claws - which inevitably come out for the annual

pageant.”

 

The six-episode series is a Froot and OUTtv Original produced by PEG Productions.

The show will be available exclusively on the OUTtv Apple TV Channel, the OUTtv Roku Channel and OUTtv.com in the US; OUTtv linear, OUTtvGo.com and the OUTtv Amazon Prime Channel in Canada and FROOT.tv in the UK and Ireland a week later (April 29, 2023). 

 

And now, flying in the face of economic meltdown and a catastrophic political landscape, The Drag Queen of the Year Pageant  Competition Award Contest Competition is returning for its 5thth incarnation on Sunday, May 14, 2023 live and in-person at The Montalban Theatre in Hollywood.  Tickets are on-sale now HERE

 

This year’s Pageant features 8 stunning contestants, carefully selected by a mysterious panel of anonymous Drag Elders— this collection of outstanding Drag artists will compete for a chance to win a crown, a sash, a bouquet of very nice flowers, and a prestigious title.  Oh, and also $10,000 (via PayPal). 

 

Tickets: All in-person ticket holders will receive the Official DQOY 2023 Program at the pageant! Click HERE

All tickets include a $3 Montalban Theatre Restoration Fee.

$143 - Ultra Deluxe VIP Seating - Includes M&G Photo Opp with Alaska, Lola + DQOY 2023 Winner

$108 - Deluxe VIP Seating

$88 - Deluxe Seating

$68 - Optimum -Mezzanine Seating

$53 - Gallery - Balcony Seating

$43 - Gallery Side - Balcony Seating

 

Monday, April 17, 2023

"Alright Already"

Oakland, CA's, Adventure Playground has released its debut LP 'Alright Already' and will celebrate the album with a hometown show at Thee Stork Club this Thursday, April 13. Tickets are available HERE.

Armed with catchy hooks and contagious energy, the 5-piece (formed in 2021) has crafted a fresh concoction of punky-pop that has quickly been taking the storied East Bay music scene by storm. With the release of the band's debut album, Adventure Playground is now setting its sights on world domination.

The 9 track debut follows on the heels of the AP's well-received debut single (and album title track) "Alright Already."

Stream the album here: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/adventureplayground/alright-already-2

Order the vinyl HERE.

Stream the "Alright Already" music video HERE.

Director: James Deangelis

Producer: Griffin Kamm

Directors of Photography: Lukas Zanoli and Nick Vaughn

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/aptheband

Sunday, April 16, 2023

Born To Be Wild

Bye Bye Love
Ann-Margaret

Coming into her 82nd year Ann-Margaret has made her first rock album ever. With the help of some legendary artists.

Here's a quote from Ann about her current project -

“What fun I had, and then to find all of the great artists that lent their support for this project,” adds Ann-Margret. “Reading the quote from my dear friend Pete Townshend brought back such great memories.”

Check out the full article after the jump and keep on rockin' !!!

https://www.spin.com/2023/03/ann-margret-new-album/

Saturday, April 15, 2023

Support Your Local Drag Queens

She's A Drag
Halle Berry

It's been hard out there for a Drag Queen of late. So on Sunday April 2nd  Halle Berry did a stan for Drag Queens everywhere at the Dream House Drag Brunch at La Boheme Restaurant in West Hollywood, CA by showing up for it's one year anniversary.

“Yall I Danced With @halleberry!!!!” Posted Porshaa Lejayy

“GURL!!! Still fully gagged I got to perform for miss @halleberry today she is such a drag stan!!!! I love!!!,” posted Miss Cake Moss @mscakemoss

“Can y’all believe @halleberry was at our brunch???” Wrote Lauren Banall @laurenbanall

“What an AMAZING one year anniversary show at @labohemeweho today,” posted drag entertainer @barbiesaddiction on their Instagram account. “Was such a pleasure to have the one and ONLY @halleberry in the audience! She was such a joy and so fun! Can’t wait to entertain you again! WE APPRECIATE your support! Xoxoxo!”

These were some of the Social Media responses from the performers in the show.

All Hail Queen Halle!!!

La Boheme’s Dream House Drag Brunch plays on Sundays. Shows start at 1pm. Seating begins at 12pm.

https://labohemeweho.com/

Friday, April 14, 2023

A Subliminal Existentialist


Sydney Pollack: A Subliminal Existentialist


by Wes D. Gehring


“Gehring remains supreme in film comedy scholarship” - Choice

“Just about anything with film historian and media writer Wes D. Gehring’s name on it will be of quality.”
- Cinema Retro

"Gehring has a breezy and playful writing style. I found myself chucking aloud several times. His prose is also, at times, wickedly cynical...referring to the kidnapped Betty in the 1934 version of The Man Who Knew Too Much as a 'losable daughter.' " - The Hitchcock Annual


Filmmaker Sydney Pollack found his greatest success as the director of such celebrated pictures as They Shoot Horses, Don't They?, The Way We WereTootsie, and Out of Africa which won Pollack Oscars for both director and producer. Pollack found early success as an actor, an acting teacher, and later as a producer. In ensuing years, he would be praised as a character actor, from Dustin Hoffman's scene stealing agent in Tootsie to a sympathetic cynic in Eyes Wide Shut.

Forever curious, Pollack often used these films to see how other significant directors plied their trade. Trying to balance time for family and his many other soon-to-be-explored talents, Pollack's ability to recognize quality material also made him a producer of such memorable works as The Fabulous Baker BoysSense and Sensibility, The Talented Mr. RipleyIris, and Michael Clayton. This work weaves the story of Pollack's life and career through ten of his films and covers his relationship with two actors; teacher and mentor, Burt Lancaster, and Robert Redford, with whom he frequently collaborated

Peter Evans, Emeritus Professor of Film Studies, Queen Mary University of London, recently wrote the author, "You certainly make an excellent case for his [ Pollack's ]re-evaluation, [ while ] providing your characteristic mixture of scholarship and sharp analysis."

Order Here -

Thursday, April 13, 2023

Michael's Musings

 

Michael Shinafelt

":I'm no angel, but I've spread my wings a bit" - Mae West

"Yes" Minions it's true, I've been spreading my wings a lot of late. Hey, it's helping get me through this difficult time in my life.

Thus I am going to keep on spreading my wings as much as I can...what a feeling!!!

My soul is mysterious as midnight, the more you know...

Slow motion, it's better than no motion

Pennywise will be here before you know it...you'll float too...

Excited to see Katie Maloney finally rip Tom Schwartz a new one on VPR

Cat on a cushion = Maximum chill level

Kelli Giddish will be back for some more Law & Order: SVU - Rollins in the house!

Be safe. You are worth it.

Can we bring back consequences? I miss consequences 

Woman Crush of the Week - Taylor Momsen lead singer of The Pretty Reckless, why?  Because she kicks ass, that's why!!!

For Halloween this year I'm going to dress up as someone with a  9 - 5 job and scare the shit out of everyone in LA.

Even the Vegans want to eat the rich

FYI You are going to Hell no matter how "good" you are

The band geeks shall rule the earth

Legendary Ann-Margaret has her first rock album out at 81 years young

What plans do you have for when you turn 81 tell me here

https://www.instagram.com/michaelshinafelt/?hl=en

https://twitter.com/MShinafelt  

Wednesday, April 12, 2023

Hump Day & Chill

Slay Queen
Halle Berry

This photo that Halle Berry posted to her Instagram with the caption "I do what I wanna do" is Hump Day & Chill perfection.

Seriously it doesn't get any better than drinking wine on your balcony nude. Really who can top that?! It's the perfect chill.

Thus we hail Queen Halle as we bend it like her and try to aspire to her level of Hump Day & Chill today, and everyday moving forward...

Halle on IG -

https://www.instagram.com/halleberry/?hl=en