The tasty invite, to the first of many Drag Ball, I hope.
Oh, kids. I, like you have been seeing pics of World of Wonder’s Annual Holiday parties for years now, but I’ve never been able to attend. I had NO IDEA what I was missing. This year, I made it a point to get my butt to LA for the First Annual Drag Ball (I was in Florida for an exhibit and then Art Basel and then I hooked it to SF for another show… more on those this weekend.) Boy am I glad I did! I’ll give you a taste of what it was like, for me anyway…
The party was at Universal Studios at the Globe theater, a GIGANTIC space that had 3 bars, Red Carpet arrivals press area (inside, as it was raining outside) a Snowman photo booth, a center runway stage (which was WORKED repeatedly) and Lady Bunny‘s DJ booth, where she was egging everyone on all night. Taunting queens to work the runway and it didn’t take much to get most up there. World of Wonder honchos Fenton Bailey, Tom Campbell and I, without any prior discussion ended up in coordinating outfits by OPPO suits like Carol Burnett, Vicki Lawrence and a Special Guest Star. (Tom was Vicki & Fenton was Carol… but where was Randy Barbato all night? I saw him once. Enjoying the throngs thanking him for such a great party, no doubt.) James St. James accosted, uh, INTERVIEWED everyone within striking distance which included myself and Bunny (we discovered we’d all known each other as long as another interviewer there had been on the planet. Depressing.) James talked to internet sensation of the year, 15 year-old Brendan Jordan, Nadya Ginsberg, Barbie’s Addiction, Raven-Symoné, Alyssa Edwards… OMG, the list goes on and on. Some high points for me were posing with the fierce Ms. Edwards, who looked great with and without stole and the spectacularly attired Sharon Needles Claus (or is it claws?) Madame, yes THE MADAME was flying all over the place and every time you turned around she and her cute handler, were in your face–literally. She and Bunny had a moment there, two gay icons lip synching for their lives. It was all more fun than I can even tell you here. Of course, dressing up and taking pictures with a bunch of crazy people is always fun, right? Have a look at some of the mayhem…
Revelers and carolers created you at the door
Where you get your picture taken with a Sharon Needles (Mrs. Claws?)
15 year-old Brendan Jordan and Wow’s own James St. James
Raven-Symoné picked up her Wowie for Best Big Queen (that’s what it said…)
House of Edwards is in the house…
Tom Campbell, myself and Fenton Bailey in our coordinating suits. Clashy.
Madame & Bunny did an impromptu performance. I see a Wow Holiday Special in the making…
Moody Mathu Andersen
On the Red Carpet…
… and on the runway, about to take off!
It’s all about what’s hidden and what’s exposed…
Sharon Needles decided to toss her glass aside and nearly beaned me before it smashed to the concrete!
Yes, it was Jessica Rabbit realness…
Suzie Wong was so right…
Tall and fierce (in stereo)
Blake Jacobs was Grande Ariana
The runway was dripping in glamour last night…
Big Freedia walked to thunderous applause
My camera mistake makes a nice divide between James & Thairin as they pose with the night’s Wowie Awards
Hottie John Polly (and company) melted Mr. Snowman
See the other snowmen posts on Wow, but this was the best of the night, for me.
I had to run home (via Uber, which came in a flash) to get my phone charger before heading to The Standard for Susanne Bartsch‘s Kunst, which James, co-hosted and has been touting all week. That party vibe and set-up was kinda, NYC, if you ask me (I said to Susanne it takes her throwing on LA party to get me out) To enter, you go in through the hotel lobby and then, I kid you not, through the kitchen! to get into the low-ceilinged basement club that was packed and exploding with most interesting-looking crowd, I think I’ve ever seen in LA. Many of the same faces were there that were at the Drag Ball including the also spectacular Mathu Anderson who did not disappoint nor miss one opportunity to pose for pics, that I could see. John Polly was gorgeous with hair that brought him INCHES from God. There was a performance by Object Permanence with I missed, but I actually caught Actually and La Femme La Dosha which were both great. James will no doubt give you more details as soon as he gets up off the kitchen floor of The Standard hotel where I left him. You know, I’m making that up. But you also know that the reality might be far more interesting.
Packed in always makes for the best parties
Susanne Bartsch & Mathu Andersen at Kunst
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