Disco Drag Idol

(Daphne, Julito and Marsha enjoying the show at Charlie Brown's Cabaret)

As promised, drag correspondent, Daphne Ruth Jenkins, was on the scene at this week's Atlanta Drag Idol competition to dig up all the dirt over at Charlie Brown's Cabaret. Under the protective watch of my humpy bodyguard, Julito, I joined my sisters from Drag-O-Rama to bask in the spectacle. It was a special treat to be graced by the presence of two sisters who have recently been MIA: Pinkie Jenkins, back from jet setting to all the finer trailer parks along the Northeast; Marsha Jenkins, fresh from an invigorating stay at Club Med.

Unlike the first week of competition, I was determined this time to stay sober long enough to perform my journalistic duties. Good thing too, because this week's show provided plenty of drama.

Gigi Monroe blew the roof off the place with her theatrical opening number. The performance started with a solitary cleaning boy sweeping the floor of a deserted nightclub. As the beat of "Funky town" grew louder, Gigi slowly emerged from the darkened past like a vision of 70's disco decadence. A cross between Leigh Bowery and Donna Summer, Gigi was decked out in a pastel checkerboard bodysuit accessorized with silver bra, pink hair and disco ball pig tails. Gigi boogied down between two checkerboard towers that matched her bodysuit and lit up like the dance floor from "Saturday Night Fever". As if all this wasn't enough to win over the crowd, she then demonstrated her enviable flexibility by performing a sensuous split to cap off the number. As the lights and the music dimmed, Gigi faded back into the past as the solitary cleaner swept across the stage once more.

I was completely in awe of Gigi's awesome talent. However, I convinced Momma Dale to introduce me to this lovely lady. Let me tell you, not only is Gigi a great performer, she's also a genuinely sweet person. This staple of Blake's, Nickiemoto's and The Red Chair confided in me that she recently celebrated her one-year anniversary of drag performance. Talk about a natural! She explained that she was originally inspired to get into drag by the film "Hedwig and The Angry Inch". As such, it's not surprising that Gigi is most looking forward to a Rock & Roll theme in the competition. Gigi admitted that she was most dreading Disco as she had never performed it previously. Well girl, you pulled it off! My new best friend explained that she tries to raise the bar for herself each week and that, "no one else pushes me harder than myself."

Alexandria Martin raised the temperature in the house when she treated the crowd to a passionate rendition of "Disco Inferno". Her giant conflagration of red hair and flowing black dress covered in crimson flames lit up the stage. The crowd responded adoringly and the judges acknowledged that Alexandria clearly was putting a ton of work into "bringing it" week after week.

The always-accommodating Alexandria also took a few minutes away from her throngs of fans post-set to chat me up. Alexandria admitted to me that she was relieved that last week's Broadway theme is over and done with. She's looking forward to the chance to do a country or gospel number. When asked if she has any advice for aspiring performers, Alexandria imparted this wise lesson, "always be yourself and be approachable." Hmmm, what about those of us who really are unapproachable bitches? Oh well! You can catch Alexandria perform at her usual haunts: Le Buzz on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and, "anywhere I can get a free meal."

Jade Daniels must have an entire sweatshop of third-world children sewing her costumes. Her original creations are always inventive and playful. This week's pink and black ensemble was no exception. Several times during the performance, Jade stripped off a layer, or rearranged an accessory to create an entirely new look. Unfortunately, her musical choices did not measure up to her fashion sense in the judges’ eyes. Her "busy" mix of 80's pop ditties such as "Let Me Be The One" and "I'm Looking For a New Love" had the judges wondering if Jade even knew the theme was Disco.

The same argument can be made about Angelica Diamante's choice of Chaka Kahn's "I Feel For You". However, Angelica is such an absolute sweetheart that we'll let it go...this time. Angelica looked stunning in a long v-neck black dress and overcoat. This elegant ensemble was perfectly complemented by a blouse, choker and earrings; all in silver.

Angelica is looking forward to a country theme in the competition as she is a huge Martina McBride fan. In the drag arena, Angelica's idol is Charlie Brown. You can catch this self-professed country music "fanatic" perform at many hotspots around the city including Nickiemoto's, Le Buzz and The Metro.

Another member of the Diamante family, Isabella, had a strong showing this week with "Action". Donning a slinky sleeveless body suite and Princess Leigh hair buns, Isabella exhibited the most authentic disco moves of the night. Girl can boogie down! Isabella's advice to young girls trying to break into the business is to learn their craft by watching the legends at Charlie Brown's Cabaret. Isabella can be found getting her groove on at Nickiemoto's, Blake's and The Armory.

Another highlight of the evening was Destiny's frisky "Car Wash" number. She was looking particularly groovy in her gold mini, white go go boots and fishnets. The crowd was on its feet at the end of her performance when Destiny whipped out a giant can of industrial strength hairspray and jacked her white afro up to outrageous heights.

At the end of the night, someone had to be eliminated. This week's casualty was the back-flipping diva Sonique, whose "Ring My Bell" apparently didn't strike a chord with the audience. However, Charlie Brown reminded the audience that all the girls would be invited back for a chance to win a spot in the finals.

Next week it should truly be a night of stars as the theme is impersonation. I wonder if anyone will have the nerve to attempt Charlie Brown or another of the regular cast members of the Cabaret. Now that would take some moxie!

Smooches,
Daphne Ruth Jenkins