Night of the Living Drag

(The Jenkins clan, left to right: Daph, VD, Peggy, Bo Lima, Mookie, Momma, DJ and Linda)

It appears that reports of my untimely demise were greatly exaggerated. Yes, it's true that I was run down by a Marta bus on my way to a gig at The Armory with The Glamazons. Head over to Drag-O-Rama with Momma Dale for the whole spooky tale.

That probably would have been the end of the story if not for my adoringly deranged fans. Not content to let me go the way of Margaret Mitchell, they retrieved my cold corpse from the morgue and performed a ritual of dark drag magic. Using liberal amounts of Ben Nay and glitter, they revived my lifeless husk and sent me on my way to bring glamour and gore to the denizens of Hotlanta. Naturally, my first stop was Momma Dale's where I met up with a whole gaggle of my sisters: Peggy, Linda, Pinkie, VD, Paris and even that homicidal hussy, Bo Lima. I may have been un-dead but I still looked prettier than VD.

Before long we were tanked and ready to head over to Iona Trailer's Halloween Hoedown. Like a phalanx of fabulous zombies we descended upon that den of cuddly bears and got that party started. First stop for me and Pinkie was the buffet table. Pinkie wisely pointed out that my pocketbook was plastic and proceeded to shove all the cold cuts in there for later. Naturally, Linda was slung up behind the bar slinging drinks for herself and everyone else at the party.

However, the old adage from horror movies that when you bring someone back from the dead they never come back quite right proved to be absolutely true. As the night wore on and my sobriety diminished I began to feel a growing hunger building inside. As in a trance, I began grabbing men and moaning, "Brains! I need brains!" Luckily, there were many helpful chaps ready to give me exactly what I needed. Oddly enough, they all seemed to be carrying their brains down below their belt buckles. Momma Dale must have been right when she taught me that men do all their thinking between their legs.

My unnatural appetite sated, it was time to call it a night. For some reason I woke up the next day feeling like I'd been hit by a bus all over again. It must have been those voodoo shots Linda was brewing.

Happy Halloween,
Daph

CRASH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(The degenerate hussy, shortly before the end.)

I regret to inform you that Daphne Ruth Jenkins was hit by a Marta bus this evening on her way to a gig at the Armory in Midtown, Atlanta. It appears that her tumultous performing career has been mercifully cut short. There will be no official funeral arrangements. In a quiet ceremony, we plan to mix her ashes with some glitter and spread them around the nature trails at the River's Edge Campground.

May the tired bitch rest in peace!

Happy Halloween

(Daphne Ruth Jenkins, the new official spokesmodel for Kraft snack products.)

Boo!

As you are well aware, this weekend is the gay high holy day, Halloween. To celebrate, both Linda Hand and Bo Lima Jenkins are on their way into town to scare the candy apples off Hotlanta.

This Friday, we'll be hanging with the gals of Drag-O-Rama at the Armory. I'll be joining the Glamazons on stage with special guest Alexandria Martin as we teach the crowd how to do the Time Warp again. This "Rocky Horror" themed performance with the Glamazons has me filled with an-ti-ci-pation!

So, I'll probably be a little too busy to post much until early next week. However, to make it up to y'all, I've added several albums to my photosite, Delightfully Daphne. The updates include everything from our previous weekend of mayhem at The Armory right up to the Miss Corn Cobb County Pageant this past Saturday at LeBuzz.

In addition, the wacky Wanda Wisdom recently read aloud a few e-mails from Momma Dale and me on her latest podcast, Wandaful Morning. Give 'er a listen. In the broadcast, Wanda expresses concern over the weight of the spray cheese earrings pictured above. Have no fear, Wanda, I had snacked on those creamy dairy delights all throughout my breaks during the pageant so the cans were lighter than air. I'm a nervous eater!

So again, this is where you can catch us:

What - Rocky Horror Picture Show LIVE
When - Friday, October 28th, 11:00 pm
Where - The Armory in Midtown Atlanta
Who - The Glamazons, Alexandria Martin, Genre' and Daphne Ruth Jenkins

Whatever you wind up doing this weekend, be sure to scare plenty of straight people! It's good for them.

Smooches,
Daph

Corn Cobb Craziness

(Daphne Ruth Jenkins showing off her pesticide-free Miss Corn Cobb County Pageant presentation gown.)

As many of you know, this past Saturday was the Miss Corn Cobb County Pageant at LeBuzz in Marietta. My dear friend, Alexandria Martin was the reigning Miss Corn Cobb County and had encouraged me to enter the competition. Convinced, I got on the wire and enlisted the entire Drag-O-Rama network to assist me in this venture. After weeks of preparation and rehearsal I felt as ready as I was ever going to be to make my LeBuzz debut.

At the advice of Gigi Monroe, I arrived at the bar early to get the lay of the land. The host of the evening, Tequila Mockingbird, greeted me as soon as I entered the door. As I was the first girl to arrive, Tequila helped me to stake out the very best spot in the dressing room. She also graciously gave me the grand tour of the facilities, making me feel right at home.

Since I had settled in early, I had the pleasure of mingling with the crowd as they filed in for the show. It was a joy to see so many old friends arrive to support me in my latest endeavor. I met lots of new sweeties too as the audience swelled to mythic proportions.

But, once the event began, it was all business. The first round was presentation. I had spent about 10 hours making the dress by hand the day before using several dozen of ears of corn and a vat of hot glue. The body of the dress consisted of rows of cornhusks to give the appearance of fringe. The breast section and back was made of glittered popcorn. I applied the corn silk to the collar for a final accent. Momma Dale crafted a tower of hair for me complete with Indian corn and crows perched atop the summit. Peggy completed the look with a lovely corn-sage. I felt every bit the Corn Cobb diva as I hit the stage in my 100% organic costume.

My presentation speech detailed the traumatic odyssey to the competition stage which began when I awoke that very morning to find my bowel movement filled with corn kernels despite the fact that I hadn't eaten any corn the evening before. I described the prophetic vision that I witnessed as those mystical nuggets formed the words "Miss Corn Cobb County 2005" in that sulfurous stew. To prove the veracity of my tale, I brought along a few of the kernels (actually candy corn) and handed them out to the audience. Watch out for the brown ones!

Next up, we had the talent showcase. Alexandria had enlisted the skills of that hottie, Billy, to put together a definitive Daphne Prozac music mix. As the opening lines to Anastacia's "Why'd You Lie To Me" pounded, I prowled the stage wearing a lime green leather jacket and my yellow japanimation hair. However, the song was interrupted as Pinkie took the stage wearing a latex nurse's uniform and carrying a giant pill bottle. After espousing the benefits of Prozac, "the quicker picker-upper", Pinkie gave me a pill and left me to my drug-induced delirium. I ripped off the jacket, revealing a citrus orange sequined dress while dancing my bipolar ass to "Walking On Sunshine".

Just when everything seemed happy and light, one could hear the sound of breaking glass over the music. I ran off stage only to return with giant curly cherry red porn vixen hair. The music switched to Marianne Faithful's "Why'd Ya Do It?" as I crawled out of the dress to reveal a black skirt and courset. By the time I was shrieking, "Why'd ya spit on my sn#tch?" Nurse Pinkie was back on stage to give me another dose. But, this time I swatted the pill out of her hand, chugged the entire bottle and spit a shower of meds all over the front row.

After stumbling around the stage in my overdosed daze, the music shifted to Sylvester's "You Make Me Feel Mighty Real". Once I got my groove back, I peeled that black skirt off, revealing tiny leopard print bikini bottoms and a pair of dangly testes. The crowd went wild to the finale as I boogied and showed them just how "Real" I was feelin'.

If I had to choose one talent routine that I felt stood out from the pack, it would be Lana Cane's "I'm Coming Out" birthing scene. The funny thing is, Lana claims to have never heard of Leigh Bowery, the avant-garde diva who perfected the gross-out birth number. Regardless, Lana was an absolute sweetheart and a fantastic competitor.

Eveningwear and Q&A were combined for the final round. I donned a fat suit and an adorable tablecloth, country-style dress complete with smiling corncobs. For the event, I premiered a new cotton candy pink banana curl wig. The crafty Peggy supplied the finishing touch of spray cheese bottle earrings.

For the crowning ceremony, my constant aid, Momma Dale, helped me slip into my 70's housewife gown with flowing train. We added a few whimsical butterflies to my flaming orange disco hair. Even though I wasn't able to watch the competition, it came as no surprise when Fajita Marinara was crowned Miss Corn Cobb County 2005. This LeBuzz favorite clearly owns tons of talent and had the crowd wrapped around her manicured hooves. Fajita's cow costume for the talent round was a model of disgusting hilarity. Watching her was like seeing the dearly departed Visa Decline reincarnated.

I had never been so happy NOT to win something as I watched Alexandria Martin crown Fajita by jamming the hairpins into her scalp. Poor Fajita fell to the crowd as Alexandria continued to impale the newly minted queen. I screamed, "I see blood," as Elise Kensington pulled Alexandria off the wailing Fajita.

Without a doubt, I had an absolute blast in the pageant. I felt like I learned a ton through the experience and am so proud that I created the cornhusk dress myself. After the event, both Alexandria and Tequila Mockingbird commended me on my performance. The best part, though, was seeing all the smiling faces beaming up at me as I gave my all to entertain my friends. Even though I didn't claim the crown, I felt like I had won in all the ways that really count.

And so, I want to give a special thank you to everyone who helped me get ready for the pageant and to all who came to support me that night. Know that you all inspire me so much and that I could never do this without you.

Smooches,
Daph

Reminder: Corn Cobb Pageant Tonight!

(Clockwise from top left: Daph, Momma, Barbie, Marsha, Linda, Dolly & Jeff, Pinkie)

Hello all!

Just a reminder that tonight, I will be entering the 2005 Miss Corn Cobb County Pageant at LeBuzz. I've been working my padded butt off preparing for the event. And, I'd be remiss if I did not mention that everyone at Drag-O-Rama has been pitching in to make this an unforgettable extravaganza. Pinkie Jenkins will even be making an on-stage appearance during my Talent number. It is not to be missed.

Regardless of what happens, my goal this evening is to achieve a personal best. I hope to entertain my friends and fans like never before. If you can make it out to the bar tonight, this simple girl with a dream would greatly appreciate your support.

Here are the details: What - Miss Corn Cobb County 2005 Pageant
When - Saturday, October 22, 11:00 pm
Where - LeBuzz, 585 Franklin Rd Se, Marietta, GA 30067
Who - Daphne Ruth Jenkins, Alexandria Martin, Pinkie Jenkins and Drag-O-Rama

My performances this evening are dedicated to The Central Station, that sexy cesspool in Charlotte, North Crazyland. These stomping grounds of my deranged sister, Linda Hand Jenkins, burned to the ground this week. Here's hoping that they rebuild soon: we don't wont their regulars back on the streets, girl!

Smooches,
Daph

Miss Corn Cobb County Pageant

(Daphne Ruth Jenkins and the reigning Miss Corn Cobb County, Alexandria Martin)

This coming Saturday is the 2005 Miss Corn Cobb County Pageant. I've been eyeing this event for several months now with the intention of throwing my brassiere into the ring. The reigning Miss Corn Cobb County is my dear friend, Alexandria Martin. It would be an unbelievable honor to carry on the tradition set by such an enormous talent.

This is easily the greatest challenge that I've ever set for myself during my drag career. This title really is a big deal, so there is sure to be some first-rate talent vying for the crown. If you can make it out to the bar that night, this simple girl with a dream would greatly appreciate your support.

Here are the details:

What - Miss Corn Cobb County 2005 Pageant
When - Saturday, October 22, 11:00 pm
Where - LeBuzz, 585 Franklin Rd Se, Marietta, GA 30067
Who - Daphne Ruth Jenkins

I have my work cut out for me, so I may not post very much this week. However, you can be sure that I'll have some wild stories to tell after the pageant.

If you see me that night, wish me luck and buy me a drink. I'll need both!

Smooches,
Daph

Gabbing With Gigi, Part 2

(From left: Paris, Gigi and Daph at the recent East Point Possums "Life Is A Drag" show.)

If you thought the first half of Atlanta Drag Idol Gigi Monroe's first tell-all interview was revealing, you haven't seen anything yet. Sit back, mix yourself a stiff cocktail and get ready for the dish!

Daph: Now for the personal questions.

Gigi: No comment. (laughs)

Daph: Are you single?

Gigi: Yes, absolutely and perpetually.

Daph: Perpetually?

Gigi: Yes, always and forever.

Daph: What is your idea of a perfect mate?

Gigi: This is really difficult. I’m such a freak. I don’t know. I like so many different kinds of people. Polyamory was the only way for me to figure it all out so that I could be with everybody that I liked: everything from appearance to gender to interests and zodiac signs. I like so many combinations of those things. I realized four or five years ago that I really couldn’t get all those things that I wanted with just one person. It just wouldn’t be fair for them or for me. I had all these kind of failed relationships because to some extent we both had that: we want to be everything to each other. I don’t think that’s really realistic for anybody. For me specifically, I realized that wasn’t going to work.

There are some things that I want regardless of all the other characteristics: someone who is also polyamorous is probably pretty import. I have tried to convert, but if they’re not there already or really want to be there it’s not going to work. That’s been the biggest barrier to finding anybody to even attempt to date. I feel that’s my first conversation with people that I might be interested in. There are a lot of different sides to me and for someone to only be attracted to one type of person, or one side of me, that’s not going to work. Now, I meet a lot of people who really like Gigi, but they might be straight men. Someone who doesn’t have a single sexual orientation is pretty important too.

And then, people who have similar political beliefs. I’ve tried to convert them too but that doesn’t seem to work. Even if they don’t do it in the community or as their job, as long as in their personal life, they’re committed to similar concepts of social justice that I am. If they’re someone who’s willing to be called out on their stuff or willing to learn that they have some f#cked up beliefs that maybe they were brought up with, that’s also something that’s really important to me.

They have to like dogs and animals and probably be vegetarian and a water sign. But, I’m not at all particular. That’s a good starting list.

Daph: What’s your idea of a good date?

Gigi: I love movie dates. I think they’re so funny because you’re so nervous the whole time. You’re sitting close, but you’re not really touching. Maybe you’re almost brushing up against them. It has all of that nervous tension that I probably like because I’m sadistic like that. I just had a really awesome movie date last week. It’s not a lot of pressure to tell your life story. There’s a lot of pressure about initial conversations with people. A lot of times people (and definitely me) try to learn as much about the other person as soon as possible. You don’t allow yourself to just enjoy doing something together. I kind of like not really knowing that much about someone right away and finding things out along the way.

Daph: What movie was it?

Gigi: You know the one with Reese Witherspoon, “Just Like Heaven”. It was kinda cheesy but kinda cute. It was a romantic comedy and those are always fun to go see when you’re with somebody new and there’s some kind of attraction there.

Daph: I always believe in horror movies on dates.

Gigi: I don’t like scary movies. I can’t watch them at all. I like monster movies, but I don’t like horror movies. I love old monster movies like “Frankenstein”.

Daph: They’re usually not really evil.

Gigi: They’re just misunderstood!

Daph: Who are you on “The Golden Girls”?

Gigi: I am Blanche, absolutely. Actually, and I believe this was my very, very, very first experience in drag. I was doing a Golden Girls look-alike contest in San Francisco that Beau Arthur judged in The Castro at this little bookstore. Me and my partner, he dressed up as Sofia and I was Blanche. I got this blue sequined gown at a thrift store somewhere; blue satin pumps; and this really funny short red hair that I sent him out on a wig mission to find for us. He went to all these wigs stores and he could only find these up-to-date styles and couldn’t really find old lady stuff. So he had to go to a real wig store, that people would wear during the day. The biggest challenge was transforming myself into this 60-year-old woman when I was a 19 or 20-year-old boy. It was fabulous and I think I looked pretty good for my first time. Beau said I had great legs, which was lovely to hear. But it turns out that there was this drag queen in town who was about 60 and one of her characters was Blanche and she kind of had her down to a T. She was my competition. If it weren’t for her, I would have won two tickets to Beau’s show. So, I’ve always felt this connection to Blanche. Even though I’m not southern, I still feel pretty much everything else.

Daph: If you could invite five people to dinner, living or dead, who would they be?

Gigi: I’ve met her once, but Kate Bornstein. She’s so brilliant, but she is so humble and just wants to learn everything else from other people. We had such a great exchange.

Johnny Depp, I think I could make him come out and finally admit to the world he is like ultra queer.

I think I’d have to include Bob Dylan just because he’s been my favorite forever and I’ve always wanted to meet him. And he’s another one that has so many walls up and he has so much mystery about him. I’d want to get into that a little.

Not alive anymore: Gloria Anzaldua, the author. She used borders as metaphors for all these different things in her life that she struggled with: especially identity. She’s someone I would have wanted to have a conversation about that with.

One of my friends Nathan, so that I’d be able to talk to one of my friends about the conversations after it happened. And he would enjoy it at the same level I would. We’d keep the conversation going from both ends when each other were shocked or speechless about something. We’d be able to prove to our friends that we actually did it.

Daph: Ya, like Johnny Depp was totally hitting on me.

Gigi: Totally. And if we used a strategy of double-teaming we could probably get some things out of some people. Oh, and Nathan loves to eat, so I wouldn’t be the only just pigging out.

Daph: A lot of people have said that Drag Idol changed the face of drag in the city. Is there anything you think the Atlanta drag scene needs more of?

Gigi: We really desperately need more organization as a community. There are ample places to perform and ample shows for people to perform at. But I feel that there’s not a good sense of one entryway into that community. It’s very informal and I think if we work together a little bit more there’s plenty of room for people here. A lot of folks complain and say, “There’s so many queens and not enough places to work.” I just don’t see that being true. We’ve got to come up with standards we want to work with.

I really want to see a drag queen union. Some of the conditions are so wretched, the sh!t people have to put up with. I mean, I’ve been pretty lucky with my experiences so far in the places I’ve gotten to work. But, some of the places that you have to get dressed and the treatment that you get from bar staff or from the clientele that you’re not really protected from. It’s pretty unacceptable but people just accept it as standard behavior. I think we need a little more formalization for some of the shows.

Not everything be would like that because it would be really exclusive and shut off to new people. That’s one of the things I really like about Atlanta. There are several places that you can go and try it and be seen by some people.

There’s so much racism here in the drag community that it really brings me down. When I see how people are treating each other under the guise of joking around or living up to that image of the drag queen who’s bitch and catty. When really it’s just people’s stereotypes coming out. It’s about how divided the clubs are. It’s very blatant that people use that to discredit each other. They call each other sellouts for going to one or the other; or for just sticking to their comfort zone. It’s just gross.

The drug stuff is overwhelming. I feel like the only one a lot of times that doesn’t do drugs. Do whatever you want recreationally. But, I take drag seriously when I’m working at a bar. I wouldn’t go to my office job high. When people do it, it’s tough to work with, or work around. The hardest part is to know why the people are using them in the first place: it being their coping mechanism. We all have our coping mechanisms. That’s just one I feel strongly about. There are other ways, like mine are so healthy! But, I think they might be just a smidge healthier.

Daph: I’ve seen your schedule, if you don’t take drugs, where do you get all your energy?

Gigi: I don’t have much. I’m exhausted. Caffeine! The adrenaline of doing it and being out there. I really like if I’m making or a costume or working on a dance number that I’m choreographing. I love those parts and I get really jazzed about that. Even if I’m up for six hours working on the same costume, and it’s coming together the way I want it to, that will just fill me. The feeling is pretty incredible to make you own stuff. A lot of times I’m like, “Oh my god, I can’t believe I did that.” Or, “I don’t know how to do this, but I’m just going to start. And if it comes out, cool.” Plus, I have no other life. Last week’s date was the first one in a loooong time.

Daph: Do you have any health and beauty tips?

Gigi: Yes, become a vegetarian. Drink lots of water. Don’t do drugs and don’t drink a whole lot. Dancing is my exercise. If I’m working a lot, which I have been lately, I tend to get my exercise by performing. I’d say sleep, but it would be a little hypocritical. I don’t get nearly enough sleep, but I know it’s really important. All of these things are going to benefit me 20 or 30 years from now. I’m going to drink water for then. I’m going to exfoliate for then. You’ve gotta take care of your face. I don’t have great skin, but if I didn’t take care of it at all: wear all that make-up and scrub it off and put it all back on the next day and scrub it off; it’s a lot. Don’t smoke! Dancing and sex, but I don’t have time for that, those are the best exercises for the body and spirit.

Daph: What one song would you ban from drag performance, beside “Don’t Cha” (it’s too obvious)?

Gigi: “My Lumps” by the Black Eyed Pees. I hate it; it kills me. I don’t understand when “hump” and “lump” became sexy words. I don’t get it; they have very unsexy connotations to me. I’m not impressed and I really don’t want to hear about lady lumps. I’ve tried to spread the word about that as much as possible. I let people know that they might like the beat or might not have really listened to the words closely enough but they really need to before they consider doing that song. And I think I’ve discouraged a friend of mine from doing it, which is huge. When she does a song, she does it everywhere, every night, every performance for a month. So, I think we just saved the whole community from torture.

Daph: Is there a song that you would love to do but you’ve never pulled together.

Gigi: I have a whole book. I have this notebook where I write down the songs I want to do when I think of them. But, most of them, I’ve never done. I want to eventually get around to all of them.

I listened to this remix yesterday of Madonna’s “Nobody Knows Me” that I just love so much. But, I try to make a distinction between songs I love and songs I can perform to. That one never really crossed over to the performing songs. I hadn’t listened to it in a year and I’ve always wanted to do it. I have this costume in mind.

There’s circuit kind of stuff I want to do should I ever work at a circuit party; more like androgynous; more non-traditional than what I usually do.

I always want to do Bette Midler’s “Stay With Me” from “The Rose”. That’s just kind of like “the one”. Sometimes I think I could do it just like she does it: the end of the movie kind of thing where she dies at the end. Sometimes I think that that would stand on it’s own and then other times I think that I couldn’t pull it off because I don’t look like her necessarily. I just love the song so much and if there was a way to make me look like her a little more… It’s hard to know if the audience will know your song, like your song, just not be in the mood for it, or totally get into it and sing every word. You just don’t know. I’m kinda holding off on that one for a while.

Daph: What fact about yourself would most surprise your fans?

Gigi: I think actually that people would be really surprised that I really want to do more androgynous stuff. I just like very different stuff. When I started, I thought I wanted to be a camp queen. I think they’d be surprised about that. A lot of the things that I think of have camp elements to them, but I tone it down a little bit to kinda fit into this glamour role.

Sometimes they’ll try to bring me in if there’s a more traditional glamour queen who’s trying to read someone who doesn’t follow the traditional rules to back them up. I’m like, no, you can’t define their character for them, whatever it is. Even if you may personally not like it or be entertained by it, that’s different than being allowed to do it.

Daph: How would you describe your musical tastes?

Gigi: All over the board. I was joking around with a friend of mine the other day and we decided that we were only going to be doing 80’s pop songs from now on because they’re the best. Currently, there’s clearly no pop music to do. There’s nothing worthwhile. We have Black Eyed Pees.

Lately I’ve been looking back on things that I listened to and wanting to emulate growing up. It was really fun doing The Bangles. I never got to wear my hair this big; I watched my sister do it. Now it's my turn!

I hope you enjoyed this peek into the most personal thoughts of a rising drag superstar. I know I had an absolute blast getting to know Gigi better during our talk. It was wonderful discovering a human being of true substance beneath all that glamour.

Smooches,
Daph

Possum Power

(from left: Keisha Lorraine, Gigi Monroe, Daphne Jenkins and Marsha Jenkins)

Girl, who knew East Point was so happenin'? Drag-O-Rama received a special request to participate in "Life is a Drag" a benefit show in support of Katrina relief efforts. The evening was organized by the energetic East Point Possums in conjunction with AIDS Survival Project and PALS.

The Jenkins clan arrived early to help whip the girls into shape. At first there were a few protests as Alexandria Martin, Momma Dale, and Dana started applying layers of base and wild false eyelashes. I assured the lovely Keisha Lorraine that she did, in fact, possess oodles of natural beauty. However, I explained that once we added the necessary unnatural elements, it would take her to a whole new level of exotica. Luckily, most of the girls relented as the photos attest.

Of particular beauty was Prissy Cilla who looked like she could have been a distant relation to Pinkie Jenkins once Alexandria was done painting her up. Her rollicking performance of "Here for the Party" kept the good times rolling after Gigi Monroe's classy opener, "Hey Big Spender".

Marsha Jenkins proved herself the consummate performer when she continued to mouth the words to the final chorus of "Since You Been Gone" even after the music mysteriously cut out.

Luckily, I experience no similar technical difficulties when I treated the masses to a funky version of "Groove Is In The Heart". I was a little nervous doing such an upbeat and peppy song given my typical manic panic style. To my surprise, I had a delightful time with the number and was complimented by both Alexandria and Gigi on my performance.

Poor DJ got mauled by Shenita Lott during her Gwen Stefani medley. The two wound up wrestling on stage like a couple of jail house vixens. That DJ is such a drag magnet. Hands off, b!tches. He's mine!

To no one's surprise, Alexandria Martin provided the showstopper of the evening with her electrical tape skirt that people could stick their tips to. Alexandria capped the number by pulling her wig off and applying it to the front of her sticky crotch, creating a make-shift hair pie for charity.

All the girls were called back on stage at the end of the show for an encore of "Lady Marmalade". Ever the divas, Alexandria and Bubba D. Licious declined to participate in the group number and sat down at the front of the stage. I, on the other hand, saw this as an opportunity to indulge in a little lesberific bumping and grinding with Marsha and Gigi.

All in all, the night was a rollicking success. Of course, it didn't hurt that we had such a great audience for the show. That stud, Oscar, dragged his adorable husband, Brian, as well as the irascible Jim and Eric along for the ride. Even Patricia Lopez was spotted grooving along to the tunes with her entourage.

I even made a few new acquaintances. DJ introduced me to several of his colleagues, including the sexy Shay and crazy Chris. Now these hotties, I can hang with. We also received several party invitations from numerous random stud muffins. I need to spend more time in East Point!

Of course, DJ had total drag overload the next day. So, we headed over to the Georgia Dome to watch the New England Patriots battle the Atlanta Falcons in a pulse-pounding showdown. DJ and I are both originally from Massachusetts, so we're naturally fans of the Falcons and the Pats. As a result, I found myself cheering for both offenses rather than for an individual team.

Our section was a frisky mix of die-hard Atlanta fans and wonderfully obnoxious visiting Massholes. One of the cuter boys starting flirting with DJ more and more as his intoxication level increased. By the fourth quarter, he was completely ignoring his girlfriend and rubbing his butt against DJ at every opportunity. I love the way beer consumption and heterosexuality have an inverse relationship with some boys.

In the end, that effective and insanely hot team of Tom Brady and Adam Vinateri carried the day. The Pats snatched a 3-point victory from the Falcons in the final seconds of the game. Because the ending was so close, everyone streamed out of the stadium at the same time. We only had to push a few children out of the way to get on a train right away.

Sadly, it was clear that the defeat had made some Atlantans a little cranky. When the driver announced that we would not be stopping at the next packed station to pick up any additional passengers, an 80-year-old grandmother suggested that we all "give the finger" to the disgruntled people waiting on the platform as we passed by. Thankfully, cooler heads prevailed and she settled for elatedly waving at them as we sped by. Go Granny!

Smooches,
Daph

When Jenkins Attack!

(The wet & wild Jenkins clan. Clockwise from top left - Dolly, Barbie, DJ, Marsha, Daphne, Linda and Pinkie)

Sound the alarms and notify the authorities: the Jenkins sisters are descending upon the unsuspecting public all over the Southeast this weekend.

This very evening, my sassy sister Linda Hand Jenkins will be performing her official duties as Miss Central Station 2005. She'll be joining host Brooklyn Dior and performers Angela Lopez and Kiki in a night of devilish delights at that Charlotte hotspot, The Central Station. The show starts 12:30-ish, drag time.

Linda has promised to deliver nothing but a mockery of "pure cuntree" as she pummels her adoring fans with a tawdry rendition of The Dixie Chicks' "Sin Wagon". If there's anyone who knows about sinnin', it's Linda. Besides, I'm just so proud of her for tackling a song with actual lyrics!

Miss Central Station is planning to blow the walls off that packed bar with her triple-D cups and bootylicious butt. If you're anywhere in North Crazyland this weekend, this show is clearly the place to be.

Next up, there's the East Point Possums' Katrina Relief Benefit Drag Show this Saturday from 9 to 11 pm at the East Point Corner Tavern. The latest gossip is that Marsha B. Jenkins may be making a surprise appearance at the event which already features such stellar entertainers as Alexandria Martin, Atlanta Drag Idol Gigi Monroe, Bubba D. Licious and ME!

There's no shortage of Jenkins mayhem this weekend. So, get out there and get a little crazy!

Smooches,
Daph

Gabbing With Gigi

Unless you’ve been locked up in a convent for the past year, there are two things that every queen knows:

1. Tom Cruise is a complete lunatic; and

2. Gigi Monroe won the very first Atlanta Drag Idol contest.

The competition was fierce but only one girl could emerge victorious. With a lot of hard work and sheer talent, Gigi clawed her way to the top of a majestic mountain of sequins and feather boas.

But who is the woman behind the legend? I was determined to scratch beneath the surface and discover the mind and soul of this fierce competitor. I invited Gigi to come by for dinner last week so that we could sit down and chat. Naturally I can’t make toast, so I conned DJ into preparing us a delightful gourmet meal of eggplant curry.

After dinner, I asked DJ for a little privacy and proceeded to subject Gigi to my best Barbara Wawa impression. Luckily, this Chatty Cathy didn’t require much coercion. It turns out that she’s an extremely intelligent young lady who’s not afraid to speak her mind. So sit back and enjoy the first official interview of Atlanta Drag Idol, Gigi Monroe.

Daph: Where were you born and raised?

Gigi: I was born in Louisburg, Pennsylvania and I was raised, let’s say Massachusetts.

Daph: So, you’re a Yankee?

Gigi: Yeah, I am.

Daph: When did you move to the South?

Gigi: After high school, I came here to go to college. I went to Emory for two years and hated it. They tricked me into going there. They said it would be a good liberal arts school. They lied. Everyone there was pre-law or business or pre-med. So I tried to make my own queer studies major while I was there. I took all the classes that they had that I wanted to take and left.

Daph: But you stayed in Atlanta?

Gigi: No, when I left Emory, I moved to San Francisco with my partner at the time and lived there for a year and a half. While I was in school here I started interning at non-profits and in the community and really wanted to do activist work and fell into the fundraising side of things. So, once I got out there, I interned at a queer youth organization and then became full-time staff. I worked there for a while but it was too expensive so I left there (San Francisco) and moved back here.

Daph: What part of San Francisco did you live in?

Gigi: I started in Santa Cruz and I was tricked again. They said it was close to San Francisco so we figured we could live there and work in the city. And that’s just a really bad idea: an hour and a half to two hour commute. Then, we moved to North Oakland, which was cool and lived with some friends in a big house. And then we moved into our own place in downtown Berkley and lived there for the next year. Then he went to grad school back in Boston and I moved back here.

Daph: So, what do you miss most about San Francisco?

Gigi: It’s weird because when I was here before I always felt like the only one on campus trying to do something radical and felt very isolated here. So, I wanted to be there so I wouldn’t feel like the only one trying to do something. And, when you’re there (San Francisco) everybody’s doing that and trying to be the most radical and the most outside the box and then you kinda get saturated with it and everyone’s jaded. So, when I was there I missed feeling that I was needed and valued. And when I’m back here, I definitely miss just the amazing stuff that goes on there. Even though, the sheer volume and the number of events that you can go to any day are totally overwhelming.

Daph: Tell me more about your volunteer work.

Gigi: I started with Youth Pride here in Atlanta. At the time, they had a huge emphasis on peer leadership and kinda had this youth leadership council that ran all the programming in the center and really dictated a lot of the structure. They were still in the formative stages to some degree, so the youth in the center had a lot of input.

It was through that that I had a lot of opportunities to go to conferences around the country and meet other young people who are activists. At those conferences you get exposed to so many new things that you never thought of before. I think the thing that I was exposed to that has stuck with me the most is a lot of social justice ideas and that queer liberation couldn’t be separate from other people’s liberations. It really shaped my views on things and my place in the community.

Daph: Let’s move onto some of the juicy things I know your fans want to hear about. If you could star in the drag remake of any film, what would it be?

Gigi: I’ve always thought about this and have a giant list. Well, the first one that I ever thought about doing is “Grease”. I’m just the ultimate Sandy: good girl turned bad. I think it would be so wonderful because it has such gendered roles: super feminine; super masculine parts.

Daph: What is one of you guilty pleasures?

Gigi: Oh my god, I can’t say those out loud! I have so many. All my pleasures are guilty. I love old Benny Hill videos. They are so hilarious to me and I can watch them over and over and over. I’ve never watched them with anyone so I think I have some kind of shame there. Friends kind of skim right over that in my movie collection.

Daph: If you hadn’t won Atlanta Drag Idol and you could choose the winner out of anyone in the contest, not just the final four, who would it be?

Gigi: Oh, Alexandria. I feel like out of everybody, she’s a real entertainer. When you can work a crowd regardless of what number you’re doing, what you look like and anything else; if you can still entertain them, that’s phenomenal. She didn’t let anyone tell her what she should do.

Daph: Yeah, it showed very early on in the competition that you two were really working very hard and bringing it week after week.

Gigi: We saw the contest in similar ways: what it meant to be asked to be in it. I thought, you’re giving me this stage and that is huge. I’m gonna do the best I can and bring as much sh!t as I can. I’m gonna bring props and I’m gonna bring stuff I would never bring anywhere else because this is such an honor.

Daph: Now that you’ve won Atlanta Drag Idol, what is your goal for the next year in terms of performance?

Gigi: I started drag last summer and the speed at which I’ve grown to this point is really fast and I know I’ve learned a lot of stuff and I’ve changed a lot. I’ve achieved some things that I set out to achieve. So, I just want to keep that pace and a year from now be able to say the same thing.

The main thing that I’ve learned in the past year is about working a lot and trying to fine-tune my stage presence. I know I have a lot of energy on stage and I think when I started I didn’t really know how to use it. I feel a little more comfortable now that I’ve tamed it a little and know how and when to unleash it. So, I’ve slowed down a little bit, which is probably really good. I look at old videos and I was a little spastic.

I want to keep working on that specifically. I tend to be most impressed with performers who can really move me with a ballad. They’re not relying on the energy of the song necessarily or a fast beat to keep their own energy level up. If someone can keep my attention and have the same effect that someone would if they’re doing a high-energy song, then that’s a real talent. I want to get to that level too.

Daph: How did you get your start in drag?

Gigi: I did one benefit show that a group of friends organized. We all kind of spearheaded this benefit at the Radial Café. It was called Cirque Du So Queer and it was a night of all kinds of queer performance art. Everything from drag kings and queens to live bands. I did a David Bowie number that night and also did Cindy Lauper. That was my first really public performance.

Six months later, I was like “I really want to do this again.” I had gone out in drag a couple of times just to bars and stuff. I was working at East Point at Oz Pizza and knew the Possums. They always talked about the big show that had every summer. I told them I had done drag for this one event a few months ago and really wanted to do it again. So they were like you have to do our show. I spent months preparing for this one show in the parking lot of a restaurant. I worked with this DJ friend of mine on this music mix and spent forever shopping for clothes. I had no idea where to start or where to get certain things, how to achieve these looks that I wanted. But it was amazing; it was such a great experience.

That night after the show, I was so excited and just wanting to go out, so we went to Blake’s. I ran into Phoenix and Nicole Paige Brooks. They were like, “Who are you, what’s going on, where did you come from, what’s your name, do you do shows?” I was like, “Ummm, I don’t know, I’m Gigi, I just did this show, whatever.” I didn’t know who these people were. They were like, come to this night they hosted at Compound last summer. So, I came out every Wednesday night over the summer to see them and watched Phoenix a lot. I really liked her performances and kinda studied her a little bit. I talked to Nicole a lot over the summer. I was like, tell me about my makeup and tell me what things to do. I spent last summer just going out as much as I could.

I went to the Metro all the time. Then they had a talent contest they were doing and the winner got to have a spot at Shawnna’s and Ashley’s show on Monday nights. So, I went out and I did that on July 19. That was kinda my first time in the mainstream drag bars here. I totally lost but it was a great night because I got to meet Shawnna officially. I met a lot of people and Regina, who manages the Metro, really liked me. She encouraged me to come back and come out as much as I could. She said that she thought she saw something in me. She does this whole wise woman routine. She was like, “I want the other girls to see you,” and I had no idea what she was talking about at the time. But, I followed her advice: I came out to the shows and dressed up for them. I’d just introduce myself to people and support their shows.

The first real gig that I got was through that. I went to see a show on Wednesday night that Maxine Blue hosted. She saw me in the audience and we had never met before but at the end of the show she was doing callbacks and she waved me up on stage. I was like, what are you talking about, that’s not me. She had one of the cast members come down and get me. I was like, what’s going on! I don’t know what she’s about to do. They always did the song “Dreamgirls” for their closing. So, she was like, “Do it, do the song with us.” I don’t really know the words, but I was like ok. It was really weird and I bowed with them.

After the show, I talked to her outside. I totally lied and said I had performed in Athens several times. I had a friend who came out with me at the time and she was from Athens and totally vouched for me. She (Maxine) was like, “Okay, well I host a show at Buddy’s on Saturday nights, so come on by and I’ll give you a booking. I didn’t know what a booking really meant. When she said the show starts at 11, I didn’t know that meant be there earlier than 11. I think I got there about 11:45; they run on drag time, soooo. Then, she was like, do you have another number and so I whipped out “Toxic”. It went over really well and it made lots of money. So, they added me to the cast there on Saturday nights after one show. So, it was a quick start.

Daph: Now that you’ve been through the whole Drag Idol competition, what is your advice to the next round of contestants?

Gigi: Now, you know they’re doing the talent search and my advice is to go out there every single week and do the talent contest. Hopefully, you’ll grow as you do it each week. And, they’ll see you grow. Ask a lot of questions if you don’t know something. Let them see that you’re putting the experience and their advice to use. That just speaks volumes for you as a person and as a serious entertainer. If you’re really serious about your craft then you listen when people who have been there for 20 years tell you what to do. You don’t always have to do exactly that, but at least think about it.

Once the competition starts, it’s a really f#cking hard thing to do. Don’t do it unless you want the biggest challenge of your drag life. Because it will be, guaranteed! We saw it with someone like Alexandra who’s worked so hard for so long and built her career. For her to be so challenged by this contest showed how intense it is. It’s really challenging for everybody because creativity speaks more than anything else. You’ve got to do something new every week if you want to be a strong contender. You’ve got to constantly give them something fresh and shock them a little. It takes a lot of time and a lot of energy to do.

If you’re seriously thinking about doing it, start preparing now for January. That first week, I thought I was going to totally turn it out. I designed something to have made to wear and put a lot of work into the costume and the whole look. I focused so much on that and realized I would have to not only do that but also create an entire performance for each number. Not just go out there with a great look and a great number but also really bring them together.

Well, that’s enough scoop for now. Be sure to stop back next week for the continuation of Gabbing With Gigi. If you think I’ve gotten some revealing dirt so far, you haven’t seen anything yet. Part II is where things get really personal.

Smooches,
Daph

East Point Possums Party

(Daphne, Alexandria and Gigi, ready to do their part for Katrina relief.)

I've long been wondering how I can make a difference in the Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. It was such a quandary given my limited funds and utter lack of skills. Luckily, Momma Dale was contacted by our good friends, the East Point Possums, regarding a Katrina Drag benefit show. The inspiration for the show is something called a 'second line': a New Orleans tradition which is essentially a party that memorialized the departure of a loved one. The event will be a ‘second line’ for the loss of our beloved N'Awlins and the entire Gulf Coast. In addition, 100% of the proceeds will be donated to local Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.

An absolute star-studded cast will be there to entertain the masses: Alexandria Martin, Atlanta Drag Idol Gigi Monroe, the East Point Possums, Bubba D. Licious and even ME! It's sure to be a night to remember.

When - Saturday, October 8 from 9:00 to 11:00 pm
Where - the parking lot behind the East Point Corner Tavern located at 2783 Main Street
Who - Daphne Ruth Jenkins, Alexandria Martin, Gigi Monroe, the East Point Possums, Bubba D. Licious

So mark your calendars as I expect to see you all there this coming Saturday to do your part for the Katrina relief efforts. Not only will you have a blast, you'll feel good about yourself in the morning. Unless of course you're hung over the next day like I'm sure to be.

Smooches,
Daph