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Upper left: Peacock in the Parky 1995.
Right: the late Lady Elaine Peacock, foun der and name
sake o f the aforem entioned celebration, shown here at
Lesbian and Gay Pride in 1993.
PHOTOS BY LINDA
OC
he roses are in bloom. The sailors
have come and gone. Tourists are
asking you for directions. The sum
mer season is here and with it comes
certain traditions, including Peacock
in the Park, to be held Sunday, June 30, at the
Washington Park Amphitheater.
And, considering this year’s gala will mark
the event’s 10th anniversary, it definitely is a
tradition.
For the uninitiated, Peacock in the Park is a
fund-raising event— part picnic and part variety
show—to benefit the Audria M. Edwards Youth
Scholarship Fund. It was founded by Lady Elaine
Peacock, the late Portland personality also known
as Elwood Johnson and “Woody,” to support the
academic pursuits of students who seem likely to
give something back to the gay and lesbian com
munity. The scholarship fund was named for
Peacock’s mother, also deceased, who was a
founder and former president of the Portland
chapter of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and
Gays.
Since Peacock’s death on Oct. 27, 1993, the
torch of responsibility for maintaining the event
has been carried by a core group centered around
Ray Southwick, who was Peacock’s partner for
many years, Kimberlee Van Patten and a former
Imperial Sovereign Rose Court Rose Empress
who is known simply as Maria.
Van Patten explains that while Peacock is no
longer here, her spirit remains. “She [Peacock]
wanted to do a fun show,” Van Patten says,
adding that the emphasis is still the scholarship.
“6he was very involved in promoting gay youth.”
• Mariti^lTrfcf thatnheme, saynrgnHHwttom*
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Dozens o f Portland’s most gorgeous drag queens strut their
stuff to benefit queer youth at Peacock in the Park
▼
story by Will O ’Bryan, photos by Linda Kliewer
line is collecting money for the scholarship fund.
“We’re trying to fill this very large container,”
Maria says, referring to a collections container
placed in front of the stage during the show.
“W e’re looking for tips.” And, with 36 acts sched
uled to perform, she seems confident they will get
them.
All those performers and this year’s audience
will enjoy new sets constructed for the 1996
show. Another new feature is the Rose Town
Ramblers, gay and lesbian square dancers.
In keeping with tradition, though, the Rose
City Gay Freedom Band will perform before the
show starts. Other returning crowd-pleasers are
The Silver Platters, who last year charged the
audience with Brady Bunch covers. The buzz this
year is that they’ll be paying tribute to “School
House Rock!,” the educational cartoon series
that’s currently enjoying a renewed popularity
among the twentysomething set.
Maria’s 11-year-old niece, Nikki, will be put
ting in her third appearance. “She wants to be a
drag queen,” explains Maria. “She’s definitely
one of the hits. Everybody goes crazy when she
gets out there.”
Nikki likely won’t be the only child at Peacock
in the Park, Van Patten says. “We’re trying to
create a safe, family-type atmosphere-r-a chosenr
family atmosphere*
• •*•»•*•*•
4
Sovereign Rose Court, Miller Beer, the National
Leather Association-Portland Chapter, The Roxy
and The Silverado.
Peacock in the Park also relies on an army of
volunteers. About 40 people are needed, Van
Patten estimates. “They come out of the wood
work to make this happen.... People are there for
hours to help.”
Another group lending help is the Equity Foun
dation, the nonprofit organization that adminis
ters the scholarship fund. Karen Keeney sits on
Equity’s board of directors.
“We’re delighted to be able to support these
valuable efforts,” Keeney says, adding that she
hasn’t missed any Peacock in the Park events
since Equity became involved. She admits, how
ever, that the most entertaining show during her
day in the park doesn’t always take place on
stage.
“It’s funny to see the reaction of people who
wander into the event,” Keeney says. She’s seen
puzzled park-goers stumble into the amphitheater
and stare in slack-jawed amazement, while other
surprised explorers settle in and even make a
donation.
In that Peacock in the Park is a relatively
wholesome event, it may be surprising that it
could shock any unsuspecting passers-by.
"This is a family show,” insists Maria, adding
there’s no need to worry about nudity or profan
ity. But she cautions the squeamish: “You do have
to worry about men in dresses.”
“We want to keep it just good, clean fun. We
try to keep everybody on stage pretty well clothed,”
she says assuringly.
Adding to the family atmosphere, “all-Ameri
can” favorites like hot dogs and snow cones will
be available for a donation. Anchors on Ankeny
will also run a booth. Alcohol won’t be available,
but the event organizers hold a host permit, which
allows for picnic attendees to possess light alco
hol at the park.
Van Patten says that even with people drink
ing, there have never been any problems at the
park. She warns, however, that there have been
problems with parking. To avoid the possibility of
having your car towed. Van Patten suggests that
attendees take advantage of the free shuttle run
ning between the Embers Avenue parking lot, 110
NW Broadway, and Washington Park. The shuttle
will run regularly from about noon Sunday until
the event ends, around 7:30 that evening.
The organizers have amassed an impressive
list of sponsors this year that have helped them
secure this year’s scholarship goal of $10,000,
which will be divided among nine recipients. This
year’s fund surpasses 1995’s by roughly $4,000.
This year’s sponsors are: Balloons on Broad
way, C.C. Slaughters, The City Nightclub, Clas
The picnic portion o f Peacock in the Park
sical Concept Hair D csign^glpT av£pi.L nibG tt 1 . begins at noon; the show starts at 4:30 pm. For
Avenue Fantasy Inr*Adults Only, the Imperial l
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. more information call 2X4-47331