26
. march 1. 2002
Vintage Voices
supportive. “They K ith listened, and they'K ith
offered so much."
The fact that CampKdl pulled it off definite
“O nce you start writing the words down, it
becomes a different kind of power,” she says, j ly impressed Mensel. “She is such a wonderful
writer,” he says. “T he choir liked this better than
“Certain things began to jump out at me.”
any
other commission we’ve done.”
In writing the six stings, she tried to glean a
Vintage Voices means something to everyone
key message from each of the interviews. Listen
involved,
but for Mensel it definitely is a laKir
ing to the words of the elderly was not foreign to
of love. He spent a great deal of time research
Campbell, who has worked with older people in
ing archives to learn more aKiut the eras dis
types of music therapy for 11 years. “They may
cussed. He is the one who selected each previ
t be disenfranchised,” she says of the elderly, “but
ously written song for the show. He is the one
they have something to say.”
who put everything in order.
No one involved with the show wants to
“We are going to take the audience on a nice
give away the magical surprises that await, so
emotional journey," Mensel says. “It will be pow
specifics about the songs are being kept secret.
erful. It will be reflective. And it will be fun."
W hat Campbell did say was that some of them
For Stroh, Vintage Voices has been a deeply
are clearly “moving” while others are what she
challenging enterprise. A commissioned show
termed “happy.”
costs "thousands and thousands" of dollars to
“Some are very specific,” she says. “And
put together. Sponsors have stepped up to help
some are more of a collage of everything.”
with funding, but that stress, coupled with the
Tlie creative process for the show was inter
show’s “groundbreaking” underlying message,
rupted in a big way when Robertson was sent off to
makes it that much more intense.
New York City for an extended period of time after
“I’m elated,” Stroh says. “I’m new to the choir,
the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. That meant Camp
and to have a show like this is something really
bell did not receive the tapes until much later than
incredible. We think people are going to love it.”
planned and was forced to work quickly.
Those who are being saluted for the most part
She admits she “went without a life" for six
have
no idea what to expect. They anticipate
weeks in order to get the chorus parts done so
music and dance and obviously are aware their
the members could begin performing but says
words will he shown, but they will be in for just
Mensel and her partner, Karen, were extremely
Continued from Page 25
Walter Cole is better known
as the legendary Darcelle
Walter
Cole
alter
Cole
admits
when he
came out
of the closet after an early
marriage, he did not do it
quietly.
In fact, he says he
“leaped out” when he
bought his first tavern in
1967. A n institution was
about to be bom.
C ole is much better
know n as the one and
only Darcelle, unques
tionably Portlands most
famous personality in the
drag scene. He has been
bringing h er to life for 35
years and in doing so has
opened countless doors
for others.
Now in his 70s, C ole
is pleased to be a part o f Vintage Voices. “Its a great idea, and it’s a nice honor,”
he says, adding w ith a chuckle, “I guess if you live long enough you’ll eventually
be honored."
C ole says the sexual m inorities com m unity
includes
m any senior members who are viable and
guess i f you
have m uch to give. H e insists they deserve respect
live long enough
and is quick to n o te h e hits found many people
show it.
you'll eventually
“It is a th rill to walk into a gay bar and get
be honored"
applause,” h e says. “T h a t is respect. T hey really do
appreciate w hat we [older gay m en and lesbians]
— Walter Cole have done."
C ole and his partner o f 35 years, Leroy, continue
to hold endless fund-raisers for different groups and rem ain active members of
th e com m unity. His advice for younger gay m en and lesbians is quite simple:
“M ake your life happy, and if you’re n o t, change it.”
Cole knows full well how wonderful it is to do the things that make you happy.
He has become a legend doing his own thing.
7
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t
____ _
S K H K H
D
ick Walker is still not quite sure why he was
asked to be a part of Vintage Voices.
“There’s an awful lot of older gay men who
have done more than I have,” he says. “But I’m
glad to be of help. I think it’s important that
......... .... ¿L
people recognize the seniors...and what they’ve done.”
Dick
Walker
Walker is a retired college educator and administrator. He is
one of those people who did not even come out to himself
until later in life. He married. He had two daughters, one of
whom was killed 18 years ago. He threw himself into his work.
Walker says he finally came out in his early 50s. He was divorced at that point and already was
involved with his life partner, Marc Walters.
Walker has seen a great deal of change through the years, especially feelings directed toward the
sexual minorities community. “It makes you feel good in the sense that who and what you are is
beginning to be accepted,” he says, “but we still have a long way to go.”
Walker feels like the community needs to do more to recognize its senior citizens, especially
those who came out early and remained vocal even when they faced serious risks. “There were peo
ple ahead of us [who] it made it easier for us,” he says. “We need to remember them .”
Walker has a strong piece of advice for younger gay men and lesbians, a motto he has followed
and encouraged others to follow for years. “You have to treat people with unconditional positive
regard,” he says. “Just say to a person, ‘I like you, period.’ D on’t put any conditions on it.”
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