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The big la-la
Denver’s favorite queen
takes a walk in the park
by
T imothy K rause
mong the dozens of divas taking the
stage at this year’s Peacock in the Park
will be the beautiful and talented Nina
Montaldo.
Fresh from appearances in Sacramento,
Calif., and Salt Like City, Nina (aka James
Martinez) will perform two sets at Peacock,
one character based on the indomitable Cher
and another inspired by Euro-fave Shirley
Bassey.
What she will wear for such an occasion,
however, remains unknown.
“I’m still deciding,” says Nina in a tele
phone interview from her Denver home. “1
don’t know— something fabulous! I’ll make
N ina M ontaldo struts into Portland for the
Jun e 2 9 Peacock in the Park
ith preening, posing and extravagant per
formances, Peacock in the Park returns
once again to Washington Park
Amphitheater for the 17th annual staging of Port
lands much-adored wmety drag show June 29.
Hosted by the ever-radiant Maria and Poi
son Waters, Peacock is still free, and the event’s
donations will continue to provide significant
support for the Audria M. Edwards Scholarship
Fund, granted to queer college students or col
lege kids of queer parents.
But new this year is an expanded menu
from the Greek Cusina, which is providing the
food at cost as an additional benefit for the
scholarship endowment. O f course, you can
sure I bring my good stuff out there so that
everybody in Portland will enjoy my perform
ance. I will not disappoint anyone.”
This is true not only of her performance but
also of her goodwill.
“People keep calling me a diva, an icon and
all that because I’ve been around a long time
and raised a lot of money,” says Nina without
conceit. After more than 30 years in the biz,
she is now a homo-household name in Denver,
where she’s raised funds for numerous organiza
tions ranging from Parents, Families and
Friends of Lesbians and Gays to the national
Jewish Hospital to the National Pink Ribbon
Campaign.
“I was raised in an orphanage,” she shares.
“I never had any parents. The nuns and priests
that raised me taught me how to help other
people. It’s more important to give than to
receive.”
In 1997 Nina reigned as Empress XXIV of
the Imperial Court of the Rocky Mountain
Empire, but her show business roots go back to
Strutting for students
W
What, when, where Is Peacock in the Park?
continue to bring a picnic if you want, but now
you don’t have to. The new bill of fare includes
hot dogs, hamburgers, gyros (with veggie
options), salads, soda and snacks.
Park rules prohibit canopies, kegs and barbe
cues. Moderate alcohol consumption will be
allowed inside the amphitheater during the show
for those 21 and older. Drunken or disorderly con
duct won’t be tolerated. (Except onstage—ha ha!)
The show begins at 2-JO p.m., but good
spots are filled up by noon, so get there early. A
complimentary shuttle bus will run continually
from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Red Cap Garage,
1035 S.W. Stark St.; the Fox &. Hounds,
217 N.W. Second Ave.; and Embers, 110 N.W.
Broadway.
After the event Embers will play host to a
Beer Bust, which also benefits the scholarship
a 1970 amateur night that launched her career
in drag. She won a contest to perform with
professional impersonators, and soon the role of
Nina was bom. She later added Montaldo to
her moniker, fittingly named after a Denver
women’s clothing store.
“I enjoy performing in front of people,"
remarks the queen, who says “big la-la” shows
like Peacock are popular because they offer
something out of the ordinary. “You don’t see
this every day— female impersonators onstage
with fabulous costumes...even straight people
enjoy all that.”
By day, N ina works as an apartment leasing
manager and a makeup and wig stylist. But by
night, this girl still loves the spotlight. In addi
tion to Peacock in the Park, Nina will also be
performing onstage June 27 and 28 at
Darcelle XV Showplace.
“I don’t care for the weather,” quips Nina in
anticipation of her return to rainy Rosetown,
“but everything else is nice.”
So is Nina Montaldo.
in
fund. Five bucks gets you all the Miller you can
legally be served until 10 p.m.
Established in 1987 by her children Woody
Johnson (aka Lady Elaine Peacock) and Misty
Waters, the Audria M. Edwards Scholarship Fund
serves gay, lesbian, bi and trans people and their
children pursuing undergraduate education. An
advisory committee reviews applications based on
eligibility guidelines, apparent financial need and
clarity of educational objectives.
Since the fund’s inception, scholarships total
ing more than $100,000 have been awarded,
including $15,000 from last year’s event alone. For
mate information visit www.peacockinthepark.org.
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