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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (June 18, 2004)
CULTURE .............. V ................ From the Creators of EDGE OF SEVENTEEN •4 Sara Rue I'm so glad we had this time together... Kett Turton Karen Black Co-hostess bids Peacock in the Park a fond farewell by P o is o n W aters he best thing that could have ever hap pened to a fledg ling drag queen, thank the god dess, happened to me. 1 was literally raised by the “elite” of our local drag scene (and beyond, some may say). O f course the reigning queen bee back then— some 14 odd years ago— was the Lady Elaine Peacock, aka Wcxxly Johnson. I was literally in “mouth agape awe” of this stunning crea ture who wholly embodied the spirit of that majestic bird. Poison Waters (left) and Lady Elaine Peacock in the early ’90s. Right: This She strutted photograph of Woody Johnson, aka Lady Elaine Peacock, was part of the about ever so 1993 exhibit Fam ily, F rien ds and N eighbors gracefully across she is with me. And, in fact, with all of us. every stage I ever saw her near. At the same time, with the purr of Eartha Kitt in our ears, This being the final show in Washington we witnessed her signature feline reincarnation Park of course brings many mixed emotions. again and again. Sadness? Yes. But a good sadness. Like the last day of summer camp, when you are bursting Back then in my late teens, 1 never thought with the love and excitement of all you have one person could affect my life, my disposition experienced, all the while sadly knowing you and my character so fully. I have literally mold will not see your friends again for a long time. ed myself— who 1 am— with Lady Elaine Pea cock as my guide. I also feel a great sense of pride and accom Peacock in the Park began as her dream. I plishment. Peacock in the Park has grown so wasn’t around for the first three in the late ’80s, much since its inception, and I am so very but I witnessed her spirit and energy go into proud to have had my small part in that. Joy is another feeling. There are so many every aspect of the show each June thereafter. memories of fondness and laughter from each All of us lucky enough to have enjoyed the year— that I know is mirrored throughout our annual event with Peacock herself, before she community. Countless e-mails, phone calls and died in 1993, carry with us today a special feel personal accounts of the wonderful memories ing, knowing we have experienced magic. Never people hold of this event have been shared have 1 seen a person touch a community so pro with all of us at Peacock Productions. foundly. Literally every aspect of the queer com I’m definitely looking forward to my contin munity benefited from her, either from her gen ued dedication to raising funds for the Audria erous nature or warm and genuine persona. M. Edwards Scholarship Fund (which, don’t Peacock in the Park is the extension of just worry, isn’t going away!) as well as the future that; the coming together of a vast mix of peo ventures of Peacock Productions. ple has always been the point. All differences Thank you, Portland, and thank you, Lady aside— “let’s have a show!” Elaine Peacock, for giving this man a sense of We have carried on in that tradition, in her purpose, for making my job so very fun, fulfill name, all these many years. O f course in its sec ing and forever life-changing. JH ond year it became the main fund-raiser for the Audria M. Edwards Scholarship Fund for stu Poison Waters and Mona host the 18th and final dents who are queer or who have a queer par picnic and drag benefit PEACOCK IN THE PARK ent— but it continues to provide a strong link June 27 at Washington Park Amphitheater, 400 S.W. in our community chain and a dam good time. Kingston Ave. Pink Martini opens the show at I p.m. Peacock in the Park, to me, means her. It Arri ve early for seating, shuttle buses leave every 15 means as mistress of ceremonies, I’m given the minutes from Embers, Red Cap Garage and Fox & chance to continue my friend’s dream and con Hounds. Visit www.peacockinthepark.com for tinue entertaining, educating and embracing complete mformation. our diverse community, just as Lady Elaine did. While I cannot compare myself to her, I cer POISON W a t e r s , aka Kevin C ook, served as tainly do my best to emulate her spirit. I think Empress XUV o f the Imperial Sovereign Rose Court. of her often, of course, but on that day, all day, T 1 o 1 SOME OF US WERE NEVER MEANT TO FIT IN " R u e Is r i v e t i n g . . . a M U S T S I I ! " O U T M A G A Z IN E K e l t T u r t o n is q u i t e t h e y o u n g L o t t i e . " ..M E T R O S O U R C T " K a r e n B l a c k is a s l i o w s t o p p e r . ” —T H E A D V O C A T E “A h eart tu gger... S te p h e n s in tro d u c e s u sto a co u p le o f i r r e s i s t i b l e o u t s i d e r s . " —L O S A N G E L E S T I M E S W WW .GYPSY 83 .COM _________ KH ALI »»»%>»! PH II H t S ( soundtrack available from metropolis records { STARTS FR ID A Y , JUN E 2 5 th - THE H O L L Y W O O D TH EATR E 4122 N.E. S A N D Y B L V D .. P O R T L A N D - 5 0 3 . 2 8 1 . 4 2 1 5 W W W .H O L L Y W O O D T H E A T R E .O R G Producer Catherine C ray w ith narrator Betty DeGeneres I CAN'T MARRY YOU Betty D e G e n e re s narrates the tru e -life stories o f 2 0 long -term gay and lesbian coup les. © PBS Wednesday, June 23 at 11 pm Channel 10 opb.org
