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