DECEMBER 16. 2005 JUStjOUt 37
RED UGHT • CASH FOR CLOTHES • RED LIGHT • CASH FOR CLOTHES
RED LIGHT
Alternate Universe
Booty Pageant winner has balls
here are lots of alternatives for queers in
• CASH FOR
P-Town, but one scene I’ve never encoun
tered myself is, well, the alternative. So,
nothing I’ve done prepared me for the sec
ond annual Booty Pageant, a combination of
performance art and anything-goes hedonism held at
CLOTHES
Porky’s Pub on North Lombard Street.
After some fantastic dance music (note to Red
Dress Party organizers: Check the April availability of
Booty founders DJ Puppet and DJ Stormy), four
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contestants competed in swim wear and evening wear
RED UGHT
categories. It was the talent competition, though, that
really got this reporter’s attention.
First up was Josh Senner, a self-described “pain
The place to be seen, of course, is Salon Q-2, an
work using body paint and his own booty. Next was
offshoot of the fabulously successful monthly event
drag king Max Voltage, who portrayed “Mrs.
where the well-heeled (and well-shod) sip and
Connor,” a soccer mom juggling plastic baby dolls to
schmooze. Trying an alternative Tuesday at an alterna
a soundtrack of wailing babies.
tive venue (Northwest’s Apotheke) were Philip
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based performance artist,” who created an abstract
CASH FOR CLOTHES
But, in a moment I’ll never forget (try as I may),
Knowlton, Jason Scott, newly transplanted Chris
pageant winner Phillip Rogers came onstage
Hennessy (who plans bachelorette parties for a liv
dressed in a granny nightgown, squatted and pro
ing) and, of course, Scott Osbume.
ceeded to pass three bouncy rubber balls out of his ass.
Speaking of well-heeled, Bob Speltz opened his
A fourth ball refused to make an appearance (stage
beautifully appointed Northwest apartment to raise
fright perhaps?) despite his best efforts to fish it out.
money for Q Center. Gillian Leichtling and my new
tounding performance were Willamette Week colum
Fuji. .As you may know, Q Center looks to provide an
nist Byron Beck, Charlie Vazquez (aka Spittles the
alternative space for queers to gather.
Clown), John Doyle (who informed me that his pop
And while 1 wouldn’t call the crowd at lesbian
ular restaurant, No Fish Go Fish, plays host to Nude
comedian Suzanne Westenhoefer's performance
Nativity on Dec. 23 and Naked New Year’s on Dec. 30)
alternative, it certainly felt like an alternative reality
because I was one of
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best friend Gregg Stobbs were there, as was Grant
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Among those in the crowd watching Phillip’s ass-
$$$$$$ SE 36TH & HAWTHORNE $$$$ SW I I TH & STARK $$$$$$
only seven men at the
Aladdin—and
one
was straight.
As the first openly
gay comic
HIP HOLIDAY SOIHH
Lesbian event of the season!
ever to
appear on Letterman,
Westenhoefer is a leg
end among lesbians,
laughing along with
me in the audience
were
Kathy
stick”
“Dip
Beige,
Tay
Juncker and “the two
Gails,” Gail Croskey
and
Zach
Gail
Murphy.
Wegner
was
also there with Vince
Mafnas, who, com
menting on the lack of
Booty draws alternative queers to Porky's Pub every Thursday.
testosterone in the hall,
said, “I felt like a VIP in
and newly out Jennifer Schuch. (Note to my Sapphic
friends: attractive, smart and articulate—pack the
U-Haui.)
the men’s room because there was no wait.”
Speaking of VIPs, Portland’s premier chanteuse,
Susannah Mars, performed the latest iteration of her
With Jen Holland as the third co-founder, Booty
Mars on Life cabaret recently at Wilf’s. Accompanied
attracts the young and alternative to Porky’s each
by the superb Bill Wells, Mars shines when her
Thursday. The crowd is as friendly and welcoming as
comedic timing merges with her delightfully loony per
they are tattooed and pierced.
sonality. Ryan Gilson led the applause along with Paul
My forays into the alternative also took me to
Mississippi Studios, where I discovered Rory Stitt,
Scardino, whose nationally recognized business,
Paolo Designs, celebrates 10 years in the Pearl.
the pixie-like pianist whose music and lyrics capti
During intermission, at a table full of gay chorines,
vated the full house. When Rory begins to sing, his
Brian Rinehart reminded me that the Portland (¡ay
uses his whole body, and his elfin demeanor trans
Men’s Chorus performs Dec. 17 and 18 at Kaul
forms into a soulful artist lamenting love, life and loss.
Auditorium. Saturday night is almost sold out, so be
sure to get tickets if you want to be Out Going. ®
Witnessing the metamorphosis with me were Brent
Searls, Gregg Moreland, Jim Mangan and Scott
Osbume, who must have stolen my datebook
F loyd S haver wants to know about your event.
because, lately. I see him everywhere.
E-mail him at Jloydsklater@comcast.net.
•¿s