Cirque du so Gay [35]
On July 7th, hundreds of people in Burlington celebrated 25 years of PRIDE in Vermont.
After a rainy day parade, revelers squeezed into tight corsets, applied pasties and false eyelashes, adorned themselves in bold stripes, domineering top hats, riding crops and a plethora of sequins for Cirque du so Gay at Higher Ground.
I asked party goers what "pride" means to them. Like their costumes, their answers were wildly different. Common themes were community, celebration, a chance to look back at history, self-acceptance and freedom to be who you please and love whom you like. The night was all about love, fearlessness, self-expression and boundary busting.
The evening included peacock-like go go dancers, local and regional performers including Karen Grenier, Nebulai, Antara & The Chris', Poof!,
Rue Melvana, The 4th Annual Vermont Drag Idol & DJ Precious.
Shawn Lipenski, the Ringmaster, towered above the rest of us mere mortals in 5 inch boots and a formidable top hat. Allison Davis, the sultry Ringmistress, helped keep the rowdy crowds at bay with her lightening quick riding crop.
There were many lovely drag queens in attendance and I felt like a midget beside these towering Super Models: Chastity Pariah, Miss Kayla, Victoria Demeanor, Celeste LeRue, Margaurite LeMay, Lucy Belle LeMay, Liza Little, Amber LeMay, and Precious.
The Poof! Drag Cabaret performers were kind enough to let me into their sanctuary/dressing room as they were changing out of their show costumes and into their party ensembles.
Celeste showed me her "cutlets" and Kayla modeled her purple creation, the "Kylie Minogue dress." You can see more of Poof! in this video.
Many attendees mourned the loss of Pearls and its negative effect on the gay community. There are currently no gay bars in the state of Vermont. The future of the local bi/gay scene remains to be seen.
After a unifying, celebratory night like Cirque du so Gay, it is hard to go back to the "real" world - there are not enough sequins, feathers or diamonds...
For more Pride photos, check out The House of LeMay blog. Those classy dames sure can party!
I should stop drinking.
No, wait. . . what am I saying?!?!
Posted by: allison | July 10, 2007 at 08:30 AM
Oy! What a night!
Posted by: AustinDriveGuy | July 10, 2007 at 08:49 AM
First off...Eva, you really captured the amazing chemistry of the night. Amazing job on the vlog. Thanks to everyone who made this event what is was - unforgettable - shawn
Posted by: Ringmaster | July 10, 2007 at 11:24 AM
Wow, what a night! We know how to throw a party!! Eva thank you for showing our community is such a positive light in a world full of hate. It was a fantastic time and hope there will be more to come!
Posted by: Steven | July 10, 2007 at 01:39 PM
Pride Rocked! Eva dont forget to come to the white party at higher ground August 11th!
Posted by: SilverStar Cirqueboy | July 10, 2007 at 02:05 PM
Rock on, Girl! We love Pride! Thanks so much for being there with us.
Love,
The Leather Boys
Posted by: Pippin | July 10, 2007 at 03:03 PM
Thank god all you used was my "MEOW!" I can't even remember what else I said. Excellent post as usual! Thanks for putting a "messy" event together in a neat package. Here's a link to my photos: http://www.flickr.com/gp/[email protected]/b7d2dg. Feel free to add images to the group pool and send me yours too add!
Posted by: don eggert | July 10, 2007 at 06:21 PM
Eva, fabulous job of capturing the evening darling!!! It was wonderful to be apart of the festivities. I moved here 3yrs ago and this was my first PRIDE to attend. I've always ended up having to work. It was great to be there supporting all of my friends! Marching in the parade and partying in the evening! A true celebration! FIERCE!!! I love you all so incredibly much!
Posted by: Elizabeth | July 10, 2007 at 10:30 PM
Thanks for a truly FABULOUS party y'all (and for all the vlog love!)! When is the next party!?!? My corset needs an excuse to get out more. Meow!
PS Never stop drinking Allison! You make such a saucy Ringmistress!
Posted by: Eva | July 11, 2007 at 12:22 AM
What a night! had a blast as was everyone else it seems. Great performers and Dj's. As you mentioned, as much as a blast it was. Pearls was missed. I so wish we had a favorite "watering hole" , to be totally accepted at and just have a home any night of the week and not the occassional few days out of the month.
Posted by: michele | July 11, 2007 at 07:12 PM
I am NOT from Vermont, but I have a question for native Vermonters. Why is it that Vermonter women (not transplants) insist on wearing beards and leg hair? It isn't attractive and the men here aren't happy. Men don't like having to worry if the women they are dating could kick their asses. I guess it's good to take a Vermonter woman hiking with you in case you break your leg. At least then you will have someone to carry you back to the Subaru. SHAVE YOUR BEARDS and CUT OFF YOUR DREADLOCKS. Tweezers are cheap. Buy some! Good Lord!
Posted by: Not From VT | July 11, 2007 at 08:32 PM
Oooh, the Not From VT person strikes again! This weirdo is spamming all of our blogs.
Posted by: Cathy Resmer | July 12, 2007 at 08:40 AM
I too saw a lot of strong women with beards that night.
Posted by: ACW | July 12, 2007 at 04:03 PM
Eva - WOW!!! I just woke up from that night and caught the blog. Great! The House of LeMay had a blast! For more pix, check out our web page... www.houseoflemay.blog-city.com.
Hugs,
Amber LeMay
Posted by: Amber LeMay | July 16, 2007 at 12:46 PM