Empty Closet Aug, 2011, Sec B

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The Empty Closet number 448

B

Arts, Entertainment and Community

a publication of the gay alliance of the genesee valley

august 2011

Pandora Boxx says farewell to Rochester

“Juxtaposed” opens on Aug. 1.

Equal=Grounds shows work by two women artists The August show at The Gallery @ Equal=Grounds is “JUXTAPOSED, Artworks for Energetic Contemplation,” works by Kristin Harvey and Melissa (Mel) Townsend. Kristin Harvey, a transplant from California, has been painting since she was a child. Her

Bog’s Visionary Orchestra

Bread & Water Theater hosts free music/art fair Bread & Water Theatre will be hosting its Music and Art Fair free of charge on Aug. 13-14. The two-day event will feature over 50 talented musicians and artists from the Rochester area. “Where else can you go to find low-cost art of a superior quality and talented musicians all in one spot?” asks Artistic Director J.R. Teeter. “In this economy it is the best deal on the block.” The Desert Rhythms Middle Eastern Dance Troupe is a diverse group of women and girls who dance with swords, veils and more. Bog’s Visionary Orchestra features an eclectic blend of American folk music. Zach H. and the All Dreams Band will highlight indie and blues music. The Meta Accord is a unique musical group with roots in jazz and often takes the side streets while ripping through intriguing compositions. Solo musicians Doug Water-

work is energizing, colorful and technically flawless. While Harvey is showing Giclee Prints, she will have one original piece in this show. Mel Townsend is a self-taught photographer with an interesting eye for the unexpected, as well as creating other work that embodies, her quiet, gentle nature. Both Harvey and Townsend will be at the Aug. 1 opening. Stop and meet these talented and creative women. ■

man, Ryan Webster, Benjamin Sheridan, Ryan T. Carey and Trevor Courneen will be performing original compositions throughout the day on acoustic guitar. The duo known as Technicolor Trailer Park features an eclectic mix of original folk music. Founded in 2000, Bread and Water Theatre is committed to making the arts accessible and affordable to a broad-based audience and acting as a positive agent of change in its community. Under the artistic direction of J.R. Teeter, BWT develops theatre that speaks to our living, evolving, and dramatically changing world. Bread & Water Theatre’s Music and Art Fair will be presented at 243 Rosedale St. on Aug. 13 -14 from 2-8 p.m. This event is free and open to the public. More information on the event, including representative photographs of sale items, can be found at BreadandWaterTheatre.org. For more information, call 585-271-5523. ■

By Susan Jordan Pandora Boxx, alias Michael Steck, drag superstar (and former EC writer) will soon be relocating to Los Angeles, city of stars and angels. Michael recently talked to The Empty Closet about Drag Race, Drag U, RuPaul and his feelings on leaving Rochester. Empty Closet: How did you feel when you heard you had been selected for RuPaul’s Drag Race? Michael Steck: I totally danced around the house! Well, I made a playlist of my favorite “celebratory” songs and then danced around the house to that. EC: Who were your favorite co-competitors and why? Who did you really not like and why (can include celebrity judges)? MS: I really loved Jujubee and Tatianna right from the beginning. We always got ready together, so I bonded with them quickly. Sahara and I got along right away too. And of course Jessica Wild! It took me a bit to get to know some of the others. I really didn’t not like anyone, well, maybe one. She’s better now! (As for judges) I really didn’t like how Santino judged at all. I felt he was inconsistent and all over the place with his judgments. I think Martha Wash was asleep for part of the time while she was judging. EC: What was the biggest challenge for you personally? What was your greatest triumph on the show? MS: My biggest challenge on the show was truly believing in myself. It’s always been my biggest struggle. My greatest triumph was making RuPaul laugh! He’s been an idol of mine, so to be able to make him laugh was completely amazing. I also think that the confidence I got after the show has really made me a stronger entertainer and person. EC: What adventures did you have in Hollywood during Drag Race? MS: None! They take away your phone and computer and you aren’t allowed to leave the hotel. EC: There was quite a fire-

K.D. COMES TO TOWN: The k.d. lang and Siss Boom Bang concert was on June 16: it looked darn near close to a completely full house. Photo: Laur McSpadden

Pandora is moving to L.A. this month.

storm of protest from fans when you lost – did you feel it was unfair? MS: At the time I did feel it was unfair. And I guess I still do, but you know it’s a television show and it made good TV to kick me off when I went. Also, I think it did more for me to get kicked off than it would have to stay longer. At least I keep telling myself that! EC: What is it like being on Drag U.? Is there less pressure and how do you feel about working with the women and the celebrity judges? MS: There’s no pressure because I can’t get kicked off! It’s really about helping these women find their Inner Diva. You can see how badly they feel about themselves and you see that the problem with them is themselves. They don’t believe that they are worthy of being fabulous and they are so wrong! It’s really powerful to see the changes in these women. The guest judges are fabulous because they can see the changes too. All of the guest judges are fabulous in their own way. EC: What else is going on in your career and what are your plans for the immediate future? MS: There’s quite a bit in the works for me. People can always check out what I’m up to on my site: www.pandoraboxx. com. I’m also on Twitter (@ ThePandoraBoxx) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/ThePandoraBoxx). My first single and music video is due to come out sometime in August. I’m very excited about it! The song is called “Cooter!” and will be available

on iTunes. I’m also relocating to Los Angeles in August. Which is exciting and scary at the same time. I will miss Rochester but I need to be where the opportunities are. EC: What adventures have you been having lately as you traverse the wonderful world of celebrity and Hollywood? MS: Is that what world I’m in? I travel a lot. So I spend an ungodly amount of time in airports and on airplanes. I travel usually every weekend. The travel part sucks but going to cities all across the U.S. is so much fun. All the people I’ve met have been so incredibly nice and welcoming. I’m really thankful. EC: What is RuPaul really like? (Bet you’ve been asked that before.) MS: RuPaul is amazing! He is incredibly smart and really, really funny. He is the ultimate professional. EC: Anything you’d like to add? MS: I just want to say that Rochester has been my home for quite some time now and I will greatly miss the city. I will dearly miss all the amazing people that I have met and love. It’s a bittersweet goodbye but I know I’ll be back from time to time. I’ve learned over the years it’s not about quantity, it’s about quality. I plan to spend some quality time with my Rochester peeps in the future. Thank you all for the support, love and wisdom you have given me. You have made me into the person I have become today. Without you, dearest Rochester, I am nothing. ■


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