Project Famous Issue 5 - June 2013 by Project Famous

OUR SUPER DRAG QUEEN ISSUE | A MAGAZINE FOR ARTISTS BY ARTISTS

DavinaIt’sDeVille Drag, Darling 005 No.

JUNE 2013 | projectfamous.com

A MAGAZINE FOR ARTISTS BY ARTISTS Joey Broyles Editor in Chief

Kelly Lajter Managing Editor EDITORIAL Adeline Peck Fashion Editor Karen Wheelock Music Editor CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Anika Lautenbach Robin James Oswaldo Martinez Ben Wydeven Bryan Royston Nicholas Wootton CONTRIBUTING COPY EDITORS Lewis Bosworth Danny Atwater CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Adeline Peck Al Griffin Ben Wydeven Jeff Blankenship Sweeney Photography Amanda Haerterich Skapheim Photography Iver Pictures Brent Clark Rise Up Lights Photography CONTACT PROJECT FAMOUS Letters to the editor, advertising opportunities, and all other questions please email us info@projectfamous.com ÂŠ 2013 All Rights Reserved. June 2013 Issue 005

ADELINE PECK

JUNE 2013

FEATURE Davina DeVille

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Drag, Darling by Anika Lautenbach

Photography by Adeline Peck

JUNE 2013

Lucy Von Cucci

FASHION Editorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Letter

Frugal Fashion Drag! by Adeline Peck

BEHIND THE SCENES

MUSIC

Special Edition: Burn The Money by BTM Crew

Annabel Lee

by Karen Wheelock

15 35

Wisconscene Brings You Rock by Karen Wheelock

the arts Controlled CHAOS

by Kelly Lajter

P G

Lucy on the Stage with Diamonds by Anika Lautenbach

39 41

47 55

Letter from the Editor

Drive

Project Famous recently celebrated its one-year anniversary, and that took me back to a place that seems very far away now. I was 40 lbs heavier and existing in a world where I knew what I wanted but didn’t know how to get there. I was approaching the end of my first Kickstarter, and all signs pointed to failure. I spent some time with an old friend talking to her about life. She was a breath of fresh air, because unlike most people, she wasn’t full of shit. She told it like it was, and that the only way I was going to accomplish anything was by going out into the real world. You can thank my friend, Gabe, for what you read now.

There have been many people who have been instrumental in changes I’ve made this past year, but Gabe jump-started my self worth. I didn’t think I was worthy of making my own dreams come true, and because of that I wasn’t doing anything about it. The people who work on Project Famous Magazine and the people who work with Project Famous have that drive. At some point they came to the realization of self worth, hard work and countless hours of dedication. There’s no such thing as an overnight success. Those people have been there all along, and only now are they on your radar. Only now has the world appeared before you, showing you the way. These people have a drive.

Oftentimes throughout my endeavors people have been given the idea by society that what we artists do is a waste of time. What’s unfortunate is that many of us succumb to the pressure of society, our family and our friends. Don’t do it. If you feel like an artist, chances are you actually are an artist. People will call you a dreamer, and they will tell you that it’s a waste of money and a waste of your time. Let them nag all they want because it is truly those people who lack the drive. It is those people who sit at home and watch the world march on by. You and I both know there is more to life, and if you succumb to this pressure on your deathbed, you will regret it.

What’s truly moving about this issue is seeing what people do with their “wasted” time. Take Davina DeVille. She’s a brave and new kind of drag queen: fearless and knows what she wants out of this life, and she will get it because she has that drive. It is clear to me that

our fashion editor is extremely moved by these drag queens, so much that she put herself in drag: fearless. These are not two people who care about what the world thinks of them. These are two people who have the drive to take the world by the hand and say, “This is what I see, and it’s gorgeous.”

When we started Project Famous Magazine five months ago, I wanted a drag queen on the cover of a magazine, because, honestly, they inspire me. I’ve never seen a queen on the cover of a magazine in Madison, WI or in any mainstream publication and I thought, “I can do this! I can use my network to find a brave drag queen.” As luck would have it, we have Davina DeVille as our feature and Lucy Von Cucci in our Arts section. A small dream for me, but it was an important dream: give back to the community I belong to. I belong to two communities: the art community, and the LGBTQ community and if you know me, I’m very proud of both.

I think we need to take a moment to recognize that the Madison art community is very open and accepting of the gay community, but sometimes you run into a wall of ignorance. Personally I have not encountered it in Madison, but if you see it out there, nip it in the bud. Project Famous strives to build a community of all types of artists, and some of our artists, such as drag queens and transgendered individuals, are often left behind. Don’t be that person. Include all lovers of art in your circle because we all share that drive. Do your part and take care of all members of the art community; a little goes a long way.

Another person who has a lot of drive is Annabel Lee, out on her own making dreams and new music come true, take notice of her charisma and her kindness: she is the real deal. Along with Sheilah Kring’s building bridges and making a great difference for so many people in Madison. She runs Controlled CHAOS, and I encourage all artists to get to know her.

Enjoy our June issue featuring a special edition: Behind The Scenes of Project Famous’ first short film, Burn the Money. Never let go of the drive that takes you to the next level, because you might just make your dreams come true. Just drive!

PROJECTFAMOUS.COM | JUNE 2013

FASHION

Frugal Fashion DRAG! by Adeline Peck

FROM: Guerrilla Thrifter

ADELINE PECK

Hello again fearless fashion lovers. It's already the June issue of Frugal Fashion. The volume has been turned up on this issue with some gender bending looks. Fashion, in particular thrifted fashion, has always been something that set a spark inside me. Throughout my exploration with clothing and accessories, I've always had this level I've tried to balance in myself between masculinity and femininity. I've never felt right overly masculine or overly feminine. I feel most at ease with a balance of both. For all of your readers, I've stepped out of my comfort zone and played both opposite extremes. I tapped into my inner Queen and King. Fashion is an avenue for many experiences, and this was a liberating one that I urge you to try. And hey, if it's thrift, you can afford to do it!

Look #1: You’re the Ones that I Want! • H&M Black Jersey Tank - St. Vinnie's $1.99

• Wet Seal Teal Jeans - shopgoodwillmadison.com $5

• Vintage Bomber Leather Jacket - $9.99 Savers

• Vintage Black Wedge Heels - FREE (buy one get one at Boomerangs!)

• Vintage Levi's Cowboy Snap Button-Up - Saver's $2.99 • Classic Black Chuck Taylor's - St. Vinnies $3.50

• Levi's Slim Straight Leg Men's Denim Jeans - JCP $20

PROJECTFAMOUS.COM | JUNE 2013

Look #2: Kimono and the King

• 100% Silk Green Floral Kimono Sleeve Dress - shopgoodwillmadison.com $5

• Repeated Black Wedge Shoes - Boomerangs

• Basic White Hanes Tee - Walgreens $1.99

• Vintage Black Fitted Blazer - Goodwill $4.99

• Levi's Slim Straight Leg Men's Denim Jeans - JCP $20

PROJECTFAMOUS.COM | JUNE 2013

FASHION

Look #3: Liza and Company

• Black Sequin Leggings - St. Vinnies $2.35

• Simple Black Vintage Vest - Savers $0.99

• Basic White Hanes Tee - Walgreens $1.99

• Vintage Black Fitted Blazer - Goodwill $4.99

• Levi's Slim Straight Leg Men's Denim Jeans - JCP $20

Through this journey I channeled personal icons of mine, Liza Minnelli, Jo Calderone, El Hefe, and Uma Thurman. Could you get any stranger than that? Mixed together this odd combination serves you up some Dragged Out Frugal Fashion Realness! Gender is what you make it. What a blur it truly is. Have fun with it. Explore, create, feel liberated, and always do it on a thrifting budget!

PROJECTFAMOUS.COM | JUNE 2013

BEHIND THE SCENES PROJECT FAMOUS SPECIAL EDITION

bURN THE MONEY An Insider’s Look with the BTM Crew

AL GRIFFIN

Foreword by Joey Broyles hat is Burn the Money? Burn the Money is a short film about a group of people who experience extraordinary circumstances in a world that mirrors our own. In the not so distant future, Larmesica, a country once a part of the United States, succumbs to depression as the government crumbles. A group of anti-capitalists disturb their government by forming a campaign against money. The leader of the BTM Movement, Joey Broyles (same name, different Joey) becomes obsessed with restoring balance for his family and his country. Burn

the Money showcases a broader spectrum of what money does to various individuals in different circumstances. From the powerful to the weak, and from rich and poor no one escapes without consequences. In a world where nothing is certain, “The only way to survive is to stop believing lies.” Burn the Money has been my heart and soul for the better part of almost a year. I had periodic visions of what the film could be like if ever I had such an opportunity to make it. Within a year’s time I was given that opportunity and Burn the Money has left its mark on me. This film proves that we can make films in Madison,

WI. Truthfully, I miss being on set with some of the most incredible people I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with. Everyone tells you how movies are made, but no one tells how making a film changes your life. I walked away with a family that was made up of storytellers, and when we’re all together there’s this magic in the air. It’s bittersweet, but life has since gone on. My friends Kelly Lajter, Ben Wydeven, Robin James, Oswaldo Martinez and Bryan Royston paint a beautiful picture with their kind words and personal experiences—making this a beautiful way to commemorate a shared moment in our lives.

PROJECTFAMOUS.COM | JUNE 2013

Robin & Oswaldo: In Conversation Director Robin James and Director of Photography Oswaldo Martinez. Photo by Al Grifﬁn.

by Robin James and Oswaldo Martinez Robin James: So, you were talking about what a great director I am? Go on about that. Oswaldo Martinez: Oh, that’s a good way to begin this. RJ: Yeah, that’s why I said it in the beginning. OM: It was amazing to work with you. It was the ﬁrst time I was director of photography for somebody else. RJ: Were you nervous about it? OM: Yeah, I was nervous. We had this amazing crew around us that made things possible. I 17

was able to visualize what you were trying to say in your shots, and that made everything easier for me. RJ: Well, don’t you think it was easier for you because of the story itself, because it seemed like you had interest in the topic? OM: I was very interested: to live without being controlled by money or by people who hoard money to rule everybody else. I think it was good, but regardless of that, the DP needs to know what the director wants, so the director can see her dream come true. I think we built a good relationship on the set.

RJ: You were easy to work with. I felt like I could tell you what to do, and I could also ask your opinion, and I trusted what you thought. OM: You really knew what you wanted, and that made things easier. Joey’s vision was one of the most important aspects, but I think you found a way to make that vision possible, and in that way, you printed your own vision on it. RJ: I think the locations really helped me. I don’t know if it was just because I was in the right mindset, but when we were on location, everything was a different world. Like that area where the fence is – there wasn’t anything special about

AL GRIFFIN

KELLY LAJTER

it. It was just a road with a fence. Then you put the protestors there and it’s like, “Holy crap, this is a different place. This is a different world.” OM: I don’t know if you remember, but at the warehouse, and we were trying to ﬁnd this exact angle for Joey in that scene. I think it was amazing, and that was your vision. Joey wanted to express leading a crowd in his script, but when you were there you decided that you wanted to see this giant. You wanted to align everything. Then it was easy to tell that story and decide how to frame Joey leading the crowd. It happened the same way with the road, when we put everyone in the middle of the road, which you Americans are so concerned about – people walking in the road. RJ: Yeah, concerned about not being rude. OM: Yeah, you’re so polite. You Americans are so polite. RJ: Speaking of angles in the warehouse, you didn’t really praise me for the shot, but I love that one of them walking into the warehouse – the pipe one. OM: Oh, yeah, that was really

BEN WYDEVEN

good. It was a twisted way of seeing stuff. I remember that you were looking through the cobwebs that were hanging over there. They were so small, and I don’t think that we could see them in the end. RJ: I was thinking we could bounce some light on them, but I’m happy with how it turned out. OM: It looked amazing, like this desolate place…Crew? Or shall we keep talking just about ourselves and how great are we? RJ: Yeah, that’s what I thought this was about…I was really happy with the crew. I especially noticed it at the warehouse. Lighting, of course! But that little room where people were sitting and problem solving. The extras – the cast in general – were in those other two rooms just waiting for stuff to be ready. With our schedule getting behind, it helped that people were – at least appeared to be – very agreeable and patient. OM: You know, they were attracted by this force…We’re all like, “Yeah, burn the money! Burn the money! Joey’s our leader! We will follow him!” Now that I think about it,

maybe he was controlling us with his evil mind, his evil super powers. RJ: He seems so nice. OM: Yeah, he seems so nice, but all the psychopath super villains at some point in their lives are nice guys. RJ: Yeah, that’s where this is headed, I think. OM: I think it’s that – with all this about burn the money and the blonde wig. He’s going to be something we’re all going to regret. RJ: I think we’re creating a monster. OM: The monster is already created. RJ: We’re just ﬁlming it. OM: We’re just ﬁlming how he becomes a supreme superpower dictator that controls everybody’s mind. One day we are all going to be wearing Marilyn Monroe wigs, burning money everywhere and kidnapping people - working for 17 hours a day.

AL GRIFFIN

KELLY LAJTER

Ben Wydeven: Assistant Camera Operator AL GRIFFIN

by Ben Wydeven

I was drawn into the production of Burn the Money based on the enthusiasm and charisma that the people in the cast and crew brought to it. I had captured Joey and his Project Famous crew on video at the RAW: Marvel show in April and it was great to see a team of passionate performers worthy of New York City on a little stage in Madison. Before that I had learned about the song “Burn the Money” when Joey created a lyrics video as a teaser for the film. After telling me about the planned movie, I told Joey I would love to be a part of it. As the assistant camera operator for the production, I got to see firsthand how amazing this film was looking from Evan Parquette’s attention to detail as key grip to Joey’s chilling performance with Katrina King’s incredible makeup application. Robin James is one of the nicest people I have ever met, and

as a director, she kept a great balance of focus and enjoyment on set with her sense of humor and positive energy. She had worked on Quantum of Vengeance with me last summer, and her sense of humor and passion for filmmaking made those long nights of shooting enjoyable.

My favorite scene of the four-day shoot was the interrogation scene, and the way Joey approached playing the character. While we were setting up the lighting for the scene in one part of the warehouse, Joey had secluded himself in a large enclosed room in another part of the building where he rehearsed. As we hung lights, we could hear a chilling shrill of laughter coming from the far end of the warehouse where Joey had isolated himself. In a big, dark warehouse, that laughter echoed throughout the walls and left us with goosebumps.

Later I walked to the scaffolding, where we had shot the

night before, to look for an extension cord. As I shined my flashlight around in the darkness, I could hear a single pair of footsteps tapping the concrete behind me. Clank, clank, clank.

I turned to shine my flashlight in the direction of the sound and found Joey, in full makeup and costume, walking slowly around the warehouse. With my flashlight shining on him, he made no acknowledgment, fully focused and in character. Like a ghost stuck in oblivion, he walked slowly and steadily throughout the edges of the warehouse, mostly unnoticed as we set up his scene.

When it finally came time for him to enter the scene, Joey’s performance was terrifying, intense and precise. He would enter the set, perform the scene without a beat, and exit quickly, laughing his chilling cackle as the darkness of the warehouse consumed him.

AL GRIFFIN

BEN WYDEVEN

Bryan Royston: Assistant Director

by Bryan Royston

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to help bring the vision of a local artist to life through film. The artist’s name is Joey Broyles, and the vision was a short film based on one of his original songs entitled “Burn the Money.” To say that this project had been “in the works” for a while would be an understatement. I honestly don’t know how long this idea had been bouncing around inside the head of Mr. Broyles (it is so much more than “just a song” to him). But it certainly came to a head (no pun intended), over the past few months.

Pulling together a fantastic collection of talented local artists and filmmakers, and even a cinematographer from outside of the United States, Joey began making his dream a reality. I was very excited to be asked to be a part of the group and the project.

Being on set was, as it always is for me, an interesting experience. It is exciting and fulfilling, yet often not without its share of stress. This project had an aggressive schedule, filming for 12+ hours a day for four days straight (Friday through Monday).

Even with the sheer numbers in our collection of filmmakers, we still had a relatively small core group of people. This meant that many of us, myself included,

JEFF BLANKENSHIP

often wore multiple hats before, during and even after the production. But the fact that so many of us were willing and able to do this, donating our time, is a testament to how important the project was to us all, and to how much we believe in Joey Broyles and his vision. This was also evident in the fact that people were taking off work to be there, working through Mother’s Day and missing out on many, many hours of sleep. Conditions were sometimes less than ideal, with outdoor scenes being filmed for several hours in the cold, and warehouse scenes being filmed in an old, dusty, abandoned warehouse where the dust would settle in our lungs, throats and noses by the time we left. Yet still we came back, day after day, ready to go, to give Joey 110%.

Not a day went by that I didn’t observe people coming away from the process very happy with the results. But how could we not be happy? We took a fantastic project, song and story; we put in the effort ahead of time to make sure all our needs would be met; we took talented, motivated people and we made them feel connected to the project, valued and respected. It certainly sounds like a recipe for success, doesn’t it?

Sure, there were unexpected issues that came up. There always are. But the cast and crew of the production met those issues the same way they met everything

else that was done that weekend: with creativity, enthusiasm and determination.

And now, as I sit reflecting on that weekend, I think about all the people connected with the project that I’ve spoken to since we wrapped filming. One theme seems unanimous: it got into our systems. It became a part of us, and we of it, and now we’re going through withdrawals. But fear not; Joey’s ruminating again, and it’s only a matter of time until we come together again for his next artistic vision!

So as I write my final words on my Burn the Money experience, I can honestly say I that I wouldn’t pass up the opportunity to do it again (hint, hint). I sincerely thank you, Joey, for giving me the opportunity to be a part of this project; to help get that vision out of your imagination and onto the screen for the rest of the world to see and appreciate. I hope everyone your project touches gets as much out of experiencing it in their way as I did in mine. And I thank everyone who helped make all this possible: cast, crew, jobs and family that all made this possible. Thank you, especially to the rest of the production team: Joey, Robin, Kelly, Oswaldo, Ben, Josh, Evan, Katrina, Karen, Simone, Jeff and Tammy (I hope I didn’t forget anyone). You were all fantastic!

PROJECTFAMOUS.COM | JUNE 2013

KELLY LAJTER

Kelly Lajter: Production Manager

by Kelly Lajter Being on the set of an independent film is an exciting experience. When a crew of a dozen or so people get together, along with a cast of the same number in addition to another dozen extras, one can expect a set with lots of creativity floating around with an electric air, a little chaos, and tons of energy.

The set of Burn the Money was all of this and more. Filmed over the course of four days over Mother’s Day weekend, I found myself among more than three dozen people, all of whom put their hearts and 110% of their energy into the film. Even the extras were passionate about this project. And why shouldn’t they be? With a title of Burn the Money, one man’s desire to disrupt the government of a dystopian future, a society living in fear and poverty, where only the 1% have power and freedom, our hearts should be passionate about Burn the Money, because this future is a real possibility.

The man behind Burn the Money is local musician, Joey Broyles. Burn the Money isn’t just a short film; it is also going to be the music video for his song of the same title. Like the film, “Burn the Money” makes a strong statement about the state of society, and how money is (wrongly) the source of most power.

Unlike the song, which is best described as Europop, and is catchy, upbeat, makes you want to dance, and creates an air of fun, Burn the Money the film is dark, sad and scary, but still makes you want to smile and relive it over and over again. Like any good movie, Burn the Money will leave the

viewer with a sense of urgency like they have to get off their couches and do something - take a stand, make a change, quit bitching about the silly things in life, believe in something, live their dreams.

And why do I know that the viewers will feel this way after seeing Burn the Money? Because I was part of the production team of the film, and I witnessed the energy, passion, blood, sweat and tears that went into making this film. I saw firsthand how everyone involved collaborated, sacrificed, and poured their hearts into the production to make not only a quality product, but also to back a statement that is hard to swallow: America today is not heading towards a friendly and loving tomorrow. Money is the downfall of our society, yet we all rely on it; we all need it. Quite the contradiction, and I think this is why people will connect with Burn the Money.

Political statements aside, “Burn the Money” comes from a pure place in Joey’s head, and it comes down to this: It is a testament to the strength of spirit, to the essence of humanity that is driven by our hearts: “We shall overcome. You can’t shut us down.”

These sentiments were sort of the unspoken anthem of the set (though we did chant them during important protest scenes). Everyone involved believed in Joey’s vision of Burn the Money. We all came together to support our friend, support his dream, support his song. We joined forces and created something that, up until that weekend, was just an image in his head and words on paper.

And then, while on set, we saw Joey transform into the “Burn

the Money Movement Leader.” We saw our friend, a very likeable guy with a pleasant demeanor and big heart, go down a path that was downright frightening as well as shocking yet inspiring. Reminiscent of a certain comic-bookturned-movie-character, Joey became someone that none of us knew. He was a walking revolution in and of himself - the words he spoke in that electric voice, the cackle he found deep within himself, the crazed look of a madman plastered on his face - he was someone that you would neither want to piss off, nor to ever leave you. Magnetic and terrifying, Joey was a presence like none other I have seen. Sure he was acting, but was he? Since wrapping Burn the Money, I have spoken with Joey several times about his acting abilities, his transformation into a psychopath and his future. It is evident to me that this guy is someone to know, someone to follow and someone to support. His reaching into the darkest places of his soul and bringing this character to life has made him all the more likeable. He healed himself by putting that dark energy into his character and he created a larger version of himself, yet keeping his integrity and modesty. I’m not sure how he did it, but this guy can’t be shut down; he will overcome.

Burn the Money wasn’t just a film. “Burn the Money” isn’t just a song. Joey Broyles isn’t just a musician. The three combined are a force to be reckoned with. Being a part of this project, this film, has made me realize more of what’s important in life. And this is what making a film is all about.

PROJECTFAMOUS.COM | JUNE 2013

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Drag, Darling Davina DeVille by Anika Lautenbach

ADELINE PECK

efore my interview with Davina DeVille I had seen her floating around Plan B. This is someone who moves and laughs with incredible ease, whether she’s delivering questions for sex trivia, lip-syncing to Johnny Cash’s Ring of Fire or simply chatting with fans after her show. While some understand drag in only the most basic terms—a man dressed as a woman—few realize the true artistry that is needed to transform oneself, not only from a man to a woman, but into a completely different character. When done right, it is truly dazzling, truly dynamic. It is Davina DeVille.

After showing up in sweatpants and a headband, obviously working hard and feeling tired, Davina’s ability to alter her appearance in only a few minutes was truly breathtaking. She brought the glamour and attitude of someone who’s ready to perform at a moment’s notice and loves every minute of it. Anika Lautenbach: Have you always wanted to be an entertainer?

Davina DeVille: Actually, I didn’t start out entertaining. I started out as a pianist and doing behind the scenes stuff. I accompanied a lot of theater shows all through high school and played at church. I can’t really pinpoint the exact moment, but that’s how the evolution came. It turned into doing little bit parts here and there, and then it turned into all of this. AL: You said you’re still a pianist during the day? DD: Yep. I’m a piano and a voice teacher. I work at a church—believe it or not—I’m 29

“As a boy and as a drag queen I’m very different people... They’re seperate worlds.” a music director on the weekends. So, music is a big part of what I do. I do music for live theater and work as a conductor. Then I do drag 3 to 4 days a week. AL: What kind of church is it? DD: They are Episcopalian. If you’re not familiar, it’s kind of Catholic-like. They’re pretty cool. I don’t think they necessarily know about my performing gigs…they know I work at a gay bar. They totally know about me being gay; they know about my partner, and they’re totally cool about that kind of stuff. I don’t need to push my job security to the point of making sure everyone’s fully accepting. I mean, the information’s out there if anyone googles my name. As a boy and as a drag queen I’m very different people. As a boy I don’t perform that much. I keep that to drag. They’re separate worlds. They’re open to anyone who wants to know about them, but I try to kind of keep them separate because this could take over pretty quickly. AL: I could see that. It’s quite a dynamic personality that

you’ve created. DD: Yeah, she’s demanding. She knows what she wants.

Davina laughs at the beautiful monster she has created—a bubbly and unpredictable spitfire. Despite the brashness Davina describes, she is all charm. As I watched Davina during her photo shoot, I was struck by how gracefully she dealt with the setting. There we were in Joey Broyles’ basement, filled with lawn tools, bikes, and photos of James Dean. The Joey Factory, as we lovingly call it, is a haven for creativity with its tubes of paint, an old school boom box, and sock model figurine, but it is not a professional studio. Even in a garage, Davina shined bright, and you could easily imagine her lit up on stage or by the flashes of countless Hollywood cameras. AL: Who were your role models growing up?

DD: They did an article on me in the Isthmus a couple years ago and I never really thought about it, but the description they gave me was: part vixen, part vamp, and part Disney villain, and I have to agree with that. I was a huge Disney kid; I loved the villainesses. Jessica Rabbit is a huge basis for my character. Davina DeVille, I mean. I took that straight from Cruella DeVille. I loved the musical stuff: Bernadette Peters, Patti LuPone—the sort of big dynamic performers. It’s a little stereotypical but I was actually sort of into the old movies. I love Marilyn and Greta Garbo. They were so good; no matter what they were doing, you had to be looking at them. They could be shaking some one’s hand or doing something very mundane—drinking coffee. AL: There was a certain grace.

DD: Yeah! Not just grace but magnetism. Of course, my family [members] were deﬁnitely big motivators for me. Neither one of my parents is a performer or musician but we had a relative pass away and got a little bit of money. Rather than spend it on bills, they bought a piano and started us on that track. My sister is a professional singer. I’m a professional musician, and my brother is a drummer. We all have that outlet. They really pushed us. They did a really cool thing that not most parents would do: they didn’t tell us this was a hobby or to pursue something practical. They said this is something you can do with your life. I deﬁnitely owe them a debt. AL: When did you start doing drag? DD: I started doing drag the Halloween of my sophomore year. I was rather opposed to it

when I ﬁrst came to college. I didn’t know a lot about drag. I was sort of stereotypical in that I was like I’m not going to be that gay guy; I’m not going to do that. That’s just too much, it’s too campy. One of my very best friends in college was Chris Daniels, and we could not come up with a Halloween costume. We were sitting and watching a ten-hour marathon of Absolutely Fabulous; and we were joking about how he was such an Eddie, and I was such a Patsy. He said, why don’t we do that? So, we did. I had so much fun with it, so much fun creating a character. It was kind of liberating. At a certain point you have certain physical characteristics that set you up to do well in this. After that we started doing little things here and there. We had our own show at the Shamrock for a year. So we’re kind of self-invented. We don’t come from the usual drag culture, like having a drag mom and

coming up through the bars and clubs. We sort of invented ourselves on campus. AL: So, when was Davina actually created? DD: That took about a year. I tried a lot of different names and characters. I found that what I do is not exactly campy but it’s a little cartoony. There’s deﬁnitely a sense of fun and whimsy to it. I’m kind of a sexy dumbass too. Which is so different from my boy persona! I found the cards that I played well. I’m not a hardcore dancer. I’m big on my makeup, my clothing and my interactive character. I don’t like to just hide in my dressing room. AL: You just seem so approachable. DD: Thank you! It’s something you don’t get with a lot of drag queens. There can be a little bit of a bitchy persona that goes with it. While I put that on,

PROJECTFAMOUS.COM | JUNE 2013

I try to let people know it’s all in jest. AL: We hear a lot about how it’s important to create your own family in the drag community, but it sounds like you came from a really supportive family, so did you have the same experience? DD: The whole drag family does come from people getting kicked out of their homes. There are also a lot of Trans people in the drag community who still perform even though they live full time as whatever counterpart. I did have a lot of support; there were rough patches but we got there. I would say I do have an adoptive drag family. It wasn’t something that I came up through. I have my cast who I care a lot about. I have a couple of other performers in town that I rely on for honest feedback. I don’t have a drag mom in a typical sense. I don’t have drag daughters. I teach people how to do makeup, but then I like to send them out on their own. AL: You don’t want to coddle them. DD: I don’t. I think I learn so much from having to do things myself. There is a

value—so many tricks of the trade from being around other queens—but there’s also a huge value in ﬁguring things out on your feet and learning what you’re good at, what you can make work. Judy Garland said, why be a second rate version of someone else when you can be a ﬁrst rate version of yourself?

What is especially refreshing about Davina is the way her confidence sparks in those around her the desire to be creative and succeed. If she loves herself, why the hell can’t we? Prior to our meeting with Davina DeVille, it was revealed that she was completing her submission video for RuPaul’s Drag Race. After only a few moments of Davina’s photo shoot, it was obvious that she is someone you want to see succeed. That she could be your friend or sister, if only you were so lucky. AL: How do you think RuPaul’s Drag Race has changed the world of drag? DD: It deﬁnitely has changed it. I remember when it came out, thinking how are they going to make this work because it’s such a fringe scene? Like any fad, there is a sense that it did commodify it. In a really positive way, it’s brought drag into the mainstream. It used to be that it was this fringe commu-

nity, almost associated with things like drugs and prostitution, sort of seedy or underbelly things. People would expect that I was a prostitute when I ﬁrst started, that they could buy drugs from me. I think that in a lot of ways it’s become more normal, more fun. Practically every gay friend I know wants to be put in drag once. It’s just this normal part of the experience. We’re normal members of the community, and I think that’s really important. I’m really grateful for that. AL: Are you America’s next drag superstar? DD: I think I am. I think I have a lot to offer in terms of personality and versatility. I have a lot of different looks, I’m fun and approachable. I think they’re going to love me. AL: Any advice for our readers of Project Famous? DD: I’ve almost quit drag a couple of times. I remember one time I asked to quit piano lessons, and my mom taught me something really valuable. She said, absolutely, you can quit, what you do is up to you. However, there will be consequences. You will have to quit every other activity you’re doing and sit at home quietly with me. The few times that I’ve really struggled with something, and I’ve been tempted to up and drop it, I look back at that experience and I think, wow, I’ve really made my whole life doing this. Thank God she said that to me. So, stick to your guns. Do what you feel is right; do what you know. There are going to be rough patches, there always will, but see it through because the rewards are really worth it.

Unfortunately for Madi-

son, we will be losing one of our most exciting and approachable stars. This summer, Davina will be moving to New York and undoubtedly wooing every hipster, starving artist, and drag aficionado in Brooklyn. However, I have a feeling that we will all see her again, on our laptops or televisions, taking part in one of RuPaul’s extravaganzas. You better believe that if she has to lip-sync for her life, she’s going to werk! AL: When can we catch you before you leave? DD: I will be performing at Fruit

Fest on June 22nd. I also perform weekly at Plan B every Saturday. I am occasionally to be seen at Club 5 with my good friend Lucy Von Cucci. Love Lucy! She is my dear sister. AL: One last question. If you could be any celebrity, living or dead, who would you be? DD: (laughs) I would be me! I admire so many performers, so many celebrities; I’m not one of those individuals who gets star-struck. I’m having so much fun doing this, this jour-

ney. I’m so looking forward to moving to New York and trying things there. Like Judy said, why be a second rate version of someone else? I’d be me.

Davina DeVille proves that you can be a man, you can be a woman, you can be something in between, but what’s important is that you are proud of who you are. In the end, I realized that this article wasn’t really about drag, but about embracing whatever it is you can do well, never giving up, and being absolutely fabulous in the process. It’s delightful, it’s delicious…it’s Davina DeVille.

MUSIC

The Bright Eyes and Big Dreams of the Lovely

Annabel Lee SWEENEY PHOTOGRAPY

by Karen Wheelock

ost people who have heard of Annabel Lee recognize her from her former band, A Torrid Affair. Her uniquely powerful, yet sensual voice and commanding stage presence turn heads every time she performs. With the amicable end of A Torrid Affair now a part of her past, one might wonder what’s to come in the enigmatic world of Annabel Lee.

As it turns out, Annabel Lee has a few new projects up her sleeve. She has been feverishly writing for two new bands, Annabel and the Stallion, and Pritty Kitty. The former is a gypsy, indie-pop style band with her boyfriend, Roscoe Evans, who is

also a member of the popular Madison band, Sexy Ester. Annabel and the Stallion features an eclectic mix of instrumentspots, pans, washboards, kazoos, harmonicas, etc. as well as the more traditional guitar.

Pritty Kitty is a five piece, all-female punk band that is still in its beginning stages of writing and organizing. She calls it her “rebel child after an obedient baby.” They are making fast-paced, bodygyrating songs with unexpected lyrics (such as an untitled song about the world from the point of view of a toddler). Annabel Lee grew up in LaCrosse, as an only child, with a half-brother and half-sister living in a separate home. She was and still is a self-proclaimed attention seeker, singing ever since she could remember – including doing Elvis impersonations at the ripe

age of five. Annabel Lee was never extremely interested in academics and tended to rebel during school – something she calls “the artist syndrome.” Though she sang a lot and loved attention, she had horrible stage fright, and tended to snag all of the solos in school choir, but then back out of them on the days of the choir concerts.

Seeing a music scene completely saturated with male bands in LaCrosse made Annabel Lee not even consider having a band of her own. A major turning point in her life involved getting out of a long, hard relationship – which inspired her to hitchhike across the country for three months. Feeling renewed when she arrived back home, she was determined to conquer her fear of performing on stage. One night, with peer pressure from her friends and some liquid courage, she sang at an open mic night and got over her

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timidity. Over time she developed her own stage presence, which is pretty apparent to anyone who has recently seen her perform. She explains, “You have to be able to feel like you can do anything ridiculous onstage. The only way you actually do really well is when you completely let go of your filter and stop trying to censor yourself and monitor what you’re doing, and then you end up flapping like a bird all over the stage!”

Annabel Lee also has the goal of starting a solo career – she is currently writing lyrics and melodies to present to various musicians to write and record with. Inspired by the Martin Atkins book Tour:Smart, she plans on touring around the country, singing along to a boombox to anyone who will listen. She aims to stand outside of major concert venues, and set up camp wherever she can, giving both a vocal and

visual performance. “I plan on playing music until someone tells me I can’t.” She affirms, “I’m feeling really inspired right now. I’m feeling powerful; I feel like I can do anything, and I’m ready for whatever happens next.”

Some Madisonians may be surprised by and question the move to end A Torrid Affair, as their breakup seemed sudden and unexpected. Annabel Lee was a little nervous to announce their split, but has nothing but good things to say about her past experience in it, explaining that they each wanted to pursue different things. “In the end, we are really great friends and know each other so well; we had an adult conversation about what we wanted and realized we are in two different places and wanted two different things.” She learned a lot about structure, teamwork, work ethic, songwriting, managing, and networking during her

time with A Torrid Affair.

The future may be a little unknown for Annabel Lee, but she is passionate about what she does and will do anything to follow her dreams, “It’s difficult starting over again, and I’m actually very terrified. But, I also believe that you can never accomplish anything great unless you are scared shitless. Unless you are doing something that scares the crap out of you, you can never do anything that is outside of the ordinary. And I plan on doing extraordinary things.” Keep up with Annabel Lee and her musical adventures online: Facebook or ReverbNation.

Last year Trevor Triggs, an active fan of the local rock music scene, decided to bring cameras to live shows he was already attending and post the edited, multi-angle video from them online, with intermittent commentary. After doing this for 26 straight weeks, he took a break to figure things out and eventually came up with a weekly YouTube show called Wisconscene, hosted by Madison’s WYOU. Hosting two bands a week in the studio, each playing three songs, with interviews

many bands he already knows appear on the show. This isn’t necessarily the case, “I probably know about 100 bands in Madison, and for every band that I know, there’s about four more that I don’t,” he says. He’s had bands seek him out to be on his show, and by doing this, he’s been able to widen his scope of musical interest. With this in mind he made an intentional decision to have two different bands on his show with different fan bases, so that he may increase their respective audiences.

Madison Music Scene:

a “go-between” for Triggs, helping with communication between the show and the station. The show is now also being broadcast through WYOU on Friday at 10pm and 2am, and Monday at 11pm.

With a goal to keep things as local as possible, Triggs disabled ads on his YouTube page. Eventually he would like to use local commercials on Wisconscene, whether it be a pre-made ad or something shot by himself. So far, the most he has done is given a shout-out to a hairstylist

Wisconscene Brings Rock Shows To You! by Karen Wheelock

in between, Triggs found a way to shed some light on the local talent of the music community.

Triggs faced some doubts from friends on the future success of his show – they wondered if anyone would watch such a lengthy video on YouTube. So far, his thirty minute studio-based shows have gotten more hits than any of his shorter videos from last year. He’s confident that he made the right move and that Wisconscene will continue to grow. Being so immersed in the Madison music scene, one would think that Triggs would have

Triggs doesn’t run his show alone at WYOU; a team of volunteers helps him out. Bill Drafall helps as sound engineer, and he has mastered the art of live-mixing and recording, according to Trigg. “We’ve been friends for a while, and we actually play in a band together, so we know each other really well. I’ve put him through hell with this show, but he takes it and makes really good recordings.” Triggs also has Josh Steward and Jorge Alva-Huerto from WYOU working as camera operators for the show. Eric Allin, also from the station, has served as kind of

AMANDA HAERTERICH

he goes to. He would ultimately like to make Wisconscene a fulltime gig and be able to pay himself and the people helping him out. He explains, “I would really love to pay my crew because I’ve been putting them through hell and haven’t been really giving them anything in return besides beer and the occasional burrito. I’m not looking to get rich off of this; if I could make a decent living just helping bands, that would be ideal.” Get connected with Wisconscene at: http://www.wisconscene.com

11 Local Direct ors 23 Actors And Faeries. There will be Faeries.

Make your reservations NOW! www.stageq.com

Venue Bartell Theater 113 East Mifflin Street

QUEER SHORTS 8

11 Short Plays

Performances Friday, June 7th Saturday, June 8th Sunday, June 9th Thursday, June 13th Friday, June 14th Saturday, June 15th

CHAOS Revolution: A Facebook Group Goes Ofﬂine and Has Some Real Fun by Kelly Lajter

who likes to be social, likes to engage with other people, and who will be up for any random surprise that might occur on a given night.”

Kring brought together many faces from the artistic community and hosted a night of fun, music, and networking opportunities. Kring decided SKAPHEIM PHOTOGRAPHY to hold this event because “I think the local scene is a bit splintered and deserves any additional support it T h e can receive.” Madison arts scene certainly has Guests in attendance were its share of independent organizagiven a free Compilation CD with tions. For an artist active in multimusic by area bands. Kring found ple areas, one must be familiar that getting bands to agree to be on with all of the groups available to a compilation CD was pretty easy. support and promote their work. “I was asking bands I knew to conEvents bringing together these diftribute and by placing open invites ferent groups are a needed presin our group and We Make Music ence for Madison artists. On May Happen, and by asking other pro18th at the High Noon Saloon, one moters I knew at the time to share such event was held for musicians the invite. I know that I was unable to network with various organizato reach all of the music, but I also tions and to celebrate the release did get a fairly diverse representaof a compilation CD, hosted by tion and a decent selection. Most Controlled CHAOS. local bands are pretty open to opportunities to promote themselves, Controlled CHAOS is a and when they found out it would Facebook group started by Sheilah be professionally pressed, it was Kring about a year and a half ago. not an issue. Leftovers were given It currently has 600 members onto WMMH to distribute. None will line. Kring explains: “It is a forum ever be sold, as this is purely for for people to meet up without a promotional purposes.” ton of organization or planning (often just a day or two in adEntertainment for the vance) but where they can expect evening was provided by three to run into people who will have a well-reputed area bands: Catch positive attitude and who will be Kid, Sexy Ester, and The Living up for fun. The perfect Controlled Statues. Kring asked these bands CHAOS member is the person 41

to perform and they happily obliged. Tommy Shears from Milwaukee’s The Living Statues commented, “We love the High Noon Saloon, so when Sheila proposed a bill to us with our pals in Sexy Ester, the choice was simple. We’ve played Madison countless times, but as the night started, it was clear that we were doing something special.” Sexy Ester’s Lyndsay Evans agrees. “I love the idea of bringing local artists together. The event and the Compilation CD are a great way for that to happen and for music fans to find new local artists.”

In addition to the Compilation CD, Controlled CHAOS found sponsors in Maximum Ink, Rökker Vodka, and Milwaukee Summerfest who provided free Rökker Vodka shots and Summerfest tickets. One of the things that Kring liked most about the evening was that the bands were able to do things that they wouldn’t normally do during a show. Sexy Ester held a dance-off where the winner got to play keytar on their song “Rock Candy!” and Catch Kid hosted musical chairs for prizes. Nate Rusch from Catch Kid had a bit more to say regarding the event. “As a condition of being asked in the line-up, Controlled CHAOS pushed the acts to incorporate audience participation. We stepped outside our comfort zone, got creative, and came up with a musical chairs skit. It was a unique, engaging, and it turned out to be the highlight of our set.

Rusch continues, “Executing a robust promotional plan for each gig can be a challenge for indie bands. Musicians are not interested in spending time on promoting activities nor like the

SKAPHEIM PHOTOGRAPHY

IVER PICTURES

feeling of self-promoting. Having a dedicated person going around saying ‘this is music worth listening to’ is invaluable to bands who struggle getting the word out.”

In between bands, the audience was presented with a slideshow and accompanying introductions by Kring and participating organizations. In attendance were Project Famous, RAW: Madison, We Make Music Happen, Maximum Ink, and Show Me Tonight!.

Alejandro Velazquez of We Make Music Happen was happy with the event. “Controlled CHAOS did a great job at organizing an absolutely mind blowing showcase event centering on amazing local and regional talent, music organizations, and proud sponsors!”

Samiera Kookasemkit, the organizer of RAW: Madison reflected on the Controlled CHAOS event and said, “Collaboration is a beautiful thing. To see so many amazing local musicians come together to share their work with the community on one album is inspiring. This event gave guests a great taste of what the local music scene has to offer, and the opportunity to be exposed to an amazing group of homegrown, Madison area musicians... only reiterating what a phenomenal and diverse group of musicians are right here in our own backyard.” Maximum Ink’s Rökker Inker added: “Controlled CHAOS allowed local artists a venue to display their wares to an appreciative market of like-minded people, all while being entertained by quality Madison based rock bands.”

In essence Controlled CHAOS hosted an event that was meant to bring musicians and organizations together, but added to this, Kring’s hard work paid off more than she could have anticipated. “It was a ridiculous show! I’m just happy it all came together... I just think it goes to show how dedicated Madison’s promo/arts people are.”

And this is why the Madison Arts and Music Scene is not just network of musicians and artists, but a group of hardworking, passionate individuals that care about one another and helping each other grow. And with the help of Controlled CHAOS, Kring will continue to develop and build her Facebook group and promote local shows. “We never know where the night might take us. And variety is the spice of life.”

SKAPHEIM PHOTOGRAPHY PROJECTFAMOUS.COM | JUNE 2013

Artist • Face and Body Painter • Cake Decorator

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facebook.com/artofchristy

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THE ARTS

Lucy on the Stage with Diamonds by Anika Lautenbach

Over the years I have enjoyed Lucy Von Cucci in many different roles—from singer to dancer, man to woman, sandwich slinger to goddess—and I feel proud to say that this amazing person is one of the drag community’s brightest stars. Sitting down with Lucy, whom I first knew as Dan, my shy co-worker, was a whirlwind of nostalgia and leftover excitement from the night before. I had just seen her host and

perform in a drag show at Five Nightclub, which featured the now famous Alaska Thunderfuck 5000. Anika Lautenbach: What was it like performing with Alaska last night? Lucy Von Cucci: It was fun. What’s really cool about bringing these girls in from out of town is that it allows us to expand drag to a wide audience,

ADELINE PECK where with a lot of our shows, you get niche people—people who really love the art form of drag, or people who have friends that are in it—but when you get someone who’s been on TV, everyone wants to see someone who’s been on TV, and we as performers get to beneﬁt from that. So we get to expose people, who may never have seen a drag show before, to the local drag comPROJECTFAMOUS.COM | JUNE 2013

munity, which is actually fantastic, and I hope they come back to see us again. AL: When did you start doing drag? I know it’s been a few years now. LVC: The ﬁrst time I dig drag was in the summer of 2009. It was an amateur competition, and I did it with my friend Jake at the time. Basically I wanted to do it because I’d seen other people do it, and I always kind of thought I could probably do it better and so here I am, doing it better.

When Lucy says she’s doing it better, her playful vanity comes with a long list of credentials to prove it. Sure, she failed a few times, but she got right back on that horse, in rhinestones no doubt. After running for her first pageant, Miss Planet Q, and losing horribly, she won free entry to run for Miss Isthmus. LVC: I was listening to a song and thought this would be the perfect talent number, and from there I just got help from a lot of people and I ended up winning—I won talent and I did well in interview, and I must have done well in gown even though I’m awful in gown presentation. So I won Miss Isthmus and that’s really when it kind of took off. Miss Isthmus is part of a US of A pageantry system, so if you win a prelim, you have to compete at state. So then I competed at state; there were sixteen or eighteen girls, and I made top ten.

After her first taste of success in the pageant world, Lucy needed to get back to Dan. This is a phrase she uses a lot. For most of us, drag is about beauty and fun, and we forget what it means to change one’s identity completely, even if it’s just for the night. When someone is as dedicated a performer as Dan, it’s easy to lose yourself in your art. This is what makes Lucy Von Cucci such a success. She’s a powerhouse; she’s a lady, but most importantly, she has a good head on her shoulders. After taking a break to do theater for about a year, Lucy was ready to get back in her wig and heels.

LVC: I ended up running for Miss Madison in 2012, and I won. From there I ran for Miss Club because that was a prelim for Miss Club. It’s not really a sanctioned pageantry system. It’s kind of like all the bar owners want to have a fun state competition with all of our winners. So, that’s what I’ve been doing since then. I’ve been traveling to each bar as Miss Club when they have their club pageants. I also do show directing on Sunday nights, and I book the girls. AL: It sounds like you’re on a roll. LVC: Yeah, it seems like every time I do it, something else gets added. I’m kind of riding that wave for a little while. AL: So, is Rupaul’s Drag Race next for you?

LVC: I wish that I could say that it was, but it’s not. I don’t think I have the repertoire of clothing to go on that show, and I don’t know how to sew. Actually, I think in the fall I’m going to put Lucy away for a little bit, get back to Dan—I need a little break—but it’s definitely something that I could pick up again. People always think that when you take a break, you’re retiring and that’s not the case. For me, I always have to take care of Dan first, because without Dan there’d be no Lucy. AL: Right, and it seems like you’re performing all the time. LVC: I do, and it’s hard. You have the show directing, which is a job in itself aside from performing; then you have anywhere between 5 and 8 shows a month, and I have a 40 hour, full-time day job. AL: Do you consider yourself a role model? LVC: I would like to consider myself a role model. Quick note about Miss Madison: that’s actually the longest running pageant in Wisconsin. It started in the late 70’s. I’m quite honored to be part of that. I try to be a role model just in how I carry myself. I am not one of those queens that airs her dirty laundry out in public. I don’t really think that’s an appropriate place for it. I think you can be a public figure, and you can still be present in the community without throwing shade at every bitch in town. Not only that, but I just PROJECTFAMOUS.COM | JUNE 2013

feel like it hurts us as a whole, as a drag community because people see that and they hear about it; then they get the impression that all drag queens are just cutthroat and bitchy, and that’s not the case. I try to be a poster child for the opposite of that drag archetype. AL: On Rupaul’s drag race, there seems to be a lot of focus on “pageant queens” versus “theater queens.” What do you think about that? LVC: What I like to say is that I am not a pageant queen; I just win them. I think that pageant queens and theater queens could learn a lot from each other. In my experience you have a classic pageant queen that looks the part—ﬂawless— but they’re not always the most interesting to watch. On the other side, you have the stereotypical theater queen— very entertaining, fun to watch—but her hair’s a mess; her costume’s a mess, she looks like a man in a dress. If they learned from each other, they could combine to create a super queen. AL: How has drag changed your life? LVC: Woo! It’s deﬁnitely changed my life! It kind of allowed me to live out a little bit of my dream of getting into theater and performing as a career. While I can’t live off of it, I am able to support Lucy and what Lucy needs through drag. So I can support Dan and what Dan needs through

my day job. It has also definitely given me confidence in who I am as a person and as a performer. It’s interesting, too, how—being someone who is educated, who went through college, who has created what most people would call big accomplishments in their life— these accomplishments never really meant too much to me, but when I won Miss Wisconsin I had a hand in putting my pageant package together. I did that from start to finish and I felt a huge sense of accomplishment doing that. I can take that and know if I want to do something bigger, inside drag or outside of drag, I can look back on that and say: well, I did that. AL: Any advice for beginners? LVC: Just keep trying. We all start somewhere. You’re not going to be good on your first time out, and that’s ok! I would say learn as much as you can from other people. If it’s something that you really want to do, don’t listen to all the shade that’s being thrown. There’s something Rupaul said: what other people think of you is not your business. People are always going to be talking about you, good or bad, and you can’t really let that affect you. You can take criticism, apply it to make yourself better, but at the end of the day, you can only put out there what you put out there, and people can either love you or hate you for it.

After getting a chance to talk with drag queens over the last couple months, I have realized that being fabulous is a state of mind. The drag queens in Madison shine, and it’s not just the glitter and diamonds. If you are passionate enough to split yourself in two, to dedicate at least half of your life to embodying your art, you shine from the inside out. Before Lucy takes a break from tearing up the stage, don’t miss your opportunity to catch her in the flesh. AL: Where can we see you in June? LVC: Sunday, June 23rd is my step down from Miss Gay Madison, so I will be handing off the crown to a new girl. So you can deﬁnitely catch me at Five Night Club. It’ll be my step down from the longest running pageant in Wisconsin. AL: One ﬁnal question, and most importantly, do you ever miss the chicken salad at Jo’s Tazzina Café? LVC: Oh my god! So my boyfriend used to work at Café Soleil, and he’s a big food guy. He knows all about food, and I just keep raving about that damn chicken salad. It came out of a bucket that we bought from Sysco! With the chutney? Shit, girl!

In this writer’s humble opinion, if you have the nerve to walk around in dangerously high heels and talk about your love for deli staples, there is nothing in this world you can’t do.

PROJECTFAMOUS.COM | JUNE 2013

Support green energy! Protest oil dependence! Ride your bike naked in Madison! All at the same time! Join the fourth annual World Naked Bike Ride in Madison on June 15th at 11:00 AM and be as bare as you dare. The World Naked Bike Ride promotes sustainable energy and is a lot of fun all at once. Get your bike ready and go to http://tinyurl.com/madisonwnbr for more info!

Make your reservations TODAY!!!

www.stageq.com 23 Actors + 11 Local Directors = 11 Short Plays

QUEER SHORTS 8 Venue Bartell Theater 113 East Mifflin Street

Performances Friday, June 7th Saturday, June 8th Sunday, June 9th Thursday, June 13th Friday, June 14th Saturday, June 15th

Organization

StageQ announces

QUEER SHORTS 8, our eighth annual shorts playfest, opening June 7 and running through June 15 at the Bartell Theatre, 113 E Mifflin Street in Madison. This playfest is a unique event, bringing together experienced directors, actors and stage hands with folks who haven’t been on stage (ever or in years) to learn the ropes, have fun and create a couple of weekends of great theater. If you’ve been to Queer Shorts before, you know what a romp it is. If you’ve never been to Queer Shorts, don’t put it off: we’re only planning to continue through Queer Shorts 10. This year we have 11 short plays, from the touching to the hysterically funny (the show skews heavily towards comedy) and including themes of sex, love, heaven, hiking and prom. The playwrights are from all over North America. The directors are: Scott Bennett, Michael Bruno, Katy Conley, George Gonzalez, Julie Johnson, Simone LaPierre, Karl Reinhart, Kyle Richmond, John Siewert, Laurie Stark and Louise Stout. The cast includes Erik Andrus, Leonie Dolch, Jay Edgar, Elexis Estrada, Jesse Gustafson, Sean Langenecher, Celia Lohr, Page Metcalf, Petrovnia McIntosh, Odari McWhorter, Donnovan Moen, Bob Moore, Boye Nagle, Jacob Nelson, Karl Reinhart, Zechariah Ruffin, Lauren Rusch, John Siewert, Laura Spring, Louise Stout, Eric Theis, Nicholas Wagner, Sarah Whelan and Chue Xiong. Tickets are $10 for Thursday and Sunday performances, and $15 for Friday and Saturday performances. Reservations are available by calling 608-661-9696, ext 3, or by visiting www.stageq.com.

Performance dates and times are: Friday, June 7, 8:00 pm Saturday, June 8, 8:00 pm Sunday, June 9, 2:00 pm Thursday, June 13, 7:30 pm Friday, June 14, 8:00 pm Saturday, June 15, 8:00 pm

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Project Famous is a volunteer-based magazine and we are looking for enthusiastic members to join our cause. CONTACT US info@projectfamous.com for available positions, letters to the editor, and advertisement. Support your local arts and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll cover them.