Sunday, May 30, 2010

Never Mind The Buzzcocks!


All you punk rock fans, tomorrow night is your night! The legends of the scene and pioneers of the genre The Buzzcocks are playing at Venue Nightclub May 31st. These guys are gods, and if you're not convinced, check out the classic videos "Ever Fallen In Love" and frontman Pete Shelley's sexual anthem "Homosapien". Groundbreaking, genre-defining and 100% punk rock. Bow your heads in shame, Offspring. Full feature in the upcoming June issue of V-Rag.



Ever Fallen In Love - The Buzzcocks


Homosapien - Pete Shelley

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Wiggle Sweet Sixteen


Wiggle started many moons ago in Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, Michigan and moved to Vancouver in 1995 along with multimedia artist collective The House of Venus. The annual showcase offers creative people of all types an escape from reality, to let go and live the fantasy. Wiggle attracts a diverse crowd that wants to see a great show including rock stars like Michael Stipe of R.E.M. and Blondie’s very own Deborah Harry. Wiggle has also boasted some of the world’s leading stars of drag royalty including The Lady Bunny of Wigstock fame, Candis Cayne (of ABC’s Dirty Sexy Money), Miss Guy of The Toilet Boys and Perfidia of Patricia Fields fame and Stranger with Candy's wigmaker. Come down to Five Sixty tonight at 9pm for Wiggle's Sweet Sixteen and be part of the legend!

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Kylie Aphrodite


Oh my... For every gay, there is team Kylie and team Madonna. And while Madonna is a legend and a trendsetter, Kylie is the ultimate pop goddess. Which is the theme of her forthcoming studio album, Aphrodite. She's getting back to her dancefloor roots with production courtesy of heavyweights Stuart Price, the Scissor Sisters, Kish Mauve and Calvin Harris. We're very excited for July 5th to come, especially after hearing this teaser for the new single "All The Lovers". Oh my...

Monday, May 10, 2010

Back In The Day: V-Rag Classic Track


Finally the clouds are lifting and the sun is shining! Summer is almost here!! So for this week's V-Rag Classic Track I thought we'd revive something that screams summer. Summer of '95 in fact. Jamiroquai has never been a favourite of mine, but this David Morales club mix of their first huge single "Space Cowboy" is a true classic. So slather on the sunscreen and enjoy!

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

OPULENCE: The Wait Is Almost Over!


The time's almost here, boys and girls! Tomorrow night at 9pm is the Opulence Ball at Lotus Lounge. The fiercest voguers will be joined by the wildest costumes, the hottest queens and the glitteriest girls! Come down and walk in your favourite category, or just watch the festivities and win tons of great prizes! Conni Smudge hosts with guests Joan-E, Symone, Jenny Magenta and Carlotta Gurl. Remember the first 100 people at the door get a swag bag courtesy of Little Sisters and V-Rag Magazine. These aren't lame bags either, they're packed with great stuff like club passes, underwear, lube and gift cards! There's also a huge grand raffle prize you need to see to believe. Don't miss this party, come down tomorrow to show your O.P.U.L.E.N.C.E.!

Tickets are still available at Little Sisters, Priape and Pulp Fiction Books or at the door.

Monday, May 3, 2010

Sherry Vine Exclusive


Sherry Vine has recently gained immense attention from her parody videos on YouTube, most notably her Lady Gaga spoofs, which have millions and millions of hits. Sherry came out of the New York City club scene in the early nineties, an original that continues to bring her bombshell charm while performing live. Recently, she has added television guest appearances to her list of credits. Sherry now lives in Berlin, honing her craft and gaining even more cabaret credibility.

SHERRY VINE: THE FAME QUEEN
Interview by Michael Venus

You have been getting so much attention for your fabulous video spoofs, especially The Lady Gaga "Bad Romance" one. How did you start making them, what is the process and have you met Gaga yet?

I've been doing video spoofs for a few years just for fun and to generate some publicity on YouTube. But I never expected the success that came with the "Bad Romance" parody [Sherry's Version is titled "Shit My Pants"]. Who knew poo was so popular? The process is a dollar and a prayer. Haha! I'm blessed to be surrounded by so many talented people who are into helping out. I met Gaga once right before she exploded into superstardom. She was SOOOOOOO nice!

What are some of your career highlights?

I have so many highlights! I've been so lucky to have been making a living doing what I love so I give thanks every day.

Who are you current inspirations?

I am inspired certainly by Lady GaGa - I think she's the hottest thing since adult diapers. And anytime I need inspiration I look at videos or pictures of Debbie Harry!

What are you fave things about Vancouver?

My fave thing in Vancouver is Cotton of course! I was only there for a short time but I remember a lovely day strolling along the water.

Upcoming projects?

Right now I'm focused on the tour with Joey. I have a new video parody of "Telephone" coming out this week. And then I will be performing the Gay Pride circuit in Europe all summer.

Any words of wisdom?

Get The Money First!

Joey Arias Exclusive


Joey Arias is a New York-based drag icon who came out of the pivotal eighties performance art scene. Gender bending and hanging out with Andy Warhol while performing alongside Klaus Nomi and David Bowie, he later re-invented himself into a Fantastical Fetish Diva who shocked audiences with his ability to “channel” Billie Holiday. Joey has dazzled the globe ever since and continues to perform and inspire. He is an accomplished and infamous living legend.

JOEY ARIAS: DRAG QUEEN SINGS THE BLUES
Interview by Michael Venus

Tell us about working with Klaus Nomi and David Bowie.

Klaus was my best friend and we did everything together. When Bowie invited Klaus to work with him, Bowie asked if I could join them. That was a dream come true. I've always loved David. He was the funniest person I ever met. Just vibrating with excitement!

Highlights while working on Zumanity?

Working with Cirque du Soliel was just an amazing experience, especially with Manfred Thierry Mugler as Artistic Director of the personas to be presented. There are so many stories that I could write a book. For instance in the orgy scene, a 90-year-old woman took her tits out and started sucking them and wanted to suck cock on stage... She was a horny fuck, thank god. Sex is Beautiful.

What are some of your career highlights?

I think a NYC highlight was to perform at Carnegie Hall channeling Billie Holiday. That blew me away.

Who are you current inspirations?

My inspirations are anyone who has an open mind and wants to create... Like Basil Twist. He's a child and lover of dreams and magic. Working with Sherry Vine and her aspirations of searching for the ultimate show. And the of course Mr. Thierry Mugler who directs me and watches that I don't do anything stupid. And my future husband.

What are you fave things about Vancouver?

I love Vancouver and it’s really been so good to me... I've met so many wonderful people... Love the landscape from the bedroom window. Vancouver is so open-mined from the times I've been there, and the boys were lined up around the toilet waiting for a good conversation... And I saw some big conversations there.

Upcoming projects?

Upcoming, I'm working with Miss Vine in our new show... The film Arias With A Twist, the docu-fantasy that's opening many film festivals... and my new solo show presented by Earl Dax and directed by Manfred Thierry Mugler. It’s gonna be something very musical.

Any words of wisdom?

Words of wisdom... Let inspiration guide you and don’t be afraid of the dark... The only monster is you. Chase your nightmare because it will pay off!

Sunday, May 2, 2010

May: The Winning Issue


This issue was a doozey to try and put together. I don't think we've had an edition quite as jam-packed full of stuff as this one! Definitely a full month's worth of reading here, kids. First off, we'd just like to give a warm congratulations to Fraser, the winner of Gay Top Model. He's the perfect choice to represent Vancouver as we go into a new decade, and a pleasure to work with. Photographer Ian Sheh shot his winning cover for V-Rag as well as a fashion spread featured on inside.

Lots of great talent in this issue including two New York legends, Sherry Vine and Joey Arias. The pair have been performing together for decades and Vancouver is lucky enough to host them both this month! Also, we managed to catch up with the one and only Andy Butler of Hercules & Love Affair. He gives all of you lucky readers a sneak peak at the brand new album and the inspiration behind it.

May is a very busy month for events in Vancouver, and V-Rag is the place to get the scoop on all of them. The 2010 Vancouver International Burlesque Festival hits the Rickshaw Theatre May 6-9 and we've included a guide to all the goings-on. On the drag side of things, the annual Wiggle party turns Sweet Sixteen and the New York-inspired ball Opulence returns to Vancouver on May 5 at the Lotus. Oh wait, this is Cotton's job to tell you all this stuff! She rounds up our host of regular features (which seems to be growing by the month), and joins Joan-E's Rag, Terry Costa's Live On Stage, and Rob Easton's Wasted Thoughts. Yet another addition this month is Food:Notes, courtesy of PINQ.CA's Ryan Bazeley, where we review the best new restaurants in our fair city. Now dig in!

Tonight Sherry Vine & Joey Arias


What a night for Vancouver nightlife tonight! Two NYC drag legends, Sherry Vine and Joey Arias will be performing tonight at superclub Five Sixty. The duo have been on the scene for years, and tonight you can see why they're considered royalty. Arias now performs with Cirque du Soleil in Zumanity and Vine is an internet sensation with her Lady Gaga parodies. Here's a couple of examples of what all you lucky people are in for tonight...

www.sherryvine.com
www.joeyarias.com



Saturday, May 1, 2010

Back In The Day: V-Rag Classic Track


Since we're all about the vogue battles this month, I thought it would be fitting to have the definition of vogue as this week's V-Rag Classic Track. Malcom McLaren's seminal track "Deep In Vogue" beat Madonna to the punch by a long shot. He even used vogue legend Willi Ninja in the video! This is gay New York summed up in one song. "In my black tights just throwing shade, doing this dance that some queen made".