Paris Is Burning at the Castro Theater

The documentary of the drag ball scene in New York City in the 80s, Paris Is Burning,  is very much gay canon, and was done proper respect by Peaches Christ last Saturday night at the Castro Theater.  Truth be told, she went beyond respect, and brought a sold-out house to the altar and led the service to standing ovations.  Not only was her show sold-out, people lined up at 10:00 a.m., around the block, for a chance at the 70 "rush" tickets which would be go on sale at 2:00 p.m.

Guesting starring the event was Ru Paul's Drag Race celebrity Latrice Royale, who frakking worked the crowd into a frenzy.  Proper drag is a talent sorely under-appreacted by the World At Large, but I am selfish and okay with keeping it between us.




And while I completely adored Peaches' pre-show, which was in all ways perfect for the event, the "ball" which followed was just made of awesome, and the Vogue-off about nearly made my head explode. (For those of you unfamiliar, Madonna stole-some say she made an homage-voguing from the Harlem gay underground in the 80s and is celebrated in Paris is Burning.)


I have also found it interesting that the young gays are rediscovering terms like Reading and Shade and how the terms have re-entered the vernacular, however often they may be inappropriately invoked.

Peaches really hit it out of the park on this one.


And I got to sit with my favorite drag fanatics Jeff and Brian, which just added to the awesome. Shouts, sisters.


Here's the original TV spot for Paris Is Burning. It amazes me that it aired at all.