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 February
2001
MASCARA,
MUSIC, AND MAYHEM:
The Drag Invasion 2001
by Jed
Ryan
Any members
of our community going bar-hopping on the night of February
24 were in for a real surprise. This was not just an ordinary
Saturday night! In addition to drinks, music, and possible
phone number(s), anyone in the right bar at just the right
time got a bonus unexpected treat. Two buses full of drag
artists and their admirers invaded six of Long Island's  most
popular bars, bringing confetti, noisemakers, Mardi Gras beads,
and a showcase of talented performers.
Miss
Venise Charles is the Founder and Creative Director of
the Invasion. Due to popular demand, this was the first
Drag Invasion to have two buses rather than one, and the
first to have a corporate sponsor: Coors (My, have we come
a long way!), who donated $1000. This year, the event benefited
the organizations Out
in L.I. and Latinos United of Long Island. The event kicked
off at 7:00 PM at host bar Club
608, where the crowd warmed up with drinks, a hot buffet
and a  champagne
toast. Venise traded sarcasm for sentiment as she thanked
everyone for help making her dream come true. She introduced
the ladies who'd be performing that night. Then it was off
to the first stop, Blanche.
On
the bus, there was an open bar and music. The first song played
was, appropriately, the Vengaboys' "We Like to Party," which
got everyone in the mood. At Blanche,
the buses emptied and the invaders stormed into the place,
injecting a much-needed burst of energy into the mellow crowd.
We were treated to performances by Venise and Holly Roberts.
The climax came when a large black box marked "DIVA" was brought
out on stage, and from it emerged Crystal Clear (AKA "one
of the four owners of Auntie
M's"-- any guesses who?), a vision in sexy Cher-influenced
glamour-meets-Goth. Venise then changed into a sexy black
leather bra and shorts set, complete with matching jacket
and S&M accessories, giving the crowd a clue to our next stop:
The L.I.
Eagle. At the Eagle, we were introducedto Evoca Rain,
whose work-of-art look can only be described as Mother Earth
gone fabulous. She gets my vote for Best Outfit. She agreed
to perform an impromptu song, a capella, incorporating three
words given to her by the audience. I can't print what the
words were(!), but let's just say she had the crowd in stitches.
Evoca introduced her "partner in crime,"
the amazing Edita Dior. (More about Edita later.) There were
also not one but TWO more songs by Venise (Does this
girl ever get tired?).
Al Lawrence and Miss Venise Charles
The
Bunkhouse was the next stop, where
our still-rowdy crowd was almost absorbed by the wall-to-wall,
boisterous, youthful bunch. Venise and Peggy
Pussie wasted no time in rivaling the Calvin Klein briefs-clad
go-go boy for attention. But the real highlight of The
Bunkhouse was the DJ teasing us with gender-bending rock
star Jayne County's new version of "Man, I Feel Like a
Woman." Alas, it was only a snippet-- the song is not
officially released yet. Can't wait!
Some
of the crowd was getting tired at that point, but Venise
wasn't. She changed into a skintight black dress, a unique
snakeskin/velvet combo which she had custom-made.  Auntie
M's was next on the list. The crowd at Auntie
M's, composed of their loyal regulars as
well as a
whole bunch who came to see the drag acts, was dynamic and
really got into the show. Evoca Rain performed, as did
Onya Knees, doing Cyndi Lauper's "Disco Inferno" in a stunning
black leather outfit. Peggy Pussie
also pleased the masses, incorporating a unique blend of song
bits perfectly suited to her trademark bitchy humor. Venise
shocked (and delighted) the audience by ripping the tank top
off a shaved-head muscle boy, who balked, "But I bought that
shirt in Japan!" But the real shock came soon afterward,
when the boys from Auntie
M's surprised Venise with a birthday cake, complete with
the DJ playing "Happy Birthday." Venise was brought
to tears. (And no, she didn't reveal her age!)...
Mitch (right) gives Venise (left) her birthday
cake.
Jed Ryan (right) smiles with another attendee
(left)
 By
then, everyone was wearing Mardi
Gras beads and was covered with confetti. It was 3:00
AM by the time we headed over to Forevergreen.
Many on the bus had understandably fallen asleep from inebriation
or just plain exhaustion. But those who stayed awake were
in for a real treat. At Forevergreen, Brutella Cheesecake
performed a trio of songs, topping off with "Sweet Transvestite"
from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." The hands-down
most unique performer of the event was next: Edita Dior. Defying
gender and convention, we witnessed Edita's training in dance
by performing a simple yet elaborate piece to a haunting song
by Bjork. Combined with striking looks, Edita left the crowd
breathless. The performance was our reward for staying up
so late! Venise gave her final performance that night, and
Peggie Pussie declared "Now I'm going to give you lesbians
what you really want... PUSSIE!" After her song, Peggie ripped
off her long blonde wig, shocking the crowd and officially
ending the night. As the bus drove back to Club
608, Venise (still full of energy) invited the remaining
crowd to join her in cutting her birthday cake, but by then
it was 4:30 AM -- and everyone was too pooped to party on.
 Venise's
hard work in organizing the event was clearly a labor of love.
She is pleased that she accomplished her mission: an event
which reached out to drag artists, gays, lesbians, and straights
alike. "I wanted something to uplift the winter doldrums,
and whet everyone's appetite for the Miss Fire Island contest.
Being on a bus together also it keeps the event intimate."
She reminded everyone that the Drag Invasion will benefit
different organizations every year. All groups are encouraged
to apply as benefactor. Venise wished to thank Coors, the
main sponsor, as well as all the other sponsors. "It was a
great experience working with Coors. They were very cooperative."
She thanked all the performers, who volunteered their time
and donated their tips. She also expressed thanks to Reverend
Rich, 56 Fighter Group, who directed Venise to Coors. "He
wins the Drag Invasion Angel Award first trophy!" In addition,
she gives thanks to Bill, her lover of nine years; her friend
Dominic Rose; all the bartenders who "got into the spirit"
(especially Helen from Club
608); her assistant Brian; and all of her Board members.
"There are so many others, I couldn't possibly name everyone!,"
she stated. "You all know who you are, and I love you all."
To her critics, Venise expresses no ill feeling. She says,
"You have perfected me, and I love you for that. You've made
Venise what she is today."
The
next Drag Invasion will be the
last week in February 2002. The Long Island Eagle will
be the host bar and kickoff point. Start planning your outfit
now!
Out
in L.I. (631) 698-7559
Latinos United on Long Island 631-669-8879
Long
Island Drag Invasion
All
Photos by Jed Ryan
See
Related Articles:
Man! I Feel Like a Woman! Drag
Queens and their Admirers Get Together at Wigstock 2001
Auntie M's Staff Show: Helping
Hands and High Heels
Hey - We Want Some Pus-sie!
LI Drag Invasion 2002
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