!Viva 'Viva Variety'!
Calendare by Mark Mardon
I could go at length about Pride and all its meanings, as I've done so often before, but what I really want do is tell you about the latest Viva Variety, so pardon my quick glance backward.
Steve Murray has a passion and a following, and somehow that energy keeps getting better. Maybe it's Murray's seasoning as a host, and the visibilty of his Viva Variety showcase. Its been around now for
for 40 shows, since April 1999. It has benefitted a host of worthy non-profits. Performers are attracted to it, and some great ones showed up May 25 at the Buriel Clay Theatre.
Again, I can't list the whole line-up; all the performers were truly wonderful and deserve notice. My special focus went to comedian Mark Davis, back from LA and hotter than ever, making the ripe point that if they'd had experienced gays in those military prisons, they would have recognized immediately that the BDSM was non-consensual and would have put a stop to it pronto!
Betsy Salkind cracked up the audience when she emerged in a red skirt with white spots/white blouse with red spots, and proceded to muse on the likelihood of an Anne Frank sitcom. The she disappeared to re-emerge in a a squirrel outfit, with red tassels dangling from pasties ove the nipples. She nibbled a cracker rolled her eyes, scrunched he nose, and occaissonally flicked her tassels. For about five minutes - and every moment was hilarious!
Miss Peggy Judy, in a leopard print thing, with platinum wig and diamond necklace, played a boozy blonde dizzy white-trash lounge singer character - and wowed the crowd! She's got the moves and voice to back them up. She did "Funny Valentine", and told a story about her loser ex-hubby Rudy Judy, and of glamorous gigs at the swank Truckee Hotel Lounge. With Barry lloyd on piano, she poulled off a show-stopper.
The surprise delight of the night was RonKat Spearman, a yooung African-American singer/songwriter who plays with George Clinton. At Viva Variety he played a couple of sweet songs, accompanying himself on guitar, and his sweet high voice, R&B style, and sharp finger picking won over the gay and lesbian crowd even though he was singing "Sugar Booty" to his girl.