Artemis Chase

Retirement Letter

noreply@blogger.com (Artemis Chase) — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 19:18:00 +0000

Dear Friends & Fans,

First off I want to thank each and every one of you who has been a part of this amazing drag journey of mine over the past ten years! It has been an incredible chapter in my life and I will be forever grateful for it! But all good things must come to an end and the time has come for Artemis Chase to step off the stage and retire from nightlife.

Drag has played an incredibly important role in my life! As a young adult I was truly lost in the world and through becoming Artemis I found a place where I belonged, a place where I was special. I have always been a shy and reserved person. Artemis helped me come out of my shell, gain self-confidence, and learn to interact with other people. But most of all Artemis helped me truly learn to love myself!

I’m a firm believer that things in life happen for a reason and that we have lessons to learn through everything that happens. I believe that I have learned the lessons I needed to learn from drag and now it is time to open myself up to the next phase in my life. I needed Artemis to help me grow up, but now it is time to stop hiding behind a fake persona and just be myself.

I may pop up from time to time in different creative projects. And of course I’m keeping a wig and heels just in case I get the urge to hop up on stage someday in the future. But if that does happen it will just be for the fun of it. I will most definitely not be producing any more events, hosting shows, or pursuing any part of nightlife on a regular basis.

I understand that my quitting affects a number of people that I work with and I am very sorry for anyone who is upset or disappointed. But as I step down from the role I play in Portland’s nightlife it is time for new entertainers to step up and fill the void. There are so many incredibly talented people here and I can’t wait to see what you will all do as the reigns are passed on to you!

I want to urge everyone who does drag or is involved in nightlife to remember one thing! It doesn’t matter if you are a glamour queen or an androgynous freak, a man in a dress or a lady with a mustache, if you lip-sync or sing live or dance or tell jokes. We are ALL outcasts joined together in this crazy world that happens after dark! Always remember to love and accept each other! Because when we fight amongst ourselves we ALL lose! That has always been what I believe in and if I can only leave one thing behind after ten years of drag it would be that message!

Never forget…

Love! Laugh! Sing! Dance!

All my love!

---Artemis.

Portland AIDS Walk

noreply@blogger.com (Artemis Chase) — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 16:53:00 +0000

Hey Darlings!

I am walking this year in the Portland AIDS Walk. The walk benefits the Cascade AIDS Project here in Portland which is an incredibly important organization that offers support to those affected by HIV/AIDS and education/prevention throughout the community.

This is a cause that is very near and dear to my heart! When I found out I was positive over 4 years ago it was an organization very much like CAP that offered me the support and assistance to get through that hard time. So now I want to do what I can to give back!

If any of you would be willing to pledge a donation for the walk that would be so wonderful! Any amount can help, no matter how small or large. To donate go to http://cap.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=339739&lis=1&kntae339739=F6ACCB32218944CAA8D2E83D095F0BB5&supId=300196220

Thanks so much Everyone!

---Artemis.

Peep Show Featuring Pandora Boxx!

noreply@blogger.com (Artemis Chase) — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 18:16:00 +0000

Hey Darlings!

This coming Tuesday is a very special edition of Peep Show featuring the always fabulous Pandora Boxx!!! This is going to be the most amazing show I have been a part of since moving back to Portland! You do NOT want to miss it!

Just Out Article About Portland's New Drag Scene!

noreply@blogger.com (Artemis Chase) — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 16:37:00 +0000

Hey Darlings!

Just Out published an article about the new drag scene of Portland! It is an absolutely fabulous article that really expresses what is going on with drag in this city! Check it out at http://www.justout.com/arts.aspx?id=239

I've been working tirelessly ever since moving back to Portland to make the drag/nightlife scene here more entertaining and things are finally taking off! Just be forewarned everyone...this is only the beginning! So practice your power naps and get your steel liver transplants, because there's going to be a lot more incredible nightlife heading your way!

June Peep Show!

noreply@blogger.com (Artemis Chase) — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 17:22:00 +0000

WOW! WOW! WOW! That's about all I can say about Peep Show this past Tuesday! Last month was brilliant with Sherry Vine and Joey Arias! But this month we featured 100% local Portland talent and they truly blew me away! It was one of those rare shows that just seemed magical to me and will forever be one I will remember and hold dear to my heart!

I opened the evening with a parody of "Poker Face" by Lady Gaga called "Outer Space" where it claims that Gaga is an alien. Many thanks to Allison, Kim, and Nichole for ally being in the number with me! You were all brilliant (and gorgeous)!

Sally Ingus Wilder then took to the stage with her rewrite of Shirley Bassey's "Hey Big Spender" done as "Hey Big Boner" complete with deep throating balloons and juggling. The most amazing thing about that number for me is that Sally lip synchs while Allison May sings the song live from off-stage. And let me tell you...that's NOT easy to do!

We got more live vocals right after with Zora Phoenix performing "Hot Child in the City", with a few humorously rewritten lyrics of course!

One of the most exciting surprises for me was seeing the incredibly talented Mona "Sphongledhoops" perform her hoola hoop act! It was truly sensational and I don't know how she pulled it off on our little stage!

Laura Beth and Little Tommy Bang Bang brought us a tribute to Marilyn Monroe's birthday with an adorable rendition of "You Ain't Nothin' But a Houndog" sang live by Laura Beth while Tommy hammed it up on stage as only he can!

Burlesque sensation Sadie LaGuerre gave us a fabulous number set to Goldfrapp and I learned a fabulous new trick of filling a giant balloon with confetti and popping it on stage. Yes girl, yes!

My dear friend Vegas Platinum is leaving Portland in a few weeks, so I had to get her to perform at Peep Show once before she left. And she tore it up like I knew she would with her outstanding "Plastic Surgery Mix"!

After intermission the incredibly talented boys of Burlesquire got the crowd all worked up with their super sexy dancing!

Little Tommy Bang Bang returned to the stage with his lady friend Dixie Cup for a hilarious white trash rendition of "Livin La Vida Loca" that had me laughing from start to finish!

One performer I was absolutely thrilled agreed to be in the show was one of the legendary Sissy Boys, Fannie Mae Darling! She enraptured the crowd as she belted out "Purple Rain"!

Sally Ingus Wilder and I both returned with second numbers. Sally doing her funny as all hell "Party in the USA" and my "Whitney on Crack" number.

And finally we saved what many would call the best for last! Ecstasy Inferno TORE UP the stage with her 4 backup dancers to "Sex Shooter" and a new track by Erika Jayne! Nobody in Portland can touch Ecstasy when it comes to dance numbers and I am so blessed to count her among my many talented friends!

If you would like to see videos from the night check out our brand new youtube page at http://www.youtube.com/user/PeepShowVideos and add the Peep Show Facebook Page to stay up to date on all the latest party news!

Peep Show is a Smashing Success!

noreply@blogger.com (Artemis Chase) — Fri, 07 May 2010 17:53:00 +0000

The time has come for a change in Portland's drag scene! And Tuesday night we began that change with the the incredible kickoff of my new monthly event, Peep Show @ The Red Cap Garage! Opening night we brought in the legendary and epic talents of Sherry Vine and Joey Arias and they truly were phenomenal! Their singing, humor, and even when they were just chatting with the audience took drag to a whole new level! I was incredibly inspired and thankful to be able to have them here!

I kicked off the night with my tribe of cannibal queens for a gruesome yet funny rendition of "Maneater". Many thanks to my backup performers Sally Ingus Wilder, Saturn, and Brandon! It was by far one of the favorite numbers I've done since moving back to Portland!

The second set was opened by the always amazing Ecstasy Inferno with a rousing Missy Elliot mix! Now this was a seven minute number, which usually would have me shaking my head in frustration, but this girl pulled it off! And we will be seeing much more of her in the coming months!

Peep Show will continue to happen on the first Tuesday of every month! We are going to be bringing you the hottest drag talent as well as a mixture of singing, dance, comedy, and so much more! We want to take Portland's nightlife entertainment to an entirely new level and I think we are off to a great start! Plus we are working on bringing you more very special out of town guests in the upcoming months! One hint...think outside the boxx! So make sure to mark your calendars for Tuesday, June 1st for the next installment of Peep Show!

(Photos by Marty Davis, Just Out)

Rupaul's Drag Race Season 3 Audition!

noreply@blogger.com (Artemis Chase) — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 19:11:00 +0000

I have finally completed my audition tape for season 3 of Rupaul's Drag Race! Here it is!

Artemis Chase - Rupaul's Drag Race Season 3 Audition from Artemis Chase on Vimeo.

Rupaul's Drag Race Finale!

noreply@blogger.com (Artemis Chase) — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 19:02:00 +0000

So last night was finally the finale of Rupaul's Drag Race! It was no big surprise that Tyra Sanchez was crowned the winner. The surprise for me though was that I wasn't as upset over it as I thought I was going to be. Granted I still would have preferred Raven to win for sure (or Pandora or Sonique or Jujubee, lol)! But Tyra did grow on me a little bit at the end.

It will be very interesting to see where all the girl's careers take them now! My money is on Pandora and Jujubee as being the big break-out stars of the season.

Blogging Break

noreply@blogger.com (Artemis Chase) — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 19:49:00 +0000

Hi Darlings!

I have a lot of things going on right now in my life, so I am going to be cutting back on my blogging for a little while. I'll still be popping on from time to time and keeping you up to date on what's going on with me, but the "Queen of the Week" and "Inside My Makeup Box" features are going to be on hold for now. I'm sure I will start them up again down the road, but it's just time for a little break.

Kisses!

---Artemis.

Queen of the Week - Sally Ingus Wilder

noreply@blogger.com (Artemis Chase) — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 17:44:00 +0000

Name: Sally Ingus Wilder

Age: 26

Location: Portland, OR

Single or taken? I'm a single Sally

What is your drag style like? Being from the Midwest originally, there's definitely a bit of "Minnesota Nice" in my personality. When I perform I tend towards theatrical, choreographed numbers. I love props, magic and special effects! I'm more interested in performance and spectacle than straight up dancing, lip-synching, or pageantry.

How long does it take you to get ready in drag? Around and hour and a half, or 3 PBR tallboys.

Do you have a favorite number you perform? It's too soon to say. I'm working on a more serious piece involving projected home videos of me as a child when I used to secretly dress in drag and videotape myself, which I hope will be tragically hilarious and moving at the same time.

Where can we see you perform? I'm currently loving performing at Miss Thing each month here in Portland, hosted by the legendary Heklina of Trannyshack! I'm also really excited to be performing in the new alternative drag show Artemis is hosting beginning in May!

How did you first get into drag? I've always had an interest in performance, makeup and costume, but never had the right connections growing up in Minneapolis. It wasn't until moving to Portland that I found an encouraging network of friends and professionals. It's here that I met my drag mother Allison May, who has a rich background in theater and loves drag queens more than anything on earth. She really helped me make the leap, and I'm oh so glad she did!

Who have been your biggest inspirations? Traditional drag really does nothing for me. I love anything androgynous, experimental, and spectacular. I'm currently a huge fan of Suppositori Spelling for the rawness of her performances. I love the look of Minneapolis's Kysa Bong. Sissyboy is super inspiring — I love a good gender fuck! I also have a huge crush on Portland performance artist/Sissyboy Kaj-anne Pepper.

What would be your three biggest tips for a new drag queen? Well being a new drag queen myself, that's a tough one, so here's advice I've received that's been really helpful:

1. BE HUMBLE. Your drag persona is one thing, but you personally must always remain humble (thanks Fannie May Darling!)

2. Drag queens are allowed to be filthy as fuck, but do it with just a touch of class… sometimes.

3. Drag is addicting, no one can do it just once!

If you could perform anywhere in the world where would it be and why? I was raised in an evangelical home, and I performed in one of those Christian Hell Houses as a teenager — I played the role of a tortured soul in hell (ha!) and it was really homophobic and horrible. I'd like to go back in full drag, and reach out to all the poor young queer kids and tell them they're beautiful the way they are.

What is something that might surprise us all about you? In addition to my day job as a graphic designer and illustrator, I've been a professional live caricature artist for 8 years, and have drawn over 10,000 faces at all sorts of venues including Theme Parks, County Fairs, and San Francisco Pride. And you thought drag was trashy…

What makeup items could you not live without? Portland diva Poison Waters once said never to spend more than $2 on a pair of lashes, and its true. I'm a regular at the local Mid-K beauty supply store… they've got the goods for cheap! The people at Hollywood Lights here in Portland are really helpful with stage makeup as well.

Do you design any of your clothes, create any of your wigs, etc? My outfits are usually pieced together from thrift stores, things I've made, and borrowed items. My sewing machine is my best friend! I've just started learning to style my own wigs. It's amazing what you can do with a cheap wig, synthetic hair extensions, a can of Aqua Net and a blow dryer!

What has been your all time greatest moment in drag? Winning the March 2010 title in the Miss Thing talent search! I did a lyrically-altered version of "Big Spender", lip-synched to live vocals, swallowed a balloon, and there was a juggler on stage. Besides walking away with the title for that month, it was also my first time on stage in drag, so that would have to be the greatest moment of my young career.

What else should we know about you? Friend me on Facebook and find out!

Queen of the Week - Sonique

noreply@blogger.com (Artemis Chase) — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 17:47:00 +0000

Name: Sonique aka Jason Edwards

Age: 26

Location: Atlanta, Georgia

Single or taken? Taken. ( pretty much married)

What is your drag style like? It changes from day to day, I never like to put myself in "a box" but I do enjoy my leather and metal accessories, I love any animal print I like to mix and match , I'm a rocker. :-)

How long does it take you to get ready in drag? It can take me anywhere from 30minutes to 1hour and 30 minutes maybe longer depending on how dramatic I want to be.

Do you have a favorite number you perform? I have a few that I enjoy, recently I have been doing" Te Amor" by Rihanna but my all time favorite would have to be Peaches "Boys wanna be her" or my Catwoman mix that I made a few years back.

Where can we see you perform? I'm pretty much all over Atlanta, GA. Blakes on the Park on Mondays. Shout on 14st on Tuesday. Club Jungle on Wednesdays, The Heretic on Thursdays. and on the weekends I travel around the US on the weekends.

How did you first get into drag? I guess I have always been in drag, I use to get into trouble for wearing my sisters clothes when was a kid, The first time I ever dressed up and went out I was 18 and I went to a gay club, it was awful but I didn't think so then, I didn't really get into performing until I turned 21, so I have been doing it of 5 years.

Who have been your biggest inspirations? I'm inspired by most everyone I meet but I like what i like and I love learning from people. I like the classic movies ,The 80's , super hero chicks, PINK, MADONNA, LADY GAGA, Anime, Rock music, and bright colors and rhinestones.

What would be your three biggest tips for a new drag queen? learn as much as you can because drag is forever full of tricks and shortcuts. Never be afraid to try something. If you have to ask if it looks good, it probably doesn't so take and learn from the critiques'.

If you could perform anywhere in the world where would it be and why? Saturday Night Live because thats where all my favorite singers have performed!!!!

What is something that might surprise us all about you? I'm a transexual and held off on my transitioning to be on Rupaul's Drag Race. It was so hard on me to do that, and I'm glad I did, but I'm a much pleasant person now that I'm back to my transitioning.

What makeup items could you not live without? Lip gloss, Liquid liner, mascara , Full coverage (MAC) ,301 Eye lashes, and clown white.

Do you design any of your clothes, create any of your wigs, etc? I love making costumes, I'm not the best with wigs, but I do add extensions and cut a few pieces every now and again.theres not much I can't do when it comes to drag.

What has been your all time greatest moment in drag? I think seeing myself on TV for the very first time it all seemed like a dream and it has been a blessing. I'm very thankful.

What else should we know about you? I'm a lead singer/rapper in a rock band.

To find out more about Sonique check out her facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1504810189

On the Road!

noreply@blogger.com (Artemis Chase) — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 07:56:00 +0000

Hey Darlings!

I am going to be on the road for the next week, so probably won't be doing much blogging. I will attempt writing about tonights episode of Rupaul's Drag Race from my phone though, since I don't have time at the moment.

I will say right now though that I am very upset with this week's episode! I can not believe the judges decision and it really makes me wonder what they are looking for on this show, because it's definitely not entertainment value!

Blow Pony 3 Year Anniversary Party!

noreply@blogger.com (Artemis Chase) — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 00:21:00 +0000

Oh my god! Our Blow Pony 3 year anniversary party was INSANE!!! Thank you so much to everyone who came out for the night and to our very special guests, Tammie Brown, Jer Ber Jones, Anna Conda, and Muthachucka!

I haven't gotten many pictures from the night yet, but here are a few I've been able to track down!

Tammie and I on the Portland drag bus pub crawl before Blow Pony!

Part of the drag bus pub crawl crew!

Tammie Brown working the crowd!

Addicted to chips!

Jer Ber Rocking out on stage!

Jer Ber, Tammie, and I having a photo opp!

Queen of the Week - Bianca del Rio

noreply@blogger.com (Artemis Chase) — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 20:35:00 +0000

Name: Bianca Del Rio

Age: 34

Location: NYC

Single or taken? Single

What is your drag style like? Cartoon, Mod, 60's

How long does it take you to get ready in drag? 45 minutes

Do you have a favorite number you perform? No

Where can we see you perform? All over NYC

How did you first get into drag? By mistake 14 years ago

Who have been your biggest inspirations? Jesus and Oprah

What would be your three biggest tips for a new drag queen? Don't do it!...Kidding! Be true to your art, always.

If you could perform anywhere in the world where would it be and why? Right here in NYC, cause it's the best!

What is something that might surprise us all about you? That I'm a man.

What makeup items could you not live without? Lashes, Black Shadow, and White Liner.

Do you design any of your clothes, create any of your wigs, etc? Yes, all of the above.

What has been your all time greatest moment in drag? Meeting Madonna.

What else should we know about you? That I don't take myself too seriously.

Rupaul's Drag U

noreply@blogger.com (Artemis Chase) — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 18:42:00 +0000

Have you heard about the new spin-off show to Rupaul's Drag Race yet? Starting this July Logo will premier Rupaul's Drag U, a series where everyday women will compete in challenges to unleash their inner diva. Apparently former Drag Race contestants will be coming back to help Ru make over the women and teach them how to be absolutely fabulous!

I think I understand now why they cast all "female impersonator" type queens on Rupaul's Drag Race this season. They can come back and make over women to look like themselves and it will work better than if they had cast over the top type queens.

But still...I hope they give us a little more variety on Season 3 of Rupaul's Drag Race.

Blow Pony's 3 Year Anniversary!

noreply@blogger.com (Artemis Chase) — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 19:27:00 +0000

I wanted to remind everyone that this Saturday is our very special Blow Pony 3 Year Anniversary Party!!! We have any incredibly exciting roster of out of town talent booked including the incredible Tammie Brown from Rupaul's Drag Race Season 1, the amazing songstress Jer Ber Jones, former Miss Trannyshack and hostess of the legendary Charlie Horse Anna Conda, and all around San Francisco funny lady Muthachucka!

Now here are so more things that are going to make this night even more fabulous!

1. - We are opening up a bran new BIG room in the club to accommodate more people!

2. - We are adding 2 bars to cut down on lines for drinks!

3. - We are adding a backdoor line through Branx for people on the guestlist and people re-entering with stamps. (so make sure to go to that door if you are guestlisted!)

4. - We will have a fabulous photographer set up there to take shots of all the fabulous people that night! So grab me if you want to take a photo together! ;-)

5. - We are going to be open until 4am! That's right people....it's truly afterhours this month!

So I hope to see lots of you there! This truly may be the biggest party of the year for me and I hope to get to share it with all my favorite fans and friends!

Blow Pony @ Rotture/Branx
315 SE 3rd Ave.
10pm - 4am
$5 cover

Queen of the Week - Mercedez Munro

noreply@blogger.com (Artemis Chase) — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 20:04:00 +0000

Name: Mercedez Munro

Age: Timeless

Location: San Francisco, CA

Single or taken? Very Taken

What is your drag style like? Very old school drag. I'm all about looking/feeling pretty.... being classy while perfecting my art of lypsyncing. I like it when it looks like the words are actually coming out of my mouth, as opposed to a queen just lipsyncing a song.

How long does it take you to get ready in drag? I like to take my time, that's for sure. It takes me about 3 hours to paint. I have a lot of boy to transform. :)

Do you have a favorite number you perform? I do. I would have to say my favorite number to perform is, "Airmail Special" by Ella Fitzgerald

Where can we see you perform? I perform all over the city, more specifically: Ginger Snaps' Snapalicious, Mary-go-Round with the amazing talents of Pollo DelMar, Suppositori Spelling and Cookie Dough.

How did you first get into drag? I lost a bet to an old ex-boyfriend of mine, actually. I don't even remember what the bet was but at the time, we were living with a performer who always said I'd be a pretty girl. My ex thought he was being funny by making me do drag; to his surprise... I loved it! My friend painted my face and the rest was history.

Who have been your biggest inspirations? My drag mother, of course. The memory of her is what pushes me to perfect my craft. In addition to her I'd have to say my kids; all of my babies in La Maison de Munro! I can definitely say I'm a very proud house mother. All of them: Paju, Erykah, Taye, Starr, Fame and of course all the boys, have all inspired me more than they know. I want them to be proud of me, just as I am of them..

What would be your three biggest tips for a new drag queen? 1. Concentrate on the style of performer you'd like to be and own it 2. KNOW YOUR WORDS when you lipsync a song. It really IS an art. Some people might say... "Girl, at the end of the day you're just moving your mouth!" but it's more than that... and it's usually the queens that are bad at it, saying it! 3. It's easier to be nice than shady...

If you could perform anywhere in the world where would it be and why? I'd have to say in my partners home country, Germany! I don't think they've been exposed to plus-sized, ebony enchantresses such as myself. :)

What is something that might surprise us all about you? I absolutely detest corn!

What makeup items could you not live without? Items? I'd have to say my entire makeup kit! Each piece contributes to the overall illusion... I couldn't imagine not having any of it at my disposal.

Do you design any of your clothes, create any of your wigs, etc? Yep.. I do design my own clothing. I'm learning to become a better seamstress though.

What has been your all time greatest moment in drag? Winning the Miss Gay San Francisco crown, my first night in drag, after taking a 9 nine year break.

What else should we know about you? I am launching my very first pageant, Miss Triple Crown 2010 and I couldn't be more excited about it. It's April 2nd, 2010, the winner wins $500 in cash, I have a lot of great judges and contestants. Shangela, from RuPaul's Drag Race is our special guest performer, who is an absolute doll! With never putting on a drag pageant before, I am absolutely in awe and amazed at the generosity of the girls participating.... and I LOVE Artemis Chase. :)

Inside My Makeup Box - M.A.C. Shadows

noreply@blogger.com (Artemis Chase) — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 19:00:00 +0000

When it comes to doing my eyes I probably have about 100 different shadows to choose from in a variety of brands, shades, and textures. But nine times out of ten you are going to find me grabbing for one of my M.A.C. shadows. The color pigments are incredibly rich and really pop on your eyes and they are some of the easiest shadows to blend. I can't stress how important blending your makeup is ladies! Blending can take your face from clown to superstar in just a few quick minutes.

I have accumulated a lot of different M.A.C. colors over the years, but when it really comes down to it, there are 3 that I could not live without!

1. Electric Eel - This is probably the most commonly used eyeshadow color for drag queens everywhere! Electric Eel is one of the most vibrant blues you will ever find! Pretty much any time I am doing a show where I have to change my outfit multiple times I will use Electric Eel as my primary eye color because it goes with almost anything you can wear. It is an absolute must have for any queens makeup box in my opinion!

2. Black Tied - I have used a lot of different black shadows, but my all time favorite is Black Tied! Now you are not going to find queens agreeing on this as much as they do about Electric Eel. In fact you'll probably find queens arguing over what the best black shadow is more than almost anything else in their makeup boxes. I however absolutely love the deep black coverage that Black Tied gives you as well as the subtle sparkle mixed in and use it 99% of the times that I need a black shadow.

3. Pagan - Sadly, Pagan was a limited edition color from the Alexander McQueen collection. I hesitate to even tell you all about it because the world's supply is running short and my stockpile won't last forever. But thankfully this incredible lime green can still be found on ebay for the time being. If I'm not using Electric Eel than I am probably slapping Pagan across my lids.

A few more colors I would never be without are Bronze, Freshwater, Electra, Deep Truth, Plumage and Bitter. But I don't use any of them to the extent I use the first three.

Your eyes are almost always the first thing people will notice when looking at your makeup. So make sure you always give them something worth looking at!

Miss Thing!

noreply@blogger.com (Artemis Chase) — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 20:02:00 +0000

I am officially proclaiming Miss Thing as the best drag event in all of Portland! Our second show last Wednesday was so incredible even I was surprised! Thank you to everyone who came out to the show, all our performers, and everyone else involved in making this idea become a reality!

The theme was Broadway Babes and we got so many different dimensions of the stage musical! The show kicks off every month with Heklina and all the judges performing. I tore up the stage with my band of cardboard guitar toting hippies to "Jesus Christ Superstar" and we were given hilarious renditions of "My Favorite Things" by Heklina and "Little Girls" from Annie by Jeffrey Darling. Poison Waters wowed us all with a super sexy number (that tragically I can't remember the name of) and Raya Light gave us classic scary Raya complete with decapitated heads! There definitely was a little something for everyone!

But we were all put to shame when last months Miss Thing winner Ecstasy Inferno (who returned to us as a guest judge) took to the stage! Ecstasy put together an incredibly choreographed sequence from Cabaret combining Willkommen and Don't Tell Mama that was almost broadway quality, complete with leading man and four super sexy backup girls! If Ecstasy's performance last month might have been the best thing I had seen since moving to Portland, this performance definitely was! I just heard that Ecstasy has agreed to return to us for a special intermission performance at our upcoming Miss Thing - Ladies of the 80's night, so can't wait to see what she will bring us next!

Finally our contestants took to the stage! We had a crazy time with contestants this time around with 3 of our girls (Saturn, Onyx Valentine, and Vivica Valentine) all having to drop out at the last minute for various reasons. But our three remaining girls were fabulous! Vegas Platinum served us classic glamour with "And I'm Telling You" from Dreamgirls. Bulimianne Rhapsody brought us Cats in a hilarious number complete with 2 almost naked dancers that had the judges drooling. However her attention to costume detailing (complete with little pink kitty asshole) is what had the judges really falling over in their seats! And finally Sally Ingus Wilder (who had never performed in drag before that night) took to the stage with a version of "Big Spender" rewritten as "Big Boner". There was judggling, balloon swallowing, and all sorts of dirty innuendo worked into the number. To top it all off the song was sung live by the incredible Allison May off stage, while Sally lipsynced the number!

Once all the contestants had performed it was time for the judges to deliberate and determine a winner. While we went backstage the fabulous burlesque sensation Sadie LaGuerre gave a rousing performance that sadly I only got to see the last 20 seconds of. But I was told it was fabulous!

Finally the moment was here and we announced the second Miss Thing winner was our first time performer, Sally Ingus Wilder! She will be joining us again next month as one of our guest judges and I can't wait to see what she will bring to the stage!

Next month's contest will be on Wednesday, April 14th and the theme is "Ladies of the 80's". So far confirmed for the show we have Bulimianne Rhapsody, Alexis Campbell Starr, and Vegas Platinum as well as a whole list of other divas I am waiting to hear back from! So make sure to get your tickets in advance because with the success of our last show it is possible we will completely sell out the venue this time around!

RDR Season 2:Episode 6 - Rocker Chicks

noreply@blogger.com (Artemis Chase) — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 21:41:00 +0000

I absolutely loved the challenge this week! The girls were all asked to create a rocker chick image and then perform a rock song. But here's the kicker...they had to sing it LIVE!

At first glance it may seem sort of evil to make a lot of drag queens sing live for a challenge. But what I think is great about it is that it pushed everyone out of their comfort zones and showed us who can still pull it together and entertain even under stressful circumstances. Most of the drag queens I have known over the years who sing live aren't really the best singers (there are some exceptions of course who are amazing). In fact if most of them got up and sang as men I would probably leave the room. But what makes us stay and watch is their entertainment value and humor. And that is what the girls on RDR had to show!

Now that we are getting down to the final 7, I am going to give my thoughts on how each of the girls did (from worst to best).

Jujubee was expected to win this challenge or at least to really well, because of her singing experience. However something happened and she choked when she walked out on that stage. She forgot the words, forgot the tune. I think she may have even forgotten how to move her mouth. Now I'm a big Jujubee fan, but this performance was just a train wreck and she definitely deserved to be in the bottom two.

Tyra Sanchez was a MESS! First of all, will someone tell her to lay off the Beyonce bullshit! We all know you love her Miss Sanchez! I like her too. But enough is enough! Acting like Beyonce, spinning in circles like a flouncy little wannabe diva is not rock n' roll in the least. She's incredibly lucky that she had immunity this week or she would have been lipsyncing for her life.

Oh Sahara. She's an uptown girl, living in an uptown world. And she pulls off sophisticated glamour better than most queens I know! But sadly, rock n' roll just isn't her thing...at all! It was just awkward and kind of painful to watch to be honest.

Tatianna was the big shocker of the night for me! Her rehearsal went so poorly I didn't even know if she was going to get through the performance or not. But she actually pulled it off! Her vocals were actually some of the strongest out of everyone I thought and while she didn't quite take her performance to the level of the top 3 in my opinion, she did a very good job.

Jessica Wild was chosen as the winner of this challenge. She did a fantastic job of rocking out on stage, but once again, I personally think Raven (or Pandora) should have won. There was nothing wrong at all with Jessica's performance, but it just didn't wow me quite as much as a couple of the others.

Pandora rocked my world! The thing that really set her apart in my book was the attention to detail in her performance. From ripping off the cape off at the beginning, to her air guitar playing on the ground, to getting the judges clapping and involved in the show. This was a performance that would have had a crowd going crazy in a bar or club!

Raven brought us dirty rocker chick...and I loved it! Her ass was hanging out, she was giving us nasty poses all across the stage, and she added her own little bit about tranny chaser Eddie Murphy into the song. Brilliant! She showed us all that she is a true entertainer who can entertain a crowd, no matter what you throw at her! She and Pandora were a close top two for me, but I had to choose Raven as my favorite for the little extra attitude she threw into the song at the end.

In the end it was no surprise that Jujubee and Sahara had to lipsync for their lives to "Black Velvet". Jujubee truly embodied the song with her slinky performance and sultry attitude. Sahara resorted back to her dancing skills once again, but with this song it just didn't work and she was sent home.

At this point I have definitely chosen my top 2 queens...Pandora and Raven. The two of them I feel are the most well rounded performers on the show. They pay incredible attention to details, can throw themselves wholeheartedly into whatever you throw at them, and most importantly know how to entertain a crowd better than any of the other girls!

Queen of the Week - Paige Turner

noreply@blogger.com (Artemis Chase) — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 19:42:00 +0000

Name: Paige Turner

Age: Beauty is timeless-I play 16-20 on stage.

Location: NYC Baby!

Single or taken? Depends on the night

What is your drag style like?  Girly girly! I love anything crinoline and prom dresses-I wear a lot of fuschia/black and if I could runway for a designer it would be Betsey Johnson!
How long does it take you to get ready in drag?  I can be ready in 40 minutes-it doesn’t take much to transform into the magic.

Do you have a favorite number you perform?   Many! If I had to choose 1- “I’m With You” Avril Lavigne

Where can we see you perform? Bartini Ultralounge on a regular basis and I fill in the holes of some of the other queens around town as needed and let me tell you-those are some big F-in holes!

How did you first get into drag? 1 foot at a time- I was doing a production of “Vampire Lesbians of Sodom” (which made Charles Busch famous) Everyone who saw it was like, you really need to be doing this all the time!

Who have been your biggest inspirations?   Actually I adore Charles Busch and Varla Jean Merman-they are true drag artists and are fabulous actors. I also think 80’s Julie Brown (the white one) rubbed off on me a lot in creating Paige.

What would be your three biggest tips for a new drag queen?    Work hard at your hosting skills-it makes a huge difference! Be a professional-drama can be entertaining, but being easy to work with stands out in a good way! Don’t shop at Forever 21-their return policy sucks!

If you could perform anywhere in the world where would it be and why? I have never performed in P-town! I think the old school queens there would eat me up and I have no problem rollerskating past Hedda Lettuce to attract an audience!

What is something that might surprise us all about you? Hmm, the fact that people sometimes don’t realize I’m in drag and think I’m a real girl and that I can buy off the rack in the jrs dept.

What makeup items could you not live without? My Mac Pressed Powder and my bubblegum lipstick from CVS!

Do you design any of your clothes, create any of your wigs, etc? I create a look based on the material I’m going to perform, the clothes seem to compliment the numbers and there is always a hint of retro thrown in. I also can get a little crazy with a hot glue gun!

What has been your all time greatest moment in drag? I think it was when I realized that people really respond to my character and that the world could definitely use a lot more of Paige Turner! I really do find performing Paige rewarding in many ways and that people always say “I can really tell you love performing, which makes me want to watch you!” That’s the best compliment.

What else should we know about you? If you don’t like drag I encourage you to come see me-my main goal is for the audience to have a great time and to make people laugh, not to mention that I’m gorgeous-I’ve converted a lot of heathens!

RDR Season 2:Episode 5 - Here Comes the Bride

noreply@blogger.com (Artemis Chase) — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 20:05:00 +0000

Last week was rough without a new episode of RDR to watch. I swear the entire drag world was going through withdrawal symptoms. I mean...what were we supposed to talk about? Each other? Current events? Real life? How very old fashioned! So it is with much relief that I feel I can step back out into the world again and hold a conversation with another drag queen about the things that really matter...those crazy bitches on Rupaul's Drag Race!

I was a bit conflicted about this episode. From an entertainment side it was fabulous! The drama was reaching new levels and sucking queens into the mess who have kept their mouths shut up til now. But from a drag side I thought it was a terrible episode. Bridal drag? Really? For those who didn't get to watch, the challenge this week was for the queens to pose both as a "groom" version of themselves and a "bride" version of themselves for a photograph. For the bride version they were given wedding dresses that they then had to alter into something more spectacular.

Now let me share what REALLY bothered me about this episode! This is a show about drag queens right? It's not "America's Next Top Tranny", which is totally what I thought this episode turned into. First of all they brought in a makeup artist to help the girls with their makeup, but what he seemed to be doing to all the girls was toning down their faces to turn them into real women, not drag queens. Never in my life have I seen drag queens get told to be more "natural". That's just not drag! And I'm not exactly your crazy over the top queen either. In fact I have often been told I am too natural by people over the years. So you know it's bad when I'm getting all worked up over this!

And then on the runway Santino was making comments about girls dresses being too "costume". Um....HELLO!!!! These are MEN standing on stage in wedding gowns. They ARE costumes you dimwit! This isn't a serious fashion design contest (or at least it shouldn't be). It's a drag competition! I'm so damn tired of people who are clueless about drag giving their opinions! When will drag queens start getting judged by other queens, former queens, or at least people who understand what it takes to be a queen?

Ok....deep breath....I'm done ranting for now.

On to this weeks drama! Tyra Sanchez is the world's biggest bitch! Or at least that's what most the girls on the show think (and I tend to agree). She has been a bitch for a number of weeks, but this week it all came to a climax with her singing (or screaching/squawking I should really say) to annoy the girls in the workroom and apparently getting physically aggressive with Tatianna. It all came out on stage in front of the judges with Tatianna, Pandora, and Jujubee all speaking up on the matter. Rupaul told them all that she expected them to act like queens and work it out (but you know the producers are doing things to make sure it continues, haha).

Tyra is a truly gorgeous diva. But she is just that...a diva. And aside from her looks, she doesn't have the experience or the goods to back it up. She needs to grow up real quick and realize that she is not the victim here, she is the problem. She needs to start acting like a professional and get her act together or she is going to end up in a drag world where nobody will ever work with her. You can have all the fabulousness in the world, but if you can't work well with others you are not going to make it far in the world of entertainment.

Tyra ended up winning the challenge to my chagrin (it totally should have been Raven!). And then Sahara and Morgan had to lipsync for their lives. To my utter shock, Morgan was sent home. She wasn't on the very top of my personal list, but I thought she was a truly talented queen who would be around much longer! Her dress was one of my least favorites, but I thought the photo she took was one of the best! It just goes to show that anything can happen on this show.

I am sooooo excited about next week! In the middle of last nights episode I turned to my partner and said, "You know what would be totally evil! If they made the girls sing live." And then low and behold, next week's preview came on announcing that the girls would have to be singing live! This should be an incredibly amusing episode and I for one can't wait!

Queen of the Week - Artemis Chase

noreply@blogger.com (Artemis Chase) — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 19:44:00 +0000

A couple weeks ago I had someone come up to me and ask why I had never taken the time to sit down and answer my "Queen of the Week" questions about myself. To be honest, I had never even thought about it. So I decided that I would sit down this week and give you all the dish on myself that I have never shared before and hopefully give you all a little more insight into who I am! So here goes...

Name: Artemis Chase

Age: One thing according to my birth certificate, Another according to my plastic surgeon.

Location: Portland, Oregon or anywhere else people want to pay me to go!

Single or taken? Taken by the man of my dreams!

What is your drag style like? Ever changing and evolving, but always comedic in some form. I take on whatever look fits best for the numbers I perform. I like to think of myself as a blank canvas to be taken over by an assortment of characters.

How long does it take you to get ready in drag? I like to give myself 2 hours, because then I can take my time, relax, get into character, take a nap in the middle if I feel like it. But my all time record for doing my face, hair, and getting dressed is 23 minutes.

Do you have a favorite number you perform? I have a whole list of favorites! “Addicted” by Kelly Clarkson where I struggle with my food addictions. “It’s Not Right, But It’s Ok” by Whitney Houston, where I struggle with my cocaine addictions. “It’s Oh So Quiet” by Bjork where I struggle with my love addictions. Wait a minute…..I’m beginning to sense a pattern in my life…

Where can we see you perform? Currently you can see me regularly the 1^st Wednesday of every month at Success @ The Red Cap Garage, the 2^nd Wednesday of every month at Miss Thing @ The Fezz Ballroom, and the 4^th Saturday of every month at Blow Pony @ Rotture! I also try to make guest appearances at a variety of other shows whenever my schedule permits and am working on a number of out of town tour dates with Blow Pony this year!

How did you first get into drag? When I was 18 I used to go to the little underage club here in Portland and all the queens there told me what a pretty girl I would make. So I gave it a try and absolutely loved the treatment I got at the club when I would go out in drag! But it wasn’t until a few years later, after moving to New York City, that I began performing on stage. And that is when Artemis was truly born and the journey that has led me to this point began.

Who have been your biggest inspirations? Lypsinka is my biggest drag idol! Sweetie and Linda Simpson from NYC were the most influential in helping me when I was a young new performer. Heklina of Trannyshack fame in San Francisco was a big inspiration in a business sense. Other queens that have provided great inspiration to me over the years have been Hedda Lettuce, Varla Jean Merman, Jackie Beat, Justin Bond, Charles Busch, Sherry Vine, Peaches Christ, and my most recent inspiration, Pandora Boxx. And anyone who treats drag as pure comedic entertainment can be added to this list for me!

What would be your three biggest tips for a new drag queen?

1. Don’t take yourself too seriously! We are men in women’s clothing. Lighten up a bit and laugh at yourself.

2. Work HARD! If you want to succeed as a professional drag queen it takes a lot of hard work and practice practice practice! You don’t become a truly fabulous entertainer overnight.

3. Remember that it takes far more than a gorgeous look to be a true queen! Make sure you develop a fun personality, practice your hosting skills, learn how to successfully promote and organize events, and most importantly in my book…make sure you can entertain a crowd all by yourself, whatever it is that you do!

If you could perform anywhere in the world where would it be and why? I have a nightclub that I have built in my mind. It has a massive stage with every lighting effect I could ever want, trap doors in the stage floor, swings that descend from the ceiling, and an audience so enraptured by the show that nobody wants to move. Basically every little thing I need for every fantastic over the top number I’ve conjured up in my head over the years. Building and performing on THAT stage would be the ultimate dream of a lifetime!

What is something that might surprise us all about you? When I am not out tearing up stages around Portland, I am actually a totally domestic housewife. I kid you not. I cook dinner almost every night and am a goddess of baking! If you ever get the chance to come by and try a slice of one of my pies you will experience a little piece of heaven.

What makeup items could you not live without? Kryolan TV Paint Stick (there is no better foundation in my opinion), MAC eyeshadow in “electric eel” and “black tide”, and Loreal true match color blush. But even more important than any of my makeup items are my makeup remover pads, so that I can get my face off before driving home after a show!

Do you design any of your clothes, create any of your wigs, etc? About a year ago I set out on a mission to become a fully self sufficient queen. I bought a sewing maching and have begun learning to sew and I have started styling some of my own wigs. I still have many things to learn, but I am headed in the right direction. I also mix all of my own music tracks when I want things changed and edit all of my own video footage.

What has been your all time greatest moment in drag? Oh wow…that’s a really hard question I’ve been making all these queens answer. I’ve had so many amazing moments over the years it’s nearly impossible to pick just one. But I am going to say the one and only time that I won Starsearch @ Barracuda in NYC by cutting all my real hair off on stage. It was not my greatest performance by any means, nor was it a fabulous look. To be honest, at that point I was still a pretty tragic little queen. But it was the defining moment for me that my ideas as an entertainer had some validity. I truly realized at that moment, that if I worked hard enough, I could become someone amazing! I had so many hopes and dreams back then and it is an absolutely incredible feeling to look back now and realize how many of them have come true! I can guarantee that nobody in that bar that night would have guessed I would go on to become the queen that I am today. So it just goes to show that if you believe in yourself enough and are willing to put in the time, energy, and hard work, you can become whoever you want to be!

What else should we know about you? Aside from all the fun parties and fabulous events I get to be a part of, I have a genuine wish to use the influence I have gained as an entertainer to help others! I have a passion for working with organizations that help disadvantaged youth/runaways/street kids as well as a variety of HIV/AIDS related charities. I plan on volunteering with Camp Starlight beginning this year, which is an incredible summer camp for children infected and affected by HIV. I believe that when you have been blessed in life that it is incredibly important to give back to others in whatever way you can!

The Drag Directory!

noreply@blogger.com (Artemis Chase) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 20:13:00 +0000

If you love drag queens there is a brand new site to check out called The Drag Directory! They are working on listing all the hottest drag entertainers around the world into an easy to navigate directory! You can get info on all the fabulous queens, dates for their shows, watch videos, and find out how to get in contact with them if you're interested in booking them!

They are in the early stages of development, but I think they are doing a fabulous job at putting together the site! They are still working on getting more queens from around the country on there, so if you know any great performers in your area, send them to the site to get set up with their own free profile.

And finally, they have a ratings/voting system on the site to determine who the highest rated queens are. So if any of you wouldn't mind stopping by my page at http://www.thedragdirectory.com/artemis and giving me a 5 star rating that would be absolutely delightful! 40 more votes and I'll be listed in the top 10 on the sites front page!

Miss Thing - Broadway Babes!

noreply@blogger.com (Artemis Chase) — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 21:21:00 +0000

I wanted to remind everyone that next Wednesday, March 10th is the second Miss Thing talent search hosted by the one and only Heklina! The theme is Broadway Babes and we have an ever so fabulous lineup for you all! You are going to get numbers ranging from classic Broadway to the craziest reinterpretations you have ever seen!

This months contestants are Vivica Valentine, Saturn, Bulimianne Rhapsody, Onyx Valentine, and Sally Ingus Wilder!

Plus fabulous performances by your panel of celebrity judges including Raya Light (former Miss Trannyshack from San Francisco), Jeffrey Darling (of Sissy Boy fame), Poison Waters (all around diva of Portand), Exstasy Inferno (last months Miss Thing winner), and of course yours truly Artemis Chase!

Tickets are $10 at the door, but you can get them for only $5 if you pre-order them at TicketWeb!

Miss Thing @ The Fez Ballroom
316 SW 11th St., Portland
Wed, March 10th.
Doors at 9pm, Showtime at 10pm.