JULY 1976

GEARIN'

AROUND

with

Aaron Ross

capturing the essence of the performer he was impersonating

with just the right gestures, dance steps and expressions to make us forget he was not singing. It was his asides, his warm, good-natured jibes at his own gayness and that of the audience. It was also the timing, the pace and polish that could only have resulted after many days of rehearsal and after many years of knowing what to do and what not to do in front of a gay group at a bar. And in that lies the answer to the question set forth at the beginning of this column. There is such a thing as gay entertainment. It's not the drag costumes. It's not the miming. It's the material. I now realize there is no more with-it group of show-wise people in this world than gay people. WE (and I speak for mostly all gays) INVENTED

CAMP

We're so up on "kitch," "trivia" and the sublimely ridiculous that we dig what others completely miss. Unfortunately we also accept what others would'nt many times because of our gay

IS THERE SUCH A kinship with the performer. So

THING AS GAY

we cheer the feeble attempts of

a "sister" who took all the time in the world to "dress and make minute to rehearse the act itself. Or we

ENTERTAINMENT? up" and only a

a gay

audience? Or strictly gay entertainers? I pondered these weighty questions as I laughed along with a packed crowd of 200 or more other gays at the Bayou Landing Sunday, July 4th. On a raised platform, in an area usually reserved for Disco dancers, one Tiffany Jones and company were giving what must be the most enjoyable night of fun I've had in years. It could have been just the right chemistry I and a friend had just returned from a wasted 2 days at a beach called Virginia surely the last resort from now on for sun, fun, cruising and choosing. The very bottom of sleazy tourist souvenir shops, run-down watering holes and an almost non-existent strip of sand mostly covered by onrushing tides. The main topic of talk was the female muggers women in cars picking up sailors from nearby Norfolk and Portsmouth and then beating, robbing and ditching them dead or near dead. Only by cutting short our Va. stay and catching a plane to Cleveland Sunday evening. were we fortunate to witness the Bayou show. And what a show. In last month's column I deplored the fact that most gay entertainments in bars featured drags mouthing and miming the voices from records. This was that kind of show but what a difference from the usual.

Tiffany Jones IS a showman one that could hold his own in any setting in front of any audience. He's personable, attractive, with a presence and style usually reserved for those who have had more years in the business than Tiffany could. have possibly had. It was more than his excellent way of

settle for a drag contest when we should (and could) get a beautifully conceived and welldirected display of talent. That's why I'm cheering the Tiffany Jones Bayou Landing show. In preparation, execution, it's far superior to what has passed as entertainment in gay bars previously.

HIGH GEAR

and it should encourage the Bayou, 620, Vaults, Shaker Club and Baskervilles to try again.

If a real honest survey was made it would reveal that (1) 90% of all people in show business are gay (2) 90% of all people who attend "certain' films are gay (3) 90% of all people who purchase Garland, Liza, Streisand, Patti Smith, Laura Nyro, etc. records are gay (4) 90% of those who attend selected musical shows and concerts are gay (5) 90 % of men who read Playgirl, After Dark, Village Voice (all mass publications) are gay. I would also venture to guess that 50% of those in the rock world are gay 90% of those who play piano professionally are gay... and at least 50% of the record world are gay. Formidable figures? Not surprising at least to those who have been a part of many of these "worlds." It's also understandable. Gays, by the very nature of their sensitivity, creativity, have veered to those fields where "artistry," not sexual preferences, is the determining factor of acceptance. We also hunger for recognition, approval, applause!

VAULTS

BAYOU

620 SHAKE

Tiffany

Jones

If the readers of this column don't understand what I mean I invite them to catch "professionals" the next time they're in town. And besides Tiffany there have been Michael Greer, Craig Russell and a group whose name escapes me now that appeared in the Shaker Club (name??????) last Christmas.

I understand that the Bayou lost money with the poor attendance at the Greer and Russell shows but I can't blame the talents for this. Russell's show was poorly staged in the downstairs Bayou bar where the sight lines and the bar distractions made viewing and hearing almost impossible. Greer's show was poorly publicized and it was a one-man show that cried for more variety and local talent participation. At the risk of being redundant, Tiffany's show was both audience and financial success

BASKERVILL

TWIGGY'S

Our empathy for the hard-luck kids of show biz have made legends out of Garland and Marilyn. Our esteem for the hardy durables those who have withstood the ravages of time (Mae West, Dietrich, Swanson, and many other less than faded queens of screen and stage) have made them prime subjects for song and skit in gay material. And it is the homage we pay them in person, on film, on a gay stage that makes for strictly gay entertainment. Where would Jim Bailey, Craig Russell and yes Tiffany Jones be without them? And where would all the yesterday dolls who are continuously making combacks in intimiate bistros in our big cities be without us? Though straights laugh at and enjoy the talents of Paul Lynde, Barry Manilow, Jim Nabors, Van Johnson, Lana Cantrell and hundreds more, without knowing about their sexual leanings, it is their gayness that makes them so attractive.

And where would Broadway be without "A Chorus Line", "Pippin", "Let My People Come", "Wiz," "Chicago", "The Ritz". "Boy Meets Boy, (all predominately gay) and the actors, dancers, singers, writers, directors, scenic designers. costumers who make these shows possible.

All but a few who are gay. When you consider all this it is not surprising to find the choice of material at a gay bar show so far ahead of the pap found in straight bar shows.

Can a straight local bar act top the artistry of Tiffany Jones' devastating impression of Marilyn singing "Happy Birthday America" or the dancing dynamo that is Tiffany Middlesex... or the camp and kitch of a mustached Bayou bar man (sorry didn't catch the name) doing a Kate Smith with God Bless America' or a "Mae West" as a statue of liberty undulating to a disco version of Yankee Doodle Dandy ... or a slight blue-jeaned "everygay-guy-type" belting out what could be a theme of gay independence "I've Gotta Be

Me."

....

All of this took place the night of our 200th Birthday at the Bayou Landing. And I'll venture a guess that those who attended this entertainment had more fun than millions of others at more "typical" celebrations. As I write this, Gay Pride Week is coming up. Let's really be proud of our contributions in the arts, in the entertainments, in every walk of life. By our very gayness we have done more to elevate the level of excellence of American "culture" than any single group. I'd like to see this influence extend to into politics, government, and into all phases of world affairs so that the lives of all people (gay and straight alike) can be more livable, more pleasant. Enough preaching, I'd like Northeast Ohio to be the setting for more great entertainments produced by, performed by and enjoyed by GAYS.

If enough readers of this column respond by phone or mail I'd like to have auditions for a High Gear Revue at the Vaults on Sunday and/or Monday, July 18th and 19th, or at our own Gay Community Center on West 6th. Everyone is invited to participate, Dancers, Singers, Actors, Writers, Scenic Designers, Musicians, Etc. Just Call The Gay Switchboard (216) 696-5330 or Write me c/o High Gear P.O. Box 6177 Cleveland 44101. The result of these auditions could be a traveling revue we can all be proud of. A High Gear Revue of Jocal talented gays that will show the. world what can be done when good gays get together to Entertain!!

Page 21

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JOCKEY?

CLEVELAND Contrary to rumors, Radio Lambda, WRUWFM has not yet returned to the air waves. John Vogel, former coordinator of the gay radio program, has informed High parodies on the greek anthology Gear that the managing position

I wish I were the wind Blowing on your thighs. Pushing on your chest and navel Singing from the south to make you happy

We met, we burned Cold ashes followed Between lays and lies, I lost Smile gently if you think of me.

by C. Paxton

is still available to any serious, dedicated gay activist who is willing to put voluntary time and energy into the project.

Presently, Vogel said, a gay engineer is prepared to handle the programming mechanics of production. But the show cannot be aired without a disc jockey. If you are interested in handling the audio-thematic preparation of Radio Lambda, call the Gay Switchboard, (216) 696-5330.

Let's not let this very valuable source of communication slip through our fingers.