LAVENDER

PUMPKIN

SEATTLE GAY NEWS HALLOWEEN SUPPLEMENT

The Amazing Pink Things have surprisingly competent even beautiful — voices

by Ivan Martinson

The Amazing Pink Things

Pioneer Square Newstage through Oct. 30

Encore Restaurant, Oct. 31

They have their goddam nerve coming, out on stage in my very least favorite col-" or in all the world trying to entertain me with ninety minutes of silly songs performed in even sillier routines by surpris-. ingly competent even beautiful voices.

I'd hate to admit I enjoyed myself, so, although I was laughing heartily throughout Act One and smirking through weaker (but shorter) Act Two, I am going to snarl these local celebs, returned from a national tour, right out of town out of sheer pique at pink. Cutesie program bios cut no ice with me.

Actually, the act raised several questions not answered by the lyric of their opening song: "Now you think you've finally got the answer/ They're a pink kind of Manhattan Transfer." The question that kept me puzzled all night was, How do they clean those dead black costumes with pink puffies and mirrors all over them? More intriguing: Can four people actually make a living doing this? And, why are there no faggots in the audience? (I counted four, actually, but that included me and my date, a sedate fellow who always wears purple from head to toe. Now, purple I can see; but pink?)

The low Gay quotient, which perhaps lessened the contagious hilarity of the crowd (but they were pretty lively and laughy for straights), was especially a pity in numbers that might have been written just for a Gay audience. It wasn't just

the set of "pop tunes that never made it" on an S/M theme, though these were good: "He Hit Me and It Felt Like a Kiss" (wailed by Tamara Martin, whose huge eyes get still wider with every smack) is almost as effectively brutal as the Gershwins' "Treat Me Rough" or Rodgers and Hart's "You Mustn't Kick It Around" neither of these last on the Pink programme, alas.

Then Tammy Why-Not (Ms. Martin again, in an accent you could blow into bubbles and park under your chair) performed Al Yankovic's S/M C & W tune "I'd rather eat shards of broken glass for eternity than spend One More Minute with you" with its classic image of rural despair: "I'm stranded alone in the gas station of love/ And I have to use the self service pumps." We've all been

Some of the jewelry displayed at Rhinestone Rosie's

Photo by Jim Lindquist

there, Tammy.

prove with time Up With People is self parody. But I did enjoy "Provin' My Love For Jodie," a timely number suavely sung by the New Boy in Pinktown, Robert Overman, whose genteel sort of sleazy suggestiveness proved exactly right for the song of a boy who shoots the president to impress the actress he loves. Can mine have been the only heart that filled with regret for what might have been? Bozo Bush might be on his way out, not in, if only Hinckley had had half the couth of elegant Bobby O.

It is unlikely that the Pinks will run out of song styles to parody, but if they do, Dana Countryman will easily invent some new ones. Besides the disco number, he contributed take offs on Motown ("We're Just Too White"), elevator muzak, the Beach Boys in World War III, and a sentimental look at

The Amazing Pink Things, romantic Ballard, which sounds funnier than the song actually is. Blond and bland, Dana does the most pallid black lead singer since Simon Estes sang Wagner's Flying Dutchman.

Another nostalgia trip concerned the embarrassment we all feel in admitting we ever got off on disco, but the GayThe depth of taste was reached with a associated pinnacle of the evening boogie-woogie "You Light Up My Life," thought was the duet "I Want a Male accompanied by watusi floor show and a Model (I want to be superficial tonight)," parody of American Sign Language warbled by Ms. Martin and Maureen chaser. It was at this point that I began to McKenna while the boys pose prosee how appropriate pink was for this vocatively and the audience lies back group's artistic mission. and thinks of cologne and designer jeans. Foreveryone who's ever wanted to get into a Versace suit while it was already occupied.

As for the audience that's easily fixed. Arrange a theatre party. Call a few friends. Make it an outing. It's astonishing how few overt Gay men it takes to turn an entire audience outlook lavender.

The second half is a bit of a let-down, partly no doubt because the first is so good, but the songs seem distinctly less The Amazing Pink Things will also be substantial. I didn't think much of the Up appearing at the Encore Restaurant With People parody in situ in Texas Halloween night, October 31, at 10 Chainsaw Manicurist, and it doesn't imp.m. ■

work on fabric, clothing, even tennis shoes. Though prices vary, the rate is far below market price for such workmanship.

For those not dazzled by rhinestones, the store features other jewelry as well; cameos, cloisonne, and polished silver share the display cases with flashier baubles.

Perhaps the best news for potential customers is that Rhinestone Rosie also rents jewelry, in case one has a Court

Rhinestone Rosie's sparkles on Queen Anne function or holiday soiree to attend.

by Casey Hannan

Like a stone in its setting, Rhinestone Rosie's has found its perfect place on Queen Anne Hill. For over three years, Rosalie Sayyah has been operating her business and doing jewelry magic.

The store's specialty is (you guessed it) rhinestones, those colorful almostperfect pieces that make or break an outfit. Not only does Sayyah sell from her 3000 piece collection, she also repairs, restores, designs, and revamps vintage costume jewelry. She is an expert, a veritable rhinestone resource on the questions of period, style and authenticity.

Sayyah finds jewelry fascinating, and encourages that fascination in others.

"My store is set up to be a comfortable place for people to come in, try on, and play with jewelry," she states. "People can relax, and talk about the pieces. I enjoy talking with my customers."

A large part of Rhinestone Rosie's business is in repairing or redesigning jewelry brought in. "Often, someone will come in with a piece left to them by their grandmother, and I can give them some ideas about restoring it," says Sayyah. "I can change clip-on earrings to pierced, or make earrings out of shoe buckles. I've made pieces bigger, or matched and replaced stones." Sayyah is also skilled at preserving the colors and maintaining the integrity of the pieces with which she works.

Another service Sayyah offers is bead-

Sayyah encourages people to bring in their outfits, so she can help you to match your jewelry. "I love brainstorming," she admits. Gift certificates are also available.

Sayyah perceives her jewelry in a very historical context. "Rhinestones are uniquely an American invention," she notes. "The rise of rhinestone jewelry reflects a trend toward prosperity in this country. Sayyah periodically offers classes in "the care and feeding of rhinestones" and their eras and backgrounds.

Rhinestone Rosie's is located at 606 West Crockett, not far from Queen Anne Avenue. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday from noon until 5 p.m., or call 283-4605 for an appointment or more information.

October 21, 1988

Rosalie Sayyah

Photo by Jim Lindquist

Seattle Gay News

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