A message to all the New Yorkers working hard to resurrect live perfromance, Vaudeville, and Burlesque: it is alive and thriving here in the Viet Nam! I went to a club the other night. It was like some of the ones in Bangkok, it looks like a disco but people sit at cocktail tables and watch a show. We entered as a sexy girl pop singer was finishing her set. The next act was a slapstick comedy team that looked like they just stepped out of 1935. One guy was like a hobo W.C. Field. Every time he went to tip his tophat the brim seprated from the hat. The other guy was in frumpy lady drag: no makeup and a silly dress. He wore a funny headwrap that old ladies wear here. W.C. kept trying to do magic tricks but the "lady" kept picking up the objects in such a way as to give away the trick. Like, she'd lift the cards and you's see that they're all connected.
The next act was a singer who seemed to be very popular. He was in his mid 40's, wore tight flared jeans and a Western belt, and sang mostly rock power ballads ("You're My Inspiration" etc). He was actually very good and had a lot of star quality. The fact that they don't do this with any sense of irony is actually very sweet. While I'm no supporter of the alleged "death of irony," a little break from it is not only refreshing, but good for the spirit.
The emcee was a queeny guy in a silver suit. That's as close as it gets to drag here.
Speaking of drag, I hit the jackpot yesterday! I went to Chinatown (yes, they have one here too) and with the help of a very nice moterbike driver, I found a place that sells Chinese opera-type headpieces. You must see them, they are sick! I bought a few in Bangkok two years ago, but these are a bit different. They are certainly NOTHING you'd find in NY! I have discovered a way to impulsively shop without guilt. I just buy things that I love BUT are also an investment because I can use them for my entertainment business.
I went into a furniture shop and I saw some amazing hand carved chairs with silk cushions. The prices were unbelievably low! You would gag! It's like going into one of those pricy SOHO places and getting 80% off. But:
A)I'd have to deal with shipping
B)I live in a tiny NY apartment with no room for such things, and
C)It's better to invest in costumes which I'll enjoy just as much but they will eventually pay for themselves.
It's a haphazard sort of discipline system, but it works for me.