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Katherine Diaz, our correspondent from Columbia, has always liked the idea of appearing on stage as a drag performer. Recently she had that opportunity and today she has a video and a text post letting you know how much fun she had appearing onstage. She learned of a drag performance workshop through an online friend, registered and spent three months learning the art of drag on stage. Now she’s part of a drag trio who will be performing together. As always Katherine’s post is en Español.
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Years ago on TGForum Laurie Sheril did a series of articles on drag in the cinema. She started back in the days of silent film and worked her way forward in time to the ’90s. Today we dip into the TGForum Archives and pull out her article on characters dressing in drag in the post war ear. First she talks about the angora sweater loving fetishist Ed Wood then goes on to write about Bob Hope, Jerry Lewis and other who dressed up in ’50s films. Learn more in this Retro Rerun from the Archives.
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The late Roberta Angela Dee contributed many articles to TGForum in the 1990s. All were good lessons on how to better perfect your femininity. She covered everything from flattering clothing fashions to makeup application, wig care and more. In today’s Retro Rerun we present her article on achieving a female figure through corsetry and waist cinchers. In the original article she had recommendations for purveyors of fine corsetry. Almost all of her recommendations are no longer in the business. Roberta’s tips on how to change your shape from a rectangle to a pear are still good today.
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Years ago on TGForum Laurie Sheril did a series of articles on drag in the cinema. She started back in the days of silent film and worked her way forward in time. Today we dip into the TGForum Archives and pull out her article on characters dressing in drag in the early day of the “talkies.” Many times the character donning drag was a crook trying to disguise himself but it wasn’t always the case. Sometimes the good guys slipped into a frock to get the goods on the crooks. Return with us now to those early days in this Retro Rerun from the Archives.
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Paul Lavern Cummings, a contemporary female impersonation performer of David de Alba’s, passed away in Las Vegas, Nevada last week as the result of an auto accident. He was born on August 17, 1927. David de Alba wrote the following tribute before Paul/Lavern passed away and Paul/Lavern picked the photos we present above. For more […]
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David de Alba is The Cuban Legend. He began his career in female impersonation in Chicago clubs after a friend noted how much he resembled Judy Garland and did his makeup for a Halloween Ball. Soon David was practicing singing in Garland’s voice and working in the clubs. Then came a move to San Francisco and his years on stage at the famous Finocchio’s club. For the whole story of David’s life in dresses and heels read this article republished with permission from the Newsletter of the San Francisco Museum and Historical Society.
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Aleshia Bravard, a trans woman who got her start in show business working as a female impersonator before having GRS in 1962 passed away on July 1 of this year. After her surgery she returned to her home state of Tennessee and got a degree in the arts from Middle Tennessee State. She then worked as a theater professor and eventually returned to California to pursue and acting career with appearances on numerous shows from The Red Skelton Show to The Partridge Family, Night Gallery and many more. In 2001 she wrote her autobiography and did a sequel in 2010. Before she passed away our own David de Alba did an in-depth interview with her. We present it here with David’s permission.
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David de Alba is that last performing female impersonator from the legendary Finocchio’s in San Francisco. In honor of David’s birthday on May 20 we present three videos of his gift to his fans, his August 2016 show in Las Vegas. David sings as Liza and his own stage character Boy Chic. He also tells stories of his time at Finocchio’s. If you are a David de Alba fan, or would like to become one, you won’t want to miss seeing these videos. Happy birthday, David!
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Coming in March David de Alba returns to the stage in Las Vegas to present his tribute to the immortal Judy Garland. Anyone who is a fan of glamorous female impersonation when the performer sings live rather than miming to a recorded track won’t want to miss this show. It’s coming March 12. View David’s promotional poster for all the details on where and how to get tickets.
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Since I moved to Las Vegas, I have had the greatest opportunity to become acquainted with the world-famous singer and theater performer, David de Alba. David is renowned for his female impersonations as a legendary ensemble member at San Francisco’s Finocchio Club; and even in retirement, David performs two shows a year here in Las […]
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[youtube]zlTjKBg0GfU[/youtube] You’ll want to be a part of this special show, My Golden Years at Finocchio’s, on August 14 as David’s documentarian will be filming his performance for use in the documentary film about David and Finocchio’s. Speaking of which, here is a rare photo of David at Finocchio’s with Paul Ryner, David’s partner, and […]
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Today in Perpetual Change Pamela DeGroff interviews The Cuban Legend, David de Alba about his career, his Cuban heritage and the upcoming documentary about David that is now in post-production. Then Pamela offers appearance news about Coco Peru, Rev. Yolanda, and Georgie Jessup. She has news about a new release from Shawna Virago and a mini review of Cyndi Lauper’s new country album, Detour.
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In honor of Mother’s Day we present a segment of video from the forthcoming David de Alba documentary in which David talks about his mother Tila and her great influence on his life. The video was shot in David’s Las Vegas home.
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David de Alba, the Cuban Legend, is not only a female impersonator par excellance but also has conducted many interview with other performers who practice the art of impersonation and female illusion. Today David has allowed us to reprint an interview with Criselda Crescini, a performer from the Philippines who now lives and works in Germany. Ms. Cresini is a star of the European drag world. David has a show coming up in Las Vega on April 24. We include details of that appearance at the end of the Cresini interview.
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The Cuban Legend, David de Alba, made his name in the female impersonation world when he performed at the legendary San Francisco nightclub Finocchio’s. David is the last of the Finocchio’s stars to still be performing. Last month he did a show in Las Vegas, where he resides, and there was a video camera recording […]
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In May of 2000 David de Alba went to see Steven Wayne in the La Cage Revue in Las Vegas and was mesmerized by his perfectionism performing as Cher and Celine Dion. David was also impressed with Wayne’s appearance, from the styling of the wigs he wore to his make-up, and of course his costuming. That’s why David conducted this interview that he has kindly allowed us to re-publish today on TGF.
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On November 8 The Cuban Legend, David de Alba, brought his Judy Garland impersonation back to the stage in Las Vegas with his David de Alba’s LIVE Tribute to Judy Garland — Judy Forever In My Heart. He appeared in an afternoon one man show at the Jewel Box Theatre, located in the Erotic Heritage […]
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David de Alba graciously allows us to re-publish his celebrity interviews. In October of 2000 David conducted the following interview with Carmen. Carmen became gravely ill early in 2003 and passed away on in March of 2003 at the early age of 52. David’s interview ensures that the name of this talented performer will live on.
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Step back in time and see a video of Rene de Carlo, the International Dancing Star, performing onstage at the legendary Finocchio’s in San Francisco in 1980. No, we don’t have a hot tub time machine. The video was recorded by David de Alba’s long-time partner Paul Ryner and it presents a clip out of the heyday of female impersonation in the City by The Bay.
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David de Alba graciously allows us to re-publish his celebrity interviews. Today we bring you his interview with Joan Rivers favorite Joan Rivers impersonator, Gary Dee. The interview was conducted in the early 2000s while Gary Dee was living and performing in Aruba. Imagine we are transported to the beautiful Island of Aruba in the […]
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David de Alba interviewed The Lady Chablis after her appearance in Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. With David’s kind permission we share that interview here on TGForum. When I saw the movie Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, I didn’t know what to expect, although I was told that it […]
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On July 24, fresh from his triumphant appearance at The Onyx Theatre in Las Vegas, Nevade David de Albs appeared on stage at the Badlands club. The host and MC for the evening, Jimmy Emerson, brought David on as a special guest to present him with the “Ultimate Award” that we announced here a few weeks ago. […]
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David de Alba sold out The Onyx Theatre on June 21 in Las Vegas. All the seats were filled for his Judy Garland Tribute Show. David was surprised during the show to receive and award for his portrayal on stages across the country of Garland. After the show he got another award from his inspiration from Cuba. See a slideshow of the performance.
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Famed female impersonator Jim Bailey has passed away. Of course Caitlyn looks fabulous but you would too with her glamor team. Jon Stewart points out that Caitlyn is being treated like a lady by some of the media. OSHA steps into the Restroom Wars. A new reality show about a dad’s transition comes to ABC Family. The TG nominee for Pennsylvania’s physician general is a step closer to getting the job. A trans woman in Utah runs for office. Facebook is still dropping queen’s pages. All that and a lot more is waiting for you in TWIT!
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Renowned gender illusionist Jim Bailey passed away on May 30 due to complications from pneumonia. He was 77. Bailey was from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was born on January 10, 1938, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Sara and Claude Bailey. He had one brother, Claude. As a teenager he studied opera at the Philadelphia Conservatory of Music. In the 1960s he […]
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Dorian Wayne was an Anita Ekberg look-a-like who performed with The Jewel Box Review and at the 82 Club in the late ’50s and early ’60s. Dorian was the glamorous creation of Rick Colantino. Dorian starred in several “B” (or more like “D”) movies. Here is a short film about Dorian Wayne that includes film and still photos. It’s narrated by Rick Colantino.
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