u
classical sound and motion
Symphony, Opera and Dance
3/2//RALEIGH
Kenny G
Fresh off of the release of his 13th studio
album, "Heart and Soul," Grammy Award-
winner Kenny G joins the North Carolina
Symphony to perform the music that has made
him one of the premier artists in contemporary
jazz. Treat yourself to a concert to remember.
Meymandi Concert Hall, ncsymphony.org.
3/7-17//CHARLOnE
'Peter Pan'
The North Carolina Dance Theatre presents
Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux's "Peter Pan." Knight
Theatre, ncdance.org.
3/7-24//RALEIGH
'Rite of Spring'
Celebrating the 100th anniversary of Russian
composer Igor Stravinsky's "The Right of
Spring." Also featuring Zalman Raffael's new
hip hop ballet, "A Street Symphony." Fletcher
Opera Theater. carolinaballeLcom.
3/23//CHARLOTTE
Natalie Merchant
Over the past 30 years, Natalie Merchant's
distinctive voice, gift for storytelling through
music and unique stage presence have
earned her a place among America's most
respected artists. She joins the Symphony for
selections from her latest album, "Leave Your
Sleep," plus favorites from her solo career
and days with 10,000 Maniacs. Belk Theater.
charlottesymphony.org.
4/18-26//RALEIGH
'Fancy Free'/Carolina Jamboree'
"Fancy Free," the first ballet choreographed
by Jerome Robbins, took New York by storm
and propelled Robbins into a household name
and led to a life of work on Broadway, in the
movies, and in ballet Lynne Taylor-Corbett's
"Carolina Jamboree" with the The Red Clay
Ramblers is one of the programs that makes
Carolina Ballet unique; the combination of
ballet and bluegrass will have you dancing
in the aisles. Raleigh Memorial Auditorium.
carolinaballeLcom.
4/25-27//CHARLOTTE
Contemporary Fusion
An eclectic evening of dance brings togethe/
the works of three choreographers includ
ing the return of Jiri Bubenicek. The talented
young choreographer who last worked with
Dance Theatre in March 2011 returns to cre
ate a work for the company. Knight Theater.
ncdance.org.
4/26-27//CHARLOTTE
Jussen brothers
Youthful pianists, brothers Arthur and
Lucas Jussen, join the Charlotte Symphony,*
Christopher Warren-Green conducting, for
Strauss'Till Eulenspiegal's Merry Pranks,
Mozart's COncertNo. lOforTwo Pianos and
Mendelssohn's "Italian" Symphony No. 4.
Belk Theater, charlottesymphony.org.
5/3-4//CHARLOTTE
Symphonic Cinema
Music Director Christopher Warren-Green
takes over the Pops podium to lead the
Drchestra through an evening of film favorites
that will span the decades. The program
includes selections from The Godfather,
Batman, Pirates of the Caribbean, iconic
Dutch pianists, brothers Arthur and Lucas Jussen, will perform with the Charlotte Symphony in April.
Photo Credit: Press photos, Alek (alek.nl).
scores from the pen of John Williams, and
more. Belk Theater, charlottesymphony.org.
5/4//CHARL0nE
'Once Upon a Time'
The Charlotte Symphony joins students from
the North Carolina Dance Theatre for a morn
ing performance presenting beloved fairy
tales, including Hans Christian Anderson's
"The Ugly Duckling," "The Frog Prince" by
the Brothers Grimm, the Russian folktale "The
Firebird" and others. Knight Theater.
charlottesymphony.org.
5/10-12//CHARLOHE
Beethoven's Ninth
The Oratorio Singers of Charlotte join the
Charlotte Symphony for their season finale
and performance of Beethoven's Symphony
No. 9. Belk Theater, charlottesymphony.org.
— Show and performance descriptions
and synopses courtesy various
marketing materials.
drag rag
by Miss Della
qnotes contributor
The skies are reigning men and women!
Ah, yes, boys and girls, we meet again.
1 hope love is in the air, or something like
that, as we celebrate the Valentine's Day
season.
Where to begin? I wanted to mention a
great night I had out last month when I went
out to see a Big Girls show at Scorpio —
Victoria Parker was in town and she was
joined by Big Shirli bringing her sexy back
and Miss Tara Storm with her drag mother
Tiffany emceeing. It was good to visit with
Da Pig and find out how LA. is treating her.
She tells me living there is wonderful and
that doing drag is quite different Seems
everyone wants to not only be a star of the
stage, but also a mainstream superstar.
Doesn't surprise me. Porkchop, good luck
— you can have it Hopefully, we'll see you
in a movie or on a TV show soon if that's
what you heart desires.
16 qnotes Feb. 15-28.2013
That same evening, I met three visitors in
the audience who were in town from Atlantic
City for a convention and they came out to
see Victoria. Joe Ballesteros from the Miss'd
America pageant and a resort in Atlantic City
came with two pretty famous impersonators
in their own right—Jason CoZmo, who does
Dolly Parton and Lucille Ball, and the legend
ary Liza Minelli illusionist Phyl Craig, who
often meets up with Dame Liza for high tea
and chit-chat and I, thank you. Still trying to
find Joe's number so I can call and whisper
sweet nothings in his ear — nothing like a hot
businessman, right?
I know by the time this comes out Alyssa
Edwards will have already been to Scorpio
as the first visiting queen from Season 5 of
"RuPaul's Drag Race," but I am so excited
to see my good sister If you saw the first
episode, I know you'll agree that the look
on her face was priceless when Coco
Montrese walked in the door. I'm sure you
know Coco was Alyssa's first alternate at
Miss America, then Coco took over duties
after Alyssa was basically dethroned for
business reasons. That's okay — she was
still a fierce Miss U.S.ofA., which she won
on her first attempt I hope this Texas fire
cracker will be back in Charlotte (or nearby)
again and again.
Still harping on Scorpio, I recently had
the pleasure and privilege of judging the
Miss Scorpio pageant and had a great
evening with fellow judges Big Mama B,
Kerri Nichols and Miss U.S.ofA. at Large
Dorae Saunders (all three former winners)
and the current Mr. Scorpio, the handsome
rascal Monte St James. The ever-exquisite
and super-sweet Eden Parque Divine
relinquished her crown that night and I must
say, damn, her make-up, hair, and wardrobe
get better every time I see her, if that's even
possible. The hair she wore for her give-up
number with that sick-o-ning gown was off
the damn hook, baby. Eden ended up crown
ing that wild and crazy Valarie Rockwell who
portrayed Honey Boo Boo Child for presenta
tion and it was a holler! Valarie’s runners-up
included Leah Halston of Cincinatti and
Monica Lovittfrom right here in the Queen
City. Formers who were on-hand to perform
included NC All-American Goddess Tia
Douglas, Dorae Saunders, Amber Rochelle
St James and Elaine Davis.
On a national level, I can tell you I need to
be in touch with my sister Mokha Montrese,
the reigning Entertainer of the Year, for prelim
tea, but she did recently have Miss Mid Tri-
States, which Vanity won with RU Juleene
DeLaRouge. I can't wait for Mokha's trip to
N.C. for the prelim here in the spring! Love
that queen (as if you didn't know)! Also, on
the U.S.ofA. scene, Alina Malletti recently
won Arizona and her RU was former Miss
Continental Domanique Chappelle.
Would you believe all the rest is
Continental tea? They are updating their
website these days — how exciting!
I'll be all over the board with it, so pay
attention, okay? Ha! Winners and run
ners up are: TN PLUS, Karrabelle and RU
India Michaels; Dreamgirl PLUS, Farrah
N. Hyte; Dreamgirl Elite, Sherri Payne; NY
Elite, Tyler Alexander; NJ PLUS, Cristal
Skky; NJ Elite, Miss Dena Cass; KY PLUS,
Tatianna DeLaRouge; Tri-State PLUS,
see Drag Rag on 23