Okay, that is a total lie, but in 1998 I went to Burning Man (my one and only year) and performed with a circus. I'd like to say that I remember everything about my Burning Man weekend with startling clarity but that would also be a lie.
Here is some truth. Burning Man, while quite an experience, was really not for me. That's not to say that it didn't stay with me. I dreamt about the playa for ages after I got back. I found playa dust in my belly dance stuff for ages after I got back. But I learned a valuable lesson - I'm not into extreme camping. Give me a vacation destination that has running water, please.
Home, sweet not waterproof home
While I discovered I wasn't a "burner", I also have many oddly fond memories from that time (how accurate they all are remains a mystery).
I didn't lie about performing with a circus when I was there. Four members of the belly dance troupe I was in went that year. I was woefully unprepared for this type of camping; thankfully a friend of our troupe came with enough supplies to take care of those of us who didn't know what to expect. I brought plenty of costuming, though, and every day we geared up and roamed the playa for performance opportunities.
Roaming band of belly dancers
One afternoon we came across the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus. They were colorful and edgy and fun - much like we imagined ourselves to be. They graciously let us open for them, then we got to watch their crazy show. I basically only remember an insane contortionist (I honestly can't imagine what his body feels like now) and the gorgeous ringleader who hammered a nail into her nostril. Into. Her. Nostril. Whoa.
This was also the legendary year where a huge dust storm hit followed immediately by a massive rainstorm, creating a concrete-type mud that collected on our insufficient dance shoes, basically building platform shoes until one broke apart and we'd have to scrape the other one down.
I have two favorite memories from that event.
1. One evening, after possibly ingesting a mind-altering substance, my partner in crime, Beth, and I seemingly walked back and forth to the port-a-potties a thousand times (at least it felt that way to me). On one of our trips we ran into a group of guys who chanted some weird hymn-like song to us. I can't even imagine what our faces looked like as we listened to this truly bizarre chorus. For some reason I always equate them to the creepy preacher in Poltergeist.
2. For the burn, our dear friend Michael dressed in gorgeous drag and we all walked around prior to the big event. A guy came up to him (I recall that this guy was dressed in something flowy...I think like a sheik but I'm sure I'm remembering this wrong), enchanted by his awesomeness and said, "You look beautiful." Michael, not missing a beat, replied, "You look like I need another drink." Beth and I have been quoting that ever since.
The guy wasn't wrong. He looked beautiful.
Beth and me at the burn.
(blog intercepted by a message from Finn) _A>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<L))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
(okay, I've taken back control)
Why am I telling you guys about my moment performing with a circus? Because right before New Year I saw a movie about a circus.
The Greatest Showman - released in 2017
I liked this movie a lot. I know it's gotten mixed reviews but I'm a fan. I saw this at a matinee where my friend David predicted it would be only us and 4 other gay men. In fact, there were a few more folks than that but it was still blissfully empty.
When I first saw the trailer for this I thought it might be a Moulin Rouge knockoff and I wasn't entirely wrong. I love love love Moulin Rouge and Baz Luhrmann (see my past post) so I was skeptical about this film. But I got in there and loved it.
I believe the director, Michael Gracey, has only done commercials prior to this film. I think he did a great job considering the scope of the project. While there is nothing I don't love about the way Moulin Rouge is filmed and edited, I appreciated that this film had some longer, less chaotic cuts, enabling us to enjoy the dance numbers (there was some great dancing!).
I also felt like Hugh Jackman was able to shine, musically, in this film. This music suited him, unlike Les Miserables (the also might be because they made the ill advised decision on Les Miz to do live recording of the singing. Not the best decision.) Justin Paul and Benj Pasek wrote the music. They were relative unknowns when they started working on this film but prior to this being released they won an Oscar for La La Land and a Tony for Dear Even Hansen. Well done, them!
The real treat for me was discovering Keala Settle, who played the Bearded Lady. Her voice is nothing short of incredible and her song, This is Me, resonates in our current climate. Watch this table read (sing?) for a glimpse of the power of this song.
In fact, even though I know this is a HIGHLY fictionalized version of P.T. Barnum's life, I'm glad they made this film that celebrates accepting diversity. We need this message right now in every single way we can get it.
(My drink pairing for this film is a Circus Freak - basically rum, Malibu rum and vanilla coke. Enjoy!)
My takeaways:
#1 - I continually get confirmation that I am a sucker for a fun musical.
#2 - I really did learn my lesson about me being a camper after Burning Man. Haven't been since.
#3 - Always be proud of who and what you are. You are all beautiful to me.
Happy New Year!
xoxo....hashtagSueslife
