Jennifer Lanier Blog
Event-full weekend!
Hi folks!
I had the best time this weekend! First of all, I want to thank Maria & everyone involved with Peacock After Dark. It was an incredible show and it ran so smoothly. We could take that thing on the road! I know that all the Vancouver performers were very happy to be a part of the show and were pleased to do our part for the scholarship fund. Second, thanks to Burly Girl Productions & all of the folks involved with Best Of Our Burlesque Show at Berbati's. Again, amazing performers...a hot time that night!
Of course, my thoughts are now turning to the event of November 1, the great night-after-Halloween event. It's fall so it must be time for SUPER QUEER: A Lusty Fun Xtravaganza! This year, we will be at Berbati's Pan, same as B.O.O.B.S. And you will recognize a couple of the performers I am sure! Which ones, you ask? Ah, stay tuned as we solidify our line-up...The show is Saturday, November 1. Doors at 8pm, Show at 9pm. And we have some hot DJ action as well so be prepared to party hard! Check out www.myspace.com/sqlfx for more info & keep checking for performer updates.
Got to go now. Apparently, Dustina still needs help with that basket...Enjoy the day!
Hey there, my friends,
Yes, it is that time of year again. When the air becomes cooler, the trees are thinking about new colored frocks for their leaves, & a queer's heart turns lightly to thoughts of a huge party with amazing entertainment:
SUPER QUEER: a Lusty Fun Xtravaganza!
Bruce T.D. King, Sahara Dunes, Johnny O, the debut performance of Portland's new burlesque troupe: Bang Bang Betty's Big Beautiful Bombshells, DJ Mel spinning tunes for you to dance to and more amazing performers for your lusty fun!
This kickin' party will be Saturday November 1, the day after Halloween, at Berbati's Pan, just around the corner from my fav PDX doughnut place, VooDoo Doughnuts. And this year, we are pleased to perform as a benefit for the Portland Women's Crisis Line so mark your calendars & plan to support the great work these folks do for women in crisis.
Hard to believe it has been nearly a year since the last Super Queer. A lot has changed & the show is gonna be better than ever. So keep posted & if you want to stay in touch, check out www.myspace.com/sqlfx . You can send an email to sqlfxpdx@JenniferLanier.com with thoughts, questions, or just some good cheer!
Pride in Vancouver
Hey there folks! It's Pride time all around the country and here in the Pacific Northwest, we are celebrating too. Portland OR Pride was fantastic! The parade was fun to march in and everyone at the NorthBank had a great time representing Saturday in the Park, Vancouver's Pride celebration.
Speaking of all of that, Dustina & I (as Bruce), are running for Ms. & Mr. Vancouver Pride and the lovely Shoshana is running for Miss Vancouver Pride. The way it works is we participate in a pageant the evening of July 5 at the NorthBank and the audience votes for the winners. So I want all of you in the NW to come out on Saturday and support us! After the pageant, Bruce will be performing for the Step Doown show so join us for a post-Fourth of July good time!
I have to tell you all...since I have moved here, I have felt quite overwhelmingly welcomed by the Queer community. The Lipz Cabaret at the NorthBank has become my performing home and everyone connected with it is definitely family. To Mama, Daryl, Neely, Chiclet, Mitzi, Bill, Shoshana, Chili, Kitti, Alexis, Rhea, Ryan, and everyone who makes it to the shows; thanks, y'all, for making this transition easier and more fun than changing one's entire reality should be! I'll see all of you at the pageant!
Happy Pride!
Pride Week is always exciting and Pride Week in a new city even more so. I had so much fun last week in and around Portland. I emceed and did a 30 minute NONE OF THE ABOVE at Spring Thing at Clark College in Vancouver WA which wasn’t a Pride event but still a great time. Looking forward to working with those folks in the fall for my full show.
Later that night, I helped my friend, Sahara Dunes, at the E Room’s cabaret show. She did an amazing number using shadow work and the other performers were pretty hot as well!
Saturday was all about the regular Lipz Cabaret and it was a terrific show. But this week I added a stint at the party OUT LIKE THAT at the Doug Fir later in the evening. Found myself helping at the door. Nothing like being the bad guy that says “you can’t come in” to folks in line. It was a huge party and I hear they are going to do it again next year.
Next day, the big event: the Portland Pride Parade. The Northbank Lipz Cabaret represented “Saturday in the Park” the Pride celebration for Vancouver that will be on July 12 at Esther Short Park. The theme is “Picnic in Oz” so we were all in OZ costumes. I was the Lion. That was the best time ever!
This weekend, rest! Except for the audition on Saturday. And a graduation party. And cabaret rehearsal. And….
Enjoy the day!
Mildred Esther Jeffries Lanier 2/25/1924-5/27/2007
"But it´s a movie and it messes up my story flow," I said.
"You can always watch the movie again," my partner said. "The kids are only at this age--in that moment--for about a minute and this is a way of connecting with you, you know?"
Well, I didn´t know. That is, I thought I didn´t know. Then I had my weekly counseling appointment and the subject of the first anniversary of my mother´s death was the topic. She died late May 27 or early May 28, 2007 and it was weighing on me. I don´t think I had much opportunity to grieve my mother´s death for a variety of reasons, some of which will likely be the subject of a new show. But I digress. So, I´m in the quiet room on the comfy couch and Counselor Dan asks me," what do you think you´ve lost because of her death?"
Great question, actually. My mom and I were not exactly close. Frankly, my family was never a close kind of family. I couldn´t tell you the date of my parent´s anniversary. Sometimes, my sisters would marry a new partner and I would find out weeks later. We just didn´t keep up closely with each other´s lives. And we were not a lots-of-hugs-and-kisses bunch. I really have to think hard to remember the last time my mother kissed me. But when I would come home for a visit, she would fix my favorite dinner of fried chicken, collard greens, and great northern beans. And cake. Chocolate cake. Three layers. After dinner (an early afternoon meal for those of you not familiar with southern etiquette), we would sit and watch a football game or a basketball game or a golf tournament if Tiger Woods was in the field. We would chat about the event, how the players were or were not doing well, stuff like that. My mom was a huge sports fan. Everyone always assumes that Daddy the Colonel must have taught me how to play ball but actually, it was Momma. My sisters were decidedly non-athletic but Momma taught me how to shoot a basketball, though my high school coach changed my shot (thanks, Mickie). She taught me how to throw a baseball and a football. She honed my tennis stroke and encouraged me to try out for volleyball because she loved it so much. Momma played all of those sports and played them with me until the fateful year of 1968 when our whole universe changed but that is another show I am writing as we speak. I loved listening to Momma´s insights on sports and on teamwork. I loved it when she told stories about her playing days. I loved cheering with her. I loved just sitting with her while the game progressed.
"What a great way to share time together," said Counselor Dan. "You didn´t have to do a lot. Just interacting while you watched something you both enjoyed."
"Really?" I said. "I always thought that watching stuff together on TV was such a pathetic way to hang out with her. We should have been at the game or playing it like we used to. Not just sitting, talking about ´will Tiger make the Grand Slam.´ "
"Did you enjoy it?"
"Yes."
"Did she?"
"Yes."
"That´s so fantastic that you two had something special that you shared together. What a great way to connect on a rich level that you never had to discuss. It was understood so you were both free to just have the experience together and interact through the game."
After I left Counselor Dan´s office, I sat in my car and cried. I cried because I miss my Momma. I cried because I wasted time being upset with her because she and I weren´t close when we actually were. Being athletic and physically fit is so important to me. All of my acting work, all of my drag king work, all of my work with kids, everything I do that I love is based on being physically fit. My passion for sports comes from her. I sent a text to my partner, apologizing for being late for our lunch date and said my appointment was great. When I got there, she took one look at me and asked what´s wrong.
"I´m sad. About Momma."
"Then why did you say the appointment was great?"
"Tell you over lunch. And how 'bout we watch Pirates of the Caribbean II tonight?"
"The boys have seen it. You know what´s gonna happen."
"Yeah."
I can hardly wait.
Hey there, folks.
I had the greatest time in Baton Rouge last week. See me on the front page of their website, www.lsu.edu . The show at Louisiana State University was fantastic, the audience was lively, and I even got to see Mike the Tiger! Everyone at the university was so welcoming and they introduced me to authentic Cajun and Creole cuisine. I ate blackened alligator, boudin balls, gumbo, and my weight in boiled crawfish! Then I had a chance to perform for the kids at Renaissance Village, one of the trailer towns created after Hurricane Katrina. By the way, RV is closing on May 31 and there are still lots of people there with nowhere to go after it closes. I don't know what the government is thinking but those beautiful people, mostly moms with lots of kids and folks with other barriers, still need help. Maybe we need to have a fund-raiser for those folks...write me and tell me what you think.
Then, we arrived in Hawaii in time to perform for a special dinner created by my friends at Alice's not a restaurant Foodie Club. Bruce performed and helped a couple of folks get in touch with their "inner king" and the lovely Dustina sang a sultry song for the pre-dessert entertainment. Always a joy to play to a Big Island crowd!
Now it's vacation time and I will catch up with y'all after Dustina and I spend some time in the sea!
Aloha, y'all!
FEAR: False Evidence Appearing Real
Otanye Wakan
You know, you can’t just go running around at a funeral willy-nilly. Funeral directors are very strict. My friends & I had to wait for the assigned moment to stand up & sing the deceased over to the other side. This is not part of the traditional Presbyterian grave-side service but it was important on this particular day. The song was in Lakota; the English translation is:
Earth is a circle,
Sky is a circle,
Everything moves in a circle.
Life to Death to Life again.
Everything has a place in the Sacred Circle of Life.
I’ve got circles on the brain right now. Actually, I am watching my kitten chase her tail, spinning in a circle as I write this. Yes, we have a new kitten. She is three months old now. My partner found her on the road to our post office, following anyone she saw as if to say, “please be my new family.” Apparently, my partner’s answer was yes as she brought the little tortoise shell darling home. I heard about this while I was still on the road. And even though my friend Kimberly tells me our fur per square inch to humans ratio is a little high, I was glad for the new baby. I sometimes feel a bit down after coming home from a tour. Going from the adrenaline rush of shows & meeting new folks to the quiet solitude of my little part of the island can be a difficult transition. But this time, there was a new kitty doing what kitties do best & I had no time to mope about. Not with a kitten racing through the house, spinning out on the bathroom tile, grabbing my bare toes as I walk by, creating entire fantasy hunting games out of a balled up piece of paper. Oh yes, the smiles come fast & furious with a kitten in the house. The thing is... kittens love life and are not afraid to show it.
The circle keeps going. My mom just died. I got the call at 6 am May 29th and at noon May 30th, I was on a plane to North Carolina for the June 1st funeral. My older sisters took care of all of the funeral details; I had my hands full trying to get there from Hawaii in time. My partner could not go with me but waiting in North Carolina from the moment I got off the plane to the moment I left was my family of friends, women I had known for years who made sure I was not alone & took care of me every second I was there: Mae & Antoinette, Kelli & Tiffany, Lindsey, and Jo. They were my emotional bodyguards, protecting me during that surreal moment of entering the church & seeing mom’s body. They sent silent encouragement when I discovered moments later that I was on the program to speak some reflections during the service. They held the drum & the burning sage & the tobacco robe that would go in her casket after we sang her over at the burial site. When everyone else was gone, they let me cry. They let me laugh. They made sure I ate something. They did what friends do best when you need them. The thing is... friends love you & are not afraid to show it.
So the circle continues, beginnings & endings. I cry a lot about my mom. I laugh a lot at my kitten. My partner helps me remember to eat something. And so it goes.
Whew! An amazing few weeks this has been!
I had an tremendous time at Bennett College for Women. The show was well received and people were quite fun during the audience participation sections. Thank you, Mrs. Sharpe, for coming. Ana Tampanna of The Inclusion Solution www.alligatorcoach.com ; was a tremendous help before and after the show. And thank you to the gentleman filming the show...I didn't get your card but i look forward to seeing the footage later. Also, still photography by Frankye J. Riley...can't wait to see what your eyes saw! Later that week, I had the opportunity to spend time in several classrooms with theatre students and we had a rollicking good time working on solo pieces and some interesting give & take about the business of being an independent artist. Steve Willis, theatre professor and host extraordinaire, has a great group of young folks to work with and I look forward to seeing more from them all.
The JBC Institute's Chief Diversity Officers Forum was quite an experience. I attended several incredible sessions, including ones with Samir Luther of the Human Rights Campaign, Gary Palmer of Replacements, Inc. & Lourdes Diaz of National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce among others. At the Trailblazers in Diversity awards dinner, I was totally caught up in the keynote address by Dr. Jane Fernandes, the provost and former President-Designate at Gallaudet University. Her message of struggle and the need for inclusion was thoughtful and powerful. And I have to admit, I had never attended a keynote speech that was given in ASL and translated for us signing-impaired folk but I was incredibly moved by her beautiful address. The next day, I was fortunate enough to have lunch with Dr. Fernandes and, lo and behold, she lived in Hawaii for several years! Her husband is from Kauai and we talked about home for a while. She gave me so much to think about and made me laugh with her stories (always a plus fro me!). For me, the diversity conference was made complete by my encounter with Dr. Fernandes and I will continue to send love & light to her.
I will write about the Wake Forest experience in the next installment. It's warming up here...finally. Got to get outside and clean the pollen off the car.
Aloha, y'all!
North Carolina Rocks!!
I have been having a great time in the Tar Heel state, y'all! I wanted to jot down a few things for you...
In Asheville, LD and the folks at Club Hairspray were fantastic! Check out www.clubhairspray.com and visit them. Love hearing Prince on the dance floor! And now, I am sportin' a fabulous haircut, the envy of all I see, compliments of the amazing Frankie Bolt at INFUSION Hair Studio, 797 Haywood Rd in Asheville. Of course, coffe, smoothies, internet access & great stories at OUTSPOKEN on Haywood Rd. Thanks Lin, Amy, and the folks who tried to help when my laptop crashed!
More later. Aloha, y'all!
Hey folks!
Activity levels are high--big week of shows and also some classroom presentations at Bennett College & Guilford College. I am headed up to Asheville tomorrow for the show at Club Hairspray Friday night. www.clubhairspray.com See the calendar for more info. That drive from the Piedmont to Asheville is one of the most beautiful drives I know. It's been a long time & I am excited about connnecting with all of my buddies in the mounntains.
Don't forget Saturday night & Sunday afternoon in Carrboro---
8:00pm Saturday & 3:00pm Sunday The ArtsCenter www.artscenterlive.org
Give me a holler and let me know what you think! Gotta run!
Aloha, y'all!
It's the road again!
Hey there, my friends!
I am on the road again and so far all of my luggage has stayed with me! Right now, I am in North Carolina where I had a chance to go to the ACC Women’s Basketball Tournament for the first time in four years. And Carolina won—Go Heels! I saw so many friends from the days in Carrboro & Chapel Hill & Durham. It felt like a homecoming. It was great seeing some folks from my high school basketball team inncluding my coach. We all cheered mightly when Kay Yow took NC State to victory over the Number One team in the country, Duke. Kay Yow showed us all what old school coaching is all about--the team as a whole is greater than the sum of it's individual players! It was a glorious Saturday.
This week I am getting ready for the shows at the ArtsCenter in Carrboro, Club Hairspray in Asheville, and Bennett College. Back to back shows! Fortunately, I am staying with friends who are keeping me well-fed and keeping me from suffering from too much alone time. No need to entertain me; it’s nice just to participate in my friends lives when I visit. Fixing chairs and putting up shelves is as great a way to have fun together as any big event.
There are some articles coming out in several local papers about the shows: the Chapel Hill News on Thursday, the Durham Herald Sun on Wednesday, and the Raleigh News & Observer on Thursday or Friday, I can’t remember which. Also, the GO Triad weekly paper in Winston-Salem & Greensboro will publish an interview in a column on Thursday. Let me know if you see other media notices; I like to thank folks for the mention.
I wrote recently about my battles with the Christmas Berry tree in Hawaii. I have just found out that the Christmas Berry is actually the Brazilian Pepper tree. Apparently inn its native environment, it is a little ornamental bush but when it came to Hawaii, it turned into some gigantic mutant horror tree that, among it's previously mentioned evils, is kin to poison sumac & poison ivy. Oh, great! Not only do we have to cut them all down (see previous post on that struggle) but we can’t even burn the wood cause of respiratory ickiness. Whaddaya do?!
I will try to post more as news breaks. Don’t forget to check the calendar to see when the shows are & come out and see me afterwards!
Aloha, y’all!
So the Spring 2007 tour is being finalized and I am excited about this one, y'all! First, I am going to the ACC Women's Basketball Tournament for the first time in four years! Then, I get to start off working in North Carolina with some theatre for young audiences with my buddy, Bob, at the Arts Based Elementary School in Winston-Salem. Then, None of the Above at Bennett College, Wake Forest, and the Jonetta B. Cole Institue for Global Diversity & Inclusion's Chief Diversity Officers Forum at the Grandover in Greensboro. In between those shows, Bruce the Drag King will perform at clubs in Asheville and other cities in NC, SC, & VA. Dates & times are TBA.
Next, we may be heading to George Mason University & Millersville University for their Pride weeks, Lord willin' and the creek don't rise. Then it's on to Boston for some Bruce gigs & perhaps a None of the Above performance. Those of you who know the show remember how important the Boston Women of 1980 are---I would love to tell them how important they are! Anybody have any ideas? Let me know here at the site if you have thoughts about Boston venues.
At the end of April, I am heading to the western side of the continent for gigs in Portland, OR (April 27-29), Vancouver BC, Berkeley CA, LA to greet my friend's new baby, and then San Diego. By then, I will be ready to head back to the islands.
That's the story so far. If you want me to bring my smiling face or Bruce's sizzling moves to your neck of the woods, email info@JenniferLanier.com . I bet we can find a place to squeeze in your gig! And now I must go---a new piece of luggage is calling my name! Aloha, y'all!
Valentine's Day is three whole weeks away and you know what my darlin' did? She got me an early present. And nothing says "I love you" like a new Stihl chain saw! I know what you're thinking..."oh, those mad, impetuous lovebirds!" Or maybe it's closer to "freakin' dykes!" Either way, perhaps an explanation is in order.
You see, my partner and I are working with another couple to clear a piece of land we have recently purchased to make way for our houses. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the flora common to the Big Island, let me introduce you to the Christmas Berry tree. Or, as I like to call it, Holly's Tropical Evil Twin. Now, the name sounds nice, doesn't it. Christmas Berry. Jingle, jingle, oh look at the happy little tree that brings joy and spiritual salvation to all, right? WRONG! It is a sick & twisted tree and I mean that literally! It grows in all directions, limbs wrapping around each other in a maniacal tango. Yes, it is a dance trying to cut one of these buggahs down without getting wacked by the misjudged tension release of a limb or to even to get it to fall at all, for just when you think you have cut through, the bloody thing doesn't fall down. "Why," you ask yourself, "why do you not fall, o hellish tree of Satan." And then you discover some of the tree's limbs are stepping out...having a little fling...some afternoon delight, dancing with an adjacent tree who holds it up, teasing gravity in an inverted dip. Waiting to fall. ON YOU!
And did I mention that the wood is very dense. These demon trees eat chain saw chains for breakfast...we have gone through an average of one chain a week and that's with daily cleaning and maintenance. We all are covered in cuts & bruises from battle. Two chain saws have lost their lives to these vicious monsters already. So, you can understand how my heart fairly burst with love & joy when the commercial capable, tough but lightweight & easy to handle, kick-ass new chain saw was handed to me. I tenderly kissed my darlin' in thanks then I pulled her starter cord and opened that be-yatch up! I'm refering to the chain saw, of course.
So, it's back to battle but this time we are going in with the proper equipment that works for the situation. And we will not cut and run. We will stay the course until victory has been achieved. Hmmm, that reminds me of something...
Mahalo nui loa!
Thank you so much for coming to the show! There was a lovely crowd for the show Saturday night...love it when the call goes out for an emergency audience and they appear! Many thanks to Kiki & Chewi & Sharon for the use of the hall. If you are looking for a beautiful B&B on the Big Island, check out Hale 'Ae Kai Guesthouse ( www.haleaekai.com ). Thank you Kimberly Dark (www.KimberlyDark.com )for the wonderful emcee work. And some great new pieces as well! And Bruce the Drag King thanks all the hot chicks who participated in his performance. He told me to say you all are welcome to play with him ANYTIME! All in all, a fun way to get the year going. Again, thanks to everyone who came and everyone who helped spead the word! Aloha y'all!
Come & See da Show!
Hey y'all! Big News Flash (cue appropriate teletype music)...I am doing a show TONIGHT! January 6, Saturday! A person from a big time festival is on the island and wanted to see the "None of the Above" so of course, we rallied the troops and it's happening! Check out the calendar page for details, directions. Looking forward to seeing all of my Big Island friends there. Kimberly Dark is the emcee and she will be performing some of her work as well. And what's a Saturday night show without Bruce the Drag King! Bruce will do some new material and a couple of fan favorites. It's going to be a night of laughs & lusty fun! Aloha, y'all!
Go with The Flow
[Won't you sing along....]
Christmas is coming, the geese are getting fat,
Won’t you please put a penny in the old man’s hat.
If you haven’t got a penny, a ha’penny will do,
If you haven’t got a ha’penny, God bless you.
Do any of you remember this song? I think I learned it in first grade or somewhere in the single digits of life. It popped into my mind yesterday after a wonderful chat with my spiritual mentor. Now, I had called her about something else entirely but she is quite good at reminding me of what is really important as opposed to the useless stuff I have a tendency to worry about. Like this whole Christmas giving thing. Now, I can get very caught up in how little money I THINK I have for gifts and let that stop me from giving PERIOD, totaling forgetting how the energetic flow of giving and receiving works. Apparently, she felt it was time for me to have a special remedial tutorial on The Flow: giving flows into receiving which flows into giving which flows into receiving. Basically, that’s The Flow. Stopping-up the giving (holding back because one perceives some kind of lack in one’s pocketbook) means stopping-up the receiving as well. Ergo, when one allows a limited perspective on giving to creep into one’s consciousness (“I am only allowed to give gifts where the mall is involved”), The Flow gets all bottled up and stops flowing. Spiritual constipation, as it were. Plus, like physical constipation, it feels really icky.
There are so many ways to give. Some involve money. Some do not. I have been making a tasty beverage recently with lemons & lilikoi (passion fruit) juice that several friends have enjoyed. My mentor said, “you know, people really like that stuff you make; why don’t you give that as a present?” Well, you could have knocked me over with a feather! In my head, I thought, “Like, duh, Jen!” To her I said something way more eloquent like, “oh yeah; you’re right”. Which led me to other thoughts of giving: in the grocery stores there are jars at the checkouts labeled “Change for the Keiki” to put one’s change into for an organization to use to buy food, clothes, & a toy for kids whose parents are having a tough time. Every ha’penny I drop in counts. People in the parking lot of the one major shopping center on this side of the island often are in a huge hurry this time of year & just leave their shopping carts by their car. I figure taking a couple back to the store on my way to buy cat litter is one small effort in promoting a cease-fire in the holiday parking lot battles. There is a no-kill animal shelter near my house that always can use some volunteer help for washing, playing with, and cuddling the animals: that’s a good fit for me.
And so, I flow. May you walk in beauty. May love & light surround you. May the holiday season find you happy, joyous, and free. And may you always go with The Flow!
Enjoy the day, y’all!
December is moving along at a rapid clip. Remember the fabulous singer I mentioned in the previous entry, Nedra Johnson. http://www.nedrajohnson.com/ http://www.myspace.com/nedra Well, Bruce the Drag King was emcee for her concert on Tuesday, November 28. Natasha, Nedra's partner took some pics and those will be included on the website directly. Bruce has been stirring his creative juices lately (oh, stop!). Two new songs are available for the winter holidays: "Have Yourself a Queer-Eyed Little insert appropriate holiday name here" and "Come on It's Lovely Weather for Topping a Bottom Like You!" Looks like Bruce's new show is shaping up!
Find me on MySpace and be my friend!
On to touring news...I am talking to several venues about performing "None of the Above" in March & April: Bennett College, Wake Forest University, Millersville University, The Johnnetta B. Cole Global Diversity & Inclusion Institute's Chief Diversity Officers Forum, Wilmington College, Ohio State to name a few. I will keep you informed as news breaks!
Now, it's back to work. The dogs are getting their holiday bath today and it's always a struggle to get those reindeer antlers to stay on. Enjoy the day, folks!
Playing tour guide
Happy HoliCraze, everyone!
It's most wonderful time of the year! Yes, the citrus trees are full of ripening fruit--the whales begin showing up to give birth--the ports are overflowing with cruise ships...the resorts beaches are harder to get into--all the little things that say, hey, it's Christmas/Hannaka/Solstice/Kwanza time here on the islands!
Speaking of cruise ships, Olivia Cruises just had a Hawaiian Cruise. I did not go on this one but several friends did and I hear it was fabulous! One of the performers is on the Big Island right now. Nedra Johnson ( www.nedrajohnson.com & www.myspace.com/nedra ), a fine singer/instrumentalist has been touring the islands after her very successful gig with Olivia. And today, I had a chance to spend some time showing her and her partner around our island. Waterfalls, laughter, and good conversation were the focus of the day. Oh yeah, and malasadas from Tex Drive-In ( www.texdrivein.com ) in Honoka'a didn't hurt a thing! If you have a chance to hear Nedra, do it! Her rich, soulful voice is hot and her songs range from funny to seriously sexy. Take a listen on her websites.
Don't forget to enjoy the day! Aloha, y'all!
Thanksgiving
This is a good time to acknowledge all the folks who have supported me and my shows over the last year. I am so grateful to you all for coming out and for writing those wonderful emails and letters. Being an independent artist is a lonely existence sometimes and it helps the spirits to hear from all of you. Thank you so very much for your support! The 2007 calender is coming together and I hope to see some old friends and make some new friends as I travel in the coming year.
This year I am also grateful for the land we just purchased. Our vision of our own little piece of paradise is becoming a reality. I am staying home through the beginning of March 2007 so that I can better participate in preparing the land for building and planting. It's fun to spend time working on the land and I am discovering muscles that I forgot I had. I am also grateful for arnica montana.
Special "hey y'all"s:
**the Fab Act that is the Columbus National Gay & Lesbian Theatre Fest http://www.columbustheatrefestival.com/ Look forward to seeing y'all again when I hit Ohio!
**to the girls in the Tar Heel State. www.goheels.com Go Ker-lie-nuh! This is our year!
**to the lusciuos ladies of Motherwit Web Design www.motherwit.com . Best web designers/graphic designers eva!
**to my friends at Boulder Pride www.boulderpride.org ...tough break in the elections but a might wind of change is blowin'. Have fun at the Rainbow Ranch festivities!
Let the HoliCraze begin! Aloha, y'all!
Nice words to share
I received this wonderful letter from Stephanie Wilenchek of the University of Colorado and thought I would share it with you.
Also, my radio interview from Boulder is on the website now. Go to the "Press" page and "click to listen" up at the top.
Enjoy the day,
Jennifer
October 30, 2006
To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing on behalf of Jennifer Lanier and her performance "None of the Above". We fortunate to be able to have Jennifer visit our campus in the Fall of 2006. She visited three different classes and performed her show on campus over a four day period. She also made herself available to meet with students, faculty and staff for lunch and dinners.
Jennifer´s visit was very well received by students, faculty and staff. Her humorous and heartfelt storytelling helped in educating and enlightening many about the complexities and intersections of experiences with racism, homophobia and sexism. Her ability to relate to the audience and specifically to students was fabulous. I would love to have her back to campus…again and again!
Jennifer is not only a wonderful performer/presenter, she is also amazing to work with professionally. She was extremely flexible and willing to make sacrifices to come to our campus. She is extremely approachable and very confident in the work that she does. I can not say enough about Jennifer!
Please feel free to contact me with any questions at 303-492-2966 and/or wilenche@colorado.edu.
Sincerely,
Stephanie Wilenchek
Director
GLBT Resource Center
University of Colorado at Boulder
Talkin' 'bout my Communication (with cotton in my mouth)
Today, I am sitting here recovering from a bit of repair work on a tooth filling. Eventually, I must have a crown on this tooth. The dentist wrote up an estimate for the crown work and mentioned that the lower price was for a gold crown. Now, I am a thoughtful shopper and I do take advantage of a bargain or two. But gold in my mouth?! Suddenly, nightmarish pictures of music videos gone wild raced through my head. No thanks, I said. Believe I'll opt for the porcelain.
But that's not all I'm thinking about today. Communication is on my mind. You know how sometimes when you start thinking about a situation, you find yourself having the eventual, possible conversation in your mind? What, some of you don't do that? Ever!? Okay. Well, other than the seven of you, a bunch 'o folks DO from time to time. This can be a useful tool in preparation for an interview or a potentially difficult negotiation. There is a hidden danger, however and I feel I must warn you: Be careful of having the afore-mentioned imaginary conversation and then forgetting that the other party was not actually there participating. The other participant was the Imaginary Surrogate or the IM-SUR. While interesting and sometimes quite clever in her own right, conversations with the IM-SUR must never be confused with speaking to the Actual Person or the AC-PER. And as a friendly reminder, all contracts entered into by the IM-SUR are legally null & void. More Americans have communication problems that can be traced back to mixing up their IM-SUR with their AC-PER than the Office of Communication Security is admitting to. So please, my friends, beware this hidden danger. Talk to AC-PERs whenever possible. Remember, a good imaginary character is a terrible thing to waste.
Enjoy the day!
We Made It Through the Earthquake
I have finally gotten a chance to sit down to the computer today. First, I am fine, my family is fine. The earthquake hit our side of the island with a much lighter touch than the west and north sides. There have been landslides and damage to houses and cars and rock walls did not do so well either but no one was killed and only minor injuries were reported. So, if you talk to a Higher Power, please ask for a little light and love thrown the way of the state of Hawaii. The whole state has been through it today and some folks will need more help as time goes by.
For us, it was wild to see the dogs swimming pool water slosh around with no one in it! Our house had no damage to structure or water lines or anything. We were lucky over here. Check out pics on Hawaii.com
Thanks to everyone who emailed and tried to call...I'll get back to you all as soon as I can. I really appreciate the love. Who says "Aloha" is reserved for Hawaii only?!
Aloha & Mahalo nui loa,
Jennifer
Awake and Refreshed
Whew! That was the worst case of jet lag ever! I have got to find a better solution...any thoughts?
The last days in Montreal were very interesting. My store-&-restaurant French improved and I was able to purchase coffee and sushi with confidence.
A weird thing happened on Sunday, though. The day after Meow Mix, I went over to the theatre an hour before the 1: 30pm show. This is my usual practice, arrive at the theatre an hour before. I found Scott, the technical whiz running the shows finishing his coffee outside the theatre. That's when I realized that the theatre wasn't open yet. No worries...Sunday at 12:30pm...probably the guy who has the key is feeling a little slow. Scott and I chatted a bit. Time passed. 12:45pm...no one to open the theatre. Scott made a phone call. 1:00pm...still no one to open the theatre. OK, NOW I'm concerned. Scott makes another call. I pace the sidewalk. 1:10pm...I am in a full-fledged panic now. I call Belinda, not that she can help get the theatre but she is so good at talking me down off the ledge and people, I was leaning over the edge. 1:15pm...still no one but the coordinator of the festival says we should move the show down the street to another space. "How will the audience know where to go," I inquired through gritted teeth after watching another group of women I recognized from Meow Mix the night before turn to each other, talk a little and LEAVE. Guess that solves THAT problem. Finally, at 1:19 before a 1:30 show, the door opens. Scott and I go in and we decide to start the show at 1:40. A girl needs a little time for the blood pressure to go back down, you know. Now at this point, I figured someone was going to tell me what happened...some humorous story about "locking the keys in a car" or "the dog escaping and had to be caught" or "the sex was so great we lost track of time." Mais non, ma cheres, no one said anything about the lateness of the theatre opening. No one said "oops!" No one offered to tell me one single the-night-before-this-hot-guy/girl...story. I did the show for the few people who did come and afterward, apologized to them for the show starting late and thanked them for staying and had a lovely chat about someone's Canadian Daddy the Colonel.
When I next saw the festival coordinator, he said nothing about the incident. I wondered if this was some particular custom of the Harvest Festival, the late start of the fourth show or perhaps it is understood that on the first matinee, no one opens the theatre until just before the show is to start so the ghosts inhabiting the theatre can finish their laundr. I pondered all these things as I waited for my dinner companion to arrive. When she did, there were more important things to think about, like spicy tuna or unagi.
More about Montreal and the exciting conclusion of the festival later. Until then, my friends, stay cool and never let the turkeys get you down.
Try to remember... a gayer September...
I am back on the Big island where the livin' is easy...lava's jumping...and the steam plumes are high....my apologies to Mr. Gershwin but it is always such a culture shock going to the mainland and then another coming back home. My friend David refers to it as "soul lag," that time it takes for your insides to catch up to where your outsides actually are.
It was a particular delight to be surrounded by so many interesting and talented gay folk and our allies during this trip. I told y'all about some of the folks from the Columbus Fest. At the Montreal Fest, I had the pleasure of meeting and seeing the work of Joey Hateley (TransAction Theatre in Manchester, England). The show is "A. Gender" and it is energetic, smart, intriguing theatre. I am excited about that show and about seeing more of Joey's work. Joey, Kimberly Dark and I spent some quality time together as we went from promo event to promo event together, culminating in the truly marvelous Miriam Ginestier's legendary monthly party, Meow Mix, on Saturday late night after all of our festival shows that evening. A special thank you to Miriam for an incredibly well-organized event! The performers all had a great time working for that raucous, appreciative crowd of bent girls and their friends. Bruce was especially pleased to hang out with the other kings in attendance. I will write more but...crashing...six time zones in 20 hours...can't...stay...awake...jet lag catching up...until later...zzzzzzzzzzzz
Montreal est très magnifique!
Bonjour, mes amies! I am having a great time in Montreal. OK, getting through customs was weird as they asked me questions about everything under the sun for several minutes. 
But, no worries. The Hotel Taj Mahal is lovely and perfectly located in walking distance from the theatre as well as other venues. And these folks are keeping us busy, I tell you! My friend and sister performer, Kimberly Dark, and I are traveling together right now and on Wednesday night, we performed at an open mic night for women at Metro Lounge. A great way to be welcomed into the Montreal women's community! Tonight, Friday September 22, we are performing and having a bit of fun at Femme Friday, also at Metro Lounge.That's at 1285 Amhearst, off of Rue St. Catherine if you are in town. And tomorrow, Saturday is Meow Mix. Check the calendar for details on that. I hear Kimberly may be performing some new, steamy works. 
Me-ow! I will step aside for Bruce to play with the friendly felines of Montreal! 
Oh yeah, and we both have our regular shows. That's in the calendar too. And check Kimberly's website for her show info: www.KimberlyDark.com
That is all for now, ma chers! Bon soir, y'all!
Columbus: Gay Culture Capital of the Midwest!
My friends, the Columbus National GLBT Theatre Festival was a rollicking good time! I met so many amazing artists and spent much time talking and listening to them. Amy Salloway is a funny, funny woman. And the Puppett Queers are sick, silly, funny folks. Check èm out, people!
Also, None of the Above was honored with two awards: Best Socio-Political Show and Best of the Festival: Solo Show. I am very proud of that and I want to thank you all for helping to make this show what it is. The audience is crucial to the piece and everyone of you has had a hand in creating this piece so thank you for that. And I want to thank Bob Moyer for his work as co-wroter and director: all those hours sitting around drinking coffee together DID pay off! Seriously, thanks Bob.
So now I am in Montreal and finding my way around town. I will try to keep you all updated on the happenings here as I work my 5-year-old-sounding French with the southern accent.
Au revoir,
Jennifer
Rocky Mountain High
Oh my goodness, what an amazing weekend in Boulder! First driving in from the airport to town was spectacularly beautiful. I stayed with a good friend from back in North Carolina on her ranch....thank you, Sonya & Allison & Chica & Anjou for your warm hospitality for a girl on the road.
Emceeing the Boulder Pride Block Party was a blast! www.boulderpride.org ; Even the forty-five minute rain delay in the middle of the day didn't slow down the event. Folks were ready to have a good time and we all did. Boulder Pride has an outstanding group of members and board members who clearly worked tirelessly to make that event the huge success it was. Mike, Robyn, Shara, Ever, Sonya, Allison, everyone I met was fun and fabulous! It was great meeting you, my friends, and I hope to see you again in Boulder soon. Oh yeah, Bruce took over the emceeing in the afternoon and then entertained a little with a raucous "Pink Cadillac."
The weekend continued with a performance of None of the Above on Sunday night. The audience was ready to play and the response was positive. I believe we can safely catagorize this audience as rollicking! People seemed to enjoy themselves and as usual, Aunt Vera was a big hit! I have to hand it to the folks at Boulder PFLAG and the GLBT Resources Office at C.U. Jean & Steph: you ladies rock! Thank you so much, everyone who came to the show.
Also a big thanks to all of the C.U. students who were so helpful and listened so attentively to the classroom presentations. It was fun working for you.
I had a great time in Boulder and can't wait to come back!
Words, words, words...
Eventually, we managed to figure it out and the little shed is now up and sturdy but this incident got me thinking. We were all using English. We all wanted to communicate. We just had different perspectives walking into the problem. Frustration on all sides came to light but we did work through to a solution and the day ended with hugs all around. Perhaps because our primary desire was to build the little shed. To understand and successfully achieve the primary desire rather than to be understood as right.
Communication between humans is tricky business, especially when there is a difference in culture. My lack of experience in the culture of building made some words totally unintelligible because I lacked the context. A friend who spent the summer traveling in the British Isles also experienced a series of communication snafus eventually attributed to differences in cultural context. All the words were in English but the meanings were garbled and misunderstood because of where they were spoken. It made me wonder if my friend would have had a more successful time had they all had the primary desire to understand rather than to be understood. A spiritual mentor from my past once said, "I´d rather be at peace than be right." After 15 years, I think I finally understand.
Aloha y'all!
I am back home and the four-leggeds have me pinned in from all sides! I believe I was missed.
The show in Durham was lots of fun. Thank you, Marylu, for hosting and providing noshes and beverages for all. The intimate setting was lovely for "None of the Above" and later, Bruce was pretty happy with the close proximity of all the lovely ladies! He sends a shout out to Ms. J of Raleigh...zowie!
There was a surprise appearance for Bruce at CRT's 40th Birthday Par-tay. Loads of laughs and some gender-bender fun. Who was that dark-haired cutie dancin' in the dark? Bruce says he'll call when he's back in town and...now, Bruce, I am not writing that! Such a bad boy!
Sunday's show at Bennett College was terrific. The audience was very lively and there was great response throughout the piece. A special thanks to the sound tech: the best ever! Dr. Jonetta B. Cole was in attendance and she seemed to have a good time: she told me afterwards that I would always be a true Bennett Belle as I am an alum of the famous Children's House! That's an honor I shall cherish. Also in attendance were my two sisters. Thank you for coming, Patte & Bev. We three have come a long way, haven't we? I appreciate you being there.
Thanks to Bea Perdue for making that show happen. You are a gem and a prince among women! A definite she-roe!
Time to get ready for the September run where "None of the Above" and Bruce go international! Mais oui!
Why do they care?
So I was listening to a friend of mine talking about the woes of other people having negative opinions about how she chooses to have fun. As I listened to her pour her heart out, one thought kept running through my mind: why do they care?
It seems to me that there is enough room on this planet for a variety of plants, a variety of critters, a variety of ice cream flavors....there must also be room to accommodate a variety of fun. As a fun-identified person-of-fun, I say to negative-opinion-of-other-people's-fun-identified people, release your drive to tell us what to do and what not to do! We are just poor creatures on this planet struggling to find a laugh! We mean you no harm. By all means, have your fun your way. We wouldn't dream of stopping you. You do have fun, don't you? You do want to have fun, don't you?
A long time ago, I, too, was fun-impaired. I didn't realize it at first. I just thought I was seriously involved in the serious business of helping people see the seriousness of this very serious world. As I disdainfully watched the "shallow" people around me play softball, go to Beaux Arts parties, and watch drag & burlesque shows, I patted myself on the back for focusing on the "important work" I was doing. By myself. Alone. Or with others who also saw a whole lot of half-empty glasses everywhere. And I heard the question: Why does their fun bother you?
The answer took a lot of research. Not in the library this time. In me. I remember telling a story about my perfect wedding to some friends and for some inexplicable reason, it became important to me to get them to laugh as I told the story. The more they laughed, the more I wanted them to laugh. And that's when I knew I had found my path: telling serious stories in a way that makes folks laugh. Cause I discovered that when I get a person to laugh, they will actually LISTEN to what I have to say next.
So, that's my story and I'm sticking to it!
Bennett College Event!
Everybody come to the show at Bennett and help support this fine college!
There are only two historically black women's colleges left in the country and
I am thrilled to be part of the Power Girls events at Bennett College!
Call Warren Dates at 336-517-2272 for more information and I can't wait to see you there. Enjoy the day!
Heading to the Mainland
I am on my way to the mainland again. Check the calendar for show updates.
There will be a house concert in the Durham area sometime between July 8 and July 15. I will keep you posted as more info becomes available.
Just found out that the Carolina Hurricanes won the Stanley Cup! I had to listen to radio updates so I missed the blow out Game 7. I love it! Guess I better pick up my "Champions" gear while I'm there.
I'm looking forward to seeing everyone. Save some barbeque for me!
Columbus National Gay & Lesbian Theatre Festival
Just got the dates for the National G&L Theatre Festival! I will be performing "None of the Above" on September 14, 15, & 16 (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday). Check my calendar page for the festival website and other pertinent information.
The birthday bicycle is working out so well! I love riding it to the village and checking the mail. Unless it's raining and I have a flat tire. This happened a couple of weeks ago. A friend of mine threw the bike in the back of her truck and off we went to a great bike shop in Hilo where I purchased new tires with a kevlar strip in them. Now, I can take on lava rock with no fear! On the shoulder of the road, I mean. I'm only so adventurous.
Have a great adventure yourself.
Aloha!
We have video from Los Angeles!
I have just received video from the performance in Los Angeles at the LA Women's Theatre Festival. It is terrific! The videographer is Fay Hauser-Price of HausLights in Sherman Oaks. Her email is HausLights@aol.com All you folks in the LA area: this is the videographer for you! Great work, Fay.
Keep your eyes open for video on the site!
Hey y'all! It's raining on the Big island!
We are back to work here at Many Horses Productions, scheduling more shows. If you have some ideas about a fun place to do the show in your area, write a note in the guestbook or send an email to jlanier@jenniferlanier.com .
This Sunday, I will be the MC at Auntie Jessie's 70th Birthday Party Celebration in Hilo. Hope to see some of you Big Island folks there!
Catch up with you after the rain quits. Aloha!
Elliott's Revue Rocks!
While "None of the Above" went well, the Drag King Contest turned into Bruce the Drag King Show. But you know my alter ego Bruce: he truly enjoys being the center of attention so we all had a good time. Bruce wants to thank all the "hot chicks" who played with him, especially the women who came up on stage to learn how to be kings---you were all fun and brave and wonderful. Thank you for playing!
Until next time, enjoy the day!
Lots in the Works...
This trip has been great so far. Lots of new irons in the fire. We will be adding Meredith College to the schedule for September 21, 2006. St. John's Metropolitan Community Church in Raleigh, NC is sponsoring the show for it's Community Outreach Program on July 8, 2006. And Bennett College is bringing us in for their summer leadership program during the second week of July. I will be at the North Carolina School of the Arts Summer School teaching acting at the School of Music June 25-July 7, 2006. We are talking about projects with PFLAG in Boulder, CO & PFLAG National as well as The Center in San Diego, The ArtsCenter in Carrboro, NC, The Theater Offensive in Boston, and Diversionary Theatre in San Diego.
I will keep you informed as more news comes our way. Thanks for your interest and your support. So go to your favorite coffee cafe and take some professional development time. And above all, enjoy the day!
Hark the Sound of Tarheel Voices...
Fall Tour stuff
A quick Aloha & Mahalo to the supportive folks on the Big Island! I hate that I will miss the LBB gathering in April but I am thinking about you all while I'm here freezing to death on the mainland! Send some Big Island Love and warmth this way!
Go Heels!
California Dreamin'
San Diego was great. Thank you, Kimberly, for your hospitality and for being a terrific tour guide and chauffeur and for your raucous zoo commentary. Go, Meerkats!
On the train from San Diego to Los Angeles, Michelle made the trip so pleasant with great conversation. Then Johnny at Union Station had some words of wisdom about driving in LA. Fortunately, I only had to do it for one day!
The folks at the Los Angeles Women's Theatre Festival were fun! Everything went smoothly and the audiences were completely rockin'! A marvelous experience! Thank you, everyone who came. Thanks for the standing O. Thanks for laughing.
During my down time, I had the chance to spend some time with Paul & Carol Sills. It was like a workshop just listening to all of the stories! A true series of fortunate events. Thanks, Max, for encouraging me to check out the footprints at Mann's Theatre. I even got a picture of Whoopi Goldberg's braids-print!
It's off to North Carolina and the shows for young audiences at the Arts Based Elementary School. Then, the big NOTA show at Elliot's Revue with Bruce hosting the Drag King contest after. I'll write more when I get to NC, after I visit my momma.
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