Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls….Step right up to the newest show in town! Starting January 10th 2012 I am pleased to present with TABU Lounge “Circus of the Stars”! Hosted by the talented Nathan Walk, of Mrs. P fame. Mrs. P is in hiding right now as Nathan takes the spotlight but don’t worry my little drag hags Nathan is just as crazy!! This new talent show contest will run every Tuesday for 5 weeks starting January 10th. Each week 5-6 performers will compete 2 times in their respective talent. So far we have singers, comedians, drag performers, a guitarist, a band, and celebrity impersonators.
There will be 3 (yes that’s right 3 ways) of getting votes to win that night! At the end of each performance the talent will be judged by our esteemed panel of judges on a scale of 1-10. At the end of the show we will ask for audience applause for their favorites…So, if you’re performing you want to pack the house with your supporters! THEN we will post a poll on our face book page and let the online world get to vote for you for 24 hours!! The winners will be announced on our face book page on Thursday by 5pm! The votes will be weighed in the following way: 50% judges vote, 25% audience vote and 25% online vote. This will go on for the first 4 weeks. The top 2 performers of each Tuesday will then perform again in our finale show (the 5th week) on February 7th for a winner takes all prize of $500!! The winner will be determined solely by the judges. For our finale show will include extra special guest judges on our panel. Just to make it more interesting Nathan and I will pick one contestant from the previous weeks as our “wild card” competitor!
The show will have a $5 cover charge and will include a free drink ticket (so it pays for itself) or you can use that ticket for 2 free tacos (Its Taco Tuesdays downstairs) if you don’t want to drink. Avion Tequila has come up with special show-inspired drinks at special prices. Drinks like “The Big Top”, “The Mrs. P” and “The Ginger“ will feature Avion Tequila and start at $5!
Here is a little bit about our Judges and what they will be looking for:
DIANA DHARLING
I'm Diana Dharling Philadelphia's Own Broadway Sweetheart. I'm very excited to join the judges table for circus.
I have a history of musical theatre and dance. Before moving to Philadelphia, I worked as a Ballet Teacher in my home town of Methuen Massachusetts for several years. I also performed in The Nutcracker with Methuen Ballet Ensemble for 5 seasons as a company member.
I joined PVOP(philadelphia voices of Pride) for 5 season and was on the board of directors for the last 2 of those seasons.
Which brings me to drag. I've been performing Drag in Philly for 2 years. I been along side Brittany Lynn from the beginning and I'm part of her drag mafia.
I also was an original cast member to BOTH of Mimi Imfust's WerQ WED, & dollhouse revue shows.
My big break came last winter when Bruce Yelk approached me to Choreograph DRAGAPALOOZA a 2 act all Broadway revue.
Although the Dharling Sisters are well know and have been performing on Fire Island for Years!
As a active member of the community, I feel I bring happiness, confidence and show people you do NOT need to look a certain way to fit in. My message is to always be yourself, EVERYONE is special and big is beautiful, no matter what they say.
As a judge my expectations are simple. I'll be looking more at the creative side of things mostly. I love creativity and original ideas. I also want everyone to know I expect to see some familiar faces competing and want everyone to know I am capable of been fair and honest even though I've been dubbed "the queen of mean"
DAN MANGINI
Dan Mangini is a very active member of the LGBT community as well as an educator, advocate and public speaker for his passion which HIV/AIDS...since his diagnosis a few years ago he has dedicated his time and energies to be the voice/face for this cause since so many cannot "come out" with their diagnosis' due to the stigma and prejudice surrounding this virus still to this day! He created PoZitive Encounters, the FIRST social nite out for those living with HIV in 2009 and has worked nearly full-time as a volunteer with Siloam which does a mind/body/spirit integrative approach to wellness for those infected/affected! He was awarded the 2011 Philadelphia Rainbow Award for Volunteer of the Year. Dan is so very proud to be have just been hired as Recruiter for UPENN's HIV Prevention Research Division and is busy these days in the Gayborhood recruiting for Philly Vax which is the HIV vaccine trial underway there. Dan has enjoyed being a regular every Thursday nite at Bob and Barbara's for 2 years where he has seen some of terrific talent and is very excited to be part of Circus Of the Stars. He is hoping to help find the next "big star" during his time with Circus and says that he will be looking for a true artist, someone whose love of performance is very obvious with the ability to connect and move him and the audience no matter what that talent might be....urges all the contestants "bring it" because it is any one's game!!
DI HARGROVE
My role in the gay community is to stay gay...psych. I am every LGBTQ's person to laugh at. Look for me to keep the crowd goin, hyped, piped, enthused to see what's more to come. I have a great influence on the community because I rock my colors well I live life and gay!. I am the Founder of Da "L" Factor Women of Color Social Networking group which I founded in 2007 where it is a group for women of color in the LGBTQ lifestyle to come partake in lesbian debates, share resources and build connects and networks with one another for upliftment purposes and also to represent what positivity, making moves, being black, gay and proud really means....a voice that we have and stand for. I hosted the 2011 Dyke March this year. I MC at local bars and lounges esp, in West Philly where I reside. I am apart of a Hip-Hop duo group called Di-Vine (my rap name) Purpose (stands for my DJ DJ Lioness on of the hottest female DJ's in the city who is also gay may I add) My role is to be at my best when I promote, support, host, sponsor, and Be the Best Comedian (which I won in 2010 at Gayborhood games) I can be. I am currently enrolled this year in Gwynedd Mercy College pursuing my Masters in Business and I have a undergrad degree from West Chester University in Communications/minor in Womens Studies (because I love studying the ladies (lol)). Full-time-Foster Care Social worker and I do private contracting security work on the side as well. I give back to my community any way I can. I rap, beat-box, play percussion for 8 yrs, act, do comedy, write music and poetry. Attached is my bio if you need to know more about me. I am looking for real raw talent. The contestants must be on their "A++++ infinite percent" game meaning continuous talent and effort must be presented at all times esp. to get that bread. The contestants must be unique with their talent, make it their own and confident that they WILL win forget may or think they will win. Contestants must make sure their talent is worthy and the person behind it is too. Go hard or go home for real esp when an elephant like me is in the room
I CANNOT WAIT FOR THE SHOW TO START!!! I BETTER SEE EVERYONE OUT JANUARY 10th FOR OUR PREMIER!!!
There will be 3 (yes that’s right 3 ways) of getting votes to win that night! At the end of each performance the talent will be judged by our esteemed panel of judges on a scale of 1-10. At the end of the show we will ask for audience applause for their favorites…So, if you’re performing you want to pack the house with your supporters! THEN we will post a poll on our face book page and let the online world get to vote for you for 24 hours!! The winners will be announced on our face book page on Thursday by 5pm! The votes will be weighed in the following way: 50% judges vote, 25% audience vote and 25% online vote. This will go on for the first 4 weeks. The top 2 performers of each Tuesday will then perform again in our finale show (the 5th week) on February 7th for a winner takes all prize of $500!! The winner will be determined solely by the judges. For our finale show will include extra special guest judges on our panel. Just to make it more interesting Nathan and I will pick one contestant from the previous weeks as our “wild card” competitor!
The show will have a $5 cover charge and will include a free drink ticket (so it pays for itself) or you can use that ticket for 2 free tacos (Its Taco Tuesdays downstairs) if you don’t want to drink. Avion Tequila has come up with special show-inspired drinks at special prices. Drinks like “The Big Top”, “The Mrs. P” and “The Ginger“ will feature Avion Tequila and start at $5!
Here is a little bit about our Judges and what they will be looking for:
DIANA DHARLING
I have a history of musical theatre and dance. Before moving to Philadelphia, I worked as a Ballet Teacher in my home town of Methuen Massachusetts for several years. I also performed in The Nutcracker with Methuen Ballet Ensemble for 5 seasons as a company member.
I joined PVOP(philadelphia voices of Pride) for 5 season and was on the board of directors for the last 2 of those seasons.
Which brings me to drag. I've been performing Drag in Philly for 2 years. I been along side Brittany Lynn from the beginning and I'm part of her drag mafia.
I also was an original cast member to BOTH of Mimi Imfust's WerQ WED, & dollhouse revue shows.
My big break came last winter when Bruce Yelk approached me to Choreograph DRAGAPALOOZA a 2 act all Broadway revue.
Although the Dharling Sisters are well know and have been performing on Fire Island for Years!
As a active member of the community, I feel I bring happiness, confidence and show people you do NOT need to look a certain way to fit in. My message is to always be yourself, EVERYONE is special and big is beautiful, no matter what they say.
As a judge my expectations are simple. I'll be looking more at the creative side of things mostly. I love creativity and original ideas. I also want everyone to know I expect to see some familiar faces competing and want everyone to know I am capable of been fair and honest even though I've been dubbed "the queen of mean"
DAN MANGINI
Dan Mangini is a very active member of the LGBT community as well as an educator, advocate and public speaker for his passion which HIV/AIDS...since his diagnosis a few years ago he has dedicated his time and energies to be the voice/face for this cause since so many cannot "come out" with their diagnosis' due to the stigma and prejudice surrounding this virus still to this day! He created PoZitive Encounters, the FIRST social nite out for those living with HIV in 2009 and has worked nearly full-time as a volunteer with Siloam which does a mind/body/spirit integrative approach to wellness for those infected/affected! He was awarded the 2011 Philadelphia Rainbow Award for Volunteer of the Year. Dan is so very proud to be have just been hired as Recruiter for UPENN's HIV Prevention Research Division and is busy these days in the Gayborhood recruiting for Philly Vax which is the HIV vaccine trial underway there. Dan has enjoyed being a regular every Thursday nite at Bob and Barbara's for 2 years where he has seen some of terrific talent and is very excited to be part of Circus Of the Stars. He is hoping to help find the next "big star" during his time with Circus and says that he will be looking for a true artist, someone whose love of performance is very obvious with the ability to connect and move him and the audience no matter what that talent might be....urges all the contestants "bring it" because it is any one's game!! DI HARGROVE
I CANNOT WAIT FOR THE SHOW TO START!!! I BETTER SEE EVERYONE OUT JANUARY 10th FOR OUR PREMIER!!!
Yay!! See you there!
ReplyDeleteWOO HOOO
ReplyDeleteVery much looking forward to this.
ReplyDelete