About Town

Just a note to let you know you are loved and appreciated! This past weekend was so full of laughter, entertainment, joy, friendship and a real sense of Community! If you are receiving this, it is because you touched me at some point this weekend and I want you to know how much it meant to me!

The Nike event at the Lucia, all of the fun Darcelle XV and Company shows, brunch with friends before Fabric Depot's sale shopping, a quick but fun costume fitting, the Prop 8 rally, lunch with Kyle and his great mom, Diva's birthday visit and impromptu slumber party (don't ask!), the show at the underage Escape Club, Darcelle's birthday brunch, Darcelle's Birthday party and yesterdays radio taping for 105.1 The Buzz....during every one of these events, I was reminded how lucky I am to be surrounded by the finest folks.

Thank you for being such a very important part of my deliciously fabulous life...I am blessed. xoxo Kevin

After three very successful events (Camp Starlight, La Femme Magnifique International and Peacock After Dark), I'm off this evening to New York City! I have worked so much these past few months on events, I'm ready first of all for the 5 hour snooze fest onboard Jet Blue! Then of course running all over Manhattan for three days! I only wish I could take along all of the many dedicated volunteers who worked as hard as me (and often even harder) to ensure the success of these great Community events! All three will be back next summer even bigger and better! I hope you'll join us! (many pics on my myspace pages!)

As if all the festivities weren't enough, I turned 40 years old on the 17th and I have to say, I couldn't be more pleased with myself, my appearance and my place in this life. All of the love that surrounds me every day, the friends and family I cherish, the positive energy and supportive Community I live in have all come together to create this perfect spot in the universe that I proudly call my life! Lord knows there have been challenging times, but those pass and I have learned many a great lesson. I can't believe 40 years could encapsulate so much and all in seemingly such a short amount of time.

I value this life of mine and appreciate all that goes with it. I'm thankful for all the years I've gotten to see, that sadly many of my friends did not. For all the stigma that surrounds aging....I welcome each and every day and look forward to every passing year. Oh please let me find myself in my 80's with the same zest, positive light and spirit that my dear friends Darcelle and Roxy now have as they head nearer to their 80's.

So say Happy Birthday to yourselves EVERY day friends.....each day is a celebration! xoxoxo Kevin

Friendships.

Everyday we pass strangers, sometimes we meet those strangers by chance, and often those chance meetings begin friendships. Other times we are introduced on purpose by mutual friends and family. These casual acquaintances can also blossom into lasting friendships, often the very foundation of our lives

As I realized I had not updated this page in a very long time, I thought about the reason why. I always tell you how I'm so busy, which by no means is ever a complaint, in fact I think it's a privilege to get to do all the fantastic things I do. But busy doing....doing what? Many events, meetings, planning, working and enjoying life....always with friends. While I relish my rare alone time, being with my equally busy friends and being busy together is the gift I cherish most these days.(obviously, my time with Kyle ranks above all, but we'll get back to him later). In the months since I last made an entry to this site, I've traveled a little throughout the pacific northwest, and always with my friends. I'm currently working very hard on three big events, and the hard working people along side me are my dearest of friends.

In 4 weeks I'll again be at Camp Starlight, and this past year planning the 10th Anniversary with Angie, Melanie, Rebecca, Janet, Kit, Alison, Andrew, Noah and Scott has been very rewarding and while I was unable to be as available to the group as I have in past years, I feel our friendships have grown stronger as we work together, challenge and support one another and continue to provide the best camping experience we can for our beautiful children. I never would have guessed 8 years ago, these great people would come to mean so much to me! Thank you Camp Starlight! I'm so looking forward to seeing again all of the volunteers whom I've connected so closely with, and anxiously anticipate bonding with our first time volunteers as well.

La Femme Magnifique International is happening right after Camp and our dynamic team of Marcy, Monica, Brian, Kimberlee, Darcelle and Roxy and myself have all been preparing for our new and improved pageant! We are combining both the annual La Femme Magnifique International pageant with the La Femme Plus International pageant we previously held each spring. We have lots of great contestants and are looking forward to sharing our hard work and planning with everyone on Sunday, August 31st. My dear friends Darcelle and Roxy continue to amaze me, I have learned so much from them both and value our close relationship more than I could ever express. I'm trying to convince them to sneak off to Vegas with me in early October...I can't imagine a more fun couple to enjoy the Bette Midler concert with.

Saturday September 13th will be our very first annual Peacock After Dark, and Maria, Kimberlee, Gina, Trevor, Scott, Monica, Jane, Corey, Brandon and myself are solidifying the details for what will be a fabulous event! We are a unique mix of friends, some older and some newer. I'm enjoying the diversity in opinion and learning more about these friends as we work. You already know Kimberlee and Maria are my closest friends, we've done literally everything three people can do together.....okay, not LITERALLY, but practically! For almost 20 years now, the three of us have laughed, lived, loved and fought with each other. Those are the truest of friends, the ones you can show your true self to and they love you anyway. I'm very proud of my two friends, we've grown up together (they beat me to 40!), and we continue to explore our ever changing and growing magical relationship. I know I'd not be the person I am today without these two!

But don't think it's all work and no play. My close circle of friends has always rotated, with some friends floating in and out, some gone forever, while others find their way back. Currently Kyle and I have been spending time with a great group of guys, eating, drinking, and mostly, laughing! Trevor, Andrew, Jay, John, Danny, Carlos and Dave have been keeping me MORE than entertained, those guys are crazy! While my sweet Kyle often has to work, as does Trevor's partner Phil, the rest of us guys carry on and are currently planning our Seattle booze cruise getaway, along with Dionne and Cherie.....the Queen's City Cruise has no idea what it is in for! Our band of gay boys has had a few wild gatherings and I'm looking for lots more to come! Thanks guys! The camaraderie has been surprisingly therapeutic!

And not to over do my friendship theme, but I was recently contacted by not just one, but TWO separate old friends who are both living in Europe. John is in Amsterdam and Jacques is in Switzerland. I met them both separately many years ago while they visited Portland. I have always loved meeting new people and these two fellas were exceptionally sweet and intriguing with those accents and seemingly glamorous lives in their far away countries. I'm glad they have both found me, it is nice to back in touch.

From co workers to family members, and everyone in between, I'm surrounded by friends who make me very happy to be me. After all these years, Laura and Diva are still making me laugh. Laura, while we are exercising, and Diva while we are drinking! These treasured friends are different sides of the same coin! A stranger sitting next to me one night, John, it turns out, has the exact same birthday as me! Bizarre! And Marcy moved home awhile ago and what a nice surprise to bond so closely once again. Adrienne just moved here from Arizona....not sure about her yet....JUST KIDDING! Welcome indeed!

And then of course there is my Kyle. What started out as a casual introduction has turned into a wonderful relationship of 9 months. I can hardly believe that much time has past! Kyle recently accepted the position of Executive Chef of Hobo's restaurant in Old Town. The new responsibility is exciting and there is no doubt he is up to the challenge. Though he works many hours, we still find time for ourselves and also time for our friends. I appreciate his work ethic and though I miss him when he's unable to join me at an event, I'm proud of him and happy he's doing what he enjoys, and does so well. With all the years between us, I really enjoy the fact that we have much to learn from one another. I can only attempt to describe the love I feel for him.

Take a moment and consider your friends.....we are all loved, and sometimes we don't even know it.

This going to be one heckuvah week!

I just came back from a three day weekend in San Francisco with Kyle and it was fantastic! It was Coronation time again down there. Kimberlee and Maria along with almost 40 other fun folks from Portland came along too! It was Kyle's first Coronation and as you can imagine, I was not certain it was going to be his cup of vodka. Not to worry, he had the time of his life and everyone adored him! Everyone had a great time and it was especially cool to be able to share with him this crazy part of my life. My wild friends Precious and Ana and Felicia kept us well entertained! The annual Portland Party raised $6000.00 dollars to be shared between the Pride of the Rose Scholarship Fund and the Audria M Edwards Scholarship Fund, our Portland group looked by far the best of all the courts presented thanks to Lotta's creations, and I got one of the best massages EVER at the Refresh Salon! Quite a successful mini vacation if I do say so myself!

Tonight I'm honored to be hosting an event for City Commissioner Sam Adams and his bid for Mayor. Sam and I have been friends for several years and I'd do anything for him, so of course I was thrilled when he invited me to be a part of this big event!

Tomorrow night at 7:30pm my Celebrity Simpson Episode appears on FOX49 as part of Celebrity Simpson Month here in Portland. It was fun filming my little segments, it's hard for a big mouth like me to get a point across in 30 second sound bites.

This weekend is our last weekend at Darcelle's with the Madame herself, she is going in for knee surgery Monday. After that I'll fill in as host on Friday's and Saturday's until she fully recovers, come on down and play with me! I always love hosting her show, but of course will miss my friend and look forward to her return!

Sunday is our 10th annual Divas & Desserts fundraiser for Camp Starlight at Darcelle's...what a fun concept, all you can eat dessert buffet and fabulous drag queens?

Oh, and remember my hesitance at joining MySpace? I'm full on addicted! No one loves looking at pictures of Poison Waters more than me! Here is one of my newest passions, fake magazine covers! And also a picture of sweet ladies from Utah we met in the hotel lobby!

Spring is on it's way dear friends...check back soon and look for me at an event near you! PW

Happy Holidays everyone! There has been so much going on, I have no clue where to begin! I hope the season has been as good for you as it’s been for me! Darcelle’s 77^th Birthday Roast and Party was a huge hit, and everyone shared many laughs and a few tears. The $$$ raised was an impressive amount, and I know the folks at Camp Starlight and the Pride of the Rose Scholarship Fund greatly appreciated it! Huge thanks to Shaun Patrick for producing such a fantastic evening! I’ve been warned, the next Community Roast and Toast is for, gulp, me! Stay tuned for details, the big 4-0 is next September…yikes!

Thanksgiving found me amongst friends at the beautiful home of Phil and Trevor, where I ate drank and WAS Mary! The holiday weekend Andrew and Trevor and I shopped, ate and drank our way through the Emerald City. We were almost even accidentally killed in a few alleys. Thank goodness we can still run! One of the weekend highlights was the fabulous show at Julia’s featuring Mr. Sean Paul! It was quite fantastic and I highly recommend it! The dinner was yummy and the show was star studded. We loved seeing the Lady Chablis doin’ her thing! Classic Chablis, it was a real treat!

I’ve just returned from Las Vegas where Diva and I tore up Coronation weekend! It was a real gas, always fun and wild when Diva is around. I’m heading to New York City next week to hang out with Ryan and take in the holiday atmosphere of the Big Apple!

Can you believe with all of this coming and going I’ve actually found myself DATING?! Just when I thought I’d never use the term “boyfriend” again, sweet Kyle came out of nowhere! 6’ 2” red heads don’t just fall outta the trees ya know, but I’m glad he came outta hiding and found his way to me! I’m pretty giddy these days, the holidays are always special, and this year with all I’m enjoying, it’s even more special! I hope your holiday season is as joyful!

These next few weekends I’ll be featured at Darcelle XV and Co, the ISRC Prince & Princess Ball, The Oregon Bears Holiday Show and the La Femme Magnifique Holiday Show. Check out my calendar for details and keep checking back to this site for updated stories, pictures and more!

PS: Who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks?…..I’ve given up the battle and am now using a Motorola Q smart phone and having a site created on myspace. The times, they are a changin’!

Last night I hosted the 3^rd Annual Light a Fire Awards for Portland Monthly and the Oregon Community Foundation. The ultra glam event was held in the elegant ballroom in the Portland Art Museum. Over the weekend I produced my annual show in Bend for the Human Dignity Coalition and Sunday afternoon hosted the Spooktacular at the Q Center! Geeze! I swear sometimes I think I could do PW full time! Earlier this month the Imperial Sovereign Rose Court crowned its newest Monarchs, Rose Empress 49 and Rose Emperor 34, Fiona and Hollywood! I’m super excited for the new reign, both of these kids have a lot going for them and as the ISRC heads into it’s 50^th year, this dynamic duo will be working it overtime!

Coming up is Darcelle’s 77^th birthday party…this year will be a star studded roast and toast! No one will be spared the sharp tongue of the evening’s roasters! Hope you can join us for the fun on Sunday, November 11^th at 7pm!

The Notorious Poison Waters! (oh yeah, I forgot to tell you all, I‘ve had a recent name change! My friends Diva and Sheneeka decided we wanted to be NOTRIOUS!

Portland’s favorite man in a dress joins Stacey Lynn every Friday for the So You Say Daily Poll at 5:20. Need advice? Who better than a drag queen to set ya straight?!

After 20 years of entertaining audiences all over the country, Poison Waters is more than ready to offer her unsolicited opinion on the goings on in your lives! Never at a loss for words and always seeing the humor in any situation, you won’t want to miss what she (he?) thinks about EVERYTHING.

As we head into my favorite season, autumn, I’m remembering all of the fun summer had to offer. I can’t believe I didn’t enter an update sine May 1st! I missed an entire season! But it was great fun and I know many of you were right there with me so I’ll not bore you with the details!

There were many great activities and events, most were fabulous parties for non profit organizations! I was happy to support Pride Northwest, Q Center, Camp Starlight, Equity Foundation, Cascade AIDS Project and many more! There were amazing showgirls in both the LaFemme Magnifique Pageants (Hooray for Bebe J!) and handsome gents at the Mr. Gay Latino Pageant!

I hosted several guests from out of town and enjoyed quick trips to entertain in Corvallis at Oregon State University, Boise, Idaho and Salt Lake City, Utah. I enjoyed a great time in Seattle for the Queen’s City Cruise and was happy to host the kick off luncheon of Portland Monthly’s newest magazine, Portland Spaces, the places we call home.

Camp Starlight was an incredible experience and I am in awe of the generous hearts and hands that come through for us each year. 2008 marks our 10th anniversary; these next 12 months are going to be a blast!

While I enjoyed the black tie galas for Portland Center Stage and the Oregon Ballet Theater, The Urban Beach parties our magazine’s threw and the Passport to Mexico, were my favorites! These were fundraisers for the Make A Wish Foundation and had Poison Waters giving away 16 round trip tickets to Mexico, courtesy of Alaska Airlines, Chocolate phones, courtesy of Verizon Wireless and diamond pendants courtesy of Fred Meyer Jewelers! IT was SO fun to give away such great prizes, and while it was at times overwhelming, it was pretty neat to put on and be a part of identical parties in two different cities one week apart!

Looking ahead, stay tuned to my calendar for exciting events and opportunities to enjoy ME! And of course support wonderful organizations! I hope to see you all at AIDS Walk Portland on Sunday October 14th.

Thanks for considering a donation! Money raised for CAP is money raised for Camp Starlight!

Friends and co-workers! On Sunday, October 14th, I will take a stand in the fight against AIDS as I join with 10,000 people for the 21st annual AIDS Walk Portland presented by Nike.

I’m writing to you today to ask for your support as I walk the 5k (3.1 mi) route and raise much needed funds for HIV and AIDS prevention, services and advocacy in Oregon and Southwest Washington.

Your donation will help Cascade AIDS Project (CAP) continue their important work in our community: Camp Starlight is one of the largest programs of CAP. Having just returned from another amazing, yet challenging week at Camp, I’m certain the need for programs such as ours is greater than ever.

Please help me reach my goal of $2,000.00 by making a donation today; any amount helps! You may give me checks made payable to Cascade AIDS Project, or donate to me & Team Camp Starlight online by using the link below.

Your donation will make a difference in the lives of individuals and families affected by HIV and AIDS. Thank you for your support! Warmest Regards, Kevin

Follow This Link to visit my personal web page and help me in my efforts to support Cascade AIDS Project.

Happy Spring everyone! With today being May Day, I’m thinking of flowers and sunshine! That’s not, in fact, what I’ve experienced today, but soon, soon enough! I hope you’ve had a chance to check out my recently updated calendar and new postings on my multi media page. Between Seattle and Portland, I’ve been in a whirlwind of events, all the while trying to maintain at least part time status at Darcelle’s.

The gala event at the Portland Art Museum for Girls, Inc. was called the Power of the Purse…it was great fun and we raised a lot of money for this very special program that provides mentorship to the young ladies of our community. My little girl that evening was a real pistol named Christina…she had great personality and was just lovely. I was honored to be invited to participate and wish all the girls my best.

My recent visits to NYC and Honolulu were wonderful and have recharged my batteries for the busy season that is upon me. This month I’ll attend events benefiting Cascade AIDS Project, the Oregon Ballet Theater, Portland Center Stage and City Year. I’ve also been invited back, once again, to produce and appear in the Pride week show at Oregon State University. Those students are one of the best audiences I’ve ever entertained for. Then I’m off to Salt Lake City to entertain at their Coronation, followed by a long weekend in Boise to celebrate the 10th anniversary of their popular drag review. I’ve always enjoyed traveling and meeting new people and visiting old friends.

In all my hectic-ness is that even a word?), I was SO very happy to spend this past weekend at Phil and Trevor’s beautiful home with great friends celebrating sweet Andrew’s birthday. It was a gentle reminder that we all need our friends, even when we are so rushed and distracted; taking the time to reconnect with those closest to you can be JUST what the doctor ordered.

That fun afternoon was followed by two events with Darcelle XV & Co.. First we performed a benefit show for the Sparkle Foster Fund, a local group who helps raise funds for foster children, providing opportunities not otherwise funded by the state. Then we played in the Bar Wars, which is a GREAT Family Feud game that has been touring the city. We played against the team from the Red Cap Garage and I’m Happy to report we won BOTH games! It was very funny and a load of fun!

I love that next year will mark 20 years of my being Poison Waters…and I STILL love it, all the events, and all the great connections I’ve made. Instead of waking up Monday morning exhausted, I was simply hungry for more!

Take care dear friends……hope to see you around soon!

It’s sunny and warm outside here in the lovely Rose City (for now, that is), and everyone seems a bit more cheerful, which is always nice. I’ve had so much fun these past several weeks with many of you….I can’t believe how many great events we’ve had….with many more to come!

Last night was the best Bingo session ever at the Q Center…our Monthly games have been growing and growing. We were filled to capacity and the impressive list of prizes has grown as well. Check me out the first Monday of every month, you’ll be glad you did! We’ve been having a good time at Darcelle’s too! We’ve had two very special guests these past few weeks. First Misty Stevens joined us from Seattle and wowed our crowds with her glamour and elegance! This weekend we had John Bloss, the best Reba impersonator ever joining us from Las Vegas! Many thanks to these fine individuals for bringing an extra dose of fun an laughter to us here in Portland! Hope to see you both again real soon. As always, the audiences have been absolutely delightful! (The Bingo guys and gals were pretty hot too!).

The Camp Starlight fundraiser this weekend was a great success! It was literally standing room only, which I loved! The Diva’s and Desserts were the perfect finish to a great weekend.

My calendar is ever growing, it’s really something to receive these invitations to entertain and host events all over Oregon. Just when I think, “oh, they’ve seen me, it’s all over”, I get invited to more!

I’ll be in Corvallis, Hammond and Forest Grove later this month, and am looking forward to returning to OSU also in May, with fun trips to NYC and Hawaii in March and April. Keep your eye on my calendar and try to come say howdy sometime soon. I’d love to see you!

All my best, Poison

Happy New Year (it’s still January, so I can get away with that!)

2007 has started off with the same excitement that 2006 ended with! Besides winning the most times in our third run of Pageant, did I tell you a local filmmaker had created a short documentary called “Becoming Poison Waters”? It came in 2nd place in our local LGBT Film Festival competition. I also became addicted to Dreamgirls the movie, which is great because I was borderline obsessed with The Devil Wears Prada and needed to move on……speaking of which, I’m now watching every episode of Ugly Betty online at www.abc.com . These shows designed around the magazine industry are fabulous! Check them out!

My calendar is steadily filling up, as always. I’m really looking forward to the performances and appearances I’ve booked already.

Tonight I’m attending the Celebrity Spelling Bee; my boss is a past champion and competing again tonight. It’s at the Portland Art Museum, which I always love and is a benefit for Schoolhouse Supplies…which I too, also love; especially the cutie Exec. Dir. Nick! Tomorrow, a crew from the magazine is donating our afternoon to Habitat for Humanity, we had so much fun this summer when we put siding on a house, I wonder what we’ll be doing tomorrow? Then, it’s another great weekend at Darcelle’s, followed by another week in Seattle!

I’m so behind on my Ask Poison column, I really need to get caught up on these letters. Thanks for your patience…..enjoy the rest of your winter, spring is just around the corner! Xo PW

Okay, so has it REALLY been since August that I’ve posted an update? Dang it! The old adage is true; Time flies when you’re having fun!

These past couple of months have been filled with Camp Starlight, La Femme Magnifique International, shows in Bend, and Longview, Coronations in Portland and Hawaii and a “Chocolate is the New Black” party in Seattle for Verizon Wireless! Mix into that AIDSWalk 06, limited appearances at Darcelle XV and the opening of the new Armory for Portland Center Stage and it’s no wonder I don’t write more often!

I just finished up a great weekend of hosting the Darcelle XV and Company show while Darcelle enjoyed his 76th birthday week off. It was great fun to see friends from Portland Monthly, Cascade AIDS Project, Camp Starlight, DEQ and my 20th High School Reunion Committee! While we all miss Darcelle when he’s gone, I sure had a lot of fun!

December is going to be a wild month, I’m not going to be at Darcelle’s on Fridays and Saturdays because I’ll be once again taking the stage as Miss Texas in Pageant! It was so much fun the two other times I‘ve played that role (in 2004 and 2005)…I’m thrilled to play the delightful tap dancing cowgirl in this spoof of the Miss America Pageant! All the details are on my calendar, so check it out! Hope you can make it!

We are going to be featured on AM Northwest Wednesday the 29th of November and also at the Museum After Hours at the Portland Art Museum that same evening….the show is sure to sell out once again, so get your tix now!

I leave tomorrow to see Ryan for a highly anticipated Thanksgiving Vacation in New York City! While I’ve visited the Big Apple many times before, this will be my first holiday experience and I’m going for broke! (Since that’s what I’ll be when I return!) I can’t wait to witness the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in person! I also plan to ice skate in Rockefeller Center (never mind that I haven’t attempted to ice skate since grade school!) and of course see much theater and shop! I just found out our reservations for the “big turkey dinner” are at the Rainbow Room! Now that’s what I’m talkin’ about!

I hope you all enjoy this upcoming holiday season and get a chance to come out for one of the many appearances I’ll be making as 2006 comes to a close. There are holiday events I’ll be working on with Darcelle XV and Co and you can get the scoop on my calendar. Take care of yourselves and send me an e-mail if you’d like!

Hi everyone! (assuming there’s anyone left checking this page since I haven’t updated it in SO very long!). Let’s just say, I’ve been busier than a one-legged man in a butt kicking contest! Now THAT’S busy! But I’ve kept you all in my mind and am constantly reminded of the great bond between Poison Waters and the community via e-mails and invitations to appear at numerous events! Thanks for your support, even though I fell outta the cyber world! Not to worry, I’m back!

The last time I wrote, I was telling you about my exciting new job, which 5 months later is even more exciting than I could have imagined (and much more challenging!). Portland Monthly is the #1 selling magazine in our city (even beating national titles, sorry Oprah!) The same is true for our other publication, Seattle Metropolitan. As you can imagine, that kind of popularity keeps our publisher in high demand, which trickles down to me, the keeper of her calendar and voicemail. YIKES, I thought I was the popular one! This lady is booked solid and EVERYONE wants to see her. The endless meetings and events across the country are equally exciting and overwhelming (for me anyway). I don’t know how she does it all, now I know how you guys felt when I was Empress and you questioned my never ending stamina! This lady has got me BEAT!

I’m in Seattle with her about once a month and have experienced everything from taxi’s and Amtrak to town cars and private jets! How many of you have read the book or seen the movie, The Devil Wears Prada? Of course my boss is not that impossible, but she is very fashionable and knows exactly what she wants. After seeing the movie I call her Miranda and she calls me Emily. She’s only thrown her coat and purse on my desk once, for a laugh (I hope). I said, “um, that will never happen again!” I love it!

Anyway, long story short, I love my job, our company is fantastic in every way! I hope you locals (and beyond for that matter) have subscriptions to BOTH titles, they are delightful reads, if I do say so myself!

I’m leaving tomorrow for my 6^th year at Camp Starlight…I cannot believe it has been 6 years since I first discovered this glorious group of people! We are at capacity with 65 campers and 60 volunteer staff! Volunteer friends will be flying in today from all over to spend the week with us, I’m so very excited I could bust!

This has been an amazing summer and it just makes me think the fall and winter will be stand outs as well! My friend Ryan was here all summer from NYC and we had a blast! It went so fast with all of the events Poison was asked to appear at, the parties, picnics and BBQ’s and my two jobs (yes, I do actually get to work at Darcelle’s on the rare occasion!). Phew! But it was so much fun. While in Seaside one weekend, Ryan and I went on a spontaneous helicopter ride! I have never been in one before and loved it! (well, not so much when the pilot took us out OVER the ocean!). Yikes!

This Summer I also worked hard with a delightful group of class mates from the class of 1986 at Parkrose High School. We planned and put on our 20 year reunion, and everything went so well! What a treat it was to get to know these great folks as adults…everyone has turned out so well.

In June I started hosting the monthly Bingo for the Q Center at the Studio 1050 space on SE Water Ave. I’ll do this every month, the 4^th Monday at 7pm. It’s great fun with great prizes! It’s also a great way to meet new people in a smoke free atmosphere while helping out the Q Center!

Well, I better get back to work! Upcoming events are the La Femme Magnifique International Pageant next Sunday (September 3^rd) celebrating it’s 25^th Anniversary! In September I’ll host the Single’s Auction and Party at the Downtown Nordstrom in Seattle and later, AIDSWalk 06 here in our Pioneer Square. Then there are a few Elks Lodge’s I’ll hit with Darcelle XV and Company before heading into a wild October! Two trips to Hawaii, a show in Bend, Portland’s Coronation and private gigs for Lewis & Clark Law School in the Treasury Ballroom as well as the Multnomah Athletic Club/Portland Center Stage Armory tour! Who knew? I still got it?!

I’ll do my best to update my calendar and also photo’s, okay? Stick with me folks! Thanks a million! PW

Hello faithful readers! I hope you are settling into March nicely. As I pause briefly in my whirlwind existence, I am pleased to announce that I have accepted a fabulous new position, career wise. Beginning Monday (3/13/06) I’ll be the Executive Assistant to the publisher of both Portland Monthly and Seattle Metropolitan magazines! What a wildly exciting time this is in my life. I can’t believe this is my 3rd position in the same 4 month period.

My new job at Cascade AIDS Project is so awesome, I do hate to leave it, but I cannot pass up this amazing opportunity with the magazine’s. They were brilliant to “steal” me…….ha ha!

I’ll be the right hand fella of the owner/publisher Nicole Vogel…..the young, vibrant ball of energy behind these magazine’s success. And I can hardly wait!

Just thought I’d give you the heads up you deserve…..And don’t think I’ve given up on CAP…I’ve been invited to re-join the Board of Directors and of course there’s still my involvement with the Camp Starlight Planning Commission and the Community Advisory Board for the Men’s Wellness Dept., that I co-chair with City Commissioner Sam Adams. I’m not going away…just sharing my gifts with others!

Remember to check out my calendar….there’s lots of great stuff going on……Oh! I’ll be filling in as guest MC of the weekend shows this month for my friend Darcelle XV who is going on vacation (okay, knee surgery) ……stop by and say hi!

Xoxo PW

I’ve made so many new contacts since I’ve switched jobs, and have been able to further cultivate others I brought here with me! I’m so very fortunate to receive the many offers I have these past few months to host or appear at various functions around the Northwest and beyond! You’ll find all the details on my calendar pages, but a quick run down of the gigs I’ve accepted recently are, Portland Center Stage Gala, Multnomah County Library Foundation 10 Anniversary Gala, Oregon Humane Society Diamond Collar Awards, the Lakewood Theater Spring Fling, a command performances Denver, CO Coronation, MC Hawaii’s La Femme Magnifique Pageant and several Elk’s lodges with Darcelle XV and Company! I’ve also booked performances at Reed College, Oregon State University and a show in Bend for the Human Dignity Coalition!

Phew! I’m CRAZY thinking I can “do it all”…..I need to be cloned……but on second thought, that could be disastrous!

Hope you can check out my calendar and hopefully join me at a few events!

XOXO PMW44

This past weekend I hosted the 3rd Annual Portland Monthly Magazine Single’s Auction for the Ronald McDonald Houses of Oregon and Southwest Washington. It was such a fantastic event, even better than last year (which I wouldn’t have thought possible!). Last year we were in Sak’s 5th Avenue and this year found us on the very TOP floor of the US Bank Tower…43rd floor! Lot’s of us have been to Atwaters and now Portland City Grill, but that’s only on what? The 30th? 31st? Ha! Kid’s stuff! You even need to get out at the pretend “top” and get into a different elevator for the final “secret” ride to the 43rd floor. This entire floor is empty, and all windows, 360 degrees of beautiful city views and mountain sightings. It’s gorgeous!

The event had 10 fabulous single’s from all walk’s of life up for auction along with the great prize packages they put together themselves. These were amazing people with VERY creative and original “dates” planned! One gal works for a winery, so had tours planned complete with helicopter ride and over night stay in a B&B. Another had a small plane ride over Mt. St. Helen’s and bungee jumping afterward! There were season tickets to the Oregon Symphony, the Oregon Ballet and even the Portland Opera. There were also courtside tickets to the Portland Trailblazers and another set up in the VIP skybox. These folks worked really hard to assemble the prize packages which also included everything from massages, to facials, to gift certificates to many restaurants and rounds of golf in our premier courses!

While they were all fabulous, you KNOW my eye’s popped out at the woman who’s date included a limo ride to the airport for 6, onto a Lear jet to Seattle for VIP treatment at a Mariners game, stay in the W Hotel and Mario’s gift bag! AND she was GORGEOUS and terribly friendly! I was exhausted at the overwhelmingly fabulous “dates” that I got to auction off!

My dear friends at Portland Monthly Magazine have been so successful here in the rose city, they’ve started Seattle Metropolitan Magazine. The premier issue comes out this month and they’ve invited me to join them to host the launch party at the Paramount Theater! Well, my dears, of course I’m SO there! I’ve also agreed to host the Single’s Auction associated with the new Seattle mag later this Spring! I love it! Who knew I’d become the official drag queen of BOTH the Portland and Seattle magazine’s?

I’m off for another wild weekend, hope you are too! Xoxo PW

Well, I tell ya, not very far. You know, it’s funny (kinda) how I only moved offices two blocks way, but after 12 years in the same spot, I feel like I’m in another city! I even walk to work a different way (direction I mean, not with a bigger swish!) I rarely get out to lunch, shop, walk, socialize like I used to! Which is good and bad……..I have so much stinkin’ work to do now, which I love, and still so much to learn…..

Now I really appreciate nights and weekends, where before, I took them for granted. Although there are more nights than not where I have meetings, rehearsal’s or work related events….but I’m not complaining, trust me! I love my “new life”, but a big adjustment doesn’t even begin to describe it! I’m struggling to keep social, keep tabs on my friends and family, keep Poison active and visible and find time to sleep…..

I can’t make any promises, but I really am going to attempt a more regular “where’s Poison update” routine. I’ve really appreciated all of the e-mails and phone calls letting me know you’ve missed my updates, I have too. Sometimes though, I think I can’t stop to tell ya what I’m doing, cuz I’m swamped in doing it!

I’ve taken a bit of time today to type up a few items, I’ll send them out over the next week or so……you’ll be sorry!

Hope you’ve all enjoyed 2006 thus far…….I know I have!

Check out the site, Kimberlee has given it a fresh new makeover! I feel spring in the air…………….xoxo Kevin

Hi everyone! I hope your Thanksgiving was a memorable one! I had a terrific four day weekend and just wanted to check in quickly today, having not written to you since I began my new job. I absolutely love it here at CAP! There is so much to learn, I feel as if I haven't stopped for a single moment! In a way, it's very bizarre, it's like I've landed on a new planet. Everything is new and very exciting. I'm learning a whole lot and every day brings something new across my desk. I'm getting used to the "CAP" way...which is very different from the "State" way....it was very interesting to realize I was the "new guy" who knew very little about my new surroundings, I couldn't even figure out the stinking phone on my first day! L But, I'm pretty settled now. Phew!

My first week was wild, because it started out with final interviews for our new Executive Director. As a board member, I had been involved in the selection process from the beginning. We had over 70 resumes, and on my first day, I was in the rotation focus groups that were selected to chat with the top four candidates. They were from Utah, Oklahoma, Ohio and Tanzania!!!!!! Yikes! Talk about diverse! After that long and amazing first day, I helped put on the evening reception for all four candidates and community leaders........there I was, thrown into the deep end...caterers, florists, banners, coat racks, candles, chairs, A/V equipment....yikes almighty! I hadn't even been given the key to the restrooms, and I was up to my eyeballs in Special Events! Yahoo! It was high pressure (even though it was a relatively small event), but such a thrill! My boss was in interviews throughout the afternoon, so I was kind of on my own as far as set up was concerned, and she would meet me at the start of the reception. I felt like I was on an episode of the Apprentice!!! Chill the white wine or the red? Light the candles now, or later? Set up the screen in the corner or up against the wall? Center the banner on the staircase landing, or off to the right? Order coffee and tea, or keep with wine, water and soft drinks? Of course, these were all minor issues, and ones I wouldn't ordinarily stress about.....but my first day? Ugh!

As you have guessed, it all went off without a hitch......and then the very next day I was in meetings with the Oregon Convention Center about Art For Life 06......and I haven't stopped since! What a thrill it's all been. There's still lots to learn, even plenty more to do. But I couldn't be more happy.

Thanks for all the phone calls and e-mails.....I feel like I've been so disconnected from everyone, but I know it's all worth it. This new position is such a wonderful fit for me, thanks for all of your support. But as one of my friends said to me, they haven't missed me cuz I've been in the media so much lately! You would have thought I've gone missing or something! Channel 6 had some good shots of Poison during Darcelle's birthday, the Los Angeles Times magazine had a great pic a few weeks ago, the Just Out did a nice announcement of my job change and just this Saturday, the Oregonian used a photo of my friend Doug and I in their story of Black Friday...the biggest shopping day of the year. So, you see? Even if you don't get to see me in person as often these days, it's nice to know you can follow long with the help of our friends in the press!

I probably won't get a chance to write again until after the New Year holiday....check out my calendar for some fun things to do in December. I think I'll be at Darcelle's every weekend (except the first weekend, hooray! Avenue Q in Las Vegas!), and a few Sundays I'll be involved in fundraisers at Darcelle's as well. And it's never too early to reserve your tickets for our New Year's Eve spectacular!

Hope you have a great holiday season friends! All my best, Kevin/PW

Kevin leaves DEQ for CAP!

Hi everyone! After 12 wonderful years with the Department of Environmental Quality, I have accepted an exciting new position with Cascade AIDS Project!!! As you can imagine, it’s tough to leave such a comfortable and secure experience, but this new position is such a great fit for my personality, experience and skills as well as the personal desire to continuously grow and challenge myself. It’s crazy and genius all at once, and I couldn’t be more thrilled! I by chance had received a card in the mail this week from a friend who had NO idea I was about to make this important change, and it read:” ACHIEVEMENT: Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow.” What a perfect sentiment at the right moment in my life!

My last day here will be Thursday, November 10. I cannot express my gratitude to all the great folks here at the Q who have supported, nurtured and educated along my journey. Special mention goes out to Dennis Kirk and of course Edith for their many years of fine management and friendship.

My new position is in the Development Department, reporting to the Special Events Manager, a dynamic woman I’ve worked with before named Roma Peyser. The job began as the Special Events Assistant, and morphed into Development Associate-Special Events. Of course, fundraising, soliciting, and event planning are all huge parts of the last 17 years of my personal Community involvement. But there are lots of new administrative things I’ll be learning and doing as well. This job has many facets and that’s the scary yet exciting part! Of course the two annual events, Art for Life dinner and auction and AIDS Walk, will be my two main focuses.

Here’s the memo that Roma sent out to the staff at CAP, I thought it was well presented and wanted to share with you! And attached is the photo taken for the CAP Board of Directors. Scary! I’m growing up…..but I suppose at 37, it’s time!

It is with great pleasure that I announce Kevin Cook as the new Development Associate - Special Events in the Development Department. Kevin will join us officially the week of November 14th. Kevin brings to CAP over 17 years of planning, organizing, managing and working on special events throughout the community. As many of you may know, Kevin has been involved with CAP in many ways.

Kevin was also a 10-year Board Member and Planning Committee member of Peacock in the Park. Kevin has been with the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) for 12 years and is ready for new challenges in a position where he can grow, for an agency that he is dedicated to. Please help me give Kevin a warm welcome to CAP when you see him!

Roma A. Peyser
Special Events Manager
Cascade AIDS Project

Halloween? ALREADY?

Yikes! What is this time machine I’m in???? Oh yes, I forgot, it’s called “late 30’s”……boy the time flies these days!

Just wanted to wish a Happy Halloween, Happy Day Light Savings, Happy Weekend…or whatever else ya’ll may be celebrating!

Hawaii was a grand time…we even had an all day rain “episode” that reminded us of home….THAT, we coulda done without! But the rest of the time was lots of fun…I was surprised how many Court members from the mainland came over…..it was the perfect combination of old friends and new friends! (and can I just tell ya? Some of the “new friends” were delicious!) Looking, I mean! Come on! I’m respectable, remember?

Let’s see? Real quick……highlights: Oh yes! There was a bus tour/picnic planned for us all on Friday…so we got up early and saw this huge gorgeous bus waiting downstairs…really fancy and slick. We though, WOW! Then the damn thing pulled away and parked behind it was what appeared to be the FIRST yellow school bus ever used on the islands by it’s original settlers. So the bus drives us all around the perimeter of the island, which was very nice…the scenery and all, but BUMPY as hell! (Diva was singing “the queens on the bus go up and down, up and down…”). When we got ½ way around, there was a great picnic set up and ready for us. The Hawaiian Court had wonderful food and drinks for us and planned games and such. The one I’ll tell you about was the fishing mess. They paired up a Hawaiian with a mainlander and sent us into the Pacific for a fishing contest. Well, you know me, I’ll do anything once! So I was paired up with Jessica, a very sweet lady…..what was a shock was the fishing pole was nothing more than a piece of thin bamboo with a line tied to it’s end and the tiniest hook I ever saw tied to that! Each team got a shrimp to use as bait and off we went. It was pretty darn funny seeing all these “boys” trying to fish in the ocean for Pete’s sakes! Laughing and screaming…we scared away anything under the waters, I was certain! Well, I turned around and Miss Jessica was GONE! She took that pole and dove under the water to get her a fish! YIKES! Sister was NOT playing! After about 20 minutes, she sure did catch the first fish! I could NOT believe it, but was so happy my team won first! So then it was my turn with the pole/stick/shrimp thing. I called for Meesha to come pee in the water, cuz supposedly that attracts the fish, or sharks, or deadly eels…something like that! And we are talking about pee and such (it didn’t occur to us that that was weird or gross…even though it IS!)….and don’t you know my pole was being tugged!!!!!!!! Thanks to Meesha’s alcohol laced pee, I caught a fish! ME! REALLY! A spiky looking flat on one side 6 inch flounder……….I was just as surprised to see him as he was to see me! I was screaming like a 5 year old girl who dropped her ice cream come, I was THAT excited! It was the proudest moment of my life! Okay the month. Okay, the weekend……….okay, the bus tour!!!!!!

There’s a lot more that went on during our trip, but I’ll have to tell you later, I’m so excited again, just retelling my flounder story I gotta go. I’m going to Ivar’s Fish & Chips in the mall to stage a tiny protest. Free my fishy friends!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Enjoy your weekend! Xoxo Kevin/PW

Aloha!

Howdy folks! Just checking in before I head off to Hawaii for the next 5 days with Meesha and Diva! (No virgins in THIS group to offer to the volcanoes!). We’re all three looking forward to spending time in the sun and sand as well as visiting with our Court friends from around the country. It’ll be REALLY great to play with all of our La Femme Magnifique pals and as always, sweet Dixie who always shows me a great time when I visit Honolulu!

Thanks so much to all the fun folks who joined in the Q Center’s Spooktacular on Sunday! It was such a rush seeing all the families and fabulous children…the costumes were adorable! Since I was dressed as a witch (insert mean spirited comment here!), I was partial to the three other witches that joined me. My dynamic and oh so creative friend Alyce joined us with daughter Kelly and granddaughter Gracie…three of the best dressed witches you ever hope to come across! (I did notice darling Gracie calling Alyce, “Alyce” though, and not “Grandma”…hmmmmm? We may need a call to Dr. Phil on this one.).

It was a thrill to spend the afternoon with my mother, niece and nephew and great niece. The event was to promote all the dynamics of FAMILY in our Community, and that it did. Thanks Mom, I love you! My favorite moment, however, was seeing Rose Empress 21 Allison Grey elbow deep in some kid's pumpkin! She was “helping” by scooping the guts out! The poor dear had pumpkin “ick” all stuck in her rhinestone jewelry! Just proving once again, if you want the job done, ask a queen!

A huge thanks to our celebrity judges, Allison (is that Chanel #5? Or Jack-o-Lantern?), Queer Window Columnist, Byron Beck, County Commissioner Maria Rojo de Steffey and my personal stalker, Portland Mayor Tom Potter. He’s everywhere I am lately…his wife Karin may become suspicious!

Another highlight this week was the first meeting of the Community Advisory Board for the Men’s Prevention & Wellness Dept. at Cascade AIDS Project. I’ve been asked to co-chair along with my pretend boyfriend City Commissioner Sam Adams. It was a great first meeting, a marvelous group of men all bringing a unique perspective to the table. I’m really looking forward to working with this group!

These past couple of years I’ve enjoyed getting “Kevin” more involved and present by utilizing the Community contacts and connections I’ve made as Poison Waters. It’s such a great learning experience stepping out of the gown and spot light and realizing I can create the same results without all the glitz and flash. I recently hosted the opening night of the Gay and Lesbian Film Festival for my 5th year, but this was the first time I did it out of drag. It was great fun, not to mention the relief of the poor sucker who had to sit behind me…Poison’s hair is tough to see over! But do not fear, dear friends…..PMW ain’t goin’ nowhere!

The day after I return from Hawaii, PW will be hosting a fabulous event in the new wing of the Portland Art Museum…Light A Fire, a Celebration of Giving. This amazing evening will honor 40 of Portland’s most innovative and hard working charity organizations. www.portland-monthly.com

Have a great weekend everyone! Do you have your Halloween costume picked out yet? Get to it! Time’s a wastin’!!!!

Desperately Seeking Jonny!

Well, the holidays have definitely arrived! Yesterday was Columbus Day, today is National Coming Out Day and little did I know that Saturday night I would be celebrating Canadian Hottie Day! (night?) Whichever…..or Red Headed Jonny for Canadian Prime Minister Day? Anyway………….

The weekend was ambling along, like any other…you know, a mix of drag, work, Darcelle’s, work a Crystal Ballroom concert, attend fund raiser meetings…the usual fare for Poison Waters. My nut job of a friend Diva came to Portland Saturday night after doing a show in Salem and hung out with us “girls” in the dressing room at Darcelle’s. Someone had the great idea that we’d all get dressed up in our hooker finest and hit the streets after our show ended, sometime around midnight-thirty. So, we began as Myself, Diva, Monica, Destiny, Tiara and Sasha. After a drink or so at Darcelle’s, then CC Slaughters, then a tour of the Pearl District (cuz damn Sasha didn’t want to park her precious Lexus near the bar) and of course ending at our fave The Silverado……suddenly, it was just Diva and I climbing into the back seat of Michael’s Mercedes….where do these people COME from with these automobiles? I don’t think diva’s back side had been slid across that much leather since the Folsom Street Fair of ‘97! But, I digress. So we got dropped off at my place and a third voice (strange, since it was then just the two of us) suggested we go to the world famous 24 hour Hot Cake and Steak House on SE Powell…a grand idea….until it took us a good 30 minutes for this otherwise 9 minute drive. (oops! I don’t drive and give poor directions, and well, Diva is from the country and there were no hay bales or livestock to refer to as directional markers….)

Moving on……inside this bright as heck lit diner, we are in line to order and are suddenly surrounded by what appears to be the Canadian National Badminton Team. Or an ensemble cast of Pirates of Penzance…you pick. It seemed as if there were dozens of these dudes, realistically, there were about 8 (I think…). Here’s the scoop: a group of 20 something’s are friends, decide to throw buddy Christian a Bachelor Party……but they are in Canada and bored, so in a well thought out plan (?) they all agree to grow mustache’s (still not clear on that), pile into a van and drive to Portland. Christian is wearing a T-Shirt with his fiancée’s picture all over it, with the words What Would Natasha Think? (I think that was her name…a lovely girl, I’m certain). I suppose the T-shirt was to keep ol’ Chris in check…so I left him alone…for the time being.

Since my website is family friendly, I’ll skip over the more juicy bits, but the bottom line is….if it weren’t for a brief moment of clarity that got me back in Diva’s car at 4:30 in the morning….I would probably be writing this from my new home in Canada, while married to a BRILLIANTLY gorgeous red head named Jonny………..sigh…..……there was plenty of laughter, good conversation…I think we entertained the entire restaurant…..Diva and I even got invited to the wedding…..I’m afraid I’d turn in into a double ceremony, so we courteously declined. I’m so terrible, I don’t recall the names of most of the other fellows. I do recall moving the party out into the parking lot…my apologies to the residents of the neighborhood…..Diva is so loud.

All in all, we remained proper ladies…..and made it home before the sun came up! Thanks to Jonny and company….you have awakened the romantic in me…….I think everyone should meet new people and dream about what could have been……..

I’m sure Christian and Natasha will have a terrifically wonderful wedding and marriage…..and Jonny……….who knows? I’d like to think he settles down with a nice black girl who just so happens to be taller than him with broad shoulders and big feet!

Happy days my friends! Xoxo PW

Where's Poison?

Okay folks! It’s that time again! Everyone ready for another rousing game of Where’s Poison? This weekend you have three exciting opportunities to catch a glimpse of our little darling!

Friday night join me as I host again the fabulous MANDONNA concert at the Historic Crystal Ballroom in downtown Portland. The all male, all live tribute to the Material Girl was such a blast this Summer, we’re bringing them back! This time around we also have two opening bands, an 80’s-90’s cover band: Bar Code and an Blondie cover band: Blondage…….sounds like the 80’s are back and they are fierce! J Tickets are just $10.00 and all ages are welcome! The doors open at 8pm and the music begins at 9pm!

Saturday night I’ll be rejoining my friends and cast mates at Darcelle XV in Old Town. We have a dynamic cast right now, if you haven’t visited us in a while, come on by! Our newest up and coming star is a spicy Latina named Dooneshka, she’s ½ the size of the rest of us…but, alas, so sweet we can’t help ourselves, but to love her! My thanks to the Darcelle family for putting up with my sporadic schedule! I do miss them when I’m away. Last moth I was there only on Fridays, this month, only on Saturdays! Darcelle is celebrating her 75th birthday this year, when you are in, pick up your tickets for the fabulous party on November 16th at the Melody Ballroom!

Sunday evening is going to be such a riot at the month long haunted house extravaganza called Scream at the Beach, held at Jantzen Beach Shopping Center. Our night, however has been renamed Queens at the Beach……I’ll be hosting/greeting guest along with my buddies Meesha, Lotta, Tiara, Diva, and a few of the Darcelle showgirls. We’ll be performing some of our haunted hits and having lots of frightening fun! Let’s see? Drag queens, at the mall on Sunday? Now THAT’S scary!

Hope to see you along the way, if you are local…and all you sweeties abroad…think of me, I’m thinking of you! Xoxo PMW

Thanks to all of you who generously supported Team Camp Starlight and Cascade AIDS Project in AIDS Walk 05!!! Our Team exceeded our goals both in membership and donations! This year’s Walk brought in $275,000.00 and included 10,000 participants! It was a beautiful day and everyone had a great time! Click here to view the final Team standings and top fundraisers! Thanks again!

And another thing!

While I’m at the keyboard……..

Have you seen the Lion King? OMG! Amazing! That’s all I can say! It’s here in town until late October…get yourself a ticket if you are able! Wonderful!

This past Saturday, I was invited to be apart of the most fun and unique event (for Poison anyway)…the Farmer’s Market, in the Park Blocks near PSU, held a scare crow contest. My sweet friend Victoria had asked if PW could wear her “garden outfit” and help judge the entrants…sure! Sounds like fun! She also asked if I could create a scare crow, just to add some “flair” to the others that would be there. So, I got to work and created a CHER crow….and my goodness! She turned out so great, yet so creepy…and TALL! I put her outside my apartment, cuz she was freakin’ out my cat (poor Jackson Mississippi)….and I had a neighbor actually complain that she was scared of it! Ha ha! I love it!

Anyway, I took my Cher crow down there and put her amongst the other very unique and creative entries. I left to get PW together for the judging, and when I returned, they had the blue ribbon on Cher! Apparently she was the crowd favorite! Myself and the other judges then went to work and awarded “scariest”, “funniest”, “most original”, etc.. One of my favorite’s was the entry from Tiffany & Co.., it was very cute, made of their signature aqua colored gift boxes and wrapping paper. There was also a neat one made by the folks at Portland Center for Performing Arts! I’ve always loved the Farmers Market, and it was a blast working with them! Look for Cher crow photos soon!

Saturday night I was lucky enough to attend a fabulous end of Summer Garden Party at the Sparks/Scott Estates! It was a party worthy of Oprah’s praise, and style……..and budget!….every detail was amazing! Thanks Phil and Trev! You guys blew us all away!

I’ll see lots of you this Saturday at the BRO Dinner at the Oregon Convention Center…I’m so thrilled I’ve been asked to entertain as Diana Ross with the fabulous Dahoo Chorus! Lotta has made for me a dynamic organza coat, and attached the sparkle palettes by hand…..thank you sweet friend for keeping ol’ Poison looking like something! There will be lots of high power folks and delicious politicians…I gotta look my best in case they want me to marry ‘em!

And of course Sunday is the CAP AIDS Walk, thanks to everyone who has donated so generously to our Team…with your help, we’ve remained in the top 5 (out of over 200 teams!).

Enjoy these final days of Summer gang….it’s been incredible! There are a lot of fun and exciting events coming up this Autumn….remember to check out my calendar every now and then to keep yourselves up to date!

Ciao friends! Kevin

Sometimes there just aren't words.....

I can’t believe I came home from Camp Starlight 18 days ago, it feels as if I just left there, while at the same time, like it was months ago, as bizarre as it may sound. I know many of you have e-mailed and called asking for my web update…but try as I might, it just can’t escape my fingers. Those of you that were there with me can understand…..it’s difficult to put into words. But trust me, the experience was the perfect blend of emotion, reality, fantasy and as always, very inspiring. If you haven’t already, I hope you’ll consider volunteering your time and joining us in 2006, our 8th year!

As I find myself drifting in and out of real life….it seems clear to me, that this world should be run by 8-10 year olds!

Thanks again to all the fine folks who donated to us this year……we appreciate your generosity. When we came back Labor Day weekend, the dollars began rolling in for next year already! Several members of the Camp Starlight Family are also associated with the La Femme Magnifique International Pageant……the audience there has always been very supportive of Camp Starlight and VERY generous. Several of the evenings entertainers donated their tips, and one of our new volunteers, Willie, entertained at the pageant as Whitley Lexington, and he and I auctioned off the gown he had created for his 10 year Anniversary of winning the pageant. We were thrilled to have the bidding close at $2200.00!!!! Just awesome! Thanks to Willie and the lucky winner, who’s $1200.00 outbid the $1000.00 of another friend….and even still, that “one grand” terrific man, donated his bid anyway! How’s THAT for amazing?

That next weekend, Carlos (Meesha) and I drove to Pasco, Washington for their annual fund raiser for Camp Starlight. The event was so very fun, we’d not been there before, and we certainly enjoyed ourselves! The nice folks at the Out & About know how to treat a queen! J Around $2500.00 was raised from a combination of the show, a car wash and a Beanie Babies sale….thanks so much to Empress Eunice and Bonnie Marche for putting together such a great and profitable event for us!

This weekend’s AIDS Walk is our next Camp Starlight related event…we have a mini reunion planned after the walk, with lunch generously provided by Elephant’s Deli…I can’t wait to see the gang!

Take care everyone! Thanks for your patience, support and friendship! Remember you can keep up on local events benefiting Camp Starlight and many other wonderful organizations here at poisonwaters.com . And it’s STILL not too late to join Team Camp Starlight for the AIDS Walk or make a donation!

This is me, loving you…..over and out! Kevin

Here we go to Camp Starlight!!!!!!!!!!!

The time is here once again, and I am so stinkin’ excited, I can hardly stand it! I’ll be offline until Tuesday, September 6th…..but will reply to all you little darlings then…………..

I’m sure it’s going to be our best year yet at Camp Starlight, everyone has worked so hard and given so generously! Thanks to all who supported us this past year in one way or another! You are all appreciated!

September and October looked to be action packed, so check out my calendar to keep up with Poison Waters and all she’ll be doing throughout the community! We’d both love to see you (GAWD! I’ve lost it, I’ve officially split my personalities, I have no idea which I am!)……………I need to get to Camp, NOW! See you all soon, enjoy the rest of your August and have a safe and happy Labor Day holiday!

I’ll be up to my neck in La Femme Magnifique International festivities when I get back….check out www.darcellexv.com for more info. or call the club at 503-222-5338 to get your tickets now!

Bye for now! ~Kevin/Poison/Crazy

The countdown begins!

As we head into August, I see there’s just three more weeks until we are gathered around the ol’ lake again for Camp Starlight! No wonder I feel older and older…the years are flying by!

A quick recap, my stint as The Lord on Sunday was simply marvelous…I had loads of fun, the cast and crew were amazing to work with and the show itself is pretty remarkable too! This is their final weekend, check it out if you are able! www.starkravingtheatre.org. There is a nice write up about it in the current Willamette Week, it’s posted on my website under Multi Media.

Oh, a couple of the sky dive photos are up now too! Plus a few with City Commissioner Sam Adams. Not sure why I’m hitting him with my purse, I’m sure he deserved it though! Sam and are co chairs of the task force over-seeing the new Men’s Wellness Center that CAP is in the planning stages of. It’s going to be a great resource for our Community and I’m thrilled to be part of such a great and dedicated team!

Meesha and I are off to Seattle this weekend. I think I had sent out the info on the Queen’s City Cruise….well, the darn thing is sold out! So, if you didn’t get your tix, tough nuts for ya! Even poor Meesha has to board as my “hand maiden” just to get on! Of course I laughed at that, she’s not too impressed! But what can ya do? You wanna go or not shorty?

The cruise is Saturday afternoon and then that evening we’ll be guests at the Timberline Cabaret……a fun time is certain to be had! We’ve reserved a nice room in the newly opened Hotel Max. It looks VERY cool. Sunday we are going to hit the newly acquired by Six Flags, Wild Waves and Enchanted Village with our boys Nick and Shaun whom we played with in Boise. Neither Meesha nor myself have ever been to that park, but we’ve driven past so many times….it’s going to be crazy!

Have a great weekend gang! There’s plenty more to chat about in August, I’ll be back soon! Enjoy this heat wave…unless you are in a desolate place, flooded by the rains….hey! Don’t blame me! I was only God for one night!

Come on! Gimme some!

Hey Friends!

As most of you know, I love Camp Starlight! It's an annual week-long camp which provides children whose lives have been affected by HIV/AIDS the opportunity to enjoy a caring, safe, spiritual and FUN camp experience, and this will be my fifth year as a camp counselor there.

I am very excited to be a part of the first-ever Camp Starlight team to participate in Cascade Aids Project's AIDS Walk, the annual event that serves as CAP's major fund-raiser for the year. Proceeds raised from AIDS Walk contribute to the further education, prevention, and treatment of HIV and AIDS in our community, and in our world.

I'm looking forward to Team Camp Starlight leading the way in this year's AIDS Walk, and am hoping you can help in whatever way is possible. Any amount helps! If you 'd like to contribute to our team's efforts, there's a convenient link provided here to assist you in making a pledge, or to print out a pledge form that you can send in.

Or, if you'd like to join in the fun and walk with our team, that would be just as awesome.

THANKS SO MUCH!

Visit my personal AIDS Walk Donations web page and help me in my efforts to support Cascade AIDS Project

So after you’ve had a great time at Mandonna on Saturday night at the Crystal Ballroom…remember that Sunday is Portland’s La Femme Magnifique at Darcelle XV at 8pm………come and cheer on your favorite local gals as they compete for the title of Portland’s most glamorous female impersonator…and don’t ask, I already won in 1992, so keep your shirts on….I ain’t competing. I gotta give the others a chance ya know!

Camp Starlight will have it’s first team this year at AIDS Walk ’05. Please join our team, recruit some friends and family and/or make a donation to us!

Simply go to www.cascadeaids.org and click on the AIDS Walk icon at the bottom of the page. Then you can click on the button that says “view teams”. You’ll see our team has no money yet. Boo hoo!

So, sign up to join in the fun! Thanks gang! I can’t believe I’ll get to see most of my Camp Starlight friends again in 7 short weeks!

The rest of April.....

I’m off to visit the Big Easy….no, not my dear friend Meesha Peru, NEW ORLEANS, silly! I’ve never been and am so excited! My friend Steve is traveling the country in a motor home, filming a very cool, documentary, and is flying me out for a visit! I was scheduled to attend Denver’s Coronation, but a first class ticket to New Orleans sounds like a much better deal! (Sorry Denver Divas, have fun without me!). Besides, poor Steve has GOT to be homesick….I know I would be. He’s met some awesome people on his trek thus far, I can’t wait to hear his stories and get a sneak peek at some footage!

I return on Wednesday, just in time to help Darcelle host the Rags to Scholarships and All City Awards Show. This annual fund raiser for the Pride of the Rose Scholarship Fund begins at 8pm at Darcelle XV. You can vote online at www.darcellexv.com for all of your favorites! Of course, I love this event, having won most of the awards myself, these past 17 years. Thank goodness they stopped giving out the “Best Barstool Customer” (aka:town drunk)…….Pookie and I traded that prize back and forth for a few years! Oh! And Meesha won the Latino version this weekend at the Latin Awards Night! Ha! Love her!

But I digress….the other highlight of this event is the auction, where entertainers bid on one another’s costumes…it’s a great way to update your wardrobe at bargain prices all the while helping raise $ for charity!

The next evening, Thursday, the 21st, Camp Starlight will have it’s Annual Volunteer Recruitment Night at the Commodore, on 16th and SW Morrison at 7pm. If you’d like to be one of our fabulous volunteer counselors, this is your chance to get an inside peek at Camp and meet our Planning Commission, who’ll be able to answer your questions.

Sadly, I’ll be absent from this because I’ll be at Aura hosting the Portland Art Museum’s Young at Art Paparazzi Party. It’s going to be a great time, a 60’s go-go theme…recruiting new members and promoting our fabulous Art Museum!

Fri/Sat (April 22/23) I’ll gladly return to the cast of Darcelle XV and Company…we’ve got a great cast right now and have loads of fun! Come on down and check us out!

Then, the next week, Darcelle, Roxy and myself will wing our way to Hawaii for the La Femme Magnifique Contest. After the exciting wild ride 2005 has been so far, I, for one, am REALLY looking forward to the week in Honolulu with my friends! (if only I could sneak Smoochie on board in my wig case!) Aloha!

Hope these messages have found you all well! I’m having a great time and always hope you guys are too! I always enjoy hearing from you, and finding out what’s going on in your lives and communities. Keep up the good living! All of our positive energies combined HAVE GOT to be making a difference to someone, somewhere! Much love and admiration! Kevin/Poison

Time REALLY flies!

So, there I was, checking out the updates Kimberlee had made to my website…and I read where I had given a partial telling of my adventures, and never got back to ya’ll with the rest!! Yikes! What have I been doing? (well, I know, but I can only tell you parts! A girl’s gotta keep a few secrets for herself!)

These past few weeks have been a blur of Top Model coverage, and, by the way, I’m THRILLED the winner was MY choice from the start! A fiery red head ALWAYS catches my eye! Jessica was such a mature, professional while staying fun and friendly! I just adore her and wish her all the best! My favorite was when she confessed she didn’t realize I was a man (YES! REALLY!) until I gave my signature, baritone “Thank you very much”, ala Elvis Presley! She gave me a big hug and confessed she had never seen a drag queen and just thought we were a little over the top glamorous here in Portland. The poor dear lives in Ellensburg, Washington…………..wherever the heck that is! Knock ‘em dead on the runway Jessica!

These past couple of weeks, I have had loads of fun, besides getting to spend time with my new friend, the amazing Corey Riggs, I have to confess I’ve been REALLY enjoying the company of another amazing AND beautiful man we’ll call “Smoochie”………..’nuff said.

Last Tuesday we saw Patti LuPone at the Keller Auditorium…….amazing front row seats…actually, our row was added IN FRONT of the front row, so we were REALLY right there! She smelled amazing and sounded even better!

Friday night we were at the Melody Ballroom for an All Star Trivia game benefiting REACH….It was so much fun, and I actually got to answer a few questions…CORRECTLY! Our team, The Personalities, beat both the other teams, The Press and The Politicians. And I don’t care what anyone says…we did not cheat……………………………..much.

Saturday I was the MC for Cascade AIDS Project’s Art for Life. The live auction, silent auction, Tiffany & Co. raffle and door admission raised $600,000.00, a big jump from last years $400,000.00! HUGE thanks to Lotta, Maria and Meesha for getting all pretty and acting as hostesses/greeters! They were troopers and I appreciate them being there so early to help!

Sunday afternoon we saw Sordid Lives at Theater! Theatre!, a benefit showing for the Equity Foundation, and that evening attended the PFLAG fundraiser at Darcelle’s put on by the Gay Oregon title holders. Sordid Lives was so hysterically amazing, I was so proud of my friends in the cast! The Show at Darcelle’s was fun too….I got to MC with my friend Shelia from Vancouver….she’s the one queen louder than me! Ha ha!

All in all, I’ve had a great April! I’ve missed my girlfriends at Darcelle’s, but I appreciate their patience with my hectic schedule…I promise to be back to work soon ladies!

Okay, my one typing finger is pooped! I’ll go for a walk and come back with the fun stuff that’s coming up! Happy Tax week! Ugh!

Xoxo Kevin

Where's Poison? Pt. I

Yikes! I just realized my last web posting was February 28th! OOPS! Sorry gang........

So today, I'll tell ya what I've been doing, and then tomorrow, I'll tell ya what I'll be doing next! K? K!

This photo I've attached is of Tootie and Natalie, the two best friends on Eastland's Campus. The quick, four night run of the Facts of Life was fast and furious, while also fantastic and fabulous! We had sold out crowds, even had to turn folks away a couple of times! We hated to do that, but, what can ya do?........Anyway, the cast was so wonderful, they really made this ol' queen feel like a million bucks! I chose this photo to send 'cause Natalie (aka Brooks Braselman) turned out to be the best surprise of the whole experience! What a great guy and OMG, an amazing actor/comedian/drag queen! We shared lots of laughs, a few drinks and even pancakes! I love meeting new friends, and it's better when ya just "click"! I miss him already!

A quick run down of what March held for me (beyond what seemed like endless rehearsals for Facts) :-)

The "PFLAG highway roadside clean up project" was a kick in the pants! Kimberlee rallied the troops and had us picking up garbage along a 2 mile stretch on an EARLY Saturday morning! Meesha and I took one side of the road while Lotta and Greg took the other. We "GOT" to wear bright orange vests and everything! Meesha and I looked like the last two gay escaped convicts who simply couldn't flee to Canada until we had the roadside was spotless! Yikes!

A fun Thursday night, Allison Grey had us at the Governor's Hotel selling Apple Martini's (called Equtinis) at the Equity Foundations Awards Gala. Me, being the pushy one, sold the most, but Lotta raised the most $ after she decided selling was for the birds, so she give's them $100.00 and says "I quit!"......gotta love that Lotta! (we couldn't drink while working....get it?)

March had me in flirting with film crews three times, as Poison was invited to be a guest on the Famous Mysterious Actors Show one night, and as a guest celebrity judge on America's Next Top Model: Portland Edition for a two day shoot. The FMA show was a real trip...CRAZY experience, but loads of fun! Sorry I didn't send out the details, it aired last Saturday. A photo of the episode was featured on the cover of this past Monday's Living Section of the Oregonian. Fabulous! I'll be sure to let you know if they air it again!

The Top Model gig was a total blast and the two day shoot will be airing as a one hour special next Wednesday, April 6th, 9pm on the UPN network, cable channel 13, or 49. I'll tell you more about that later! But I can say Drew Carney is my new husband and Buck Head of Z100 is my new boyfriend.......Buck had myself and the other judges (Willamette Week's Byron Beck and Portland's Ultimate Diva, Juanita Howard) on the Buckhead Show the morning after the final shoot.....I love being on air...I didn't even have to shave!

Gotta run now to get ready for the Savion Glover dance performance at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. Roxy won tickets at last months performance of the Vagina Monologues, and since Darcelle has to work tonight, I invited myself to be his date! How's THAT for pushy?!

Hope you all are having a great Spring so far, as you can see, March was an ass kickin' 5 weeks for PW, but she takes that lickin' and keeps on tickin'! April looks just as busy, but it'll be such fun, I can hardly wait! XOXO Kevin/PMW44

Hey there! How ya been?

So, yes, I’ve been running my boots off! But, it’s been so much stinkin’ fun! The single’s event, pictured above (duh!) was very successful, we raised over $17,000.00 for the Ronald McDonald House, Disjecta and PICA. (Somehow I volunteered to don a French maid outfit and serve cocktail weenies for the house party where Everclear will play an acoustic concert). That should be a hoot, I better figure out when that is…..anyway, Pageant wrapped up on the Portland Spirit…..the closing night was hysterical on Friday, a packed house and a pissed off tap dancing cowgirl and roller skating Latina! Oh well….Pepe and I had won enough I guess. The final Miss Glamouresse was our sweet Kelsey Tyler (Miss Great Plains). Bitch.

We already have scheduled dates for the fall, so have no fear, Miss Texas will be back and out for revenge!

This Wednesday night is our annual fundraiser for Camp Starlight at Darcelle XV, at 7pm. Your $20.00 tax deductible donation not only gets you a night of entertainment like you’ve never seen, you also can enjoy our dessert buffet! Yummy!

Also, mark your calendars for La Femme Plus at Darcelle’s, Sunday, the 13th at 8pm. Our full figured beauty contest is back and the Hawaiian girls are looking to keep the title! Check out www.darcellexv.com for further details.

My calendar has all the latest and greatest and is getting updated all the time, come and see me!

Bye for now! Kevin

February 8, 2005

Hey ya’ll! What’s shakin’?! I’ve been busier than a one legged man in a butt kickin’ contest……Lot’s of you have been writing wondering where I went, so here’s a quick synopsis. Further details of my upcoming gigs can be found on my calendar.

The Pageant run aboard the Portland Spirit has been going great! There’s already talk of an extension into March….the crowds have been a hoot and the play has taken on a new life of it’s own! Not sure how, much longer Miss Texas can keep the others at bay…..I was a shoe in the first two weeks, then something fishy went down last week and I didn’t even place! (#$@!&$).

My assignment with Portland Monthly Magazine and Saks 5th Avenue has also taken on a new shape. Poison is booked to MC the Dating Game and Host the singles auction…all good and well, but now I (as Kevin) have been signed on to appear along with 4 of our singles, on AM Northwest on KATU Channel 2 this Thursday morning! And I spent this morning in the home of Everclear front man Art Alexakis, one of our singles, filming a “live remote on location” segment we’ll use at the auction. He was a great guy and we had fun together. Poison better watch out, Kevin’s getting as much face time as she is! The auction is next Friday, the 18th, at Saks…the doors open at 6pm, $20.00 gets you an evening of booze, food and Poison Waters! Ha ha! Oh yeah, and our singles! J

Let’s see? What else? Oh yes! I’ve also been cast in a one week run of Jaime Morris’ all male The Facts of Life: The Best Little Whorehouse in Peekskill. Of course, I’ll be playing Tootie…the show and it’s cast are out of NYC and will be playing March 24-27 at Theater! Theatre! on 34th and SE Belmont. The actor who played Tootie cannot make the trip (darn!), so I‘ve been asked to fill in…..should be a real blast!

Toss in my time at Darcelle’s and helping Camp Starlight get settled in at Cascade AIDS Project (upcoming Reunion AND Fundraiser at Darcelle’s, by the way!)……and there you have it! My whirlwind life! Enough about me…. Let me know what’s going on with you! REALLY!

Tonight is our second opening night of Pageant, and we are all THRILLED to be aboard the Portland Spirit! I know lots of you locals have already purchased your tickets, and I thank you! Now the rest of you who will be in the area these next six Friday nights, best get yours too! ;-)

The show has been re-staged to accommodate this new venue, so even if you saw us at Theater! Theatre!, come see us again! :-)

Those of you too far away, I'll see what I can do about getting my hands on the DVD for your viewing pleasure!

Love, Kevin

Happy 2005!!!!

Well gang, another year has passed and I’m happy to have enjoyed our relationship in 2004. Although this is one of my famous “mass e-mail updates”, I do think of you each individually and hold a special place for you all in my life.

So, we were last in the midst of Pageant at Triangle Productions! The benefit performance for Camp Starlight was a great time, it was good to see those who were able to attend! Speaking of Camp Starlight, I know many of you are anxiously awaiting our announcement of whom we will become an new program of. But I’m not telling you. Yet. As soon as the paperwork is signed, you’ll be the first to know. We have been very busy researching non profit groups to join forces with and I believe the best choice has been made. When it’s all legal, I can sing like a bird, until then, rest assured Camp Starlight is going to be fine, and continue to flourish and blossom and all with your continued dedication and support!

And also, speaking of Pageant (I was, wasn’t I?)…it was a great run, that sadly ended last week. It was so much fun, I really fell in love with all of my cast mates! There were 17 performances in all, I had the understudy stand in for me once, so I was only in 16. And I’m THRILLED to announce that I won 8 times, my crazy buddy Pepe (of bottle blondes fame) won 3 times, Miss Deep South and Miss West Coast each won twice and Miss Bible Belt and Miss Great Plains each won once. So you see, there were 8 nights I was pissed off! Ha ha!

What? You missed it? You didn’t get to see Pageant? Well HOORAY! There’s been an extension! You are NOT off the hook, you WILL see my tap dancing cowgirl act of a black man in a red wig as Miss Texas! The Portland Spirit has booked us for 6 fabulous nights, two shows a night, on board their fabulous dining river cruise experience! It’s going to be FUN and you’ll wanna see it…you really will! Plus! There’s a bar! Ha ha! The icing on the cake!

Pageant will run on the 7pm and 10 pm cruises each Friday from January 21- February 25. More details will be available on my website soon so check back often. (Oh, PS: There is no early cruise on the 11th of Feb and I’ll be out of the show on the 18th.)

Why? Because I’m booked at Saks 5th Avenue for the fabulous Portland Monthly magazine’s annual Singles Auction to benefit Ronald McDonald House and PICA. I’m the guest hostess for a local celebrity version of The Dating Game! (What’ll I wear?). It’s going to be awesome trying to match up the local “top” singles in Portland…who knows? Poison just might find herself a…..oh who am I kidding? She’s man enough on her own! She’ll need more than the Dating Game to get her paired off!

Anyway, gotta jet! Smooches! On behalf of Camp Starlight and Pageant…Thanks for all your love, support and dedication!

Hope your holidays have been happy, and all my best to you in 2005!

Hi everyone! Sorry for the intrusion (really, honestly…okay, not so much). Anyway, another great Camp Starlight fundraiser is happening this coming Sunday for all of you that will be in Portland this weekend.

The play I’m currently in (oh? You hadn’t heard?) is having a special 4pm matinee performance on Sunday (Dec 12) and a portion of the ticket sales will be donated to Camp Starlight! See? Easy! AND entertaining! J

For those who didn’t know, Pageant-the Musical is a hilarious spoof on the Miss America Pageant, with all the contestants played by men. There’s great music, dancing and comedy, all scripted up until the end where judges chosen from the audience actually choose a different winner each night. That’s where it gets crazy, especially on those nights where I don’t win….it ain’t pretty folks!

So far we’ve had a great run, good reviews and lots of laughs. My character, Miss Texas, has won three times, Pepe (Miss Industrial North East) has won twice and all the others have each won once, except poor Miss West Coast…..it’s just a matter of what the judges like that night. Crazy and funny!

If you can join us, it would be great! J For tickets to this fund raising performance, call 503-239-5919 Wed-Sat from 1-6pm. Tickets are just $19.00/advance, $23.00/door and $17.00 seniors and students (advance).

Okay gang! The reviews are in, okay, maybe just this one so far…but hey! It’s not bad! Hope you can get a chance to see the show, if you are local…..the ticket info is here! Opening night was awesome…I won! Hooray! Came in 3^rd place both at Wed. Preview and on Saturday! Kinda fun getting to play the sore and bitter loser… hee hee! But came back with a vengeance last night and won again! Yippee!

Oh! BTW, this Sunday, after Pageant, I’ll be joining a cast of thousands (okay, 13) at the annual La Femme Magnifique Holiday Show…7pm! Come on! You KNOW you want to! Xo K

Get your tickets now! :-)

Okay, so first I have to thank everyone who helped to make Darcelle and Roxy’s birthday such a success! It was a terrific evening and I know they both had a great time!

Now, on to Pageant! The “girls” were so amazing at the Birthday Bash, I LOVED it! What fun! Even though tonight is our Preview Performance, we had a small audience in house last night for our final dress rehearsal…….I was a nervous wreck…..I knew most of the folks that were there, but somehow that made it worse! Can I just tell you I tap danced myself silly??? The stage manager later told me I was going WAY too fast, ahead of the music even! I guess that explains why I actually KNOCKED me hat off with my own hand! I could have died! Especially since just before the show, I had the great idea to attach my hat to my wig with safety pins, just incase! WELL! Since I knocked my hat off, you know that mean my hair went too! YEP! Me, tap dancing, BALD! Okay, not bald, but practically devastated! THEN in my haste to get the #$@!*& number over with, when I took my guns out of their holsters, I jerked the right one out so hard, it broke in half leaving me “brandishing” only the handle!

I supposed you’ve guessed by now, Miss Texas did NOT win last night. (I heard one judge (my friend Darcelle) gave me a 1!) Well, I suppose I deserved that last night…..not only did I not win, I didn’t even PLACE! I sure hope the old theater myth of “a bad dress rehearsal means a great opening”, is true. I honestly don’t think it can get any worse! Of course the others were practically perfect! I think I was sabotaged!

Hope to see or hear from you all soon and I wish you all a wonderfully Happy Thanksgiving! Love, Kevin/PW

Anyway…..do come see us if you can:

In the heart of the holiday season comes a hilarious musical spoof on an American institution, the beauty pageant. Miss West Coast, Miss Great Plains, Miss Texas, Miss Bible Belt, Miss Deep South, and Miss Industrial Northeast fight tooth and manicured nail to become "Miss Glamouresse" with judges from the audience deciding a new winner every night! Visit the Triangle Productions website to buy your tickets today!

Join us on Saturday, November 13th to Bowl for Camp Starlight at Hollywood Bowl. Bowl from 12-4pm for just $10, includes bowling and shoes!

Don't miss an opportunity to help raise funds for Camp Starlight, a week-long summer camp for children infected and affected by HIV in Oregon and Southwest Washington!

November 3, 2004

Pageant-The Musical

Hello my friends and family and all those in between! It seems I haven’t written anything in a bit (sorry about the survey I sent out this morning, but THANKS to all the many responses, WOW! Nice glimpse into yourselves guys!)

Anyway, back to me…..

I told you ( or did I?) that I was recently cast in Triangle Production’s newest show called Pageant. It’s a musical spoof on the Miss America Pageant and it is fabulous! The cast is all male (at least they seem to be) and are all VERY funny and quite talented. We all represent various regions of our great nation and will compete in evening gown, swim wear (yikes!), interview, talent and for those that make it to the semi finals, a telephone Crisis Hotline phone call/on the spot question. We also do a product demonstration to prove we are comfortable in front of the camera!

Each night is a REAL pageant, with judges from the audience choosing a different winner each night (or not). We never know how the evening will end, until it…ends! Rehearsals are hysterical, and I wish we were filming them…there have been some funny out takes! Of course we all want to win, and although there is a script and score and dancing and singing, it’s STILL a competition! (I’ve already warned the “girls” of my past winning streak….I’ll not take losing very well….).

So, the buzz has already started and we don’t even open for three more weeks! Jonathon Nicholas mentioned us in his column in yesterday’s Oregonian…very cute! You can click here and then click on Dance Fever Pitch to read the column. Also, there’s an OPB event at the Aladdin Theater Wednesday, November 10th that members of the cast have been invited to entertain at…I’ll get click here for all the details. We are also all featured at Darcelle and Roxy’s Best of the New Broadway Birthday Bash on Sunday November 21 at 7pm. See? All this excitement about our show and we’re still in rehearsals! Yahoo!

You may purchase your tickets NOW…go to www.tripro.org and read about our show, check out the schedule and reserve your seats! It really is going to be a hoot and yet another great night of musical theater in Portland!

FYI, you Poison Waters fans (and/or Kevin followers), take note: I’ll be out of the show for just one night, Saturday Dec. 11. If you’d rather not see me (and you KNOW who you are) that would be your night to go. All others, the rest of the 4 week run is all yours!

Please tell your friends and family ……and if they don’t know me, send them on the 11th! Ha ha! Either show, you’ll all love it!

Thanks for reading! And see you at the Pageant! (I better win or ELSE!) xoxoxo Kevin

October 20, 2004

I’m sitting here at my keyboard STILL reeling from the Pink Martini CD Release Concert last night at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall in Portland, Oregon. All of my friends across America and you lovely Europeans will just have to wait your turn! Last night they were all ours….and I’ve been telling anyone who’ll listen these past 12 hours, to RUN, not walk, to your favorite music retail emporium and purchase, not just one, but several copies of Hang on Little Tomato! I mean, honestly, how many copies of Sympathique’ have you gone through? I know, personally, I’ve owned at least a dozen. But it’s so great, I’ve given them away, or else they’ve been “borrowed” forever! Anyway, you’ll want this CD, and so will family and friends who don’t even KNOW they want it yet…YOU can be their portal to the light of the tomato!

Quite honestly, last nights event can only be described as the best evening of live music I’ve ever experienced….and I’m being serious folks! The special guests were amazing, the stories endearing and entertaining and the voices and instruments…..indescribable, no matter how hard I try. One of my lady friends said she felt inadequate as a woman in the presence of the lovely China Forbes….then my gentleman friend chimed in stating he felt inadequate as a MAN in the presence of the lovely China Forbes! Ha ha! From beginning to end, the evening was breathtaking and I honestly am sad for my friends who could not experience this with me!

If you are able, check out www.pinkmartini.com ….also, they are having a repeat of last night’s magic again this VERY evening….you locals should find out if tickets are available!

That’s it, do as I say……….you can thank me later! Kevin/Poison Waters

October 7, 2004

Okay! Okay!

Hey there! Just checking in with you all! Hope you are enjoying our Autumn weather…unless you are in Florida or some other God forsaken place that is feeling the wrath of Mother Nature!

Not much new here (okay, that’s a lie), keeping busy with the usual Poison Waters stuff, Camp Starlight stuff and oh yes! The new show, Pageant! Our first cast reading was Saturday, what a hoot! It’s going to be a great show! Oh, except they forgot to tell me I had to tap dance! Needless to say I was surprised as heck, and my first tap lesson is this Saturday morning! Wish me luck!

I have been enjoying lots of great No on 36 Campaign events, as well as the Basic Rights Oregon Dinner this past weekend. I got to meet Jeff Whitty, who is the Coos Bay cutie who won the Tony Award for writing Avenue Q…..his Q&A and mini concert of tunes from the show was a great time! I can’t wait to see it in NYC, but I might not get there again until March???? Meanwhile, the CD has been playing non stop in my player since Sunday!

Friday night I’ll be hosting a fundraiser at the Embers at 7pm for the documentary film that is being made on the topic of female impersonators, specifically Darcelle XV and Company. This has been in the works for a couple of years now, the trailer will be shown at the benefit. I’m afraid to see what I looked like last year, 30 pounds heavier! Yikes!

Monday afternoon, I’ve been invited once again to speak to the GLBT City and County employees (and their allies)….I’ve done this before around Gay Pride time…but this Monday is National Coming Out Day…..I’m sure Poison will come up with SOMETHING mildly entertaining on the subject!

Have a great weekend gang! Send me an e-mail, tell me what’s going on with you! xo Kevin/PMW44

September 23, 2004

The Good and Bad News!

Bad news first……..I don’t get to go to Hawaii now! (dare we send Meesha unescorted?) The good news is, I’ve been cast in Triangle Productions new musical comedy, Pageant! We have our first read through next weekend, and I’m thrilled to be challenged by the theatrical stage once again! Sadly, the Hawaii trip was right in the middle of rehearsals, so the choice was made. (see? I NEVER get to have any fun!). Ha ha! Check out www.tripro.org/15th-season/pageant.html for show info, dates and TICKETS!

Besides that, I’ve been involved in a few fun shows/engagements benefiting NO on 36 Campaign and Camp Starlight. Sunday a quaint group of us performed at Darcelle’s to a quaint crowd, bringing in almost $800.00 for the Campaign, and last night a few of us from Camp Starlight were guests at the World Trade Center Auditorium for the PGE Employee talent show, which was a fund raiser for us! It was a great evening and they are having one more show this afternoon! Special thanks to sweet Ryan for putting it all together and getting Camp involved too!

I love my work at Darcelle’s and around town, but I always enjoy the “other” gigs I get myself booked into! Tomorrow evening I’ll be joining a gentleman (whom I’ve yet to meet!) who’s hired Poison Waters to be his “date” for his 20 year reunion at Willamette University in Salem! Yikes! The things I’ll do for a buck! I love this kind of stuff, it puts my people skills to the test! And hopefully a little educating of the masses on tolerance and diversity will take place as well! You may recall I attended my own 10 year High School reunion in 1996 as Poison, so I feel experienced in this area. We’ll see!?!

Aside from that, if you’re looking for me, or for something to do, you can find me at Darcelle XV on Saturday evening, 8:30pm and 10:30pm. Sunday will be a marathon day…..you can join us at 8am in Pioneer Square for the annual AIDS Walk for the Cascade AIDS Project, that evening I’ll be at Holocene, 1001 SE Morrison, for the GLBT Voter Registration Drive/show at 5pm. After all that, I’ll join the rest of the ISRC for the Announcement of Candidates for Emperor and Empress Show at Darcelle XV at 8pm. Is it already time to crown the third set of Monarchs since ShelleY and my reign? Geeze!

Here comes the sun folks! Have a great weekend! Love, Kevin

September 21, 2004

Sorry for the short notice guys! This is going to be SO fun, and will last just about an hour! PGE is very excited about helping Camp Starlight!

Are you a Disco Daddy or a Dancing Queen? Do you work hard for your money, so hard for it honey? Then mark your calendar for “Stayin’ Alive,” PGE’s fifth annual Employee Talent Show, sponsored by GALE Force (Gay and Lesbian Employees and their Friends). This year’s talent show is just days away with this sizzling show on Wed., Sept. 22, at 6 p.m. in the 2WTC auditorium, located at 25 SW Salmon St., Bridge Level.

Tickets are just $6 and may be purchased at the door starting at 5:30 PM. Ticket sales benefit Camp Starlight, an annual, weeklong summer camp for children affected by HIV/AIDS. This year’s event features a bevy of employees from throughout the company, plus the usual humorous interludes that have made the talent show an annual must-see event.

September 16, 2004

A special thanks and invitation from Peacock Productions, Inc.

Peacock in the Park Thank You Party Thank you for your contribution to the 18th and final Peacock in the Park. This year we were pleased to award 14 scholarships totaling $20,000.00 making our grand total over $138,000.00 since 1992. None of this would have been possible without the unwavering commitment of friends and supporters like you.

Please join us for a thank you party at the Commodore Grille & Lounge, 1601 SW Morison St., at 2:00pm on Saturday, September 18, 2004. We will be serving complimentary hors d’oeuvres and non-alcoholic beverages as well as sharing the video, pictures and stories from the Park. If you know of anyone who helped in any way but did not receive this invitation, please invite them on our behalf! Thank you again for all your support. We look forward to seeing you on the 18th!!

September 10, 2004

So the question is, as always, “How was Camp”? Thanks to everyone who has been patient this week, it’s taken me a few days to formulate my thoughts…and even now, I’m not sure I have the words to describe last week. Just when I think I’m ready to let go and rejoin the real world (?), something pops into my mind and I’m right back there again, where I constantly long to be….among the precious children and amazingly caring adults…at Camp Starlight.

I’ve tried to convince myself that, yes, indeed, each year the Post Camp Blues are easier to handle. But in all actuality, they are getting tougher, with each Camp session bringing more and more to the surface, and more and more out of me. Fortunately, the “blues” don’t hang around as long each year, they are only heavier.

Here it is, Friday, an entire week since we left, and I caught my eyes welling up with tears on the my way into the office, only because my mind started singing the “Donut Song”! Come on! Get a grip! That’s what I tell myself…but do I really want to?

All the kids this year were just fantastic. There were several new Campers who’ve left their mark in my heart. There were also many returning Campers who’ve grown so much in one short year, I hardly recognized them. They are all growing into such great people…a few struggle, but then, didn’t we all? My little men, are now practically teens….yikes! Watch out world…here they come! (Yes, I gave them the shaving cream to “get” the girls cabin with……but it was THEIR idea to retaliate after last years water balloon attack!)

Of course, we’ve already begun planning and fundraising for 2005…..which may prove to be a bigger challenge than in years before. With the closing of the Women’s Intercommunity AIDS Resource last Spring, we were “taken in” by The Research & Education Group. We are extremely grateful for their generosity, and all of their employees time and energy. Unfortunately, our agreement with them ends on September 30th. Of course there are several options, and we will consider them all. One thing for certain, Camp will continue!

Often I’m asked how much it costs each year. We work within an annual budget of about $50,000.00, about ½ of which is just to rent the camp site. We are all volunteers, with the exception of a Camp Coordinator that is hired from around early Spring through Camp, to do all the organizational stuff the rest of us can’t get to. We rely only on donors, grants, and the various fund raisers held throughout the Northwest for us.

During Darcelle XV’s La Femme Magnifique International Pageant last weekend, Darcelle and I chatted briefly about Camp and urged everyone to consider Camp Starlight when donating to local charities. We also challenged them to brainstorm possible sponsors for Camp. Everyone has a connection SOMEWHERE! With that, $1125.00 was raised during one number by Seattle’s Whitley Lexington. Her employer pledged to match the first $1000.00. The generosity in the room that evening was overwhelming. Another check was sent in this week by a friend who attended the pageant for yet another $1000.00!

What a great way to begin our years fund raising efforts! Thanks to everyone who donated, and thanks to all who WILL keep Camp Starlight in the hearts and minds…we really need your help and appreciate all you do for us throughout the year!

As for me, I’m ready to face the music……Camp Starlight 2004 is now over and I have lots of work to do. I have many photos, star grams and of course wonderful memories to get me through until next August. Thanks for being patient with me…geeze, is this what menopause is like? I should be nice to my mother!

Happy end of Summer Gang! It’s going to be a BUSY and eventful Autumn! Get ready…..and don’t worry, I’ll keep you posted on the happenings! Love, Kevin

PS: As always, feel free to forward these messages to your friends and family. And PLEASE, feel free to ask me to remove your name…It’s perfectly fine.. I asked to be removed from lists all the time.

September 8, 2004

Three great shows are gearing up to entertain you Portland…..for all you out- of-towners, see what you are missing?! Come see us!

Greg Tamblyn Writes: Just wanted to get the word out that we are opening the "Man of La Mancha" at Lakewood Theatre next Friday, September 10. Things are coming together and if you have time to come out and check it out, I know you will feel it was worth the trip. I have attached the Lakewood link so you can check out the show dates and times.

Paul Floding writes: I'll be appearing in a show that opens on Sept. 17 and runs through Oct. 16 at Stark Raving Theatre. It's called Kiss It! The play is an original work by Seattle playwright Amy Wheeler. It deals with gay marriage, metrosexuals, strippers, evangelicals and gutter punks; all with a great sense of humor and romance. Did I mention it has musical numbers?

Please let people know about this world premiere. I know the gay community will want to support this fun, new work. Thursday Sept. 16 is a scheduled benefit performance for Basic Rights Oregon.

Steven Nash writes: Steven returns to Wilf's Cabaret with his new show, "Popular", after two successful runs of his shows, "Running With Scissors" & "Over The Top". The show plays at Wilf's Cabaret and Restaurant in the historic Union Station, 800 NW Sixth Avenue and Irving Street, Tuesdays September 7th and 14th at 7:30pm. Cover charge is $10.00 at the door. No tickets are required, but reservations are highly recommended. Call (503) 223-0070 for reservations and information.

August 25, 2004

Here is a special invite for all of you locals! :-) Feel free to invite friends/family!

Join Poison Marie Waters on September 15 from 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. to help raise awareness by phone banking with us. (the No On 36 Campaign) It's a great chance to learn more about the campaign, get involved and a reason to get all dolled up and look fabulous! Just because we will be on the phone, no need to miss out on a great opportunity to dress to impress each other! Besides, what you wear, dictates how you feel, and how you sound....

They will provide phones, the phone list of supporters (NO cold calls to strangers, these are OUR folks people) and script! It'll be quick, easy and FUN!

Please RSVP to Allison at allison@noon36.com or at (971) 971-244-1399 by Sept 10th. Tell her Poison sent you! And reply to this e-mail so I know you are coming too! :-)

Get Involved! Get on the Phone! No on Constitutional Amendment 36 Campaign. Constitutional Amendment 36 might seem simple, but it goes beyond banning gay marriage. It will hurt real people by putting unequal treatment for gays and lesbians into our Constitution. And do we really want to deny Oregon children and families health insurance, fair inheritance rights and the ability to make life-saving medical decisions for loved ones?

These are only a few reasons why we need to get our message out to Vote No on Constitutional Amendment 36! More information on the campaign is at http://www.noon36.com.

See you there!

August 24, 2004

3 days until Camp!

So last week was NOT a good week for Kevin and reality TV. First my sweet Charla was eliminated from the Amazing Race I didn’t care about her cousin Mirna, or whatever her name was…little Charla is a CHAMP! She did it all and kept her humor regardless! It was a tearful evening in my bed that night…..from the show I mean….never mind!

And as if that were not enough…my dear Will, the male nurse from New York, was evicted from the Big Brother House!!!! Horror of horrors! If it were not for the re-runs of Sex and the City on TBS, I’d have thrown both my televisions right out the window!

Well, thank goodness I’m off to Camp Starlight in mere days….I need to divorce myself from these mind numbing shows…but, oh, how I love them! (Growing up Gotti?!, come on! That’s art folks!)

My apologies for not writing sooner! First, we were smack dab in the middle of a heat wave..HERE! In Portland for corn sakes! Then, without notice, BAM! 65 degrees and rainy! I love the typical Portland weather, but hey! A little notice never hurt anyone!

Other than that…same old thing! Camp Starlight and Poison Waters are keeping me hopping and sane (believe it or not), my endless string of boy friends are keeping me challenged…..as it should be, and Meesha and Lotta and I are going to Hawaii in 5 weeks…see? Same old thing! (at least I won’t need shots or my passport!) And if Meesha gives me any of her broken English lip, I’ll simply vote the b*tch off the island!

Don’t forget, there are still tickets available to the biggest drag event of the season! Darcelle XV presents LFMI 2004 at the Jantzen Beach Double Tree on Sunday September 5th. All the lovelies from throughout the NW and Hawaii will be there to dazzle and entertain you! The fun begins at 8pm…..get your tickets by calling the club….503-222-5338!

Xoxoxo Kevin/PMW44

PS: Honestly, thanks again all for another amazing year of support encouragement and positive energy all for Camp Starlight! We had an amazing Team this year, I think this could be our best year yet! See you after Labor Day!

August 10, 2004

To Seattle and back!

Hello gang! Hope you are enjoying this lovely August weather, wherever you are. Here in the beautiful Rose City, the heat wave continues. You know, I don’t mind it so much this year, is it because I may be menopausal and am already having hot flashes? Is it because as the Earth warms, so am I? Or is it because I’ve learned over the years that you can complain and whine but it isn’t going to change the temperature! At any rate, until I walk into my apartment and see my dear cat, Mr. Jackson Mississippi in his damn fur coat, I don’t really mind this heat.

This weekend found me in Seattle, having just a lovely time. I went up on Thursday morning by train. If you haven’t ever done that, you really should, just because I said so. I’ve taken that trip many times and each time I think “more people should travel by train!”. It’s very comfortable, inexpensive, clean and VERY relaxing. The view is pretty and if you sit on the left side going up, it’s almost all water scenes……and I FINALLY got to see Shrek 2! J

While in Seattle I stayed with my friends LaTrina Bidet and her hubby Peter in their beautiful new home in Tukwila. (Don’t worry, I’d never heard of it either)………it was so nice to be treated like royalty (as if) in the comfort of my very own guest room and private bath. Now don’t get me wrong, over the years I’ve grown used to sharing a bed with Diva and Meesha, am immune to the sounds and smells the emit from both of them and don’t really mind all the hair left in the shower after “someone” has shaved every hair off their little Peruvian body…………….HOWEVER, this weekend, I might as well have been in the Plaza Hotel (which I’ve stayed in by the way so I know what I’m saying here folks!). The first morning, I was awakened by a soft knock on my door and a lovely breakfast tray complete with freshly cut star gazer lilies! The morning dew was still clinging to them…..PERFECT! Now you people wonder where I get the idea that I should always be treated this way!

Anyway, before that, the first night was great fun at the Hugo House…it was the Mr. and Miss Emerald City Pageant…kind of like our Rosebud and Thorn Pageant, our under age title here in Portland. I had been invited to entertain as a special guest and I’m glad I could make it. It was a great show, those youth really shined!

Remember the reason I was up there in the first place was for the Dixie Queen Road Show. It was a very interesting experience and I’m glad I could be a part. The cast included Sylvia O’Stayformore (whom I met the night before, as she was the Young People’s Pageant MC), my friends Shaka Kwan and Avonna Starr, a long time friend from Vancouver BC, Joan-E (who is recently featured in the movie Connie and Carla), and a new gal on the scene whom I hadn’t met, Terra Hyman. The MC’s were my hostess LaTrina and Mark “Mom” Finley. We were an eclectic troupe, all bringing something different to that grand stage at the Paramount Theater.

The featured acts were those of the Lady Chablis from Savannah (now South Carolina) and The Lady Bunny from NYC. Of course I was wondering how these “divas” would treat us “locals”…you hear stories you know. After all, they have both been featured in major motion pictures, Chablis is featured in one book and authored yet another, and Bunny is responsible for the largest outdoor drag event on the East Coast. Thankfully all my fears were diminished when they both arrived pepped up and perky, VERY friendly to all of us “kids” and very entertaining. My biggest shock was how petite The Lay Chablis actually was! She was TINY! About as tall as Meesha Peru, but as thin as, I don’t know what! Girlfriend was about half as big as that (insert finger snap here). Later I found out her evening gown had been a size zero, but she had it taken in! Geeze! Bunny, thank goodness, was normal queen size!

Both shows, Friday and Saturday, had their highs and lows, as all shows do….but all in all it was a fun time. I really enjoyed the time I got to spend with my old Seattle friends, and meeting my new ones!

August will now consist for me, of final preparations for Camp Starlight and LaFemme Magnifique International. You can still get tickets by calling Darcelle XV, 503-222-5338……………….Hope to see or hear from you all soon!

PMW44

July 29, 2004

Goodbye, July!!!!!

And in the blink of an eye, it’s gone! Hello August!!!! J Nice to see you again!

Hope you all have enjoyed you Summer so far... it has been absolutely beautiful, hasn’t it?

We are smack dab in the middle of Monarchs Week with the ISRC and Emperor Scoty and Empress Lotta Marie. The week kicked off with a whopping $1200.00 raised at Sunday’s progressive dinner. Maria and I assisted (?) Allison at her home with the main course. It was a fun day, thanks to all who joined in the fun! Scoty and Lotta are doing a terrific job and their Monarchs Week is a fun idea………check out www.rosecourt.org for the rest of the weeks details!

Before Sundays fun, tragedy struck on Saturday afternoon! After shopping with Meesha Peru in her 1970-something Brady Bunch panel wagon, I crossed in front of the beast (the car, not Meesha) and slashed my poor little knee open on her #$@!*&% license plate! L It was all very dramatic and exciting…….it was totally my own fault! You know, I’m the picture of grace, so this was very shocking! (not to mention bloody!). So that evening found me with 4 stitches (ugh), my leg up and cocktail in hand at an impromptu boys night slumber party with Curt, Mark and Greg……(honestly Darcelle, I couldn’t work!). J

I’m off to Lincoln City this Sunday to check out the Camp site for Camp Starlight, then Meesha and I will head down to Eugene to enjoy their Pride festivities, with our host Empress Diva! Should be a hoot!

One quick plug! Saturday is the return of the Passion of the Rose Dinner at Dwayne (Lotta) and Greg’s home. It’s our 3rd year…we’ve raised LOTS for Camp Starlight in the past and hope to do the same this weekend! This years theme is a Western Style BBQ! It only cost $10.00, so come on down to 4035 SE Pine Street for all you can eat grub and fun raffle prizes!

Enjoy this sunny day my friends! K.

July 13, 2004 - Part II

So this weekend was so OVER the top, amazingly fun! I’m still trying to recover, while reeling from the love that was shared and the money raised! J

The Camp Starlight Garage Sale was a hoot. This year we were at Sweetbriar Elementary School in Troutdale (I never saw one trout!)….thanks so much to Mel and the whole Sweetbriar gang! Special thanks to hottie Randy for picking my VERY sleepy behind up at 7am on Saturday! We had a fun first day, Donavon and I bought more junk than anyone, I think. There’s something wrong with that. But we drag queens LOVE your junk people! My new hat( okay it’s now a broken lamp shade), is going to be quite remarkable…….

Anyway, I could only join in on the fun Saturday, although our sale was both Sat and Sun. By the weekends end $712.00 was raised! Thanks to all who helped us!

Sunday was a crazy day/night, but all in a good way! So, a few eyebrows were raised when I launched my master plan of having a fundraiser featuring Playgirl Centerfold Rick Dinihanian. Soft porn making money for a children’s HIV Camp? YOU BETCHA! (actually, it’s art people!). We at Camp Starlight will GLADLY take your money, regardless of what needs to be done to get it! The Silverado was packed on Sunday afternoon, and with everyone’s wonderful help, we raised $1000.00 in less than two hours! Now that’s a good fundraiser folks! My heartfelt thanks to all who joined us! Donavon and Bad Tonia and Eugene’s Diva Simone worked their BUTT’S off, thank you, thank you, a million thank you’s! The Silverado was amazingly wonderful to us (as always), I can’t thank them enough for the generosity and support! Now of course, without Rick, where would we have been? Great big wet sloppy kisses and thanks goes to Rick, who donated his time, energy, travel, EVERYTHING to our little Camp…and was such a GREAT SPORT about everything! That smile and those eyes…I think they left a few hearts a flutter here in the Rose City. Thanks also for being my escort to the La Femme Magnifique Pageant …I had, by far the hottest date! Ha! Ha! (although, Diva had Sam Adams at her side….okay, we are even now!).

Speaking of La Femme, it was an amazing night! Hooray for all the girls! I really thought “WOW”…..they all worked very hard! The winner, and I’m VERY proud to say, is my friend and co worker, Tommy Grrrrl! She really pulled it off, and showed that yes, she is listening when we yell at her! J Congratulations Tommy Grrrrl, we’ll all be there in September to cheer you on at the International La Femme Magnifique Pageant!

Photos of all these fun weekend events will soon be available on the Poison Photos Section. I hope you can stop by and visit us again soon!

Love, Poison Waters/ Kevin Dinihanian

July 13, 2004 Part I

National Drag Queen Extravaganza Tears Through the Northwest!!

Hey everyone! Here’s the latest fabulous thrill…that I’m waiting to experience! I was invited to join the troupe last month, and am very excited to be a part of something so BIG! I Would love some friendly support in the theater! Wanna go to Seattle the first weekend in August?? Hope you are all enjoying this fantastic Summer! Love, K

"The Dixie Queen Road Show" is shaking up the entertainment industry and everyone's getting in line to see it!

The Dixie Queen Road Show, the unprecedented gender-bending extravaganza and cinema premiere will make its Pacific Northwest debut on the main stage of the Paramount Theatre Friday, August 6 and Saturday, August 7, 2004 from 8 to 10 p.m. Coming all the way from New York City, the show brings with it "live" performances by America's most renowned drag queen divas, Lady Bunny (star of Wigstock : The Movie and official drag queen for "Sex and the City") and The Lady Chablis (the empress who upstaged Clint Eastwood's feature film Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil). These queens will kick their heels up with eight of the Pacific Northwest's wildly talented drag queens, including Portland's Poison Waters, Seattle's Mark "Mom" Finley and LaTrina Bidet and many others, all part of a two-hour show that includes a screening of the revealing documentary film, Dixie Queen, a behind-the-scenes look into the life of North Carolina drag legend, Tara Nicole, and into everyday lives of small-town America drag queens. Gay or straight, liberal or conservative, viewers will find timeless themes in Tara 's amazing story: the flight of a free spirit, the bonds of family, and - most of all - courage amid adversity. Whether your taste is edgy, sophisticated, family oriented, or wild and reckless, "The Dixie Queen Road Show" has something for you! Tickets are on sale now at the Paramount Theatre Box Office (911 Pine Street ). $20 to $35. Call 206.628.0888 to reserve your seats. For more information, visit dixiequeen.net or e-mail dixiequeen@hmrifken.com.

June 30, 2004

Hey there! WAY back in 1995, this very cool photographer photographed a bunch of us "local celebrity types" in black and white....her idea was to put us in "opposing" shots. She has Kevin in a white suit and Poison in a black gown. Her author friend then interviewed us and wrote an interesting short story to go with our photos. They were displayed in the Portland Art Museum back then, and have actually been seen around town in various places...I'm so excited she's using mine again, these many years later! Read her message to me below! Hope you can stop in and see! :-) K

Hi Poison! Just wanted to alert you that the portrait I did of you will be on view at the Haze Gallery in St. Johns at a huge artists' warehouse building July 2-25. The opening reception is Friday, July 2, 7-11 pm. The exhibition hours are 12-6pm July 10-11th, 17/18, 24/25 and by appt. I was invited to submit only one piece, and I chose the one of you! I do so wish you could come to the opening! The address is Cathedral Park Place/Haze Gallery 6635 North Baltimore Street, Portland 97203....503-283-6863 www.hazegallery.com there are directions at that web site also.

When we can breathe, I have some extra photographs I would love to give you. Your web site is fabulous! Hoping to hear from you, Love, Cherie Hiser

June 29, 2004

July?? Are you kidding me??

So, obviously PITP was everything we had hoped it would be. Our Finale was just so spectacular, and yes, I’m biased, but I’m only telling you what I’ve been told! The PITP website has been flooded with e-mails glowing with praise, we are all so proud to have given our party such a great send off!

Be sure to check out www.peacockinthepark.com for the photos from the event as well as info. on how to get your hands on a VHS or DVD! Not now silly, give us a few weeks! And, of course, keep that web address handy, so you can stay informed on the many upcoming fundraisers for The Audria M Edwards Scholarship Fund….we were very pleased we were able to give away $20,000.00 on Sunday!

Looking forward, I see tomorrow night is going to be a double header! At 6pm, I’ll be the team captain for the Drag Queens, who are going up against the Oregon Bears at Dante’s (3rd and West Burnside) for Dysfunctional Family Feud at 6pm! We are playing for the AME Scholarship Fund and we are going to BEAT those Bears! Afterward, NYC very own Edie makes her return to Darcelle’s at 8pm…..come on down to see this great one woman show!

Sunday, of course is Darcelle and Roxy’s world famous 4th of July Deck Party! It’s always a blast and open to the public! Ha ha! There’s plenty of beer, wine and soda, burgers and hot dogs…won’t you stop by and say hi with your favorite side dish to share? A GREAT chance to socialize with our Community’s finest!

And mark your calendars for the following Sunday, July 11th! I’ll join the Silverado in hosting Mr. Rick Dinihanian for a special Playgirl Magazine signing party to benefit Camp Starlight, from 4-6pm……….and then we’ll all go over to Darcelle’s for the Portland La Femme Magnifique Pageant at 8pm……you know how much I LOVE La Femme time. so join me for a night of glamour!

Hope you aren’t as stunned as I am that it’s already July! It’s blowin’ my mind here! See you soon! Kevin

June 15, 2004

Okay, okay….sorry for the delay! Many have inquired about the upcoming Pride Events. Here’s my schedule…won’t you please join my wild ride?

Thursday: I’ll be hosting the Pride Gender Bender @ The Egyptian 9pm

Friday: After doing the 8:30-10pm show @ Darcelle’s, I’ll be hopping aboard the Portland Spirit for the Ultra Lounge Cruise…featuring the Nancy Boy Tenors, and myself as hostess! 10:45pm 503-224-3900 for tix!

Saturday: I’ll be featured in the Sweethearts of Portland Dunk Tank at the Waterfront Park Pride Festival! Noon. $1.00 a ball for The Pride of the Rose Scholarship Fund. Then at 6pm, Peacock Productions will join the other 2004 Spirit of Pride Award winners to accept our award on the Main Stage. I’ll then be at Darcelle’s for both shows and at 12:30am, MCing the special Pride Show at our under age club, The Escape!

Sunday: Join me at my usual spot, in front of the Red Cap Garage as I MC our 2004 Pride Parade. I’ll begin the fun at 10:30am.

Afterward, I’ll join Maria and Patti O’Dora at the Main Stage to entertain and MC.

Monday: The Rosetown Ramblers host their monthly roller skating party. This month benefits Camp Starlight. Only $5.00, 7:30pm at the Oaks Park Roller Skating Rink!

Tuesday: I’ll be in rehab therapy and time management counseling. Kevin

June 9, 2004

A Lilly amongst the Roses!

That’s kinda how Lily Tomlin opened her act last night. She was so great! I loved her! She said something to the effect of how moved she was, that in the middle of Rose Festival, Portland would be so kind and appreciative to a Lily. You KNOW I love live performances of any kind, and this was top notch! I only really know her from her movies (9 to 5 and Big Business being my two faves!). I never saw her do her great characters on Laugh In, but was familiar with them. My amazing DJ Trevor has unearthed some “vintage” Lily for me and put it on CD…GREAT stuff! So, I was thrilled to be in last night’s audience, witnessing the master comedienne at work. OMG! “Ernestine’s” phone call to President Bush was HYSTERICAL……………………………you’ll have to image for yourselves…the DVD is on its way! Another memorable night with great guys! Thanks fellas!

Speaking of fellas……….Thomas Lauderdale anyone? The Pink Martini man has done it, yet again! While he’s playing for kd lang tomorrow night, he’s also part of the team responsible for bringing “The Cockettes” to Cinema 21 along with producer/director David Weissman. So, you’ll have several chances to catch Thomas about town. Meesha Peru and I will be on hand for the festivities at Cinema 21, would love to see you!

Another note on Thomas, he and Pink Martini have generously offered their services to entertain at our final Peacock in the Park! Isn’t that exciting? I, for one, can’t wait to hear the amphitheater filled with the amazing sounds of this talented, world famous group!

Hope you are all enjoying these cleansing days of wetness and roses! Later! Kevin!

June 2, 2004

Salt Lake City and Back!

Thanks to all of you darlings who called and e-mailed asking about my Salt Lake City trip. My Memorial Day weekend was just great and I hope yours was too!

If you recall, my trips to SLC in past years have all been great and this one was no exception! It was a great surprise to be met at the airport by Rose Emperor XXII Michael. He and friend Wanda came to get us in his big ol’ Gold SUV…....the kind you gotta have in Utah to survive! It was just big enough for all the luggage Diva and Meesha had brought! Okay, that’s a lie. I had three pieces and can you believe those two knuckle heads came with only one bag each? I’m sorry, but you gotta “represent” at these out of town functions. There were costume changes to be MADE people! For some reason, I felt 4 wigs, two purses, clear AND black shoes, a black skirt, beaded top, black lace dress, black velvet dress, 2 stage costumes, a floral cape and my FAVORITE neon green velvet suit trimmed with rhinestoned zebra fur and matching hat was not enough! I also threw in two salad plate sized flowers trimmed with rhinestones, and one smaller flower, for my hair, a pair of swim trunks, a fleece vest, hooded sweatshirt and enough underwear and “boy clothes” to outfit me for a week.! (Let’s not forget two pairs of lashes, 30 nails, LOTS of jewelry and my crown!).

Yes, the trip was only Saturday -Tuesday …but I’m not psychic! I don’t know what kinda weather Mother Nature will send my way. I don’t know what kind of mood Poison will be in…she’s one picky b*tch, and I’d HATE to see her get somewhere and not find something to wear, all just to please some airline rules about luggage weight limits and some dumb assed two pieces per person! Thank goodness my little Meesha wears short clothes, all hers always fits in one. So, I make her carry my extra and claim it as her own. (Okay, she begs to help me….what a great friend!). J

Anyway, Diva and I co-hosted the Out of Town Show. Let me tell you, over 40 performers and I was ready to get OUT of that Town! It wasn’t too bad, but I always feel less is more. Lesson learned, I hope…hint, hint!

The next day was great because it was one of those rare Out of Town Coronation experiences where we can actually enjoy some “down” time. The Hilton had a great pool/hot tub area and it was nice to enjoy the conversation and splashes with friends from Denver, Sacramento and beyond.

The evenings Coronation was a great success! Emperor Mark and Empress Heidi had a terrifically planned and executed evening. Exotic dancers, a live peacock and lots of Pacific Northwest folks featured on stage made it a memorable evening. I was THRILLED and honored to be presented with the Citizen for Life title and award by my friend Empress Heidi. Hooray! No matter what kind of chaos I orchestrate…I will forever be a Citizen of SLC and it’s Court. They can’t toss me out now! Ha ha!

There was LOTS of debauchery and a little misbehaving this weekend, but that’s what holidays are for, right? Only Meesha’s digital camera will ever know what REALLY happened! Princess Ronda has been sworn to secrecy, as she witnessed most of the “behavior” as our roomie for the weekend! If you really want to know, you might be able to bribe her!

Thanks to all of the ISRC folks who attended, we had a great group. Click on the photos section of www.poisonwaters.com and see the entire Portland group in our “theme wear” provided by Rose Empress XLVI Lotta Marie Liquor.

BUT! This photo is of the most handsome, friendliest and hospitable man to EVER man a Bell Desk….the one and only Pedro of the SLC Hilton! Dare I say I’m ready to relocate? Nah…I couldn’t do that! But what a GREAT catch he’d be for some lucky boy or girl! Cheers to all! Happy Rose Festival! Kevin

May 27, 2004

OUCH!

So I had been asked to sing live, right? At last night’s benefit at Wilf’s Piano Bar…………can you believe “they” called me late in the afternoon to ask me to do a lip synch instead? The pianist didn’t feel comfortable with my number……………….ha! They may as well have told me my voice stinks and they don’t want me ruining their big event! (You know, a few years ago, this would have completely crushed me!)

Really, I’m fine, thanks for asking……it worked out fine, as other folks were lip synching too, it turned out just fine. It was a fun night, but I had to leave early! There was NO WAY IN HECK I was going to miss the entire season finale of American Idol! And you know I was bawling like a baby when my Fantasia won! And her final song just had me all about a mess! I loved it!

But, back to Wilf’s…………I was thrilled to be the auctioneer and help raise almost another $1000.00 for the Organ Donor group. I enjoyed hanging out with Emperor Scot, Empress Lotta, Sweet Greg and my LOVE Corey Gene! (wink!).

I forgot to give you the update of this past weekend’s Touch of Class dinner/auction at Darcelle’s. My dears we raised over $5000.00 for the Pride of the Rose Scholarship Fund! It was another great evening! The food was excellent, the entertainment was perfect and the auction items were fabulous! Hooray for all!

I’m off to Salt Lake City this weekend with Diva and Meesha…..we are going undercover. I’m Omarosa, Diva is Fantasia and Meesha will be “& Cream”. If you have to ask, don’t! Happy Memorial Day Weekend guys! J Kevin

May 20, 2004

So many good causes...

It never ceases to amaze me how many various groups there are in our individual Communities that could use a helping hand. And although that hand is best used with a dollar or two in it, it’s all put to good use, just the same. For those of us not financially independent (and PLEASE inform me if you ARE!) there’s always the volunteer route. Look around…someone would love to put your good strength and energy to work! J

Last night’s Camp Starlight meeting was a GREAT surge of energy……please let me know if you would like to help/volunteer in anyway. We have plenty of fun jobs for those not able to take a week off for Camp!

This Sunday, I’ll join our dear Allison Grey as she and Frank present A Touch of Class Dinner and Show. This benefit for the Pride of the Rose Scholarship Fund will be at Darcelle XV with dinner at 6pm, and show at 7:30pm. The show is by invitation only, so there should be some pretty neat performances! 503-222-5338 for more info.

Afterward, I’ll join Pride NW for their function at the Panorama, already in progress. I often forget how many volunteers and how much money it actually takes to put on our annual Pride celebration! www.pridenw.org for more info.

I’m VERY excited to join Veronica DeVore this coming Wednesday for her Cabaret and Auction to benefit a transplant for Laura Schrader, through the Transplant Foundation. This very special evening begins at 7:30pm and will be held at Wilf’s Restaurant and Piano Bar, in Portland’s historic Union Station. The “hook” here is that most of us drag performers are actually going to sing LIVE! Yikes! It’s going to be a hoot and for another great cause! 503-223-0070 for more info.

Have a great weekend all! Remember www.poisonwaters.com is always updated with stories, photos and events to keep you entertained!

See you soon! Kevin! Poison! Whoever!

PS: GO FANTASIA!

May 10, 2004

Well, I forgot to tell you that Cinco de Mayo went well and we all had a great time. The food was delicious….and boy was there a lot of it! Thanks to everyone who bought tickets, donated food and shared yet another fun filled evening with Peacock Productions!

Thursday night was Maria’s Surprise 40th Birthday Party! I can’t believe she’s 40!!!!! We met in 1987 when I was 19 and she was 23! Can you believe it? A small group of organizers planned and plotted a wonderful party at the Power Station at the Edgefield McMenamins. I think Maria really was surprised, even if she might have had some “inkling” that something was up! Kimberlee created a fun video that showed photos of Maria and friends from toddler stage to center stage. It was a great stroll down memory lane. DJ Trevor provided the soundtrack to the evening, a great blend of hits hat had us “strolling”!

Friday morning came early and I met up with my Camp Starlight friend Mel. She recently received her masters’ degree and landed an amazing job as the Life Skills teacher at a local elementary school. I like that term, Life Skills, better than Special Ed, which s what it was called in my school days.

Anyway, Mel gets to spend her days with about 14 of the most delightful, yet challenging, kids. With about only 4 assistants, that still almost 3 kids per adult, and with their varied special needs……..phew! Talk about a workout! Mel had invited me to join her and her class at the regional Special Olympics held at the local middle school. I was so overwhelmed by the kids at first, but in no time, I surprised myself by remembering their names and recognizing their individual personalities. Three of the boys had Downs Syndrome and the others had a variety of “differences”……….but all were great kids that day. There were a couple of “runners”, I learned not to turn my back on them, or else they were GONE! Fast as lightning they were!

All of our kids got ribbons; they had a great time with the softball throw, standing long jump and various races. I really enjoyed myself and whatever hesitations I had were quickly replaced with a genuine fondness for these special little people. In two weeks I may join them again for their bowling field trip! Yikes!

Have a great week folks! Summer is coming soon! Poison/Kevin

April 27, 2004

Volunteer Recruitment Night!

Please join us on Thursday evening April 29 from 7-9pm at the Commodore on 16th and SW Morrison for our second annual Volunteer Recruitment Night! This is an excellent opportunity for those not sure what Camp Starlight is all about, who may be questioning whether the experience will be right for them. Bring your friends and family and listen to seasoned volunteers tell their stories and answer all your questions about the amazing Camp Starlight. There will be videos, slides and photos for you to view and complimentary snacks. You may also submit your volunteer application if you'd like. Hope to see you there!

April 21, 2004

Hawaiian Connection!

Remember I told you how much fun I had in Hawaii a couple of weeks ago? I think I forgot to tell you that the ballroom the pageant was held in was literally RIGHT in the middle of the main passageway of the hotel. The elevators were to the left, the check-in lobby to the right and the pool, bar and ocean were directly in front! Needless to say, all of us drag queens and such were providing quite an eyeful for the hotel guests, many of whom had NO IDEA this pageant was going on!

I enjoyed meeting many great folks, and this photo shows the “love” I shared with Lauren and Manuel. Although Manuel is originally from Venezuela, these two beauties are currently from Pasadena, California, home of the Tournament of Roses Parade. They were in Hawaii on their honeymoon (Awww, ain’t that sweet?) and were also looking into the University there. What fun! Can you imagine studying in that gorgeous environment?

Anyway, these two had never seen a drag show before, but from the looks of our photo, seemed to adapt quite well! I was thrilled to become part of their honeymoon memory and wish them both the very best!

See? You just never know WHEN Poison Waters will pop into your life! But chances are….eventually, she will!

April 16, 2004

So I took a long lunch today (BIG surprise) and snuck into the Oregon Children’s Theatre’s Velveteen Rabbit at the Keller Auditorium. It was such a great time from beginning to end!

First, you all know how much I love kids…well let me tell you! There were 2700 Portland/Vancouver area grade schoolers! The show is presenting over 10 school performances (there are 4 for the public which I’ll tell you about later!). One employee I spoke with said normally they have about 2900! They were all shapes and sizes and colors (just how kids SHOULD be!) and it was great watching them file into, and eventually, filling the theater. I imagine it was a first for many of these wide eyed folks. One red headed boy sported an honest to God, shaved on the side, standing up about 4 inches MOHAWK! I LOVED the diversity in the crowd. A rather chubby young lad wore a t-shirt that proudly stated: Eat More Pizza! Ha! I loved it! There were several boys in shirts and ties, VERY grown up for a day at the theater. And of course lovely young ladies in various “party” or Easter” dresses. But my favorite was the cutie in a purple dress, with dyed PURPLE streaks in her brown hair! HOORAY for her! And I couldn’t believe how many young boys sported silver and gold hoop earrings, some wore several! I adore these little people and enjoy recognizing their individuality and their need to be as such! Kids Rock!

Now back to the show…the cast was fabulous, both adults and kids alike. They all obviously worked very hard and had passion in their work. Michael Allen Harrison on the piano was perfect as always (he wrote the music too folks!)……if you can, do come and enjoy this delightful show…NOT just for children either! Of course you out of towners probably can’t make it, but call a Portland friend or relative and let them know I gave it 5 stars!

It plays for the public Sunday, April 18th at 2pm, Saturday, April 24th at both 2 and 7 pm and again Sunday, April 25th at 2pm. Tickets can be charged by phone at 503-228-9571 or go online at www.ticketmaster.com .

Special thanks to my friends R.Dee (Timothy the Lion and the Dr.) and Director Stan for letting me sneak in! Bravo guys! Thanks for the beautiful work you do introducing the arts to our Community’s youth!

Have a great weekend all!

April 5, 2004

Last week Darcelle booked a few of us for the Weinen and Kennedy Founders Day party. Boy was it! First we had to drive WAY the heck out there! Over the Carver Bridge, out past Estacada! The weather was great and we're ready for fun!

The party was catered by the Alexis restaurant and our only job that day was to eat drink and be Mary! No problem! Since it was outside in this huge field/farm type place, I just kicked off my shoes and ran through the fields in my beaded gown like I was Laura Ingalls! We had so much fun! Heck! We were practically greeted at the car with a tray of Ouzo! Yummy! The people were all very nice and they didn’t want us to go! It was sweet, but my butt needed to get back to the city!

This Friday I’m leaving for Honolulu Hawaii to MC their La Femme Magnifique Pageant! It’s going to be a great trip; I haven’t been for about 5 years. I’m very excited to see all the “girls” again! When they were here last month for the La Femme Plus Pageant, they were SO very sweet! I’m thrilled they’ve invited me for a nice 4 day weekend!

For those of you staying in Portland this weekend, please join Prince Ricky and Princess Ronda along with the ISRC for Spring Ball 2004 on Saturday the 10^th at The Embers at 7pm! Check out www.rosecourt.org for all the details. Aloha!

NYC

At long last I was able to pack my bags and head to the Big Apple! Only a few days before we left, it had snowed in NYC, so we all packed for cold weather! But it was SO nice there! It only sprinkled on us once! We were all hot as heck most of the time, but it was better than freezing!

11 of us went from Portland and it was a terrific group! I shared a room with Meesha, Ricky and Ronda. We all know each other so well, it was perfect! We stayed (again) at the Edison Hotel which is about 3 or four doors from Times Square! The location couldn’t be more perfect and the price is always right!

It was the first time in New York for both Ricky and Ronda, so that made the trip extra fun! Lotta, Cory, Greg and Scoty stayed in Corey’s company apartment about a 15-20 minute walk away. That provided us all with great exercise…as if walking ALL OVER NYC wasn’t enough! Kimberlee and her mom stayed in our hotel, as did the Lovely Suzanne.

Meesha, Ricky and I flew in first, and had tickets to see Hairspray with Harvey Fierstein our first night there. The show was SO great and I was thrilled we got to see Harvey in his last few weeks with the show. I would love to see it again, what fun!

We also got to see Gypsy with Bernadette Peters the next night! (Thanks Scoty and Lotta!)

There was lots of shopping, dining and site seeing, all day and all night! I was lucky to have the chance to see three friends while visiting their city. First we got to spend lots of time with Emperor Adam Ganz of Salt Lake City. He moved to NYC about 4 or five years ago. It was great to see him and meet his boyfriend Mark. Adam is always a good time, and did not disappoint! I also got to see Brian (Bruno) one of my favorite Camp Starlight volunteers! He’s one of the gang who travels the furthest each Summer, all for the kids. He was a brave soul joined all us queens as we shopped for beaded gowns in the garment district. I don’t know if he was entertained or slightly frightened at the site of all us guys running around ½ dressed trying on gown after gown!

The last morning we were there, I got to have breakfast with my good friend Roy Cole…he was the MCC Pastor here in Portland for many years before relocating to New York. It was great to see him too and catch up!

New York is just amazing, but as much as I love it, I could not live there……….I’ll just leave it as a fantasy land I can visit! We had a marvelous time discovery Central Park…..the horse drawn carriage ride was super fun, but then we walked all over for another couple of hours after that! And we didn’t see but the first ¼ of that enormous park!

Remember when I went in 2002? It had been only 6 months since the terrorist attacks on the WTC. I was very surprised this trip to see just how much work they have done at Ground Zero! It looks really good and I can’t wait to visit again when reconstruction is complete! The place was buzzing with tourists and locals filled with encouragement and hope! Miss Ronda must have taken about a thousand photos! But the only one I want is the one I took with her and this GIANT Italian firefighter! Geeze LOUISE! J

The Coronation is called A Night of A Thousand Gowns…and it was just as spectacular once again! We had a great table and if I do say so myself, Portland had the best presentation and received the best response! Many thanks to Rose Empress Lotta for creating such stunning looks for our Court, we all looked so great in our Matching attire!

Boy George was in attendance, but left shortly after he was “knighted”...everyone mobbed him for pictures! One of the Command Performers was Frenchie Davis from American Idol’s last season. She looked great and sounded even better! Meesha, Ronda and I patiently waited outside her dressing room for a photo. Frenchie waived us in and we had a brief chat and photos. The best was when she noticed me chewing my signature gum and asks if I have any more! DO I? Of course I do! So I ran to get her some! It was great!

Another fine vacation in the city that never sleeps!

Late Feb/March

Shame on me for neglecting this column! I have no excuse except to say I’ve been out running ALL OVER doing the events I should have been telling you about!

I’ve had a wonderfully busy late Winter/early Spring and have enjoyed seeing and hearing from you all during my escapades!

Here’s a quick recap for those who’ve been asking…..thanks for your patience and continued dedication and support! We here at poisonwaters.com appreciate you very much!

Mardi Gras at the Silverado went very well, as always. The crowds were fun and the week went fast! There are a lot of great photos at www.silveradopdx.com. I have to thank my wig-dresser, Mister Tim, for providing me with 6 great new wigs, each fabulously styled and each a different color! They were a hit and also I have to thank Miss Celeste Towers for providing me with not only faithful and reliable transportation, but humorous companionship! Thanks girl!

Darcelle had us booked at a few Elks lodges and Pacific University in Forest Grove…….I always enjoy those road trips! Crazy stories I cannot share with you timid creatures, sorry!

Also in February we had our annual reunion for Camp Starlight. We were once again at the Children’s Museum in Washington Park….the kids always have so much fun there! They were anxious to play with all of us and chat about the upcoming week at the Oregon coast. I can hardly wait! But, it will be here before I know it, so I better start practicing my running around!

March was filled with great appearances too. We were at the Elks lodge in Keizer and a cute place in Hammond/Warrenton called Coleman’s Cove. I loved it so much, I just had to buy the biggest jug of their homemade clam chowder! ( I know, just what I needed!)

St. Patrick’s Day brought our annual All Ages Show at Darcelle XV, a benefit for Peacock in the Park. The place was filled with children of all ages, parents and friends. It’s a great way to highlight the under age talent in our Community. We also had the chance to meet several of the Rosebud and Thorn Candidates. Which brings me to the 28^th Annual R&T Pageant that was held on March 20^th. There were a lot of great candidates and The Escape Club was filled to capacity! The winners were August Seasons and Jordan Pink.

Everyone did a great job that night and I have to say a special thanks to Abby, who was the evenings coordinator and Rose Empress 43, The Lovely Suzanne who filled in as my co hostess at the last minute. And thanks to club owners Scooter and Robbie for continuing the tradition of this amazing Teenage pageant!

The highlight of my evening was getting to visit with my Thorn 13, Cammy, I haven’t seen her in over a decade and the girl looks GOOOOOOOD! Also Miss Betty Bomber, the pageants creator was on hand as well…it’s ALWAYS wonderful to enjoy the company of these fine folks from the past!

February 11, 2004

There are so many Holidays, Birthdays, Celebrations in such a short month….those Hallmark people must be raking in the dough!

Myself, I’ve been TRYING to rake in the dough for my upcoming week in NYC. I’ve also been very busy with the planning of The Rosebud & Thorn Pageant 2004, Camp Starlight 2004 and Peacock in The Park 2004, as well as other events benefiting the two. Don’t forget, I’ve got plenty of jobs for you eager volunteers…just let me know, and I’ll put you to work!

This next week will be CRAZEEEEEEEEEE! But that’s when I am at my best, so I hope you’ll get to join me for one or ALL of these wonderful upcoming events!

First, I’ll be celebrating Valentines weekend at Darcelle XV, two shows both Friday and Saturday, 8:30 and 10:30. Darcelle and Roxy are back from London and I can’t wait for them to see what I’m having made out of the rhinestone belt they brought me! (Now you KNOW I am not about to wrap nothing sparkly and fragile around my big ass!)

Also, It’s been my tradition to help out my buddies at Balloons On Broadway, delivering Valentine’s Day Bouquets! It’s so much fun! If you’re still looking for that sweet surprise for your darling, give ‘em a call at 503-241-3336.

Sunday is going to be a whirlwind! Besides another great Church of the Poison Mind at the Silverado, I’ll be joining the Gay Men’s Chorus as a special guest at their concert at Reed College. After that, I’ll dash over to Valentine’s From Hell at The Embers, a fund raiser for The Pride of the Rose Scholarship Fund. That begins at 8pm and it’s just $5.00!!!!

The next day, President’s Day, I’m so very lucky to have the day off work, but will spend my evening on ROLLER SKATES! The Rosetown Ramblers Monthly Skating Party at Oaks Park Roller Rink will be from 7:30pm-9:30pm. The raffle will be a benefit for The Audria M. Edwards Scholarship Fund. This is an all ages event, drag friendly and GOD only knows what else! It’s just $5.00, which includes your skate rental.

Tuesday is the GALA Night for Portland Center Stage, I’ll be hosting once again at the Newmark Theater, after the performance of 36 Views. www.pcs.org for more info!

That’s all for now…I’ll see ya later, and don’t forget Mardi Gras kicks off at The Silverado NEXT Thursday, the 19^th! HOORAY!

Xoxoxo Kevin / PMW44

January 15, 2004

Well, at long last I am back! I’m all thawed out and defrosted and hope you are too! Wasn’t that a wonderful snow/ice storm? Probably not for all, but I sure enjoyed it! I always think it’s great when everyone is forced to STOP what you are doing, BE stranded and just breathe! Relax! Stay home! You know I was cleaning and organizing like crazy! And my glue gun got a work out too! J

So, the holidays are over…I’m not sure why we say that since there are holidays all year long………anyway, Christmas and New Year’s has come and gone, both were quite enjoyable! All the parties and FOOD, geeze Louise! No wonder I’m all over E-Bay looking for new gowns! Did I mention before the amazingly successful Holiday Party/Fundraiser for Camp Starlight held at Rose Empress XLVI Lotta Marie Liquor and Greg’s home? They raised over $5000.00 in one night! Hooray! J Thank you, Thank you!

This New Year is already off and running! Can you believe it’s the 15^th?????!!!!!!

A couple of Saturday’s ago, I stopped into the newly re-opened All Age Gay club, now called The Escape…the place was hoppin’ and everything looked as it should. I’m very excited and hopeful for the new owners and this the next chapter of a nightclub rich with history and tradition. I’m looking forward to a great working relationship with these guys and am anxious to get back in the scene! I have such great memories of my days at what was then called the City Nightclub and want to do my best to help provide the same positive and enriching experience for today’s queer youth………….all the while having a blast!

I’ll be in again this Saturday after midnight to enjoy their latest show…come on down! 333 SW Park Ave.

Sunday after The Silverado’s Church of the Poison Mind, I’ll head over to Darcelle XV for the Medieval Feast presented by both Peacock Productions and The Oregon Bears. There’s going to be a great hands-on dinner and hilarious contests! All the $$$ goes to the 2004 Peacock in the Park and The Friends of PWA. Tickets are just $15.00, so won’t you join us?

Monday is the re-scheduled monthly meeting of the ISRC Board of Director’s at 7pm at Darcelle XV.

And…………Tuesday I’ll be hosting the GALA Night at Portland Center Stage’s production of The Merchant of Venice. www.pcs.org check it out! It’s gotten some pretty good press already and it hasn’t even opened yet!

That’s what I know so far………..hope this finds you well and I get to see you soon! PMW44/Kevin

December 16, 2003

Okay, I know you are out there, so you may as well come out of the closet! Yes, you, you know who I'm talking about! All you adults that actually enjoy Chuck E Cheese Pizza Parlor and Gaming Emporium! There has been silence long enough! I have long since suspected that I was only one of a sacred group who have been living with this secret!

I accidentally exposed my inner most dark tale to DD and Lea one night (they probably pried it out of me after forcing alcohol down my throat!). Anyway, I admitted that I enjoyed Chuck E Cheese, not just their tasty pizza, but also the challenging games and the promise of those little tickets spitting out and the excitement of redeeming them for fabulous prizes at the gift store! Lo and behold, my sweet Alabama gals ALSO loved CEC! And so does RICK! It was all happening so fast, it became clear to me that we needed to act on our cravings and go to CEC ASAP!

So last night was our date and boy were we revved up and raring to go! It was all I dreamed and more! I urge to you get out there and grab your selves a slice of the high life! :-) Okay, so we looked a bit out of place, four adults with no children, but we didn't care! After eating the best pizza and salad in town for a small fortune, we hit the games. We played every game three times! Some really paid off, while the others barely coughed up one ticket! ;-(

After crashing cars, playing ski ball, and having to wait in line behind grade schoolers (can you imagine?) I returned to a game that had challenged me (and took SEVERAL of my tokens) earlier in the evening. It’s this big old spaceship looking thing with lights all over. Yes, it looked inviting, but really was a demon waiting to humiliate all who dare dream of wining! The object of the game is to follow this racing light around and around and when it gets to your spot you hit this enormous read button, trying to "catch" the light. If you do, you get the bonus tickets, otherwise, wherever you've "stopped" the light, you get that many tickets. Only, 1, 2, or 3…4 if you are REALLY lucky! Well, at first the bonus was around 135 and it went up a few tickets every time someone played it.

Rick and Lea were playing this firefighter game that I just couldn't get into (they were supposed to save the Mayor from a burning building while keeping the pressure in their hose….whatever!) I looked over and noticed that the bonus tickets on that dang chaser light game was up to 226. Well, I had only two tokens left and thought what the heck? So I grabbed DD and said "let's get it!"………I watched it for a bit and hit the button and without realizing I ACTUALLY hit the dang thing at just the right moment and won the bonus! Well DD let out a whoop and a holler you thought we'd just won the lottery! Everyone was looking at us like we were crazy and that machine just kept spittin' out tickets for days! Ricky and Lea came running over, completely abandoning the Mayor!! We were all laughing so hard, it was nuts!

We went back to our table to count up all of our tickets, thinking we'd trade them in for toys we could then donate to the Toy Drive. All together we had almost 450, and boy were we bummed out to se all we could get was 3 suckers or a flower on a stick! :-( The smallest stuffed animal cost 500 tickets! Talk about disappointment! :-( So we found a cute family and gave them our tickets and went home with only our leftover pizza. BUT! We did decide we need to get all you closet CEC fans together and come back in January! So???? Are you in?????

Xoxo K

December 16, 2003

Thanks to all who played with the ISRC this past weekend. It was one of the most fun in recent memory! The weekend-long fun marked six weeks of The Radiance of the Rose and the mood of the Community couldn't be more radiant! :-)

Friday night was the Friends and Family Show for the Prince and Princess Ball, followed by Miss Ariel's Martini Party at CC Slaughter's Martini Bar. All weekend, Princess Ariel View was a gracious host and enjoyed many in and out of town friends while celebrating and remembering the life and light of her Prince, Silas Battenberg. The weekend also celebrated many anniversaries, and it was great to see and play with the Decade Princess, Stephanie Devore, who came in from Denver.

Saturday was a brunch hosted by The Cuff of Seattle, and then that evening the Panorama was filled with all of us anxiously awaiting the crowning of the new Prince and Princess. For those of you not "in the know", this is the 2nd highest title in the ISRC, and the only one not voted or judges on. Yep! The reigning Emperor and Empress get to choose who will be their second in command for a full year.

The newest members of the Imperial Family are HMIH Prince XXIX (29) Ricky Foxx and HMIH Princess XXXIV (34) Ronda Marie. There's no doubt that Scoty Devore Foxx and Lotta Marie Liquor have made excellent choices. Ricky and Ronda are both no stranger to the ISRC or to the fun and dedication it takes to be a successful title holder. I have every faith that they will make a great team, and bring in big $$$ for all of our charities.

One other thing, this weekend kicked off Shelley's and mine Decade Celebration as P&P as well………….so we'll be out and about, as usual, gearing up for a wonderful evening next December. Maybe we'll move Ronda in to our place and I'll move in with Shelley…..could save some time and head aches???!! Ha ha!

Congratulations to Ariel and the ISRC for a positive and memorable weekend and the biggest Congrats to Ricky and Ronda………..all my love and best wishes to you both!

Happy Tuesday everyone! See you around! PMW44/Kevin

December 12, 2003

It's going to be a busy one! So, ya better fasten your seat belts!

Tonight I'll join the ISRC and Princess Ariel View for the Friends and Family Show for the IPP Ball and Investitures, the weekend long celebration of her year along with Prince Silas Battenberg. The party/show will be at the Embers and it's just $3.00! Door at 6pm and show at 7pm. Then, I'll head over to Darcelle XV just in time for the 8:30 show. (When the show gets over at the Embers, Ariel will hold her Martini Party at CC's Slaughters Martini Lounge).

Tomorrow the Cuff in Seattle will be down throwing a party at the Panorama for Ariel and Silas from noon-2pm. After ward will be the IPP Ball and Investitures at The Panorama, doors 6, show 7, $15.00 donation! :-)

Along with Ariel's stepping down, Their Majesties Scoty Devore Foxx and Lotta Marie Liquor will hand out the titles for their Court and select their Prince and Princess. Tomorrow night also kicks off the Decade Celebration of ShelleY and my year as Prince and Princess! WOW! 10 years just FLEW by! Tiara Desmond has agreed to work for me at Darcelle's, so I may enjoy the evenings festivities! Thanks "little crown"! :-)

Sunday will begin with the Annual Pancake Breakfast at The Dirty Duck at 10 am, followed by the Emperor's Tree Hunt and lunch at the Dingheiser. After that of course is the Silverado's Church of the Poison Mind and rounding out the weekend is the La Femme Magnifique Holiday Show I told you about yesterday! PHEW!

Thanks all! See you 'round!!!!!!!!! K/P

December 11, 2003

La Femme Christmas Show!! Well, everyone else has one, why not us too? Actually, although I'm not sure who first held a LFM Holiday show, I know we've had one since before I won 11 years ago. So let's keep the tradition alive and come on down to Darcelle XV this Sunday (Dec 14)! The doors open at 7pm and the show is at 8pm, the $10.00 donation will benefit the Bradley Angle House.

Portland La Femme Magnifique Paola would love to see you! And so would I…………….Happy Holidays! P

December 4, 2003

Unbelievable!! That's the only word I have to describe the amazing awards ceremony I just witnessed, where Darcelle XV was the recipient of The Mayor's Spirit of Portland Award. There were so many spectators, they ushered 1/2 of us to the balcony level upstairs. There were cameras everywhere and no available seats! Portland was out in force to see the winners in the various categories!

The majority of the room, I'm certain was there for Darcelle, I stopped counting after 50! (the City Council Chambers are NOT very big rooms!). Of course it was great to see Darcelle's friends and family members and co workers…well, I guess they are ALL friends, right? Of course they saved Darcelle until last! The Mayor made some very true, sweet and heart felt comments before presenting the award, and then Darcelle took the mic.

The unbelievable, but VERY heart touching part, was how nervous Darcelle was at first. It's great to see the humble and sincere side of someone who we all view as brass balled and always ready to tackle the world! Of course, after a few minutes, she was off and running! The room filled with laughter and some had tears as our friend had a very well deserved moment in the lime light!

Happy Thursday! Xo K

December 4, 2003

Holiday Bombardment!

Okay! So I told you I already saw Love Actually and then last week we went to see The Elf…TWO Christmas movies! Then we rented The Santa Claus 1 and 2 AND Jack Frost. I also told you I went to The Christmas Parade AND the tree lighting! (see where this is going?)

Well, yesterday, Kimberlee and I went to Seattle to see The Radio City Rockettes in their Christmas Spectacular at The Paramount Theater! It was SO worth the trip! (We stopped to eat lunch at The Rainforest Café…been there? I LOVE a place with oversized butterflies and tropical birds!) So the show was sold out and VERY exciting! First of all, who knew The Rockettes can sing? I sure as heck did not! I thought all they did was kick! The costumes, sets, lights and stage action were so VERY spectacular!!!! I was totally impressed and anxious to go home and try out those moves! (okay, maybe not!). If you ever get the chance, DO go see these talented gals and their fabulous production! It was all very glitzy, Santa-Claus-y and bright….so after the finale, the lights dim and a booming voice begins telling the story of Christmas, and along come, right before our very eyes, a real live Nativity Scene! I'm telling you, I was not ready for the TWO live Camels, sheep and 1 donkey! The costumes were amazing! I was ready to knock down one of those wise men/3 king dudes just for his cape! (but I suppose that would be the ultimate in UN-Christmas like behavior!) Anyway, it was a very moving and a beautiful ending to a lovely afternoon.

Our plan WAS to check out IKEA (yes, it's true, I've NEVER been there!)…..but my DEAR friend Greg Tamblyn called me the day before and offered tix to see The Singing Christmas Tree (featuring Miss America Katie Harmon)! FIRST of all, HELLO? Free!!!!! Me!!!! I'm SO there! Secondly, I had seen this before and KNOW that anything Greg has his hands in will be spectacular! So after sitting for 3 hours driving to Seattle, then sitting 2 hours for The Rockettes, THEN sitting 3 more hours driving back, we BARELY slid into town JUST in time to sit another 2 hours with DD and Lea for The Singing Christmas Tree! I'm telling ya, I NEED to do some of my Rockettes moves just to get my legs moving today!

The reason we almost missed it was a 40 minute delay on I-5 due to a wreck…..I thought I had been overdoing the whole Christmas thing this year, but I KNEW I had when we finally passed the wreck: A semi truck had wrecked and spilled it's load………hundreds of Christmas Trees!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HONESTLY!

So the SCT was so wonderful, as I knew it would be, (I even got to see my OTHER pretend boyfriend, Gene Dent of Studio Concepts! My Holidays are now complete!) :-)

But wait! Guess what? Tonight, Rick and I are joining DD and Lea for the Portland Center Stage production of The Santa Land Diaries and A Christmas Memory. I saw both of these one man plays last year and really enjoyed them so I'm glad I'll get to join my friends for yet another night of holiday cheer!

GAWD! I think I'm beginning to SMELL like mistletoe or gingerbread, or SOMETHING! Come on New Years! :-) xoxo PMW44/ Kevin

December 4, 2003

Have you heard? TODAY is the day! My dear friend (hell, OUR dear friend) Darcelle XV will be accepting the Spirit of Portland Award for outstanding Community service from Mayor Vera Katz this afternoon at 2pm. The ceremony is open to the public and will be held in the Council Chambers on the 2nd floor of City Hall in downtown Portland. As you can imagine, this is a HUGE deal folks! Mayor Katz is giving only two of these away this year, and to choose an openly gay man, who happens to be the most visible and well known drag queen in the NW, is simply groundbreaking! Of course this award has been long time coming and is well deserved!

The ceremony is open to the public and I know Darcelle would love to see many bright and shining familiar faces! Hope you can join us!

Happy Thursday! K

November 28, 2003

Phew! I just got back in from the bustling streets of downtown, where literally THOUSANDS of shoppers are scurrying about! After one of the nicest Thanksgiving in recent memory, I arrived at work today ready to jump head first into this Holiday Season! I met DD and Lea for the Meier & Frank Holiday Parade…which was SO dang cute! I LOVED seeing all the kids in their Santa hats, etc. The highlight was seeing my friends Jim Crino and Greg Tamblyn. Jim drove the big yellow McDonald's Shoe while dressed as the Hamburgler and Greg was, of course, the crowd favorite as Ronald McDonald himself! As the Shoe/car slowed down, Greg reached down and we shook hands and chatted quickly. When I stepped back onto the curb, the nice couple behind us said, "Wow! You know Ronald McDonald!". I turned and smiled (sweetly you know) and corrected them by saying, "No, Ronald McDonald knows ME!"……………. Typical. I need help!

Anyway, it's been a great day, a nice mixture of work (is there ANYONE else in this building today?) and holiday playing. This evening I'll re-join the girls for the tree lighting at Pioneer Square before heading over to Darcelle's for another great weekend of fun! (can you believe I actually get PAID to have a great time?). Come on down and see us!

Sunday, I'll be hosting the Silverado's Church of the Poison Mind. Stop by and see the new posters created in honor of our 4th year of Sunday madness! I can't believe my mug had been hanging in that same spot all these years……the update is wonderful! What else is wonderful, is the great response to the food/toy drive! We've already unloaded the food box TWICE and the toy box once. Thank you all for supporting my holiday efforts! You still have several weeks to drop off your non perishable food items and/or new, unwrapped toys! (And shame on whomever opened that darling butterfly, Barbie doll! The scotch tape job on the package after you played with her was dreadful! What kind of queen can't do a decent re-packaging job? Sheesh!! But, at least she was played with..that's what dolls are for, right?!).

After Church, I'll head over to Darcelle's the for Gay Oregon's Holiday Show, a benefit for The Friends of PWA. The doors open at 7pm, the show begins at 8pm and the donation is just $7.00! They are also accepting cans of food. Hope to see you there!

Have a great weekend! Don't spend all of your money and DO NOT exceed your credit limits! It's not what you give folks, it's the love and thought behind the gift! I just bought two Guardian Angel coins at Seattle's Best Coffee, JUST $1.50 each……see? Little things CAN mean a lot! :-)

Later! PMW44/Kevin

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