Interview by Marke B. From SCENE: The Guardian Guide to Nightlife and Glamour, on stands in the Guardian now.
House of Salad, photographed by Leo Herrera
I recently ran halfway across downtown with the mother of lunatic dragstravaganza House of Salad, Ambrosia Salad herself (pictured above, bottom center, with the big head), teased out extra wig and fake Louis Vuitton suitcase full of props in tow. We were on our way from a vogue ball at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts to Aunt Charlie's in the Tenderloin, where she was set to perform. But first we made a quick pit stop at an Indian pizzeria for a huge slice of Hawaiian, which Ambrosia relished with gusto, lipstick be damned. I guess that summarizes the ragtag retinue of underground DJs, performers, promoters, artists, and freaks that she's gathered around herself, who represent every alternaqueer tribe in San Francisco and put on a hell of a show: Who needs makeup when you've got ham drippings and pineapple juice?
SFBG You grew up in the fruit fields of Monterey ...
Ambrosia Most of my wonder years were spent on a strawberry farm next to the ocean, where my bedroom furniture got front row to me dancing around to Stacey Q, Annie Lennox, and Grace Jones. I was no stranger to wearing mommy's pumps and tube tops as dresses. Oddly enough, it wasn't until five years ago that I revisited wearing women's clothing. At first just silly swamp drag: a mustache with a shitty wig. It wasn't until [drag mentor] Mr. David beat the shit out of me that I discovered that Ambrosia didn't need to be so tragic after all. In fact, she looked pretty good.
SFBG What's the house all about?
Ambrosia The House of Salad started off as a mockery of all the "houses." We were just a small group of friends who'd grown weary of the exclusive and elite atmosphere that a lot of cliques had created. We wanted to create a refreshing-yet-inviting spin on nightlife. As the name House of Salad began to make its way through bathroom stalls, backrooms, and patio barbecues, I realized I had a caravan of creatives on my hands that no one knew quite what to make of. We grew from seven to 20 freaks and geeks — a mixed green household full of energy, topped off with our very own straight circus clown. When we get together on stage, we feel we're creating a new take on the San Francisco scene.
SFBG What's currently on the Salad plate?
Ambrosia Besides performances at clubs like Charlie Horse (www.myspace.com/charliehorsecinch), Chilidog! (www.myspace.com/ladybeard), and at the Castro Street Fair (www.castrostreetfair.org), we'll be on the Homochic float at Lovevolution (www.sflovevolution.org). I've also managed to entangle myself in a stimulating new side project called Ambrosia & the Bearnsteins. It's an air band spectacular. We perform our favorite songs using cardboard props.
SFBG Any advice for the next wave of drag queens?
Ambrosia You don't always need to shock us by making a mess on stage or to demand our attention with yet another simulated sex act or beaver shot. As long as you've brought something genuinely earnest and entertaining to the stage you will always have my vote.
AMBROSIA AND THE BEARNSTEINS
Thursday, Oct. 22
10 p.m., $5
Supperclub
657 Harrison, SF
www.supperclub.com
Pictured, counterclockwise from Ambrosia: Tossia Salad (Marina Bitch), Caesar Salad (DJ PeePlay of Honey Soundsystem), Salad Gold Dancer (Khadijah), Side Salad (Joey Juice), Coleslaw (Stephen YouGuys of Go Bang!), Salad Bar (Sissy Matt), Crouton, Aunti Pasti (Primadonna Reed), Garden Salad (Morningwood of Pearls over Shanghai), Straight Salad (Christopher McVick of Teatro Zinzanni), Baby Salad (Mitchell Mark), Greek Salad (Terry T. of Miss Honey), Dances With Salad (Oxana Olsen of Mall Madness), Limestone Salad (DJ Bearded Lady of Chilidog!)
Not pictured: Chef Salad, Zacharoni Salad, Salad Shooter
digg •
del.icio.us •
sphere •
google
•
