Boy, am I glad I made it to last night’s San Francisco stop on Jay Brannan’s “Fat Is a Feeling…Not a Shape” concert tour!
Having never seen Shortbus, the John Cameron Mitchell movie which brought the openly-gay performer to national recognition last year, I wasn’t familiar with his film or musical contributions. After catching his show, obviously, I’m much more in the know. Yet, as amusing as I found the New York actor/singer/songwriter, he’s not even the reason I’m glad I made it to Bottom of the Hill.
Call me crazy, but I believe things happen for a reason and, in turn, can kick off a whole series of unforeseen events. When you are able to sit back and enjoy the domino affect, life makes for an interesting adventure. At least that’s consistently been my experience, and last night supports the theory.
Yesterday when I bought that brand new bottle of Spirit Gum – the sticky substance which allows me to make my eyebrows just perfect -- I had no idea it would inspire me to get in drag for a concert I wasn’t even that inclined to attend. Being painted like I was straight from the trailer park opened me to conversations with people I might never have otherwise met.
In an interesting turn of events, that landed my drag daughter Sandra O. Noshi-Di’n’t and me at Orphan Andy’s for 2 a.m. cheesecake and a chat with Tomas, the new friend we rescued from a potentially tragic hook-up. But really, that’s getting ahead of the story. After all, for the 100, maybe even 150 – probably more – crowding Bottom of the Hill last night, Jay Brannan was the highlight of the evening.
As popular as his signature number “Half-Boyfriend” was, I’m convinced the majority in attendance were there because he’s cute. Several rowdy fans continually called for Brannan to take off his "General Hospital" shirt. According to my reports, a scene in Shortbus shows him involved in a very graphic three-way with a man singing the “Star-Spangled Banner” into his ass. No wonder Brannan’s well-liked. That’s a trick I’ve used to break the ice at parties for years!
With a great voice, accompanied exclusively by his guitar on this night, Brannan has a real knack for spinning interesting stories filled with drama and truths of gay life. It’s reflected in his between-track banter, too, which makes him an engaging performer – especially in a cozy venue like Bottom of the Hill. It apparently has garnered a following, too, as his recently self-released album Goddamned cracked the Top 25 on iTunes. 
Of course, I’d be more inclined to personally support Brannan’s career if he picked up the pace now and again. Except for a moderately-upbeat medley of folked-out covers including NWA’s “Straight Outta Compton,” TLC’s “Waterfalls” and Katy Perry’s current #1 single “I Kissed a Girl,” Brannan’s style is really, really slow… Halfway through the somewhat sleepy set I caused a mild stir when I jokingly whispered (apparently rather loudly) to Sandra that, if I was still addicted to crystal meth, at least I’d stay awake!
That’s about the time I spotted Tomas, a very handsome man standing in the crowd nearby. Later when the lights came up, I saw him again – this time chatting with an admirer. While everyone else crowded to meet the performer, I listened with amusement to Tomas’ less-than-promising love connection. When his date staggered off to the bathroom, I couldn’t resist offering my two-cents.
Turns out, he was celebrating his 35th birthday, a new lease on the single life and a move back to the city. Deciding he deserved better than a drunken roll-in-the-hay, Sandra and I’d whisked Tomas off in the Trannymobile for a late-night bite and the kind of unexpected conversation which makes a night truly memorable. For some reason, I like thinking we might have provided the highlight of this stranger’s birthday.
And as for Jay Brannan… Tomas, he’s playing our song.
Comments (2)
Hey Mommie Queerest!
Fab article as usual. Funny you should mention John Cameron Mitchell and awkward, but funny moments in a crowd. I was at a movie party in New Orleans that Mitchell was attending and swore I could smell poppers.
So, I began to turn to attendees to either side and ask "Excuse me, do you smell poppers"?, to which everyone replied "No"...this didn't stop me, for I was convinced! Someone behind me "What is that guy talking about?" Frustrated, I whip my head around and nearly scream "I SAID DOES ANYONE SMELL POPPERS"!!! To my horror and dismay, the face I screamed into, that was wiping a kernel or two of his face that was clearly expelled from my mouth, was none other than John Cameron Mitchell
To which he replied "No, I do not".
Posted by Bubba Del Mar | July 30, 2008 10:42 AM
Hey Mommie Queerest!
Fab article as usual. Funny you should mention John Cameron Mitchell and awkward, but funny moments in a crowd. I was at a movie party in New Orleans that Mitchell was attending and swore I could smell poppers.
So, I began to turn to attendees to either side and ask "Excuse me, do you smell poppers"?, to which everyone replied "No"...this didn't stop me, for I was convinced! Someone behind me "What is that guy talking about?" Frustrated, I whip my head around and nearly scream "I SAID DOES ANYONE SMELL POPPERS"!!! To my horror and dismay, the face I screamed into, that was wiping a kernel or two of his face that was clearly expelled from my mouth, was none other than John Cameron Mitchell
To which he replied "No, I do not".
Posted by Bubba Del Mar | July 30, 2008 10:43 AM