Ménage Á Pop is a three times a week intimate discussion between two people and a piece of pop culture.
80s Drag culture was an alien fantasia of gender bending costumes and unearthly dance moves. But for the curious eyes of a young Kevin Smokler, such spectacles seemed fleeting, within the confines of a family tv set. Fortunately, the 1990 documentary PARIS IS BURNING provided a more open window into that very world. So don’t just stand there, let’s get to it, strike that pose and listen to this.
Todays guest, KEVIN SMOKLER, is the author of BRAT PACK AMERICA: A LOVE LETTER TO 80S TEEN MOVIES available locally at INDIEBOUND.org. Support his documentary VINYL NATION: A DOCUMENTARY DIG INTO THE RECORD RESURGENCE at vinylnation.com , follow him on TWITTER @weegee and learn more about his writing at www.kevinsmokler.com
POP NOTES
First screened at a Toronto film festival on September 13th 1990 it played multiple festivals before its official release on March 13th 1991.
Initial filming took place in 1986, consisting mainly of that year’s Paris Is Burning Ball. From this footage, documentarian Jennie Livingston cut a proof of concept trailer to secure funding for further shooting.
Performer Venus Extravaganza was one of the first performers Livingston witnessed and served as a key inspiration and interview subject for the earliest days of the project. Tragically she was murdered during the course of filming in a case that, as of May 20202,has remained unsolved.
In total, about 75 hours of footage was shot and eventually condensed down into the final 78 minute cut.
Is considered to include the first recorded use of the word “shade” in regards to dissing a friend in disrespect.
Featured in the film is performer Willi Ninja who has since been dubbed the godfather of Vogueing. An ongoing influence to both musicians and dancers he sadly passed away on September 2nd 2006 at the young age of 45.
In the two decades following its release, Jennie Livingston has continued her work in documentary film as well as serving as a consultant on the FX original drama Pose, a fictional look at the drag scene of the 1980s.
Tune back this Wednesday when Kevin tries to find some shade while attending the Peter Gabriel founded WOMAD MUSIC FESTIVAL.
This episode of MÉNAGE Á POP was recorded by CAST, an online audio platform that lets you create and record a multi-guest podcast straight from your web-browser. It was then mastered by AUPHONIC, a web-based post-production service. Check out both sights for trial and subscription information.
MUSIC FEATURED IN TODAY’S EPISODE:
“Three Ways To Do That” (opening theme) composed and performed by The Madeline Prior. All rights reserved with Not A Holograms podcasts.
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Try to understand the present while living in the past with Tim’s weekly podcast 20TH CENTURY POP! at www.nahpods.com/20popcast
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