Groove is in the Milk
Last week the Harvey Milk school had their first Trans Week.
This was a week for everyone from Trans kids, to trannies in training to learn about the lifestyle. There were classes on female speech, collagen injections and how to adapt into society. The grand finale was a Vogueing Ball held in the cafeteria/entertainment room.
These kids have a small ball every Friday but this one was a much bigger event. MAC had makeup artists (including my roommates) come in and do the kids makeup and they always hope for a celebrity judge or two to take part.
When I heard this part I knew immediately who to call.
Lady Kier accepted before I even finished my sentence. She worked with the school in the 80's and knew all about it. When I called the school they about popped out of their skin when I told them Lady Kier would be a judge.
That Friday we got all dolled up. I wore a corset and a westwood top (no fun in the subway, thank God for my overcoat) and headed to Kiers house.
She was in nothing less than neon pink tights, neon blue skirt and a jeweled batwinged sweater. "Hold on Cator, let me just throw on this wig!" she cried from the bathroom.
Out she came with an auburn crimped fall wafting below her shoulders, all attached with a big pink hair clip. The kids were not ready- she looked incredible.
We arrive at the school and as soon as we get out of the elevator cameras begin popping. The staff was shaking. She met two of her biggest fans and they gave her a tour of the school. Luna reminds her that he used to take pictures of her on Eighth Street. She smiled and said, "I remember you! You are the reason I wore fake lashes just to take out the trash."
We end up in the cafeteria and meet some of the kids practicing and then they all fall in and start dancing. The MC, another student, is about the cutest damn boy I have ever seen. He was amazing on the mic and the kids listened to his every word.
Right before we started one of the teachers came over and said, "Just to let you know, we are going to introduce you Kier and you have to walk the catwalk. Oh and Cator, you are judging too, OK?"
We look at each other and brace ourselves. Two seconds later Groove is in the Heart is pumping and the MC declares, "This is my all time favorite song! And the girl who sang it is with us tonight- clap your hands for Lady Miss Kier!!!!"
Kier bounds out onto the runway and throws that fall all over the place. The kids look a bit confused. I realize that at 16 they were one year old's when this song came out. But slowly they got it and got her and once she hit the floor with a bouncy, arms in the air vogue move- the kids were in love.
Then it was my turn. How can you compete with Kier, especially with a corset? I glide down the catwalk tipping my hat, pulling my corset strings and finally giving a little hand to the face to the hat to the hips move. I am surprised to get a 'Get it girl' and "woooork!', but many of these kids know me so they were ready to give old Uncle Cator some props.
Then the competition began.
Groups included:
Real Femme
Best Designer Imposter Labels
Big Girls Battle
Free for all Vogue Battle
We were not prepared. These kids fell to the floor and popped back up, swung legs, popped, locked and climbed up onto the table to get as close to us as possible.
The Femmes we thought were real girls until a councelor told us they were all young boys. The big girls turned it out! One even got a Missy Elliot wig.
The evenings favorite was 'Santas Little Helper'. He had to be about 16 and had a black lace long sleeve top on with red velvet hot pants. Red mirabou was tenderly stitched around the bottom. This kid took control of the room. Kier and I voted on him every time but by the finals some other kids had won over the councelors who were voting with us. We really wanted to put him in our pocket and take him to Zaldy for a makeover.
At the end we gave out little trophys and the kids took off. We were on such a high that Kier and I plus my roommates hit Yaffa Cafe to go over each outfit, look and dance move.
That was more exciting and fullfilling than any night Opaline could ever muster up.
This was a week for everyone from Trans kids, to trannies in training to learn about the lifestyle. There were classes on female speech, collagen injections and how to adapt into society. The grand finale was a Vogueing Ball held in the cafeteria/entertainment room.
These kids have a small ball every Friday but this one was a much bigger event. MAC had makeup artists (including my roommates) come in and do the kids makeup and they always hope for a celebrity judge or two to take part.
When I heard this part I knew immediately who to call.
Lady Kier accepted before I even finished my sentence. She worked with the school in the 80's and knew all about it. When I called the school they about popped out of their skin when I told them Lady Kier would be a judge.
That Friday we got all dolled up. I wore a corset and a westwood top (no fun in the subway, thank God for my overcoat) and headed to Kiers house.
She was in nothing less than neon pink tights, neon blue skirt and a jeweled batwinged sweater. "Hold on Cator, let me just throw on this wig!" she cried from the bathroom.
Out she came with an auburn crimped fall wafting below her shoulders, all attached with a big pink hair clip. The kids were not ready- she looked incredible.
We arrive at the school and as soon as we get out of the elevator cameras begin popping. The staff was shaking. She met two of her biggest fans and they gave her a tour of the school. Luna reminds her that he used to take pictures of her on Eighth Street. She smiled and said, "I remember you! You are the reason I wore fake lashes just to take out the trash."
We end up in the cafeteria and meet some of the kids practicing and then they all fall in and start dancing. The MC, another student, is about the cutest damn boy I have ever seen. He was amazing on the mic and the kids listened to his every word.
Right before we started one of the teachers came over and said, "Just to let you know, we are going to introduce you Kier and you have to walk the catwalk. Oh and Cator, you are judging too, OK?"
We look at each other and brace ourselves. Two seconds later Groove is in the Heart is pumping and the MC declares, "This is my all time favorite song! And the girl who sang it is with us tonight- clap your hands for Lady Miss Kier!!!!"
Kier bounds out onto the runway and throws that fall all over the place. The kids look a bit confused. I realize that at 16 they were one year old's when this song came out. But slowly they got it and got her and once she hit the floor with a bouncy, arms in the air vogue move- the kids were in love.
Then it was my turn. How can you compete with Kier, especially with a corset? I glide down the catwalk tipping my hat, pulling my corset strings and finally giving a little hand to the face to the hat to the hips move. I am surprised to get a 'Get it girl' and "woooork!', but many of these kids know me so they were ready to give old Uncle Cator some props.
Then the competition began.
Groups included:
Real Femme
Best Designer Imposter Labels
Big Girls Battle
Free for all Vogue Battle
We were not prepared. These kids fell to the floor and popped back up, swung legs, popped, locked and climbed up onto the table to get as close to us as possible.
The Femmes we thought were real girls until a councelor told us they were all young boys. The big girls turned it out! One even got a Missy Elliot wig.
The evenings favorite was 'Santas Little Helper'. He had to be about 16 and had a black lace long sleeve top on with red velvet hot pants. Red mirabou was tenderly stitched around the bottom. This kid took control of the room. Kier and I voted on him every time but by the finals some other kids had won over the councelors who were voting with us. We really wanted to put him in our pocket and take him to Zaldy for a makeover.
At the end we gave out little trophys and the kids took off. We were on such a high that Kier and I plus my roommates hit Yaffa Cafe to go over each outfit, look and dance move.
That was more exciting and fullfilling than any night Opaline could ever muster up.