Grizzly Kiki began in April 2014 as a pop culture and drag-centric podcast hosted by Robert Lechuga & Daniel Silva. We launched with recaps of RuPaul’s Drag Race and other reality programming. Shortly after releasing the first few episodes, we narrowed our focus to create a podcast that was unique in concept and would serve a community near and dear to us: DRAG QUEENS!!!!!!!!!!!!! The podcast is equal parts oral history and good old-fashioned kiki. We found that there were few platforms where Drag and Nightlife Artists could talk about their art and themselves in an open and honest way. Most of what is known about these artists comes from videos posted on the Internet or what they experience in bars and clubs. It was clear that there were stories to be told and shared with the world. Our mission is to create a comfortable and safe environment, where these artists can share their histories and experiences. Ours is a podcast that is meant to serve the drag and nightlife community by capturing the artists’ voices and making them available to the public. Grizzly Kiki is a program for drag enthusiasts, Drag Artists, and everyone in between. Listen and Join the Party!!
https://www.grizzlykiki.com/
Charles Busch
Charles Busch is the queen of the worlds he has created. The underground sensation Vampire Lesbians of Sodom; Psycho Beach Party (a dark parody of 60's beach films); and his Broadway hit, The Tale of the Allergist's Wife (the all-too-real depiction of an Upper West Side matron) are among the standouts of a career spanning nearly forty years. In his work, he has almost always cast himself in the role of the leading lady, using drag to bring his creations to life. For Charles, the art of drag is a vehicle for his characters to become fully realized and to surpass the limitations placed on male actors. He is the Grande Dame of queer theatre. Although he spent his early years in Westchester, he came of age in Manhattan. After his mother's death, his aunt, Lillian Blum, took charge of his upbringing and education, both scholastically & culturally. It was through her that he became immersed in the fine and performing arts. In many ways, his life mirrors that of young Patrick in Auntie Mame. It is without a doubt that Aunt Lillian planted the seeds for what would become a lifelong admiration and obsession with the Hollywood leading ladies that so often influence his works. It was a privilege to be welcomed into Charles' home for this interview. Surrounded by the Gigi Red walls of his living room and collection of exotic artifacts, we were immersed in the environment within which he creates pieces that inspire and shape the lives of his audiences.