Ian, Selene & Margaret at the Dark Room

Friday night, my friend Ed and I made our way to a little joint called The Dark Room in San Francisco to see Ian Harvie and Selene Luna. They were in town with Margaret Cho for the GayVN Awards.

I have to say it's the first time I've seen a show at a place that was BYOB. People brought in 6-packs (not the kind WE wanted to see!), tall cans of beer, etc. Anyhoo, it was a very enthusiastic crowd.

Before the show, I had to tinkle, so I went looking for the restroom. Keep in mind this is a very small place. I was directed past a certain curtain, and I see Selene heading for the can. So I'm standing there looking around, I turn to my right, and there are Margaret and Ian in the "green room," if you want to call it that.

Margaret quickly greeted me, introducing me to her guitarist friend Mike. "Blake's a big fan. He's been coming to see me for 25 years, since he was little!" I felt a bit like Diana Ross when she says, "I've been singing for 45 years, and I'm only 46!"

I chatted up Margaret and Ian about last Monday's Fingerbang show in LA. Taylor Dayne was among the audience who went to see them. Apparently, she really did Tell It To Their Hearts!

Then Selene entered the room and walked right past me. I said, "Hi Selene!" She turned and said, "Oh, hi! I didn't see you. I guess I should look up!!" They were all ready to rehearse a song, so I ducked out and went back to my seat.

The Dark Room really is just that. It was like someone's cozy living room, and being right in the front row, Ed and I were almost onstage with the gang! For a few moments, we were even part of the show!

Ian and Selene sang (in character) and each performed standup as well. It was the first time I'd seen either of them do a full show. Their extended sets allowed both of them to really settle comfortably into their performances, sliding on the routines like an old pair of shoes.

Then, as an added bonus, Margaret came onstage, doing about 30 minutes of songs and comedy with the audience in preparation for the next night's hosting gig. We got much more than the $10 show we paid for.

To top it off, I found out that "do-it-yourself" photos taken from above are very flattering!

Margaret Talks TV

Tonight Margaret Cho, Ian Harvie and Selene Luna take New Jersey by storm! They will hit the stage at Bergen Performing Arts Center in Englewood, NJ.

Margaret did an interview with NorthJersey.com to promote the event. In it, she discussed her television endeavors. I was bummed to read that "The Cho Show" will not return to VH1, but Margaret hopes to take it elsewhere.

Here's the scoop on Lifetime's "Drop Dead Diva," which is slated to hit the air in June:

“It’s about this really thin blond young beautiful model who dies and is reincarnated in the body of an overweight woman,” says Cho, who plays the loyal assistant to the latter (Brooke Elliott), a plus-size attorney. “Oh, my God, it’s all about body image, how we view ourselves and how that affects our self-esteem. I’ve always had a lot of issues around weight. I’ve always talked about it. People can really understand and relate to it.”

Check out the whole interview here.

Margaret Cho FINGERBANGS LA!

Tomorrow night, January 27, it's Margaret's musical extravaganza Fingerbang! She likens it to Hee-Haw, but less country and less corny. Our gal has gotten "guitarded" (her word, not mine) and has been singing songs such as "Eat Me Out" (on the Beautiful tour) and a Repeal Prop 8 ditty.

She'll be joined by Jill Sobule (she was kissing girls in the '90s, long before Katy Perry) as well as "Sensuous Woman" costars Liam Sullivan, Ian Harvie, Kurt Hall and Selene Luna. Check Margaret's site for info. Of course I'll be there and I'll report back on the festivities. I can't wait!!

Margaret on The Doctors Today!

Hey, don't miss Margaret co-hosting the syndicated show The Doctors today. It's supposed to be their vagina episode. Sounds awesome to me!

If you're in LA, hit up The Ian Harvie Show tonight. Selene Luna and a "surprise guest" are appearing.

*Side Note: Go here and vote for Ian Harvie to be on LOGO's Big Gay Sketch Show. You can vote once every 24 hours!

Leslie Jordan, Ian Harvie & The Griddle

Monday night was a great night! Once again, I hit up The Ian Harvie Show at Largo in West Hollywood. This fiesta of gayness is a showcase for up-and-coming talent as well as established performers.

This time, my friend, singer/songwriter Dan Holguin was part of the show! He wowed the audience with his renditions of '80s classics "Cold Hearted," "Here Comes The Rain Again," and "I'll Stand By You." Then the lovely and talented Marcela Carmona joined Dan on vocals and piano for "Careless Whisper."

Host Ian Harvie kept us in stitches with tales of armpit turn-ons and how he'd hide it if he became pregnant (a la Thomas Beatie). Comic and actress Sarah Hyland entertained with crazy characters, including one who performed tongue pushups. (You had to be there.)

And if all that weren't enough, the incomparable Leslie Jordan was also on hand. You may know Leslie from countless TV shows, but his most memorable outrageous characters are Beverley Leslie (Karen Walker's wig-snatching nemesis on Will & Grace, for which he won an Emmy) and Brother Boy (the Tammy Wynette-obsessed loony bin patient from the film and series "Sordid Lives.")

Leslie is small in stature (4' 11"), but he's a comic giant with the gift of gab and the ability to make you pee your pants with laughter. He captivated the crowd, recounting tales from his memoir, "My Trip Down The Pink Carpet," which he's turned into a one-man show. He will perform the show December 4-21 at LA's Renberg Theatre. Go to thelesliejordan.com for info.

I had the chance to chat with Leslie and he graciously signed my book. However, he rejected my plain black pen, declaring in his signature southern drawl, "I have a pink Sharpie!"



He also proclaimed his love for The Griddle Cafe on Sunset (as well as the beautiful men who work there). I've enjoyed their gargantuan, tasty pancakes before, so I decided to venture over there the next morning. As I sat eating an Oreo-filled "Black Magic" pancake, I looked across the counter and sure enough, there was Leslie, having breakfast and reading his morning paper.

If you've missed any of Leslie's shenanigans as Brother Boy on Sordid Lives, or if you just want to relive all the scandal, you can catch a marathon of all 12 episodes this Saturday, November 29 at 12 Noon Eastern/9 am Pacific on LOGO.



The next installment of The Ian Harvie Show is a special one. On December 10, Ian will again be joined by Leslie Jordan as well as Margaret Cho, Ant, Alec Mapa and others to say No on H8! Proceeds will benefit Equality California.

Margaret Cho in Long Beach

From Margaret in Long Beach

Famous faces! Cameras swirling! No on Prop 8 signs aplenty! And this wasn't a political event! Saturday night, Margaret Cho tore it up at the Long Beach Terrace Theatre with "Beautiful," her latest show.

I made the pilgrimage for some ritual Cho worship with my friend Dan Holguin, a talented singer/songwriter. Before the show even started, we greeted the always gorgeous Selene Luna of The Cho Show in the lobby. (Later, she told us about her upcoming slasher flick, My Bloody Valentine.)

From Margaret in Long Beach

Liam Sullivan opened the show, performing as his characters Kelly and Susan. The best part was his freaky sex therapist skit, complete with John Denver references, which was presented on the video screen. ("Eeew! Uuugh!")

After an intermission, Margaret lit up the stage with a riff on Sarah Palin and the requisite Mommy impressions. She had the audience roaring with hilarious tales of her very NC-17 sexual escapades.

To add to the excitement, this performance was filmed to be Margaret's next concert DVD. No on Prop 8 signs & stickers were passed out, and at the end of the show, Margaret urged everyone to vote No.

In the green room after the show, Margaret graciously posed for pictures with many admirers while her film crew's cameras rolled. We chatted with Bruce Daniels (photo below), who opened for Margaret on her Revolution tour.

From Margaret in Long Beach

We also gabbed with Ian Harvie, host of the monthly Ian Harvie Show at Largo, and his sweet girlfriend Sarah.

From Margaret in Long Beach

It was a wonderful night filled with friends and laughter, which really is therapeutic. I can't wait to do it again!

The Ian Harvie Show

Monday night I went out to Largo at the Coronet Theatre in West Hollywood to catch the Ian Harvie Show. This monthly happening is a variety show with stand-up comedy, musical performances and interview segments.

This intimate venue is great for working on new material, which is just what Ian did. Much of his stand-up comedy deals with his experiences being transgender. You couldn't make something like that up just for the sake of schtick!

Pleasant Gehman, aka Princess Farhana, made the transition from bellydancing goddess to storytelling comic. Her friendly persona and natural stage presence drew the audience in. Pleasant took us on a journey from shoplifting to her sexual fantasy involving Michael Phelps and his eight gold medals. And honestly, I don't think anyone has made bulimia funnier!

Ian then returned to interview the cast of The Cho Show. John Stapleton, John Blaine, Selene Luna and Charlie Altuna recounted tales of growing up, working in Hollywood, and joining Margaret Cho for zany antics on her VH1 show. These folks are all friends, which gave the chat an easy familiarity. They had no problem getting up in each other's business and sharing with the audience.

Finally, gay rapper Lisp took the stage, throwing rhymes about "shaving your juevos," after which he was joined by thugged-out honeys Selene and Pleasant.

Afterwards, I met Ian Harvie, who genuinely thanked me for coming out to the show. Ian is someone who loves what he does, and his sincerity and kindness are truly remarkable. The Live Nude Girls sign behind us was not for his show, but could certainly apply to The Sensuous Woman, in which Ian appeared with Margaret, Selene and friends.


I chatted up Pleasant, who was sweet as pie, just as her name suggests. (Heaven forbid she have an off day!) Of course the Olympic medal she's sporting in our picture relates to her Michael Phelps fantasy.

The effervescent Selene was awesome as always! (Note the Bill Clinton pendant.) She told us she was on the hunt for an indoor voice. You know Selene's near before you even see her, because her endearing voice really carries and is instantly recognizable.

All in all, it was a great night. This family of performers really fosters creativity in each other, and it was exciting to share the evening with them. Previous segments, including a chat with Margaret, can be seen on Ian Harvie's website, and Monday night's show should be uploaded soon!