Grizzly Kiki | Pop Culture & Interviews With Queer Artists
Summary: 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!!
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- Artist: Robert & Daniel
- Copyright: 2014
Podcasts:
On this episode, Robert and Daniel celebrate 100 episodes of Grizzly Kiki with a look back at their favorite moments from the past year and give thanks to all of the Drag Queens, performers, guests, and listeners who have helped GK grow!
On Episode 3 of Season 7, we're now down to 12 girls and the competition is in full swing!!!! Listen as Robert, Daniel, and their special guest, Miz Jade the Queen of Shade, recap the latest episode and throw some brutally honest shade!
Thorgy Thor is a reformed Long Island girl who made her way to the mean streets of New York via SUNY Purchase, where her drag character first saw the moonlight. This is how we would ideally like to introduce this magnificent and innovative performer. However, Thorgy is a queen that defies description. A classically-trained violinist, violist, and cellist, Shane Thor Galligan (his boy drag name), has made a name for himself as New York's Chicest Clown! Thorgy began her drag career in the bars and clubs of Brooklyn, where drag has always had a loyal and exuberant following. It was in the outer borough that Thorgy was able to put on live shows that were more experimental theater than run of the mill drag performance. Over the past few years, Thorgy has made the move from Brooklyn to Manhattan, where she has become an iconic presence. You can spot her from a mile away, as she arrives to her performances in her signature jelly flats and Sean John hoodie, only to reveal some of the most carefully crafted and editorial drag looks the city has ever seen. With a drag closet that nearly engulfs her, it is no surprise that Thorgy never wears the same look more than once and has a style that is both effortless and eye-catching. Not one to forget where she started, Thorgy has maintained and fostered her Brooklyn roots, still performing several nights a week in the venues that she calls home. She is one of few queens in the city that has managed to span the gap and be equally popular in both Manhattan and Brooklyn. Her performance and hosting venues include Hardware Bar, Industry Bar, Pieces Bar, TNT, and Metropolitan Bar.
On Episode 2 of Season 7, RuPaul's sent her girls to the skies and beyond!!!! Listen as Robert, Daniel, and their special guest, Miz Jade the Queen of Shade, recap the latest episode and throw some brutally honest shade!
On this episode, Robert and Daniel interview the incomparable and glamorous Elizabeth James. A Kentucky native, Elizabeth starting doing drag in Nashville before moving to New York a little over two years ago. Nowadays, Elizabeth is performing her heart out at venues such as The Duplex, TNT, Boots and Saddle, and SoHo House. A queen who is no stranger to beauty and fashion, it is her life's goal to spread glamour all over the city!!! Our interview with Elizabeth was among our most poignant and eye opening, as we explored her upbringing, family, and evolution into the spectacular performer she is today. She is genuine, warm, honest, and we fell head over heels in love with her!! Listen and you will as well!
It's that time of year again, ladies!!! RuPaul has released her latest crop of girls unto the world. On this season, there are fierce drags, couture drags, chunky yet funky drags, clown drags, and downright booger drags. Listen as Robert, Daniel, and their special guest, Miz Jade the Queen of Shade, recap the first episode of this much-anticipated season!!! Gentlemen, Start Your Engines! And May The Best Woman Win!
On this episode, Robert and Daniel have a Kiki with The Haus of Mimosa. Created by performers Travis Barr and Steven Incammicia, Mimosa girls Anita M. Buffem (Travis) and Gina Marie Rittale (Steven) are the cast members of "The Real Housewives of Queens," a sketch drag comedy about the lives of these two over the top women from the outer borough. During our interview, we discuss their podcast, "Sunday Morning Mimosa," which launched their drag personas almost ten years and which was the first character driven sketch podcast. This podcast paved the way for their live show and formed the basis of the characters which now perform at Sunday brunches in New York and at Weddings, House Parties, Bachelorette Parties, and even a Bris (if you're lucky!!!) Our time with The Haus of Mimosa was an eye-opening experience. We had never before interviewed drag performers who were completely character driven. We had no idea what we were in for when Anita and Gina Marie made appearances throughout the interview. Check out their YouTube Channel for fun videos and their podcast Sunday Morning Mimosa on iTunes!! Disclaimer: Stock up on Depends before your listen! This episode is guaranteed to make you laugh so hard you'll wet your pants!! Enjoy!!!
On this episode, Robert and Daniel interview the reigning of New York drag competition, So You Think You Can Drag, Alexis Michelle. A seasoned drag performer, with over 10 years under her skirts, Alexis is a Native New Yorker that grew up obsessed with the powerful female figures in Broadway shows. She used these women to create her drag persona, who is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to her female illusions and performance style. Most recently, Alexis competed in an won Paige Turner's So You Think You Can Drag at New World Stages. The turning point for her came when she transformed from the evil witch from Into The Woods into a beautiful princess in a Vera Wang wedding dress. Although she keeps the process a secret, she gave us a little insight into the creation behind the look: "It's Broadway Magic." This performance has garnered her praise from a multitude of people both in New York and on the internet, with the reveal videos getting tens of thousands of hits. Many believe that it was this performance that secured her win!! We loved talking to Alexis and hope that you enjoy our interview with her. She was Gorgeous!
Erika Klash is a drag queen that has combined Japanese and French culture, as well as video games and a variety of other references to create a persona who is known as the anime queen of New York. A native New Yorker, Erika grew up immersed in the culture of the city around her and is an NYU student and aspiring playwright. Although barely a drag year old, Erika is already becoming around New York City as a drag presence and has performed at venues around the city, including The Monster, TNT, Stonewall, and others. She uses her video game inspirations as a way to always move forward, since Mario himself can never walk backwards; just try it and you'll see it's true. She is always looking ahead toward her future and uses her past a reference. She's Princess Peach with attitude!
On this episode, Robert and Daniel talk about Kate Bornstein's documentary, the continued outing of celebrities, and Madonna's newest single. "Living for Love."
On this episode, Robert and Daniel sit down with New York Drag Queen, Brita Filter for a down home KiKi over some delicious Chinese Food. An Arizona native, Jesse Havea, Brita's alter ego, found his passion in musical theatre at a young age, encountering a spiky Eartha Kitt at the age of 10. From then on, he dedicated his life to fostering his larger than life personality and presence. While performing in a drag version of Cinderella in at a regional theatre in Maine, Jesse decided that the best way to channel his creativity through a drag persona he named Brita Filter, who has the perfect tagline: The Queen Who Is Anything but Pure!!! Over the past year, Brita has blossomed into one of the most recognizable and beloved queens in New York, with her trademark curls and eyes. She was even nominated for Breakthrough Artist at the 2015 Glam Awards. A powerhouse of energy, she charms everyone with her affable nature and kindness. She is also the mistress of drag mixes and has a few up her skirts that bring the house down!! Listen to our interview and fall in love with Brita Filter!
On this episode, Robert and Daniel discuss problematic comments made by Mary Cheney regarding Drag and Blackface and review the super trailer for RuPaul's Drag Race Season 7.
On this episode, Robert and Daniel interview San Francisco Drag Icon and Visionary, Peaches Christ. With almost 20 years of drag under her belt, Peaches (Miss Christ if you're nasty!!), has developed a cult following not only in SF, but around the world as well. Her Midnight Mass movie viewings, film parodies, and live stage shows are legendary and have earned Peaches a well-deserved spot in the pantheon of the Drag Goddesses!! Her alter ego, Joshua Grannell, created a character unique in style and approach to drag. As a result, Peaches is the only drag queen to have ever received her own retrospective at the Fine Art Museums of San Francisco in 2006 to celebrate ten years in drag!!! Let's hope that Peaches has another 80+ years ahead of her to continue her craft and take her career to new heights.....and lows!
On this episode, Robert and Daniel talk about Marriage Equality in Alabama, Fox's Empire is a hit, Celebrity Big Brother UK is annoyingly delicious, and Men with Love Handles is on Trend!
On this episode, Robert and Daniel sit down for a chat with the energetic and bombastic Stella D'oro. A veteran of the New York nightlife scene, Stel has been doing drag for the past twelve years and uses it to promote her sex positive safe sex activism, as well as blowing audiences away with her powerhouse dancing!!! During our interview, we learn about Stella's upbringing in Massachusetts, her move to New York, work as a live sex performer in the 1980's and her transition to being a drag queen so she could perform in a naturist retreat talent show. Stel's story is a long and fascinating one that we only scratched the surface of. Listen and get to know this charming and magnetic performer!
