Pete Sake and Pacmen crowned new SF Royalty

By Dick DuJour

Fudgie Frottage with the Twilight Vixen Revue’s opening number, “Big Balls” set the perfect sexy, campy and dragalicious mood to the sold-out house at the 12th Annual San Francisco Drag King Contest and benefit for PAWS (Pets Are Wonderful Support) held at SomArts this past Saturday, Aug. 18.

Pete Sake won the solo king title with his flawless rendition of an obscure but catchy ‘60s tune, “Bird on the Second Floor,” dressed as a corrections officers with Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie impersonators as back-up dancers. The Pacmen from Sacramento’s Kings of Drag, won best troupe performance with their impeccable choreography to a motown medley by the Temptations.

1st runner-up went to Clay Fakin’ aka Rock Candy, who did an amazing Clay Aiken impersonation. Delicio Del Toro placed 2nd runner-up for his hilarious Chippendale-inspired lip-synch and dance routine, complete with stripper pole. Judges awarded Seymour Sinn, best lip-synch, for his amazing rendition of “Sweet Transvestite” and Jack Dup won best live performance.

This year’s contest had a true show of shows quality with the addition of the glamorous and multi-talented The Indra, internationally renowned burlesque chanteuse, comic and siren, extraordianairre as “The Indro vs. The Indra”, a bi-sexual, bi-polar, half male, half female character, who presided over the festivities as Masters (and 1/2 Mistress) of Ceremonies, with studley genius gender illusionist, singer, songwriter and impresario Fudgie Frottage — both were on fire all evening! Fudgie and Indra possess a magical chemistry and timing that ranks with the likes of George Burns & Gracie Allen meets Sonny & Cher with a bit of Three Stooges and Marx Brothers thrown in..

Other high points of the evening included: Laurie Bushman’s awesome impersonation of Dog The Bounty Hunter, who presented Fudgie with a Certificate of Recognition from Carol Migden and The California Senate “in honor of your annual drag king contest that celebrates the diversity of genders and in appreciation of the creative performances that contribute and enrich San Francisco’s entertainment community; ‘70s stadium rock inspired band, Wood; special guest Bernerd Incrediballs, “ball manipulator” from Paris, France who is Frances answer to Howie Weenis; Jay Walker’s twisted tribute to Lindsay Lohan and the effervescent vocal stylings of faux queen, Anita Cocktail, with the beautifully costumed and choreographed burlesque troupe, Twilight Vixen Revue.

Simone DeLaGetto, Sister Roma and Animal were this year’s judges. “SFDK12 was fantabulous!” exclaimed DeLaGetto “All the participants brought their “A” game which made it a fun challenge for judging. From the out of town talent to the local favorites, it was my pleasure to be part of this event which brings out the entertainers and those who love to watch them.

Anna Conda of Crazy Horse was in the house, “what a sight for sore eyes — so many girls in drag and no attitude!(well, inappropriate attitude that is). It was a night of gender delusion like none I have ever seen. Sexy girl-boys that made me turn my head. In fact I still have a crick! The show, from live bands to the contestants never lagged, and it was the most fun I’ve had since I won Miss Trannyshack 2004! It represented the true spirit of San Francisco that has returned lately in full force!!

DragStrip Productions Executive and Artistic Director Lu Read outdid herself/himself with this event, the biggest and longest running drag king competition in the world, which was professionally executed and full of talent. I have seen a lot of stage shows over the years, and I can’t think of one that was done as well. It was tight and moved along at a perfect pace.

As Fudgie said “All of the contestants and performers are winners here at SFDK12.”

The dressed-to-the-nines crowd moved en masse to the after party at the Cat Club, featuring Chez Badunkadunk, SF’s best alternative strip club, where they lounged and danced till the wee hours.

This year marked a bigger, better, longer event with the addition of a Drag King Meat (sic) and Greet that was held Thursday at the Eagle (where the contest was first held back in ‘94). The “what the f*ckabilly band” Mighty Slim Pickens headlined. The drummer for the band, none other than Pete Sake himself! Also appearing were Animal’s new band: Animal Prufrock, R&B singer and rapper Kaylah Marin, rapper Cooley and Drag King Max Capacity. Friday’s festivities took place at everybody’s favorite dyke bar, the Lex, with a Good Boy, Bad Boi, Good Girl, Bad Grrl cocktail hour.

At press time most participants and audience members are still reeling and recuperating. For more information check out www.sfdragkingcontest.com.