INDY'S WEEKLY ALTERNATIVE NEWSPAPER HIGHLIGHTING ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT AND SOCIAL JUSTICE

A winter drag

Talbott Street Winter Ball
Talbott Street Bar
Thursday, Jan. 27

The success of last fall’s drag ball at the Talbott Street Bar was something of a surprise to organizer Steve Garstang. “It was a big hit,” he said. “I think the venue really helps. People seem to want to dress up. I saw people come out of the woodwork I hadn’t seen in ages.”

So when Brent Eskew told Garstang that he was planning a Winter Ball at Talbott Street with Inventions That Rock Promotions, Garstang, an uber-successful stylist, jumped on the opportunity.

“I always say fashion is social, political and economical. It plays into everything, and this presents a good mix of cultures. Whether you say you’re punk, rock, glam, whatever, everybody wants the same thing: to have a good time. It’s going to be that kind of show.”

The Talbott Street Winter Ball will take place Thursday, Jan. 27, beginning at 9 p.m. Admission is $7.

The event, hosted by local drag legend Vicki St. James, will feature The Jabs, Sx Cap10 and Seven Degrees from Center. “There will also be a number of surprises,” Garstang said. What these surprises are remains to be seen, but he insinuated that there would be some guest appearances, and suggested some interesting art and sculpture might appear, as well.

Ross Neu of Seven Degrees from Center gave his perspective on the event: “It’s a different venue, and not the typical head-banging show we normally participate in. Usually when I’m on stage it’s a sort of therapy. I expect more play, and back and forth energy with the audience in this show. Plus, because we’re dressing up, I’ll get to become a character. It’s a different release.” Neu and other band members are getting to dress up in style thanks to hair by Emmett Cooper and makeup by Naieem Abdool of PAINT Cosmetiques.

Neu added that because some of the proceeds are going to charity, the event had even more appeal to him and the rest of the band. Justin Allen of The Jabs also noted that Winter Ball was a charity event, but grinned and teased that one of the biggest reasons he was participating was “because the phone rang.”

A raffle for various prizes and gift certificates will take place, with some of the proceeds going to Habitat for Humanity. It is expected that Habitat for Humanity will use a great deal of the money to aid tsunami victims in restoring housing.

Playing dress-up is expected of all in attendance.