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Chrissy Tashjian of Philly's dangerous dance rock band Dangerous Ponies ' the subject of a recent John Vettese interview ' filed this report from GayBiGayGay, a queer music festival in Austin. Her bandmate Sarah Green took all the great photos and did the video, too.
Dear Friends and Readers,
Five days ago my band, Dangerous Ponies, and our good friend and acoustic performance artist Dave End, embarked upon what will total a seven-day/eight-night tour to play GayBiGayGay, Austin's queer spin-off of SXSW. After playing four very different and exciting shows, breaking bread with new and old friends, seeing America shift from sparse, chilly and green, to plush, warm and mountainous, then balmy/flat and flowery we left our show in New Orleans to pull a sleepy eyed coffee filled-all nighter through the marsh lands of Louisiana.
After our 10-hour overnight drive in our overly stuffed, underly comfortable 1993 tour van (Mama Cass) we found ourselves on the front steps of Hazey Fairless' Ranch home in Austin Texas where they were preparing for a mighty festivus of a day.
Walking into the backyard we passed four hot pink OUT houses, which really set a precedent for the day. The stage was set up and decked out in plaid and spraypaint, put together with various found objects including fencing, and golden branches. To the right of the stage was a bands-only garage for equipment, and next to that some fabulous volunqueers were setting up a station for grilled pizza, 4 kegs of local beer, and an espresso shot stop for refueling. A porch containing the merch of queer bands from all over the country was attached to the back of the house, and a face and body painting table was being readied where your imagination was the only limit to your body decoration. So far this festival was screaming of what it really means to be a well-organized D.I.Y-ER.
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As the event was getting under way Bitch magazine showed up to give a shout out of support and away we went. Kicking off the day was Austin's very own BTOX who did a socially charged spoken word performance. Then it was our turn to play. Lynn the stage manager/sound person was incredible, and got us set up and ready in no time. The event had just started but the reception was amazing. People filtered in, spread out their blankets and started dancing with our tambourine totin', singing and dancing hype duo Brooks A. Breakdancer and Sarah Green Wolverine.
Following us, Polka Dot Dot Dot took the stage. Three of America's biggest sweethearts, a magical trio of step dancing, ukelele playing, banjo slinging minstrels whose three-part harmony could melt the coldest of hearts. After being wooed by the musical stylings of Polka Dot Dot Dot I took a breather and walked around the yard eating grilled pizza, drinking some solid Austin local brew, and recharging just in time for our tour mate, Philadelphia's own queer acoustic performance artist Dave End.
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All associations aside, if you haven't seen Ms. End perform yet, your missing out, BIG TIME. So make it happen. Dave played a five-song set in five different outfits, starting out in a purple-tentacled piece he made himself with a song about body positivity and self-love. Then he picks up the accordion and with much witty banter sweeps you into a piece from his musical in progress, Fabulous Artistic Guys Get Overtly Traumatized Sometimes (or F.A.G.G.O.T.S The Musical). Dave End's performance is bordering on vaudeville, it's comical, it's queer and political and in all respects all-inclusive. Before you know it you've entered the Bea Arthur portion of the performance where, decked in a gray-sequined dress, Dave shares with you the tale of his best friend and gossip co-hort named Sophie, the golden retriever he safely stashed all his secrets with growing up in an all-boys catholic school. By the end of the set you know all about Dave End's imaginary boyfriend Josh, how to positively combat street harassment, and how a gem is born through a rough and tumble childhood.
As the day went on, the space was PACKED with people from all over the country. A roaring fire was started in the corner of the yard that went well into the night. I got to meet the likes of so many good folks including queer people, radical fairies, trans folks, allied friends, farmers and city dwellers from so many backgrounds and walks of life that traveled all the way to Austin Texas to be a part of this amazing day. I would say it was a major success, and as the Ponies would say: All's well that ends with a dance party.
Lovelovelove.
Chrissy Tashjian
Dangerous Ponies
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