Starlight, Star Bright

October 14, 2009

6:00 AM

by Tiana Finney, SFR Intern

At right, Guava Chiffon as Barbara Streisand sings "My Man" from

Funny Girl

Scary Bitches drag show

9 pm

Saturday, Oct. 17

Reservations: 428-7781

$10-$15

Thriller dance party

8:30 pm- 1 am

Saturday, Oct. 24

$10

Pumpkin carving contest

5-7 pm

Thursday through Friday, Oct. 29-30

Free

SilverStarlight Lounge at RainbowVision

500 Rodeo Road

428-2840

RainbowVision

's Scary Bitches drag show, performers have their own distinct brand of allure, but their beauty is more than skin deep. Behind the long eyelashes, high heels and sleek dresses, there is a story to be told and an art to be acknowledged. RainbowVision's Internal Operations Director Linda Krauss says that aside from pure fun, she hopes drag show goers will come away with “an appreciation for the real artistry behind true, professional drag. It's an art.”

At left, Victoria Vail and Natasha Sin perform "Popular" from

Wicked

In the spirit of the season, the concept behind the show is to feature performers that are “scary or fierce.”

Scary Bitches promises a good time and should command an impressive following. RainbowVision's last drag show was a sold-out event, where dozens had to be turned away. “When you see the show, you'll understand why,” Krauss tells SFR.

Victoria Vail, a performer and the main organizer of the show, labored to create the delightful confection of costumes, sets and personality that is Scary Bitches. “We try to go all-out for the audience,” Vail says. Not only is the audience treated to a night of lively entertainment, but guests are also given the satisfaction of knowing that part of the show's proceeds benefit the

Southwest Care Center

, an organization that provides AIDS education, care and testing.

The following Saturday, RainbowVision hosts a Thriller Halloween dance party that pays subtle homage to Michael Jackson. Into the wee hours, the house rocks, monster-style, with go-go dancers, music by DJ Oona and a spectacular wall of sound. Last year, the turnout at RainbowVision's Dark Knight Halloween dance party was close to 400 and attracted people from all walks of life. Be not afraid that the dance floor might cramp your style; you will have not one, but two dance floors. And when you're ready to up your game, enter an audience-judged costume contest to show off your ghoulish duds. True to the thrill of giving, the party benefits Equality New Mexico, an organization that combats discrimination and fights for the rights of the LGBT community.

At right, Taffy Shalamar performs "Big Blonde and Beautiful" from

Hairspray

Take a break from drag queens and monster wanna-bes to pursue artistic endeavors on Thursday, Oct. 29, when RainbowVision presents its annual pumpkin carving contest. Carvers take a knife to pumpkins they have brought themselves. “They go from simple to the most outrageous, creative pumpkins,” Krauss notes. On Friday, the contest concludes with a viewing, where attendees pay a dollar per vote for their pumpkins of preference, also to benefit the