(OUTscene NW) RE-view: The 2013 Metropolitan Fashion Week!

by Eddie Walker

On April 13, 2013, Metropolitan Fashion Week (Bellevue-Seattle) held it’s Closing Gala at The Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum in downtown Seattle, WA.

The show opened with Mily Lu’s “Navigation Girls”. She styled them to look like walking Chihuly art pieces, as they strutted the runway wearing her latest shoe creations from the Milylu Design - 2013 Collection.

The “Navigation Girls” were followed by Women’s & Men’s Swimwear. The women wore designs by Niveen Heaton of Adicora Swimwear. With neon being the primary color palette of this collection, it had a very ‘go-go girl’ feel to it. Luckily, the designer paired earth-tone colored, azulejo prints with neon solids, which toned down the brightness and youngness of the designs, making the swimsuits more wearable for a more sophisticated lady. The men wore swimsuit designs by UnderU4Men. And I didn’t see one men’s swimsuit that I didn’t like.

(EDDIE's TAKE) RDR Episode 11 Season 5!

by Eddie Walker

For episode 11 of RuPaul’s Drag Race - Season 5, titled “Sugar Ball”, we are left with the final four competing for the title of America’s Next Drag Super Star. Two are from my original top three picks, Roxxy Andrews and Detox, who have both had to lip-sync for their life. The other two are my underdogs that surprised us all by sailing through the competition without having to lip-sync for their life once, Alaska and Jinkx Monsoon. One of my original top three picks and one of my underdogs ended up having to battle it out at the lip-sync. Who they are will surprise you. Who ended up winning the lip-sync will surprise you even more.

(EDDIE's TAKE) RPDR Season 5 - Episode 10!

by Eddie Walker

After watching this week’s episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race, I can now tell you who I want, and who I feel deserves to be both America’s Next Drag Super Star and Miss Congeniality. And it’s not even one of my top three picks. It’s one of the under-dogs, CoCo, Jinkx, or Alaska. By the end of this episode, one of these girls shined bright like a diamond, and one of them turned out to be a piece of coal, needing more time to grow into the future diamond she can possibly be, possibly.

Episode 10 of RuPaul’s Drag Race - Season 5, titled “Super Trooper”, paid homage to gay men in the military. Being fit is the one universal requirement for any man to be in the military. So, for the mini-challenge, RuPaul sent the girls through a mock boot-camp, where they were exercised to the point of exhaustion by Los Angeles fitness trainer, Storm. The girl who could exercise for the longest would be the winner of the mini-challenge. It ended up being Alaska, surprisingly.

(EDDIE's TAKE) RPDR Season 5 - Episode 9!

by Eddie Walker

In this week’s episode, RuPaul said, “There is nothing sadder than the tears of a drag queen.” But I beg to differ. I can think of one thing that’s sadder, and that’s watching one of your top three picks sashay away. I almost wept when they gave my girl her walking papers, but it was the right decision. I’ll get to which girl it was in a minute.

Episode 9 of RuPaul’s Drag Race - Season 5, titled “Drama Queens” had the girls test out their acting skills. For the mini-challenge, the girls had to compete in “The Crying Game”, where the girls had cry on cue for some made-up reason. The two girls with the most heart-felt cry would be named the winners. RuPaul named Alyssa Edwards a winner, along with Detox. Detox cried the most authentic tears, which she pulled off by remembering when she found her lover dead from a drug overdose two years earlier.

As the winners of the mini-challenge, Detox and Alyssa Edwards were made team captains and had to pick teams to compete in the main challenge. Detox got the girl group, “Ro-Laska-Tox” back together, leaving Jinkx Monsoon and Coco Montrese to join Team Alyssa.

For the main-challenge, each team had to act out a scene in a Latin telenovela-styled TV show starring heart-throb, Wilmer Valderrama. Neither group gave a commendable performance as a whole. However, each group had one girl that just stole the show. Those girls are Alaska and Jinkx Monsoon.

(EDDIE's RE-view) RPDR Season 5 - Episode 8!

by Eddie Walker 

Episode 8 of RuPaul’s Drag Race - Season 5, titled “Scent of a Drag Queen” definitely made it obvious who this season’s ‘true professional’ is. And it’s not who you think it is, but I’ll get to that in a minute.

The mini-challenge for this episode was silly. But I enjoyed watching it nevertheless, and wouldn’t be against similar programming on the show in the future. That said, for the mini-challenge, RuPaul had the girls play her version of Memory called “Watcha Packin?” The girls had to match two male models out of a group of 22 wearing the same Andrew Christian
briefs. Many of the girls couldn’t stay focused watching these shirtless male models drop their trousers to reveal packages in all shapes, sizes, and colors. Hell, I couldn’t even stay focused. One girl paid attention more than the others, that girl being Ivy Winters. As the winner of this week’s mini-challenge, she got to make a phone call home.

(Eddie's RE-view) RPDR Season 5 - Episode 6!

by Eddie Walker

Titled, “Can I Get An Amen?”, Episode 6 of RuPaul’s Drag Race - Season 5 had the girls, literally, singing for their lives. It all started with the mini-challenge, where the girls had to apply their makeup in the dark. When the lights came on, not one of the girls could say they looked presentable. Detox, however, could say she looked acceptable. And so did RuPaul, declaring Detox the winner of the mini-challenge.

For the main challenge, the girls had to record a “We Are The World” styled video, titled “Can I Get An Amen?” wearing their best 80s look. As the winner of the mini-challenge, Detox had to put the girls into three teams. In a very calculated move, Detox teamed Alyssa Edwards and Coco Montrese together to sing Verse One; Ivy Winters, Jade Jolie, and Jinkx Monsoon together to sing Verse Two; and Alaska, Roxxy Andrews, with herself to sing the Bridge.

(EDDIE's RE-view) RPDR Season 5 - Episode 5!

by Eddie Walker 

It’s “Snatch Game” time. In Episode 5 of RuPaul’s Drag Race - Season 5, we see a return of our favorite part of the competition, “The Snatch Game” - a TV game show where the girls give there best celebrity impersonations. A couple of the girls gave stellar performances that I think Meryl Streep might even give a nod to. But I’ll get to that in a minute.

The episode started with the mini-challenge, where the girls created red-carpet looks out of Snuggies. Of the three categories (i.e. Zebra, Giraffe, and Fuschia), Detox, Roxxy Andrews, and Alyssa Edwards were declared the winners, respectively. Out of all of the girls, these three have the most fashion-sense, the highest taste levels, and the ability to put a fashionable look together out of nothing, effortlessly. I almost guarantee that one of them will be America’s Next Drag Super Star. But, you never know. Last season, Sharon Needles, considered by many to be the dark horse in the competition, came from behind to win the title. After watching the girls play “The Snatch Game”, a dark horse may win the title again this season.

(Eddie's Re-View) How Rupaul's Drag Race Season 5, Episode 4 made Herstory!

by Eddie Walker

This week’s Season Five - RuPaul’s Drag Race episode is definitely one for the history books. Never before has there been a double-elimination, until now. The ‘lip-sync for your life’ performances by both girls definitely warranted a double elimination. And I’ll tell you why in a minute. First, let me tell you how it all went down.

The girls had to dance for their lives in this week’s episode titled “Black Swan - Why It Gotta Be Black”. For the mini-challenge, the girls competed against each other in a Soul Train-styled dance-off. RuPaul declared Coco Montrese and Jinkx Monsoon the winners of the dance-off. As the winners, they were made captains and had to pick the teams for the main challenge where the girls perform the ballet of RuPaul’s life called “No Rupologies”.

(EDDIE's VIEW) RECAP: Rupaul's Drag Race - Season 5 - Episode 2 !‏

By Eddie Walker

This week’s RuPaul’s Drag Race had the girls lip-syncing for their life for the entire episode. For the mini challenge, the girls had to lip-sync to RuPaul’s songs (Tranny Chaser, Lady Boy, and Peanut Butter) with only their mouths visible. RuPaul named Serena ChaCha, Detox, and Ivy Winters the winners of the mini-challenge.

For the main challenge, the girls had to lip-sync to spoken word by recreating some of our favorite moments from Drag Race episodes of seasons passed. The girls were broken up into three competing teams, with the winners from the mini-challenge being named the captains of each team.

The judges declared ‘Team - Ivy Winters’ the winners of the main challenge, and named Lineysha Sparx the ‘best in group’ which she totally deserved for her performance as Tyra. However, I think Alyssa Edwards out lip-synced them all with here rendition of Shangella. The judges definitely spoke the truth when they said Alyssa played Shangella better than Shangella could. Alyssa gave us the right body language, the right dramatic facial expressions, and a flawless lip-sync. If her team captain, Serena ChaCha, wouldn’t have given us the worst lip -sync of all the girls, I’m sure Alyssa Edwards would have been named the winner.

(EDDIE's view) ReCap of RDR Season 5, Week 1!

by Eddie Walker

RuPaul’s Drag Race Season Five has finally arrived, with fourteen queens all fighting to be America’s Next Drag Super Star. And after watching the first episode, I think there’s a strong possibility we may see our first ever plus-size Drag Super Star crowned. But I’ll get to that in a minute.

As is the custom, the first episode opens with the ‘meet & greet’, and ‘controversy & drama’. This season’s big controversy is Alaska (29 - Pittsburgh, PA). Alaska is partners with Season Four winner, Sharon Needles. And in my opinion, Sharon Needles is the only reason she’s a contestant on Season Five. After watching Alaska through this first episode, I can see why the producers never chose her to be a contestant four seasons in a row. It’s no big secret that both Sharon and Alaska are recovering addicts. And it’s obvious that Alaska is heavily medicated. Lithium probably, maybe Xanax, but definitely something. Alaska’s entire demeanor is dry and muted, lacking that sparkle I see in every other girl on the show. Alaska is definitely this season’s ‘mercy’ contestant.

(OUTscene NW) Coverage of Bellevue Collection’s Front Row Fashion Show!

by Eddie Walker

On September 29, 2012, I had the pleasure of attending the Bellevue Collection’s Front Row Fashion Show sponsored by Vogue, and benefitting the Moyer Foundation.  And let me tell you, with the tiered seating, you could not find a bad seat in the house.  The lighting, the music, the models, the fashions, it was all fabulous. Well, not all of it, but I’ll get to that in a minute. The show was hosted by Anne Vincent of Vogue and Style Icon, Lawrence Zarian.

(OUTscene NW) Eddie RE-views 2 Gay Films at SIFF, 'Remington and Curse of the Zombadings'; 'Prime Time Soap'!

by Eddie Walker

The 38th Annual Seattle International Film Festival is here. It will be running from May 17 - June 10. I had the opportunity to pre-screen and review two gay films that will be showing this weekend.

The first, ‘Remington and the Curse of the Zombadings’ (directed by Jade Castro) is a definite hit with me. The film is a crazy, campy, comedic, horror flick that definitely can not be mistaken for a B-movie. I had my suspensions. I thought, ‘not another gay zombie movie’. Instead, I was happily surprised with an original storyline and plot, terrific acting, and the fiercest Filipino voodoo drag queen I ever did see.

(OUTscene NW) "Ten More Good Years. Do You Have Them?"

by Eddie Walker

On 3/19/2012, I went to a screening of ‘Ten More Good Years’. It was held at the Seattle City Hall. The event was organized by Aaron McCartney, and sponsored by SEqual and the City of Seattle LGBTQ Employee Association. After the screening, there was a panel discussion. The panelists were Michael Jacoby, (Director of ‘Ten More Good Years’); Mac McGregor (Seattle LGBTQ Commissioner); Louise Chernin (GSBA President); Brad Hoover (Seattle DSHS Rep.); and George Bakan (Editor of The Seattle Gay News).

(OUTscene AMERICA) Eddie's RE-view of the RDR Finale!

by Eddie Walker

RuPaul’s Drag Race (Season 4) ended with the ‘reunion’ episode. This episode was like none other you’ve ever seen before. It was recorded in an L.A. theater with a live audience. The opening number was a dance routine performed by all of the contestants. And may I add, there were two queens that caught my eye the most - Ms. Jiggly Caliente & Latrice Royale. I don’t know who did their styling, but they look like they paid some money for their looks. The whole event was definitely a grand spectacle to behold. However, I like the old format better. It was more intimate and heart felt. Nevertheless, it was a good show.

(OUTscene AMERICA) RE-view: Eddie's Take on Week 13 of RDR!

by Eddie Walker

Last week’s episode (12) was RuPaul’s Drag Race’s Season 4 recap episode. I didn’t even watch it, because I haven’t missed an episode and I hate re-runs. This week’s episode (13), the queens fought to the death, leaving only one. And America’s next Drag Super Star is…No, wait. RuPaul didn’t name a winner, or even a top two for that matter. She pulled a fast one on us, and decided to withhold who the winner is until the reunion episode next week. I’m not mad at her. She’s just trying to keep those high ratings for one more week. That’s okay though. After watching this week’s episode, I already know exactly how it’s all going to go down.

(OUTscene America) RE-view: Eddie's Take on Week 11's RDR!

by Eddie Walker

In this week’s episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race (Season 4/Episode 11), everybody was a ‘BITCH’, literally and figuratively. For the mini-challenge this week, each contestant had to create a ‘Bitch Fest’ puppet show, where their puppet was a fellow competitor who had to be dragged up in their likeness. This mini-challenge is similar to the ‘reading’ challenge. The only difference is they had to create ‘bitchy’ banter, instead of just having to ‘read’ a bitch.

(OUTscene America) RE-view: Eddie's Take on Week 10's RDR!

by Eddie Walker

Didn’t I tell she was coming back? At the end of last week’s episode, RuPaul announced that a banished queen would be returning to the competition. It was my hope that ‘the chosen one’ would be Kenya Michaels. She’s young, fresh, full of fire, and she left way to early. Lo and behold, the bitch returned. I knew it had to be her. None of the other queens, with the exception of Willam, could compete against the ‘Final Fab Four’. This is how it all went down…

This week’s episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race (Season 4/Episode 10) was the DILF episode. DILF meaning ‘Dads I’d Like to Frock’. To start with, the mini-challenge was giving a teddy bear a makeover. Kenya Michaels was winner of the mini-challenge.

(OUTscene America) RE-view: Eddie's Take on Week 9's RDR!

by Eddie Walker

There was no big surprise how this week’s episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race (Season 4/Episode 9) ended. However, there was a dramatic twist added at the end that no one saw coming. Here’s what happened. As you know, we’re down to the ‘Final Fab Five’ (Chad Michaels; DiDa Ritz; PhiPhi O’Hara; Sharon Needles; Latrice Royale). The mini-challenge for this episode was to design a pair of platform heels inspired by a flavor of Absolut Vodka. PhiPhi O’Hara was the winner of the mini-challenge. I’m not sure what she won. It would have been nice if it was a case of each of the flavors of Absolut Vodka, but I don’t think that happened.

(OUTscene America) RE-view: Eddie's Take on Week 8's RDR!

by Eddie Walker

This week’s episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race (Season 4/Episode 8) was downright sickening.  Literally.  Last week, I was shocked to see Willam in the bottom two with Jiggly.  This week, I’m absolutely horrified to see her ‘sashay away’.  And it’s not because she puked (off-stage thankfully) while the judges were giving their critiques.  Nor was it because she was in the bottom two again.  Willam’s performance was polished as usual, and she ended up being named one of the winners of this week’s main challenge.  I’m really not sure what happened, but I can tell you how it all went down.

This week was the ‘Frenemy Episode’.  There really wasn’t a mini-challenge in this episode.  What they did instead was have all the girls take a lie-detector test to get to the “T”, if you know what I mean.  For this week’s main  challenge, the girls had to compete as teams.  The results from the lie-detector tests were used to decide who would be teamed up together.  It ended up being complete opposites on teams together.  Willam and Latrice Royal were teamed up together.  Then Chad Michaels and DiDa Ritz paired up.  And last but not least was PhiPhi O’Hara and Sharon Needles on a team together.  Talk about a match made in Hell.

(OUTscene America) RE-view: Eddie's Take on Week 7's RDR!

by Eddie Walker

Episode 7 of RuPaul’s Drag Race (Season 4) is definitely the most shocking episode so far.  For the mini-challenge, the girls had to “read” each other.  Personally, I hate the “reading” competition.  I think it’s a cruel ‘mean girl’ game, but still, ‘reading’ is a necessary skill if you want to play in this league.  However, I’m sorry say but, every last one of the girls’ ‘reading’ skills left me not impressed.  ‘Reading’ is all about timing, delivery, and cleverness.  All of the girls were off on all counts. 

Latrice Royal was named the winner of this week’s mini-challenge, and it really could have been any of them because they were all mediocre.  I’m glad Latrice won, because I don’t think she has won anything in the past, and I can’t see her winning anything in the future. For the main challenge, the girls had to create a “Dragazine” cover, along with a look for the runway.  This week’s winner was none other than Phi Phi O’Hara.