Two words immediately come to mind when describing local gay entertainer, writer and drag personality, Donnarama (real name, Vince Pincente). The first is eclectic. With personal interests ranging from Egyptology to the very best in bad horror film's, this comedic genius has been making a name for herself since her humble drag beginnings in 1997. Since winning her first major drag competition, the Coor's Light Queen Of Halloween title, (which landed her on the cover of Xtra magazine in 2004), she has been consistently and successfully raising the bar with her outlandish and sometimes controversial performances and impersonations (everyone from Madonna to Amy Winehouse), humorous and reflective articles and varied side projects.
Which brings me to the second word that embodies who and what Donnarama is. Accomplished. It seems there isn't an aspect of Toronto's Arts and Culture scene that she hasn't made a mark in. Some Highlights of her illustrious career thus far include;
- Has won numerous local drag titles including Miss 501, The Queen of Grapefruit and
Queen Of The Tubs- Awarded with a Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual, Transgendered Youth-Line Award in 1998 for her contribution to gay arts and culture
- Contributed numerous articles to Canadian gay publication, Fab, including a much talked about 2005 interview with 'Garbage' front-woman, Shirley Manson
- Showcased by NOW Magazine in the 2006 article, '200 Reasons Toronto Rocks'
- Appeared on CBC's 'The Hour With George Stroumboulopoulous', in a comedy skit, impersonating Barbra Streisand
- winner of 'Drag Idol 2007', an 8 week competition and annual fundraiser for the Toronto People With AIDS foundadion, claiming the largest drag pageant prize in Canada
- Voted by Xtra!Magazine readers as 'Best Drag Performer' in 2008
- Creator of many Toronto Pride Parade floats for the TTC (Toronto Transit Commission), including her well recieved 'Pricilla, Queen Of The Desert' themed bus in 2008, which paid tribute to the classic, Australian-made film of the same name
Recently Donnarama, 'The Queen Of Props' was kind enough to answer some questions. So here, for the first time, is the 'GayGeek Online' Questionnaire with the fabulous Donnarama.
GG O. Name...
D. Donnarama
GG O. Age...
D. 31
GG O. Hometown...
D. A Toronto,Ontario original
GG O. My Earliest Memory Is...
D. Crawling on all fours like a cat in a parking lot outside my mom and dads business. I escaped through the front doors. I could see my mom coming through the door about to get upset and I very clearly remember hissing at the top of my lungs at her and her startled reaction. {Laughs} I'm convinced I was an old wise cat in an previous life... or just possessed.
GG O. I Got My Start...
D. I started off doing a contest at some old bar on Yonge Street here in Toronto, a talent contest. I entered wearing a wedding dress I stole from Goodwill and did 'Army Of Me' by Bjork. Somehow I won even though I had a beard and absolutely no make up on. I was radically different than anyone and I was thrilled to see being different actually worked in my favor. I found home.
GG O. The People That Inspire Me Most ...
D. Inspiration comes from the people that move my heart and tickle my imagination. Anyone from Madonna, Barbra Striesand or Bjork to film makers like David Cronenberg, John Carpenter and John Waters. I want to cry, laugh and scream. I value the artists that do that to me. I love political people and especially love fearless artists.
GG O. For Those Who Know Who I Am...
D. I'm grateful and lucky to be an artist and make a living doing it. I'm truly doing stuff I want to in my life and it's an incredible privilege. I love all the people I've met along the way, we were supposed to meet, for better or for worse, there is no such things as coincidence and I thank you for changing my life and making me pause to think, consider and learn.
GG O. For Those Who DON'T Know Who I Am...
D. I'm a hard working homosexual and some sort of space alien drag queen, I'm not too sure where from though, maybe Planet Pantyhose or one of it's orbiting moons where leopard print and polka dots are the norm. I love comedy and try to bring inspired and creative ideas to the drag scene, in which I have been performing for over 12 years now.
GG O. I Feel Most Beautiful...
D. When I'm in red lighting. HAR!
GG O. They Need To Outlaw...
D. Anyone or anything that harms or corrupts wild life or animals. I love them so much, it breaks my heart and I can't stand it.
GG O. I'm Addicted to...
D. Egyptology, ufology, Tim Horton's coffee and the original Prom Night... Jamie Lee Curtis is the Queen! I've watched that movie over 500 times, I'm sure. Now THAT'S an addiction.
GG O. The Thing That Angers Me Most...
D The human race, humanity. Why the hell don't you people stand up for anything? Why don't you use your brains? You'll let people suffer so long as your ass is covered and that's fucked up and wrong. I have absolutely nothing but contempt for the unnecessary hell that's created, embraced and imposed. Stop fearing and start learning and loving. You are very lucky to be here and you better start appreciating it and the magic around you.
GG O. Celebrity I'd Have Wild, Crazy, Monkey-Sex With Is...
D. Probably Sting. He's just beautiful inside and out. I'll be his "Roxanne' any day.
GG O. The Song I Just Can't Get Out Of My Head Is...
D. 'Good Vibrations' by The Beach Boys
GG O. You Can Usually Find Me...
D. Sifting through thrift stores and bargain bins, staring at the stars or singing in the rain.
GG O: Can You Tell Us About Any Future Performances You're Working On?
D. I'm building a giant lion for Nelly Furtado's 'Maneater', working on a Judge Judy number and creating an astronaut outfit with something absolutely alien and creepy underneath, wheee!
GG O. Closing Thoughts...
D. Thank you for having me! I hope you catch my shows but not my crabs and if you're wondering when you see those shows, if I was up all night making those costumes, props and mixing the music... I was... so tip me, you cheap bitches.
You can catch Donnarama's knock out performances at Buddies In Bad Times Theatre (10:30 PM, Saturday nights,12 Alexander Street, 7$ cover), on stage with Georgie Girl at Woody's (11 PM, Sunday Nights, 465-467 Church Street, no cover) and at Grapefruit @ Fly Nightclub (2nd Friday of the month, 8 Glouchester Street, check website for show times and prices). She is also part of the team bringing you this Autumn's issue of the Pink Pages (where she'll be contributing an article, collaborating on the look and appearing on the cover) and writes a regular gossip column entitled 'Queen On The Scene' for Xtra! Magazine.
I Love her.. She is truly Toronto's major talent. Way to go GGO..
ReplyDeleteHow does one describe Donnarama ? I'd say ceative, has stage versatility (she do anything from Courtney Love to Aretha Franklin and it's always frantic and fanatastic), she's cool (hates being called a diva but is a diva is an approachable non uptight way!), very original (she'll never just impersonate... she'll add and add and add), she's so wacked lol but yet so kind ! If you want to talk about Halloween in July she's your queen ! Nobody can compete with her ability to move an audince to laughs and falling on their asses ! She is the Carol Burnette of Toronto's gay drag, with her sidekick Georgie Girl - her Sunday show is the highight and night cap of our fabulous weekends ! Toronto is lucky to have her ! ROCK LOBSTER ! )
ReplyDeleteI love her,absolute love!
ReplyDeleteshe's awesome
ReplyDelete