We’re sad to announce that legendary singer, dancer, actress and outspoken diva Eartha Kitt died on Christmas Day at the age of 81. How fitting for someone who was best known for her song “Santa Baby.” Her iconic purr as Catwoman on the campy 1960s Batman TV series, her sense of outrage against the Vietnam [...]
We’re sad to announce that legendary singer, dancer, actress and outspoken diva Eartha Kitt died on Christmas Day at the age of 81. How fitting for someone who was best known for her song “Santa Baby.” Her iconic purr as Catwoman on the campy 1960s Batman TV series, her sense of outrage against the Vietnam war and her fierce advocacy for GLBT rights and HIV/AIDS prevention will always endear her to our hearts. Will we ever have anyone quite like her again?
I had the pleasure of socializing with Eartha Kitt when I attended a benefit fundraiser for the Houston Opera in the early 1990s. After seeing her vivacious, incredible performance of most of her hit songs I somehow managed to crash a reception for Eartha where I spoke with her, at her insistence, in Spanish. I also watched as many of her long-time fans shared with her what she meant to them.
After that encounter, I would write to her and she would often write back, encouraging me to use condoms as she “wouldn’t anything to happen to my babies.”
Although from humble origins in South Carolina, a young woman Eartha Kitt auditioned for the Katherine Dunham Dance Company and then toured Europe and the Middle East extensively. Her career as a singer and dancer really took off in 1950, when she was cast in the stage adaption of Faust by Orson Welles, who discovered her in a cabaret show in Paris.
Orson Welles bit Eartha on the lip once while sharing a passionate kiss onstage. He later explained to her that “I had to [bite you.] You’re the most exciting woman in the world.”
Shortly after Jamie Foxx and Morgan Freeman won Oscars, she expressed satisfaction that black performers “have more of a chance now than we did then to play larger parts” in an online discussion at Washingtonpost.com in March 2005,
But she also said: “I don’t carry myself as a black person but as a woman that belongs to everybody. After all, it’s the general public that made (me) — not any one particular group. So I don’t think of myself as belonging to any particular group and never have.”
Because of her outspoken nature, Eartha got into hot water with Lady Bird Johnson and the FBI when she was invited to a Whitehouse Ladies luncheon. When asked by the First Lady “Why is there so much juvenile delinquency in the streets of America?” When it came to her turn to speak, Eartha said: “Vietnam is the main reason we are having trouble with the youth of America. It is a war without explanation or reason.” Re/Search #14: Incredibly Strange Music, Volume I (Re/Search ; 14)
After the incident Eartha was mostly banned from working in clubs in America and spend much of her time performing in Europe. Here is a photo of her taken by Jason Smith in Chicago in the late 90s.
During the late 80s and early 90s Eartha started performing again at the Plaza Hotel in New York City, where in my opinion, she recorded her best album “In Person at the Plaza.” You can buy it through iTunes here.
Christmas music connects us to a sense of childhood wonder bot it can also drive us mad!
On today’s special eggnog flavored Feast of Fools we’re taking you sleigh ride of crazy as we play for you some of the most insane, scary, offensive and over the top Christmas themed music.
We’ve got singing animals, fascist [...]
Christmas music connects us to a sense of childhood wonder bot it can also drive us mad!
On today’s special eggnog flavored Feast of Fools we’re taking you sleigh ride of crazy as we play for you some of the most insane, scary, offensive and over the top Christmas themed music.
We’ve got singing animals, fascist robots who want to wish you a merry Christmas, music by homeless people, drag queens, people who want to have sex with Santa and songs about why we love to be miserable during the holidays.
This show is not for children. It’s mostly in poor taste, but the second half gets a little raunchy, so please don’t let kids listen to the second half of the show.
If you’re looking for a good, cheap holiday last minute gift, why not buy all the music featured here and make a trashy Christmas mix CD for your friend?
This is our last live recorded show of the year, but we’ll still be posting regularly on the site lots of yummy goodies and classic podcast episodes you’ve probably forgotten about, or never heard. Thank you for a great 2008!
One of our favorite gays living in San Francisco is Curtis Jensen. Curtis loves the holidays- a lot! Every year he creates an over the top architectural rendition in gingerbread of a famous building. This year he’s recreated The Basilica Santa Maria della Salute in Venice in all her confectionery glory. Church never tasted so [...]
One of our favorite gays living in San Francisco is Curtis Jensen. Curtis loves the holidays- a lot! Every year he creates an over the top architectural rendition in gingerbread of a famous building. This year he’s recreated The Basilica Santa Maria della Salute in Venice in all her confectionery glory. Church never tasted so good!
Good drag queens are just like Christmas-
loud, tacky and over the top!
We’re so happy to have the award-winning drag queen, comedian and all around dirty bird- Jackie Beat for a very late night chat.
We caught up with Jackie before her very very late night performance at Berlin nightclub, where she wowed the crowd [...]
Good drag queens are just like Christmas-
loud, tacky and over the top!
We’re so happy to have the award-winning drag queen, comedian and all around dirty bird- Jackie Beat for a very late night chat.
We caught up with Jackie before her very very late night performance at Berlin nightclub, where she wowed the crowd that fought the terribley awful weather to see her all dressed up and perform in all her Christmas glory. How does the girl do a 40 minute set at 2 AM?
Jackie is best known for her over the top song parodies warping the hits of celebrities with razor-sharp satirical lyrics and her one-woman show “Jackie Beat Is A Whole Lotta’ Love” ran a record 18 months at NYC’s premiere cabaret. She has appeared several movies including Flawless with Robert DeNiro and the cult hit Wigstock - The Movie.
Jackie is a regular columnist in LA Magagazine Little Miss Know it All in which she berates the unsuspecting public. She is also a cruise ship performer and lead singer of the popular electroclash band Dirty Sanchez.
Listen as Jackie shares with us the moment she decided on her name, her friendship with comedian Roseanne Barr and surviving the success of her band Dirty Sanchez.
Giving you a ho, ho, ho for Christmas- Feast of Fools!
Featured Music:
Jackie Beat - JB is the Holiday Ho!: Site
Dirty Sanches: iTunes
Were you a good little boy, girl or intersexed child this year? If you were, you might be getting a visit from Naked Santa and the naughty Mrs. Claus!
On today’s show we have the always hilarious Deven Green, YouTube Comedy sensation, known for her videos as “Brenda Dickson - Welcome to my Home” and Betty [...]
Were you a good little boy, girl or intersexed child this year? If you were, you might be getting a visit from Naked Santa and the naughty Mrs. Claus!
On today’s show we have the always hilarious Deven Green, YouTube Comedy sensation, known for her videos as “Brenda Dickson - Welcome to my Home” and Betty Bowers, America’s Best Christian.
Deven is here to share with us her tips and tricks for making this holiday season jolly with some great gift ideas, recipes and color suggestions for decorating.
What is the true meaning of chirstmas? Is it love, peace, snow, gifts or murder?
Listen as Deven shares with us her Christmas list from A to Zed.
Obama responds to his controversial pick of Rick Warren to deliver the invocation at his inauguration.
Rufus Wainwright softens his rejection on the struggle for Marriage Equality. Originally he had said in an interview: “Frankly, if you want to marry a dog, why don’t you go ahead and marry a dog, I don’t care. I’m a complete libertarian and so I really disagree with it.”
Due to a mostly negative response from his fans, the Canadian gay musician responded on his blog: “I am not nor have I ever been opposed to anyone’s right to marry - straight or gay. I myself just don’t want to at the moment and feel a strong tie to the traditional bohemian concept of being a homosexual, ie: the last thing we want is to be like everybody else. But who knows, a girl likes options. Maybe someday I will want to marry!”
We love Ben Lerman so much we had to have him back!
He sobered up a bit since yesterday’s show and he’s ready to engage us about some fascinating news and social trends.
Who names their kids after fascist, racist dictators? Heath Campbell went to several cake shops trying to get his three-year-old’s [...]
We love Ben Lerman so much we had to have him back!
He sobered up a bit since yesterday’s show and he’s ready to engage us about some fascinating news and social trends.
Who names their kids after fascist, racist dictators? Heath Campbell went to several cake shops trying to get his three-year-old’s name written on a birthday cake. The only problem is his son’s name is Adolf Hitler Campbell. Heath says he wanted his son to have a unique name.
Before you think these are some weird racist people, the Campbells actually deny being racist, claiming they invited children of mixed races into their home for the birthday party. But would you let your child attend a birthday party for Adolph Hitler?
 Will Obama legalize pot? This week Pres. Elect Obama’s site Change.gov asked the general public what were some of their pressing issues and concerns they wanted the transition team to answer the most. The #1 question chosen by far by sit visitors was: “Will you consider legalizing marijuana so that the government can regulate it, tax it, put age limits on it, and create millions of new jobs and create a billion dollar industry right here in the U.S.?”
Sadly, their answer was no. “President-elect Obama is not in favor of the legalization of marijuana.”
Come join us this Sunday, Dec. 21 at the Annoyance Theater for the “Lerman Holiday” Special, with Ben Lerman, Cameron Esposito and Adam Guerino, hosted by Marc Felion and me, Fausto FernĂłs. Click here for the Facebook Group Event.
We also have fitness expert Ken Hunt, owner of Steel Gym in New York City, named the number one gym for it’s second year in a row by the American Fitness institute.
Ken’s talking about why the holiday season is a popular time for people to start working out, and some ideas on how you can get in shape and stick to your new fitness plan.
How do you start out? What are some common mistakes people make when staying in shape? What is the minimum amount of exercise you need to do in order to look like a body builder?
Check out Ken’s fitness tips on his website. Tell him you heard him on the Feast of Fools podcast and he’ll cut you a deal on your gym membership.
Plus, hot fresh ukulele music form Ben!
Featured Music:
Ben Lerman - Ukular Winter: MySpace | Site
Fausto FernĂłs sings a medley of tacky pop songs, Christmas music and his own original “Don’t Care What I Get For Christmas.”
If you live in Chicago, come see me sing the song live this Sunday at the Lerman Holiday Special.
Music recorded and sequenced by Taylor E Ross - Camera: Marc Felion
For a high-quality version [...]
Fausto FernĂłs sings a medley of tacky pop songs, Christmas music and his own original “Don’t Care What I Get For Christmas.”
If you live in Chicago, come see me sing the song live this Sunday at the Lerman Holiday Special.
Music recorded and sequenced by Taylor E Ross - Camera: Marc Felion
Did you know that many of the great Christmas songs were written by Jewish people? Mel Torme wrote “The Christmas Song,” Adolphe Adam wrote “O Holy Night,” Johnny Marks “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” and Irving Berlin wrote “White Christmas.”
As comedian and conservative pundit Ben Stein said “No one loves Christmas like the Jews.” [...]
Did you know that many of the great Christmas songs were written by Jewish people? Mel Torme wrote “The Christmas Song,” Adolphe Adam wrote “O Holy Night,” Johnny Marks “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” and Irving Berlin wrote “White Christmas.”
As comedian and conservative pundit Ben Stein said “No one loves Christmas like the Jews.”
On today’s show we have the hilarious ukulele rock star Ben Lerman, who just got back from Israel. He’s now in Chicago and getting into the Christmas spirit with a show at Annoyance Theater this Sunday Dec. 21.
“Lerman Holiday” will feature Marc and I along with comedian Cameron Esposito and comedian Adam Guerino in a non-denominational gay holiday romp of live music, comedy and videos.
If you live in Chicago, please join us on Sunday, Dec. 21 for “Lerman Holiday” at 8pm - $10 - Annoyance Theater - 18+ with ID. Click here for the Facebook Event.
Afterward, please join us for a beer! Think of it as a Feast of Fools Office Christmas Party and you’re all invited. Here’s a hint of what I’ll be doing.
Check out today’s sponsor: Gay, Sexy, Healthy- Lifelube.org
A blog on sex, drugs, physical, mental and
emotional health, spirituality and more.
Featured Music:
Ben Lerman - Ukular Winter: MySpace | Site
Who doesn’t love a little chocolate?
On today’s show we’ve got a guy who works with it every single day- chef Pedro GĂłmez. He’s here to talk about all things Chocolate: it’s rich flavor, the history of chocolate in Mexico and Pedro’s fascinating erotic chocolate sculptures.
We love to tease Pedro every year at the World [...]
Who doesn’t love a little chocolate?
On today’s show we’ve got a guy who works with it every single day- chef Pedro GĂłmez. He’s here to talk about all things Chocolate: it’s rich flavor, the history of chocolate in Mexico and Pedro’s fascinating erotic chocolate sculptures.
We love to tease Pedro every year at the World of Chocolate for making very erotic chocolate sculptures and we’re pleased to have him in house to discuss his love for all things chocolate.
Pedro is a self-taught, award-winning Executive Pastry Chef for Calihan Catering in Chicago. His extensive chocolate creations have received many awards and critical acclaim, and he’s a pioneer in the confectionery arts as a openly gay Latino man.
Did you know it takes over 150 lbs of solid chocolate to make one of his hunky human sculptures? We didn’t, but there is lot we discover about chocolate on today’s show.
Chocolate or cacao was originally a savory beverage reserved for the upper class. It wasn’t until the Spanish brought it back to Europe that it was processed into the product that we know today. Learn more about chocolate at Chicago’s Field Museum website.
Join us as we chat about a Shangai crackdown on people wearing pajamas out in public. Wearing pajamas in public indicates wealth but authorities think its too obscene.
At first I thought it was a joke that Asians wore pajamas out on the the street like real clothes but Pedro insists that he sees it all the time in Little Chinatown which is just down the street form where we live. I’m going to have to keep my eye open for that. Anyone want to go for a Dim Sum reconnaissance mission?
The Benny Hillifier website will take any youtube video and apply the Benny Hill theme song to it. It’s fun to hear the Yackity Sacks music with the video but it would be really great if the Benny Hillifier could also speed up the video like the real Benny Hill.
Christmas is the season for stalking hot men! Tracy loves to seek hunky men from her past on the internet, and sometimes it gets her into trouble. Some call it cruising, some call it social networking and others call it stalking.
Tracy also reveals how she once broke up with a guy by dumping [...]
Christmas is the season for stalking hot men! Tracy loves to seek hunky men from her past on the internet, and sometimes it gets her into trouble. Some call it cruising, some call it social networking and others call it stalking.
Tracy also reveals how she once broke up with a guy by dumping him off at a cruisy truck stop in the middle of nowhere.
Tracy shares with us some home beauty regimens — you can eat! Tracy is coming up with all sorts of natural beauty treatments, most of which are edible. Even if you may not be any prettier at the end of the procedure, at least your tummy will be full!
A Harry Potter exhibit at the museum of Science and Industry in Chicago this spring features props from the popular movie series. You’ll be able to gaze at Harry’s glasses, some magical brooms and other bewitching items starting April 30.
Also, the Museum of Broadcast Communications is going down the toilet after honoring fundamentalist radio personality James Dobson. The MBC board of directors voted to sell its half-finished building citing financial woes due to the economic downturn and alleged broken promises by Gov. Rod Blagojevich to provide funding.
On Saturday night, we went to the Chicago premier of the new film Were the World Mine, which is a very gay musical take on some of the elements of Shakespear’s A Midsummer Nights Dream.
The plot revolves around the gay outsider, Timothy, who is cast as the mischievous Puck in all boys production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The magic of Shakespear’s play allows him to conjure up a love potion that turns the town gay, including the straight jock he has a crush on. Of course, hijinks ensue with very sexy results.
For calling itself a musical, there really isn’t a whole lot of music in it but it’s still a delightfully cute romp nonetheless.
Listen as we chat about a Flint Michigan Man who gets his car stolen in an unusual way and the death of two entertainment legends- 1950s pin up pioneer Betty Page and Golden Age Hollywood hunk Van Johnson.
Check out our sponsors: Steamworks Gym, Sauna and Baths.
Visit Steamwork’s website and register to get a discount
on your next visit. Enter “Feast of Fools” on the promo
code field to get the special discount.
As Dolly Levi said, “Money is like manure. Not worth a thing unless it’s spread around, encouraging young things to grow.” With the economy the way it is, we all need to spread out the little monies we have to help our economy the best we can. And there are ways to support the arts [...]
As Dolly Levi said, “Money is like manure. Not worth a thing unless it’s spread around, encouraging young things to grow.” With the economy the way it is, we all need to spread out the little monies we have to help our economy the best we can. And there are ways to support the arts without mortgaging your home.
In a recent trip to Los Angeles, I found a lot of great ways to have fun at the theatre. First of all, the Center Theatre Group has addressed tough times head on by offering hot tix to certain performances for $20. This collection of live theatres always have high-end touring Broadway shows or even some terrific Broadway-bound productions. If you act quickly (as it closes Dec. 21), you can catch “The Little Dog Laughed,” which won a Tony for its lead actress Julie White, who is in the LA production as well.
This is a gem of a show about a closeted movie star who gets caught with his hands in the cookie jar (or actually in the arms of a male hustler). But the story really shines with the acid-tongue, fast-talking, riotous White as his agent who is the one who really holds nothing back. White’s performance and the witty dialogue of Douglas Carter Beane are worth the price of admission. (more…)
Just because the economy is in the bidet doesn’t mean that you can’t have any fun.
On today’s show we have America’s lovable gay concierge Kevin Thomas, sharing his ideas on how to save money during this economic downturn and support the arts all at the same time.
Cheap great shows to see in San Francisco, Chicago [...]
Just because the economy is in the bidet doesn’t mean that you can’t have any fun.
On today’s show we have America’s lovable gay concierge Kevin Thomas, sharing his ideas on how to save money during this economic downturn and support the arts all at the same time.
Cheap great shows to see in San Francisco, Chicago and New York. In San Francsico it’s the all-drag queen live version of the Golden Girls, starring Heklina as Bea Arthur and in Chicago, Amy Armstrong’s Christmas Show is available now for free. Listen for details.
We talk with Kevin about his love for Barbara Streisand, her greatest hits, her biggest bombs and why the Way We Weren’t Wasn’t.
Over a hundred people marched in downtown Chicago on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2008 carrying rainbow flags or hand-lettered signs as part of “Day Without a Gay” a national rally day in reaction to California’s voter-approved ban on gay marriage last month.
CLICK HERE FOR ALL THE PHOTOS FROM THE PROTEST
Here are some [...]
Over a hundred people marched in downtown Chicago on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2008 carrying rainbow flags or hand-lettered signs as part of “Day Without a Gay” a national rally day in reaction to California’s voter-approved ban on gay marriage last month.
On today’s show we’ve got one Chicago most influential internet people, Andrew Huff, editor and publisher of Gaper’s Block, a Chicago Centric Online Magazine.
A gaper’s block, for those of you