Interview with Jinkx Monsoon: Host for the 7th Annual Academy Awards Party at Seattle Cinerama

We are in the high season of award shows and this Sunday two great local organizations are teaming up to present an Academy Awards Party: Gay City Health Project and Three Dollar Bill Cinema. The party is this Sunday, February 26th beginning at 4pm where the VIP guests will enjoy special hors d’oeuvres, a no-host bar, and free champagne as well as receiving special reserved seating for the Academy Awards broadcast. The general admission guests will get the chance to walk the red carpet at 5pm where they can grab some light bites and cocktails while taking in the big show. Everyone will have the opportunity to take part of the Oscar Boy Raffle for a chance to win a fabulous 5-star resort getaway in sunny Cabo, plus two other great local locations. This event is a 21+ soiree and general admission tickets are $30 and VIP are $65. All Three Dollar Bill Cinema members will receive a $3 discount. You can still purchase your tickets, here.

To get you all prepared and ready for this great party, let’s check in with the host, Jinkx Monsoon about the upcoming party and what’s new and hot in the artist and performer’s life…

Jinkx Monsoon schmoozing with the boys and girls at last weekend's Seattle Red-Dress Pre-Party at The Broadway Grill. A girl has to get her research done somehow for The Academy Awards Party, right? Photo by Tim Harmon Photography.

B.Michael Peterson: Condragulations! You are the host for The Academy Awards Party, presented by Gay City Health Project and Three Dollar Bill Cinema. How much convincing occurred in the negotiation process?

Jinkx Monsoon: There was very little convincing needed, I assure you. They are both fantastic organizations! I’ve had the chance to work with Three Dollar Bill Cinema before, and their very own Rachel Brister and I go way back.  Gay City just happens to be where I go to get my routine screenings. I am a huge advocate for safe sex awareness and STD prevention ever since my days working in the all ages nightclubs, promoting sexual responsibility and awareness in the shows that I’d host. So when they asked me to host this glamorous event, I leapt at the chance!

B.Michael Peterson: Is the show this year going to be the same old boot, or will there be glitz, glamor and flair and what can we expect from the show and from your magical talents as the drag hostess?

Jinkx Monsoon: This is the first year that they’re having someone play the role of the “Mistress of Ceremonies” to guide the night along and keep you all on your toes with running commentary about the Oscars and of course about the commercials. I hope to bring my own special brand of dry wit and jaded opinion to our viewing of this auspicious event. I will also being delivering a special cabaret performance for the VIP guests who arrive early for the special pre-show reception. I’m certain it will be an entertaining and hilarious evening.

B.Michael Peterson: Have you been watching RuPaul’s Drag Race? Who are your top three queens and what do you think about the season four cast?

Jinkx Monsoon: I have been watching and I’m loving the fourth season so far. It seems like Ol’ RuPaul is definitely trying to top herself this season with the challenges we’ve seen so far. My favorite contestants are Sharon Needles, Chad Michaels, and Latrice Royale. When it comes to drag, I’m always a big fan of individual style, professionalism, and personality, and these three definitely have all of that.

Having fun on Friday and Saturday nights at Le Faux is one of the highlights of Jinkx Monsoons life.

B.Michael Peterson: How long have you been the host at Le Faux? And how are you getting treated by the club? Like Royalty?

Jinkx Monsoon: I’ve only been the host of Le Faux for under four months, but so far it has been a blast. I can tell you, it is a top notch drag show with top notch drag talent in it. I have so much fun working with the cast and crew there, and it sure beats whoring myself out each month. Just kidding of course. But I wouldn’t say they treat me like royalty, rather like family. It is a family run business and each of the performers are like extended family members. We each work very hard on the show, whether we’re on or off the stage, and we all take pride in a good night. So, I’d say they treat me like that crazy drunk aunt who likes to tell long winded stories and inappropriate jokes. And for instance, Robbie Turner and myself have discovered that we are long lost drag sisters, separated at conception.

“We were tube drag babies”

B.Michael Peterson: Your best friend, Jerick Hoffer, recently performed “Spring Awakening” at Balagan Theatre. Tell us how he perceived that experience and would he do it all over again?

Jinkx Monsoon: I have it on good authority that Jerick Hoffer was ecstatic to have worked on Spring Awakening with Balagan Theatre. It was a new type of role for the actor, but by the time the show was closing, he could hardly wait for a chance to play the role again. Luckily the Balagan Theatre will be remounting the show with Jerick Hoffer returning to the role of Moritz, in April. It will be performed again at The Erickson Theater Off Broadway, and you can get info and tickets at www.balagantheatre.org.

B.Michael Peterson: Why should people come out for the Academy Awards Party?

Jinkx Monsoon: I don’t know about you, but for me, the only thing better than watching my favorite TV show, is watching my favorite TV show with friends. Throw some booze and appetizers in the mix and a floozy drag queen comedienne on a microphone, and THAT’S a good time!

B.Michael Peterson: Is it hard to challenge yourself as an entertainer?

Jinkx Monsoon: It is hard to challenge yourself sometimes when you start to become comfortable with the same old schtick. All performers are different, but for me, I start to get restless. Of course, I have songs and routines that I’ve been doing for years, but there’s nothing like creating a new act. It’s thrilling to constantly be trying new things. That’s why I continue to work in a variety of performance fields even while I am a resident at Le Faux. I continue to work as an actor, with Spring Awakening and also RENT at The Fifth Avenue theater, both on their way.

I also work on a web-show with my comedy partner, Nick Sahoyah, which can be found on Funnyordie.com under Monsoon Season. In other news, I’m continuing to work with my musical partner, Richard Andriessen, on our show “The Vaudevillians.”, which will be returning to the cabaret stage at a new residence, hopefully this March.

Singing out her heart and living life everyday as an artist and performer. Now that's what an artists life is all about. La Vie Boheme!

B.Michael Peterson: Can comedy come out of joy or must it always come out of sadness or pain?

Jinkx Monsoon: In my world, everything has the potential to be funny. Joyful things, painful things… It’s all about how you view it and if you’re able to take an objective stance on the situation. Just as long as we’re all laughing together, and occasionally at ourselves.

B.Michael Peterson: How do you feel about stardom, Jinkx? Are you made for the big stars?

Jinkx Monsoon: When I was a child, I dreamt of being a big star. I truly believed that I would be world famous someday, but nowadays, that doesn’t seem so important. What’s important to me is getting to live my life as an artist, and making my passion my work. I have never wanted to be anything other than an actor and performer, and each day that I get to do that is a day well spent.

B.Michael Peterson: Finally, what is your opinion on bars 86ing drag queens for no apparent reason? Should entertainers lash back against bars or establishments that treat such fine creatures of the night with such disgust?

Jinkx Monsoon: This is a topic I’m not too familiar with, but I should hope that bars and venues are only banning people who are causing legitimate trouble, and not just discriminating against people they don’t like. I think the rules of respect and common curtsey apply to everyone, even gorgeous, glamourous, fishy bitches. If one wants to be called a queen, one should act with civility and grace. As long as my sisters out there are carrying themselves like ladies, and the doormen out there aren’t being ignorant pricks, then we should all be able to get along just fine.