Christeene Is Set To Return To Chop Suey…And, Some Folks Are Having A Hissy

August 19, 2015• byMichael Strangeways

“Drag Terrorist” Christeene is set to return to Seattle’s Chop Suey in October but some activists aren’t happy about it.

SOME folks are thrilled about the announcement that CHRISTEENE, the Austin Texas best self proclaimed “drag terrorist” and performance artist is embarking on a tour this fall which includes several West Coast stops, one of them being at our own Chop Suey on October 9th. The “America’s Most Wanted” Tour kicks off on September 30th, in Minneapolis, and will feature several appearances where Christeene will open for beloved alternative music star PEACHES. Other stops for Christeene include the Oasis in San Francisco and Euphoria in Portland Oregon.

Christeene is the ragged, haggard on stage persona of artist Paul Soileau who has won fans worldwide for Christeene’s larger/skeezier than life personality that deliberately comments on identities of sexuality, gender, race and socio-economic stratas of society.

But, not everyone is a fan.

Within hours of the Facebook invite for the Christeene show at Chop Suey being posted, an angry thread appeared condemning the performer, the gig and the venue.

That was the opening salvo in a war of words between organizers/fans of Christeene and the gig and those who feel less kindly about the performer who is accused of transphobia and racism. (As well as referencing the objection to Chop Suey’s name; some activists oppose the name for objectifying Asians and cultural appropriation.) Another comment on the thread:

Seriously. Fuck this show and fuck CHRISTEENE’s unimaginative, “shocking” performance built on the backs of trans women of color and the stereotypes that get them murdered.

The thread continues with similar accusations as well as defense of Christeene as a performance artist.

The October 9th Christeene appearance is being billed as FIX MY DICK a queer dance party with DJ Matt Stands and Mr. Sister. It’s a co-production between Bearracuda, the popular bear themed dance party, and Mo Wave, the Seattle queer arts festival who are currently putting together their next festival scheduled for November 13 & 14 at Chop Suey.

We’ve reached out to both Bearracuda and Mo Wave for comment.

About the Author: Michael Strangeways

As the Editorial Director/Co-Owner, Michael Strangeways writes, edits and does about a million other jobs for Seattle Gay Scene, Puget Sound's most visited LGBTQ news, arts and entertainment website now celebrating its 14th year as a media outlet. A semi-proud Midwesterner by birth, he's lived in Seattle since 2000. He's also a film producer who would like you to check out the Jinkx Monsoon documentary, "Drag Becomes Him" now available on Amazon.com. In his spare time, he gets slightly obsessive about his love for old movies, challenging theater, "otters", vodka, chocolate, "I,Claudius", Lizzie Borden, real books made out of paper, disaster films, show tunes, Weimar era Germany, flea markets, pop surrealistic art, the sex lives of Hollywood actors both living and dead, kitties, chicken fried steak, haute couture and David Bowie. But, not necessarily in that order.