Florida Agenda

By Slate Jennings

Velvet Lenore is a Florida girl, beginning her career up the coast in West Palm Beach, and she still calls the place home to this day. To be a drag sensation in the Orchid City is no small achievement, since this is the place that’s a hop, skip and a bridge away from the mansions and blue bloods of Worth Avenue, the Mara- Lago Club, and the Biltmore. Very posh and very conservative.

Velvet got her start through another local ingénue of sequined gowns and bouffant wigs—the lovely Melissa St. John, who plucked her off the dance floor and (suggested through some sort of drag ESP) that Velvet had a future in female impersonation. The Diva of Palm Beach, as St. John is known, backed up her prediction with dress, wig, jewelry and music for Velvet to transform into Janet Jackson for a night–a debut that found her “scared to death.” The fright was overcome quickly enough however in the form of tips that very first evening. “I must say I did make a lot of money—and in cash,” Velvet remembers.

It’s been 19 years last month since that debut and Velvet has never looked back. “Even though it was all purely accidental, I had been trained as a dancer and I just took to drag.

First, through contests—I won Miss Hollywood in 1999, and then I went on to win Miss Illusion. Eventually, I began to do shows”—the last five of those years as a member of the popular Lips team of regulars.

“My career got a real push when I met Marvin Nathan at a little restaurant club called 502 that Gene Conti owned in West Palm Beach. It was one of my first jobs, and Marvin joined the show. He was already established in drag and he took me under his wing, giving me tips about improving my act. I’ll always love Marvin for that.”

Velvet performs from Melbourne to Fort Lauderdale, traveling to find opportunities to entertain. That job has become more involved now that she’s expanded her act to include a group of dancers whose intensity is nothing short of aggressive and whose talents are exceptional.

“I’ve always loved to dance, and I have my own dance group now (R. Nielsen, Krya Kennaugh, and Danny G.). These are a group of dedicated kids who give up there own time to rehearse for the love of dance,” Velvet says, obviously proud of her “babies.”

“I’m known as the Production Queen and for being on time,” Velvet says. “So when I come in, it’s a complete package.” The music, the choreography, the costumes—look out. Experience Velvet Lenore at Lips (2021 E Oakland Park Blvd.) in performance every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and see drag at its best.

Awards and Accolades for a PRIDE-ful Entertainer

By Dale Madison

Déjà Devonier is one of those high energy individuals who can keep everyone on their feet and clapping when she is on stage. Déjà won the “Miss Stonewall” competition, which was held on June 17 at Bill’s Filling Station in Wilton Manors, to celebrate the Stonewall Summer Pride and Twilight Parade.

Déjà isn’t shy about her reasons for getting into the entertainment business. “It was a twofold process,” she recalls. “First, it’s a true inspiration to get people into the show when you’re on stage.” She paused, before adding with a laugh, “And to be totally frank, the money.”

“Miss Stonewall was especially important to me for this celebration,” she says. “As you know, the police in New York for so long hassled the gay community, and then that fateful June night in 1969, the ‘sisters’ had enough. They held the police at bay for nearly 24 hours, and the police finally relented, and thus began what we now know as the Gay Rights Movement. They paved the way for us, and provided a forum for us to not live in fear for our lives, and our lifestyle.”

The entertainer had a firm strategy in mind for how she was going to win the Miss Stonewall gold. “I started out with a rainbow bathing suit, which I thought was appropriate considering it was PRIDE.

The suit was designed by the one and only Erika Norell. I decided early on that I was in this to win it. For my entertainment, I did the song ‘Fly’ by Rihanna and Nicki Minaj, and the crowd went wild.”

“My gown competition was sponsored by Torpedo Bar, where on Sunday it’s known as ‘Déjà Jams,’ and I serve as the host. The gown was a sweetheart cut designed by Sherri Hill, and was black and silver. For talent, I did Tina Turner’s ‘Fool in Love’ and, of course, ‘Proud Mary.’ She was a great inspiration to me growing up. I used to work in a small club, and started out doing ‘What’s Love Got to Do With It?’”

The entertainer has plans for her reigning year as Miss Stonewall. “I plan to promote awareness for the transgender community, and the illuswionist/ entertainment community. There are lots of people out there promoting the male gay community, but not so much with the ‘Tran’ community.” That doesn’t mean she’s forgotten her boy “sisters.” “I’ll be passing out condoms among gay men, as I am a member of this community, and I want to be out there doing everything that I can. I also want to represent South Florida at events at other cities around the state, and to show what we offer here in Greater Fort Lauderdale and Wilton Manors,” she adds.

As for Miss Stonewall’s other plans for her crown, and her next twelve months, “I also want to work on organizing next year’s pageant, as this is a very prestigious title. Many people don’t know that I am a competitive swimmer, and I want to qualify to the next Gay Olympics.” She is philosophical about herself and about the future. “The choices we make, shall dictate the life we shall live.”

Like the 1969 LGBT rights pioneers who have inspired her, the reigning Queen of the Gayborhood’s Stonewall knows there are challenges to come, both for herself and the LGBT community at large, but, in this too, she is philosophical. “It’s not what you go through,” she notes, “it’s how you come out of it.

By Alex Vaughn

Macaviti may not be someone you know just yet, but he is definitely someone you won’t forget. Bursting with creativity and avant-garde style, it’s not hard to see how he has managed to stay current and at the top of his game predominantly in Orlando and the Bay Area. Often referred to as a super Diva for his striking costumes and incredible performance attitude, Macaviti has managed to evolve from a drag performer to a recording artist. The Florida Agenda sat down with him to get to know the powerhouse a little better.

How long have you been performing in Florida?
Well if feels like a lifetime. However, I have been an entertainer for about 12 years now with many more to come. So all those wishing I would fade in the background … suffer … I have legendary perseverance and not planning on going anywhere but to the top.

When did you start performing?
Well my mom says I came out the womb with jazz hands; however, I started performing in Orlando in 2000. At first, I was just a club kid personality and would make outrageous outfits to wear out. I was always intrigued by the club kids in New York and remember seeing how extravagant and creative they were on the Geraldo and Joan Rivers shows. I always knew I wanted to be in the spotlight, but never thought about being a drag performer. Even to this day, I still don’t consider myself a drag queen. I just enjoy allowing my creative inspirations to craft my image. After going to a few parties, friends would ask me to get on coffee tables and perform. Before I knew it, I was gracing stages everywhere.

What do you enjoy most about performing?
The ability to create and influence people through my performances and music is a feeling that is unparalleled to anything else. If I can inspire one person to think as an individual and not like a herd of sheep, then my goals are definitely being accomplished.
I never set out to be an entertainer because I wanted to be popular or to fill some void I have socially. I perform because it is not only therapeutic for me. I do it because I simply have to, just as I have to eat and breathe.

Your costumes are mind blowing, what inspires you?
I‘ve always been a visionary. Even as a child, while my mom was sewing and cutting out patterns, I would take the scraps of fabrics and make my own outfits and perform for her. I just always  had a love for fashion especially high fashion. I often find beauty in the unusual or unconventional, and, like any other artist, my mind sees shapes and forms most other don’t see.

Have you ever wanted to try for a show like “American Idol” or “America’s Got Talent”?
Maybe not “American Idol” as I would be a ball of nerves amongst all the extraordinary singers. But best believe, if I had a voice like Whitney or Mariah, I’d be dangerous.

Many of my friends pressure me to audition for RuPaul’s Drag Race and to appease them, I have auditioned a few times already. It would be great to be featured on the show, but I’m not waiting for some casting agent to shine their light on me. I’m definitely on a path to take control of my own destiny.

How have all the positive reviews of “It’s Hot” helped in pushing your career further?
Well originally, I don’t think people were expecting me to transition to a recording artist. Most drag entertainers don’t seem to think progressively; to further themselves outside the comfort of the gay community. The focus is usually a pageant title or crown, and I was never content with putting myself on display for someone to make me feel admirable of a crown.

So when the opportunity arose for  me to record with my producer DJ Nineteen69, I took it and ran with it–not having a clue where it would take me.

Since the release of “It’s Hot,” I have received quite a bit of positive feedback from not only friends and well wishers, but other DJs, producers and artists. A few even are interested in collaborating with me on projects, so of course I’m ecstatic about that.

When I wrote “It’s Hot,” I never thought I could write a song. But because Nineteen69 kept encouraging me to tap deeper into my creativity, now I can’t stop writing.

Even though I think its going to take a while before people completely view me as a recording artist, this is just a very small step of great things to come.

Where would you really like to go in the future?
Right now the options are endless. It is just a matter of me pumping the gas and going full speed ahead. I am in the process of working on putting together a full-length CD and gathering producers willing to work with an independent artist.
In addition I could definitely see my self having my own talk show or taking my music on tour with a Cirque Du Soilel-style show.

Are there any disadvantages to working within the community?
As an entertainer, you make a lot of sacrifices. One of the biggest sacrifices is having meaningful relationships. I was one of the lucky ones who was able to maintain a relationship with my husband for seven years, although that did not come without a price.

Sometimes  you often feel torn between your personal life and your professional life.

That also goes for friendships as well.  Many times people befriend you because they want to get a piece of you or the “glamour” surrounding you, which makes it hard to figure people’s sincerity. I think sometimes with all flashing lights, there is a lot of smoke and mirrors which makes it had for both sides to see reality.

However I do pride myself on being honest with myself and I think if you’re honest with yourself that will help you maintain a sense of veracity.

When you look back over your career here, what’s the highlight?
I think the last few years combined have been a highlight from performing for thousands  at the Cherry Ball in Washington D.C. and
at Atlanta Pride.  However, I recently performed my track “It’s Hot” live at The Manor  in Fort Lauderdale. Knowing that the promoter Gary Santis has a reputation of only working with premiere entertainers, It was a complete honor to receive that opportunity from him. I’m not even sure if he remembers, but he gave me my very first headlining gig back in Orlando. So of course upon arriving at the club and seeing giant posters and ads of myself everywhere, I was like WOW! For the first time I think I TRULY felt like a star.

Now, what’s the biggest cringe moment?
LOL. The biggest cringe moment would probably be performing my track live for the first time at Revolution in Orlando on my birthday.

As I said before, this is a new step for me. For the first time that I can remember, I was extremely nervous thinking about how people would received me standing there with a microphone. Since then, I think I have more comfort with performing my own music rather than lip syncing someone else’s words. I find a huge sense of accomplishment knowing I now have the power to influence through my own music.

What effect has social networking had on your popularity and how do you think your show helps the community?
The era of social networking has had the most effect on my career. Through Myspace, I have often met promoters or club managers, and have negotiated gigs via the computer. Social networking sites have allowed me to reach an audience I might not have had the chance to and like every other opportunity in my life, I have used it to my advantage.

I think the community as a whole has already embraced cyber world for better or worse. I think it has definitely made people and places accessible that weren’t before. Many business and people have blossomed due to social networking. However, on the flip side, I think popularity of social networking had inhibited not just our community, but people in general, from physically interacting with one another. For social butterfly like me, going out to restaurants or clubs can be frustrating as I think as a society we are forgetting how to interact without a keyboard or phone in front of us.

So what’s next for Macaviti?
Of course, it’s in my nature to always keep everyone guessing. But in the midst of travelling all over performing for the masses, I do have new tracks coming out titled “All I Need” in November and “Pop That” in the spring … so stay tuned.

In the meantime, feel free to check  me out on my fan page at www.facebook.com/Macaviti and make sure you check out my new track “It’s Hot” on iTunes.