Section One
Friday,
March 25, 2005
Volume 33,
Issue 12
Sat, Nov 21, 2009
IN THE SGN
SECTION ONE
Front Page
MORE/ALL
SECTION ONE
STORIES
SECTION TW0
Arts & Entertainment
Shaka Stripped Bare |
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| Shaka Stripped Bare | ||
| ISCSORE Princess looks back on jam-packed year
Holding one Drag title is difficult; holding three of the biggest over a three-year span is almost impossible. Just ask local female illusionist and celebrity Shaka Kwan. Stepping down as the Imperial Sovereign Court of Seattles (ISCSORE) Imperial Princess XXIX next Saturday, April 2, shes done just that, continually reigning with at least one major title since 2002. Miss Gay Seattle, Miss Gay Washington and now Imperial Princess, the diva, known for hosting the amateur strip show every Thursday night at R-Place, still finds shes not necessarily ready to take a break. I recently sat down with the seemingly-everywhere performer and we talked about things ranging from her strip show at R-Place, the current state of ISCSORE and what its really like to hold three high-profile title in such a short period of time. Sara Michelle Fetters: As I said to Patrick, your title partner Imperial Prince XXX, before our talk, congratulations on completion of your year. How are you feeling about the past 12 months? Shaka Kwan: Its been a bumpy ride with a lot of high points and its fair share of low points. Still, I feel I have grown a lot in these past 12 months. It was definitely a coming of self type of year with so much going on. Having two jobs, doing volunteer community work, being single for the first time, getting my last name tattooed on my birthday and gaining new friends into our family, amongst a plethora of other significant events; its been a lot to deal with. SMF: For those that dont know, what exactly is an Imperial Princess? Where does she stand in ISCSORE hierarchy? What are her duties? SK: An Imperial Princess, to me at least, is a youthful and vibrant counterpart to the Empress. I like to consider her kind of like the Vice President of the Drag world in the Imperial Court System. The Princess is second only to the Empress of the city. An Empress is the leader and the Princess is her right hand maam. I believe her duties are to be an assistant to the Empress while, at the same time, having fun. A successful year as Princess is not based on how much money she raised during her year, but by how many people she has touched along the way. Making a difference in peoples lives is not always monetary. Sometimes its just a smile and a, How are you doing? SMF: I ask this of everyone so Im going to continue here, but, why is The Court of Seattle still relevant? In a year of such great change and with the seemingly declining state of Drag, does ISCSORE still matter? SK: The court is relevant because it continues to raise funds for other nonprofit organizations, like POCAAN, Lifelong AIDS Alliance and Locks of Love. Drag has always played a vital role in the Gay community. Sure, Drag is not as popular as it used to be because the style and taste of Drag Queens has shifted over the years. But looking back, Drag Queens have always been at the forefront of Gay Rights Movements as spokes models and community leaders. [ISCSORE] has actually been around long before Ru Paul made it trendy to wear womens clothing, and even preceded Stonewall. And, besides, without Drag Queens who would entertain all the Gay boys at the bars? SMF: Youve held a lot of titles over the past few years, Miss Gay Seattle, Miss Gay Washington, Imperial Princess and others. Having done so much and been so involved, have any of these titles found their way nearer and dearer to your heart than any of the others? SK: No, they all have a place in my life that fits a different piece of the puzzle. I was honored to reign with Efren Chacon as my Mr. Gay Seattle who is now my coworker at POCAAN in the YES Project, a LGBTQ Youth program that focuses on Communities of Color. Its been great working so close with him again, especially on a project so important to the GLBT community. As a Miss Gay Washington I was blessed to reign with dear friend Dan McKnight as my Mr. Gay Washington. Throughout our year we traveled with his partner Jenu-Wine Beauté (at that time Empress of Tacoma) all over the Northwest and West Coast, going as far down to San Francisco (my hometown) to represent Washington state. And then there has been this year as Imperial Princess I have had great deal of fun hosting the ASS show at R-Place. All them menz, getting all nekkid and dancing up on a pole Its so, I dont know, FETCH! (Ok, ok, Ill stop trying to make fetch happen) Its so JUICY! I luv it, I Luv It, I LUV IT! Im 50-years old (not!) and I LUV IT! SMF: I guess that answers my question on how the amateur strip show is going. SK: Like I said, the ASS is going well. I get dolled up, prance around stage a bit, crack a few jokes and get to see hot men strip. The best part is I get to do it every week! I like hosting because I go out and do what I like to do best, and that is to entertain. I know the audience is there to see the contestants strip, so all I have to do is try and make sure the audience and strippers have a good time in the process. Of course I have fun, but it can get a little stressful at times, especially trying to come up with a new song and outfit to match every week. Sad to say I dont always succeed. But I have fun doing it and thats the most important thing. SMF: What are your plans after you step down on April 2? Do you find yourself staying involved so thoroughly or do you plan to step away and take a break for a while? SK: Its always hard to take a step back, everyone knows that. To be honest I dont see myself [doing that]. As much as I would like to take a vacation from Drag, there will always be someone pushing me to do more and there are most definitely a lot of people I want to do more for. Sure, Im going to definitely shift a few priorities around, but I dont think that change will be anything too dramatic. SMF: Looking back, what makes you smile the most in regards to your year as Imperial Princess? SK: I would have to say there are two main things: Thinking of all the good times I had with the people, I met, talked to, hung out with and grew with, and then theres all the crazy stupid stuff, too. Good times. Of course, what probably makes me grin and chuckle the most was the years irony. Trying to act like you have your stuff together when really youre just like everyone else, a little lost and unsure of yourself and not really knowing your full capabilities. In some ways I did have it all, but it sure didnt feel like it. It was that type of year where you would get one part of your life together while another unraveled, and once you overcame one hump there was an even bigger mountain hiding behind it. I guess, in a way, I really did have it all, just not all at the same time. The great thing is, however, that I have grown more and have had more opportunities this year than any thus far. If you asked me five years ago where I would be at the end of those five years I would have never imagined my life the way it stands now. Someone is definitely watching over me. SMF: Any advice for the candidates running for Imperial Prince and Princess this year? SK: I never really like giving advice. Still, I do have some words to consider. Simply, with whatever you do in life, please make sure you respect, love and are happy with yourself. How can you enjoy life or love another if you arent happy, dont respect or cant love yourself first? Your mood definitely affects all aspects of your life and it seeps out like osmosis. People can tell whether you are happy or not. Whether it is a job or an [ISCSORE] title, when you are happy life is definitely more fulfilling. Life is what you make of it so have fun! SMF: Any final thoughts? SK: On a lighter note all I have left to say is, I am Shaka McKwan, top of the morning to ya! Much love to Baby Jesus and the FBC Remix! Holla! Halla Bak! Kaballah! |
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 GENERAL GAYETY Leslie Robinson |
 LESBIAN NOTIONS Paula Martinac |
