How do these things happen?

I'm exhausted. Last night had to take an antihistamine for allergies and I'm wiped completely out today. I definitely need a disco nap because I'm going out to The Cinch tonight for Anna Conda's weekly drag show Charlie Horse . Tonight's theme is "Lost In Translation" a tribute to 4AD band The Cocteau Twins. This should be a fun and obscure show since nobody really know what the heck Liz Fraser is singing anyway. DJ Bear Z Bub is on the decks, Juanita Fajita's taco stand will be serving it up, and the best mix of wackos in the city converge on the NO COVER night. Drink up kids! Show at Midnight.

I guess I'll sleep sometime later.

Follow up: The show last night was a lot of fun. After a hazy disco nap, I met my friend Joseph at his place in West Oakland, got on the bridge and headed over to the Polk. Arrived fairly early for a midnight show, so had a bite at this corner diner which was so depressing and scary, I dare not honor it by mentioning it's name.

The Cinch was not full, but a comfortable crowd started to gather on the patio and around the bar. As the show neared, we snagged a spot on a bench across from the stage that is most likely against some zoning ordinance or civil code.

Anna Conda started and introduced the show and the reason she wanted to do a Cocteau Twins interpretive drag show; because for her growing up in a Midwestern conservative area, she would listed to their music while her Christian parents would rant on about her sinning. And if she smoked just the right amount of grass, she thought she could understand what Liz was singing. Not so. In a pale satin blue and chocolate brown evening gown, with a wig twisted and wired to appear like roots of a tree she lip synced maniacally to "Pandora."

One of the best numbers was La Monistat's incredibly dreamy interpretation of "Pearly Dew Drops Drops" which is one of my favorite tracks. In a mass of white tule and plumes, a white face, and gauze wrapped head, a white parasol top for a hat and crystal blue fairy lights about her neck, she gesticulated frantically in a whirlwind of confetti snow blown by a fan. Her number brought loud cheers and awe.

One of the next performers, "Downey" recreated a number she'd done a couple of years ago at a 4AD tribute night (the record label the Twins are on). Her funky, bizarre rendition of "Sugar Hiccup" included a bowl of cheerios topped with a box of sugar, some M&M's candy, some grape soda or something similarly sugar-laiden. After a few spoonfuls for herself, she offered up tastes to the audience.

One of the most brilliant performances was a queen in a black and gray mohawk wig, a sleek red and black boustier who juggles three red chifon scarves. Even with the bouyancy of the fabric, it was clear that she knew how to juggle. The airiness of the performance matched the lilting nature of the song.

A few other numbers in between, and a Cocteau Twins "name that song" trivia contest, it was back to the punk/new wave grind from DJ Dirty Knees. Other things happened but having got to sleep at 4:30AM and up at 9AM to start the day, it's just not that happening.