Milton is Burning set at Revival House Jan. 19
"Everybody wants to make an impression, some mark upon the world...You don't have to bend the whole world. I think it's better to just enjoy it!" So said female impersonator Dorian Corey, one of the stars of "Paris is Burning," a groundbreaking documentary chronicling New York City's drag scene in the mid- to late 1980s and the featured film for this month's Revival House, set to begin at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 19, at the Milton Theatre.
“Milton is Burning," hosted by local drag legend Magnolia Applebottom, promises to bring together music, art and film for an evening of unrivaled fabulousness.
On the walls
Award-winning commercial and fine-art photographer Steven Billups will showcase some of his best artistic nude photography. Since graduating from San Jose University, Billups has worked both as a professional photojournalist and an artistic photographer since the early 2000s. His work has been the feature of several solo exhibits including Nassau Valley Vineyards and The Upper Crust. He said working with the nude figure is a natural extension of his portraiture, although he finds figure studies among the most challenging forms of photographing people. "Working with the human figure is one of the oldest forms of art," said Billups, who creates classic, tasteful and original images in collaboration with his models, often placing them in natural, outdoor settings.
On the stage
Hostess for the evening is Magnolia Applebottom, a fixture at the Blue Moon, Purple Parrot and Milton Theatre drag shows. Magnolia had a guest appearance on an episode of the Bravo show "Real Housewives of Potomac" and was featured in photographer Leland Bobbe's portraits of drag performers both in and out of makeup for "Vogue Italia." She most recently hosted a sell-out holiday event at the Milton Theatre and will return to the Revival House to entertain guests with comedy and song.
On the screen
"Paris is Burning" zeros in on the New York City "ball culture" of the underground LGBTQ community in which participants compete for trophies and prizes by strutting their stuff on the catwalk. Last year, the film was selected for preservation by the United States National Film Residency, being culturally, historically and aesthetically significant. Since its release in 1990, the film has accrued countless awards and remains a portrait of remarkable Americans, many of whom have since died, and their impact in shaping the culture of the Big Apple.
Attendees will be in for an evening of fierce, fashionable fun at this month's Revival House. Cost is $10 ($5 for students and seniors). For more information, go to www.miltontheatre.org.
