CLUB SCENE:
SPIRITS (May 2005)

by Maryann McKinley

Sometimes it seems like there’s just too much competition in the world. Last week, I was invited to check out the show at Spirits, a fabulous club on West Street, near Fayette. Spirits is famous for the best drag show in Syracuse, and I managed to get myself out of the house early enough to snag a prime observation post. Since I wandered in before the evening really began, things were still quiet and relaxed, so I had a chance (notebook in hand) to look around and chat with some of the performers.

Spirits looks small and unassuming from the outside, but once you pass through that door, a whole new world awaits. Inside, Spirits is big enough to party the night away in whatever room suits your mood. You can relax in the bar or play pool if the mood strikes, safe in the knowledge that the best party in town is about to start just a few feet away. There’s a great open-air patio in the back where you can socialize under the stars. Paper lanterns and a romantic arbor make this the perfect place to wander once you’ve scoped out the club goers and chosen one to get a little friendlier with.

Spirits is definitely gay-friendly, but as the club began to fill in anticipation of the show, I found a mix of, well, everyone! Thursdays and Sundays are College Night at Spirits, so the crowd ranges from 21 to 51, girls and guys, straight and gay, punk and glam. This group is, more than anything, flexible. The girls started to mingle pre-show, so I grabbed the chance to get all the questions I’d been dying to ask in before they headed for the stage.

I’ve forgotten to mention the stage! Just off the bar and convenient to the patio is a large performance room, completely black save for the large monitor where you can see all the action from anywhere in the room. Additional monitors are stationed throughout the club, so you can watch the best selection of music videos I’ve seen lately; who needs MTV?

And once the show starts, the video feed switches over to the stage. You can catch the whole show from beginning to end, without ever having to brave the crowd.

With my assignment in mind, I prowled after the performers with pen and paper to get the skinny on the show. It was rapidly approaching 11:00, the witching hour for Spirits, so I had to hurry. First I met the extraordinary Felisha Vega, newly crowned Miss Gay Syracuse 2005. A petite Iman or curly-topped JLo, her face was perfect, with better makeup than I could manage even if I had days to prepare. Felisha was having a cocktail with Chardonnay, a black haired beauty with a shocking pink top and earrings to match. Jatia Sky (girls, forgive me if I misspell), who performs as herself, Gloria Estafan and others, strutted through the room in fire engine red thigh high patent leather boots, 6-inch heels, and the confidence of a Hollywood star. And now, case in point, my bad penmanship is rearing its ugly head. A really nice girl, whose name I can only translate with much chagrin as Mebrly Rose, took the time to get me familiar with the events and tell me a little about herself. I’ll be referring to her as M. Rose from now on.

The first thing I was dying to know was the universal question. The makeup, the hair, the costumes, the cleavage.how? and how long does it take to paint? Answers ranged from a short hour to two or three, and I have to say, I don’t appreciate being a girl nearly enough. I throw my hair up in a pony tail, blithely apply mascara in the car, and go about my merry way, while these clever and hard-working girls give their all to look better than I’ll ever. I made a vow to turn over a new leaf, just as soon as I remembered where my push-up bra was hiding.

The show was about to start, and I’ve barely introduced the rest of the cast. Poison Waters, the MC on Saturday night, was resplendent in gold curls and a red and black gown. She came by in a short jean skirt and 7-inch heels, looking like the image of Anastasia. Frita Lay, Thursday’s MC, started working the crowd. And I couldn’t keep the two Nikkis straight in my head all night. As the girls headed behind the black velvet curtains, latecomers jockeyed for position around the circular stage. I shamelessly used my somewhat dubious standing as a member of the media to wriggle into front row center as the fog machine began to work its magic. As they say in the big top, ladies and gentleman, turn your attention to the center ring it’s show time!

Spotlights came on, and Jenna Taylor emerged from behind the curtain, lip-syncing to ‘Since You’ve Been Gone,’ striking a Madonna-worthy pose as she ended. Nikki followed in a black leather jacket, lingerie, and clear Lucite heels, belting out ‘I Touch Myself’ with abandon, using the stage railing to get a leg up on the crowd. As the curtain closed, she shook her fine booty for all it was worth, resulting in a rain of well-deserved dollars. Out next was Chardonnay, her red snakeskin boots stealing the stage as she strutted through ‘Absolutely Not.’

Frita Lay came out to work the crowd into a frenzy, checking out which colleges were represented that night. Cornell got a yell, ESF had a representative or two, but hometown institutions SU, OCC and Oswego State practically shook the house down with their lusty catcalls. They don’t call this college night for nothing! Next up was my friend M. Rose (sorry!), tall and lanky, dancing to the driving beat of ‘Do You Love Me,’ cavorting around the stage, crawling sensuously to collect the bills thrown from the entranced audience. Next, Shea, Miss Charades 2003, shimmied out in black feather boa, thigh high boots with 7-inch heels, getting the crowd’s respect with ‘My Prerogative.’ The show carried on through the night, Shea returning in cheerleader pom poms and white patent leather boots doing Gwen Stefani’s ‘Holla Back Girl,’ and our favorite emcee, fresh in a black sequin top gave us ‘I Can’t Stand the Rain.’ Nikki came out in her kicky feather do, complete with bandanna top, denim skirt and a couple of beers for ‘Hell Yeah.’

These girls put on an amazing show, but at Spirits, but there’s always more. Fabulous Fakes night happens the first and third Saturdays of the month, with doppelganger outfits of the rich and famous absolutely mandatory. Got a thing for Cher? You’ll find her right here in Syracuse, and if you’re really lucky, she’ll spot you in the crowd, shimmy over, and grab your ...dollar bill. These ladies are incredible, so always, always tip!! And on Saturday, June 4, it’s the Mr. & Miss Gay Pride contest, where the prize is $200 and an appearance with the CNY Gay Pride Festival. This competition is open to drag queens and kings, so put your attitude on, and get up on stage!

As I left to straggle home in the wee hours, I was greeted by a line of 30 to 40 hopefuls shivering in the frigid night air that passes for a lovely Syracuse springtime evening. They had nothing to worry about — as soon as they were waved in, the temperature would shoot up into Bahamian ranges. But it was 1:00 and I was ready for bed, so I left the party to these diehard fans of the fabulously fun spirit inside. So when you’re ready for a laid-back cocktail or a show to rival the best of Las Vegas, point your feet to Spirits, located at 205 North West Street between Erie Blvd and Fayette. It’s easy to get to, and if you’re a smart cookie, you’ll get there early to get a jump on the parking, and on the line of hopefuls queuing up for the show. Call if you need to, 471-9279. Better yet, check Spirits out online at www.spiritstavern.com.