Welcome to Madame Kymara's "13 Questions and Gallery Sideshow "

 People are always asking us to write a book that would capture the wild tales of people, places and "things" we encounter on the road while producing our shows.  So, we have finally decided that the time is right to transcend the bonds of live performance and embark on a sideshow of the written word.  We are appearing here on the Ovation site and on other sites around the globe. Please join us for a look into our world of Happenings, music, food, pop culture, fashion and design. "13 Questions" is the result of correspnndence with infamous and not so famous figures who have agreed to an interview of "off the cuff" questions which take less than ten minutes to answer. What we discover will astound you.

 Our "Gallery Sideshow" begins...  en route to New York City... The Leslie/Lohman Gay and Lesbian Art Foundation (26 Wooster Street, New York), which boasts one of the most important collections of Gay and Lesbian art in the world, is now a museum!  Bravo!  During our first visit, we were met with a fabulous display of art that sometimes caused Madame Kymara to blush. Nonetheless, we were compelled to investigate further and found a most unusual selection of sculpture, paintings, jewelry and photography which draw us back again and again. The museum staff's joie de vivre makes each visit a delightful experience.

 This much needed change in status from a foundation to a museum now provides arts-related education and and an accurate and respectful history of gay art.  Hats off to those who work tirelessly to preserve creations that would otherwise be destroyed.  The Museum, which was co founded by Charles Leslie along with his partner, Fritz Lohman, houses one of the world's most important collections celebrating human sexuality. A visit to New York City is not complete without checking out this wonderful museum - www.leslielohman.org

  Mr. Michael Musto, is a well-known fixture in New York City.  He is the legendary author of the Village Voice column, "La Dolce Musto" and blog, "La Daily Musto."  He has several books to his credit, including the newest, Fork on The Left, Knife in the Back (Vantage Point Books, 2011).  He has recently been named one of "Out" Magazine's "Most Influential LBGT Personalities" of 2011.  During one of our festivities at the infamous Chelsea Hotel, several audience members clamored around us gushing  a panicked "he's here, he's here". A  frightened silence fell over the room.  Since we had never met this legend, we were in a bit of a tizzy.  However, a proper introduction, we discovered one of the most pleasant and unassuming people we have ever met on our journeys.  We did have occasion to cringe, however when we later learned that the dear man was solicited on the street by some n'er do well's trying to sell him a very odd movie. It seems only fitting that we inflict our "13 Question's" upon Mr. Michael Musto, one of New York City's most celebrated figures.

1)  Madame Kymara: What is the best way to handle a knife in the back?

     Michael Musto: Pull it out, wash it off, and call the cops.

2) Madame Kymara: Fondest Memory?

    Michael Musto: I was so happy in the womb! Even without cable!

3) Madame Kymara: Most Enchanting Place in NYC?

    Michael Musto: A deli near my house that has a $6.99 lunch special.

4) Madame Kymara: Sweetest reward?

    Michael Musto: Gaining respect after all these years. There's a delicious feeling of "I was sort of right!"

5) Madame Kymara: Worst Punishment?

    Michael Musto: The silent treatment. I give it all the time. 

6) Madame Kymara: Unwind Much?

    Michael Musto: Never. I don't even know what that is.

7) Madame Kymara: Fashion Faux Pas?

    Michael Musto: Wearing a Ronald McDonald suit to Andy Warhol's funeral. I thought everyone was going to dress up and celebrate his legacy.

    But people wore black and acted dour.

8). Madame Kymara: Biggest Ego Trip?

     Michael Musto: Demanding approval on these questions!

9) Madame Kymara: Lowest of the low?

    Michael Musto: My bad movie club. We have such fun watching big stars crash and burn on screen.

10) Madame Kymara: Tawdry Temptations?

      Michael Musto: Donuts! They're sitting near me right now, taunting me like Satan.

11) Madame Kymara:Taboo Topics?

      Michael Musto: There aren't any. I'm open about everything, so everyone else should be too. The truth will set us free.

12) Madame Kymara: Record Highs?

      Michael Musto: A tie between Janis Joplin and Amy Winehouse.

13). Madame Kymara: What's next?

      Michael Musto: If I knew that, life would be excruciatingly boring. The fun would be in finding out.

Have a question for Madame Kymara? Contact us... Kymara@kymara.com. Check back frequently for more tales from the road.