Happy Birthday!

The next 30 days are going to be incredible.
The lead-up to my 41st birthday are some of the best!

More to come too folks. I am vibrating with good energy and hope that you can share in some of my joy at some of the following events. I've had some really incredible things come my way recently and well, you'll just have to wait until I can announce some of them. The following is a list of things I CAN announce.


October 25th:
CSC Photo Club. The Center for Sex and Culture, San Francisco, CA.
This afternoon I am modeling for this photo club. I can't wait to see the pictures that come from these burgeoning photographers. For more information about joining this club, please go to: www.sexandculture.org


October 25th:
A Witches' Brew. The Stud. 399 Ninth Street @ Harrison in San Francisco.
5pm - 10pm.
I will be the hostess for this event that features a vintage car show, live bands and burlesque performances. All proceeds benefit FEED - a feature-length film being made by Lux Killmore and Keptone Filmz.
For more information: http://www.myspace.com/awitchbrew


October 29th:
Thrillville's Gore 'N' Snore Fest. The Balboa Theater. 3630 Balboa Street, SF.
7:30 - 11:30pm
$12.00
Hosted by Will "The Thrill" and Monika "The Tiki Goddess". Bringing you a double feature of: Hollywood Chainsaw Hookers (1988) and Zontar: The Thing From Venus (1966)
Live entertainment includes: Surf rock by The Deadlies and burlesque by Lady Monster
For more information: www.thrillville.net


I'm traveling to Chicago!
I will be at REELING: Chicago GLBT Film Festival to see their screening of Steve Balderson's newest film, STUCK. A women's prison film-noir starring Karen Black, Mink Stole, Jane Wiedlin, Starina Johnson and Princess Farhana (and ME!).
Screening: November 6 at 7pm. Tix: $10.00
After Party with Mink Stole at Circuit. Tix for film and party: $25.00
For more information: http://www.reelingfilmfestival.org/events.php


VAUDEZILLA!
Nov. 7th
8:30pm
$5.00
2109 S State St, Chicago IL
Lots of live bands and even more live burlesque featured weekly at Red Hot Annie's extravaganza of entertainment!
www.vaudezilla.com


GO-GO SPECTACULAR
Nov. 13 & 14th
BRAVA Theater. 2781 24th St @ Potrero, San Francisco
Baby Doe and The Devilettes present Go Go Spectacular
An outrageous theatrical tribute to the great 60's variety shows like Laugh-In, Shindig, and Hullabaloo. The Go Go Spectacular will be an action-packed night filled with live performances by The Barbary Coasters and Deke Dickerson's All Star Frat Band as well as special guests, comedy, historic tributes to the 1960s and as much shimmying as The Devil-Ettes and The Mini Skirt Mob can cram into two hours!
For more information: http://www.devilettes.com/gogospectacular/index.htm


FEED begins FILMING!
November 14-24
I will be on the set as a Production Assistant and playing the role of FIREBALL in the new feature-length film by LuxKillmore Entertainment and Keptone Filmz.
If you are available to help out with the crew or as an extra, please get in touch with Dottie and Val at feedthefilm@gmail.com or, if you want to just send them a donation so they can keep making payments on their credit cards go to: www.luxkillmore.com


FLABULOUS!
A Night of Performance by and for People of Size and their Allies
Saturday November 21
TWO SHOWS: 7:00PM and 9:00PM
SomArts Cultural Center, 934 Brannan Street, San Francisco
$15.00
Official Site: http://tiny.cc/Flabulous
Tickets: Click here for ticket info

Kentucky Fried Woman & Jay Walker, In conjunction with NOLOSE and the Queer Cultural Center present: Flabulous!
This history making show is going to amaze, inspire, and excite you as some of the most influential and inspiring performers of size from the west coast come together for two shows on one night!
Featuring:
Jay Walker, Kentucky Fried Woman, Jukie Sunshine & Alotta Boutté
Malcolm Pecs & Tyrone Peaches
Drew Montana & Jake Danger
Leigh Crow and Ruby Vixen
Rubenesque Burlesque
Pidgeon von Tramp
Brock Cocker
Lady Monster
Phat Fly Girls
Holy McGrail
Juicy Delight
Phenix Love
Mz. Amy
OBEAST
CHUBB


MY BIRTHDAY!!
November 24th.
My mother brought me into the world lickety-split first thing in the AM after only a half-hour of labor. She walked in and I came right out, ready to start taking names for the guest list and hosting the party in true Sagitarrius fashion. I count the nuns at the hospital my first fans.

Another reason for me to celebrate, the previous Steve Balderson film, WATCH OUT will be released on DVD on November 24th. To pre-order your copy, please go to www.dikenga.com and buy one (or more of his fabulous films!).


I am going to Ohio for Thanksgiving and to celebrate some birthdays. My dad is turning 65 and my niece is turning 17. We are all born a week apart. If you are in Ohio and would like to hook up, please send me a note. If you are in San Francisco and are able to catsit or need a place to stay for a week, send me a note.

Maybe I'll take a rest in December to look for a job, go to a museum, have a date..well, I can dream, right? Birthday wishes still to be granted.

Thanks for being a friend, fan or just reading along.

Stephanie
Lady Monster
"A Queen of the Fire Tassels"
www.ladymonster.com
www.facebook.com/ladymonster
www.myspace.com/lady_monster
www.twitter.com/ladymonster
http://ladymonsterlair.blogspot.com

Movies! TV! and Live on Stage!

Wow, what a month this is turning out to be.
Thanks to all of my friends for their support and cheering me on.

First up, I am very excited to announce that STUCK, a women's prison film noir by Steve Balderson has it's WORLD PREMIERE at the Raindance Film Festival in London (UK).
BOOK TICKETS NOW
Steve Balderson, Susan Traylor, Starina Johnson, Stacy Cunningham, and Pleasant Gehman will be in attendance.
Here is the trailer:


The movie is also showing:
Oct 15 Albuquerque CLOSING NIGHT FILM
Southwest GLBT Film Festival
Mink Stole, Jane Wiedlin, Frankie Krainz in attendance
KiMo Theatre
423 Central Ave. NW (at Fifth St. & Central)
Albuquerque, NM 87102
Showtime: 7 PM

Oct 24 Seattle Seattle GLBT Film Festival
The Admiral Theater
Showtime: 4:30 PM

Nov 6 Chicago REELING: Chicago GLBT Film Festival
Landmark Cinemas (theatre 7)
Showtime: 7 PM
I WILL BE ATTENDING THIS SCREENING!
I play the part of "The Laughing Girl" in a scene with the legendary Karen Black.


Steve Balderson's film from last year, Watch Out, will be released on DVD on MY BIRTHDAY! November 24th! Pre-Order your copy now. http://www.dikenga.com/films/watchout/


In other movie news, I will be playing the part of FIREBALL in the feature-length film, FEED by LuxKillmore, currently in pre-production. Filming begins in November!!
There will be two upcoming fundraisers for FEED if you would like to help bring this historic film to the screen. It is the first homosexual horror film (non-vampire)!
Or donate online


TV
Watch KOFY-TV (Channel 20/Cable 13 in the Bay Area) to see me as a Guest Host Finalist!
I taped my segments and they ARE NOW ON THE AIR! from 8am-3pm.
I am one of three contestants up for the grand prize of hosting shows on KOFY-TV for the month of November. Every other month they bring in a new Guest Host for their daytime programming. I submitted a video and VOILA! got picked. Now it's just up to their viewers who log in to KOFYTV.COM to vote for me as the best guest host! THANKS so much to everyone who has already voted! Winners are announced at the end of October.


Live on stage!
For performances check me out here:

Beer Bust FEED
SATURDAY, October 10th
TRUCK. 3pm - 8pm
1900 Folsom St. San Francisco, CA 94103
10 bucks gets you all you can drink beer, raffle tickets, performance and a damn good time. Proceeds go to the production of FEED.


A Witches' Brew
Sunday, October 25
5pm - 8pm
The Stud, 399 9th Street (@ Harrison), San Francisco
Vintage Car Show! Live Music! Burlesque! and Vendors!
I will be your hostess with the moistest, um, Mostest!
This is a fundraiser for FEED.
http://www.myspace.com/awitchbrew



Saturday, Oct 29 2009
7:30 - 11:30pm
THRILLVILLE’S HALLOWEEN GORE ’N’ SNOREFEST!
Balboa Theater, 3630 Balboa St. @ 38th Ave., San Francisco
Hosted by Will the Thrill and Monica Tiki Goddess
http://www.thrillville.net/

For the first (and probably last) time together - a double thrill chill kill bill of two notorious underground cult grindhouse favorites! Blood! Beasts! Burlesque! Gratuitous Nudity! Cults! Aliens! Live surf music! Snoring! What's missing? Only you if you don't make this crazy scene!

Fred Olen Ray's
HOLLYWOOD CHAINSAW HOOKERS (1988)
plus!
Larry Buchanan's
ZONTAR! THE THING FROM VENUS (1966)

with live music by THE DEADLIES
and live tassel-twirlin' by LADY MONSTER






CHICAGO SHOW!!
Vaudezilla!
Saturday, November 7th
Reggies, 2105 S. State St, Chicago
$5 Cover to see all the ladies of Vaudezilla strut their stuff in between bands like Velcro Lewis, Chylde, Admiral Of Black, and Township. Expect multiple high-energy, sexy numbers from Vaudezilla's Red Hot Annie, Wham Bam Pam, Donna Touch, Bonny Babs, Maria May I, and Barrett All. SPECIAL GUEST: Lady Monster - Queen of the Fire Tassels!

Europe

I am now married to the sea.

I have recently returned from going to Europe for my first time (without parental guidance, that is).
First stop Zurich. I performed at the Museum of Porn in Art, which is attached to Edi's Weinstube right in old town Zurich.

On Friday, August 21st - the Alchemical Transsexual art exhibit for Steven Johnson Leyba opened, and I performed as part of the opening. I twirled fire tassels with two different routines. In between the acts, the lovely attendees were viewing some of the porn featured at the cinema. Then, I jumped back on stage, blue screen behind me to light 'em up again. There was one helluva heat wave going on - inside and outside of the venue too.

Thanks to my hostess Zoe Staehli for treating me like an absolute queen. I definitely want to return to Zurich for another slice of heaven. Thanks to Steven for introducing me to Zoe, and asking me to entertain at his opening.

A few days later, I took the train down to Florence, Italy right through the Swiss Alps, briefly stopping in Milan. I found a very cheap hostel (about $25 US a night) that provided dinner, dessert, breakfast, wine and free wi-fi (not to mention has the cutest white boxer puppy, Fiona - and excellent company and information from the hosts).

Because I went on a Monday (when all the museums are closed), I only had enough time to see one gallery - The Uffizi. This extraordinary museum has hosted timeless and iconic images for hundreds of years (open to the public in 1765) . Once I got past feeling honored at being able to stand in the same place in front of Botticelli's Birth of Venus for the past 245 years (painted in 1485), I was speechless at the beauty (and enormity). It is no wonder it is such a well-known painting.
Then, I zipped on over to Venice on a train.

When people say that Venice is the most beautiful city in the world, they aren't kidding. Despite being there during the high season, when everyone in Europe is on vacation, and during the same heat wave that passed through Zurich and Florence (did I mention that it was over 100F in Florence?), I was slack-jawed at the image of the canals, boats, and old buildings. And, there was a rainbow in the sky as my vaporetto propelled from the train station, around to my stop.

Trying to schlep my luggage over hill and dale (or rather bridges and canals) over and over again to find the correct tiny street to my hostel was a bit much, but I was soon rewarded for my efforts by being placed in The Wedding Room. My very own king size bed with two windows, an oscillating floor fan and I think I was the only one staying in that building. I had the whole little cottage to myself for less than $40 US a night!

Next door to my room was the most amazing trattoria. I dined at the terrace on black pasta with poached sea bass, and I was given the LOCAL price (rather than the tourist price posted on the menu). One of the best meals of my life!

Falling asleep @ 11:30, I awoke ready to go hit the town at 5:30am! An absolute first for this night owl. Wanting to find my friends, I went to Sadie and Lian's hotel at 7am to leave a note (I wouldn't dare wake another night owl at such a ghastly hour), then to a cafe and over to find Annie and Beth. I went back and forth between the Giardini district and San Marco Square a few times that day, my place in the middle near the Arsenale district.

Finally all connections were made, and the searing sense of loneliness left me. I felt like I was floundering a bit those first few hours, wanting familiar contacts. I ended up staying up very late that night working on the program with Annie Sprinkle for her and Beth's An EcoSexual Blue Wedding To The Sea. A Love Art Laboratory performance art wedding that took place on Friday, August 28th outside between the Fear Society and Unconditional Love Pavilions (These pavilions are part of the Venice Biennale, and contained art exhibits for the event).

On Thursday before the wedding all collaborators gathered for first a rehearsal, then a photo session. It was lovely walking through the streets of Venice in my blue costume (thanks again to Miss Honey Penny for making the outer skirt). Waiters stopped serving dinners to walk towards me and say, "Buona Sera". The sun began to set, and the light in the sky was absolutely amazing. All of the shades of blue of our costumes reflecting the hues of the sky and sea. We were art in motion.

Here are some photos by the following photographers:
Mark J. Snyder
Gigi Gatewood

I became friends with so many of the other collaborators. Meeting these lovely performance artists from all over the US, Europe and outside was incredible - especially since we would all end up married to the sea - together.

The wedding was exactly as I had imagined it. We were on the shores of the Adriatic Sea, sitting next to a historic pissoir. This particular public urinal has been declared historical because of the sailors that would have sex with prostitutes inside the urinal. Arriving in Venice after being at sea, they would disembark at this site and go inside the pissoir with the courtesans. How appropriate that Annie Sprinkle would have an ecosexual wedding and get married to Elizabeth Stephens and the sea, her lovers, at this very sight.

After the wedding we had a lengthy procession through the city, singing, all decked out in our wedding costumes, bringing attention from tourists and locals, and dined under the stars until Annie and Beth and members of the wedding party were whisked away in a gondola.

I met up with them later (along with many of the other collaborators) for the final vows and throwing the rings into the sea. Annie's emotional speech about her personal connection to the water (where she saw her first penis - and then gave her first blowjob), how much it meant to her to be married to it, and then talking about how much we need to help the sea - was deeply moving.

The purpose of the wedding has several parts to it:
1. Be Sex-Ecologists. Consider the Earth your lover. She is no longer Mother Earth taking care of each of us, she is now our lover, one that we should also be taking care of, giving our love and support to. She is in need, and needs us to stop and do what we can to continue her survival.
2. We are Water. Every form of life is mostly made of water. We would not exist without its basic chemical composition. For a healthy existence, to sustain life, we must be accountable and do what we can to assure it continues to create life.
3. The Sea Needs You. All of the water on the earth is in desperate need for our attention and affection. Inland waterways, ground water and the oceans. Islands of plastic the size of Texas, toxicity deforming and changing aquatic life, global warming devouring species and changing landscapes, etc. are just some of the reasons that a lifestyle change must take place with all of us.
4. The Throat Chakra: This is one of the aspects that the wedding celebrated. This chakra also represents the color blue and communication, thus the Blue Wedding. Earlier in June, Annie and Beth married the Sky in a ceremony in Oxford, England.
5. Devote yourself to making a change. We made vows that included "'til death do us part". This includes returning from the wedding with that love and earnest devotion to spread a message to have others help.

Saturday, September 19th is International Coastal Clean Up Day. You can sign up here to find out where you can go to make a change for our future. Even if you are in a landlocked area, you can spend an hour or two cleaning up debris on any water's edge, it makes a difference.

For more information about the various weddings that Annie and Beth have created, and to be a collaborator on future weddings, go to their Love Art Laboratory site.

On Saturday, after the wedding I went through many of the exhibits of the Biennale with Annie and Beth. We were treated to rain showers and some eclectic art (in other words some was VERY good, some was VERY bad) that afternoon. Afterwards, we met with Jane, Cynthia and Rolf for a snack and a Spritz (a Venetian cocktail).

Beth, Annie, Rolf and I continued to walk along the Grande Canal, stopping short of San Marco Square, in fact, right at the San Zaccaria stop.

We ordered pizzas and watched the sky turn dark. The waiters were wary of the weather and began to clear off all the other tables, fearing the rain was coming back. Then more friends began to arrive. Timi and Margarita joined us during dessert. We were still hoping for more to arrive, but they got lost, which IS what happens in Venice. The residents of Venice are very sweet, they keep telling you, "You're almost there, you're so close, just turn left and then right (or vice versa) and then you'll be there". If I had a Euro for every time I heard that...

Despite having to go back to very primitive means of communication throughout my journey (thank you T-Mobile CSRs, you are absolute dimwits about international connectivity), I still had an amazing time.

There were many things that I missed out on during my journey because of no cellphone service (getting to meet the legendary artist HR Giger at his home, getting to see hordes of Italian men parading into San Marco Square looking to get some after the bars closed, etc.), but as Annie, Beth and Company kept saying, "This is a pilgrimage, a labor of love.". And, the love was palpable. We were all in a state of utter bliss along with the thrills and challenges of communication.

I did make a lot of sacrifices to be part of the wedding, I also received a lot of gifts to make that journey take place, and I reaped spiritual rewards. I felt many ghosts and saw some supernatural activity while in Venice too. I definitely want to return some day, but next time will bring several pairs of comfortable shoes. I highly recommend traveling there, but be prepared for the great physical toll of strolling along the bridges and canals.

Thank you to all that helped make this journey happen.
Thank you especially to Annie and Beth for your generous nature in having us be part of your wedding ceremony.

An ocean of love and waves of gratitude,
Lady Monster

Off The Air!

As of today, I am no longer broadcasting The Lair of Lady Monster on FCC FREE RADIO.
I quit.

While listening to the station, waiting for it to become 2:00 so I could begin my show, I heard a particular track.

Dennis Leary: Fat Bitches

FCC FREE RADIO, when not manned by a DJ, runs automatically on computers. There is an extensive playlist of tracks that have been uploaded by the station manager. This is one of the tracks.

I called up the manager and told him I found it to be totally offensive and that I would not have a radio show on a station that takes the time to upload this track so that it plays in random rotation. Fat bigotry has no place in my life, and I am not going to expend my energy for someone who sees this as "comedy".

I apologize to my future guests for having to cancel our appointment to be on the air, but I hope you can understand my position.

Thanks to everyone who has provided their support, were my guests, listeners and promoters.

Dance Party!

(photo by John Suhay)

This Saturday, I'm featuring songs that make me wanna move, shake it, feel fine, let loose, shake it, shimmy, wiggle - DANCE!
Because of no record player in the studio, all songs are from my CD and MP3 collections. It'll still be a rockin' good time.
Twist and Shout!
(and someone please donate a nice turntable to the radio station!)

The Lair of Lady Monster
2:00 - 4:00 PM
Saturday, August 8th

FCC FREE RADIO
http://www.fccfreeradio.com
107.3FM in San Francisco

Sahara Dunes

My August 1st broadcast features Portland's Caribbean Sapphic Burlesque Sweetheart, Sahara Dunes.

She's got a heart of gold and eyes of fire. Sahara is a sassy, sinister, and sensual creature that will suck you into the movements of her hips. Her long legs have been known to be lethal and she's got a figure that stops traffic.

She's a tassel twirlin', shimmy shakin', sassy stripteasin', artist and she's comin' for you! Some say she was born with it. Some say she is self taught. Either way, her gift of dance and art will entertain and mesmerize you.

FEVER!

Due to a rabid flu, the likes of which my body hadn't been afflicted in at least a dozen years, The Lair of Lady Monster has been quarantined until further notice.
I did not have a show last week, and am not going to have a show this weekend either.

My double interview with Pleasant Gehman (Princess Farhana) and Steve Balderson of Dikenga Films has been rescheduled for a later date in September.

In the meantime, check out the trailer of their new full-length feature film, STUCK!
A women's prison film noir set in the deep south. Starring Karen Black, Mink Stole, Jane Wiedlin, Susan Traynor, Stacy Cunningham, Pleasant Gehman. Featuring Starina Johnson as Daisy - cutting her teeth on the chain gang of hardened and corrupt female evildoers. For more information go to: www.STUCKnoir.com



The Lair of Lady Monster
Every Saturday
2:00 - 4:00PM

FCC FREE RADIO
107.3FM
STREAMING ONLINE!
www.fccfreeradio.com

Tune in on your SmartPhone at:
www.shoutcast.net
www.winamp.com