As you
might have noticed, I got into a funk with my writing.
A couple weeks ago, I was ready to return
with a post, ironically, about timing, and then I got the news.
2017 was already filled with tragedy for both
me personally and
the queerlesque community, and it had to deliver one last
blow on the final day.
The beautiful,
sparkling Pineapple of Burlesque, Jette Blaque, had died that morning.
Jette was
a frequent performer on the Dallas and Denton queerlesque stages.
Her mentor was my teacher for when I got
started at the Academy of Queerlesque, and we first crossed paths at during my
second solo performance.
We'd see more
of each other as the Sue Ellen's stage became a home for us, and I became
familiar her shining presence.
She was
full of laughter and joy backstage, and on-stage she could deliver so much
attitude.
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Panty Raid: Bare Necessities - our 2nd show together
Photo by Kevin Huckabee |
We also
had the pleasure of working for each other.
I loved having Jette for
Tuesday Tease—she was a consummate professional
yet a total goofball.
During one of the
POC Teases, she became instant friends with the queens I had booked, as they went
ga-ga over handsome men and quoted Empire.
It was a riot!
She had also
booked me for her POC show at
Glitterbomb, and I was so honored to be a part of
that experience.
The last
time I saw her was when we were performing for our friend Mina Panamour's
surprise birthday party.
Jette was not
only going to do a cake sit, but she also planned to stick googly eyes on her
butt and twerk during intermission.
Since I was going from Hana to Tony, I had to miss that, but the cake
sit was epic!
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Dirty 30: Mina's birthday show
Contagious Fantasies Photography |
In addition
to being a lot of fun, Jette was so kind and generous.
She had organized a surprise Christmas gift
basket for the Glitterbomb producers and our dear friends, Lillith Grey and
Milo Cox.
It was a great idea, and all
of us queerlesquers worked hard to find the perfect items to contribute.
Since I had a Shutterfly account, I made a
calendar, and Jette's excitement upon receiving it seemed as though she were the intended recipient. She and I had also made plans for
her to come to my place to give me and The Companion haircuts for a great
price.
Previously she had talked about
trying to provide cuts for queer clientele who may have faced discrimination or
not gotten the cut they had wanted.
Having dealt with microaggressions relating to my hair, I thought the
idea was wonderful.
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Pineapples were her favorite thing.
Artwork by Jo Moulton |
Jette
didn't let her health slow her down, and even though she had her struggles, she
always had a smile when I saw her.
I
didn't know her as well as some other performers, but she still invited me to
her and Nate Jones' wedding, which was so sweet and beautiful, and I was
planning to get to know her better when she made her house call.
She has taught me to not let misfortunes
bring me down, to take more selfies, and to be more like the regal pineapple
she was.
Jette Blaque, we miss you so
much, but your sparkle will remain with us forever.
(The title
of this post was partly inspired by a poem by her maternal grandmother Daisy
Kincheloe, "Gone Too Soon".)
