Brightest Young Things

Ready for the perfect combination of food, sex and and lesbian housewifery? This Friday, the stage of DC's favorite lesbian bar, Phase 1, will be graced by Seattle-sensation Ms. Honeysuckle Hype, as she brings her delicious one-woman show to DC.  Honeysuckle is stepping up her signature brand of food burlesque with her new, meat-focused project "Eat Your Heart Out!" a live burlesque/cooking show about sex, power, how to be a woman, and of course, beef jerky. Ms. Hype was kind enough to take time out of her busy primping and cooking schedule to chat with BYT about what to expect from this week's show.

And since every good caveboy and girl likes something meaty to sink their teeth into, the BYGays will be on hand Friday to give away two tickets to Homo Erectus: The Evolution of Pride. So come win some tickets to this year's hottest pride party and check out the show that always lives up to the hype.

(c) Deborah Spencer

BYT: Ms. Hype - what can the folks look forward to on May 14th when you come to Phase 1?

Honeysuckle: Beef jerky. Burlesque. A formal lecture in a gay bar. And some other sweet and savory combinations that dance on the tongue.

BYT: Sounds delicious. I think it's quite impressive that you're embarking on a one-woman show. What kind of preparation went into this performance?

Honeysuckle: I started working on the show in February by doing a lot of reading and interviews. I got to work on writing the show pretty much full-time in March, and traveled to Austin, TX to see a slaughter, visit a cattle ranch, and interview other farmers, meat-sourcers, and queer bands. Writing and creating the show involved a whole lot of rolling around on a floor, re-working some of the best pieces I've created in the last few years, and collaborating with other artists to make a few short films.

BYT: OK, so as you may know it's food month at Brightest Young Things. Your performances have always involved the element of food. What made you want to delve into the world of meat in particular?

Honeysuckle: Meat is complicated. It is a messy, raw, provocative, and visceral object. I love the idea of using a "meat curtain" as the backdrop to a stage for a conversation about objectification, self-objectification, and women's bodies.

BYT: I feel like there's a disproportionate number of folks who identify as vegan or vegetarian in the lgbtq world. I imagine you get plenty of non-meat eaters coming to your shows. What are their reactions?

Honeysuckle: Yes, there are lots of non-meat-eating queers, and that comes up in a lot of the interviews and less formal conversations I've been having around the show. I had one vegan say to me that she was terrified of what I was going to show in the slideshow during one segment, but that the way the images were presented was not what she expected.

The show is certainly not a rah-rah-meat fest any more than it is a sausage fest. If anything, meat is the medium, and the conversation is the point.

(c) "Latkes" Gina Young

BYT: Well I'm sure your show will get a lot of folks talking. OK, so last question. What is a day in the life of a 1950's lesbian housewife like?

Honeysuckle: I'm so glad you asked! People often assume they know what it's like because they watch Mad Men, but there is so much folks don't know about! I try to exercise every day, and to keep some personal projects going so I keep myself sane. Both are cheaper than prescription medications. I spend a lot of time ironing sports bras, a-frame shirts and jeans, and running dildos through the dishwasher.

BYT: Yes, it's very important to keep your clothes tidy and sex toys clean.

Honeysuckle: Indeed! I spend a lot of time in the kitchen, I'll occasionally meet a friend for a cocktail mid-day and watch The Ladies. And of course I have to maintain my platinum (once every 5-6 weeks), my pedicure (once every 4 weeks, they really use excellent polish), and my eyebrows (random) ...when I feel like it. Occasionally I get bored and trim my armpit hair. But that's pretty rare.

I buy groceries at the local co-op and work on new meat and veg dishes every day...
right now I'm in love with Dinah Shore's cookbook "Someone's in the Kitchen with Dinah". My copy is bright orange and simply divine. And I buy shoes. That just about covers it!

For more info on Honeysuckle's travels, visit her blog here: http://honeysucklehype.com/

Previously in Misc/Awesome:

• 4/19: HAPPY National High Five Day!
• 4/17: Hangin' Tough with The D.C. Rollergirls
• 2/24: BYT Archives: Geek It Out
• 12/28: Terrible Boyfriend/ Girlfriend Generator.
• 12/1: The John Waters Advent Calendar-it starts today
• 11/28: It Chooses You: All I Want for Christmas is Everything from Miranda July's Pop-Up Shop
• 11/3: Things I'd Move to Minnesota For
• 9/6: PHOTOS: Maloof $$ Money Cup
• 9/2: PHOTOS: Chantilly Model Train Show
• 9/1: Libby's List: 5 Things I Want Right Now...