A good friend of ours, Terry, also known much more widely as Bubbles le Gay, died about a month ago. Bubbles had been one of the pioneers of Newcastle's gay community and commercial gay scene and over the years had given so much of his time and energy and creativity and sheer hard work and organisational skills, to the community. It was fitting then that the community honoured his memory on Saturday night at the Carrington Bowling Club where Bubbles and Glenda, pictured above with her hands on Bubble's shoulders, had performed many times over recent years. (I think the pic above is beautiful).
And this is Bubbles performing. Bubbles specialised in comedy drag which she began in her early career at Sydney's Les Girls. Bubbles was also an excellent compere and she gladly compered the fabulous balls that Rainbow Visions held at the Newcastle Town Hall. I can remember the vert first time I saw Bubbles - it was at Piper's Nightspot in Hunter Street back in 1989. I thought she was a walking mountain when she got up out of her chair as head judge of a talent competition. And then out of this giant's mouth came this dignified, well spoken voice, thanking all contestants so sincerely.
Saturday night was built around two shows each featuring the considerable talents of local drag talent. All in all there were six drag performers doing numbers and wowing the crowd. The first show began with Glenda performing Dream Girls against a backdrop of her and Bubbles performing the same song, synched so that it looked like Glenda and Bubbles were performing one more time. It was sad but it was beautiful.
Madeleine von Mantrap looked stunning as ever in her modest feathered head dress. (Damien, aka Madeleine, and his partner, Adam (aka Savannah von Spelling) hosted us for dinner on Friday night which was lots of fun.
And here's part of the old group of friends: Steve, Geoff, me, Graham and Erica
and Madeleine, Steve, Savannah, me, Geoff, Graham and Erica. The only really sadness about living in beautiful Larnook is that we don't get to enjoy the company of our wonderful friends and family anywhere near as much as we would prefer. But such a great night and such a great night to honour our friend, Bubbles.
6 comments:
Hi would you mind if i pulled a couple of quotes from your blog to include in an article eon the passing of Bubbles for SX magazine?
Cheers
Cec Busby
Hi Cec,
they aren't actually my images....have you got an email address or phone number that I can pass on to the people who took the pics?
Hi Cec,
they aren't actually my images....have you got an email address or phone number that I can pass on to the people who took the pics?
oops sorry....I misread what you were asking....yeah for sure, not a problem...and I'm really glad you are writing an article on Bubbles
Kev
I worked with Terry at the Bondi hotel in 1976. He was always worrying about someone other than himself, including the niave girl from the country who was the breakfast waitress . I went to the carousel club many times to see the show and Terry's rendition of the pushbike song with poi balls. When I left the hotel to study, he always stayed in my memory as one of the sweetest men I had ever met. Im sure his friends know what i mean. So sorry to here he has died.
I knew Bubbles back in the mid 80's in Newcastle and was so sorry to hear about his death. I cannot find out any details of his passing or whether he was buried or cremated. If he is buried, I would like to come up to Newcastle and pay my respects. If not, any information about him would be greatly accepted. My email address is jackie.gelling@gmail.com Thanks to anybody who can help
Post a Comment