Inappropriate?

[DWhittles]

I was just disscussing this great NYC festival called HOWL! that's going on this weekend. http://www.howlfestival.com/
I'm taking the boys tomorrow but I got so excited when I found out Wigstock is back. http://www.wigstock.nu/
I'm curious by a show of hands (or posts) who thinks an event like this is inappropriate for kids. If you do, why?

 

[Daxx]

OK - I'll bite on this one. I'll prob. regret it, though. Let me start off by saying that I don't know much about either of these events ... and what little I have gleaned comes from the websites provided.

With Wigstock in mind ... with children as small as yours (from the ages in the countdown of your post), I doubt they'd remember much of it, would find it funny and not ask too many questions about why men are dressed as women, etc.. At their age, they'd approach it as a big halloween/costume type party. However, reading about Wigstock makes it seems far more sexually oriented and less child oriented.

Howl sounds like it might be more appropriate for children. Unfortunately, there wasn't enough information or photos to get a feeling for what this festival is like. I am not familiar w/what is presented at Howl, so I might be mistaken.

At my child's age (8 yo), the explanations w/regard to sexuality are more involved and lead to more difficult questions about sexuality and the way people express their sexuality that 8 yo's aren't ready to handle.

That's my take. But, never having been to one, what would I know?!

 

[Microcell]

Yes, it would be. If you don't know why, it is useless for me to bother trying to explain.

Counter cultural? Non conforming groups are really just groups that conform, to the idea of non conforming aren't they?

What ever happened to taking your kid to the park to play or watching Sesame street with them.


I realized that was harsh, sorry. I edited what might have been construed as mean and unnecessary. I am in rare form today.

 

[Planogirl]

Howl looks fine from what I can tell.

I'm not sure about Wigstock though. I have no problem with the premise but it's impossible to tell from the website whether they'd keep it clean or not.

 

[babar]

Howl looks fine from what I can tell.

I'm not sure about Wigstock though. I have no problem with the premise but it's impossible to tell from the website whether they'd keep it clean or not.

The crowd will get rowdy. It would bother some parents to have their kids see the stuff that will go on, but you are open-minded, and your children are young and won't even realize what is happening.

My concern would be for their safety if people get too drunk....

 

[jellymanoffspring]

I was just disscussing this great NYC festival called HOWL! that's going on this weekend. http://www.howlfestival.com/
I'm taking the boys tomorrow but I got so excited when I found out Wigstock is back. http://www.wigstock.nu/
I'm curious by a show of hands (or posts) who thinks an event like this is inappropriate for kids. If you do, why?

I have a question.....do the folks organizing these events consider them Family events or would they prefer an adults only audience...

There are things/events /shows that folks do consider adult events /entertainment and having kids there can ruin others experiences.....

Even most broadway shows prohibit young children.............

 

[wvjules]

There's no way I'd take young children to that.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

Why don't you take them to the Kiddie event on Sunday?

http://www.howlfestival.com/event_detail.php?eventID=166

 

[wvjules]

OK I have to post again....quotes from the "History" part of their website

986
John Sex works the guys (and girls) into a frenzy with his gyrating cover of "Secret Agent Man". 6'6" big, bad, bald porn star Dean Johnson rocks the house with his original "Bourgeois Boys"

1987
As the numbers continue to swell, there as many trannies and freaks in the audience as there are on stage.

1991
Wigstock moves to Union Square, with a "Monterey Popff stage and, for the first time, portable toilets (we shudder to think where the hordes were doin' their business before). Drag legend and star of Paris is Burning, Dorian Corey (the one with the mummy in the closet), makes her Wigstock debut. Joey Arias channels Billie Holiday . . . mesmerizing. The Duelling Bankheads unveil their lunatic act. Pushing for a recording contract, Ru Paul performs as Starbooty - for 15 minutes (she's scheduled for 5). Manhattan Borough President Ruth Messinger presents The "Lady" Bunny with a proclamation declaring it official "Wigstock Day". A disgruntled drag queen tries to sabotage the festivites armed with a bullhorn and wire snips. No one notices. Mona Foote, clad as Wonder Woman, steals the show with her rendition of "I'm Every Woman". The Wigstock Dancers boogie their way into our hearts. Bunny's somethin' else!

1992
Wigstock is dedicated to the memory of artist Tom Rubnitz and stonewall rioter/prostitute Marsha P. Johnson who was found floating in the Hudson river a few months earlier.

Codie Ravioli strips, revealing her new operation (or at least a good tuck). Borough Prez Ruth Messinger in a perky blonde flip, presents Wigstock with another proclamation.

1993
Literally bursting, Leigh Bowery gives birth to a full grown woman and chomps off the sausage-link umbilical cord-- the first baby born at Wigstock, and a bloody mess! Gracing the Wigstock stage for the first time are mega-superstar Debbie Harry and punk legend Jayne (formerly Wayne) County, reprising her classic "If You Don't Wanna **** me, **** Off!". The "Lady" Bunny continues the theme with her giddy "**** Me Forever", bringing a healthy dose of raunchy burlesque to the Wigstock tradition.

1994
10th Anniversary! It seems like only yesterday that Bunny's Sasquatch-sized hoof first hopped on stage at Tompkins Square. But that park can't hold her anymore, so she's moved the sucker to the Christopher St. piers (where she's familiar with performing "acts" for an eager public). 35,000 plus pack the piers for this perverse spectacle. Afrodite falls victim to a plastic fringed curtain which drops on her mid-number. The "Lady" Bunny saves the day with a switch-blade (borrowed from a handsome yet rough young man) and hacks down the offensive prop. Drunk, disorderly, and off-key, The Duelling Bankheads slur their way through Blondie classic, "Heart of Glass"--that is, until Debbie Harry herself runs onstage and tears off one of their wigs. The fight that ensues is a shameful, if not memorable, Wigstock moment, as Bunny once again takes matters into her own hands (that switchblade sure came in handy). Linda Simpson, armed with music and a showcase of drag models, redeems herself after being booed off the stage in '93. Girlina electrifies the crowd with all that conflama, drama and ooh- la-la, poulets! She loves to kiki! Musical actress Sherry Vine sings "me and Keanu Reeves", like a nightingale (on dope). Delivering comic monologues are the classy Coco Peru, and the trashy Ragu Mountain Woman (a tribute to hillbilly inbreeding). Crystal Waters cooks with her dance smash "100% Pure Love" The "Lady" Bunny kicks ***!

I think the filter will edit the curse words out of this.

 

[RadioNate]

Why don't you take them to the Kiddie event on Sunday?

http://www.howlfestival.com/event_detail.php?eventID=166

that's what I was thinking. then you get to attend and it is something geared toward kids.

I don't really have a problem with my child experiencing either event, we are pretty 'liberal' but I just don't think the organizers would appriciate children there at the non-kiddie events. And since I'd probablly have more fun without the kids there anyway I'd get a sitter.

 

[DWhittles]

Yes, it would be. If you don't know why, it is useless for me to bother trying to explain.

Counter cultural? Non conforming groups are really just groups that conform, to the idea of non conforming aren't they?

What ever happened to taking your kid to the park to play or watching Sesame street with them.


I realized that was harsh, sorry. I edited what might have been construed as mean and unnecessary. I am in rare form today.

LOL,
no no. I'm looking for all opinions. I'm curious to see how others feel about it.
There are events tomorrow (the same day as wigstock) that are geared just for kids and are sponsored by a kids magazine. I'm not sure how they are going to have it set up, but there isn't much of a way to keep the kiddos away from the other goings on. I'm going this year to see the stuff they have for kids, attend the street fair and see a little of wigstock. Then we will go to our regular park and play in the sandbox and go on the swings and go home and watch Sesame Street.

 

[DWhittles]

I have a question.....do the folks organizing these events consider them Family events or would they prefer an adults only audience...

There are things/events /shows that folks do consider adult events /entertainment and having kids there can ruin others experiences.....

Even most broadway shows prohibit young children.............

Good Question. I think because one of the main sponsors is Time Out NY Kids and because they are going to have events geared towards just kids tomorrow they want to call this event a family friendly one.
It's outdoors and they have a street fair and from what I remember of Wigstock it's a great deal of dragqueens lipsyncing and singing and dancing and stuff. It's supposed to be a fun day...

 

[DWhittles]

Okay, I just went and looked at the schedule for tomorrow.
The kids stuff is at 11:00, the street fair is at noon and Wigstock starts at 5:00
We will be gone long before 5 but I know the area and the day well enough to know that there will be drag queens and all sorts of interesting folks milling about all day long.

 

[KMH1]

Oh where is Rockabilly Kitten to give her opinion?

Personally, I wouldn't take DD to this. But we're also from conservative Cincinnati.

Amy

 

[jellymanoffspring]

Good Question. I think because one of the main sponsors is Time Out NY Kids and because they are going to have events geared towards just kids tomorrow they want to call this event a family friendly one.
It's outdoors and they have a street fair and from what I remember of Wigstock it's a great deal of dragqueens lipsyncing and singing and dancing and stuff. It's supposed to be a fun day...

Cool....I think you wanted a more specific answer......
I would probably bring my kids to howl...but not wigstock....

This is off the cuff..not having read much about or been to either....


I think wigstock would have more sexual innuendo (and maybe not enough innuendo and too much in your face)than I would be comfortable with..........especially in front of my children
But obviously cross-dressing/ drag can be socially acceptable....Tootsie...Hairspray...ru paul ....divine....

But hey we all know that especially in NYC...you see it all!!

 

[phorsenuf]

Quote:
986
John Sex works the guys (and girls) into a frenzy with his gyrating cover of "Secret Agent Man". 6'6" big, bad, bald porn star Dean Johnson rocks the house with his original "Bourgeois Boys"




Quote:
1987
As the numbers continue to swell, there as many trannies and freaks in the audience as there are on stage.




Quote:
1991
Wigstock moves to Union Square, with a "Monterey Popff stage and, for the first time, portable toilets (we shudder to think where the hordes were doin' their business before). Drag legend and star of Paris is Burning, Dorian Corey (the one with the mummy in the closet), makes her Wigstock debut. Joey Arias channels Billie Holiday . . . mesmerizing. The Duelling Bankheads unveil their lunatic act. Pushing for a recording contract, Ru Paul performs as Starbooty - for 15 minutes (she's scheduled for 5). Manhattan Borough President Ruth Messinger presents The "Lady" Bunny with a proclamation declaring it official "Wigstock Day". A disgruntled drag queen tries to sabotage the festivites armed with a bullhorn and wire snips. No one notices. Mona Foote, clad as Wonder Woman, steals the show with her rendition of "I'm Every Woman". The Wigstock Dancers boogie their way into our hearts. Bunny's somethin' else!




Quote:
1992
Wigstock is dedicated to the memory of artist Tom Rubnitz and stonewall rioter/prostitute Marsha P. Johnson who was found floating in the Hudson river a few months earlier.

Codie Ravioli strips, revealing her new operation (or at least a good tuck). Borough Prez Ruth Messinger in a perky blonde flip, presents Wigstock with another proclamation.




Quote:
1993
Literally bursting, Leigh Bowery gives birth to a full grown woman and chomps off the sausage-link umbilical cord-- the first baby born at Wigstock, and a bloody mess! Gracing the Wigstock stage for the first time are mega-superstar Debbie Harry and punk legend Jayne (formerly Wayne) County, reprising her classic "If You Don't Wanna **** me, **** Off!". The "Lady" Bunny continues the theme with her giddy "**** Me Forever", bringing a healthy dose of raunchy burlesque to the Wigstock tradition.




Quote:
1994
10th Anniversary! It seems like only yesterday that Bunny's Sasquatch-sized hoof first hopped on stage at Tompkins Square. But that park can't hold her anymore, so she's moved the sucker to the Christopher St. piers (where she's familiar with performing "acts" for an eager public). 35,000 plus pack the piers for this perverse spectacle. Afrodite falls victim to a plastic fringed curtain which drops on her mid-number. The "Lady" Bunny saves the day with a switch-blade (borrowed from a handsome yet rough young man) and hacks down the offensive prop. Drunk, disorderly, and off-key, The Duelling Bankheads slur their way through Blondie classic, "Heart of Glass"--that is, until Debbie Harry herself runs onstage and tears off one of their wigs. The fight that ensues is a shameful, if not memorable, Wigstock moment, as Bunny once again takes matters into her own hands (that switchblade sure came in handy). Linda Simpson, armed with music and a showcase of drag models, redeems herself after being booed off the stage in '93. Girlina electrifies the crowd with all that conflama, drama and ooh- la-la, poulets! She loves to kiki! Musical actress Sherry Vine sings "me and Keanu Reeves", like a nightingale (on dope). Delivering comic monologues are the classy Coco Peru, and the trashy Ragu Mountain Woman (a tribute to hillbilly inbreeding). Crystal Waters cooks with her dance smash "100% Pure Love" The "Lady" Bunny kicks ***!

You would seriously consider bringing your children to an event like this?

If adults want to go fine, but not appropriate at all for children!

 

[Toby'sFriend]

Well to answer your question I personally wouldn't take my young kids to such a thing. I think that in order to fully appreciate a Counterculture Festival of Euphoria, you first need to be old enough to understand the definition of Culture.

If I did absolutely need to go - we would attend the kid events.

If I felt a need to attend much after the early afternoon, I would get a babysitter. I think that the adults present at such an event have the right to Festival-Away without having to subject themselves to worry over whether or not their behavior might be inappropriate to the psyche of the occupants of my double stroller.

 

[babar]

By the way, I saw that Leigh Bowery thing(the birth), and I bet that would scare a young kid.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

I just posted in another thread that my parents routinely took my brother and I to Vegas as kids and I thought that was fine. We never encountered any strippers or drunks and spent most of our time in arcades and theme parks. Vegas is a big place and about the most risque thing we saw when we were kids there was the PG rated version of "Splash" (where the girls wore clothes).

This, however, is not even the slightest bit appropriate for kids. I don't know why anyone would take a small child there.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

Are you seriously considering taking your kids here?