Arts
An Aficionado's Guide to the Kinsey Sicks
An Aficionado's Guide to
by Barbara Dozetos
As
an aficionado of a capella singing, tight harmonies, biting social commentary,
side-splitting laughter, good drag performance and gay men, there's no
way I couldn't be a huge fan of the Kinsey Sicks. When I learned that
the Sicks were descending upon Vermont and adjoining regions, I was overjoyed
and immediately volunteered to write a review for OITM that would send
all readers charging for the ticket office.
Then I re-read the piece Jay Schuster wrote after
his first Sicks experience last year. He covered the bases well. So, I
suggest you check out the story in the March 2003 issue of Out in the
Mountains. Pay particular attention to the parts about how amazing the
voices are, how raunchy Rachel can be, and how constantly hysterical the
audience was.
Instead of rehashing what Jay wrote, I'll
give you some friendly advice on getting the most out of the show.
* If you've been living in a cave for an extended period of time, read
a newspaper or two before you go and maybe watch a week's worth of the
entertainment news program of your choice. Their music is rife with political
commentary and riffs on pop icons.
* Take a handkerchief. If Winnie's sad tale of a street urchin (sung in
Yiddish) doesn't have you boo-hooing, the constant laughter elicited by
their other songs will get you there. You might want to take an oxygen
tank, too. It can get really hard to breathe – they just don't let
up on you.
* Take your friends – all of them. It's an experience to be shared
and trying to explain it to the unfortunates who didn’t attend is
nearly impossible. I particularly love to attend Kinsey Sicks performances
in the company of particularly attractive men. The Kinseys have great
taste in guys and are merciless when they spot a cute one.
* Rest up before you go – and don't have too much to drink (alcohol
or otherwise) before you see the show. If you've always thought that the
loss of bladder control due to laughter was something that only happened
in the movies or "absorbent undergarment" commercials, this
evening could very well prove you wrong.
* Go prepared to buy souvenirs. You'll want their CD's, t-shirts and other
tsatskes. Trust me on this. There's nothing quite like the experience
of being caught singing out loud to a Kinsey Sicks song while wearing
your headphones at the gym – or in the office.
* Take a camera. The guys are usually available for photos with their
fans after the show. A photo I have capturing my brief time as one of
the Sicks is among my most prized possessions. But, please don't interrupt
the show with your flash. The audience will hate you – and I can't
even begin to describe the result of the wrath of the Kinseys –
you’ll be shamed, for sure.
* Don't heckle, unless you are ready for a real battle. These guys are
quick on their feet – even in heels. They'll have you verbally drawn
and quartered and the rest of us will be laughing all the harder.
* Lastly, but must important, DON'T MISS THIS SHOW. You have several opportunities
to catch them. They’ll be at Lyndon State College, Dartmouth, and
UVM, as well as several close-to-Vermont spots in Mass.
Former OITM editor Barbara Dozetos sings aloud to her Kinsey Sicks
CDs at home in New Haven.