https://www.austinchronicle.com/daily/qmmunity/2013-10-24/cabaret-d-away/

Cabaret'd Away

By Sarah Marloff, October 24, 2013, 3:10pm, Qmmunity

October in Austin is like Christmas in July. Upon moving here from San Francisco by way of DC, I was warned to never underestimate this city just cuz it's small, Boy, were they right. With so many events popping up every night, it's hard even for the best of us to keep track, let alone keep up. And this Saturday night packs a one-two punch.

On my quest to learn Austin's queer scene inside and out, I've been trying to track down the folks behind so many of Austin's great events. This week, I got to talk to a few people in Austin's QPOC community (queer people of color) and was pretty stoked to learn about Allgo's third annual Cabaret and the Colorful Women Gay Skate Party to follow.

A cabaret, at its heart, is a motley crew of entertainment, but this ain't Liza Minnelli's revue. Rose Pulliam, the co-director of Allgo, promises burlesque, poetry, drag, and "people taking their clothes off artfully and some not so artfully." If that's not a good enough reason (I can't imagine why not) the night's headliners, Las Krudas (aka Krudas Cubensi) "will turn the place out," promises Pulliam. The Cuban hip-hop group based right here in town have been causing commotions and gaining fans all over the country for years. In 2008 Thomas Fawcett reported that these ladies are "among the best hip-hop crews in Austin period."

This year's show takes place at the renowned Historic Victory Grill. If you don't know, which I did not, this place has hosted everyone from Tina Turner to Bobby Bland, and Etta James; just to name a few. So when they say historic here, they mean it. The venue has been around since 1945 and was part of the storied Chitlin' Circuit back when Austin was specifically segregated – even more than it is today. Today, Pulliam says that the club's "rustic and funky atmosphere really supports the theme of cabaret." A fox-of-all-trades – poet, activist, performer – and according to Kate X, "a burning hunk of glam,"Dino Foxx is the evening's emcee.

And if all that wasn't enough to mark the calendars, there's an unofficial after party to boot. Like a cowboy boot but on roller-skates, Austin's Colorful Women Entertainment will host their first event. This one happens to be on skates. Gay skates to be specific.

"We wanted to do something different and fun, outside of the normal club scene," says Yamakima Ri'chard who's one of Colorful's three promoters. "It's a space where people can get out and enjoy themselves that's not in a bar."

These ladies – Ri'chard, Ashley "Mixxboy" Harris, and Tiffany Alderman – couldn't be more excited about the event. With floods of great feedback and some local and out-of-town entertainment, they're expecting a good turn out and a great party. And when they say "colorful," they mean rainbow-flag colorful. "It's a party for everyone," says Ri'chard. "We chose the name Colorful Women meaning all colors. And it's not just for women, it's for the whole LGBT community."

Worried about breaking an ankle on skates? Have no fear, only half the floor will be set up for skating, the other half will accommodate straight up dancing – and the only straight thing happening inside the Austin Roller Rink that night. For the more daring, there will be a skate contest, and for those trotting out their Halloween best, a costume contest.

A cabaret of this caliber and a party on roller-skates? Gawd, I love Austin.