#i am super proud of this one! my best table runner yet!

[rosymothquilts]

Fruit Salad by Fig Tree & Company in Misc. Fabrics

[thotyssey]

On Point With: Petti Cake

In just nine short months of doing drag this sparkly, funny dancing queen has accomplished quite a bit, including a new weekly show about to debut. Thotyssey is first to the table when Petti Cake is served!

Thotyssey: Petti, hello! How's summer treating you? Pett Cake: Hi Thotyssey! My summer has been amazing so far. I’m coming on my one year anniversary of living in the city, and I’ve been performing so much more than I ever thought I would. It almost makes living in a non-air conditioned apartment with a frequently broken elevator worth it.!

That's the classic NYC experience! 

Haha, yeah! That paired with crippling student debt.

Where are you from originally?

I’m a classy broad from Jersey.

Werk, Jersey! Were you always a performer of some sort?

Yeah! I’ve actually been a dancer since I was three. And I’ve done my fair share of musical theatre as well.

When did you discover drag?

Haha, that’s a funny question! I was working a cruise contract, and we had a TON of sea days. My friend had RuPaul’s Drag Race on her hard drive, and we would binge watch it for hours... like a whole season in a day. That was my first exposure to drag queens (obviously, I have learned since then--that there is so much more to drag than that--but who doesn’t love Alyssa Edwards?) Then I moved to New York, and decided to throw myself into it. It’s been a cute 9 months and I haven’t looked back.

So far so good! How would you describe the Petti Cake experience to anyone who hasn’t seen you yet?

Petti gives 100% to every performance she does, whether it’s in a small bar or on a stage for hundreds. She will kick her face, tap dance the house down, all while making poop jokes and trying to suck her FUPA in. Petti’s heart is honest, and you will leave wanting to have a bite of this cake.

Delicious! Would you say that your big breakthrough was your first go at the Ultimate Drag Pageant at the West End?

Oh, absolutely. I made my drag debut there, and learned so much under the tutelage of Marti Gould Cummings and Nedra Belle. That competition provided me with 16 weeks of performance experience and 16 brand new numbers to do (16 because of the All-Stars season as well). Damn, I even bartend at The West End now. I don’t even know if I can accurately say how much that competition helped me, both creatively and with the awesome people I met through it. I’m super grateful for that experience...  just a little salty that I came in second both times, lol!

What was coming back for the All-Stars season like? Was there a different level of pressure about doing well?

Oh, I was ready to win. Right after my first season I competed, and was runner up for Miss West Village as well. I believed that third time was the charm. The pressure was totally internal, but I am very proud of every number I put on that stage. All of the girls were fierce competition, and I am proud to have made it to the top with Didi Cumswell.

And you turned a fierce number for the Lady Liberty Pride edition last month! Thanks babe! I had such a great time that night. So many great people in the audience!

A post shared by Petti Cake (@petticakee) on Jul 14, 2018 at 8:41pm PDT

You have some news about Icon in Astoria for us.

I’M SO EXCITED ABOUT ICON! I actually just booked a weekly show there! Come there on Wednesdays at 10 for Whip it Wednesdays! I’m taking over for Gilda Wabbit, who I absolutely adore. They are big shoes to fill (size 11 according to her), but I’m super excited for the opportunity. I’m keeping her open stage policy, so any drag performer is welcome to show up in face and do a number! 

The bar’s becoming a really important space for Queens nightlife. An original musical is actually going to have a workshop premiere there on August 1st!

Astoria draws such a good group of people, and everyone I’ve met so far has been incredibly supportive. I’m super excited about this drag musical; there are some really amazing queens that are a part of it, and I know they will turn it out.

Where can we get even more Cake? If you want to come hang out with me, I bartend happy hours Sunday and Monday at the West End! And lastly, what is the best piece of advice you received n your young drag career?

Oh yeah... be nice and respect everyone you work with. Other queens, bartenders, bar managers, DJs, anyone you meet.

Thanks, Petti!

Petti Cake hosts Whip It Wednesdays (10pm) at Icon. Check Thotyssey’s calendar for all upcoming appearances, and follow Petti on Facebook  and   Instagram.

On Point Archives

[megairishrose]

Recruited chapter 35: Tuesday

"Good morning, my name is Ashely Boyd, I'm in charge of the spy division here at Bow and Arrow." The young blonde woman began her workshop Tuesday morning. She had never taught anyone how to be sneaky before, she had always believed it was a natural skill. But here she was with three hopefully interested students. Well, Blue wouldn't have recruited them if she didn't trust them.

According to her files, Mary Margaret was a hostess at a local restaurant, August did odd jobs and Belle owned a bookshop. Their advantage was they could blend in with a crowd easily.

"The first rule of being a spy is lying effectively. Not only does the other person have to believe the lie, but you have to also. If you don't believe your own lie, there is no point in telling it."

August gulped, he was not good at lying, he was terrible at playing cards. Emma always cleaned him out. Well, his lack of skill and her super power.

Belle didn't really believe in lying, but not telling someone the whole truth was more her style.

"You have to be able to make quick convincing lies. Mary Margaret, why were you late this morning?" Ashely suddenly asked.

Mary Margaret stared for a moment, she hadn't been late that morning. Oh, this had to be an exercise, she had to lie. "Traffic because of construction."

"You took too long, but the lie was good. You will have to have a logical and benign explanation for your actions at all times,"

"Like how I tell people a certain new book is not in yet because I haven't finished reading it." Belle commented.

Ashely looked at her, impressed. The bookworm was certainly hiding some skills. Which led to… "As a spy, you have to hide your true emotions. Master the poker face, it is more important than you think. Your face, eyes, voice, and your body need to sell the lie. I was never a girl scout but their motto works for us too. Always be prepared, have an excuse beforehand so you aren't caught off guard."

"The excuse has to make sense, like being upstairs when the party is downstairs and the old 'I was looking for the bathroom". Or giving a fake number to a guy." Mary Margaret asked.

"Exactly." Ashely told her.

"Bad luck with guys?" Belle asked.

"Thank God those days are over." Mary Margaret spun her engagement ring around her finger.

"Which leads us to being charming. If you're likable, more doors will be open for you. Be friendly, look people in the eyes, make small talk, pretend to support opinions. Make them like you, but do not get attached, when the job is over you will never see them again. Do not be afraid to flirt a little also. You have no idea how many crowded nightclubs I have gotten into." Ashely couldn't help a smile from growing on her face.

"That's not a poker face." August joked.

"I'm not on a mission."

"Next thing that is very important is appearance. People will judge a book on its cover so you have to choose an outfit that will make you blend in. I don't suggest going out and buying a disguise, just use what you already have in your wardrobe. Beforehand, figure how you want to present yourself. Do I want to look threatening or nonthreatening? Both are good depending on the situation."

"What about surroundings?" Belle asked, she was taking down a million notes. She wanted to remember all of this information.

"Good question. A good spy is always aware of their surroundings, looks for obstacles whether they are animate or inanimate. You have to be looking at listening at all times. If you have the chance, study the location prior, make notes or maps. And now for my favorite, eavesdropping." Ashely took a large glass cup from the table and placed it on the wall.

"That actually works? I thought that was only in the movies." August asked.

"Nope, works in real life too. Here, take a listen." She handed over the cup to each of them in turn. They heard every word of the research workshop going on next door. "Also, this only works on landline phones, pick up the other phone to hear the conversation. Just do not breathe. Alright, we are leaving the building and going to do some field work, some hands on exercises."

Belle, Mary Margaret and August wondered if any of the other workshops got to leave the office. They felt special.

It was a nice spring day with not a cloud in the sky.

Ashely kept lecturing as they walked. "Avoid large open areas. You can't see in every direction at once, so it's harder to keep track of people and then easier to be spotted. Walls are our friends, use their angles to stay hidden. Always keep something between you and your subject. If you need to, hide yourself behind counters or is you are outside, any environmental feature you can."

"Isn't this dangerous, talking about being sneaky out in the open?" August asked, carefully watching every person who walked past them.

"You are extras in a new spy movie and I'm the producer." Ashely answered. "I have always wanted to work on movies. Remember, your lies can have a grain of truth to them."

That wasn't going to be so hard. August thought.

"Minimize the sound you make when you move. Walk with delicate steps, wear quiet clothing. These might sound logical but when you are in pursuit, you might not think about them. If you must wear heels, I have a sole covering that completely eliminates all sound. Walk with a purpose like you are on your way somewhere." Ashely was saying, finally stopping and looking around the park. Joggers, mothers with children, students. She spotted the perfect target.

"Belle, see that guy on the bench? His wallet is sticking out of his pocket. Go steal it."

"What? No, that's not right." Belle was horrified.

"We will give it back before he even realizes. You need good sleight of hand to be in this organization.

Belle sighed, this was not good but she wanted to be here. So she took a deep breath and walked over. The man had his back to her and she checked her surroundings. Trees that provided shade, no leaves on the ground. People to talk to. That was the perfect plan.

"Your baby is adorable, how old is she?" Belle asked a young mother, bending down to look in the stroller. Her hand slid out to pull the man's wallet out.

"She's almost six months. Do you have any children?" The mother asked.

"No, not yet. Haven't met Mr. Perfect yet." That was the truth.

"I hope you find him."

"Thank you." Belle said then half ran back to Ashely, Mary Margaret and August.

"That was very good. Now you two, work together to give the poor man his wallet back. Use misdirection, one of cause a distraction while the other puts the wallet back."

"Do you want to be in the line of fire or the spotlight? I can fake an injury." August asked Mary Margaret.

"Fake the injury, I'll give the wallet back." They spilt up, August walked a few feet from the man then dramatically twisted his ankle.

"Stupid new sneakers, I should have broken them in before going on a run with them!" He yelled, his voice brought a few people, professional runners by the looks of it, to his side.

"Does it hurt when I do this?" One of them asked.

"Ow, yes. It does!"

Mary Margaret on the other hand, had snuck up to the man and in the commotion, slipped the wallet back into his pocket. Mission accomplished. So she went to August's side. "I told you to be careful." She helped him to his feet.

"Make sure he ices that ankle and stays off of it for a few days." A runner told her.

"I will, thank you." She half carried August back to the bench where Ashely and Belle were sitting.

"That was very convincing." Ashely congratulated him.

"And that is how I got out of gym class so often. Never liked the teacher or sports." August said.

"Alright, enough work outside. We are going back to the building to sneak around there for the rest of the day."

Ashely ended the workshop a little after five that afternoon. "Good job guys, that went really well for day one. You all just met and you blended well, helping each other when it was needed. I'm really proud of you. Best of luck in the other workshops."

She watched them leave and was already writing their reports in her head. But she did hear Gold walk up next to her.

"Did they have to steal my wallet?" He asked.

"You were just sitting there, kind of asking for it." She bit back a grin.

"I am missing a…." He began to say then Ashely held up a credit card. "How did you manage that?"

"I'll never tell. Good night."