In 2010 I began to exchange emails with several men about Latin music and gay Madrid. I hope to learn a lot about Latin music and my new correspondents were great resources. But there is one Latina star I already admire enormously.
When I took visiting friends out for a night on the town in San Francisco, I tended to end the festivities at Esta Noche on 16th St.
This Latin gay club had been in that once-seedy neighborhood for more than 20 years. Now it’s gone. The neighborhood became hip, and the new neighbors are not the kind to patronize Latin drag shows, but Esta Noche was welcoming and lively.
But I’ve seen more than a few very memorable moments at Esta Noche during my San Francisco days: it was there that Ken MacDonald was kissed in the bathroom by the most handsome man within miles–a high compliment—this is San Francisco after all. It was there—at the bar, not the bathroom—that Miguel Pou taught me to distinguish between the popular music of Spain, and Mexico, Central America plus Colombia and Argentina and a few other countries in the Southern Hemisphere. I usually can pick up that distinctive Brazilian samba-like beat, and of course the lyrics are in a different language though that is not easy to distinguish when you know only a few words in Spanish and Portuguese, fiesta, siesta, libertad, y “Et tu mama tambien”—just because I saw the movie and loved it.
But it was “Lulu” who introduced me to Monica Naranjo. Lulu was definitely not a gorgeous drag queen (by design), but she was one hell of a performer and knew her divas. During her show, I heard this voice that felt like a combination of Madonna, Bette Midler and Janis Joplin, with a touch of Maria Callas. “Who’s that?” I asked the bartender. “Monica,” he said, “THE star of gay Madrid.” I have since learned that she is much more than that. Monica moved to Miami so now I won’t be able to hear her live though I still plan a Madrid expedition soon. I’ve socked away enough dinero.
OK, OK, here is her iconic Sobrevivire. Sometimes her staging and orchestration is a bit cheesy but listen to the quality and strength of that voice! Music unleashes the animal!
I am planning that trip to Spain and hope to hear some great music. Monica is still performing but this year only in Mexico. Hope to find some other great Spanish divas!
I’m on the lookout! Suggestions?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xErS7G3-tCQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYvqf2ws_cU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1Oc3oZv_QA
