Shorts in the Grand Canyon...who would have thought??

Ever since Jackie Onassis Kennedy stepped into the public’s view in the 60’s, more people have paid attention to what the First Lady wears.  Not since Mrs. Kennedy has the public cared so much as they do with First Lady Michelle Obama.

 There has been a lot of “controversy” surrounding Mrs. Obama’s outfit she wore to the Grand Canyon recently.  She walked out of Air Force One wearing blue-grey walking shorts that came down to mid-thigh.  While some people thought that this displayed that she is a normal person, some critics have said that the shorts showed too much skin.  Some even went so far as to call them “Daisy Dukes.” 

 This is absolutely ridiculous.  What else are vacationers in the Grand Canyon in the middle of the hottest month of the year supposed to wear?  It would be one thing if she was in the White House wearing this to a function, but she is on vacation.  Isn’t a vacation supposed to be where you relax a little bit and wear comfortable clothes?  It seems to me that this entire controversy is non-existent and has been created by the media.  There are much more important things going in the world to waste time reporting on shorts in the Grand Canyon – even if it is the First Lady who is wearing them.

 This type of criticism is not new to the First Lady though.  Throughout the primary season and then while campaigning for the general election, everyone applauded her choices of outfits.  Many fashion insiders claimed that she was the most fashionable politician’s wife since Jackie O.  She was known for her bold, jewel-tone colors and being able to be sexy while still remaining conservative in dress. 

 Perhaps this is why so many pundits were disappointed by her choice of outfit for the inauguration.  For the ball, she wore a dress designed by Jason Wu.  It was a one-shouldered dress with a full skirt.  The shape of the dress was very "in fashion" and has since been seen all over red carpets.  The big surprise though, was the color.  Instead of her typical jewel-tones, the dress was a striking neutral color.

 I personally think the dress was great.  It was classy and simple and fit her extremely well.  I think that news pundits should stick with real news and leave the fashion reporting to fashion magazines and journals.  

Michelle Obama's Shorts

Michelle Obama's Inauguration Gown

Shiprocked Turns 2 Years Old

The night-life scene in Charlotte is starting to offer more options for people who are tired of "soul-less faceless yuppie bars" so says Scott Weaver.  Weaver is the DJ and master of ceremonies at Shiprocked - a dance party, drag show and all around fun time that happens every Thursday at Snug Harbor. 

Snug Harbor is situated on the Corner of Pecan Ave and Gordon St right off of Central Avenue in the heart of the Plaza-Midwood neighborhood.  This dive bar with cheap drinks and a huge back patio is typically visited by neighborhood locals throughout the week but when Thursday night comes around, the place is packed and people from all over Charlotte. 

Most Shiprocked nights are just dance parties but every once in a while, there is a theme which usually includes an all-out drag show.  Weaver started this weekly party two years ago.  I emailed him since he is usually too busy during the party to talk and asked him why he started Shiprocked.

"I really noticed the lack of a place for all the freaks to go - and when I say freak, I mean anyone who ever felt like they didn't belong somewhere.  That's what I love about Shiprocked.  At first it was just me and my friends but now we get everyone from the gay kids who got beat up in school to the UNCC students who like to party and listen to rock music.  Every week is different and you will definitely notice that there is diversity in every sense.  Age, race, size, gender, sexuality - none of that matters at Shiprocked.  It's all about being who you are and our one and only rule is mutual respect."

Scott Weaver

Luckily, the night I was able to attend was a special night.  It was Shiprocked's two year anniversary.  The following pictures will explain how Shiprocked celebrates a birthday.

Early on in the night, before it got crowded, there were some people who were dancing with fire.  There were probably only 30 or so people there at the time but it was great entertainment for the early birds.

Around midnight, the big show began.  This is when the go-go dancers stopped dancing on their cubes to let the drag queens take over the stage.  These are not your normal drag queens.  Their names are Bethann Phetamine, Lilith DeVille and Tellulah Blackhead.  Lilith DeVille told me that they are less concerned about looking like real women.  "We just like to dress up and get crazy.  We aren't into the fashion trends like the queens at Scorpio's.  It is more about a feeling than a look."

Tellulah Blackhead

Bethann Phetamine

Lilith DeVille

One of the many go-go dancers

Going back to what Scott Weaver said about the patrons, they are very diverse.  The one thing that doesn't seem to be diverse is their drink choices.  With just a quick glance around, it is easy to see that the Shiprocked crowd prefers Pabst Blue Ribbon tall boys over anything else the bar offers.  For only $3, it is an easy choice for those trying to save some money but there also seems to be another reason.  One patron described it as "the anti-yuppie beer.  You see Budweiser and Miller promoting this lifestyle in their advertisements and most of us don't relate to that.  Pabst doesn't even advertise.  It's not high quality or anything but it tastes good and it's cheap."  The following pictures display the crowd this particular night.

The last highlight of the night was the string of games.  There was a limbo competition - the winner won a free shot.  The second game was a little less innocent than the limbo.  What followed was a "Dance Off Pants Off" competition where patrons took turns dancing on stage with their pants off while onlookers cheered for who they wanted to win.

It is safe to say that anyone will be accepted here.  It doesn't matter how you dress or what you look like as long as you have a good attitude and are willing to return the favor of being accepted for who you are.  Weaver said "this isn't a normal bar or party.  We don't get fights, we don't have drama.  It really is just a love fest.  We joke around a lot and call each other names but it is all in fun and people who are new to Shiprocked catch on fast that we joke like that."  

For those of you wanting to know when the next special night is, the second annual Shiprocked Luau is on Thursday, August 27th.  The party usually gets going around 10:30 and the bar closes at 2 am.  

SPECIAL THANKS to Austin Caine for the photography.

Shiprocked

This week I plan on attending Shiprocked at Snug Harbor.  This event happens every thursday and typically involves 70's rock music and new electronic music as well.  There are pirate themed go-go dancers on stage until it is time for the punk rock themed drag show where Lilith DeVille and Bethann Phetamine take the stage.  I will attend the 6th (tonight) and the next thursday as well.

Some potential questions....

Why does this event go on?

Who organizes it?

Examples of songs played

What people drink and why

What people are wearing

Everybody welcome but also a (jokingly) hostile environment

Mode Kater is german for fashion hangover. It's what you get when you love fashion a little too much. For me, they hit me when I am browsing stores that I can't afford - typically Barney's (why does an Ann Demuelemeester vest have to cost $2,000?!).

They also come from listening to the perfect album when the music makes you want to dress in a certain way. Lately, The Dead Weather album "Horehound" has really made me want to dress like a dirty, southern, blues rocker.

In general, this blog will be the fashion equivalent to a Vitamin Water binge the morning after a long night at Snug Harbor.

The blog is best viewed in bed with a cold press on your forehead.