An Audience with our "MOTHER" : MARGARET CHO - Part Two

Margaret Cho caught my attention just as I was emerging from my baby-teen years (even before we said "tween", imagine!). I was having a date night with my gaggle of club kid roomies, and we settled down to watch the beautiful 1996 film, "It's My Party". Throughout the film, a vision of kindness and comfort kept appearing on the screen. This was my first experience with Margaret Cho. Um.. and let's not forget that HAIRDO, the queens went wild for that look!

As the character Charlene Lee, Cho delivered a heartwarming performance as the self-proclaimed "fat-pig fag-hag" who managed to bring a family closer together during a time of turmoil and immense pain. This was a time in the 90's when AIDS was still shrouded in so much mystery across the globe, and was still considered a mysterious plague-like "death sentence", so the film had a very deep social significance that still resonates today; In the middle of it all sits Margaret, educating our community when we needed her most.

Am I ever thankful that I got the opportunity to write this article, because it gave me a chance to re-visit this film with my boyfriend, and reflect on how our community and the world have grown closer together in so many ways since 1996. We certainly owe a lot to the voice that is Margaret Cho, for always spreading our gospel truth through her touring shows and television appearances, and of course many lecture evenings. When asked whether her nights off were more geared towards a roaring dance club, a swanky arts fundraiser or a thoughtful lecture, the answer was easy-squeezy, "Oh, I am SUCH a lecture queen.".

Speaking of lectures and appearances, PLEASE join us for an evening in Vancouver, LIVE with Margaret Cho. Saturday, February 16th, Margaret brings her "MOTHER" Tour to the Centre for the Performing Arts in Vancouver, as part of the Vancouver Comedy & Arts Festival.

CLICK HERE to purchase tickets from www.ticketmaster.ca

CLICK HERE to order a hotel and 2 tickets package (starting at $159 CDN) from www.comedyfest.com

Our dear Margaret Cho showed us that she was more than a comedian, proving herself as an actress, and has been gracing the big and small screens ever since. Aside from her own brilliant "The Cho Show", Margaret was adored on such hits as Drop Dead Diva, 30 rock, RuPaul's Drag Race ("Bring back ... my Cho!") and Dancing with the Stars.

As far as touring goes, festivals and Prides allow her to fraternize with her peers, where the magic really happens. Let's not forget the "Season 4" Episode of comedian Kathy Griffin's "My Life on the D-List", when Margaret spent an afternoon with Griffin and Cyndi Lauper in Sydney, Australia's infamous "House of Priscilla" boutique, preceding the legendary Mardi Gras celebrations. To see such characters, out of character per se, was a treat for everyone.

I asked Margaret if this was a regular occurrence, to see fellow performers while on the road, and who she sees most often. Miss Cho had this to say. "I think I see Kathy Griffin the most, as she and I inhabit the same varied work environments. I also go see her (show) on the road whenever I can, as I am also a big fan. I love to watch her comedy as she is incredibly prolific as well as awesomely funny. (To) just hang out and catch up, or walk the red carpet and laugh about it. She's the best!".

Stay tuned for more interview with Margaret, a reflection on her fans, and gearing up for Vancouver

An Audience with our "MOTHER" : MARGARET CHO - Part Three - Coming in February!