By Deborah Nicole Allen
But today, there is another, better reason to go to Ybor City: Tracks/El Goya.
Now one of the world's greatest female impersonator show bars, Tracks follows the traditions of the original business that was on that site, The El Goya, which was once famed for its Cuban female impersonation shows.
Years ago a fire destroyed much of the building - but the many of the hand painted art works were not harmed - and still are there today looking just as beautiful as they did in the old days.
Today Tracks / El Goya is a major destination in Tampa and on any weekend you will find over one thousand people there enjoying the music and the legendary female impersonation cabaret shows.
It is billed as a gay / all lifestyles location with definite emphasis on "everybody welcome". Over the past few years the management has tried successfully to change the image from "this is a gay facility - do not be offended" to a place where any one who goes there is going to see all kinds of people. Every night has a different crowd and there are shows five nights a week.
On a personal note I remember going to see the Miss Florida female impersonation pageant in Miami about 7 years ago as a lonely shy spectator and it was my very first experience at a pageant. Never had I ever seen such magic and entertainment and I vowed that one day I would be a part of all this high drama. Never in my wildest dreams could I ever imagine that I would end up working as a female for Tracks and being a part of all shows.
Back then I did not know any of the show girls and it took a lot of courage to even approach them. They all had this "untouchable" showgirl image and kept a very private profile - and rarely would ever be seen in the presence of a non performer - let alone be friends with someone like myself.
One day I decided that I would call one of them at home and quite frankly I expected her to reject my call and based on her reputation I thought she would hang up and that would be it.
Her name was Esme Russell and she was a former Miss Florida and one of the most beautiful and talented queens in the entire country. A female body to admire from afar and a person who had won almost every pageant in the south east. As it turned out we talked for hours and that call started a lifetime friendship which I will cherish forever. It opened up a whole new world for me and introduced me to the most incredible experiences any person could ever have.
Over time I got to know many of these entertainers as personal friends who now know Miss Debbie as a queen who shares all their good and bad times. I love them all and deeply admire the talent and work that goes into the performances each night.
The audience sees a well-produced show that looks so automatic and simple. Very few understand or appreciate all the "behind the scenes" work that has evolved to this point.
Most began their careers as crossdressers who knew they were different at an early age.They probably looked good as women and began to do newcomer talent shows working for free or a few dollars a night. As their experience developed they improved gradually and began to enter female impersonation beauty and talent pageants.
Many struggled financially and defiantly persisted in their pursuit of perfection. Some began to place and win local city and nightclub pageants and got bookings in some of the smaller clubs across their home states. Like any career, they got promoted to the larger clubs and began to establish their images as professional people. As they developed their skills bookings got heavier and they began to earn more money. Most of them lived very modestly and ploughed most of their money back into their costumes. Many almost starved as they spent their days designing and making their own costumes, rehearsing their dance presentations and learning the words of all the beautiful songs we hear every night. Countless hours were spent getting ready for "showtime". Thousands of dollars were spent on everything from costume materials, sequins and cosmetics. Bodies were changed through expensive silicone implants, injections and hormones. It took years to get ready for tonight's show.
On a typical night they leave the club at about 3am following the show. Some go home so tired and they go right to sleep. Some like to party and eat. All get up at about noon and begin to get ready for rehearsals, which begin at 2 pm daily at Tracks.
As they assemble in the dressing room they are discussing all the normal business and "girl talk" and laughter is everywhere as they kid each other and make jokes. They work as a team and respect each other as co-workers whose only objective is a top notch show. Everybody is there and fines are levied for no shows.
No elaborate costumes during these average rehearsals - but all spend many hours preparing for the shows - working under the direction of a full-time choreographer and show producer named Dawn. She is a no nonsense real female who works these people relentlessly until she is satisfied that the production is flawless. She is highly respected by all and she is the backbone of the production. Dawn is an expert dancer herself and a key part of the show. Post show videos are reviewed by her and steps taken to correct any problems. If there is a major production there are budgets for special costumes and a full time dressmaker called Francis - who also helps everyone get dressed before showtime.
After rehearsals finish all go home and many begin strenuous work out sessions to improve their bodies - as if they needed it ! Then they begin to assemble their clothes, costumes, jewelry, cosmetics etc. for this evening's work.
They all select their own music and set the tapes so they are ready for the number. Perhaps a few hours sleep - and then off to the club - again. It's been a long day already - and the day has barely begun. I have some very special friends like Joey Brooks, the show MC , and Esme Russell - the beautiful Cuban girl who introduced me to all this madness. Joey has taught me more about make up than any other person. She is an expert who learned her cosmetic skills in Las Vegas and San Francisco where she worked at the famous Finocchio's and the La Cage reviews. To see her perform as Dolly Parton or any one of her numerous characters is something to behold. Esme has won almost every pageant in our state and both are total professionals.
Many evenings I will meet Esme at her home and help her carry
all the bags filled with the night's costumes to the club. As we all reach the front
of the club there is always a lot of people waiting to watch the stars arrive.We
work our way through the large club and say hello to friends and finally make it
to the upstairs dressing room. Sometimes a back door is used if there is a lot to
carry. Joey is in charge of the show and she runs the dressing room and ensures
all are ready for the productions. There are firm rules and everyone must be there
90 minutes before show time. Again fines are levied if anyone is late. There are
no exceptions and the rules apply equally to everyone.Very few non-cast personnel
are allowed in the dressing and I consider myself very fortunate to be permitted
this privilege.
I have to admit that these are very special times and I love being part of the dressing room activities. When it gets real busy or they are doing some last minute rehearsals I get out of there so I am not in their way. I love all of these people dearly and I am in total awe of their beauty and talents.
Felicity Lane is there getting ready for her Madonna number. She is a beautiful blonde with a superb female body and is very popular with the audience. Divinity Everlasting is fixing her hair and putting the final touches to her eye make up. She is our newest cast member and has come a long way from where I remember her many years ago. Miss Amy De Milo is the quiet one in our group - but on stage she lights up the room and everybody loves Amy. Stephanney Shapea is tall and beautiful and tonight she is doing her Donna Summer review and to see her on stage in that beautiful long wide white dress dancing in fast circles is incredible.
To see them change their eyes from small to huge, to see how they highlight their cheekbones using several colors, to watch as they increase lip size - using all the tricks they have learned over many years is tremendous. It is an art very few queens truly know how to do. They all help each other and laugh and joke as they prepare. With only a few minutes to curtain time it is all organized chaos. Topless girls in all stages of dress, panties and bras everywhere, stockings being fastened with garter belts, huge earrings being fastened with magic glue, final cosmetic touch ups, dresses are pulled on and zipped up. Francis is there with the safety pins if needed and is available to help in any way. Finally huge beautifully styled wigs are pulled on - and Joey announces "5 minutes to showtime" - and everybody waits for the intro music.
Downstairs in the main cabaret room - the audience is enthusiastically waiting for everything to begin. It's 10:55pm and the stage is cleared and checked by security for anything which might cause an accident. Security is positioned at each end of the stage. John Dean - the lighting manager is ready and is positioned high above the floor in the back production room. He controls the room lights and works the hundreds of spotlights. He follows the performers as they dance their way across the entire stage. Ralph - the Disney man - is the video king and he ensures all the music and videos are perfectly timed for the girls. Both are experts at their trade. Finally - it's show time - "lights / music - and the show". About one thousand people are here tonight and more are moving their way into the room.
The lights are dimmed - the music is blaring - the curtain raises and the entire cast is on stage and the production number begins. The crowd goes wild and people just cannot believe that these beautiful female performers - are genetically male. After the main opening production Joey Brooks - the Goddess - and the MC - comes on stage and all hell breaks loose as she performs her solo act. It could be any one of numerous characters that she has perfected and the audience loves every minute of her show. Then she works the crowd and singles out some people for ridicule. She will make any new announcements and will introduce the other cast members. One by one they perform their act and every move they make is cheered and admired by the audience.
Esme, for example, is wearing a simple outfit - very simple ! Not too much to it really! She begins her act in one of her beautiful beaded body wraps looking as gorgeous as ever. Then about half way through her routine she strips down to a g string and pasties. If you can imagine this incredible female body with boobs to die for dancing across the stage singing her words you will get the picture.
At the conclusion of the solo acts they all begin a final production number. This one is even better than the opening and the audience loves it. And finally Joey will introduce everybody by name as they all take their final bows. And then the curtain falls on yet another successful show. Its been about 60 minutes from when it all began and people begin to work their way into the other rooms in the club. Now the performers have to get ready for another show in about an hour. It's a completely different show than before with all new production numbers and music. They do this 4 -5 nights a week and it gets better and better every time.
I can tell you this for sure. Joey and I saw on tv Entertainment Tonight and some other major shows a feature on another new La Cage show in a major city. It got rave reviews and we decided to travel and check it all out personally. What a disappointment ! We left knowing WE have the very best DRAG FEMALE IMPERSONATION SHOW in the entire south east. Nothing even comes close ! WE returned feeling so proud of our show and our stars - ALL of them. So what the audience sees in about one hour of entertainment - takes years of experience and countless hours of preparation to put together. It's exciting beyond anything I have ever known and I have nothing but love, admiration and respect for all the girls who are the legendary " TRACK'S / EL GOYA CABARET REVUE".
I am so lucky and proud to be a very small part of all of this and in my wildest dreams I never expected to be friends with all these wonderful people and be part of their lives. When one of our Tampa queens won the 1995 Miss Florida Pageant we had a huge party at my home. About 150 people showed up including 65 queens and they finished up the evening with a full stage show on my patio which was decorated like a stage. It was a night that me and ALL my neighbors will never forget !
But despite all the glamour and glitter these are ALL normal people who pay taxes and go about their own business. They all have families and friends and take enormous pride in their careers. They work very hard to bring a professional show to everyone. They also donate their time and money to all kinds of benefits all over the state performing for free and raising badly needed money for all kinds of aids benefits. I am so proud they are all my friends - and sisters.
The Tracks / El Goya management has worked very hard to "change" the totally gay environment to a place where everybody is welcome. Every night has a different audience mix. Tuesdays are about 75% gay and 25% straight. Thursdays are about 90% straight. Fridays and Saturdays are about 50 / 50 %.
Many out of town tourists come there to see the show and all leave knowing they had a great evening. Our club reputation as a safe place is well known and there is plenty of parking nearby. There is a small cover each evening after 11 pm and anyone dressed in "drag" gets in free at any time.
Our club general manager Terry Hatfield invites all of you to come and enjoy a great evening at Tracks / El Goya. He takes great pride in this legendary nightclub and has done amazing things to improve everything there. The club is located in Ybor City / Tampa Florida on 7TH Avenue and YOU are invited to see ALL of the magic performed almost every night. We guarantee you will not be disappointed and remember that everybody is welcome regardless of lifestyle. We don't care - so long as you all behave and respect the human rights of others.
Write to me atsb1000@ix.netcom.com
- I would love to hear from you. With love and best wishes -
Debbie.