Calgary's First "Bizarre Ball"

By Coreen Clark
Special To Transgender Forum





Saturday, March 2, 1996 marked the first of what is hoped to be many Bizarre Balls in my home town of Calgary.

(See the full Pictorial on this event!)

RuPaul had been approached to be the M.C. but couldn't due to previous bookings. She did write a nice letter with her regrets and wishes of success. For our American readers, I should set the stage as to the significance of the event to our area. Calgary, located in the province (ie: state) of Alberta, is second province in from the west of Canada. With around a million citizens, it is known for it's oil and cattle industry... kind of a smaller Dallas. In other words, it has quite a "red neck" reputation and is very conservative. Because of this, I was stunned to find, a few years ago, that we had one of the largest and best organized clubs for transgendered people and their supporters that I've heard of since; "Illusions". In some ways I feel that Calgary's conservative attitude has helped provide an atmosphere where TGs can go out without much hassle. If the general public harbours animosity towards us, they just don't seem to do anything about it!

Illusions was founded over five years ago by the owners of the custom garment makers at B&B Leatherworks (also owners of Lingerie By Barbie), Barbie and Brian (Brian is a TS soon to transition fully as Christine. She just had voice-change surgery a week before the ball, which left her whispering through the final chaotic days of preparation!) Through their clientlal, they realised that there were so many "small pockets" of people into all imaginable alternate lifestyles and fetishes, that a massive party could be organised to provide a safe place to have fun, meet others, and especially, to learn about each other. I know some TGs may not want to be lumped in with other fetishes, and I don't believe they were. Though for some CDs or TVs there is a sexual aspect to their activities, others, including myself (TV/TS) and TSs, feel it is much more a lifestyle or way we must live. Because ALL types of people, including straight couples and individuals, were welcome and in evidence, one didn't feel they had to identify with any of the "factions", and could just be themselves. It provided an excellent opportunity to get out, and I met several first timers that evening.

The ball happened to fall on the same day as my son's seventh birthday party, which meant the early start at getting ready that I had envisioned would not be so. We took ten "holy terrors" out skating, then back to our house for hotdogs, presents and games. I was lucky I didn't break a nail in all the ensuing bedlam! The ball was scheduled to start at 8pm, but I didn't get myself "on the job" until 7pm. By special arrangement with my wife, I would be changing and leaving from home. I was to tell junior that I had to say "good night" early because I had alot of "work" to do downstairs. He replied that he knew what I was doing, "You're going to that girl club again"! So much for that. He has always known about me. It has been only in recent years that we have tried to keep it from him, at my wife's request.

Preparation went well. I chose to wear a black stretch bodysuit with sheer upper bodice and sleeves, a very short creme ribbed skirt with buttons down the front, white stretch belt, and fishnet pantyhose. I made a ponytail in my longest wig and added a white scrunchie to it. I did leave alot of hair out of the ponytail because I have to hide my natural hair and larger neck. Due to a heel injury I had to desist in wearing my 3" black pumps in favour of some shorter ones. When I finished my nails and emerged, it was already 8:30pm. My wife was waiting in the next room. When she caught sight of me she commented that it's always such a shock to her, at first, to see how different I look. She kept saying how wonderful I looked as she took some pictures of me, though.

As evening had approached, there had been an unusual (for March) and extreme heavy snowfall. The roads were terrible and I saw many people skidding all over the place as I carefully drove downtown. There was a city parking lot close to the venue that I decided to use. It was quite busy as I got out of the car and walked the block to the ball, which was the first thrill. I was glad I'd worn my ladies snowboots.

The ball was being held in a place called "The Bank" because, well, it used to be a bank! I believe it is an historic sight. It has been a club for years, but it was the first time I had ever been in it. Immediately on entering, you pass a small desk where tickets were taken. There were no door tickets available when I arrived... it was sold out... 600 people! I know that doesn't compare to the large crowds that New York or London attract, but for Calgary that was huge! Once past the desk you are immediately in the party! I ran into people I knew straight away; the wife of a CD and her friend, sitting on the wide staircase railing. They were both wearing latex dresses with extreme makeup, something like "KISS" would do. They told me the coat check was downstairs so I headed that way. It turned out to be located in the old bank vault. The massive door was still attached. Cool! The washrooms were also downstairs. Later in the evening when I needed to use the "ladies' room" I discovered it was mammoth, with a kind of labyrinth of stall areas. The smell of marihuana was heavy in the air there.

As I rejoined the party upstairs the jazz quartet was finishing its last couple of tunes. Apparently, and luckily for me, the ball had started late. The leader of the quartet was a trombone player who was Barbie's boyfriend. I've talked music with him at several Illusions meetings. His instructor taught at the same music college I attended many moons ago. The jazz was top quality, but ended too soon. I got a drink and made my way upstairs to the loft area just over the entrance. I suppose the bank manager used to look down on his kingdom from there, in days long gone by. It now contained a pool table, and to my delight, alot of my TG friends. Everyone was dressed wildly! Christine and her wife were "out of character" with Christine in a short black vinyl dress, garter belt, fishnets, etc, and her wife in a mini mini and an open blazer... nothing else! Unfortunately, one time later on, when I returned downstairs again, I found the wife fast asleep!

In the loft I took pictures of my good friend Teresa and had one taken with both of us. One of the two professional photographers Barbie had hired was setup in the loft at one of the railed openings. I chatted with him abit then asked if I could take some photos. Cameras were not allowed, but because I am official photographer for Illusions, I seemed to get away with it. I hadn't been asked to take pictures officially. He let me blast a few and pointed out how my little flash triggered his system. He had the whole place rigged with strobe flashes that looked like a lightening strike everytime I took one! The first fashion show was hitting the runway so I took more pictures of that. The clothes were mostly vinyl, latex and leather; quite sexy, but only a few of the fetish variety. When that ended, a rock band setup an started playing one set. I took a couple of shots of them, but by then me feet were getting "itchy"... I just can't stay in one place for long!

When I returned downstairs I freshened my drink and started to wonder around and explore. I made my way slowly up one side of the runway, running into friends, acquaintances, and strangers, and struck up conversations them. When I reached where the stage ended I was confronted with a large biker-type who was security for back stage. I explained to him that I was one of the waitresses for later in the ball, and even though I didn't have an official pass like everyone else, he let through the curtain backstage. What a scene! It was a beehive of activity with half naked models (male and female) scurrying about, security all over, and couples (models?) just hanging out. The couples were boy-girl, boy-boy and girl-girl. I was supposed to locate my waitress dress so I could do a quick change when called upon. I started searching through the racks of outfits. I wanted to take home just about every item I saw! At one rack, an Asian girl seemed to be in love with a very furry white coat hung at the end. She was hugging it while she stroked it, and didn't stop the whole time I was back there. I didn't find my dress, so decided to leave and mingle some more.

Back in the crowd, it was more of the same. I finally ran into a TG who works where I do. I had been trying for many, many months to get him to come to an Illusions meeting, but he always would stand me up at the last minute. We had met at work for lunch once, but he had never seen Coreen before. I notice him when he passed me while I was talking to another CD. Luckily I found him later. It turned out, although he liked to CD, his main interest was latex, which he was dressed in. We had a great time talking and yucking it up for awhile. The crowd included alot of variety in the way people were dressed; a girl with her face painted gold, men wearing cowboy chaps and nothing else (what a view from "behind").

By this point, I was wondering up the other side of the runway. I met numerous females all of whom said how much they were impressed with the TGs. "I can't believe what a good job you guys do!" were comments typically received by myself and my other friends. We enjoyed their cudos, but didn't like to be reminded we were guys. I finally reached the back of the stage on the other side and was met by another biker guy at the curtain. I gave him the same "searching for dress" story and this time he took me backstage right to it! I didn't stay there long this time... I felt I was kind of in the way.

Mingle! Mingle! Mingle! After the band finished its set, the second fashion show began. This time it was really wild! There were alot of S&M fashions with the models really getting into playing the part. As the night wore on, things were getting progressively more bizarre! The show was top notch. As the room was kept somewhat dark, the lasers and video graphics were quite effective. The pounding music kept this girl bopping! My friend Gina, who had helped alot with the ball, was in charge of all the waitresses. She was alittle mixed up as to where they were in the program, so she started to round up the waitresses. Unfortunately, I was the only one she could find! We waited near the backstage curtain, by the wall off to the side of the runway. I found an empty step that lead to an area with tables reserved for people with backstage passes. I asked if I was in the way of the gorgeous (husband-wife) couple behind me, and they assured me I wasn't. This is where I stayed for the major part of the night. The couple and I became friends and commented alot to each other. The spot also proved to be an ideal place to get some great pictures! It gave a completely different angle from the two professional guys. I noticed in many of the pictures I took, the security guys are staring at me, along with some foxy leather girls too. Barbie pointed out Alfred Sung in some of my pictures

It was during this portion of the ball that the REALLY bizarre stuff happened. It's very hard to describe some of it, except that it had just about everyone in the audience staring with gapping mouths! I'll try to describe some of it. There was the guy (without any mask or means to hide his identity) who was held by two huge leather guys, while a third wearing a feathered and horned mask, ripped the captive's shirt off. He then attached numerous clothes pin type clips all over the guys back and then proceeded to knock them off one at a time with a whip. Man, was he good with that whip! Still, there were a few stubborn clips that took a number of hits to finally come off. The whipper then gave the victim a long, deep kiss.

There was the girl in the blue bikini outfit with sheer skirt, who had "acupuncture" performed on her, the girl on the bed of nails, the sword swallowing girl, and the show stopper; the piercing guy. Another macho looking biker guy, he came out on stage with his arms already pierced completely through with dozens of long silver needles. He then pushed a few more through his arms, live. But the topper on the whole thing was when he pushed one through his cheek right through and out the other cheek! Yikes! But that wasn't the end! After he felt he had enough in him, all the lights were turned off, and he was held by a few more rough looking guys. Another guy came out with what looked like an electric arc welding probe, except it seemed to have a hooked purple neon light in it's shaft. They then started to give him shocks through the needles! You could see the sparks jumping from the probe to them!

Another "interesting" segment was when a throne was carried out containing a an extremely and obviously overdone drag queen. I mean, her eyelashes were out to HERE, and her lips were gigantic! Several women scantily clad in leather took turns walking out men on leashes on all fours. The "Queen" took turns judging each one as they were presented to her, and gave them either a thumbs up or down. I lost track of what happened to them after that; perhaps a whipping?

Still another curious part was when a table-high cage was brought out ceremoniously. A blonde girl was chained on top of it, on her back, and then her hair was shaved off. There were many other "ceremony" type performances in the show that I didn't understand at all. Some involved persons wearing hooded monk robes. I have mainly been describing the more bizarre things I saw. There were also some excellent drag performers, including the amazing "The Queens' Supreme", a Diana Ross and the Supremes clone group from Edmonton. Excellent choreography!

When the show portion of the ball ended, the rock band came back and played until 2:45am. Their return was our cue to change into the waitress outfits and pass out snacks. The dresses we wore were vinyl French maids outfits with black vinyl aprons. Gina's dress was red, Teresa'a was pink, Amanda's was black, and mine was white. Mine was the only one who's crinoline wasn't colour matched; it was blue. I had brought a white garter belt, white lace stockings, white pumps and a white choker I had made to complete the effect. The backstage area turned into a kitchen with platter after platter of sandwiches, fruit, etc. waiting to be passed out. Due to the hour, many people started to leave. This actually was good because it would have been impossible to get through the earlier shoulder to shoulder crowd. There finally was enough space that the dance floor "reappeared". Some people took advantage of it and cut loose. We passed out goodies to the crowd and the dancers.

I didn't really think I would, but I got into the maid role totally! The other girls gave up a half hour before I did. People seemed to have had their fill, but I got into batting my eyelashes and practicing my charm to give them the "hard sell". It just kept working! A few guys, including some of those burly biker types started to take an interest in me. I was a terrible flirt and kissed more girls and guys than I can remember! I even went on stage while the band was playing to drop off sandwiches to each player... what a ham! I think it was the spirit of the night that got me going, and compared to what others had done there, what I was doing didn't seem that "outside".

In the end, the ball was a total gas, as well as success. Barbie no doubt paid her expenses, and gained ALOT more. The good news is this means she's only more likely to do it again. She had said before it happened, she wanted to have the ball regularly, once or twice a year. After talking with her last week it'll definitely be twice... see ya in October, at larger venue!!!


Back to Transgender Forum's home page