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Lonesome Bill Walker invites you to find the ‘Glory’ in community

A group of artists led by Lonesome Bill Walker (center) created "Glory Hole," a curated experience happening Oct. 17-19 at Yours Truly in Riverwest.
A group of artists led by Lonesome Bill Walker (center) created "Glory Hole," a curated experience happening Oct. 17-19 at Yours Truly in Riverwest.

Close your eyes. Revisit 2004. There’s a Lisa Frank dolphin folder in front of you. Suddenly, you’re in those rainbow waves. The longer you’re there, the more idyllic it gets, the more you want to stay. The sun: setting. Dolphins: playing. The future: promising.

This was my conversation with Lonesome Bill Walker (you can open your eyes).

Walker is a multi-disciplinary artist and performer currently residing in Milwaukee. His work spans many media addressing the silencing of trans histories through systemic censorship and oppression. In doing so, he celebrates the present and future of queer and trans individuals.

This weekend, Oct. 17-19, Yours Truly studio in Riverwest in collaboration with Saint Jawn Cinema will showcase a body of his works spanning five years. These three days are sculpted by the community of artists who have paved the way for Walker since his move to Milwaukee. Decorated by performance art, film, exhibitionism and theatrics, “Glory Hole” will represent the throughline of art: community.

That’s what I knew to be true going into the interview. Walker helped me understand how to raise the bar of what’s possible.

It starts by knowing that “Glory Hole” is an experience of endurance. The event kicks off with speed dating, a video performance over a detailed manicure: “nailed,” pony rides, cake sitting, “How much is that Doggy in the Window,” a live reading of vintage erotic fiction, a Japanese dance theater performance and karaoke (duh).

By the way, that’s all during the first 12-hour leg of the journey from 6 p.m. Oct. 17 to 6 a.m. Oct. 18.

The final two installments — noon to 7 p.m. Oct. 18 and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 19 — are packed with things like “Uncle Jeff,” Evil Bill Portraits, Dyke Church and Bingo Baptism. What does it mean? Live animals? My uncle’s name isn’t Jeff. These are welcome and rational observations. Yet there is literally only one way to find out their answers.

Explaining the timing of it all, Walker explained that “October’s the sweet spot. Halloween is called ‘Gay Christmas’ because queer people can actually show up. It was the one day of the year that trans people weren’t criminalized for dressing in their proper gender. … It truly is a time to celebrate trans-ness, queerness and just being yourself.”

The only question that could follow was: Should people come dressed up? He confirmed my suspicions. “Every event I host has a dress code,” he said of the themes:

  • Friday — Little Angel, Pickle Juice on Ice and, of course, Pee-Wee’s Playhouse. “Let's talk about Miss Yvonne," Walker instructed. I began to get emotional. 
  • Saturday — Pump It Up (i.e., “Let’s go Jane Fonda”), Demon Hoard and Disgusting Little Worm. 
  • Sunday — Levi’s & Leather, Sunday Service and Gender Bender. 

I couldn't tear the mile-wide grin from my face as I asked, “Why is queerness always tied to joy? Why do queer people have so much fun?”

Walker offered, “You’re really asked to prove yourself over and over again. … You’re asked to make this airtight dossier of why. A lot of these lifestyles people prescribe to us box us in. … The funniest people I know are queer. To be given a box, a bit, we can commit to the bit like nobody else. … It is all about taking back something. It is all about playfulness, flipping the script.”

With great joy comes great responsibility. Walker has prepared safe escorts, extra eyes and folks to support whatever may unfold over the weekend. “There is no room for people to be unkind or violent,” he said, “even if the experience of celebration is a really big feeling for someone, just to have someone who is safe that they can talk to.”

88Nine On-Air Talent | Radio Milwaukee