ENTERTAINMENT BUZZ
Letter from the editor
As we run full-steam
toward the pinnacle of
the holiday season, I’m
reminded of the time my
wish to be Santa Claus
came to fruition.
Being a somewhat portly
fellow with a steadily
graying beard, an affinity
for cold weather and
travel, and the desire to
fill every heart with joy,
the job of Santa Claus has
always seemed (and still
seems) to be the reason
why I’m here on Earth.
A few years ago, some
friends and I took off
for Eureka Springs on a
Halloween weekend, and
with cold weather being
in the forecast, I scoured
every rural costume shop
within 50 miles to come up
with a legit Santa outfit.
After scoring the red suit
in Muskogee, it was off to
Eureka for a weekend of
merriment in our costumes.
After plenty of party
favors and seasonal adult
beverages, we donned
our wares; we had a Jerry
Garcia, two sexy ladies
and me, Santa Claus. We
dined, we barhopped…
and eventually ended
up at a drag show,
one of the largest of its
kind held in Northwest
Arkansas. There I was (or
rather, there Santa was),
in a room with several
dozen drag queens
and a variety of people
spanning the LGBTQ and
straight communities
during a large drag show.
The queens were using
wireless technology, so
as they’d work the room
into a frenzy they almost
always made a stop to
visit with Santa, sit on his
lap, play with his beard.
It might surprise you (as
much as it surprised me)
how respectful everyone
was of my space, and
how goodhearted and
loving everybody was at
the show. Though nobody
there knew me, I was
playing the role of one of
the most familiar figures
in everyone in middle
America’s life, and there
were no barriers. I knew
the Santa suit would get
some attention, but not
that much attention; in
fact, the only unpleasant
encounter I had was
with an upset intoxicated
woman outside another
bar, who chased after
me, yelling obscenities,
slurring her speech as I
jetted down the endless
staircases that one finds in
the annals of downtown
Eureka Springs.
all of you in 2018. Happy
holidays!
Joe Mack, Managing
Editor
I still aspire to be Santa
Claus someday…maybe
when I grow up? Until
then, let the wonder and
mystery of the season fill
your heart and home.
And thank you, readers,
for a great first year of
The Current Buzz – we
look forward to growing
and getting down with
JOE MACK
Now bookiNg solo and
ensemble performances for
your holiday parties, house
concerts, and all 2018 events.
FUELED BY
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[email protected]
or call for details
918.207.6832
www.thecurrentbuzz.net
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