Merry Triple Xmas

It's said that the holidays are a time of tradition. That may be true, but it doesn't mean our ideas of tradition should be so narrow as to only encompass annual viewings of "A Charlie Brown Christmas", "The Grinch", and drunk Aunt Lucy's backside as she once again discovers the effects of overindulging in nog. At least this year, slightly more challenging traditions old and new are available to keep your Yule log flaming in less predictable fashion.

On Sunday, Dec. 14, Truth Serum Productions hosts Wreckage, a contest installment of its ongoing TraniWreck events, irreverent cabaret/variety shows that celebrate the queer, the gender bending, the really gender bending, and the might-as-well-teach-a-yoga-class level of gender bending. While TraniWreck and Wreckage have been working local stages for four years now, this season also marks the first installment of Holiday Handjobs, a shopping fair featuring queer and/or naughty items hand crafted by local artisans. Handjobs gets off on Friday, Dec. 19, and is co-produced by gay craft guild Nine Inch Needles.

Though invitations to gender subversive, queer performance art cabaret acts and craft fairs and may not have their own section in the holiday card racks at CVS, Truth Serum founder Aliza Shapiro cordially invites all to attend the events. But as a fixture in New England's LGBT events scene, there is no doubt that Shapiro has earned credit for producing opportunities that speak with some specificity to all corners of sexuality and gender identity expression.

"The goal with Truth Serum and all of the shows I do is to create community on and off the stage," says Shapiro. "To expose people to new ideas, people, challenging content ... all while having fun and giving people a place to relax and feel connected. [These events are for] anyone who feels like an outsider at some point and adventurous people with an open mind. I feel like they've found a home with my events and feel recognized in them and energized by them."

"Just last night I got an e-mail from a transguy who thanked me for including trans bears in the gay bear program we put together for CineMental [Truth Serum's film series]," continues Shapiro. "People need to see themselves represented, it's life affirming. It's the same with TraniWreck and Wreckage ... maybe people don't look like the TraniWreck posse, but they're seeing gender being played with and recreated which is fun and validating."

Rewarding, too. For Sunday's Wreckage event, at least eight performers are already registered to compete in front of celebrity judges for cash and prizes. Their talents are diverse, and Shapiro adds that an open mic element should encourage additional participation. Don't be shy if you're considering throwing your hat (or wig) into the ring; Shapiro says this isn't simply about finding "America's Next Top Drag."

"The performers are encouraged to push the boundary of what they usually see as 'drag performance,'" says Shapiro, who will host the event in her own drag king alter ego Heywood Wakefield. "We're not interested in impeccable mimic illusion, we're interested in seeing something strange and extraordinary. ... And we don't always agree."

"We are not looking for flawless make-up and good lip syncing here," she continues. "We are looking for creativity and trashy shows of daring performance. We are looking for boundary blasting, gender bending wonder. Cutting edge stuff that makes you say, 'holy shit!' Not the next Celine Dion drone."

Also celebrating the one-of-a-kind is Holiday Handjobs, where Shapiro hopes to have over 20 vendors selling the kind of naughty little treasures that should give recipients a little extra stuffing in their stocking; think SoWa Open Market, except the bibs aren't for babies.

"It's not just for queers," says Shapiro. "We welcome anyone who makes something a little more naughty than you'd typically see at a craft sale. ... We're [also] going to have sexy baked goods, vegan vagina cupcakes and other goodies. ... There will be chair massage, possibly punk haircuts and makeovers."

Handjobs will also collect donations for $pread Magazine, a publication with the mission to "build community and de-stigmatize sex work."

"The concepts went hand-in-hand, so to speak," says Shapiro of the relationship. "Holiday Handjobs celebrates the dirty side of holiday commerce while supporting artists and giving patrons a relaxing and thrilling shopping experience. $pread celebrates the commerce of the dirty and the lives of sex workers who are often artists also... [the publication is] struggling ... and I thought it'd be great to have them involved and to support them."

After all, what could make more sense for events that celebrate the more challenging sides of self-expression?
"What the mainstream knows or hears about prostitution is so limited and "$pread" does a great job of giving sex workers a voice and exposing some interesting parts of the human condition," says Shapiro. "They had a great article and interview with The DC Madame a couple of issues ago."

"That's right, I read it for the articles."

Ah yes, another tradition with which most are intimately familiar.

Wreckage will strut its stuff on Sunday, Dec. 14. at The Milky Way (405 Centre St., Jamaica Plain). Doors at 9:00 p.m., show at 9:30 p.m. and cover $8. Holiday Handjobs rubs one out on Fri. Dec 19 at Dilboy VFW Hall (371 Summer St., Davis Square, Somerville). 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. For more info on these and other Truth Serum Events, visit truthserum.org. For vendor applications for Holiday Handjobs, visit holiday-handjobs.com.