dandy does drag: Steady Mess

Full disclosure: Steady Mess is a man in a dress (real name Mark Silverstone) and she is actually a good friend of mine. I met her when I was in the New York City Gay Men’s Chorus (NYCGMC) a few years back, and we have kept in touch ever since. It seems only fitting then, that dandy’s first foray into the world of drag as an art form would feature her delightfully cunty ass as it’s main subject. [ed note: Speaking of drag, if it’s your jam, come back for A. Micah Mills’ weekly take on Rupaul’s Drag Race Down Under- which premieres May 1st.]

We chatted with Mark about his current drag project, a video series now showing on YouTube with a new episode dropping tomorrow [4/20 for all you marijuanily inclined!]:

[dandy:] Tell us about your new show!
[Steady:] It's called Situation Steady. It's an ongoing video series created by me and my partner, Timorell. The idea came while we were vacationing in New Zealand. I brought my drag with me. An entire other suitcase.

Do you usually bring a separate drag suitcase on vacation?
Sometimes. It’s an opportunity for more exposure. Like in New Zealand! I’ve brought her back home to Montreal… P-Town, Fire Island... When we were in Rotorua [NZ], we decided to go zorbing, and I went in drag [ed note: zorbing apparently means rolling around inside one of those giant inflatable orbs]. The idea behind it is that Steady finds herself in bizarre, crazy, or fascinating situations, like a travel show. That first video is actually over on YouTube.

So how would you describe Steady to someone who has never met her?
Steady Mess has something up her skirt, and it’s probably your husband.

Oh my god. So, has Steady always been your drag name?
Actually...not too many people know this, but when I was really young- like nine- I used to parade around the room at boys' sleepovers, and pretend I was “Bubbles." She was a whore back then too.

Oh my.
You’re getting some juicy shit.

I try.
Montreal was really a great place to grow up gay... and explore your sexuality.

Better than where I grew up, I'm sure [Fresno, CA]. So, your co-star in the new episode Ms. Ermine Muff, how long have you two known each other? [full disclosure, I know that bitch too]
We both joined the NYCGMC the same year in 2004 and did drag separately for a few years until after we were elected Chorus Queens and became part of Chorus Royalty.

Steady Mess and Ms. Ermine Muff

So, when did you start doing drag?
First in Montreal in the early 90’s. Mostly on Halloween. Then being in the Chorus took drag to another level.

How so?
Timorell and I, we also met in the chorus. We bought a house in the Poconos, and started a drag show -a drag theatrical experience- in the sticks called WIGSTICKS, first as a fundraiser for a local LGBTQ group in the area. We started that in 2009, and decided to put it to rest last fall. Also, I started doing fundraising events for the Chorus...

What did you do for them?
I produce and host "Porn This Way" (in NYC), where we raffle off a ton of gay porn and sex toys at a bar to raise money, and we always have a hot porn star as a guest. We've had Rocco Steele, Adam Killian.... It's a very good time.

Did you come up with the name?
Well, originally it was an event called "Porn Again." They used to sell porn on VHS.

Ah, the good old days.
In the later years I'd host with Millie Shayntwrite, to eventually co-produce with Dan Baillie, and we changed the event to be more current. That's when we started calling it "Porn This Way." I also added a drag show featuring some Chorus queens. Plus I do all the design and branding for it.

Oh right, you're also a graphic designer.
Yeah, I actually just put up a new site. So basically, my experience in design and branding and in being a Chorus Queen led to me creating my own shows.

So why’d you decide to stop doing WIGSTICKS?
Short answer... it was time. Ten years is a long time. It was a mutual decision between Timorell and I, and it allowed for us to focus more on this video series. Also, WIGSTICKS was designed to be live, theatrical- in a theatre, in front of an audience. Surprisingly, even though we decided to do the final show virtually, what we ended up producing was such a perfect way to end it.

So now we are deep in the thick of "Situation Steady." Any plans for when it's done?
I really want to get back to singing and performing live. So maybe a show of some kind. Who knows where? Locally? New York City? Mars?

Yeah, I can imagine covid has been rough for you as a live performer.
Well, I’m not performing in bars like a lot of the girls, and it’s not my full time gig. I did have an opportunity to perform for someone’s 80th birthday party, though. Gloria Steinem was going to be there and I had planned a cabaret style bit, but of course he was 80- and the pandemic.

Not a great time for group gatherings to honor octogenarians.
Ha! Exactly.

Speaking of the olds. I feel like you've said before that Steady is older than you. Am I remembering that right?
Yeah. Ten years older. This way she always looks great for her age.

Oh, right on.
When I was really young Lucille Ball, Madeline Kahn, Elizabeth Taylor, Lady Bunny... they were much older than I was.

Were they big influences on Steady then?
Well actually, in terms of the look- in terms of glamour- Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey Hepburn, and Angelica Houston were my influences.

Okay. I can see that for sure. So the others were more the other side of your personality. The "Mess-y" side.
The funny thing is...Steady is almost always put together, especially during a performance. She’s the Mess afterward.

Your audiences must be glad for that.
Yeah, and that way I get to play both.

Watch the first two episodes of “Situation Steady” below. LIKE and SUBSCRIBE, COMMENT here and on YouTube, and find out what happens next starting tomorrow (4/20/21) on her channel.

All photos and videos appear courtesy of the artist.