FemmeNoir
A Web Portal For Lesbians Of Color

Carlos Las Vegas

He is known as the "absolute" ultra-flamboyant drag king/gender bender illusionist.  Decorated in bizarre sequin, rhinestone and bugle beaded costumes and with unmistakable side burns, Carlos Las Vegas has been tooted as the "Dom Perignon" of drag king entertainment.

Provocative and outspoken with several charasmatic personalities on stage, Carlos Las Vegas combines swing, jazz, R&B, hip hop, rumba and salsa for a complete "total package" performance.  Since 1994, and from a relatively small community in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, Carlos Las Vegas has caught the eye of many throughout Canada and the United States which included a guest appearance on the nationally syndicated Maury Povich Show.  Carlos Las Vegas has also  performed in:

• Calgary, Alberta, Canada

• Brandon, Manitoba, Canada

• Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada

• Toronto, Ontario, Canada

• St. Catherines/Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada

• Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

• London, Ontario, Canada

• Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA

• St. Paul, Minnesota, USA

• Columbus, Ohio, USA

• New York, New York, USA

• Washington, DC, USA

• Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada

Gender illusion enthusiasts have also been delighted with Carlos Las Vegas's gender-bending transformation burlesque presentation from the flamboyant showman Mr. Las Vegas, to the showgirl, Karmalita Las Vegas.  "Gender fluidity as a performance piece transgress our inherent masculinity, and feminity." says, Carlos.

In 1997 Carlos Las Vegas was elected "Baron II of Winnipeg and All of Manitoba", along with counterpart Liz Las Vegas, of the Snowy Owl Monarchist Society Inc.  - 1 of 70+ chapters of the International Court System.  Elected with a  95% approval rate from the electorate of Manitoba, Canada, Carlos Las Vegas is the first lesbian elected "monarch" in the province.  Soon after, the Second Baronial House of Grandeur, Elegance and Great Expectations was named, and for thirteen months, Carlos, Liz and their House not only provided superb entertainment but grossed $23 000 for local chairities.  As a good-will ambassador for the queer community, Carlos Las Vegas continues to raise thousands of dollars for several chairities and social service organizations.  Past organizations include:

• The Street Outreach Collective

• The Children's Hospital

• The Nancy fund

• Gio's Cares

• AIDS Hospice

• The Christmas Cheerboard

• The University of Winnipeg Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender* Collective

• The Rainbow Resource Centre

Carlos Las Vegas founded the Snowy Owl Monarchist Society Community Development Award.  This award funds students who are either enrolled  in, or entering a post-secondary institution and recognizes their efforts and contributions for the betterment of the lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgendered and two spirited communities in Manitoba. Click here for more information.

In 1999, Carlos Las Vegas was named ambassador to North America's longest consecutively running women's club, Ms. Purdy's and has recently been bestowed the accolade and named "Father of Ms. Purdy's Women's Club".

This past July, the city of Winnipeg hosted it's first Community Imperial Awards Gala where Carlos Las Vegas was nominated and chosen as the Favourite Drag King of 2000/2001.

Carlos Las Vegas along with Ken Las Vegas (Washington, DC, USA)   produced Kingdom, the first International Drag King Magazine.  The purpose of the magazine is to educate and expose drag king culture from around the world! Click here for more information.

Carlos Las Vegas is Clarissa (CJ) Lagartera, a student at the University of Winnipeg, majoring in sociology and political science.  As a noted activist in Manitoba's queer community and advocate on several social justice movements, Clarissa was recognized in 1997 as a Lambda Magic Award recipient.

Source:  http://www.geocities.com/carlos_lasvegas/info