The pandemic? We hated it. But it brought about some inspired developments, such as Poison Waters (AKA Kevin Cook) learning to use Zoom. The Darcelle XV Showplace co-host really took to the medium, and now on the rare day in Portland where Poison Waters isn’t hosting an event, it might be because she’s leading a corporate remote retreat—or teaching an online class about local history. Since 2020, she has taught a web class as part.
The Portland arts community lost a legendary drag performer and community activist when Darcelle XV passed away from natural causes on March 23, 2023, at the age of 92. Hailed by the Guiness Book of World Records as the world’s oldest drag performer, Darcelle touched countless lives during a 56-year
On Tuesday night, thousands of people will gather in Downtown Portland for the public celebration of life in honor of drag queen Darcelle, also known as Walter Cole. Both Cole and the late Arlene Schnitzer whose name now dons the concert hall that’s hosting the upcoming memorial had big impacts on their respective fields that started in their early adulthood, lasted all throughout their lives and have already proven to impact the next generation of artists and drag performers.