Volume 8, Issue 194 - November 1, 2002 through November 14, 2002
ARTS, BARS, CUISINE
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FEATURE
DiscFunktion: Treble the Treble
By Brent Fuqua
Photos by Sophia Hantzes
What do you get when you cross a drop-dead gorgeous karaoke diva, a hot young stud with a golden throat, and a back-flipping drag queen whose voice Gloria Gaynor would covet? You get a smoking hot singing trio that is causing the Town House in Saint Paul to check for structural damage after their shows- -i.e, they're blowing the roof off the place.
DiscFunktion is a peculiar merger of
'
personality and performance, blending together in a unique way, with outstanding results.
The karaoke diva is Mia Dorr, owner of Premier Entertainment, a company that pulls off 20 shows a week in the Twin Cities, including very popular ones at Over the Rainbow in St. Paul Thursdays and Sundays.
The hot young stud is Stewart Olerich, who has one of those voices and has been singing all of his life,
The acrobatic drag queen is Ti-Nea', a longtime Twin Cities entertainer, often seen wowing crowds from the stage at the Twin Cities GLBT Pride Festival, amoung other hyperglamorous events.
These three are the people onstage. By all accounts, however, the secret ingredient in the group's success is Dana Pagitt, who bears the title of program coordinator, but might just as accurately be called den mother, or chief cook and bottle washer.
DiscFunktion coalesced in much the way one might expect. Dorr was hosting a karaoke show, Ti-Nea' came in on the recommendation of a friend, and they started to sing together.
"We clicked like no one else I've ever sung with in my life," Dorr says. "We knew right away we should be singing together, but because of the venue of karaoke, it couldn't just be the Mia and Ti-Nea' show. We formed a group so that we could sing together more."
Dorr continues, "I had known Stewart for a long time and had worked with him. He came in to Over the Rainbow one night, and he's been singing with us ever since."
Pagitt heard about the group, and after seeing them perform, offered her services.
"Dana has been a DJ for around 20 years," Dorr notes. "In the beginning,
she had some suggestions, and volunteered her time to help us pick our songs and operate the music.
"Two years later, she's definitely the musical director, and really the hub of the group. She helps us communicate everything to each other, and she selects the songs, and also lets us know which ones might not be best for us."
Now, DiscFunktion has amalgamated some 60 years of combined club experience, and more than two years of rehearsing and working together. The group has a 200-plus song repertoire. They're building a following as diverse as they are.
"It's a rocking good time," Ti-Nea' observes. "We're all doing what we like to do best, which is sing. And doing it together with these guys is a remarkable thing."
Ti-Nea' adds, "As I look out on our audiences, I'm amazed at the diversity, and I think that's partly because of the diversity in our own group. We have a lot of gay people watching the show, but we also have many straight couples coming as well.
"The last show we did, we had a group of about 20 deaf people watching the show, and they had someone signing our lyrics to them as we were performing. That took it to a new level for us. It was great."
Despite the easy charm and obvious pleasure the threesome radiate from the stage, their public face belie the careful planning and hard-won experience that make their shows appear effortless.
"Basically, what happens is, Dana picks the songs for us," Olerich explains. "Our light comes on, and we know it's our turn to sing. Then, she watches the audience, and map out the show according to what they are responding to, so we never know exactly how the show is going to go."
"We all work so well together, we don't worry about who gets how many song that set or anything. We just trust her, and it works out great."
According to Olerich, "It keeps growing, and we're all growing with it. Each time is a new experience, and I can't wait to see them every time we sing together. We're so connected."
In addition to the onstage camaraderie, the four will point out it was the music that originally brought them together, but it is a genuine and growing respect for each other as individuals that creates the real magic and keeps them going.
As Olerich puts it, "It's like working with family. There is just a chemistry there. I have three great friends, and I get to do what I love. What could be better?"
DiscFunktion performs the 2nd Friday of every month at the Town House, as well as periodically at The Main Clubin Superior, Wisconsin. The group is seeking a Minneapolis venue, as well.
