Seattle knows we’re lucky to have an entertainer as unique and side-splitting as the one and only Dina Martina. Self-described as a “tragic singer, horrible dancer, and surreal raconteur,” she’s become an international sensation and built a cult following that spans decades with her iconic shows. If you haven’t yet, you must take the next opportunity to experience her drag genius (literally—she won The Stranger’s 2012 Genius Award for Theater), bizarre and ingenious songs, stories, fashion, and signature way of speaking. She’s known for her winter holiday productions, but I was lucky enough to catch up with her ahead of her upcoming spring shows at the Triple Door. If you bumped into someone who had never seen or heard of Dina Martina before, how would you describe yourself and what you do?I would describe myself as a benign, well-intentioned, mannish lady who wants nothing more than to bathe the world in pomp and mirth and song and wonder. What’s a day in the life of Dina Martina?Well, I’m always up and moving by 11, and I start every day with a vanilla Carnation Instant Breakfast and a can of sardines. Then I do two leg lifts, one for each leg, two arm lifts, and then I go back to bed. You had your big debut, Pearls Before Swine, at Seattle’s CoCA in 1989. If you could go back and talk to yourself then, is there anything you’d want to say? I would say, “It gets better.” At that time, did you have any sense that your career would grow into what itis today?I thought I did, but it turned out to be shingles. Over the span of your career, what have been the best things and worst things you’d like to share? Oh, so many best things. Performing at Wigstock—twice!—was so much fun and a huge honor. Also, performing at Café Carlyle with a live trio, which I’ll be doing again in May… what else? Performing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, that was a definite highlight. And as far as the worst things, the only thing that comes to mind is Dharma Greg. Where do you get inspiration for your incredible shows and songs? Are there specific icons or people in your life who’ve helped shape your creative voice?Well, some of my biggest singing idols are Florence Foster Jenkins, Mrs. Elva Miller, and Dora Hall, whom you may remember as the wife of the CEO of the SOLO Cup Company. And lately I’ve been very inspired by plaster of paris. I heard in an interview once that you fully create your shows in the 48 hours beforehand? Is that still true? If so, what are those 48 hours like?Was the interview with me? I mean, I suppose I could be considered an 11th-hour prepper, but we are living in the end times, so it makes sense, right? Plus, it keeps the shows fresher and keeps me on my toes. You have such a distinctive and wonderful way of speaking. Where does that come from?Well, my mother was a real “good-time Sally” who often slurred her words, so I think a lot of it stems from that. Your work brings up a lot of nostalgia for Seattle’s past. Is there anything you miss the most that is no longer a part of the city?I still love Seattle, but there’s so much I miss from when I was little and my mother and I would visit. I miss Marie’s on Greenwood (now Baranof), which is where Marie’s Salad Dressing started, back when it was still delicious. I miss Manning’s on 15th Market in Ballard, which a lot of people only remember from when it was a “Googie” Denny’s. I also miss Joy’s 21 on Lower Queen Anne and the Joker on Westlake, which was 24 hours. And I’m one of those people who misses the Viaduct. But one of the things I miss more than anything is the Jones’ Fantastic Museum, which was the coolest place EVER, and it always will be. I know you also split your time in Provincetown. How does it compare to Seattle? Are there any other places or venues you’ve visited that have been favorites of yours?Well, it’s apples and oranges, really. I mean, there’s so much history in Provincetown, whereas in Seattle there’s none. You know, except for Pike’s Place Market and Pioneer Squares. Your holiday shows are such a special tradition for so many people. What do the holidays mean to you?The holiday season is a magical six-week window of giving, of course, but people often forget that it’s also a magical window of taking. The holidays mean so many things. They mean singing carols and looking at pretty lights and wrapping presents and enjoying pumpkin spice enemas and spending time with people you don’t want to be around. I think more than anything, though, the holidays mean adorable Norelco ads with Santa driving around the slopes in an electric razor. The world is… having a rough patch, to say the least. Thank you for bringing so much joy to it! How does it feel to be an entertainer in this current global backdrop?It’s kinda surreal, really. The world is in such an odd place right now and so many people really need to be cheered up, so lately whenever I’m onstage I feel like I’m in the USO. Can you tell me a little bit about your upcoming shows? Should audiences expect some classic Dina? Any new surprises you’d like to tease?I could definitely tell you about it if I had already written it, but that hasn’t happened yet, so at this point you know as much about it as I do. I mean, what I do know is it’s going to be an all-new show, so that means it’ll have new songs, new stories, new video, and new costumes on my body. My favorite new dress I actually found at a shop in Joshua Tree, which was a surprise because Joshua Tree used to be great, but that was before it was overrun by tourists. Now it’s all snow globes and hookers. Finally, is there anything else you’d like to say? Anything you’d like to share with your fans? This is a space for you to say anything else you wanted to bring up that I haven’t asked.Sure. I know this is totally unrelated, but I want to make sure everyone knows that if you order a patty melt without cheese and grilled onions, it’s not a patty melt; it’s just a hamburger on rye. See Dina Martina at the Triple Door April 29–May 3, times vary. The post Dina Martina appeared first on The Stranger. ...read more read less