Days and nights of jungle fun during Carnival Week in Provincetown
Margaret Cho joins with Bruce Vilanch to act as grand marshal for Carnival parade on Thursday
By Melora B. North
Provincetown Banner

PROVINCETOWN —
If you wake up one morning this August and the weather is humid and sticky, and Commercial Street brimming with madness and fun, then you know itâ€s time for Carnival — oh, yes, itâ€s time for a parade, dancing, games, music and so much more.

“Jungle Fantasy” is the theme for this yearâ€s Carnival Week, running Aug. 15 through 20. The grand marshals for the annual Carnival parade are Margaret Cho and Bruce Vilanch, who will also be performing at the Madeira Room at Vixen throughout the coming week.

Choâ€s been in town before with her comedy show, and, in fact, she was even Chief of Parade in Sydney, Australia, when she led the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival down Oxford Street back in 2008. So, it should be a no-brainer for her to team up with Vilanch to head the party on Thursday.

Best known for her explicit comedy routines, she takes on all the hot issues of the day, such as substance and alcohol abuse, from which she herself is recovered; eating disorders, another challenge she has faced; her bisexuality and obsession with gay men; and of course, politics, the ever so popular brain tease of heated debate, which in 2004 got her un-invited to speak at the Human Rights Campaign/National Stonewall Democrats benefit at the Democratic National Convention because the powers that be feared her strong voice would cause some unwanted excitement.

Hailing from San Francisco, Cho has worn many hats over the course of her career, which started when she was in high school and got involved in an improvisational comedy group. That led to her building her own routines, which launched her stand-up career practicing her trade in local clubs as well as performing an opening act for Jerry Seinfeld. The Seinfeld stint led to a spot on a Bob Hope special. Along the way she got involved in acting and appeared in the “Golden Girls” spin-off called “The Golden Palace,” as well as an ABC sitcom based on her comedy routine, “All American Girl,” featuring an East Asian family. Unfortunately, the show was cancelled but the outcome was a positive one, the publication of her first book, “Iâ€m the One That I Want.”

She has several stand-up films to her name and had a clothing line which faltered. She has another book on the stands, “I Have Chosen to Stay and Fight,” and a reality show, “The Cho Show.” Cho has worked on the Lifetime series “Drop Dead Diva” and even writes songs and performs belly dances. She is married to artist Al Ridenour, with whom she says she shares a “conventional marriage.”

Cho appears at Vixen doing her stand-up and songs Aug. 15-24 (no show Aug. 19) at 9 p.m. Tickets are $40.

A comedy writer and actor, wisecracking Vilanch became a household name when he appeared on the re-born “Hollywood Squares” along with Whoopie Goldberg. He attended Ohio State University from which he graduated with a BFA in theater. He has appeared on television in “Bosom Buddies” and “Law & Order” and was in the film “The Ice Pirates.” Vilanch writes joke material for awards shows and, back in the ‘70s, wrote material for “The Donny and Marie Show.”

On the big stage he played Edna Turnblad in “Hairspray” in 2005 on Broadway, and he has been the inspiration for two documentaries. Vilanch is gay and an admitted, eager carnivore. He takes the audience on a humorous gig behind the scenes of show biz at Vixen Aug. 21 and 22 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25.

Some other highlights of Carnival include the Jungle Opening Party on Sunday at 9 p.m. at the Boatslip Resort, with guest appearances by Felicity Layne and music provided by DJ Maryalice.

Nature fans can enjoy a whale watch “Saltwater Safari” on Monday when boarding starts at 9:30 a.m. at MacMillan Pier. Also at the pier from 3 to 8 p.m. is the Jungle Jam Pier Dance and Jungle Fantasy costume contest.

Tuesday morning kicks off the “Rumble in the Jungle” volleyball tournament held at Ryder Street Beach. From 5:30 to 9:00 p.m. that afternoon the party continues to rock at The Banana Boat at MacMillan Pier with beats provided by DJ Lee Thornhill.

Festivities on Wednesday include Drag Bingo at 6:30 p.m. at the UU Meeting House and, at 9 p.m., the “Night of Tarzanâ€s Temptation” at the Shipwreck Lounge.

On Thursday, starting at 3 p.m., parade fever will storm through town in all its jungle glory, and afterwards, at 10:30 p.m., the party will go on at Club Purgatory.

It will all end on Friday night with the Monkey Business Closing Party at 9 p.m. at the Crown & Anchor.

Every day from 12 p.m. on, beads, T-shirts and event tickets are available for sale at Carnival Headquarters at 258 Commercial St.

For more information, tickets and entry fees, call the Provincetown Business Guild at (508) 487-2313, or visit www.ptown.org to find out about other events such as the Jane Loves Jane Dance Party on Wednesday at the Pied Bar, the Drag Brunch on Friday at Patio, the Inn Stroll through town, the Jungle Beat Dance Party at the Atlantic House, and Kate Clinton at the Crown & Anchor, to name just a few more events.

[Banner correspondent Tsetsi Malinova contributed to this report.]

The post Provincetown: The grand marshals for the annual Carnival parade are Margaret Cho and Bruce Vilanch first appeared on We Got Bruce!.

Jungle Fantasy Carnival 2010 – Provincetown, August 15 – 20. Announcing Parade Grand Marshals and Event Highlights.

The Provincetown Business Guild will hold its annual Carnival Week August 15-20, 2010. This yearâ€s theme is Jungle Fantasy.The PBG is proud to announce that Margaret Cho and Bruce Vilanch will be the Grand Marshals of the Parade. Miss Margaret Cho and Mr. Bruce Vilanch will also be performing during Carnival Week at the Madeira Room/Vixen located at 336 Commercial Street. Margaret Cho returns with new material from her newest stand up tour, Cho Dependent. Margaret will be performing August 15 – 24 (no show August 19th) at 9 p.m. Tickets are $40. Bruce Vilanch takes you on a trip behind the scenes of every major show business event and into the distressed minds of the participants. Bruce will be performing August 21 & 22 at 7:30 p.m Tickets are $25.

Tickets for both performers can be purchased at the Madeira Room /Vixen box office or by calling 508-487-6424.

The PBG is excited to announce a new event this year: Jungle Jam Pier Dance and Jungle Fantasy Costume Contest, taking place on MacMillan Pier. This new event is produced by David Flower Productions and the PBG and will include a Costume Contest with a $300 cash prize!

Welcome to the Jungle opening night party at the Boatslip has brought back resident DJ Mary Alice to spin for the night and there will be a super fun Safari Challenge interactive course designed by David Flower Productions who created last yearâ€s Haunted House at the Aquarium Mall.

The Awards Ceremony for the winning Parade entries has been moved to the closing night party, Monkey Business at the Crown & Anchor.

For information on these events and other PBG events visit our website at www.ptown.org

The Provincetown Business Guild, PBG, has been promoting gay and lesbian tourism to Provincetown since 1978. The PBG is comprised of member business, throughout the community, who recognize the significant impact of the gay and lesbian market to the Provincetown economy.

The post Margaret Cho and Bruce Vilanch will be the Grand Marshals Of Provincetown Carnival Week Parade first appeared on We Got Bruce!.