Werque Podcast

Halloween Xtravaganza

Boo! We get into the Halloween spirit and share some of our favorite Halloween movies, favorite costumes and costume fails, east coast vs. west coast trick or treating, our picks for the best Halloween candy, our best kid Halloween memories and how we feel about Candy Corn.

Niki Haris PART 2

Kim and Luis continue their conversation with the infamous Niki Haris. We finally talk about the Blonde Ambition tour and Niki's feelings around that tour.  What meeting Luis was like, and the journey working with Madonna and making beautiful music with fellow backup dancer/singer, Donna De Lory (plus, she SANGS).

Niki Haris

We’re joined by the legendary Niki Haris. The daughter of Grammy nominated Jazz pianist Gene Harris, Niki grew up with dreams of being a history teacher (amazingly, she didn’t know she could sing) until her side-hustle singing gigs turned into a full-time career. We talk about the early days, including singing and dancing at Disneyland, her thoughts about “20 Feet From Stardom” and the audition that would turn into a 14 year adventure making Pop Music history.

Jason Rogel

Jason Rogel is known for stealing scenes all up on tv and movie screens, with recurring roles on Raven’s Homecoming and Bosch, featured parts on Community, The Office, This is Us and Lady Dynamite and in the movies, With This Ring and The Tall Girl (now streaming on Netflix) 

We talk about being a gay, fluffy filipino actor in the Hollywoods, stereotypical asian roles, the importance of visibility and the advantages of being a ‘character actor’.

Sonja Marie

Artist Sonja Marie is a writer, Astrological Intuit and creator of ‘Wordlife Astrology’, conducting readings that incorporate communication with spirit guides, western astrology and tarot. We talk about how journaling helped her survive her childhood in Yonkers where she always felt “different”, getting signed, then dropped by LaFace records, finding a mentor in astrology and reinventing herself, eventually becoming the regular horoscope columnist for Essence Magazine.

Bryan Rabin

Bryan Rabin is  nightlife icon who has been throwing some of the most legendary parties in L.A. for almost three decades. His latest Saturday night soiree, Giorgio’s Disco (with partner, DJ Adam Bravin) just celebrated 6 years of fabulousness (the Carters have been known to pop in). We talk about how his early life as a professional ice skater led him to L.A. and the underground club scene; his first club (with his love, Jimmy Medina) in an old hollywood costume house, and the many fun filled nights that followed at clubs, Prague, Cherry, Diamond Dogs and, Giorgio’s, plus his new life as a movie producer and bringing his passion project, Freak Show, the novel by James St. James, to the screen.

Manny Rodriguez

Manny Rodriguez is the director and CEO of La Fuente Treatment Center, an LGBTQ specific inpatient alcohol and drug rehab center in Los Angeles. We talk about his early life in Paterson New Jersey, as the 10th child (of 11) born to a Pentecostal preacher, how discovering dance changed the course of his life - gaining him acceptance into The Juilliard School, followed by the prestigious Paul Taylor dance company, where he struggled to overcome addiction and self doubt; his move to L.A. where he partnered with his childhood friend Eddie Irizarry (Xtravaganza) to promote clubs The Temple and Pump and how his journey to sobriety led to the creation of La Fuente.  Manny also reflects on his time with the House of Xtravaganza and reminds Luis of their first encounter.

Hector Franco a.k.a. Kiki Xtravaganza

Hector Franco is in da house!!

A wardrobe stylist, designer and performance artist, we talk to Hector about about growing up surrounded by wigs (his mom was a custom-wig maker to the stars), wearing wigs and snatching wigs as a member of the House of Xtravaganza!! 

Hector will tell us all about his altar ego Kiki Xtravaganza how this alter-ego was created, and she's all about spreading joy in and around the night clubs of West Hollywood and Los Angeles!

Join us as we have a kiki…with Kiki!!!

DJ Eddie X

Luis and Kim talk with Eddie Irrzarry - Xtravaganza.  Famously known as: DJ Eddie X, his life's story is filled with wonderful twists and turns from dancer to club promoter to famous DJ, then a music producer and remixer.  We talk to Eddie about his origins in New Jersey to his participation in the ballroom scene in New York.  He'll tell us what brought him to Los Angeles to open two infamous nightclubs: The Temple and La Selva and why he moved to Miami to open Club Pump.   Eddie has also worked with some of the most famous artists in Dance Club history.  

Paris is Burning - 30 Year Anniversary Roundtable

It’s been almost 30 years since Paris is Burning - the iconic documentary about Harlem ballroom culture - was released. It was re-released into theaters this summer with a new digital restoration supervised by director Jennie Livingston with a national roll-out planned. We sit down with Writer and cultural critic Ernest Hardy, and Quinn Callicott -  Licensed Clinical Social Worker and instructor, about it’s enduring legacy and impact on popular culture.