Anyone who has been following Camp over the last nine years may recall that some of our best covers were done by the creative team of Dusti Cunningham, photographer, and Andy Chambers, makeup artist. In fact, one of our all-time classic covers -- Mayor Kay Barnes dressed like a June Cleaver-type housewife and holding the rainbow cake for our 2006 Pride issue – was created by Cunningham and Chambers.
Chambers has actually worked longer with local photographer Ann Brown – more than 20 years -- as well as with other photographers. For this issue, Chambers and Brown teamed up to create the cover celebrating Gay Pride, with the lovely Cydney Carl as our model.
But the big creative news about Chambers these days is that he and his partner, Alan Dunham, have fulfilled their dream to open a store. The business, called Wonderland, at 206 Westport Rd., specializes in vintage clothes, jewelry, shoes and more. Its tagline is “Vintage, Unique and Curio.”
“Wonderland is a name I’ve always fixated on, and we agreed that it is all-encompassing and could be anything. We have a little bit of everything. We’re just fashion people all around,” Chambers said.
The store has been open about a month and a half, Chambers said. It was a former tattoo shop before they took it over. In fact, there is still a large sign for that former business on the west side of the exterior wall.
Dunham, who is a hairdresser, and Chambers, a makeup artist, were originally hoping to find a spot where they could operate both businesses in addition to Wonderland, but they chose a smaller storefront in Westport for now.
“Location was the hardest part,” Chambers said. “If you’re in a really great location, it’s expensive.”
They looked at other neighborhoods of the city, but have always liked the Westport area.
“I personally fell in love with vintage clothes in Westport, because when I was 16, I came to Westport for the first time and there was a store called November Pink,” Chambers said. “It was owned by a woman named Lou Jane Temple, who is a friend of ours. I was mesmerized that there were ’20s dresses and Victorian men’s suits and hats, and they were actually revered and not thrown in a pile. She had those neon signs that said ‘November Pink’ and I’ll never forget them. I will have pink neon ‘Wonderland’ at some point when we can afford it.”
Dunham and Chambers have been together for 24 years, and they live in the historic Northeast area of Kansas City. Dunham is a hair stylist at Union Hill Hair Studio, 31st and Grand. Chambers had been working at River Market Antiques before opening Wonderland and he still works there two Sundays a month. He also worked at Re-Runs in Westport for five years.
“We’ve been called the Patricia Field of Kansas City,” said Chambers. “Patricia Field in New York is all-inclusive. You get your hair colored, styled, you can buy an outfit, jewelry, and you’re ready to go. Even a wig. I want to carry wigs, at some point.”
They have worked for years with local theaters, such as the former Late Night Theatre, the Unicorn Theatre and Egads.
“I’ve done that Hedwig wig about six times now,” said Chambers with a laugh. “I’ve made about six of them.”
In the latest concert version of Hedwig and the Angry Inch, hosted by Egads Theatre with Justin Van Pelt, they brought in their mannequins to be used for a stage installation in the show and made up several in the image of Hedwig.
“We’re kind of known as the mannequin guys,” said Chambers, “because we own 235 mannequins.”
A recent example of their work was at the Kansas City Auto Show, where Chambers worked with Dusti Cunningham.
“I got hired to do hair and makeup on a photo, and they did a spec shoot to see if they liked it. They actually hired me to do mannequins by vintage cars in vintage clothes,” Chambers said.
He said he was then asked to do the model’s hair and makeup for the five days of the auto show.
“She ended up being a character called ‘Penny Lane,’ and they used her as the mascot for the whole event.”
Chambers, who has never had a driver’s license, said, “They gave us lots of passes, which is funny because I don’t drive. I have no interest in cars whatsoever. I love the bus.”
Chambers’ makeup-artist work has been published in several local magazines besides Camp, and even in Playboy a couple of times.
“I got a phone call from Christie Hefner. … Well, she wanted my address for the check … and she said, ‘I wanted to thank you because your makeup was so beautiful and we didn’t have to a lot of retouching.’ And I thought, ‘Wow, that’s amazing because they retouch everything.’”
Much of Chambers’ work has been doing makeup for drag queen entertainers and drag pageants like Miss Gay America, and others, including “real girl pageants.” He and Dunham spent time April 26-28 at the Miss Gay Missouri Pageant in Columbia doing hair and makeup for local contestants, including L’oreal, who won first alternate. L’oreal will go on to the national contest in Columbus, Ohio, in October.
“I’ve painted most of the queens in this town in one way or another,” Chambers laughed.
If You Go
Wonderland is at 206 Westport Rd., Kansas City, Mo. Hours are Tuesdays through Fridays, noon-6 p.m. and Saturdays 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m. On the first Sunday of the month, the store is open from noon to 5 p.m., and on the third Thursday of the month, it stays open until 8 p.m. Wonderland has a Facebook page and will soon have its website up and running.
WhistlePig and Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Wind Tunnel-Trialed Whiskey Is a Ryed You Don’t Want to Miss
SHOREHAM, VT (September 13, 2023) — WhistlePig Whiskey, the leaders in independent craft whiskey, and Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake are waving the checkered flag on a legend-worthy release that’s taking whiskey to G-Force levels. The Limited Edition PiggyBack Legends Series: Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel is a high Rye Whiskey selected by the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake drivers, with barrels trialed in their wind tunnel to ensure a thrilling taste in every sip.
The third iteration in WhistlePig’s Single Barrel PiggyBack Legends Series, the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel is bottled at 96.77 proof, a nod to Valtteri Bottas’ racing number, 77, and the precision of racing. Inspired by Zhou Guanyu, the first Chinese F1 driver, this Rye Whiskey is finished with lychee and oolong tea. Herbal and floral notes of the oolong tea complement the herbaceous notes of WhistlePig’s signature PiggyBack 100% Rye, rounded out with a juicy tropical fruit finish and a touch of spice.
Like Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake’s signature C43 racing vehicles, trial barrels were tested in the team’s wind tunnel in Switzerland before hitting the track. Select barrels then endured varying levels of G-Forces at the WhistlePig farm and distillery for the finishing touch, accelerating the interaction between the whiskey and the wood, staying true to the physical nature of Formula 1.
“Partnering with WhistlePig has been a very exciting experience. Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake is dedicated to being the best on the track, and the crew at WhistlePig is fearless in their pursuit to create the best whiskey out there,” said Valtteri Bottas, Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake’s driver. “We’re really looking forward to fans tasting our custom Rye Whiskey and raising a glass to the rookies, veterans, legends and the exhilarating sport of F1.”
"Joining forces with WhistlePig to release a Single Barrel Rye Whiskey that represents my culture and team has been an honor,” said Zhou Guanyu, Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake’s driver. “Formula 1 brings together fearless, thrill-seeking motorsports professionals, and WhistlePig has a shared passion for boundary-pushing innovation. Together, we’ve selected something alarmingly good for fans to enjoy this season when the cars are not on track.”
The Limited Edition Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel will be available for purchase online starting around September 13 for $49.99 MSRP per 750ml bottle and sold in select stores across the U.S. Consumers can win VIP merchandise by scanning the QR code on the back of each bottle.
"We're taking our third Legends Series release on a ryed like never before,” said Meghan Ireland, WhistlePig Head Blender. "Our experiments with dynamic aging went full throttle during finishing trials at the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake wind tunnel, in turn inspiring new ways to expose barrels to G-forces back at the WhistlePig Farm. The herbal and floral notes of the lychee and tea barrel selected with the team create a new, podium-topping experience for PiggyBack Rye."
Fans and collectors have followed WhistlePig PiggyBack Legends Series, celebrating those who give 100% in the name of greatness, since its launch in March 2022 with Major League Baseball Hall of Famer, David Ortiz (“Big Papi”), followed by Country Music Duo Brothers Osborne in November 2022.
To learn more about WhistlePig Whiskey, visit whistlepigwhiskey.com. You can also check out WhistlePig Whiskey on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About WhistlePig Whiskey
Located off the grid on a 500-acre Vermont farm, WhistlePig Whiskey is crafted by a new generation of whiskey distillers and blenders driven to reinvent and unlock the flavor of Rye whiskey. Through their rebellious pursuit of experimenting and pushing boundaries in the industry, WhistlePig has become the leading independent craft whiskey brand for innovation. WhistlePig is committed to becoming the best whiskey on and for the planet, starting with its locally sourced ingredients and sustainable supply chain and distilling process. For more information, head to whistlepigwhiskey.com.
When I started medical transition at 20 years old, it was very difficult to get the care I needed for hormone replacement therapy because there are very few providers trained in starting hormones for trans people, even though it’s very similar to the hormones that we prescribe to women in menopause or cisgender men with low testosterone.
I hope more providers get trained in LGBTQ+ healthcare, so they can support patients along their individual gender journey, and provide the info needed to make informed decisions about their body. I’ve personally seen my trans patients find hope and experience a better quality of life through hormone replacement therapy.
If you don’t have a primary care physician who specializes in LGBTQ+ care in your community, you may need to educate yourself (and your provider). But, before you seek such therapy, here are five things you should know!
- Monitor closely. At Spectrum Medical Care Center, we screen patients for certain risks before starting anyone on hormones. We frequently monitor patients in the first year to ensure there are no adverse reactions and lab results are within safe ranges. Follow-up care is also important to assess your comfort with the transition as well as the social impact and social support you’re experiencing.
- Some changes are permanent, some temporary. For transmasculine individuals going on testosterone, they’ll experience these permanent changes: deepened voice, clitoral enlargement (also known as bottom growth), more body, facial hair, and male pattern baldness. Reversible changes include cessation of menses, increased muscle mass and strength, body fat redistribution, and skin oiliness or acne. For those going on estrogen therapy, the most permanent change is breast growth. Feminizing hormone therapy can also cause atrophy (shrinkage) of the genitals and loss of erectile function that may not be reversible. Estrogen will thin body hair, soften the skin, can increase scalp hair, and decrease muscle mass and strength, all of which are reversible.
- You can’t pick and choose results. Unfortunately, you can’t pick and choose the physical changes you want, which may feel challenging. Some of my patients will say, ‘Okay, ‘I’ve seen the permanent changes I want, and I don’t want it to go any further,’ and so at that point, we stop therapy. Low-dose hormone therapy can slow down the rate of changes, allowing for a more gradual physical transition. We counsel patients in advance about the common changes, and it’s up to the individual as to when they’d like to scale back and determine whether some benefits are worth the potential risks.
- Be aware of risks. Like any medical treatment, there are potential risks involved. Some risks with testosterone therapy include increased red blood cell mass, acne, hypertension, sleep apnea, weight gain, and dyslipidemia (increases the chance of clogged arteries). Cardiovascular disease is likely increased with additional risk factors for testosterone and estrogen therapy. Transfeminine patients going on estrogen therapy may experience weight gain, thromboembolic disease (when a blood clot breaks off and blocks another blood vessel), and a high level of triglycerides in the blood.
Descanso Resort, Palm Springs' premier destination for gay men, just received Tripadvisor's highest honor, a Travelers' Choice "Best of the Best" award for 2023. Based on guests' reviews and ratings, fewer than 1% of Tripadvisor's 8 million listings around the world receive the coveted "Best of the Best" designation. Descanso ranked 12th in the top 25 small inns and hotels category in the United States. Quite an accomplishment!
Open less than two years, Descanso Resort offers gay men a relaxing and luxurious boutique hotel experience just minutes away from Palm Springs' buzziest restaurants, nightclubs, and shopping. Descanso has quickly established itself as a top destination for sophisticated gay travelers, earning hundreds of 5-star guest reviews and consistently ranking in Trapadvisor's top positions alongside brother properties Santiago Resort and Twin Palms Resort.
"Our entire team is honored to be named Best of the Best. To be the only gay men's resort recognized in the Top 1% is incredibly humbling," said Kent Taylor, General Manager at Descanso. "We appreciate Tripadvisor and we're grateful to all our guests who gave us such high marks and reviews to help us reach this achievement."
“Ranking among the Best of the Best demonstrates that you have provided exemplary experiences to those who maZer most: your guests,” said John Boris, Chief Growth Officer at Tripadvisor. “With changing expectations, continued labor shortages, and rising costs, this is no easy feat, and I am con6nually impressed with the hospitality industry’s resilience and ability to adapt.”
Santiago Resort was once again honored by Tripadvisor with a 2023 Travelers’ Choice award, placing it among the top 10% of travelers’ top reviewed des6na6ons. Twin Palms will become eligible for ranking in 2024.
Check out all the reviews, and discover more about Descanso Resort on Tripadvisor here. We have an excellent library of resort imagery available to accompany editorial and additional resources on our press page. Please contact Descanso Resort’s General Manager, Kent Taylor, at kent@descansoresort.com for further information.
About Descanso Resort
Inspired by Palm Springs’ history as a des6na6on for Hollywood stars to unwind in privacy, Descanso offers guests a casual yet modern take on the legendary style of that 6me. Created by the same hospitality team that revitalized Palm Springs’ much-loved San6ago Resort and recently launched the all-new Twin Palms Resort, the Descanso property opened in 2022 featuring 15 spacious guest rooms with custom-designed furniture, dreamy King-size beds, and luxe details. Ameni6es include continental breakfast, poolside lunch, welcome snack basket, and lots of special touches. For guests who need to stay connected, the entire property is equipped with blazing-fast Wi-Fi. Mul6-speed bikes are available for exploring the surrounding midcentury neighborhoods and public art installations. Like the Hollywood stars before them, guests at Descanso are encouraged to unwind, relax, and rest in style.
About Tripadvisor
Travelers across the globe use the Tripadvisor site and app to discover where to stay, what to do and where to eat based on guidance from those who have been there before. With more than 1 billion reviews and opinions of nearly 8 million businesses, travelers turn to Tripadvisor to find deals on accommodations, book experiences, reserve tables at delicious restaurants and discover great places nearby.