I first met ZaZa when I was working at Embers full time in the early 2000's. He was a door person who eventually started doing coat check and occasionally performed. Later on he would end up being my neighbor and we would spend many a nights snacking, looking at his art, and sharing stories about the early AIDS crisis that emerged in the 1980's.
I learned a lot from him and his flamboyancy. I never got one inkling that he was ever ashamed of who he was or the way he dressed. Always dressed from head to toe in tie dye and would skip down the street as if the world sang to him in spirit. I felt empowered to be around him and rejoiced in his sense of deviancy.
He reminded me that everyone has something to give on some level and there were many times I was shocked by his level of talent and his ability to rebound from anything. I went to go on his Facebook today and unfortunately didn't see any new posts but when I scrolled down I saw many RIP statuses and it was sad to read.
I hope that the skies are more tie dyed and rainbowrific with you around ZaZa
xoxo
SVJ
