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| ALSO NOT A DRAG QUEEN. |
Lope de Vega (1562–1635) is one of the most prolific authors in the history of literature. He is said to have transformed Spanish baroque theater. Miguel de Cervantes (1547–1616) called him "the phoenix of wits" and he is sometimes referred to internationally as "the Spanish Shakespeare." Shame on me! The poster I had seen (and I've seen many since) was promoting a play being performed at the Lope de Vega Theater here in Sevilla.
So, this post in truth really doesn't have much to do with drag queens. The opening photo is of Jerry's father dressed up for a PTA (Parent Teacher Association) fundraiser in the 1950s. Jerry's father did not have a drag name. And it's just as well. He obviously wouldn't have had much of a career. He also was a very good sport and wouldn't have minded at all that I've shared this photo.
So, What's It About?
This post is about some of the original pavilions — beginning with the Lope de Vega Theater — that were built here for the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929 (for which the Plaza de España was created) and how the buildings are currently being used. In addition to the buildings I describe here, there were many other beautiful structures created for the 1929 Exposition. Some are museums, some consulates, and others are part of the university.
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| SEVILLE PAVILION, THEATER, AND CASINO. LOPE DE VEGA THEATER. |
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| LOPE DE VEGA LOBBY; ORIGINALLY THE CASINO. |
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| ARGENTINA PAVILION. CURRENTLY SEVILLA'S DANCE CONSERVATORY. |
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| GUATEMALA PAVILION. PART OF THE DANCE CONSERVATORY. |
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| COLOMBIA PAVILION. THE CONSULATE OF COLOMBIA. |
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| MEXICO PAVILION. PART OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SEVILLA. |
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| MUDEJAR PAVILION (PALACE OF DECORATIVE ARTS) MUSEO DE ARTES Y COSTUMBRES POPULARES (THE MUSEUM OF ARTS AND TRADITIONS). |
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| RENAISSANCE PAVILION (BEHIND TREES). ARCHAEOLOGY MUSEUM. |
My Drag Name
Oh, in case you're wondering, I have never done drag. But, if I were to create a drag name based on the name of my first pet and the first street where I lived (as is one of the suggested ways to do so), that name would be Starr Van Siclen. I like it! Maybe a new career is on the horizon.
Hello Mitch:
ReplyDeleteWell, having got over our disappointment, and then to have hopes raised again at the very end, we have to say that we are in wonder at these most interesting examples of very eclectic architecture. And to have them on the doorstep is indeed a bonus. Some of them do show very characteristic signs of the 1920s and 1930s.
Jane and Lance:
DeleteThe mix of styles are fascinating: Gothic, Baroque, Art Deco, Art Nouveau, Victorian, Mudejar, Incan, Mayan ... and so much more. The architecture, parks, and art created for the 1929 exposition are inspired. It's a shame it all happened just in time for the Great Depression. I hope the current crisis doesn't make the parks and buildings difficult to maintain. They've been through hard times before.
Hmm. I'm not sure that my career would be meteoric either as "Trixie Bowers-Avenue"!
ReplyDeleteFlipping them to most recent hound and current abode wouldn't help much either - "Pipsqueak Main-Road"!
I remember back in Poonah in '43 we had a chap used to do drag. Actually, now I come to think of it, might have been the cook - she had a handlebar moustache and a tendency to burst into "What shall we do with a problem like Maria" over the custard. Not certain what rank she held. Lovely frocks though, lovely frocks.
Owl Wood:
DeleteFirst, omit "Avenue" and "Road" from the name. Another possible result of this process is your pornstar name. Trixie Bowers isn't bad. Pipsqueak Main probably wouldn't get you very far in the business.
I am endlessly impressed by all the beautiful and well-kept buildings in Seville! As far as I can remember, my name would be Skipper Old Fulda Road. Gee, being called "Ms Old-Fulda" is sooo depressing!
ReplyDeleteWell, I think you have the right to poetic license. Maybe your name would be Skipper O'Fulda, Miss County Cork 1957 and former Hooker of the Galwegians Womens Rugby Team.
DeleteSeville certainly has some beautiful buildings. I regret not having enough time to walk around when I was there.
ReplyDeleteStephen:
DeleteI have walked and walked over the past year and still haven't seen even one fourth of it I'm sure. Even with all my walking around the Plaza de España and Maria Luisa Park, I still haven't many of the pavilions. For a relatively small (in area) city, there's an awful lot to see.
These beautiful buildings/palaces are just one of the many benefits of hosting expos. Montreal has a few left over from Expo 67.
ReplyDeleteNow, let's get down to business.....my drag name would be:
Gigi Agricola! Has possibilities.
Wait till you hear Ron's!!!
Jim:
DeleteI really wanted to go to Expo '67 and would love to see the park that was left behind. It's going to be difficult for me to not call you Gigi Agricola from now on. THAT is a truly great name.
I'm blown away with the beauty of these pavilions...as Jim mentioned Montreal's Expo '67 (where we almost crossed paths, alas not for another 6 years it would be), just doesn't compare at all...almost embarrassing I'd say! And with that I sign off with my drag name GINGER PROSPECT...dawling!
ReplyDeleteRon:
DeleteIsn't it magical to imagine the two of you standing in the same line or even bumping shoulders six years before you met?! Ginger Prospect! Now that would make an even better porn name!
Hey, maybe I can make few bucks with this...or maybe I just waited way too long!
DeleteYou post so many wonderful pictures of the various types of architecture in Seville, I wonder if 2 months will be long enough?
ReplyDeleteOdd Essay:
DeleteWell, I've been doing it for more than a year and am still discovering things. But you've got so many other places to explore throughout the course of your year!
Hmm, my drag name would be Gina Bathurst!!! :)
ReplyDeleteSuch incredible architecture in Spain. I hope to visit eventually. ANd I have been to Guatemala, so I especially like the pavilion with the quetzal on the wall!
Somewhere on my blog, I posted a pic of my hubby in a skirt... poor man! ;)
Knatolee:
DeleteGina Bathurst is brilliant! Of course, this also works for porn names and that one is good either way.
I have never been anywhere in Latin America... except Mexico (and that was only within easy driving distance of San Diego for lunch and back).
OK, so now I'm going to have to continue exploring your blog to find that photo!
Is there no end to the beauty of this town you live in!
ReplyDeleteJudeet:
DeleteWell, I sure don't think so!
I have never heard of this fellow -now I am keen to know about his work.
ReplyDeleteSpo:
DeleteI've started to look for English translations of his works. He wrote well over 1,500 plays plus poetry, prose...
Wonderful buildings - and I love the lobby of the former casino.
ReplyDeleteWith love,
Pedro Bowers
Elaine:
DeleteThe building and grounds have just been restored. They were still doing finish painting inside when I took that lobby photo.
You DO know, I hope, I'll be thinking of you as Pedro Bowers from now on!
As for Dr Spo above, the name of Lope de Vega is new to me too, and I'm also keen to get to know more of him. Any approbation from Cervantes himself MUST be taken seriously!
ReplyDeleteI too have never done drag - though it's hardly befitting for a bearded visage (but not completely impossible).
If you do ever get round to it, Mitch, you simply have to show us the evidence - otherwise we won't believe you! ;-)
Nice pics as always, Mitch. The early Autumn sun gives the buildings a wistful appearance. (I suppose you're now going to spoil my comment by telling me that they were taken at the height of Summer!)
Raybeard:
DeleteIf I haven't done drag by now, I doubt it's going to happen!
These are all current photos with, as you call it, "early Autumn sun." I think the temperature was down to about 33 that day!
Ready to soak up culture!
ReplyDeleteMy drag name would be Blup Overtoom. [Blub was a goldfish]
Peter:
DeleteBlup (or Blub) Overtoom the Tulip Tart!