(Tommy):
Trail 103.3, Kacey Musgraves’ latest, “Dry Spell,” from Deeper Well. Prior to that, Cake’s “The Distance.”
10 a.m. on KDTR Florence Missoula — good morning to you. It’s Tommy filling in for Mike Smith, who is currently in Ireland. Lucky Mike Smith.

And pretty excited to welcome into the studio the lovely Rosie La Secco.

Rosie La Secco:
Hi there. Thanks for having us.

Tommy:
Thanks for coming in. How are you this fine morning?

Rosie:
Oh, I’m pretty good. I’m getting excited for Kinky Bingo. It’s this weekend.

Tommy:
The fourth edition of KBG.

Rosie:
Yeah, the fourth edition already. It’s crazy.
(laughs)

Tommy:
And Rosie, you come bearing a guest.

Rosie:
Yes, definitely. So this Kinky Bingo benefits Tell Us Something, Missoula’s storytelling nonprofit, and I have Joyce Gibbs here to talk to us about what Tell Us Something is.

Tommy:
Welcome in, Joyce. It’s our first time visiting in this radio studio, but is it your first time in the studio?

Joyce Gibbs:
Oh yeah.

Tommy:
Yeah, really?

Joyce:
Yeah, first radio all the way.

Tommy:
You’re kidding.
(laughs)

Are you getting some flashbacks?

Joyce:
No.

Tommy:
Wow.
(laughs)

Well, magic is happening here today. This is great.

Rosie:
Actually my first radio interview too.

Tommy:
Whoa, yeah, we got a bunch of first-timers in here.

Joyce:
That’s great.

Tommy:
Wow. Just assumed you had both been in a number of times.

Well, welcome in. So let’s begin for folks who know about Kinky Bingo — they know what’s going on.

Rosie:
Yes.

Tommy:
For someone who’s maybe new to town, traveling through, let’s start at the beginning and just go through it.

Rosie:
Okay, yeah. Kinky Bingo is definitely one-of-a-kind entertainment. It started in Moscow, Idaho, believe it or not.

I was a part of a production of Kinky Bingo which benefits their local food pantry and queer community center. Afterwards I was obsessed, and I said, “Hey guys, can I do this in Missoula?”

And they were like, “Yeah, for sure.”

So it’s the fourth time I’ve done this in Missoula now, which is exciting.

But basically, Kinky Bingo is burlesque and drag and bingo for adult prizes — unmentionables. Lovely people in Moscow actually donate all of those toys, if you will.

Tommy:
Really?

Rosie:
Yeah. So it’s kind of a back-and-forth between them, which is awesome.

And I rotate my beneficiary every time. I think it’s really important to spread the love throughout Missoula’s nonprofits. I know that it’s not easy for any of us out there trying to keep all of the different programs going.

Tommy:
So when it comes to organizing Kinky Bingo, what’s your first step? Obviously you’ve got the venue, but who’s participating?

Rosie:
Yeah, I put out a post. We have a local performers page on Facebook. If you are a burlesque or drag performer, you’re probably already on this page.

And I put out a post like, “Hey guys, this is the date. Go ahead and fill out this Google form if you want to be considered.”

I really try to focus on bringing in different performers every time.

Tommy:
So that was my next question.

Rosie:
So it’s kind of like — if you haven’t done Kinky Bingo before, you float to the top of the list. Then I fill it in from there and basically try to give everybody a stage spot if they need it.

Tommy:
Very cool.

Rosie:
Kinky Bingo is not for every performer because it’s not a stage show. So if you’re attending Kinky Bingo, expect performers to be right up next to you because we don’t use the stage.

Tommy:
We use the stage for bingo, but not for the dance.

Rosie:
Yeah, it’s an immersive experience.

Tommy:
I like this.

So it’s taking place this Saturday at Monks Bar, 21 and over.

Rosie:
21 and over, yes.

Tommy:
And let’s talk about the partnership with Tell Us Something.

Rosie:
Yeah, definitely.

Tommy:
Why Tell Us Something?

Rosie:
Well, Tell Us Something to me is really important. Joyce here was actually my mentor for a long time, and I’ve known Mark — her husband — and Joyce for 20 years, I think.

So when it came time to pick the next beneficiary, I know Mark had already mentioned, “Hey, think about us for the next time.”

And it’s actually been probably the most beneficial partnership that I’ve had because you guys at Tell Us Something have such strength in production history and have really influenced me to do a better job on this production.

So it’s been really beneficial for me as well. Learned a lot.

Tommy:
And perhaps you can speak to the partnership as well, Joyce.

Do you go back to — you said Moscow, Idaho? Does this begin there?

Rosie:
No, Moscow, Idaho is for Kinky Bingo. Tell Us Something has really no ties to Idaho.

Tommy:
Oh, I meant you two.

Rosie:
Oh, no, no. She hired me at Rockin Rudy’s when I was 19.
(laughs)

And really kind of took me under her wing, which was awesome. We traveled all over the place together for ten years, really.

Tommy:
Really?

Joyce:
We worked together at Rockin Rudy’s for a long time.

Rosie:
Yeah.

Joyce:
And of course Tell Us Something started 15 years ago.

Rosie:
Yeah.

Joyce:
Or 16 years ago.

Rosie:
16 years ago.

Joyce:
Rosie has told a story at Tell Us Something.

Rosie:
“The Peace Farm.”

Joyce:
Yeah, that was a fun one.

Rosie:
It was 15 years ago maybe?

Joyce:
Yeah, it was the partnership-themed one. Mostly husband-and-wife stories, and then me and my friend Sarah told the story of how we met.

Joyce:
Yeah, I think it’s called “That’s Not How It Happened.”

Rosie:
“That’s Not How It Happened.”

Joyce:
Yeah, if you want to search on the website and find it out — a lot of fun.

Tommy:
Excellent.

Tickets are available for the show at this time. Not yet sold out, but I understand you sold quite a few.

Rosie:
We are over halfway. We only have one more VIP table available.

Tommy:
Hint if you want one.

Rosie:
And you can actually find those tickets on TellUsSomething.org. They were sweet enough to do a pop-up for my ticket sales.

Tommy:
Wow.

Rosie:
So it’s the first thing you see when you get on the website.

Tommy:
You’re so friendly at Tell Us Something.

Rosie:
I know. See? They’re really hooking me up. It’s awesome.
(laughs)

Tommy:
And those tickets — $35 now, $45 day of the show.

So when it comes to putting together Kinky Bingo from Moscow, Idaho to Missoula — who do you call up? Who do you text and say, “I’ve got this thing that I’m going to start up?”

Who saw the vision?

Rosie:
Oh, well… I guess I decided that it was going to come to Missoula and it’s sort of been like a one-woman show as far as producing and putting everything together.

I do call up my friend Kathy who lives in Moscow, Idaho — shout out to Eclectica — and she puts together a box of very spicy items and mails them to me, or I go down there and pick them up depending on the schedule.

And then from there I decide who’s going to be in the show and make sure I have enough bingo pages and enough daubers and enough items that I shouldn’t say on the radio because the FCC wouldn’t like that.

Tommy:
It’s all subjective.
(laughs)

Rosie:
I know.

Tommy:
Yes, “items.” You can tell what I’m saying.

Rosie:
Right. It’s called Kinky Bingo.
(laughs)

Tommy:
Well, for folks who maybe do have more questions — maybe a performer’s listening and thought, “Oh man, I’m just getting started. I didn’t know about this opportunity.”

How would a performer or participant get in touch and join the community and get in contact with you?

Rosie:
For sure. The best way is to get onto Facebook. It’s called “Montana Show Person Booking Page.”

If you search that in the search bar, it should pop up. You just request to join and we approve everybody.

Then you’ll start to see when these bookings are happening — not just for my show, but for pretty much any show opportunity in Montana.

We’re really working on partnering with other cities. It did start in Missoula, but we’re starting to see posts from Helena and I think I’ve seen a Butte one before. I think even Spokane is starting to kind of become part of that as well.

So we’re trying to bridge the gap between the different performance communities and opportunities.

Tommy:
So day-of, where do you tend to land? Are you calling out bingo numbers? Are you throwing prizes into velvet bags?

Rosie:
I like this — velvet bags.

Yeah, I usually do two acts. I think with some of the additions I’ve added, I might only do one unless you guys complain enough and then I’ll bring a second act just in case.

And then yeah, I’m up there with Falcon — no, why is her name escaping me? She’s my MC of the night — but we kind of work together to call the bingo numbers.

And then I have stagehands. In the business we call them “kittens,” and the kittens run around and check bingo cards as people are winning and they collect clothing that’s strewn about after performances and tips.

Tommy:
And hint — please bring your ones if you do come to the show.

Rosie:
That’s not a great-paying gig for my performers. Everybody does get paid, but those tips are really what make it worth their time and help them create these beautiful costumes.

Tommy:
Absolutely.

Rosie:
Yeah.

Tommy:
You’re telling me the money isn’t commensurate with housing and cost of living these days?

Rosie:
Well not only that, but rhinestones aren’t cheap. As Dolly Parton said, “It takes a lot of money to look this cheap.”
(laughs)

Tommy:
A sex-positive night of burlesque, drag, and bingo all colliding at Monks this Saturday.

What else? What have we not touched on with this event?

Rosie:
Oh, I think that Mark from Tell Us Something is going to have a little spot as well and come up and do some talking and maybe help me tell my very first story as Rosie La Secco.

I know we talked about that a little bit.

Tommy:
Cool.

Rosie:
I do know that he’s chosen his outfit and I’m pretty sure it will stay on.

Tommy:
Okay.
So unless he submits a call, I don’t know if we’re going to have time for him today.

Rosie:
No.
(laughs)

Yeah, he’s really excited.

Rosie:
Oh! Can I talk about my new drink special?

Tommy:
No.

Rosie:
Okay, that was pretty sweet.
(laughs)

It was kind of a fancy help to me. I added something to this Kinky Bingo. We’ll see how it goes.

It’s called “Kinky Communion.”

So essentially, Kinky Communion is a specialty shot served during intermission.

You pay $20 as a patron to participate in this experience. I would call it more than a drink special.

You buy your $20 ticket, line up in front of whatever performer you want to serve communion to you, and then they give you the specialty shot — which I think is like a Capri Sun-flavored tropical thing.

As you as the patron are drinking your drink, the performer that gave you the drink slaps you across the face.

Tommy:
So I tested this out. I was at Helena Pride recently and I served my first Kinky Communion.

And it’s a lot of fun.
(laughs)

Rosie:
It’s a lot of fun. I was really nervous because I’m not a violent person by any means, but it turns out if you’re consenting to a slap across the face, it is a lot of fun.

Tommy:
Kinky Communion at Kinky Bingo is a match.

Rosie:
Yeah. Kinky Communion — I think that’s perfect.

Tommy:
I think that’ll probably ruffle the right feathers for folks.
(laughs)

Again, the event taking place at Monks this Saturday. We mentioned tickets available at TellUsSomething.org.

Those are $35 in advance, $45 day of show.

And we have a pair of tickets to give away.

Rosie:
Oh my gosh!

Tommy:
So, Trail listener — what should we ask them to text in as a prompt?

It can be anything. It’s just us.

Rosie:
Oh no pressure.

Tommy:
What should we ask folks to text in to enter to win a pair of tickets to the event? A whopping $70 value.

Joyce:
Something to do with Tell Us Something.

Let’s see…

Tell us something about…

(laughs)

Tommy:
You can hear it — Trail listener — the drum rolls are rolling in the background.
(laughs)

Joyce:
What’s the next one? “The Power of Place?”

Rosie:
Tell us something about where you feel powerful.

Right?

Joyce:
Oh, that’s true.

Rosie:
Where do you feel powerful? Tell us something about that.

Tommy:
Where do you feel powerful? Text in and let us know at 406-604-1033.

We will respond to you — we being myself and Mazzy at the front desk — within an hour. So you have until 11:11.

Rosie:
Woo! Look at that.

Tommy:
It’s a good one.

Text in and we will respond to you if you are the lucky winner.

Tommy:
Thanks so much for coming by and thanks for all your efforts to put together this pretty important event.

Rosie:
Yeah. I think I’m referring to it as “the beautiful weird monster” now. It’s almost out of my control.
(laughs)

Joyce:
We’re very grateful for that.

Rosie:
Yeah, it’s this weirdo freight train. It’s just going now.

Tommy:
And let folks one more time know where they can keep up with you and find a way to get involved.

Rosie:
Yeah, exactly. You can find me on Instagram mostly at Rosie.La.Secco.

Again, get onto that Facebook page if you’re interested in becoming a performer at any of our shows, not just mine. That’s “Montana Show Person Booking” on Facebook.

Yeah, that’s pretty much it.

Tommy:
And tickets are at?

Rosie:
Yes — tickets, thank you — TellUsSomething.org.

Tommy:
Excellent. Thank you very much for coming in.