The Demented Genius Of Dina Martina

by Chris Bodenner

A reader writes:

I can't describe my utter joy in your posting of the commercial clips of my favorite freak-tastic drag goddess, Ms. Dina Martina. She is THE must-see show for my partner and me every summer in Ptown. She was especially brilliant this year. And our annual tradition as we drive to his family for Christmas is to listen to Dina's holiday CD. We laugh just as hard as the first time we listened, singing along to all the twisted lyrics (baby Jesus loving baby-back ribs that Mary will serve to the three kings - can't be beat!).

I've also seen her perform live, and that clip doesn't do her justice; you simply have to be there. (Also, I don't know for sure, but that boisterous laugh in the crowd sounds exactly like Andrew's.) For another dose of Dina, go here. The Stranger did a great profile of her in 1999:

The primary fact that one must understand about Dina Martina -- beyond her stature as a superstar entertainer without peer -- is that she is in possession of not one shred of discernible talent or grace. Her voice sounds like a cat having an epileptic fit on a chalkboard, her body moves like two pigs fighting their way out of a sleeping bag, and her face looks like the collision of a Maybelline truck with a Shoney's buffet.