Today we’d like to introduce you to Mistress Ginger.
Hi Mistress, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hello! I’m a cabaret performer based in Minneapolis. What is cabaret, you ask? It’s an art form where I sing, dance, and take audiences on whimsical journeys full of heart and imagination.
I grew up in Maryland, where I discovered my love for ballet and musical theater as a teenager. My passion for dance took me to The Juilliard School in New York City, and after graduating, I moved to Minnesota to dance professionally. Around 2006, I rekindled my love for singing and began exploring the cabaret world, which blossomed into my work as Mistress Ginger.
A fun side note: I went vegan in 2002 and wrote a vegan cookbook, Mistress Ginger Cooks!: Everyday Vegan Food for Everyone, published in 2014. Alongside my shows, I share my “vegan showgirl fuel” through recipes and tips for the plant-based curious.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Let’s just say, as a queer, gender-nonconforming person, it hasn’t all been peaches and cream. Growing up, I was bullied, but the dance studio and the stage became my sanctuaries. Through art, I had the tools to discover and express my authentic self.
But then what I’ve created doesn’t fit neatly into one box—it’s a unique blend of theater, music, and dance. And even with drag becoming more mainstream, my work doesn’t always align with traditional definitions of “drag.”
So those ways in which my work has not been easily categorizable or satisfied certain conventions has been a challenge. But then again, those are also precisely the ways that I shine.
Luckily, I’m hardwired to see challenges as opportunities. Sure, I’d rather the path be more peaches and [vegan] cream, but it’s made me resilient and determined. Ultimately, those experiences have inspired me to create spaces where everyone feels loved, seen, and empowered to be their truest selves. That’s what I try to bring to all the work I do.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I often describe myself as a “quadruple-threat diva:” singer, dancer, actress, and vegan know-it-all, and whether I’m belting out ballads, pulling out my ballet chops, or sharing a story that ties it all together, I try to infuse whatever I’m doing with authenticity and joy.
The vegan thing adds another layer. Vegans sometimes get a bad rap, but my approach is all about abundance and fun, whether through my Cooking with Mistress Ginger videos on YouTube or emceeing for the masses at Twin Cities Veg Fest.
Currently, I’m producing Lady Is a Tramp, my 12th annual Valentine’s show. It’s a tribute to Rodgers & Hart, featuring Steven Zubich on piano. The show explores the highs, lows, and dreamy in-betweens of romance through their timeless music. It’s elegant, fun, and even deeply personal—a journey I’m thrilled to share!
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I’m a bit of an astrology nerd and love Kelly Surtees’ Kelly’s Astrology Podcast. I track the astrological transits daily and use it for making the most of opportunities and preparing myself for challenges.
For mindfulness and emotional well-being, I’m currently loving Tara Brach’s podcast, especially her teachings on “radical acceptance.” I’ve been into yoga and meditation for 25+ years now, so it’s been enriching to explore new techniques and approaches for being present in the moment and staying connected to my heart.
Lastly, Heather Cox Richardson’s Letters from an American is my daily go-to for grounded, insightful summaries of current events—essential in these turbulent times. Whew!
And I will say art in general is a resource, and that sometimes we forget about that one, or undervalue it. Nurturing our creative imaginations – to envision the world we’d like and how to get there – is priceless!
Pricing:
- Autographed Cookbooks: $25 plus shipping
- Valentine’s show tickets: $18 in advance/$22 at the door
Contact Info:
- Website: http://mistressgingercooks.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mistress.ginger
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mistressgingercooks/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/mistressginger
