* 
'RAINBOW HIGH'
Miss
Mimi Wood
"A modern-day Evita of the LGBT community delivers 'just a little touch of star quality' to WoodStarr nightclub in Parkersburg"
by Speak Out Reporter, Jim Lawson
Jerry Bartram,53, was born and raised in Mingo County, West Virginia. He adopted the stage name Mimi Wood from a girl that he thought was extremely beautiful.
He knew he wanted to perform as a female impersonator the very first time he saw someone else perform in drag. Jerry shops for Mimi at Jo-Ann Fabrics; he designs and makes most of the incredible costumes Mimi Wood wears, himself.
Mimi appeared on stage for the first time at the Driftwood Lounge in Huntington, West Virginia. Her role models in the business are Drema St. Love and Marilynn DeAngelic.
Jim: Where does the energy come from when you perform as Mimi Wood?
Mimi: I think any entertainer gets if from the audience.
Mimi describes the feeling of performing in front of an enthusiastic audience as "euphoric".
Jim: How do you manage stress and maintain a healthy balance?
Mimi: I have a wonderful home life with Vince and my two dogs.
Jerry met Vince, his lifetime partner, while on stage at the Polo Club, which is in Huntington, West Virginia. Vince also performs in drag, but not as frequently as he used to. On the special occasions that he does, he uses the stage name of Ginger Starr. Together they own and operate Woodstarr nightclub, located in Parkersburg. The name is a combination of both performer's names, Mimi Wood and Ginger Starr--Woodstarr.
Woodstarr offers the LGBT community of West Virginia and surrounding areas an exciting, fun and clean atmosphere to meet with friends (old and new), while enjoying the very best in entertainment, combined with the best hospitality around.
Jim: What is your philosophy on customer service and hospitality at the club?
Mimi: Treat people the way that you want to be treated.
Jim: Tell us how Woodstarr went from an idea to fruition?
Mimi: Lot's of hard work and Vince out front making it happen.
Jim: How have you managed to be in the business all these years and keep clean of drugs, sexual compulsion, and many of the other negative stigmas that exist within the nightclub scene?
Mimi: Simply by wanting more out of life, and a good home life helps too.
Mimi's smile is just one of the many great things that Woodstarr has going for it. If you have not checked out the scene at Woodstarr in Parkersburg, West Virginia, then mark a date on your calendar to treat yourself to the "rainbow high" that only Woodstarr offers you.
"All my descamisados expect me to outshine the enemy--
I won't disappoint them!
I'm their savior!
That's what they call me
So Lauren Bacall me
Anything goes
To make me fantastic
I have to be Rainbow High
In magical colors--
You're not decorating a girl for a night on the town!
And I'm not a second-rate queen getting kicks with
a crown!
Next stop will be Europe!
The Rainbow's gonna tour
Dressed up, somewhere to go
We'll put on a show!
Look out, mighty Europe!
Because you oughta' know what'cha' gonna get in me
Just a little touch of
Just a little touch of
Argentina's brand of
Star quality!"
I won't disappoint them!
I'm their savior!
That's what they call me
So Lauren Bacall me
Anything goes
To make me fantastic
I have to be Rainbow High
In magical colors--
You're not decorating a girl for a night on the town!
And I'm not a second-rate queen getting kicks with
a crown!
Next stop will be Europe!
The Rainbow's gonna tour
Dressed up, somewhere to go
We'll put on a show!
Look out, mighty Europe!
Because you oughta' know what'cha' gonna get in me
Just a little touch of
Just a little touch of
Argentina's brand of
Star quality!"
Lyrics from the movie Evita, starring Madonna