«Podem chamar-lhe loucura, mas achamos que é cultura»: A performance do transformismo em Lisboa

Abstract

This article concerns the relationship between music, genre and sexuality at the Finalmente Club, which is included in the Lisbon Gay Guide (Roteiro Gay de Lisboa). As part of this research I undertook an ethnomusicological analysis of the performance of transformism presented at this club during the last forty years, attempting to understand the values that underlie this practice, the criteria for choices of repertoire, the social and working status of the associated artists, the relationship with the public, as well as the daily struggle to achieve recognition for these shows as 'culturally relevant performances'.