18


GAY SAN DIEGO


August 13-August 26, 2010


PERFORMANCE/BUSINESS


www.gay-sd.com


Perfect your listening skills to truly succeed in business


were wearing. Working on this skill helps you break out of the bubble many people walk around inside, thinking, “I am the center of the universe.” Consequently, when you show a genuine interest in what the other person is saying, he or she notices and remembers you. And that’s how one builds relationships that can lead to more business contacts. I recall being advised once


BUSINE$$SENSE TOM LUHNOW


Devra Jackson as the ‘King of Pop,’ Michael Jackson. (Courtesy Devra Gregory) Local impersonator still honoring


pop music’s ‘Smooth Criminal’ Performance to include Jackson’s hits, plus circus acts and a surprise ending


Though Devra Gregory always admired Michael Jackson’s work, she didn’t become a rabid fan—the kind who would drive up to the Santa Maria courthouse during the pop star’s 2004 arraignment—until she adopted his look and began moon-walking for money. Gregory, a licensed massage


therapist who travels the country impersonating the “King of Pop,” was working as a backup dancer in a “La Cage aux Folles”-style show on the island of Aruba when she was inspired to adopt Jackson’s mysterious persona. One night, after dancing in the


shadow of a bogus Bette Midler, Gregory had a dream that she was performing as Jackson. “One of the drag queens did Michael Jackson, even though technically it wasn’t a female impersonator,” Gregory recalled. “It just started to occur to me that it would be a really interesting idea to have Michael Jackson


Man in the Mirror: A Tribute to Michael Jackson WHEN: Aug. 27 & 28 at 8 p.m. WHERE: David and Dorothea Garfield Theatre, 4126 Executive Dr., La Jolla COST: $25 advance; $35 door INFO: tickets.LFJCC.org, devasmj.com or (619) 861-5496


done by a woman and that was my ‘a-ha’ moment. I decided to start working on it during my spare time.


“When I was in character I


looked so much like Michael— even more than some of the guys—that I didn’t even have to tell people that I was a woman, although I don’t hide it.” Gregory will share the looks and moves she has perfected through the years during two performances, Aug. 27 and 28 at the David and Dorothea Garfield Theatre in La Jolla. A former staple at Lips drag restaurant, Gregory will perform to Jackson’s solo hits from the ’80s and ’90s, including “Billy Jean,” “Thriller” “Smooth Criminal” and “They Don’t Care About Us.” Her show, dubbed “The


Man in the Mirror” will include two parts. During the first act an array of aerialists, acrobats, contortionists and jugglers will perform a Cirque-style show to Jackson tunes. During the second half, Gregory and six female backup dancers will perform.


see Jackson, pg 21


I once had the pleasure of meeting Jack Valenti at a dinner party in Washington, D.C. Jack was the powerful president of the Motion Picture Association of America for many years and a former aide to LBJ. When we met, he locked his eyes on mine and addressed me as if I were the only person in the universe. I’ve never forgotten that meeting because, while we talked, he was totally focused on me. No roving eye to check out who else was there—and there were some very


to be “interested” in others, not “interesting” to them. In other words, find out about them instead of blathering on about yourself. Find a way to draw someone out and he or she will leave your side thinking you are wonderful. Try it! It could result in a future sale or client—and you will definitely be remembered. Some years ago, I found it


The entire exchange may have lasted only a couple minutes, but it registered so deeply that 25 years later I still recall it vividly.


powerful business people in the room—just total concentration on me. The entire exchange may have lasted only a couple minutes, but it registered so deeply that 25 years later I still recall it vividly. Now that’s charisma! I’m sure Jack had diligently mastered the art of concentrating on others, but it takes a lot of practice to be as smooth as he was. We could all profit from Jack Valenti’s example, but it takes work and is more chal- lenging than it seems. Try this: next time you are in


a group of people at a mixer, hear and notice everything you can about one person as they talk to you. After you walk away, find a quiet spot and see how much you can recall—the color of their eyes, their business, personal informa- tion they disclosed, what they


paid off to carry note cards in my coat pocket to jot down “factoids” about people when I attended parties and events—small things like the name of their dog, or which flower they loved, or their favorite book, movie, opera, musi- cal, etc. If I came across an article about their particular passion, I’d send them a note about it. Attention to small things means a lot to others and it shows that you really did pay attention when you met them. They will want to get to know you better, and it is through rela- tionships that a lot of business takes place. The reason


I’ve shared these points is that we can all


improve ourselves. If we want to connect more deeply and honestly with others, whether in business or on a personal level, we need to work on our personal communication skills, as well as our ability to market our prod- ucts. As many experts will tell you, most customers choose who they buy from not based on price but on whether they like you or not. So take a few moments to review your listening skills, your concentration, and your attention to details about others. You could be rewarded handsomely.


—Tom Luhnow is chief execu-


tive officer of the Greater San Diego Business Association (GSDBA), the second largest gay and lesbian chamber of commerce in the United States. Visit gsdba.org.


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