About Arnaldo!

 

Arnaldo! started as a soloist with the Seattle Men’s Chorus (SMC) and has performed with SMC in some of the major concert halls in the US, Europe, New Zealand and Australia. In 1995, Arnaldo started a group called Cabaret Q where the “drag chanteuse” persona began. In 1999, Arnaldo! began his solo cabaret shows in Seattle’s Capitol Hill and has since performed his one person cabaret in Portland, Las Vegas, Palm Springs, Puerto Vallarta, New York and Manila. Arnaldo! has also collaborated with various directors, choreographers and songwriters in the Seattle area. In 2005, he completed the Cabaret Summer Conference Workshop at Yale University. In 2006,  Arnaldo! started the Pacific Northwest Cabaret Association and continues to organize “Seattle's March is Cabaret Month” featuring local and visiting artists. 2007 marked Arnaldo!’s New York cabaret debut and in 2008, Arnaldo! was honored with a New York Backstage Bistro Award.  2014 was Arnaldo!'s Manila debut where he received "Most Innovative Concert Artist" in Manila by Gawad Musika. In 2016, Arnaldo! was presented by The Filipino Community of Seattle with a Lifetime Achievement Award for promoting culture & the arts.

 

Accolades

 

• 2005 Fellow, International Cabaret Conference at Yale University

• 2006 Founder & Artistic Director, Pacific Northwest Cabaret Association 

• 2008 New York Cabaret Bistro Award Winner 

• 2010 Top 10 Cabaret Act in the Bay Area, Jazz and Cocktails, SF Bay Times

• 2012-present Pride ASIA Co Executive Director 

• 2014 GAWAD MUSIKA award for "Most Innovative Concert Artist" in Manila

• 2016 FCS Lifetime Achievement Award, Arts & Culture

• 2022 Executive  Producer, Seattle Cabaret Festival

• 2022 GenPride Rainbow Community Pillar Award

 

 

What is a drag chanteuse?

When I started performing in drag, I was not sure what to call what I do.  I am performing in drag and not lip-synching – so being a “drag queen” does not describe what I really do.  Others suggested using “drag diva”, but my persona is more subtle and intimate.  So in 1996, I decided to combine the words “drag” and “chanteuse” after my name.  The “!” came when a friend suggested that I add that as a joke … well it stuck!  I then performed for various fundraisers and smaller cabarets; and in 1999, I started my one person cabaret show series to – unexpectedly - sold out crowds.

The drag aspect of my performance all happened by chance.  And now for me, performing in drag is the theatrical element of my cabarets.  I have many women singers I admire and I of course perform their repertoire. I also do not imitate them and at most, I emulate these women I admire by arranging my songs to do renditions out of my own vocal styling.