Baltimore has long served as the creative hub for renowned filmmaker John Waters, the city that witnessed the creation of all 16 of his films. Last weekend, it also became a vibrant hotspot for his devoted fans.
A passionate crowd of 65 of Waters’ ardent supporters gathered in Baltimore for a three-day celebration filled with delightful activities. The weekend’s agenda included a lively Garage Dance Party and bar crawl on Friday, a visit to Divine’s gravesite on Saturday, as well as guided tours of significant filming locations in Hampden and Fells Point. The festivities culminated with a “Dinner with the Dreamlanders” to wrap up the event.
“It’s a labor of love,” noted Maureen “Mo” Mack Nair, one of the event’s organizers. “We only charge enough to break even.”
This marked the fifth annual “Baltimore Weekend,” one of several occasions throughout the year when John Waters enthusiasts come together, in addition to his spoken-word performances, book signings, and other events.
The most significant gathering is Camp John Waters, which Waters endorses and attends. Launched in 2017, Camp John Waters has been advertised as an “All-Inclusive Dreamland Sleepaway Weekend” and a “Campy Getaway with the Pope of Trash.” It has attracted 300 fans to Club Getaway in Kent, Connecticut, each September, with Waters describing it as “Jonestown with a happy ending.”
Fans also convene in California for the annual Mosswood Meltdown punk rock festival hosted by Waters in Oakland. Additional meet-ups have occurred in New England and New York City, often tied to specific events. In fact, Waters garnered significant attention when he addressed a writers’ convention in Baltimore this past March.
However, the annual “Baltimore Weekend” in the filmmaker’s home city has evolved into the largest ongoing gathering of John Waters fans outside of Camp John Waters. This year was notably the biggest yet, coinciding with the recent announcement that Camp John Waters will conclude this September, after nine years of operation.
What distinguishes the Baltimore event from Waters’ spoken-word sessions and book signings is the duration; unlike those shorter events, this Weekend allows fans ample opportunity to socialize and reconnect. Attendees this year arrived from as far away as California, Canada, Louisiana, Rhode Island, Maine, and numerous other locations, with ages spanning from the 30s to the 70s.
While Camp John Waters has boasted celebrity guest counselors like Mink Stole, Ricki Lake, and Deborah Harry, the Baltimore Weekend takes place in the very city where Waters filmed his movies and features original Dreamlanders from those projects.
Saturday evening’s dance party in Hampden was enlivened by the presence of four actors from John Waters’ films, known locally as Dreamland royalty — Susan Lowe, Mary Vivian Pearce, and the two Georges, George Figgs and George Stover. They mingled with fans and enjoyed the night’s performances.
Filled with Reminders
Though Waters did not participate in the weekend festivities—his absence communicated via an email expressing hopes for enjoyment—his spirit permeated the entire event. Reminders of Waters and the vivid worlds portrayed in his films, books, and artwork were all around.
The weekend began with a “Trailer Park Trash & Garage Dance Party” hosted at the residence of one of the planners. This lively kick-off featured barbecuing, music by DJ Skizz (Skizz Cyzyk), and a best outfit contest. Following this, attendees enjoyed a Hampden Bar Hop, stopping at locations such as the Clipper Mill Inn (known colloquially as the Bloody Bucket), Melanie’s at Griffith’s Tavern, Ottobar, and the Bluebird Cocktail Room.
Saturday featured “Coffee and Doughnuts with Divine” at Prospect Hill Cemetery in Towson, where the beloved actor and Waters muse, Harris Glenn Milstead, famously known as Divine (1945 to 1988), lies in rest. This cemetery is also the future burial site for Waters and other Dreamlanders, an area he refers to as “Disgraceland.” A second Dreamlander, Bob Skidmore, has also been interred at Prospect Hill Cemetery in 2023.
In his 2019 essay collection, “Mr. Know-It-All: The Tarnished Wisdom of a Filth Elder,” Waters expressed a unique outlook on death: “Who gets buried with their friends but us?”
As part of their rituals, the group continues to serve coffee and doughnuts at Divine’s gravesite while also leaving a Pink Flamingo, maintaining the tradition. This year, despite a sign asking visitors to “preserve the dignity of this burial ground,” Divine’s gravestone showed signs of defacement, primarily from lipstick markings where fans had kissed the stone.
After enjoying breakfast, fans visited the Senator Theatre, the historic venue for many of Waters’ film premieres, before stopping by 3900 Greenmount Ave., where Waters and Mink Stole resided during the filming of “Pink Flamingos.” The home featured in the film as the abode of Connie and Raymond Marble was also a point of interest. Following lunch at Chaps Pit Beef, the group embarked on a walking tour of Fells Point, checking out various bars and artist spaces frequented by Dreamlanders and notable filming spots for “Multiple Maniacs” and “Female Trouble.”
The event took place in the Lou Costello Room at Zissimo’s Bar in Hampden, which was temporarily renamed The Polyester Underground for the occasion. Hosted by drag performers Delvis (Kelli McVey Chovan) and Carol Crash (Michael Dates), the evening featured live performances by the band PLRLS, burlesque acts from Ruby Rockafella, and energetic dancing with DJ Pink Champale.
Initially composed of eclectic individuals—including a disgraced nightclub owner, a former television celebrity, a former chauffeur, and an ex-graphic designer—the band PLRLS has been creating unique, colorful, and angular music since 2011. At one point during the festivities, Carol Crash invited the Dreamlanders on stage for engaging interviews.
Attendees celebrated with a cake featuring an image of Divine sourced from a memorable scene in “Pink Flamingos,” adorned with some cheeky language. (The cake was skillfully crafted by Woodlea Bakery on Belair Road. “Finding a bakery that embraces a John Waters theme is quite the challenge,” Dates remarked. “We’ve faced rejections along the way.” “Woodlea will always say yes,” added Mack Nair.)
Sunday’s events included a brunch at Papi’s on Falls Road, self-guided tours of Hampden—where attendees could visit Atomic Books, the source of Waters’ fan mail and a site for local book signings—a stop at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Moving Image Archive (MARMIA) on North Avenue, and an evening meal at Rocket to Venus. MARMIA is dedicated to preserving the archives from 1950 to 2020 of WJZ-TV/WAAM-TV, Baltimore’s station that originally aired The Buddy Deane Show, which inspired The Corny Collins Show in “Hairspray.”
Many attendees also visited the suburban setting of Serial Mom’s house from the film “Serial Mom,” the Palace on Dallas—previously the home of Dreamlanders Vincent Peranio and Dolores Deluxe in Fells Point, Edgar Allan Poe’s grave on Fayette Street, and Poe’s statue at the University of Baltimore.
In addition to Mack Nair, Chovan, and Dates, the Baltimore Weekend was organized by Carey Stumm and Lacey McCann.
According to Mack Nair, most participants of Baltimore Weekend also attend Camp John Waters, where many first formed friendships, with some attendees having participated in every annual camp.
Since 2017, Waters fans have invested hundreds of dollars to spend time with him and various guest counselors at Camp John Waters. Participants routinely dress as characters from his films and enthusiastically recite their favorite lines.
The camp offers a variety of activities like swimming, zip-lining, hiking, biking, archery, water skiing, trampolining, yoga, meditation, and sailing. John Waters-themed activities have included costume competitions judged by Waters himself, dance parties, storytelling by the fireside, movie marathons featuring Waters’ works, Hairspray karaoke, Bloody Mary Bingo, and drag luncheons. The next camp is scheduled from September 11 to 14, featuring counselors Mink Stole and Ricki Lake.
‘Return to Dreamland’
Mack Nair shared that the inception of the Baltimore Weekend was spurred by Camp attendees who yearned for more frequent opportunities to connect, revealing a willingness to travel for the occasion. The inaugural event in 2022 featured a panel titled “Return to Dreamland,” with three Dreamlanders sharing anecdotes about early John Waters films, and the weekend has grown in response.
The cost to attend last weekend’s festivities was reasonable—only $30 per night for Friday and Saturday parties. However, attendees were responsible for their own travel, lodging, meals, drinks, and transportation expenses.
Many attendees reflected on what compelled them to participate, regardless of Waters’ absence. The common answer was clear: while his presence initially drew them together, the bonds they’ve forged with one another have become equally significant.
Over the course of the weekend, conversations naturally drifted towards Waters. Fans discussed his Instagram posts, such as a recent photo from his birthday trip to the Marquis de Sade’s castle in France, as well as his anticipated role in Season 13 of “American Horror Story.” However, the weekend didn’t revolve solely around Waters or his films. More academic discussions about his work have taken place at previous forums, such as those at Northwestern University in Chicago and the 92nd Street Y in New York. This gathering was primarily about nurturing relationships rather than dissecting a scholarly take on his craft.
What united these superfans was a shared desire to strengthen connections formed over the years. They’ve engaged with Waters’ books, enjoyed his films, and attended his shows and camp events. Their celebration focused not just on honoring him, but also on cultivating friendships.
John Waters embodies a multi-dimensional artistry—he is a writer, filmmaker, actor, visual artist, and storyteller with a global following. His diverse body of work allows fans to explore various aspects of his creativity.
In a similar vein, his fans are also diverse. The weekend featured an array of attendees, including Dreamlanders from the entertainment industry, graphic designers, college instructors, television editors, software developers, hairdressers, massage therapists, and musicians, illustrating the broad spectrum of backgrounds represented.
Waters often characterizes his core audience as “minorities who cannot even fit in with their own communities.” He welcomes fans who embrace their eccentricity and reject the conventional norms of their subcultures. Last weekend provided a safe haven where they could fully express themselves without fear of judgment or the need to explain their identities.
Some fans have been following Waters for decades, while others have recently discovered his work. Regardless of their introduction, they resonate with one another, sharing laughter, inside jokes, and a unique understanding shaped by their shared admiration for Waters.
‘The Glue That Holds Us Together’
Fans quickly discover the commonality of their experiences when they connect with each other.
“He’s the glue that holds us together,” expressed Mack Nair, a consultant from Baltimore. “Without him, we may never have met. Our connection stems from our shared love for John Waters.”
“It’s a feeling inside of us. It’s an innate understanding and kinship,” added Michael Georgeson, a graphic designer from Philadelphia. “You can have a five-minute conversation with someone, and suddenly it feels like you’ve made a friend for life.”
Jimmy Alicata, who attended his second Baltimore Weekend with spouse Mychele Roberts, remarked, “John Waters brought us here. The people, however, keep us coming back.”
Jake Burns, a software tester from Maine who acted as DJ Pink Champale during the weekend, shared that he and his partner bonded over Waters’ film “Cry Baby” when they started dating, ultimately leading them to the Camp John Waters experience.
Burns recounted how, after attending numerous camps, the camaraderie only deepened: “It’s been a miraculous journey, a community that feels more like family.”
The community’s uniqueness lies in its compatibility, resonating across varied backgrounds. The collective enthusiasm for Waters’ work appears to unify them, presenting a refreshing break from the rigidity of typical social interactions.
Uninhibited and Non-Judgmental
Alicata recounted his initial motivation to attend Camp John Waters, saying it was the allure of meeting Johnny Knoxville, who was a guest counselor after featuring in Waters’ 2004 film, “A Dirty Shame.”
“I couldn’t resist,” he said, laughing. “Yet, it’s not just about him. It’s about John.”
Both Camp John Waters and the Baltimore Weekend emphasize a judgement-free atmosphere where attendees are free to embrace their true selves.
“I feel completely unguarded here,” Alecata explained. “I would never dance in public normally, but at these gatherings, I can dance all night, feeling accepted.”
As Mack Nair noted, this circle is devoid of the judgments that permeate professional life. “When you’re in corporate settings, conformity is key. Here, it’s the opposite.”
Waters and his films serve as a starting point, but the gatherings evolve beyond that, extending into the friendships cultivated among those present.
“It’s the friendship and camaraderie among those with shared passions that generates an exhilarating feeling,” Chovan articulated. “I’ve never encountered a more understanding community.”
“We consist of individuals who often feel out of place among ‘regular’ society,” Dates added playfully.
“Finding a group that resonates with your feelings and interests is intoxicating,” Chovan concluded.
The Baltimore Weekend serves as an excellent platform for maintaining connections with like-minded individuals, Dates stated.
“Making friends later in life can be challenging,” he reflected. “As we began attending Camp, our demographic spanned from the mid-30s to various ages. Finding others with a similar sense of humor and interests at this stage is truly rare…they’re worth keeping.”
‘We All Like the Same Stuff’
Despite Camp John Waters bringing this community together, Dates emphasized, “We didn’t want to wait until the next gathering to reconnect; exploring other ways to meet was essential.”
R. I. Dates, a costume designer and theater instructor, shared his experience of organizing a weekend gathering in Providence, coinciding with a stage production of “Cry-Baby: The Musical” at his college in 2024. As fate would have it, Waters was scheduled for a performance in Providence that same weekend.
“It was a brilliant experience, creating an event similar to this one,” Dates noted. “John turned out to be remarkably personable. I likened it to a wedding since I was so touched by the entire experience.”
Dates is contemplating another gathering in Providence centered around their shared interests.
“We all have a mutual affinity for John Waters and those influenced by him,” he remarked. “We plan to explore the possibility of coordinating another event focused around that.”
Having collaborated on planning the inaugural Baltimore Weekend, Dates noted, “It was for one-time fun, but based on its success, we felt compelled to host another event. The ability to form friendships with the Georges, Bonnie, and Sue adds such a fun dynamic to the occasion, as they engage with us.”
The thread connecting John Waters fans is remarkably strong, he expressed.
“The fun we have when planning events is evident; our shared interests in music and varied tastes contribute to successful gatherings,” he concluded.
Puppet Show Days and The Twilight Zone
George Stover, a Dreamlander who starred in “Desperate Living” among other films, is a longtime friend of Waters.
“I met John in the eighth grade,” he recalled. “We were classmates at Towsontown Junior High School.”
The two developed a friendship during their mutual appreciation for The Twilight Zone, discussing episodes every Monday morning after watching them the previous Friday. Stover recounted how Waters initially entertained children with puppet shows at birthday parties before embarking on his film-making career. He also made notable appearances in “Female Trouble,” “Polyester,” “Hairspray,” and “Cry-Baby.”
While recounting his near-death experience during the filming of “Desperate Living,” Stover shared how clever Waters was as a filmmaker. When his character, Bosley Gravel, met his end at the hands of a heavy maid, played by Jean Hill, Waters made sure to film all other scenes first to ensure they had sufficient material should the unexpected occur.
Looking Ahead
Numerous Baltimore Weekend participants are anticipating the last Camp John Waters coming this September. While many express discontent about the ending, they acknowledge the decision and look forward to its grand finale.
“There’s a bittersweet aspect to it,” Burns shared. “I’ll likely feel quite emotional throughout the weekend.”
Chovan echoed this sentiment, stating, “Bittersweet aptly describes it. Nonetheless, I believe it will conclude on a high note.”
The fans agree that nothing can replicate Camp John Waters, given its unique offerings and memorable experiences. A highlight is Waters previewing the new spoken-word show he plans to launch in the fall, providing campers a chance to be his initial audience and gauge their reactions. They also cherish the numerous opportunities for interaction with him and guest counselors during camp.
Nevertheless, the existence and growth of the Baltimore Weekend demonstrates that John Waters enthusiasts can continue to connect and celebrate the filmmaker, regardless of the camp ending.
“The ability to gather without a camp backdrop is fantastic,” Alicata stated. “It’s truly about the people we cherish…enjoying John Waters content is merely the icing on the cake.”
“Events like this, along with our newfound connections, will endure,” Burns articulated. “While the tents may fade, the relationships formed will last forever.”
Mack Nair mentioned that planning for another Baltimore Weekend in 2027 is already underway, likely set for late spring. She and Dates, both original Campers, speculate that more of Waters’ fans may find interest in the upcoming Baltimore Weekend due to the Connecticut camp concluding. “Next year has the potential to be quite large because we won’t have the Camp,” Dates noted.
Organizers are already exploring locations for various activities, with Mack Nair predicting that, “we may need a bigger space for the Friday and Saturday night parties.”
