Darcelle memorial in Portland draws luminaries and lots of glitter

When Bolivia Carmichaels first began performing drag at the now-shut Embers Avenue, she was warned against working for Darcelle XV. She’ll take away your individuality and make you a Darcelle girl, they said. Carmichaels’ response?

“Sweet,” she said. “That’s what I want to do. I want to be a Darcelle girl.” Carmichaels went on to dance under Darcelle XV’s wing for 20 years.

On Tuesday afternoon, more than 2,000 people gathered at Portland’s Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall to remember Walter W. Cole, who was fondly known as Darcelle XV. The artist died on March 23 this year due to natural causes at the age of 92. Darcelle will be the first Portlander to be inducted into the National LGBTQ Wall of Honor at the Stonewall Inn.