VALLEJO – Adolfo Alcala Manuel, a longtime fixture of the Vallejo arts community and regular drag performer at the Townhouse Cocktail Lounge, died suddenly in his home earlier this month. He was 69 years old.
Besides his drag shows, where he performed under the stage name “Miss Asia,” and frequent karaoke performances at the Townhouse, he was a hair stylist, fashion show producer and artist. His colorful Marin Street studio, decorated with vivid multimedia artworks and lavish furnishings, was a stop in the first citywide Vallejo Open Studios event in 2010.
Manuel was born in the Philippines and studied art at Cypress College in Southern California in the late 1980s. Stage and technical director Thage Montecarlo-Kramny, a close friend of Manuel’s, said he was known in the Philippines for his work in fashion show productions.
“I'm still in shock.” she said. “I can't believe that I lost my good friend. The family is in shock as well.”
Manuel brought his love of fashion with him when he moved to Vallejo decades ago. He modeled in the Timeless Fashion Show, part of the Art of Community event by Artiszen Cultural Art Center at Mare Island Art Studios last August, wearing a fanciful 17th century-inspired white satin outfit, complete with a lace fan, spool heel pumps, a white ponytail wig, and an enormous grin.
Photographer Rick Mariani remembered Adolfo Studio as an eclectic wonder that was always open during the Vallejo Second Friday Art Walk. Mariani participated in a few shows there that also featured life-sized sculptures by British artist Barry Baldwin. “It was a real comfortable environment that he created there in his salon and where he lived,” he said.
Adolfo Studio closed about a year and a half ago when the building was put up for sale.
Townhouse doorman Jay Kubovec said he has nothing but fond memories of Manuel, who he first met when he began working at the bar in 2008. He recalled Manuel as a generous person who would buy shots for everyone in the bar. Kubovec said he feels sick over Manuel’s death. “I didn't want to come to work all week,” Kubovec said. “I keep thinking I'll see him come walking down the street.”
Townhouse owner Jeff Linn said that Manuel’s fashion sense was always on point. His outfits always matched, from his glasses down to the bag that wore.
Manuel brought 12 bags of wigs, makeup, shoes and clothing to the bar four hours before drag shows. “I think he decided what to wear in the moment, depending on what other people were wearing, and making sure that he stood out differently,” Linn said. “He was constantly donating pieces of jewelry to other drag queens when he felt that their bling was falling short. But he was like that. He wanted the show to be great.”
Manuel had two signature catchphrases. He said “whateva” so frequently he had t-shirts made with that word. When he was ready to step away from a conversation he’d say “carry on.”
Linn remembers Manuel as having positive energy and fun to be around. “I don't remember a time ever when I thought he was upset or depressed or anything. He always seemed happy, and it was infectious for the people around him,” he said. So Linn was caught by surprise when Manuel, who habitually showed up two or three hours before performances, didn’t show up early for the drag show on March 8.
Another drag performer, Holotta Tymes, told Linn that Manuel had called and said he just got out of the hospital and wouldn't be able to make it. Linn said he then texted Manuel but never heard back. Linn received a call the following Monday informing him that Manuel was found dead in his home when a concerned relative contacted his landlord.
“I had just seen him on Thursday last week, and everything seemed fine to me. It's kind of a shock, because it didn't even seem like he was under the weather at all,” Linn said.
A memorial service for Manuel will be held on April 2 from 3 to 7 p.m. at Colonial Chapels, 1000 Redwood St., Vallejo.
A funeral service will be held at St. Vincent Ferrer at 420 Florida St. on April 3 at 11 a.m. followed by burial at All Souls Cemetery, 550 Glen Cove Road, Vallejo.
A tribute and celebration of life, “The Show Must Go On! Ms. Asia’s Final Act,” featuring famous local drag queens, speakers and performers, will be held at Townhouse Cocktail Lounge on April 3, beginning at 6 p.m.
Editor's note — this story was updated with additional funeral details.
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