Ever Been To A Drag Show? (That's Drag QUEENS! Not Drag Races.)

[arwalden]

Poll question: Ever Been To A Drag Show? (That's Drag QUEENS! Not Drag Races.)

If so, do you have a favorite performer you can recommend? Which city?

[arwalden]

1. My First Gay Bar Experience Was At A Drag Bar...

They scared me. Bigger than life. Loud. Over-the-top. Oh my god.

I was scared enough sneaking in (underage) to Gainesville's "Melody Club"... but I learned to love them.

My favorites are anyone who does Cher, Bette, Babs, Judy, and Diana Ross.

-- Allen

[BlackVelvetElvis]

14. Old school drag queens!

Love those!
Where have they all gone?

[arwalden]

17. Not To Be (Too) Judgemental ... But ...

There are a lot of younger drag queens that are a bit disappointing. Someone needs to tell them that...

1) KNOW THE WORDS TO THE SONG
2) Spinning around and around is NOT dancing. Please choreograph SOMETHING.

I know... I know... everyone has to start somewhere. I'm sorry. I'll try to keep my mouth shut.

-- Allen

[BlackVelvetElvis]

19. they gotta have some style!

Isn't that a big part of the show???

[arwalden]

20. Like TINA TURNER!!!

I just LOVE IT whenever I get to see someone do a good Tina Turner impersonation.

-- Allen

[BlackVelvetElvis]

23. Proud Mary keep on rolling.

Tina, what an inspiration.
God I miss them too!
I do miss the Bette impersonations. Bette is my favorite (clipped speech/cigarette)! There were more classic female icons back then that were unique. What do we have today–Madonna?
We need guidance!

[BlackVelvetElvis]

18. I love the bit in Hedwig

The outtakes in the Croatian bar (w/Yitzak) on Drag night.
"Ba-bara Stri-sand!"
Why did they cut that bit?

[ldf]

65. i've been to the melody club many times

whatever happend to miss diane adams and erica fox?

C L, the owner was a real fixture. made a truly horrendous drag queen!

want to see a real honey? she also went to college at UF, but didn't have her drag thing going then....

Ladies and Gentlemen, May I introduce.......

Miss Deaundra Peek

http://www.bettyjack.com/funtone/experience/




edit for spelling

[Mari333]

2. I learned how to dance at gay bars in New Town in Chicago

and the drag queen shows were wonderful...this was back in the early 70s, tho...so Im telling my age..
!!

[niyad]

3. have been to drag shows in SF, SD, Reno and

several in Colo. Spgs (mainly because I knew the owners or some of the performers.

it has been a while, though, so couldn't really recommend any
(don't know if finocchio's is still open in SF)

[alphafemale]

4. I live in Savannah. Home of Lady Chablis. And other great queens.

The club is called Club One.

They usually do a Rocky Horror showing for Halloween too, which I hear is a blast.

There are Cabaret shows at the "Savannah Pride" every year too.

Sorry for the edits. Sloppy grammer on my part.

[arwalden]

7. Lady Chablis

Second only to Rupaul. (And maybe Noxema Jackson... aka Wesley Snipes)

[alphafemale]

22. She's great. A riot. An unapologetic bitch of high order. But great.

Always fun.

[TrogL]

5. Sticky Vicky

PM me for details

[binaryline]

6. I highly recommend Dred

who is the actual king of drag kings. Has an friggin' amazing performance with a billion costume changes and really cool soul/hip-hop music. Mmmm... Dred.

Edit: I suddenly just realized that you maybe wanted only drag queen recommendations. Oops ;-)

[Malikshah]

8. Vivica!!

My partner's ex-- he does a great job as Vivica--(stress ont he second syllable-- ViVEEca)

Did a great job of Linda Eder's Big Time, and Lara Fabian's Adagio.

They want me to do one for the next show-- Will come in as Truly Delish (Truly Scrumptious' illegitimate sister) and do "Bring on the Men" from Jekyll & Hyde.

[arwalden]

9. Two Of My Best Friends Used To Do Judy and Babs

Tim was Judy and Steve was Barbra. Tim did double-duty as Patsy Cline and Steve did a decent Reba Mcintyre. -- What a great time. I'm sitting here with the biggest grin on my face just thinking about it.

I miss them.

-- Allen

[roughsatori]

10. Tanya Treetops, Atlantic City

She was a gangly wickedly funny tongued comedian--not at all a beauty. When I was underage I snuck (sic) into a bar and she and I talked all night and drank and took amphetamines. She was VERY intelligent. I recently read that Tanya and a friend are the reason Miss America contestants now do some "shoe event." I read that they used to stand on New York Ave, and when the contestants drove by they screamed "show us your shoes." And that eventually the contestants started to wear the outrageous shoes so they could hold them up for Tanya when they drove by. (I am not familiar with the contest, or the shoe event; but, yearly, the wild shoe event is shown on the local news. (Thanks for the fun memory.)

edited to add: I just did a seach and found this about "Tonya Treetop," I had misspelled her name in the title:
http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/legacy/053102LEGACY_M31.html

[BlackVelvetElvis]

11. Drag Queens are the bravest

people on the planet. Hell, they led Stonewall, didn't they? How bold is that?
Being a woman, I always loved being in a women's restroom in a gay bar and all the queens come in at once (some ghetto any–bar in some small town). They amaze me.
No favorite perfomers though; we don't get the A-list queens here in anytown, USA.

[xJlM]

12. Monty Python

I also have a tape of the episode of Saturday Night Live where Eric Idle helped them do a skit about Drag Net. Actually, I don't think it's that funny.

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

13. P-town a long time ago. Dont remember the name

but it was a riot.

[mitchum]

15. I used to play steel guitar with one of the greats-Trixie Trash...

when she did her honky tonk act.

I also recommend:
Lady Chablis
Samantha Hunter
Miss Otis Regrets

all four can be found on the Savannah/Atlanta/Charleston circuit

[sistersofmercy]

16. St Louis, LA

Don't remember names but amazing talent.

[cosmicdot]

21. Ella Fitzgerald in DC has always been popular

... and, then there are the nationally-known ...


Charles Pierce does a flawless Bette Davis ............



Charles Pierce as Bette Davis on Joan Crawford:

"Dead you know ... and, she won't let us forget it."

Charles Pierce as Bette Davis on Bette Davis:

"I shall never forget my films ... and, I'll never let YOU forget my films ... especially the stinkers ... Beyond the Forest ... I was Rosa Moline ... a midnight girl in a nine o'clock town with five o'clock shadow ... oh, I was a mess, I really was ... crawling crawling to Chicago ... with Periphrenitis... a Greek I picked up in a bar ... not bad ...

What a dump!

[arwalden]

24. Oh My Gay Stars!!! I Forgot All About ELLA!!!!!!!

Zigfields is one of my favorite spots... every once and awhile.

-- Allen

[BlackVelvetElvis]

27. Charles or Bette/Scary!

He had her nailed.
I wish he would have done a Baby Jane, wow!!

[cosmicdot]

30. your wish

http://bochynski.com/charlespierce/davis.htm

[cosmicdot]

32. edited post above

fyi

[arwalden]

33. We'll Have To Meet Up At Zigfields Some Weekend.

If you're game.

-- Allen

[cosmicdot]

34. be nice - but I'm on the Left Coast now

:loveya:

[arwalden]

35. Next Time You're In Town Then...

I might be visiting LA and Santa Barbara sometime after Xmas if you want to meet up sometime.

-- Allen

[cosmicdot]

38. OK

[cosmicdot]

37. in memory of Charles Pierce

Charles Pierce (1926 - 1999)
Born July 14, 1926 in Watertown, New York
Died May 31, 1999, North Hollywood, California.

http://www.sfmuseum.org/bio/cpierce.html

[boilerbabe]

43. Very nice obit for Charles Pierce! n/t

[ironflange]

25. I sorta saw a show once

Many years ago, I attended my brother-in-law's media awards evening in which he had hired two really convincing (and hilarious) drag queens to present the awards. Several guys hit on them, not realizing the truth. One of them got sick enough of the guy yelling "show us your tits!" that (s)he finally pulled one out and threw it at him.

[arwalden]

26. OMG! Too Funny!! I can see that happening.

I don't know of too many drag queens who will put up with too much crap from anybody. I wonder why that is?

-- Allen

[BlackVelvetElvis]

28. That's the reason why I love them!

Unexpected bold brashness from every corner.

[TreasonousBastard]

29. It's been so long, I can't remember any names...

but they were great shows.

I'm gonna have to find my way into a few sometime in the not so distant future to see if the new kids can put on a show like the old ones did.

I hope so. Just looking good doesn't cut it.

[NightTrain]

31. Does THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW count?

From 1983-94, I attended 548 RHPS screenings in three different states. During my decade-plus in the cult, I managed to play every role in the Rocky Horror Revue at one time or another--including Frank-N-Furter in full regalia, baby!

And before you ask: no, I don't have any pictures. Sorry....

[boilerbabe]

42. Saw the original cast in San Diego in 1981!

There was a restaurant that was screening it every Sat. nite here in CT last summer. It was the first time I had seen it since 1980 something or other...they showed it on the back of the building outside. It was cool! It had really evolved as far as participation since when I saw it in a theater in '79...

[NightTrain]

66. A restaurant in Connecticut?! Which one, if I may ask?

n/t

[Rowdyboy]

36. Regular since 1975 when I

attended my first Ms Gay Mississippi Pageant...and what a fete that was! Just remembering makes my.......uh, never mind

[arwalden]

39. Gives You A Case Of The "Vapors"??

Maybe a Mint Julep will help. Or some Lemon Verbena water spritzed on your neck will help cool you down.

-- Allen

[Rowdyboy]

49. You do know how to treat a lady, suh!

Ya fruitcake! Haven't seen a good show since one of the last time I was in New Orleans. Decadence Day about 4 years ago the entire Quarter turned into a giant Drag Show and a VERY naughty one at that. If you've never been, you really should treat yourself to next years celebration!

[arwalden]

51. Key West's 'Fantasy Fest' Is About As Close As I've Come To...

... experiencing New Orleans' Mardi Gras. (Only... Fantasy Fest is in October... but pretty darn fun!)

-- Allen

[Capn Sunshine]

40. The Queen Mary in Studio City

was a microcosm of every drag queen/ gonna be a star/ tragicomedic soapopera lives of the performers play and movie you've ever seen. It's heyday was in the 70's when things were a bit looser. Whichis how I found myself there.

I ran a very hot singles bar on "the boulevard" --Ventura Blvd. for you uninitiated non Valley non LA Non So Cal or out of staters. It wasn't a singles bar per se because this was before the concept actually took hold; but it's just that among baby boomers during that time everybody was single. Or wished they were. Or acted like it. Well, a couple of really hot hot babes who knew one of my waitresses came in and it turned out that they were drag queens, but DAMN! they looked REALLY good! Didn't we all then. When I found out the 411 on these girls, I insisted that they never pay for a drink in my place again as they were one of those "straws that stirs the drink" you are always in search of to maximize the bargoing experience for your clientele. It was delicious to watch a local lothario attempt to take onone of these girls. One thing led to another and I found myself at their bar one evening, and the cognoscenti of Studio City were all there. Porn queens and kings who lived in the glass stilt houses sparkling on the close hillsides, gangsters and their molls who worked the teamster docks at the studios. Producers and directors from MTM which was a studio right down the street owned by Mary Tyler Moore; Joe was there, but not Rhoda. Actors from whatever production just wrapped on the streets around there, it could have been any of a dozen TV shows. Add the glitterati and the other queens of the scene. A kick ass bar band, replete with horns. The nightly review included Marilyn, Judy, and the closest thing to the Village People I have seen in that genre.

And the freakiest thing of all was those who slept over at my place and greeted my ultra straight neighbors the next morning, because by the light of day a post party drag queen can look pretty smudged, you know? For Sale signs went up the following weekend. I never did know if it was a coincidence.Funny thing was, a professional librarian (!) bought the place, but he was totally cool.

So yeah, I saw a drag show. And it only started about 3:30 AM in the parking lot.

[boilerbabe]

41. Haven't been to an actual Drag event, but...

I used to be a habitue of gay bars when I lived in CA and saw many lovely drag queens. My brother and sister have been to Wigstock, though.

[athos1126]

44. Drag KINGS are much more fun

Woohoo!

[rucky]

45. Darcelle - 70 and going strong!

Portland, Oregon.

Has her own theater and does a full on burlesque show every weekend. Last time I went was for a bachelor party... f-ing hilarious. the groom went onstage with her, kinda drunk and started hamming it up a bit.

Note to straight guys: NEVER try to upstage a diva - even when she's 70.

[seamarq]

53. Darcelle!

One of the nicest humans on the planet. She's been around for years and has always been politically active and outspoken. And always the first to make fun of herself. Started a burlesque drag club in Portland 36 years ago (not an easy feat) and is still one of the most popular shows in town. You have to hand it to a 70 year old drag queen. Always puts on a fun show with a big cast. The best thing about the club is that it is a very accepting, mixed crowd. I haven't been to Portland in way too long, but next time I'm there, I'll definitely stop in and see how the old gal is doing.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

56. She's still around

her club was still doing great when I left Portland, and she has consistently been right there for all the political and charitable causes.

[GalleryGod]

46. Michael Lucir, P-town in the Summer

:wow:

[jumptheshadow]

47. Many, many of them

I used to go to the Sweet Gum Head in Atlanta in the 70's. The shows were wonderful. My favorite drag queen was Brandy Alexander, who used to make occasional pit stops from somewhere else in the South.

Two friends (and former business partners) of mine were loft mates of Jackie Beat. Jackie was once named by a local alternative paper as the best drag queen in NYC (before he moved to the West Coast). My friends say Jackie's shows are a riot. They have tried to get me to go to The Fez whenever he is in town. But I'm older now and I can't stay awake past 10 p.m.

Besides, I woke Jackie up on more than one occasion by playing with the dog outside his room at 1 p.m. He (she during the shows) singles people out in the audience. I fear that payback would be a bitch.

[jumptheshadow]

48. Here she is...

Ms. Jackie Beat

[FlashHarry]

50. My old band played a drag show/'coming out' ball years ago.

It was great fun. Balloons, tinsel, lights... it was like a gay prom! All the drag queens were TALL!!!

[Robb]

52. Does Lipsynca (sp?) count?

Saw her in SF in the mid 90s at somebody's Juice Joint.

Funny, funny, funny. One, er, person show, lip-synching to a terribly funny mix of old show tunes and social commentary.

[arwalden]

63. I'm Going To Have To See If "Wigstock" Is On DVD...

... I think Lipsynca made an appearance there. It was a great docu-movie.

Didn't Lipsynca also appear in one or two George Michael videos?

-- Allen

[Love Bug]

54. Miss Richfield 1981!

Miss Richfield is something of a local celebrity in the Twin Cities. She's more of a comedian/perfomer than a singer, but a hoot!

[thom1102]

55. I went to a great one on the Cape this Summer...

Under a Big Top. No double entendre's there!

[Lydia Leftcoast]

57. Does the Ballet Trockadero count?

I've seen them about four times, and I'd go see them again in a heartbeat. The humor works because they are superb dancers, and the more you know about the history and personalities of the dance world, the funnier they are. Their version of "Swan Lake" is hilarious even if you don't know much about ballet.

[supernova]

58. Yes I have

and had a wonderful time. :D Though not enough to have any personal faves. I used to like the Liza impersonators though. I have no idea why I'm attached to her, but I am. I never really learned to dance until I spent time in a gay bar when I was in college. It was THE best dance club in town.

[cosmicdot]

59. and, of course, there's THE musical

[indigo32]

60. I've seen both drag queens and drag kings

nobody really well known.
I had an interesting experience recently though... I went out drinking with some straight friends at a VFW (LOL) out in blue collar suburbia. They had a band playing boring covers....then, right in the middle of the second set the lead singer stepped out and came back in after a few minutes in full drag! He was really very good... didn't take any shit... sang two songs.... went back and changed into his regular cloths. It was very unexpected.

[arwalden]

61. All This At A VFW? Maybe I Should Hang Out At VFW's More...

... or not.

I'm just saying...

That's a pretty cool story.

-- Allen

[indigo32]

62. As a general rule

I'd stick with not LOL

[juancarlos]

64. You'll have to forgive me.

But what is the entertainment in seeing a man pretend to be a famous woman? I don't get it. Somebody enlighten me.

[indigo32]

67. I don't think it can be explained...

Either you get it or you don't

[arwalden]

68. That's Kind Of The Way I Feel About DRAG RACES...

Some folks like it, but I don't.

Nothing wrong with drag races... I just don't happen to like them.

-- Allen

BUT... have you ever seen Drag Queens RACING?? That's funny!

[mlawson]

69. I have never understood it, either.

The first time I got to go to a 'gay' bar, I just wanted to meet some nice, cute guy. I was what, 19? But then the lights dimmed and the drag performers went into their acts. *Everyone* else seemed to really enjoy the performances, but I was utterly dumbfounded. I kept asking, "WHY aren't GUYS on the stage??" I was/am not bi, and looking at someone dressed up as a woman was the last thing on my agenda that night.

Over the years, people have tried to explain this to me, but it's like trying to understand that 2 + 2 = 6...