*Please note that the pronouns used in this post are reflective of how each artist is typically referred to in articles, etc.*
Having the chance to host a Drag King night with an all-Black cast of local kings and artists this BHM has got me thinking about those who came before us. These kings have certainly made history and have paved the way through art, activism, and more.
Top Left: Gladys Bentley- lesbian Blues singer, pianist and drag performer at places such as the epically-named Clam House in NYC. She may have looked classy in that signature tux, but she wasn't afraid to get raunchy!
Top Right: Stormé DeLarverie- I'm proud to share NOLA roots with this icon who eventually made her way to NYC and became a performer and MC at the Jewel Box Review- typically a king among queens! A self-proclaimed "guardian of the lesbians in the village" Stormé was a big part of the Stonewall uprising--some rumors say she may have even begun it!
Bottom Left: Dred- This Haitian-American slick-moving gender-bending multi-disciplinary performance artist pop and locked her way into the audience's hearts and was a fixture at Mo B. Dick's Club Casanova party in the late 90's-- which eventually expanded to a world tour! This artist eventually started going by Light Ning and became a yoga teacher. Sadly, this incredible artist died young back in 2019. I was first introduced to Dred watching the documentary Venus Boyz (which I highly recommend) but some of you may have heard the name in a different context when--
(Bottom Right) King Molasses was compared to Dred when they were on their way to become the first King of Drag. As I was born and raised near DC, where King Molasses calls home , I feel some hometown kinship with them as well. From paying hommage to their Nigerian heritage to making Ira Glass weirdly sexy to lip syncing to ballads, all with spellbinding movement, King Molasses is one to embrace and embody the past, present, and future of drag.
*A note to Montreal producers of drag shows- there is some great Black masc and gender non-conforming energy in this city, so book us! I'll tag some names in the comments ;)*
TONIGHT! CE SOIR! 9:00pm/21h
$10 PWYC at the door! Be ready to tip!!
Zeffy Link: /en-CA/ticketing/drag-kings-black-history-month-special-at-club-dds?fbclid=IwY2xjawQKzEVleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETJFSm56MnVud3ZyTWpBd1hqc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHr_SW2wqn0LPz2jWm0bSgdJNyTjmX-h9WsAR19A_qHjI_yL-jdEPUez9Q7JQ_aem_oJ2ZLkxpKBmcnBxIvHSl9g
$10 at the door or get advanced tickets! See link in Jaqq Strapp's bio or copy and paste from here:
/en-CA/ticketing/drag-kings-black-history-month-special-at-club-dds 🎭 ✊🏽 Celebrate Black drag and joy with us at Club DD's Thursday February 26th (Doors 8:30/Show 9) as we spotlight an all-Black cast of local Drag Kings and performance artists who have shaped, stretched, and reclaimed the stage. These stuDDs are going to titillate and tantalize for sure!
$$ We encourage non-Black allies to pay it forward by donating extra $$ for our performers and/or to pay for a ticket for a Black audience member. Put your money where your mouth is and let's see those reparations!$$
Host: Jaqq Strapp
Featured Performers:
-Ade Lusion (@mitulsameow )
-blxck cxsper (@blxckcxsper )
-Honey Jack (@mx.honeyjack )
-Reverend Love (@ingridtherose )
-Solar (@solarbodywaves )
Volunteer DJ: Charlot Bean (@charlot_bean )
Door: Saint (@xxsaintkicksxx )
Notes on accessibility: DD's is located on the ground floor. Small stair to get to bathrooms. Please stay home if you are sick!
📣Introducing Jaqq Strapp
Regrettably American and unapologetically queer, Jaqq Strapp is the premier winner of Slag Race and is now a judge and co-producer. Along with their co-cuntspirator, Griffin, Jaqq is the co-founder and producer of the Pink Line Cabaret, an interdisciplinary cabaret dedicated to giving back to the community and creating platforms for underrepresented artists. He made his drag debut 7 (!1) years ago at the first edition of Afro Drag! Book Black Artists!
🎉Come see this performer at the ♥love edition♥ of Cabaret Boop, a monthly queer variety show that highlights both new and seasoned artists! Jump onto this carousel of performing art and enjoy drag, burlesque, and live singing!!
✨This month's edition will be hosted by Jay Show
⏰Thursday February 19 at 8pm
📍@ndq_bar_mtl 32 Rue Beaubien E, Montréal
💰Cover is $10 or Pay What You Can (Cash/Card)
💸Don’t forget to bring some cash for tipping
💗No one will be turned away for lack of funds
🎬Produced by PAQC
[FR]
📣Nous vous présentons Jaqq Strapp
🎉 Venez voir cet·te artiste à ♥l'édition d’amour♥ de Cabaret Boop, un spectacle queer mensuel de variétés qui met en lumière autant les artistes émergent·e·s que les artistes d’expérience! Montez à bord de ce carrousel des arts de la scène et profitez du drag, du burlesque, et de la musique en live!
✨ L’édition de ce mois-ci sera animé par Jay Show
⏰ Jeudi le 19 février à 20h
📍 @ndq_bar_mtl 32 Rue Beaubien E, Montréal
💰 L'entrée est de 10$ ou Payez ce que vous pouvez (Cash/Carte)
💸 N'oubliez pas d'apporter du cash pour les tips
💗 Personne ne sera refusé pour manque de moyens
🎬 Produit par PAQC
#Drag #AltDrag #DragShow #Queer #MontrealDrag #DragMtl #QuebecDrag #Queer #QueerArt #MtlDrag #QueerArt #QueerArtist #DragIsArt #QueerMontreal #QueerArtistsOfInstagram #DragPerformance #Performers #performanceart #Events #MontrealEvents #Cabaret #LiveMusic #gogo #poledance #burlesque #CabaretBoop
#2016 These two photos were taken just weeks apart in summer 2016. Needless to say, it was a bit of a transformative year for me. Glad to have "Mulan-ed" with time and often present somewhere between the two.
“Tailypo! Tailypo! I want my Tailypo!” It was quite an experience bringing such a genuinely terrifying ghost story from Appalachia to life. Halloween Witchcraft @cafeligneverte was truly a magical night thanks to @projetpurele@goblinharlequin and @collectif.paqc . Thanks to @bean_pic for the capturing the evening.
Psyberia's MUSICBOX: 2-YEAR ANNIVERSARY Saturday, September 27
Time flies—it feels like just yesterday Psyberia announced her very first cabaret variety night, MUSICBOX, and now you’re invited to celebrate its second birthday!
For this special occasion, Saturday, September 27, MUSICBOX returns to its birthplace, Notre-Dame-des-Quilles, for a night of drag, burlesque, dance, music, and the glittery chaos that started it all. Expect unforgettable performances from Psyberia and their special guests, always with plenty of heart and titillating sensations.
And because two years deserve an extra treat, Psyberia will close the night with a very special DJ set. Move over, RuPaul—there’s a queen in DJ town!
✨ Special guest artists ✨
Drag Monkey
Jaqq Strapp
Léo Luxe
Lys De Pshit
Stella Moon
Sunday Sublime
💸 $15 / PWYC – Reserve your tickets now! Link in bio.
🎤 Saturday, September 27 – Show 9 PM | DJ set 11 PM
📍 Notre-Dame-des-Quilles, 32 Beaubien Est, Montréal
_________
Le temps file—on dirait que c’était hier que Psyberia annonçait sa toute première soirée cabaret MUSICBOX, et voilà qu’on célèbre déjà ses deux ans!
Pour l’occasion, samedi 27 septembre, MUSICBOX retourne là où tout a commencé, au Notre-Dame-des-Quilles, pour une nuit de drag, burlesque, danse, musique et du chaos scintillant qui a lancé la légende. Attendez-vous à des numéros inoubliables de Psyberia et de ses invité·e·s spéciaux, avec tout le cœur et les frissons qui font la marque de la soirée.
Et parce que deux ans, ça se fête en grand, Psyberia terminera la nuit avec un DJ set tout spécial. Bouge, RuPaul—la reine des platines est en ville!
✨ Artistes invité·e·s ✨
Drag Monkey
Jaqq Strapp
Léo Luxe
Lys De Pshit
Stella Moon
Sunday Sublime
💸 15 $ / contribution volontaire – Réservez vos billets dès maintenant! Lien dans la bio.
🎤 Samedi 27 septembre – Spectacle 21 h | DJ set 23 h
📍 Notre-Dame-des-Quilles, 32 Beaubien Est, Montréal