Thu 9/7-Sun 9/10
On September 1, a ban on drag performances at which a minor might be present is set to go into effect in Texas. Don’t think Ohio is that far behind. In fact, the bill has been introduced in the Ohio legislature that wouldn’t just abolish drag queen story hours — fun, harmless, empowering events kids enjoy — it would eliminate the entire thriving drag scene in the state by requiring that all drag performances take place only in “adult cabarets” (strip clubs), where drag performances rarely, if ever, take place, since they have virtually nothing to do with sexual titillation. It would abolish a form of entertainment that goes back many decades, if not longer, and has created its own thriving economy.
Cleveland has never had such a large and active community of talented drag artists of all types as it does now, and this weekend, many of them will be part of Drag Pride Weekend, showing legislators down in Columbus proposing to put them out of work exactly what they’ve got going on.
Stop by the Twist Social Club on Thursday September 7 @10pm for a little appetizer when Malibu Peruu does her Malibu’s Dreamhouse, joined by Empress Dupree and Sugarbaby Esquire. No tickets needed.
Then you might want to grab a ticket now for the Drag Pride Showcase at the Beachland Ballroom on Friday September 8 @ 8pm. It’s said to be selling briskly and no wonder. This annual event, organized by “Cleveland’s tallest drag queen” Veranda L’Ni, features a star-studded and diverse lineup of some of the area’s top performers including Erica Martinez, Dr. Lady J, Gizelle Devaux, Zoey Zegai, Jared Jameson, Ryder Slowly, Dakota Cox, Aurora Thunder, Natasshja Norielle, Vivina Vendetta-Sinclair, and of course L’Ni. You’ll see drag queens and drag kings, glamorous acts and humorous acts, acts that make social/political and some that are downright scary. College professor/comedian/author and founder/publisher of Ohio LGBTQ+ digital weekly, the Buckeye Flame, will be hosting. Go here for tickets.
On Saturday September 9 @ 12:30pm Sassy Sascha will be hosting one of her Saturday Drag Brunches at the Winchester with a lineup that also includes Penny Tration, Ava Aurora Foxx, Reianna Ali and Heaux’Tell Onassis. Cover is just $5; buffet is $10 and a bottle of champagne is $15. Get tickets here.
Wind up Saturday September 9 @ 10PM at Vibe on Lorain for Zoey’s Zaterday with Zoey Zegai and guests. Who’ll show up? Costs nothing to find out.
Finally end the weekend at noon on Sunday September 10 at the Music Box Supper Club for Veranda’s Drag Brunch featuring Veranda L’Ni, Penny Tration, Denise Russell, Onya Nurve, Mona Lotz and Ricky Mortis. Tickets are available here.
Then sit down and contact the sponsors of the anti-drag bill: Reps. Angela King (R-Celina) and Josh Williams (R-Oregon) and tell them what a drag you think THEY are — and not the kind in a glamorous costume and huge wig. You can also contact almost any other Republicans in the state House: 41 of them co-sponsored it.