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| The Cast of My Big Fabulous Birthday Drag Show // photo by Lindsey Kay |
Day: Friday, January 19th
Show: My Big Fabulous Birthday Drag Show
Location: The West End
Queens Seen: Aviva Dickman (@avivadickman), Bella Noche (@bellanochenyc), Didi Cumswell (@didicumswell), Gloria Swansong (@gloria_swansong), Harieola Grande (@haireolagrande), Nicole Onoscopi (@nicoleonoscopi), Petti Cake (@petticakee), Poppy (@thecolorpoppy), Vanna Deux (@vannadeux), Whendy Whaxwood (@whendywhaxwood)
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| Vanna Deux // photo by Michael Block |
It’s not very often you can ask ten of your favorite queens to take a night and celebrate the most important thing in the world: me! I kid. But seriously. As I make my way through the world of nightlife, I’ve been fortunate to meet some incredible people who have gone from colleagues to friends. And being able to share my birthday with my friends means the world to me.
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| Petti Cake // photo by Michael Block |
The fine folks at The West End were gracious enough to allow me their space to bring all my friends together for My Big Fabulous Birthday Drag Show, hosted by me-proclaimed drag rivals Poppy and Vanna Deux, the night was filled with shows, reads, and surprises galore. After this future duo got the night underway, Vanna gave me the birthday gift of Dolly Parton, performing a lip sync to Dolly’s version of “Higher and Higher,” reveal and all. Following Vanna was the life of the party herself, Miss Haireola Grande, giving Idina Menzel realness. Bella Noche next proved that she is, in fact, a shapeshifter showing off her favorite number as well as the night’s first big read. Newcomer to the family Nicole Onoscopi gave me the gift of performing a mix that I had made inspired by Dating Horror Stories! It was really special to finally have a queen perform something I made. It’s only the beginning! But wait, another queen showcasing something I made comes up next? Didi Cumswell brought an incredible Broadway mix while wearing a one-of-a-kind necklace and bracelet set I made! And she looked divine. The vintage diva herself, Gloria Swansong graced the stage with “Gimme Gimme” and her perfectly executed flapper costume reveal. She too, brought some post performance reads, commenting on my accurately old age. The whonderful Whendy Whaxwood gave us a bitch mix and the night’s second “oh shit” dig at me. It truly is what I asked for! Following her was the wildcard of unexpectedness, Aviva Dickman. What was Aviva going to give us? The entire track of “If I Were a Rich Man.” Just when you thought something would be mixed in, she surprised us all with nothing, a feat she can only pull off. Petti Cake came next with the evening’s reading and dance number, even bringing the props. Finishing off the solo portion of the show was cohost Poppy, reminding us that, just like Meryl Streep, she’s a winner of many things. A drag show isn’t complete without a drag roulette and since it was my birthday, I created a special edition drag roulette I called: “From ABBA to YMA.” It was a wild mix that challenged the girls, and ended with a group rendition of “Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen.
Overall, this was the best way I could celebrate my birthday. I was surrounded by people I love and care about, both on stage and in the crowd. I like to think about a birthday as a starting a new chapter. And this birthday show illuminated that possibility. I look forward to what the year brings and the stronger relationships that come with it.
