By Michael Block
After a two year break while the world was in a pandemic, DragCon is making its triumphant return to Los Angeles in 2022! Queens and fans from all around the globe are coming together to celebrate Drag Race and the art of drag! There will be so much to see and do so here’s my guide to help you through the weekend!
Facts are Facts, Los Angeles!
DragCon LA 2022 will span May 13th-15th at the Los Angeles Convention Center in the South Hall. The convention runs from 10:00am-6:00pm on Friday and Saturday and 10:00am-5:00pm on Sunday. If you’re one of the lucky VIP All Star Attendees, you get an extra hour of fun starting at 9:00am!
Before you can hit the show floor, you will need to go to registration in the South Hall lobby. Show your ticket to get scanned and you’ll be given a badge! Don’t lose it! If you’re joining us all weekend, you’ll need your badge for entry. AND please bring your vax card or proof of negative COVID test. You WILL need them. Safety first!
For all the up-to-date FAQs about the convention, visit https://la.rupaulsdragcon.com/faq/
Meet the Stars!
Stars from RuPaul’s Drag Race and beyond all across the globe unite at the Los Angeles Convention Center for DragCon 2022! Meet and greet, see them perform on the MainStage, and of course add to your merch collection! The list of attending talent is HUGE so make sure you make a list of who you want to see so you don’t miss out meeting your favs! As I cover ALL of the international seasons, I’m stoked to see the International queens! As a die hard Frock Destroyer Fan, you can bet I’ll be watching Baga, Blu, and Divina hit the mainstage. And I can’t wait to chat with the winners! Those international winners include The Vivienne, Lawrence Chaney, Krystal Versace, and Blu Hydrangea from the UK, Envy Peru and Vanessa Van Cartier from Holland, Carmen Farala from Espana, and Kita Mean from Down Under! And don’t worry, stars from the US will be there like Aquaria, Alaska, Symone, Willow Pill and many many more!
Shop Til Your Drop!
If it’s not at DragCon, it doesn’t exist! Stock up your drag collection with wigs, jewels, makeup, and heels! There are over 200 vendors ready to help you splurge all weekend long. I am so excited to see so many of my favorite friends share their goods. Be sure to visit my friends at Amped Accessories, the designers of both Canada’s Drag Race crowns and scepters, Crimsyn’s Creations for all things fashion from Painted with Raven winner Crimsyn, Daftboy for the BEST clack fans out there, Forgot’s Locks, one of NYC’s award nominated wig designers, ISLYNYC, extraordinary accessories from my home away from home, and Loschy Designs for some of the most unique crowns and tiaras you’ll ever see.
See the Panels!
Stars from your favorite seasons like Drag Race UK vs the World, Drag Race Down Under, and Canada’s Drag Race are reuniting for panels! This is your chance to ask the queens those burning questions! There are so many panels so don’t miss out. Many of your favorite WOW podcasts and shows will be live in the panel rooms like Binge Queens, Fashion Photo Review, and You Brita Vote! Bring Back My Girls will be a new WOWPresents show which will be recorded live featuring the casts from around the world hosted by TS Madison!
HAVE FUN!
And don’t forget to ask for consent from the queens and fans alike before taking photos! And be nice and be kind. A smile goes a very long way.
Important Tips
- Bring a charger! If your phone dies, you’ll miss out on that priceless photo with your favorite queens!
- Eat! If you’re planning to stay all day long, make sure you eat! Visit the Compass Café in the South Hall Lobby or the outdoor food court in the back left of the showroom.
- Carry a bag! If you plan on buying merch and goodies, bring a bag with you so you can carry your haul home!
I am so excited to be reuniting with some of my favorite friends and colleagues and sharing my experience with you on Block Talk! If you’ll be attending the event, please let me know and please be sure to come find me and say hi! I'll be sharing all the fun on my Instagram (@michaelblocktalk)
See you at DragCon LA!