Drag Shows

[marika_jaye]

Have you ever been to a drag show or female impersonator performance? If so, what was your experience?

A local gay bar is hosting a drag show tomorrow night. I've never been to one and I've never been to that particular bar. I'll be home alone until Sunday and I really want to go, but wonder how I'd be received in MIAD mode. Also, I can't find anyone to go with me. Oh well, there will be other opportunities.

[jamienoir]

I've been to many. To see them in person is an experience. They'll be in shapes and sizes. I go in drab, but many who come to watch the show are in drag or dressed. Depending on the venue they'll be some beautiful girls milling about (I've gotten makeup tips).

My only qualm is they start late and tend to drag on with inbetween act filler. Usually the MC telling jokes and what not.

Far as the MIAD mode I'm not so sure.

[Julie Slowinski]

I’ve been to quite few in both boy and girl mode. It seems like there are two types. One caters to to ‘straight’ folks and is mostly about entertainment of that audience. The other is more about the gay community and has kind of a family feel to it and is way more fun. Since the one you are looking at is in a gay bar, I would guess it’s like the latter. In that case, any attire (including MIAD) is acceptable cuz the whole point is to shed societal conventions. You should totally go!!! You’ll be kicking yourself if you miss the opportunity. Now that I think of it, almost every time I’ve been to a drag show I’ve been alone. Don’t worry it’s actually quite easy to make friends (or at least someone to chat with) at those shows, especially if you’re dressed. Oh, and don’t forget to bring lots of one dollar bills....

[marika_jaye]

Julie,

You're right. I'll be super upset with myself if I don't. I guess I'll just have to buck up and do it. If it sucks, I can just leave, but I have a feeling it won't. I may even find a new friend or two!

I'm intrigued about the $1 bill comment. Do you tip the performers?

[jamienoir]

Oh yes. Definitely.

[Sabrina133]

Been to many. Kansas City has two great venues - Missie B's and Hamburger Mary. You can go in drab or dressed. No one cares.

When i was in my 20s I met a drag queen who became my mentor. She taught me lots about makeup, clothes, speaking etc.We actually met when i was in drab shopping. I was looking at a particularly cute dress when she said, from behind me "...that will loook good on you..." I thought I'd been busted. I turned certain I would see one of my fellow officer's wives but instead I saw an absolutly gorgoeus woman. She introduced me to the drag world. This was in Austin TX when i was stationed ar Fort Hood. She actually invited to perform with her but at the time, DADT was in full force so i resisted.

[marika_jaye]

Sabrina, OMG that's like a fairy tale! I'd best take my glass slippers with me tomorrow! LOL

[AllieSF]

All of the above recommendations plus this one. You can always go in your male mode to check it out and enjoy the show. They probably put these shows on regularly, so if for comfort you go in male this time, next time you can go MIAD. Have fun and try not to drink too much.

[helicd]

I just went to a 'Dine and Drag' show, by myself, fully dressed (not at drag levels, but a nice dress, makeup, etc.). Note that I definitely don't fully pass, but make an honest effort.

No issues at all (apart from lousy food), and I had a wonderful conversation with a group of ladies who were there celebrating a graduation.

So definitely go and have fun - I did and it sure beat the hell out of watching Netflix and CD!

[Majella St Gerard]

Been to many (at gay bars) most were mediocre at best, been in guy mode, man in a dress and full CD. I Would get the stink eye from the drag queens when in man in a dress mode. In my experience the gay community is accepting but they do throw a lot of shade, so be prepared for comments. Again, that has been MY experience. Just telling it like it is.

[Taylor186]

I've been to several and personally, solo is the way. You have ultimate flexibility. Not sure about MIAD. Maybe if you drag-up your makeup, even without a wig, etc.

[Tracy Irving]

Sounds like fun. Might have to give it a go sometime.

[marika_jaye]

Taylor, I have all the makeup skills of a 3-year old with a box of sharpies, so that's going to be tough without any GG friends' assistance. 🤣

[Joyce Swindell]

Drag shows are awesome. Don't be afraid but be aware some shows I've been at have drug people on stage but never against there will. So go! I'm certain you will have a great time.

[Tracii G]

I have been to 4 or 5 drag shows 3 of which I was enfemme.
They are fun and very entertaining so I'm sure you will enjoy it.
Don't make up excuses to not go plus this is a great time too go because you are free so to speak.
If you decide to dress or not makes no difference go and have a good time.

[Sami Brown]

I went to one in Las Vegas last year. It was not my first time out en femme, but it was the first time out in a skirt. The show, Divas Las Vegas, was top notch. Even though I went alone and it was a mostly cis audience, I had a good time despite being a nervous wreck.

If you like, you can read an article on my blog where I wrote about the experience: https://crossdresserreport.com/crossdresser-event-review-divas-las-vegas/

Go out and have fun! If I can do it, you can definitely do it.

Sami

[JenniferMBlack]

Best advice I can give you is go. They are always a good fun time and you will be welcome how ever you show up. It would be more fun with friends but not a necessity.

[Leslie Mary S]

In my town there are two Gay clubs. Both have Drag show on several nights. I normally go dressed, but have also gone drab, and with my digital camera. I take a lot of Photos (0ver 100) of the queens and then when I get home I process them and print out a few photos And take them to the club a few days later. Sometimes I don't even use a flash becose a spotlight provides better lighting than a flash.
I have performed in their talent shows and karaoke nights. Both in drab and dressed.
Go have fun. If you go dressed, wear what you normally would for a night out in a local bar. Do not dress to the nines like I did the first time. If you do you will feel like an outsider and could end up sitting by yourself. I now sit with the entertainers after the show. I normally carry $20 USD in ONEs.
I typically run a bar tab but have never order more then two mixed drinks then I switch to coke so that I will be OK to drive the 7 miles home.
The first time I was alone and worried about driving from one town to the center of the neighboring City.

[KatrinaK]

I’ve been to a bunc, both at gay clubs and geared towards straight people. Just remember that it’s a different community - you wont find a lot of drag queens on a CD/TG forum. My personal recommendation is to go drab or full presentation... MIAD may not be the best choice for that crowd.

[RADER]

Way long time ago, When I was on R & R in Australia, I believe it was 1968, I saw a "SHOW" not knowing it was a drag show.
the performers where very cute, and all us "Military Type People" where cheering them on.
It was not until much later that I found out they where all "MEN".
WOW I wish I could look half as good as they did. I wanted to talk with any one of the Girls, but it was not allowed.
Rader

[Jaylyn]

I would say that just going to it couldn't be a bad thing. If you choose to go MIAD or even just in usual male drab I would you would enjoy the show. I've always wanted to go see a Darg show but they just don't get around West Texas area to my knowledge.

[Lygophilia]

No. I usually go to gay bars in the day times sometimes, not at night, because I don't want to attempt a failed capitalization in a situation if someone holds me up at gun point on bourbon street. I might see some drag queens when I go out on bourbon tomorrow. I have no concern for their performance, but at least they are eye candy.

[Leslie Mary S]

See their performance.

[biancabellelover]

Some friends and I went to ‘Drag queen bingo’ at a gay bar in Melbourne a few years ago. We enjoyed it so much we went back again a few weeks later. Funny as.

The crowd were mostly gay, and we didn’t see anyone dressed (I wasn’t a CD myself at that time, so I may not have noticed).

Great fun, though.

Michelle

[Jenn A116]

I've only been to one drag show and I can't say that I noticed anybody in the audience that was a CD. Of course they could have been good enough that I couldn't spot them.

[Becky Blue]

I have been to a few always dressed but that has been circumstantial not by design.. i think the venue where the event is being held will help decide if going in MIAD will be ok... the venue will indicate the makeup of the crowd.. the actual shows are fun and there are usually some incredibly beautiful drag queens as well as quite a few totally over the top... enjoy

[Lygophilia]

See their performance.

If it's live porn or stripping, then sure.

[alwayshave]

Marika, I have been to quite a few in male mode and in femme mode and enjoyed them. Never in MIAD.

[Kimberly Adams]

I've been many times dressed and not dressed and never had a bad experience. You will see all kinds of bazaar stuff at any gay club and doubt anyone will give you a second look no matter what you look like. Go enjoy yourself.

[marika_jaye]

Thank you everyone for your input. I'm planning to go to the performance in drab, and hopefully bend the ears of a few regular patrons to help me figure out if MIAD would work in that particular bar.

[Ineke Vashon]

Since no one has mentioned it I'd like to ask - I've never been in a gay bar and I do wonder if gays will hit on you or not while in drab. Not that they would more than likely at my age but I just wonder.

Ineke

[Aunt Kelly]

First of all, there's Darcelle XV (https://www.darcellexv.com/), and then there's everybody else. OK, OK... There might be a better written and choreographed drag show out there, but those weekend, move some tables and have a drag shows at the bars ain't it.
Don't get me wrong. I rather like The Eye Cons, who perform here in Houston, but that's because their musical choices are more to my taste. The ladies over at Hamburger Mary's work just as hard, but the pounding pop and hip-hop just isn't my thing.

Yes, most places, the crowd will be largely gay, Darcelle's being the glaring exception that I know of. Every time I've been there, the audience is 90% women. Lots of bachelorette parties, of course, but lots of groups of "ladies of a certain age", having a ball on a GNO.

As a TG woman at a drag show, you will almost certainly be ignored. Not sure why that is, but it's a thing. The one exception being the time when Jeri Ann got us seats down front after the show started and we had to upstage the MC. No entertainer worth her salt would let that go, and she didn't. :)

Go, and have a good time.

[Robertacd]

MY wife and I went to a traveling drag show years ago at a local alternative club over all it was disappointing.

It was billed as female impersonators and sure the girls looked great but the entire show was lip-synced.

I was the only crossdresser there.

[Beverley Sims]

I feel you should go in drab and get the feel of a show before trying Miad mode.

[SaraLin]

In my early days of venturing out, a GG friend and I went to a Drag show at a local bar. I didn't know what to expect, and dressed in what i thought would be appropriate "blend-in" clothing.
Well, it turned out that I was the only non-GG customer in the place that was wearing anything at all feminine, and I almost chickened out and left. If my friend hadn't encouraged me, I don't think I could have been brave enough to stay.
As so many girls in here have said, the problems were mostly in my head. There were no stares, glares, or giggles from anyone. I began to relax and enjoy the show - but then it happened! One of the performers interrupted the show, pointed to me and asked "Are you a boy or a girl?" TALK ABOUT BEING PUBLICLY OUTED!!! All eyes turned to me as I stammered out some response.

I got the heck out of there and never intentionally did another show while I was dressed. There was one other time - when I stumbled into a place that had a show, but that's another story, for another time.

[Katie Oxford]

One of the performers interrupted the show, pointed to me and asked "Are you a boy or a girl?"

Oh dear! My sympathies. What on earth were they thinking? But then I guess the point of drag is for nothing to be taboo, for the performer to be able to say anything that comes into their heads, sometimes the edgier the better. But talk about a baptism of fire...

[Queen Bridget]

I'd love to go to one. But don't fancy going on my own.

[Stacy Darling]

Just go as you are! or who you be! Don't dress for the occasion, that's my job!

ps. Isn't a drag queen just a more femmebouyant cd?

[traciethetg]

I miss Peanuts in west Hollywood,sinister,High heels,the palms,those clubs in north Hollywood, queen Mary, Jewels catch one,the Study,encounters,+++ many more

[Kimberly Adams]

Since no one has mentioned it I'd like to ask - I've never been in a gay bar and I do wonder if gays will hit on you or not while in drab. Not that they would more than likely at my age but I just wonder.

Ineke

Yes certainly possible you will get hit on by guys, it's a gay bar. I'm headed out tonight to a drag show in guy mode just for fun.

[tifftg]

[QUOTE=Sabrina133;4276150]Been to many. Kansas City has two great venues - Missie B's and Hamburger Mary. You can go in drab or dressed. No one cares.

What memories you are bringing back--so I am in my early 60's grew up in Kansas City and would hang out in the Jewel Box on Main Street. Got to know some of the girls when I was in my 20's it was a very different time. I wish I would have explored more back then as they were very helpful and I was very confused.

[Desiree2bababe]

Favorite place to go when I was young, loved seeing them perform and wasn't a bad place to meet a friend every now and then.

[Diane Taylor]

I've been to a few drag shows in the past but haven't seen one in nearly 20 years. They were OK, another form of entertainment but not really my cup of tea. Each time I went I was fully "dressed".

[nikkiwindsor]

Since no one has mentioned it I'd like to ask - I've never been in a gay bar and I do wonder if gays will hit on you or not while in drab. Not that they would more than likely at my age but I just wonder.

Ineke

I've been to a few drag shows at LGBT friendly clubs, alone, both in drab and en femme...always had a great time! And, yes I was hit on by guys (sexual orientation?, I don't know) and a gal (don't know sexual orientation either).

[marika_jaye]

Well, I decided to go to the show after all. A very dear GG friend came over and did my makeup and even helped me choose the right outfit for the occasion.

What an incredible experience! Not only had I never been to a drag show before, but I'd never been to a gay bar, either. Everyone was super friendly, including the sweet man who corrected me and my GG friend for misgendering me (LOL I was misgendering myself all night), and the extremely drunk girl who couldn't stop telling us both how pretty we looked. I also met one of the performers after the show and couldn't stop gushing about how beautiful he looked as a she.

All in all it was a really wonderful night. I will attend more drag shows at this particular venue, and I won't be afraid to dress any way I like when I do so.

My GG friend took a few photos of me, but I'm not sure what the forum rules are about posting photos in non-photo forums, so I'll post them separately in the Photo & Video Forum.

Thanks again to everyone for your suggestions and experiences. I'll never forget this one!

[Leslie Mary S]

Marika glad you had such a great time. I have had only one bad time. I had "Dark AnGGel" and CDer "Ashley" (they are from 150 miles away) with me, and she being only 21, and was wearing a LBD, was getting hit on left and right. This was Ashley's first night out. Now Ashley doesn't want to go out.

I read earlier that someone was unhappy because the Queens were using Lip-sync. Lip-Sync is the norm at a drag show because when a man puts on a female outfit, they change looks from a man to a woman. Unfortunately their voice does not change enough to follow so they lip-sync to present a better show. Or they just can't sing.

[BLUE ORCHID]

Hi Marika :hugs:, I have been to a couple a few year ago in VEGAS with my DA/DT:love:Wife,
We both enjoyed it. >Orchid ..+:daydreaming:+..

[marika_jaye]

I read earlier that someone was unhappy because the Queens were using Lip-sync. Lip-Sync is the norm at a drag show because when a man puts on a female outfit, they change looks from a man to a woman. Unfortunately their voice does not change enough to follow so they lip-sync to present a better show. Or they just can't sing.

I thought the lip sync was wonderful. One performer chose "Coin-Operated Boy" and just slayed it! The hostess, in her final number, lost her wig, but soldiered on and ended the show brilliantly. I can't wait to go again.

[ThiHi]

I'm so glad you went. I've seen multiple people attributed to this quote. "Everything you want is on the other side of fear."

[marika_jaye]

I'm so glad you went. I've seen multiple people attributed to this quote. "Everything you want is on the other side of fear."

My fear melted on the way into the club. A very nice young man noticed my nervousness, put his hand on my shoulder and said, "you're going to be fine, honey." After that, I wasn't nervous at all. Turns out that sweet young man is a drag performer, and he invited me to come see his next performance (he didn't perform this time).

Also, there were 2 or 3 other CDers in the club. One was feeling the effects of the booze and yelling "Yeehaw!" every few minutes. :heehee:

[Ashlee]

Where in the northeast was this show? I’m in Mass.

[dana digs sweaters]

Been to plenty!
Small gay bars with drag night.

295420

Bigger bars that draw a regular CD crowd with their drag shows.

295419

What else are they going to do but lip sync?
Some Very polished performers and some not caring to make an effort.
All types of show queens, just like us queens ;-)

295418

[marika_jaye]

Where in the northeast was this show? I’m in Mass.

Northeast Wisconsin. Sorry if I was vague! Though, with these new fangled flying machines, Mass isn't so terribly far away. :battingeyelashes:

[Sometimes Steffi]

Since no one has mentioned it I'd like to ask - I've never been in a gay bar and I do wonder if gays will hit on you or not while in drab. Not that they would more than likely at my age but I just wonder.

Ineke

I gone to a gay bar many times, but always with a group of girls, all dressed up.

I've only been hit on twice, the first time by a guy and the second time by a GG.