As they say in the business, 鈥淎ll that glitters is not gold鈥�. In my experience, it鈥檚 usually just glitter 鈥� even if sparkly and shiny!
Drag, to the masses, generally comes across as being utterly fabulous. Indeed, that is the point. But for most of us who have made the art form our careers, it鈥檚 a fine line between sink or swim.
Dolly Parton was speaking the truth about drag when she said, 鈥淵ou鈥檇 be amazed how much money it costs to make a person look so cheap!鈥�
As a professional drag entertainer, I not only strive for excellence in my work, but I also strive to pay my rent and my bills, put food on the table and still have enough left over to reinvest in new costumes, getting wigs styled, buying shoes and jewellery or restocking the makeup case.
With the recent closures of two of Melbourne鈥檚 longest-standing queer venues, coupled with the onset of a cold winter, more than ever, we all need to get out and support our performers, hospitality staff and venues.
For most of you, going to a bar or watching a drag show is just a bit of fun 鈥� and that鈥檚 exactly what it鈥檚 meant to be. For those people working behind the bars or on stage, these jobs are our bread and butter. It鈥檚 what pays our rent.
There are queer venues open and different things happening in Melbourne every night of the week. Why not mix it up a bit and head to somewhere you wouldn鈥檛 normally go, on a night you wouldn鈥檛 normally go out?
See the Monte, Paris and the girls at the Prince of Wales on a Monday, enjoy a spa and steam at one of the many saunas on a Tuesday or sip a glass of vino at Libation on Brunswick St. Check out Asian Treasure Lotus Night at Heaven鈥檚 Door on a Wednesday or the hilarious 鈥業t鈥檚 a cockout鈥� game show at The Laird.
Enjoy a warm winter meal at The Glasshouse before popping in to see Destiny at Priscilla,s on Thursday, settle in for a cheap pizza and shows with the Hung crew on Friday nights at The Spot on Sydney Rd. Saturday nights, Dulcie Du Jour and guests entertain with two shows at DT鈥檚 Hotel, then you can boogie through to the late hours of the morning at The Peel, and spend Sunday night recovering with Bumpa Love and me at Lip Service Sundays at Sircuit, before starting the week all over again!
As Kylie so eloquently put it, 鈥淵our disco needs YOU!鈥�
Until next time, my lips are sealed (but my door is always open!).
