A Drag at the Drag Show

Fierce men dressed like woman

Story and photo by Myasia C.Butler

Oh, drag queens! My eyes turn green with envy when I see the cross-dressing XY’s sashay with their fierce features and their ability to walk in the killer 5-inch pumps. Drag queens are becoming more popular with the many celeb drag look-alike shows and the famous RuPaul’s television show “Drag Race”. I wanted to experience the drag culture first hand so instead of stumbling downtown I decided to visit South Gate, a local gay club in Plattsburgh, N.Y.   

I walked into the small club and was greeted by a robust, rude woman. She obnoxiously screamed in my ear “Its five dollars hurry up and get out of the way.” I handed her the entrance fee and made my way through the jam packed club as the rainbow colored strobe lights flickered.

"The queens belted out tunes as they created their stage presence. The crowd went crazy chanting for more. "

I looked through the crowd of nameless faces and saw some fierce looking men. I couldn’t tell the difference between the queens and the actual women. The queens had the high cheekbones, the long eyes lashes, and their makeup was flawless as they strutted through the party in their snug fitting dresses. The queens here were quite different from the ones that I had seen on television. Most of the Queens at South Gate were plus-size, but still very stunning.

The robust rude woman yelled for the crowd to find seats.  There were no seats in the small club. I tried my best to get a good standing spot but someone taller than me decided they were made of glass and stood in front of me. The lights dimmed and the divas started to grace the stage one by one. The opening act was a rendition of “The Cell Block Tango” from the famous play “Chicago”.  The queens belted out tunes as they created their stage presence. The crowd went crazy chanting for more.

"I loved his appearance but I wish he hadn’t attempted to sing because he butchered the song"

Then, the moment I was waiting for. I spotted him when I first came in and I thought he was absolutely gorgeous. He had strong facial features adorned by flawless makeup with a blond blow-out neatly slicked, and his preppy blazer and skinny jeans were very fashionable.  When he came to the stage the crowd went crazy. Screaming and chanting. Then he crooned my all time favorite: Jennifer Hudson’s “And You’re Going to Love Me.” I loved his appearance but I wish he hadn’t attempted to sing because he butchered the song. The song is full of high notes and his voice didn’t fit the song because it kept cracking.

I had a drag at the drag show. Seeing the queens was a great experience but I was very uncomfortable. The club is too small, the entrance fee was expensive for the quality of service the club provided, and it was very hard to watch the drag show because of the lack of space. Even though it was a drag, I would probably go again at an earlier time so I could get a better seat because the show was nice, but the surroundings made it unpleasant. 

If you’re looking for a different experience of the night life that Plattsburgh has to offer take a stroll to South Gate. You may be a tad bit disappointed with the lack of quality service and the small space, but it is a very different experience. If you’re interested in looking at fierce drags and their elaborate customs, put on a fierce outfit and go party with the Queens.  

Have you gone to a drag show before?