Next June, my blog will celebrate its eighth anniversary. During all these years, I had the pleasure of seeing the art of drag take its place more and more. Today, it is where I hoped.
However, if there’s one thing I didn’t expect, it’s this huge pushback from the drag community. In such circumstances, more than ever, I want to share my love of this performing art and explain to you the (very personal) reasons why our drag artists must continue to export their talent outside the bars to which we keep bringing them together.
First, because they have an excellent ability to adapt. Indeed, for a long time now, drag shows have been offering shows to audiences of all ages. We can think of the outdoor shows that certain festivals have presented in recent years, from by Extravaganza (Just for laughs) at Majestix (Montreal Pride) and so on.
So it’s no surprise that Rita Baga has such success with her show Creature. These colorful characters adapt to any type of audience. This is what Barbada does marvelously well with each reading of tales that it animates. Need we remind you that he was still offered a show that bears his name on Tou.tv?
Then, because they are versatile. Indeed, the art of drag is far from being limited to one thing. It covers, among other things, make-up, dance, animation, humor and couture. I’m glad to see that more and more interviewers are paying less attention to the superficiality of drag art and more interested in its underside. I’m thinking in particular of the show Hold loungehosted by Sophie Fauchon on TV5, who made an incursion into the headdress of wigs during an episode where she spoke with Velma/Johnny Jones, among others, or even Rita Baga, who was one of the guests of Marie-Louise Arsenault on the set of In the media at Tele-Quebec.
More shows like this are needed. This would allow people to have a different perception of drags by showing them behind the scenes.
Moreover, the recent victory of Mona de Grenoble at big brother celebrities reminds us how much drag makes us laugh (especially her). Several have an enviable verve. Moreover, drags are more and more present in the world of humor: Rita Baga co-hosting an evening Carte blanche at the Just for Laughs Festival, Barbada in a ComediHa! gala act, Bambi Dextrous and Mona de Grenoble at Roast battle: The great duelthe podcast Between 2 lipsetc.
Finally, I especially want to take the time to underline the hard work of drags who are making their way and who are going all over Quebec to meet a growing audience. It is true that some people vigorously express their displeasure, but the vast majority of people welcome the art of drag. If that weren’t the case, Rawxy wouldn’t be presenting shows in her corner of the country in Gaspésie, LaDorris wouldn’t have the success she has in the region, Pride Val-d’Or wouldn’t be able to attract such big names in drag as is currently the case… to name but a few examples.
Unfortunately, people who don’t like something growl loudly, making it seem like there are more of them than there really are. Now the important thing is to raise your voice and show that the drag community has allies. I am one.