Iconyx Drag and Selena tribute Trina Y Los Cochinos rocked the House of Fifi Dubois Friday night in an epic display of artistry, costume work, and show-woman-ship.
Seven queens take turns shaking their money-makers to an adoring crowd, shoving handfuls of cash into their buckets, bringing a new meaning to the term “vote with your dollar.”
The crowd couldn’t get enough, clapping their paper fans and screaming for their favorite queens.
Trina Y Los Cochinos opened, first with Selina’s classics, and wrapped up with disco hits.
Iconyx Drag Show
I got a chance to speak with Nyx, organizer of Iconyx drag, about what inspired the group, and their outlook on performing.
“Drag in San Angelo has been around for a long time. There’s an older queen who lived here named Tiara Michaels, and many others too. When I moved here there wasn’t a lot of opportunities besides the occasional show organized by [Michaels].”
“We performed at Koronazz for a while, but moved on after management changed. That’s when we began to work with Fifi’s, who had been involved with local Pride celebrations through Open Arms Advocacy Center.
“From that point on it was 100% our show.”
Throughout the night, Nyx kept the crowd excited while the queens made their final preparations, emerging from the speakeasy for their grand reveal.
Influences on San Angelo Drag
“Ru Paul Drag Race” was a huge influence, specifically one queen from Texas named Shangela Wadely. She competed in the early seasons, she was really inspirational in her effort and craft. The first year I did drag I got to meet her at Dallas Pride. Later on, at my shows at ASU we we’re able to bring along some queens from the Drag Race to watch including Shangela.”
“Drag Race” has introduced millions to the art, regularly bringing in hundreds of thousands of viewers per episode. Many of the winners have gone on to be pop culture icons themselves.
“Kristi Waters from San Antonio would come every year to the show I did for ASU. She was one of our first local queens to really help out. Seeing her style on the microphone, she’s very quick witted.”
“She’s not one of your queens that will be doing cartwheels but she’s able to captivate you just with her presence. Everyone expresses their artform in a different way. There are queens like Trixie who do cartwheels and dance, and some who are able to capture your attention just from their presence on stage and their craft. Everyone has their own take on how to perform and move the audience.”
The Performances
There were so many different takes on Drag at the show, with every type of live performance on display. Singing, dancing, miming, comedy, and dramatics.
Anastasia took a more cocktail singer, lost flame approach to her performance. The red stage lights emphasizing the changing facial expressions. While Trixie and others put on an intensely athletic display, complete with full splits and slides across the dance floor.
“There’s a common misconception that because it’s a man dressed as a woman that it goes against the Bible, that it’s a sin. We don’t have to have the same background to be able to understand each other. I think there’s too many people that use religion as their scapegoat to be hateful.”
Drag, Theatre and History
“Drag has so much history with theatre, back in Shakespearian times of course, with men playing the parts of women.”
“I mean the first pair of high heels we’re made for a man!”
Famously in Elizabethan theatre in England, it became custom for men to play all characters including the women, a tradition which remains to this day, and which continues to influence theatrical performance around the world.
“If I was on stage performing Edna from Hairspray, or we’re watching Mrs. Doubtfire, or Tyler Perry as Madea, you would enjoy that because it’s entertainment. But in person it’s “wrong,” but what’s the difference? We as a people can’t continuously live in fear.”
“If people gave it a chance and tried to see it for what it is, which is live entertainment, they might see it differently. If you would go to a show and watch Beyonce dance around on stage in a leotard, why would you have hang-ups about watching a man in a wig?”
The drag scene is always looking for people to get involved and promote the art form.
A True Performing Art
“For people who want to get involved its important to support the shows you wanna be a part of. Go out and “show face”. Give the support that you want to receive in your performance. You have to put in the work, and I will always give someone the chance to show on stage. Drag is fun, but we take this seriously. It’s our art, and for some their livelihood. If you put the effort in you will be noticed.”
I had never seen a live drag show before, and walking in I wasn’t sure what to expect. Seeing the talented individuals that are helping to make drag in San Angelo an institution was a joy. If you have any interest you can support this community through attendance and advocacy.
Iconyx will perform their punk-themed show May 16 at Fifi’s. Open auditions for the Pride Month Drag Bingo will be held on May 10. If you are interested in participating, visit Iconyx on Facebook for more details.
Iconyx on Facebook: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567884395925
Open Arms Advocacy Center: openarmscv.com
