This week, we celebrate the anniversary of a legendary drag club that has brought us some
Hello, hello, hello! Welcome to our wrap-up of the week’s news from the queens of RuPaul’s Drag Race in The Week in Drag.
This week, we celebrate the anniversary of a legendary drag club that has brought us some fierce queens and take a look back at episode two of Drag Race UK. We also bring news of s new, enlightening podcast that will entertain while making you think and some fun videos to help get you into the Halloween spirit. There’s so many treats for you inside, so let’s bring it to the runway!
Before we get into the latest Drag Race news, let’s take a moment to raise a glass and celebrate the 25th anniversary of the legendary Lips Drag Palace. The clubs, which can be found in New York City, Chicago, Atlanta, Ft. Lauderdale and San Diego are known as “The Disney of Drag”. Drag Race alums including Mimi Imfurst and Violet Chachki have come from these clubs and celebrities including Celine Dion, Cyndi Lauper and Lady Gaga can be frequently seen dining at Lips in NYC.
With the help of investors Michael Pacca, Robert DeBenedictis and the late Paul Galluccio, LaFaye and Yvonne Lame’ founded NYC’s only true La Cage-style drag show in October, 1996 in New York’s Greenwich Village. Lips was a product and a creation of the androgynous clubs like Limelight, Palladium and Area and the “club kids” that ruled Manhattan nightlife at the time. “The Village was booming with a freeness of expression,” recalls Ms. Lame’. “It became a breeding ground where drag queens were recognized, accepted and celebrated as a true art form.”
Lips offered an interactive dinner theater experience that included great food, strong cocktails, and Las Vegas-inspired entertainment. The fun eventually moved uptown to its current flagship location on East 56th Street. The brand also expanded into other cities and was recognized by Forbes Magazine as “the nation’s largest drag cabaret chain”.
A big reason for the success of Lips is that the heterosexual community has embraced Lips as the ideal place to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, bachelorette and retirement parties. “We’re a place to celebrate life, glamour and fierce self-expression!” says Lame’.
The NYC club is celebrating the monumental occasion with a wild lip-syncing extravaganza on Wednesday, October 20. DJ Lady Bunny will host the evening with special performances by Twiggy Malone, Ginger Snap, All Beef Patty, Morgen Royel, and a slew of the city’s best drag talent, many of whom got their start at the infamous drag venue. For more information on Lips, visit LipsNYC.com.
This week on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, we sadly bid farewell to two beloved queens, Victoria Scone, who had to leave due to a knee injury and Veronica Green, who came back to season three after battling COVID, which forced her to leave the competition in season two. The episode featured the queens’ first dressmaking challenge, where some definitely fared better than others and a hilarious butch drag” mini-challenge. The “Binge Queens”, Pandora Boxx, Rock M Sakura, Heidi N Closet, Kylie Sonique Love, Laganja Estranja and the swipe right-able Scott Nevins walk us through the episode on episode three of their new web series, with full episodes available on WOW Presents Plus.
Last week’s UK “Dragaton” challenge and show-stopping runway looks had the queens talking. On ”Sibling Watchery”, Bob the Drag Queen and Monét X Change give their honest and unfiltered opinions on the highs and lows of the episode.
Raven and Bimini toot and boot the runway looks on “Fashion Photo Ruview.”
H&M fan (and my favorite gone too soon queen from season two) Joe Black and Yuhua Hamasaki chime in on the fashions on “Bootleg Opinions.”
Season two favorite Tia Kofi chats with last week’s eliminated queen, Elektra Fence on Attitude Mag’s “Tea Time.”
Elektra doles out the superlatives to her fellow queens on “Drag Race Yearbook” with Yshee Black.
And, since I missed this, here is the season’s first eliminated queen, Anubis, chatting about her (brief) experience on the show with Yshee.
Iconic Drag Race alums BeBe Zahara Benet, Monét X Change, Yvie Oddly, Jaida Essence Hall and Symone recently gathered together for a historical photoshoot to celebrate and honor queer heroes of color. Hear from the winners themselves all month long as they discuss their respective journeys, honor queer history, and celebrate the future of Black Excellence during #LGBTQHerstoryMonth.
Halloween is rapidly approaching, and if you need some party ideas, Gottmik and Violet Chachki are here to serve up some spooky libations on the latest episode of “No Gorge.”
Looking for a new podcast? The latest offering from the WOW Podcast Network, “You Brita Vote!” features iconic New York City drag queen Brita Filter diving into all things political with her signature drag queen charm. She chats with state representatives, activists, political organization leaders, and everyone in between to remind us all that no matter what happens, You Brita Vote!
Brita’s guests include Marti G. Cummings, Rep. Brian Sims and Zero Hour Co-Founder Jamie Margolin. Topics discussed include voter engagement, climate change, LGBTQ equality and systemic racism. New episodes drop each Tuesday and you can listen on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
Who could ever forget Gia Gunn’s season six entrance look – specifically her huge, hula hoop purse? If you’ve ever wanted to own a bag of your own, Willam’s latest “Crafternoonting” video with Godoy is here to show you how to craft one.
Want more Willam? (Who doesn’t?) If her “Beatdown: wasn’t funny enough, these outtakes from season seven will have you howling.
Alaska is back with new music. Her new single “Beautiful (Nite 4 a) Breakdown”, backed with “without Your Love” was released on Friday, and you can check out the new music here.
Before you check-in, check out the latest episode of “UNHhhh” as Trixie Mattel and Katya talk about the hotel and motel experience.
Jinkx Monsoon and Trixie getting into drag together is something that must be seen to be believed. Two wildly different ways to apply makeup and lots of laughs are on display here in this GRWM video.
Let’s take a trip back into Drag Race her-story. When you think of season four, most of you can easily remember Willam’s controversial elimination, Sharon Needles vs. Phi Phi O’Hara and a chaotic Snatch Game. One queen who left the competition too early was The Princess and in the latest “Exposed” interview, Joseph Shepherd reintroduces us to this talented queen.
It’s Rock-tober and Rock M Sakura recreates Aiden Zhane’s bee makeup look from the bee mini-challenge with Spirit Halloween makeup.
If you’re a DIY Halloween queen, check out this tutorial as wig magician Jaymes Mansfield crafts a Bride of Frankenstein-inspired wig from cheap Walmart Halloween wigs. This look is sure to win your local costume contest.
Jaymes joins Avaryl and Andrew to review the new (koo-koo bananas) HBO Max horror flick Malignant on “Movie Bitches”.
On October 1, Walt Disney World in Florida celebrated its 50th anniversary. Who better to celebrate this monumental occasion to the queen most synonymous with Mickey Mouse, the fabulous Nina West? Join her and get your ears on!
Get to know more about the stunning Kimora Blac as she tells all, from coming out to bringing Kimora to life.
Do you hold grudges? I would never hold one against Bob and Monét and they discuss thee topic on the latest “Sibling Rivalry.”
Drag legend Charles Busch, the author, and star of such plays as Vampire Lesbians of Sodom (one of the longest-running plays in the history of Off-Broadway) and The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife (which ran for nearly two years on Broadway and received a Tony nomination for Best Play), will be honored by OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Festival in Ft. Lauderdale on Sunday, October 24th with their Vanguard Award, recognizing his contribution as a positive voice for the LGBTQ+ community. Past Vanguard winners include musician Gloria Estefan (2017) and comic Lea DeLaria (2020). Congratulations to Charles for thus honor and for making Die Mommy Die (a must-see movie).
And that’s it for this week. We’ll leave you this week with Mama Ru’s new video for “Blame it on the Edit.” Until we meet again, stay safe, stay healthy, get vaccinated, support the queens and say LOVE!
