Most drag performances are lip synced, but those who consider themselves to be professionals sing, dance, and add that little extra something to their performance. But all drag performers have that urge to entertain as their inspiration for the dress up and pageantry. The heart and soul of drag performance is in the costuming, and successful drag performers put much time, effort, and money into them. Tips from adoring audience members are a big part of the show, the ritual of it all. A drag performer in Michigan can make anywhere from $40 to $100 on a given night. Most drag performers start out are hobbyists who do it for fun and a little cash on the side. And, then, the obvious fact: the transformation. It's somebody baring their soul."Īnd what are they expressing, exactly? Bradley Briegle puts it this way: "The whole idea behind drag is changing genders, but its more about art and expression. I love that drag is such an honest artform, and that it is ultimately about letting something inside of you become what it is. "I've been really lucky to experience their first time performing. "I Love AMCAB because it gives someone the chance to for the first time," she says. AMCAB is hosted by local comedian Sarah Jean Anderson. And that is the premise of Diversions Amateur Caberet, or, AMCAB. That's what I've seen in the past five years: New girls who really want to be something, instead just being a glamour doll."īut you have to start being a glamor doll somewhere. Where they can take their act anywhere and not worry about being judged by anyone because they are that clean and consistent with it.
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"They are starting to get better with themselves to work themselves up to the professional status, where they are completely comfortable with themselves. "In the past five years, the amatuer girls have really started to come out of the woodwork," Davis says. Those are the people who make it a 24-hour-job to be successful."
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And they know how to sit there for hours and add stones and beads, and whatever else they do. And they know how to make hair instead of buying it. "It's hard to make a living at drag," Briegle says, "but there are people who do, and those are the people who know how to sell. Those are typical lauded conservative values of a conservative community, but it applies to drag queen aspirations as well. This kind of acceptance has left room for drag scene to grow, but it mostly comes down to hard work, old-fashioned pluck, and determination. You get people looking and making cat calls or whatever. "I've walked downtown in broad daylight with drag queens. At Pride, every now and then, you get protestors," he says.
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"You'd think that being in Grand Rapids there would be a lot more, but surprisingly, it's not really that bad. But its been growing, nurtured by an increasing openness to this kind of unique expression.īradley Briegle, who promotes shows and pageants in Grand Rapids and around Michigan through Power Diva Productions, says West Michigan has been mostly accepting of the scene. Granted, the drag scene in Grand Rapids happens at precisely two bars: Rumors, which hosts a show every Sunday at 10 p.m., and Diversions, host of Amateur Caberet every Wednesday night. "But once I really explain to them what I'm doing, they really understand and are like, 'Oh my gosh! They really have this here?' It's something they think they only have in Vegas or a bigger city, but it's really happening everywhere." Grand Rapids has a drag scene? As in drag queens? As in Rupaul? Divine? Men dressing like women? Women dressing like men? In lil' ol' Grand Rapids? Huh?Īccording to drag performer Batty Davis, that's a common reaction and she tends to be diplomatic, using the term 'female impersonator'.