Drag show

Performers put on big shows.

They wear bright clothes and makeup. They may dress like famous singers. Some performers sing or dance. They might even tell jokes.

People watch these shows for fun. They might give cash tips. Some shows happen at brunch. People eat food while they watch.

These shows bring people together. They can be very festive. It is a way to share joy.

A drag show is a fun type of show. Artists perform by dressing as a different gender.

Performers often wear bright makeup and fancy clothes. They might dress like famous singers. During a show, they may dance or sing. Some performers use lip-syncing, which means moving their lips to a song. They also tell jokes or act in short plays.

People often give cash tips to the artists.

These shows have a long history. In the 1920s, drag balls were held in Harlem. These balls were social events for people of color.

Another famous group was the Jewel Box Revue. It toured the United States for many years. It had a diverse group of performers. One performer was Stormé DeLarverie. She was a drag king, or a man in drag. Her fight with police helped start the Stonewall uprising in New York. Today, many people enjoy drag brunches. These are shows held while people eat brunch food. They can be very festive and happy.

A drag show is a lively form of entertainment. Performers, known as drag artists, impersonate men or women. They often wear elaborate costumes and heavy makeup. Some artists choose to dress like famous singers or personalities.

During a show, artists might sing or dance. Many use lip-synching, which means moving their lips to a song. They might also perform comedy skits or interact with the crowd. Often, audience members give cash tips to the performers.

These shows have many different styles. One popular type is a drag brunch. At these events, people eat brunch foods while watching performances.

These brunches often happen in restaurants or LGBTQ bars. Some even feature gospel-themed shows. In these, performers wear choir robes and sing classic gospel songs. Drag brunches are common in big cities like New York City and Miami. They help new people learn about drag in a fun way.

The history of drag goes back many years. In the 1920s, drag balls were held at the Rockland Palace in Harlem. These balls were social events for people of color. They often had to meet in secret. During World War II, soldiers even held parody drag shows for each other. These shows were meant to be funny. Later, a group called the Jewel Box Revue became very famous. They toured the United States from the 1940s until the 1970s.

The Jewel Box Revue was a very diverse group. It included African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, and white performers. One important person was Stormé DeLarverie. She was a drag king, which is a person who dresses as a man. She was the Master of Ceremonies for the revue from 1955 to 1969. Her scuffle with police in 1969 helped start the Stonewall uprising in New York City. Another famous group was the Pearl Box Revue. This was an all-Black drag show that ran for twenty-seven years.

Drag has also become a big part of popular culture. People see it in movies like The Birdcage. It is also famous because of the show RuPaul's Drag Race.

In Provincetown, Massachusetts, drag is legendary. In 2018, they held the first Drag Camp there. Famous performers like Jinkx Monsoon and Raja attended to teach workshops. These workshops taught skills like applying makeup or doing comedy. Drag continues to be a way for people to share art and community.

A drag show is a vibrant form of entertainment where artists impersonate a different gender. These performers, known as drag artists, often use elaborate costumes and heavy makeup to transform their appearance. Many artists choose to imitate famous singers or well-known personalities from history.

Typically, these shows take place in nightclubs or bars as adult-themed events. They serve as a way for performers to express creativity and for communities to gather.

A performance usually follows a structured plan to entertain the crowd. Artists often sing or engage in lip-synching, which is the act of moving lips to match a recorded song. This is frequently paired with choreographed dancing or a pre-planned pantomime. Some shows also include comedy, short skits, or direct interaction with the audience.

During these interactions, audience members often provide cash tips to the performers to show their appreciation.

There are several distinct types of drag events used to reach different audiences. One popular modern version is the drag brunch. In these settings, guests eat typical brunch foods while watching dance, song, and comedy.

These are common in urban centers like New York City, Miami, Atlanta, and Las Vegas. Some even feature gospel-themed performances. In these specific shows, performers wear choir robes and sing classic gospel songs. Another type is the drag camp, such as the one held in Provincetown, Massachusetts, in 2018. This camp allowed performers to hone their skills through workshops on makeup or comedy.

The history of drag is rooted in the underground spaces of early America. In the 1920s and 1930s, the "Pansy Craze" emerged in the speakeasies of the Prohibition era. The first known drag balls in the United States took place at the Rockland Palace in Harlem during the 1920s. These balls were social events for people of color who often had to meet in secret.

During World War II, soldiers also created parody drag shows for entertainment. These shows featured soldiers dressing as humorous-looking women to perform for one another.

One of the most significant groups in drag history was the Jewel Box Revue. This touring show operated from the 1940s until 1975. It was unique because it featured a diverse cast of African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, and whites.

The revue had at least ten specific performances in its repertoire. This allowed the group to perform at the same locations for long periods. A notable member was Stormé DeLarverie, a biracial drag king and Master of Ceremonies. Her 1969 scuffle with police is cited as a spark for the Stonewall uprising in New York City. Another important group was the Pearl Box Revue, an all-Black drag show that ran for 27 years until 1982.

Drag has also evolved into a significant part of global popular culture. Documentaries like *Paris is Burning* and television shows like *RuPaul's Drag Race* have brought drag to much larger audiences.

Movies such as *The Birdcage* and *To Wong Fu, Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar* have also helped popularize the culture. These media works have helped create a large fanbase that includes heterosexual viewers. Even stage musicals like *A Chorus Line* have referenced the history of touring drag companies.

Today, drag continues to connect to broader social and political systems. Groups like Disposable Boy Toys, a feminist collective from California, used drag to dismantle ideas about gender binaries and racism. They performed at benefits to raise money for various community and political causes. In cities, drag brunches serve as a way to introduce new audiences to the art form. Professors like Joe E. Jeffreys note that these events help people see that gender and drag can be festive and fun rather than scary. This allows for a shared social experience through observation and community celebration.