Boston Uncommon vol. 1 / no. 12
High everybody, drive 'n drag, Arabella
Boston Uncommon is a weekly newsletter covering Boston-based drag, burlesque, cabaret, sex work, and various forms of queer nightlife. Featuring original writing and reporting, Boston Uncommon engages authentically with those who work and play within Boston’s queer spaces and reports on the issues that directly impact local and greater LGBTQ+ communities.
In this week’s edition of Boston Uncommon I:
Cover a BIG STORY: Serve Network receives three-day Twitch suspension after one-year anniversary special
Make sure to STAY ON TOP OF THIS: Voss Events announces dates for “Drive ‘N Drag Saves 2021” summer show in Boston area
Check in with our COMPETING STREAM QUEENS: “Now Serving” contestants perform in “High, Everybody" category for week two of digital competition
And stop to think— WHAT IS BOSTON DRAG?: Arabella LaDessé highlights uniqueness of local alternative drag base and how it has pushed her as an artist
BIG STORY: Serve Network receives three-day Twitch suspension after one-year anniversary special
After celebrating their one-year anniversary in typical Serve Network fashion— with a celebration of queer art and drag performance staring a lineup of 26 drag artists— the channel received a three-day Twitch suspension for being in violation of the platform’s Nudity, Pornography, and Other Sexual Content community guideline.
“We wish we were able to allow stuff that is normal queer art that you would see anytime in any nightclub,” channel creator Violencia! said. “We’re going to have to be a lot more strict with what we allow on the channel, unfortunately.”
Violencia! also notes that over the past year the channel has never been suspended for minor guideline infractions. This week’s “Wide Open Wednesdays” will stream on drag performer Sham Payne’s personal channel.
The Serve Network was created after the initial COVID-19 lockdown, hoping to keep audiences connected to drag artists and keep those artists working while their income is threatened by the pandemic.
“I did digital work as a way to stay busy and creative during quarantine,” drag artist Coleslaw said. “I needed something to distract myself from the grimness of reality.”
Launching with Serve Mondays hosted by Violencia!, Neon Calypso,1 Coleslaw, the network now streams four to seven nights a week with a total of 11 shows and hosts.
“Serve gave me something to look forward to because I knew every Monday I would be 'working',” Coleslaw said. “People were quite receptive and we have met entertainers from all over the world….I foresee a challenge being how to keep it active when the bars eventually start hiring us for events again.”
STAY ON TOP OF THIS: Voss Events announces dates for “Drive ‘N Drag Saves 2021” summer show in Boston area
With COVID-19 causing the cancellation of Pride month events, many drag artists have used the safety of the drive-in format to tour, perform, and celebrate pride in an alternative way.
Voss Events’ “Drive ‘N Drag Saves 2021” features seven RuPaul’s Drag Race alumni with soon-to-be-announced season 13 Drag Race finalists joining the cast for their summer 2021 run starting on May 7.
The show is coming to the Wrentham Premium Outlets in the Boston/Providence area on June 18–20, the typical weekend of Rhode Island’s Annual PrideFest Celebration & Illuminated Night Parade, canceled for the last two years due to COVID. Tickets for the show are now available online.
COMPETING STREAM QUEENS: “Now Serving” contestants perform in “High, Everybody" category for 4/20 episode of digital competition
On this week’s episode of “Now Serving,” the remaining contestants were tasked with creating a digital drag act for the “High, Everybody!” themed show streaming conveniently on April 20.
“I’m a big advocate for pot…and…celebrating…the medicine that it is,” co-host Violencia! explained. “We know other people in the competition might not use marijuana…or are sober…so we wanted to make sure it is not exclusive.”
To include those who are sober or do not use marijuana, Violencia! and co-host Majenta with a J asked contestants to step out of the box to put together videos that make viewers feel high, as if they are the drug.
“Something that will make us go on a trip…bust our sides laughing…cry because we are so intensely watching,” Violencia! said. “Personally I just wanna laugh my ass off.”
Joined by guest judges and drag performers Saint and Maxi Glamour, the judges panel combined their scores and the fan vote to crown Zad Gravebone the winner of the night. Sir Donyx and Salem Moon landed in the bottom two with Salem Moon being the next eliminated.
WHAT IS BOSTON DRAG?: Arabella LaDessé highlights uniqueness of local alternative drag base and how it has pushed her as an artist
Through my 12-week coverage of Boston queer nightlife and the greater LGBTQ+ community, I have noticed a general lack of reporting on local drag industries and the performers and culture that define the New England scene. “What is Boston Drag?” is a space for local performers and community members to explore and understand their own regional culture.
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A self-proclaimed "goddess in her own right,” Arabella LaDessé, originally from Raymond, N.H., is a Massachusetts-based drag artist, winner of Boston Drag Idol 2019, and crowned Portland Maine’s Blackstone’s Princess 2020. Having worked across New England, Arabella views Boston and its historically significant clubs and show bars as the epicenter of the Massachusetts drag community. However, Arabella considers the community’s alternative drag base to be what makes it so special.
Neon Calypso was not available for interview at the time of publication.