Boston Uncommon vol. 1 / no. 8
Bruiser, Severity, Papi, Seyoncé, and Zola
Boston Uncommon is a weekly newsletter covering Boston-based drag, burlesque, cabaret, sex work, and various forms of queer nightlife. By engaging authentically and openly with the community of people who work and play within Boston’s in-person and digital queer spaces, we hope to report on the issues and events that affect them and their lives.
In this week’s edition of Boston Uncommon we:
Cover a BIG STORY: Boston drag artist Bruiser balances work, drag career, and a small business
Make sure to STAY ON TOP OF THIS: The Progress Channel streams live shows centering LGBT+ and BIPOC people, issues, and culture in RI
Check-in with our COMPETING STREAM QUEENS: New digital drag competition Now Serving reveals next three contestants
Legendary Boston performer Zola answers the question WHAT IS BOSTON DRAG?
BIG STORY: Boston drag artist Bruiser balances work, drag career, and a small business
Drag artist Bruiser began selling her used drag clothes and wigs to make up for income lost due to the pandemic.
“I had a ton of wigs, I make new ones for every show, and they all sold off pretty fast,” Bruiser explained. “So I taught myself some new styles and started posting new wigs for sale…and I’ve had a constant stream of orders since.”
Though Bruiser stopped creating digital drag shows during summer 2020, her side hustle WIGSX slowly took off.
“Balancing my job and WIGSX has been stressful just because both are becoming so busy as the world reopens,” Bruiser said. “I’m more than happy to have all the work,[but] it’s definitely a challenge to find the balance…I need to sell 3-6 wigs per month…to make up the income for [not doing] one or two shows.”
Because many drag fans cannot support live local performers or their small businesses due to COVID restrictions, Bruiser suggests engaging on social media.
“Even a comment helps! I know what we sell isn’t for every drag fan, but…there’s so much social media happening now that some of it gets drowned out, so engagement helps social media promote it to more people,” Bruiser said.
STAY ON TOP OF THIS: The Progress Channel streams live shows centering LGBT+ and BIPOC people, issues, and culture in RI
The Progress Channel is a new online network providing informational and entertaining content for progressive-minded people. With a focus on LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities in Rhode Island and surrounding areas, TPC streams weekly on Twitch.
“Our mission is to ensure the LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities have access to…the issues, information, and entertainment that are impacting our lives and are representative of our cultures, especially where those communities intersect,” TPC’s website reads.
Discussing queer and BIPOC current events and culture, Host of Tea with Taylor Taylor Neptune streams on Mondays and Fridays at 4 p.m. EST. On Tuesday nights at 8 p.m.m, former Mr. Gay Rhode Island and Minister Dion Sage hosts The Progress Report, a show that focuses on LGBT+ and BIPOC community issues and leaders.
TPC also streams the programming on YouTube, Facebook, and Patreon.
COMPETING STREAM QUEENS: New digital drag competition Now Serving reveals next three contestants
Weekly, I spotlight queer creators who are streaming on Twitch amid shifting COVID-related restrictions on nightlife. This week, I have chosen to spotlight The Serve Network’s new show Now Serving and the next three cast members to be revealed. The competition starts April 6 and will stream on Twitch every other Tuesday at 9 p.m. EST.
Severity Stone - Boston, MA - she/they
She’s here to show everyone that she’s not just a party decoration you can’t afford. She’s also goth. “This past year has been difficult for a lot of people but I’ve used it as an opportunity to push myself, to share my art, and to grow,” Stone said.
Papi Churro- Austin, TX - he/they
Papi Churro is a goth, two-spirit, indigiqueer burlesque, drag performer and show producer who entered the competition to expand and develop their drag production skills. “I'm looking to challenge myself as a performer — I think I'm ready for the next level,” Churro said.
Seyoncé Knows - Toronto, ON - she/they
Special effects, comedy, and art, Seyoncé is ready to push herself further in the online competition world. “Toronto's small-time extra-large medium, Seyoncé is a cartoon supervillain come to life…This sassy sorceress does it all!” Knows said.
WHAT IS BOSTON DRAG?: Drag queen and Boston legend Zola discusses changes in Boston queer nightlife
Through my coverage of Boston queer nightlife, I have noticed a general lack of reporting on local drag industries and the performers and culture that define nightlife, particularly in New England. “What is Boston Drag?” is a new “Boston Uncommon” section that will allow local performers and community members a space to explore and understand their own community.
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Drag queen, show director, pageant titleholder, philanthropist, and Boston legend Zola recently sat down with the History Project to record her oral history via public Zoom event. After connecting with Zola through the event, we discussed the changes she has seen in Boston queer nightlife and the community of people who support it.
