Boston Uncommon vol. 2 / no. 6
Queer Speed Dating, Drag Gauntlet Finale, The List, and Harlow Havoc
Boston Uncommon has returned for its second volume to continue covering Boston-based drag, queer nightlife, and LGBTQ+ current events. Featuring original writing and reporting by Emerson College student and drag artist Joni 66, Boston Uncommon engages authentically with those who work and play within the city’s queer spaces and reports on issues that directly impact local and greater New England LGBTQ+ communities.
In this week’s edition of Boston Uncommon I:
Make sure to STAY ON TOP OF THIS: Skip the Small Talk hosts Bi and Pan Speed Dating tonight
Cover a BIG STORY: Boston Drag Gauntlet to crown Cycle 4 winner on Tuesday
Check out this STREAM SERVICE: The List — Boston’s Queer Agenda
And stop to think— WHAT IS BOSTON DRAG?: Harlow Havoc’s call to action for drag venues, promoters, fans
STAY ON TOP OF THIS: Skip the Small Talk hosts Bi and Pan Speed Dating tonight
Originally founded as a series of free events held in Boston T stations, Skip the Small Talk (STST), then called communiT, was created to provide strangers a unique opportunity to meet and interact in an informal way. After an influx of requests from their Boston chapter for a dating event, STST has decided to host their first-ever all-gender speed-dating today!
Bi and Pan Speed Dating is trans-inclusive and open to those 25-35 who are monogamous and open to dating someone of any gender. The event is at Remnant Brewery in Somerville at 7 p.m. and you can register here.
STST also hosts dating events for polyamorous people and platonic events for queer people in the city. Their full event calendar can be found here.
BIG STORY: Boston Drag Gauntlet to crown Cycle 4 winner on Tuesday
After surviving three months of competing, eight live performances, and five hungry competitors, the remaining contestants of Boston Drag Gauntlet— Famine the Supermodel, Linda Marie Possa, Pristine Christine, Raya Sunshine, and Rusty Hammer— will finally battle it out in this week’s Cycle 4 Finale.
Competing for the crown and a $1500 cash prize, the top 5 will be tasked with performing a ‘number fit for a ruler’ and walking the runway in their best ‘regal realness’ for judges Niki Luparelli, Jayden Jamison, Teasha Boo, Violencia!, and Kris Knievil and hosts Kandi Dishe, Arabella LeDesse, and Robin From HR.
Before a winner is chosen, only three contestants will be given the opportunity to make their case for why they should win the crown and cash prize. The Finale is this Tuesday at Legacy at 8 p.m. and you can get your tickets here!
STREAM SERVICE: The List — Boston’s Queer Agenda
Paving the way for Boston Uncommon, Hannah’s List was created by Founder Hannah Doress in 1995 to disseminate information on local queer events and activities. Officially launched in 2012 as The List: Boston’s Queer Agenda to cover news, classifieds, and housing, the publication has since scaled back and, primarily due to COVID-19, moved to Facebook.
Entirely volunteer-run, The List Facebook page is curated by over 23 agencies, organizations, and community leaders, providing information on queer services, community events, volunteer and job opportunities, and housing postings in and around Boston.
Be sure to follow along and like on Facebook!
WHAT IS BOSTON DRAG?: Harlow Havoc’s call to action for drag venues, promoters, fans
Through my reporting on Boston queer nightlife, I have noticed a general lack of coverage on local drag scenes and the performers that define queer New England. “What is Boston Drag?” is a space for local performers and community members to explore their regional culture and local talent.
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To her, drag is magic. A suspension of reality, as she calls it, where, for four to five minutes, she can create a fantasy for her captive audience with just a costume, some makeup, and the music of the divas she’s always looked up to. And through five years of performing, Harlow Havoc has used the athleticism, stage presence, and technique she learned as a dancer, gymnast, cheerleader to wow crowds across Boston. Though Harlow praises Boston’s drag community for its ‘unique inclusivity’ of a wide variety of drag performers and recognizes its impact on her journey with gender and sexuality, she also notes the many challenges she faces as a drag performer. With a call to action, Harlow challenges venues, promoters, and drag audiences to do better to support our local drag talent.
