What is Boston Drag?
A compilation of interviews with the best in Boston queer nightlife
Through my reporting on Boston queer nightlife and the greater LGBTQ+ community, I have noticed a general lack of coverage on local drag scenes and the performers and culture that define queer New England. “What is Boston Drag?” is a space for local performers and community members to explore and understand their own regional culture and local talent. The following is a compilation of interviews completed over one year.
CELIA SMOKINBUTTS - vol. 2 / no. 19
As she says herself, it’s hard being the prettiest one in a scene that just won’t stop growing. But Boston drag artist Celia Smokinbutts persists, nonetheless. While performing at venues across the city like Somerville theater and Legacy, Smokinbutts produces “Goblin Hole,” a bimonthly queer art party at the Crystal Ballroom in Davis Square (tickets are available now for the April 22 show). You can currently catch Celia competing as a Newcomer in Boston Drag Gauntlet Cycle 5: “Newcomers vs Veterans” where she won the last challenge.
It was Nadia Nice’s mother who first recommended she get into drag. With a BFA and a passion for makeup, Nadia has always been comfortable in front of a crowd; naturally, her mom thought drag would be the perfect way for Nadia to showcase her talent. Currently competing in Boston Drag Gauntlet Cycle 5, Nadia works in both Boston and Providence, carving her way through an expansive scene. Finding the community inclusive and supportive, for Nadia, it’s just a matter of making the time to be everywhere at once.
From her bedroom to Boston Drag Gauntlet, Bella Luna is New England’s own Indigenous, Latina, Brazilian drag queen Barbie. After dabbling in drag at a young age, distancing herself from the religious environment she grew up in, Bella dove headfirst into the art form during the 2020 quarantine. Since, Bella has performed across Boston, currently competing as a Newcomer in Boston Drag Gauntlet Cycle 5: “Newcomers vs Veterans.” Carefully crafting her persona, Bella is hyperfocused on developing her own unique drag style and doing so within Boston’s queer, Latinx community.
Overcome doubt, trust in your ability, and let go of the chains that bound your creativity and confidence. Though a daunting challenge, this is what it took Providence performer Giri Spades, the King of Spades, to become the strongest version of himself, both human and artist. After starting drag in 2019, inspired by their local drag scene in Providence, Giri was put out of commission due to the pandemic until November 2021. However, creating their own props and costumes from the comfort of their bedroom, Giri has since quit their 9-5 to become a full-time king. Recently joining the cast of Boston Drag Gauntlet Cycle 5: “Newcomers vs Veterans” as a Newcomer, Giri hopes to snatch the crown and $2,500 grand prize.
For many, the first COVID lockdown was defined by time stuck at home— baking bread, whipping coffee, finding any way to cope with a frightening, ever-changing world. For Providence drag artist Bast, quarantine served as the perfect opportunity to hone her new drag skills. Having started drag at the beginning of 2020, Bast utilized her time indoors to develop her makeup skills, craft a persona, and prepare for her eventual live debut. As venues slowly opened up, Bast applied for the Providence Drag Gauntlet, the perfect opportunity to get her name out there and gain performance experience. Though it was her first time performing, she went on to beat the competition, becoming the PVD Cycle 1 runner-up. Returning to the Gauntlet this Spring, this time in Boston, Bast will be appearing as a veteran in the upcoming Cycle 5: “Newcomers vs Veterans.” Deeply inspired by Providence drag, Bast shares her thoughts on the diversity of New England performers.
She has deemed herself the Runway Witch and if you have seen her collections, you know exactly why. Originally from a small town 13 miles south of Boston, Binx started drag in 2018, sick of the boredom and dissatisfaction she felt with masculine fashion. Since graduating from her high school class of 64, Binx has bounced between Boston and home, crafting her drag persona, deeply inspired by drag superstar Aquaria. After the pandemic forced a decrease in live performances, Binx quickly got to work on her fashion show, The Runway Witch FW 21/22 which premiered digitally Oct. 2018 and featured 11 minutes of original looks. Since then, Binx has conceptualized 30 new looks for the upcoming release of her Spring Summer 2022 show.
VILLINDA VILE - vol. 2 / no. 12
Through only a few short interviews questions, it was crystal clear the passion, drive, and love drag performer Villinda Vile has for her art form. A Midwesterner turned (outer) Bostonian, Villinda has come to the city to chase her ultimate dream of breaking into nightlife to support a full-time drag career. With her hip-hop/rap album “Villinda” (streaming everywhere), appearance in Boston Drag Gauntlet Cycle 4 and upcoming return to Cycle 5, and dedication to developing her unique drag style, Villinda is just getting started.
As I’ve interviewed performers across New England for “What is Boston Drag,” I’ve always asked who they feel defines their local scenes, there is one name— side dish rather— that never fails to be mentioned. Coleslaw, one of the first entertainers interviewed for Boston Uncommon, is a DJ, drag artist, producer, and performer that the city’s scene, over the last decade, has come to know and love. Having been DJing for 10 years, performing as Coleslaw for five, the Boston-based artist has taken her art everywhere from The Boston Globe’s Hubweek to the Museum of Science to Jerry Springer’s Judge Jerry, creating and defining an inclusive and welcoming drag scene. Chasing that ‘warm and happy feeling’ she gets working her residency at Legacy’s Serve Thursdays, Coleslaw uses drag to heal both herself and her community in their darkest times.
As someone who is no stranger to dorm room drag, I identify with Providence artist Semi Sweet who kicked off her drag career while attending the University of Rhode Island, performing what she calls a ‘bad number’ in their annual drag show. Since 2016, Semi Sweet has grown into an established artist, hosting and performing around both Providence and Boston in shows like L2K Tuesdays at Ego, Boston Drag Gauntlet at Leacy, and Hot Mess Sunday at Candibar.
Though she appreciates how the proximity between Boston and Providence affords her access to a variety and diversity of drag, she also notes the challenges she faces as an AFAB performer.
On her 5-year drag birthday, Missy Steak provided me an almost methodically organized list of the pros and cons of working Boston drag. Having started performing during her time at Emerson College, Missy was always in love with the art of drag, but could never overcome her ’internal subconscious avoidance’ to actually do it. Five years later and Missy, having worked across the city, has come to know Boston’s scene as supportive of a variety of drag talent.
However, she also recognizes some of the primary challenges Boston performers currently face including being paid less than their counterparts in other cities, having few opportunities to start their own shows, limited venue space, and a mass reliance on a short supply of performance spots. Asking the all-too-important question— ‘who knows what can happen if we all give our local scene just a little more love?’ — Missy highlights both the highs and lows of working in Boston nightlife.
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.
ZAD GRAVEBONE - vol. 2 / no. 5
If you were at all plugged into Boston’s digital drag scene through the city’s various COVID lockdowns, you have heard the name Zad Gravebone. Cartoonist, animator, and voice actor with a background in improvisational comedy, Zad decided to add drag to his expanding list of talents after attending a class in late 2019 taught by Jayden Jamison called “King for a Day,” a space where Zad could both start openly using his chosen name and pronouns and also explore his love for drag. After COVID forced the shutdown of live venues, the self-proclaimed Undead Cartoon King entered the Serve Network’s first digital drag competition— Now Serving— winning four of five challenges, taking home the crown, and undoubtedly leaving his mark on the Boston drag scene. As live drag re-emerges, Zad discusses how his city’s drag community has supported him through both his most challenging and triumphant moments.
Hi everyone! My name is Joni 66 (or Sam :) and I’m a writer, journalist, and drag artist, from Los Angeles, CA. While studying writing, literature, and publishing at Emerson College, I decided to launch Boston Uncommon so I could connect to my local drag scene during a pandemic. As I’ve interviewed Boston’s drag talent, I have fallen in love with the city’s nightlife and thought it was time to share my thoughts.
Zayn X, the self-proclaimed Spooky Dooky of New England, seems to have lived many drag lives in their 5 years of performing. Starting in Providence as a drag king and club kid, Zayn was originally inspired by Drag Race which she first saw in high school. He attended a local show and the ‘rest is a mess!’ Having lived in Florida, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New York, Zayn has finally settled in Boston within a drag community she feels is uniquely welcoming and essential to their drag.
DORIANN BLONCH - vol. 2 / no. 2
Doriann Blonch’s drag journey started in 2009 in Puerto Rico. Flash forward 12 years and “the Beauty Enchantment” is “blessed” to perform for some of Boston’s most notable shows and venues including Drag Me To Brunch at Carrie Nation, Jacque’s Cabaret, Strut at Venetian Moon, Legacy Night Club, and more. With high praise and high hopes for her community, Doriann has watched the scene grow and change surrounded by Boston’s best.
Don’t let the name fool you. Plane Jane, Boston-born and raised, began exploring the city’s queer nightlife in 2018, the first time she went out in drag. Only three years later, Plane Jane has taken Boston by storm, working at venues like Jacque’s Cabaret, Carrie Nation, and Time Out Market. Performing alongside a wide variety of drag entertainers, Jane has watched the scene grow and change, survive a pandemic, and come out the other side. As venues slowly begin to re-open, Jane hopes their community continues to create safe queer spaces.
Drag performer, entertainer, visual artist, and club kid Sham Payne has been working in nightlife for going on 10 years, from hosting shows at Boston’s Legacy and Candibar to putting on monthly genderqueer house parties at Middlesex in Cambridge (returning soon) to creating digital drag content on the Serve Network. However, despite their vast experience, Sham feels a general lack of inclusivity of alternative performers within the scene, bringing a unique sense of creativity to New England drag.
CANDACE PERSUASIAN - vol. 1 / no. 18
Boston-based artist Candace Persuasian. has been performing since she was 16 when she began teaching herself the choreography to every Beyonce music video. By 2015, she was performing at Machine Nightclub and by 2020 was working with Drag Me to Brunch at Carrie Nation, the only show in Boson with a majority Asian/Asian American cast. Through her experiences working in the Boston scene, now a cast member at Drag Diva Brunch, Candace reflects on the challenges she faces, ways she has grown, and what she has learned as a performer.
MATISSE DUPONT/MONSTERA DELICIOUS - vol. 1 / no. 17
Educator, artist, gender and sexuality consultant, and Tik Tok creator Matisse DuPont made their drag debut as Monstera Delicious in 2019. Alongside their drag partner Sid Delicious and the Haus of Delicious, Monstera performed at Don’t Ask Don’t Tell’s Virgin Night and has been forging their path within Boston’s queer community and nightlife scene. With a B.A. from UMass Amherst and M.A. from Simmons University, Matisse turned Monstera has discovered new ways to both fuse and separate their passion and presentation as an academic and as an artist.
Establishing herself in a “creative, weird, funny, and irreverent” drag scene within Boston’s queer spaces, Just JP has been doing drag for almost five years, finding his place among fellow artists, colleagues, and friends who help them brainstorm, refine, and present their art. However, JP is also concerned about the lack of queer spaces within the Boston and greater drag community that afford performers and artists full autonomy over their craft and industry.
BISMUTH ARSENIDE - vol. 1 / no. 14
From her 6.5’ tall basement in Framingham, MA, Bismuth Arsenide— editorial self-portrait drag artist, college student— has been producing drag since August of 2020. Despite only having been consistently generating content since January 2021, Bismuth has established themself as a multi-talented force to be reckoned with, bringing something totally unique to the Boston drag scene. In her own words, “there is not a single queen I know who can do Bismuth the way Bismuth does it.”
While working to finish her Master’s degree at Tufts University, Abbi from Abbject Objects was attending drag shows in New Hampshire. Eventually experimenting with her own drag and being brought into the Boston scene by drag artist Violenca!, Abbi slowly became known as the resident horror pixie buzzing around every event. In order to support and create for her local community of artists and friends, including Violenca!, Just JP, Static, Travis Ti, and Zayn-X, to name a few, Abbi launched her Etsy accessory shop, crafting handmade “jewelry for queers, creeps, and crypto’s…inspired by body horror and fairy-tales” as their Instagram bio reads.
ARABELLA LADESSÉ - vol. 1 / no. 12
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.
LINDA MARIE POSSA - vol. 1 / no. 11
Linda Marie Póssa started doing drag a year ago and continues to find her place within Boston’s queer community and the diverse range of performers that have welcomed her and her drag into the scene.
PAMELA MANDERSON - vol. 1 / no. 9
When questioning Boston-based makeup artist and drag queen Pamela Manderson about what exactly characterizes Boston drag, she immediately named those who currently define the alt scene: Binx for her unique drag style, Violencia’s lip-sync performance talent, and Severity Stone for her custom spectacular headpieces.
Though she doesn’t consider her drag style to be representative of Boston drag, Pamela has had no trouble breaking into queer spaces or pioneering her own.
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.
Boston-based drag performer Shean King has only been working in the New England scene since the start of the pandemic. However, despite having only performed in and experienced the scene virtually, King notes the inclusivity and welcoming nature of Boston drag.