Author: Mallory Fencil
Dramatically lip syncing and parading around in extravagant outfits, drag queens are biological men who perform in women’s clothing. Drag queens are one example of the gray areas of gender, which is not necessarily bound by biology, exemplified by the colorful wigs and thick makeup so often associated with the culture. The Brunchettes, a rotating cast of local drag queens, perform every Sunday morning in West Hollywood. Seven Occidental students attended this brunch time drag show at the famous Hamburger Mary’s Sunday in celebration of “Gaypril,” the month-long awareness campaign run each year by the Queer Straight Alliance (QSA) and the Center for Gender Equity (CGE).
The show featured four fearless performers, bottomless mimosas and a full brunch menu. The queens in attendance this week were Miss Conception, Miss Luna, Barbie Q and Big D. Miss Conception, the master of ceremonies, performed the first song, leading the group. With her witty and raunchy commentary and her clever and unconventional costumes, Miss Conception piloted the show. The next performer, Miss Luna, was known for performing mashed song mixes in fully developed characters. Her first set was a play on “The Little Mermaid.” She came on stage in the iconic purple shell bra and a fake, yet functional, tail. Singing a mix of pop songs and “Part of Your World,” Luna danced through the crowd, accepting dollar bills and brushing her wig with an over-sized spork. Barbie Q wore chic costumes and sang empowering songs about womanhood while Big D showed some skin and performed songs about sexuality. During one of her sets, Big D came out dressed in a Katy Perry costume, including the recognizable whipped cream bra, and performed “California Girls.” Big D challenged her role as a drag queen by singing a song that playfully expressed the singers desire to undergo gender reassignment surgery.
Near the end of the show, members of the audience who were celebrating a birthday were asked to come forward. Six women, including Occidental Student Janet Lee (sophomore), joined Big D on the stage as the audience sang “Happy Birthday” to them. Upon reaching the stage, those brave enough participated in a dancing contest where the winner, determined by the cheering of the crowd, won two free cocktails. Despite the loud cheering by the students in attendance, the winner was not Occidental’s resident birthday girl.
“It was an amazing show,” said Myell Mergaert (sophomore),CGE Programming Assistant and QSA President. “It was so wonderful to see members of the Oxy community challenge their perceptions of gender. It really was a great event, which I think we will try to do every year.”
Hamburger Mary’s is a small venue sitting on Santa Monica Blvd. with intimate seating and dim lighting. The stage contains a makeshift dance pole, painted to match the stage and made of a support beam, sequined curtains, and a large disco ball. The walls are covered with posters for other events and pictures of famous queens who have performed at the venue.
Throughout the event, the queens had the crowd on its feet, cheering and volunteering their cash. Miss Conception cracked jokes and had everyone in the restaurant laughing and cheering as each queen stomped onto the small stage. Before the end of the show, Miss Conception discussed the other events at Hamburger Mary’s. From performances by famous queens (including contestants from “RuPaul’s Drag Race”) to interactive bingo with celebrity guests, the grille has events almost every day of the week.
The Brunchettes perform this lively show every Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
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