Harrisonburg Drag Queen Pageant

Where: The Artful Dodger

My Total Cost: $17.00

Potential Cost: $3 – pay the cover charge

When: Third Saturday of every month

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I arrived at the Artful Dodger an hour early so I could secure a table and grab something to eat and definitely not because I thought the show started at 7p.m. instead of 8p.m. After marking my territory at one of the empty tables, I approached the man at the bar and ordered a Roasted Veggie Wrap for $5.60 along with a cappuccino for $3.75, because my energy was running a little low.

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For those of you that have never been, the Artful Dodger is a popular lounge and bar in downtown Harrisonburg. Its atmospheric lighting and indie wall décor give the place a very relaxing vibe during the day, and once the sun sets the cite becomes a hot spot for night life, offering special deals every day of the week.

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The food arrived swiftly in the arms of a very handsome waiter with very cool socks. The meal was far more than enough to bring end to my hunger. As I was eating, people started flowing in steadily and filling the extra seats that were set up for the night. Soon enough there were no chairs left and people began to stand around the room, some subtle dance moves thrown in here and there. The DJ clearly knew his audience for the night. His set opened with Ke$ha’s Blow (Cirkut remix), and closed with Cher’s Believe, and of course there was plenty of Lady Gaga, Spice girls, and Meghan Trainor all sandwiched in the middle.

 

Then, as the clocks strike 8:32, 32 minutes’ past when the show was scheduled to start (but hey, they’re Diva’s right?) and one hour and 32 minutes’ past when I thought the show started (because I was grossly misinformed), the Queens took the spotlight.

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War paint marked their faces with perfect nose contour, their armor was made of sequences that could blind with a sparkle, and each hand carried more jewels than all of Snow Whites’ 7 dwarves combined. The Drag Queens of Harrisonburg conquered the stage, lip-syncing for their legacy last night at the Artful Dodger.

 

The show opened with a heartfelt power ballad from the raining “Miss Gay Harrisonburg,” as read her sash. Following that were a few more segments honoring different queens, and kings, in the local Drag community. Each honoree then performed their acceptance lip-sync in their newly fashioned crown.

After a brief intermission, which most people spent refilling their glasses while listening to the DJ’s Britney Spears Remix, the queens took the stage once more; this time performing their more upbeat dance numbers; each one making their celestial decent into the crowd and commanding the room with her powerful and persuasive gestures.

 

As the girls come around it is proper etiquette to hold up one or two dollar bills for them to take; this is especially important if you skipped out on the three-dollar cover charge needed for entry (unless you get there before 7p.m.). The cover charge does go directly to the performers, so I felt a little guilty skipping out and ended up handing $7 to the girls throughout the night.

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As the night progressed the audience began to thin out, which only means more room to dance and a better view.  Dancing with the Queens really makes the night. Anyone can sit up against the walls and simply watch the spectacular, but joining in on the dance floor fully immerses you in the energy the girls bring to the club. Dance unapologetically because this is a crowd of the most welcoming and loving people you will ever be among.

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If you have never been to a Drag Show, I highly suggest you go, and if you have been, then I know you want to go again. The Queens perform at the Artful Dodger on the third Saturday of every month. With more sashays and death drops than season 6 of RuPauls, this is a show you do not want to miss. I will be attending their next performance in October and then again November to in celebrate my 21st birthday, hope to see you there!