Tell us about your first time at EVO
While I can’t remember the exact date that I visited EVO for the first time, I do remember the night. My (then) girlfriend and I were taking her friend out after she experienced a breakup and she wanted a night of fun. I remember walking into the very foggy bar and staring at the videos playing on the TVs around the bar (IYKYK). After moving past that shock and awe, I was excited to see members of the community from all walks of life. I remember seeing some of my trans friends that I had met over the last while at various other events. I remember how much the community wrapped our friend in their arms while she shed away her grief and danced the night away. I remember thinking that this felt like a MUCH more comfortable space than the bars my girlfriend and her friends dragged me to every weekend (I will never miss Knoxvilles). And most importantly, I remember the feeling of the bar being very different than Buddies and Upstairs.
Tell us about your first time performing at Evo
Now this I remember much more vividly. My (then) girlfriend and our friend Charley attended Sunday Revues regularly for 3-4 months but had never seen a king in a show. My friend and I had done one show in November 2014 with Queer Royale, but I didn’t really put a ton of thought into performing more until my friend said, “I booked us a meeting with Rob to talk about performing at EVO”. After our meeting, Rob booked us for Rosell Kristina’s monthly show on March 1st, 2015. I was TERRIFIED. Rob was hyping up the debut of kings on social media. I picked my song and a duet with my friend (who performed under the name Oliver Hart) and spent all my free time practicing the words repeatedly. I remember stepping on stage trying to act like I had all the swagger in the world but could feel my legs SHAKING the entire time. The performance itself is a blur, so I had to go back and watch the video on Dragging Our Heels. I’m laughing at myself because I can just see the nerves all over my face. BUT it did just show me a full circle moment. I forgot that the first person to ever tip me was my counterpart, Ms. Evo Christy! The show was so much fun. Backstage and audience were super welcoming to us, and clearly my drag career didn’t end there.
Share some favorite Evo memories:
- Performing with Tiara Manila at my first ever Stilettos WEEKS after my debut
- Working Security for Lady Bunny and getting pelted with nickels and dimes
- Meeting Raja in my pup gear and her excitement
- Opening for Tiffany with the boys
- Producing Kings vs Queens with Divina
- Producing Creed tribute show (with the bonus engagement announcement!)
- Working the Evo block parties
- The Evo closing night party at EVO103
What did being crowned as the First EVOs at the new space mean to you?
Honestly, it felt like a long time coming. Both Christy and I have been staples of Evo both on the stage and behind the scenes for a very long time. But It feels like an honor to be recognized for all we gave to old Evo, in the new space. It felt like an appropriate way to honor old EVO in the new space, tying the two eras together. And most importantly, it means the world to me to be crowned with Christy. Christy has been there for me since I entered the scene. She was the first person to tip me and befriend me in this community; she put a roof over my head when I had to start over and was way too lenient with giving me time to pay my rent to her over that time as well. I wouldn’t be able to continue with drag in this community if Christy hadn’t stepped up for me. So, this crowning means the world to me for a multitude of reasons.
What advice would you give to new drag performers reading this?
I could write a novel on this, but this is a blog post and not a book, so I invite any newer artist to come have a chat with me if they want some guidance on how to navigate this community and be a leader within it. But I can leave a few tidbits here.
The best artists in the city are not the ones with the best make up, the best costumes or the best dancing ability. The best artists in the city are the ones who continue to improve their craft, while not tearing down the people around them. I’m not booked because I bring the best of the best of king drag, I’m booked because I try my best to be nice to everyone I work with, work towards bettering the community with everything I’m involved in, and just staying away from the drama.
Go out there, listen to the critiques and advice from the people who came before you, and hold the door open for the people who come after you. AND LEARN YOUR DAMN WORDS.
What advice would you give queer or trans kids reading this?
This is incredibly cliché, but it does get better. Before entering the community, I quite honestly didn’t think I was going to live long enough to find it. But, once I did find it, I was able to find myself and start living authentically as the proud Transman that I am.
Even if you don’t drink, you can and WILL find community in a queer bar. You will find your chosen family, you will find a safe space. There is people out there that understand you, and we are waiting for you with open arms.
What’s next on deck for you as a performer?
This is tough for me to answer at this moment. I’ve had a very emotional, draining year. And this came after a very emotional, draining year the year before. I do hope to produce more of my tribute shows. I really enjoy exploring the type of music that we don’t see as often on stage, and the songs that go back to my childhood.
I’m also hoping to regain inspiration by involving myself in shows that push me to be more creative. I have ideas for costuming I want to try and accomplish, performances that have been sitting in the back of my brain that I want to try and bring alive. I guess all in all, now that I have more free time and trying to regain my excitement for drag, I’m hoping to push Tanner Steele to new heights. And maybe, just maybe, earn myself a performance-based stiletto award nomination!
Any predictions on who’s going to fill your shoes come end of January?
This is even tougher to answer! The EVO management team has different reasons each year for who they choose to represent them. We’ve spanned the spectrum of strictly performance based to community leadership based. Every week the answer could change!
If we want to talk about supporters of the bar and community leaders, there is one person that I think stands above the rest in my mind, and that is Ladonna Cree. If we want to talk kings? Gabe Autmn brings such a unique perspective to drag, and I think inspires many performers, including myself. And if we want to talk pure kindness, Billie Eyelash is one of the biggest supporters of the Edmonton performer community and would represent proudly.
But who knows, Rob doesn’t usually know until the night of 😉.
Catch some old Tanner Steele moments here