Tell us about your first time at EVO
I think I was at the second weekend Evo was open. I was probably too scared to go to a busy opening. I know, me scared? It was still so early in my gender journey that I was honestly always scared back then. Once I was in the space though it didn’t take long to feel that I was welcome and safe. I was also bewildered by so many different kinds of people and expression. I was living a pretty closeted life and all this queerness was wonderfully shocking. I had lived for about 40 years as a very different version of myself and it was going to take time to figure a lot out but what didn’t take much time was feeling like I was home.
Tell us about your first time performing at Evo
I went to Sunday revues for a while and was in awe of the confidence and charisma of the performers. I can remember Rob asking many times ‘where’s your music?’. It was a constant but gentle nudge so of course one day I said I wanted to try and he put me in the Cherry Poppin’ show. I did one number, High School Confidential, because I knew it so well and it wasn’t a dancing tune! It’s also a lesbian anthem which would day prove so fitting. Bambi and I kept that show going annually for 5 years! Tanner mentioned the blur and the shakiness in his answer and I cannot agree more. I just remember coming off stage and just being proud and relieved and so unbelievably happy. The crowd and the dressing room are something that can’t be matched to this day.
Share some favorite Evo memories.
1. House of Homocidal shows and the way they pushed boundaries
2. Back room Drag Race viewing parties
3. A performance of the year nomination for a vulnerable number and a standing O that gave me more strength when I wondered if I still had enough
4. Building the stage with Christine and people signing the underside of it
5. Singing High School Confidential live in drag at Sapphic Panic
6. Opening for Kameron Michaels with my incredible backup dancers and then her telling me she admired that I showed my muscles instead of hiding them
7. Destroying the stage in a number and the place going nuts and then finding all those signatures the next day when we did the demo
8. Gabe’s proposal to me – Just watch my reaction
What did being crowned as the First EVOs at the new space mean to you?
Being crowned the first Evos at the new location really felt like coming home again and sharing the year with Tanner feels more right than I could have dreamed. We have both been there for a long time as customers, performers, fixer-uppers, and employees (I did security a few times lol). He holds a special place in my heart. As for the bar, I have felt like part of that family for ages so when I heard my name I was honoured and thrilled. I can still feel it now.
What advice would you give to new drag performers reading this?
I think my first word of advice for new performers would be leave the diva/attitude on stage. It can be powerful when performing but please be humble after. Then I would say learn the basics like knowing your words and not pacing the stage, as nervous as you might be. Stop and sing a few lines in one spot to the person with the biggest smile maybe? These things were taught to me and have served me well. I know I am not a dancer and don’t do big looks but I try to live in the moment of the song. Try to be supportive of everyone else in the show in the dressing room too. It takes a lot of guts for most of us just to get up there. Also, nobody is really the best because everyone in the audience likes different things in a number. It’s not a competition. Okay sometimes it literally is but you get my meaning.
What advice would you give queer or trans kids reading this?
If you are into drag? It was a great way for me to discover more about myself. I had never been on stage before and found some serious courage and then I carried that with me into the rest of my life. I also found it a powerful way to express my femininity in a safe space. It gave me more confidence than ever. It’s also a welcoming community. If you are still younger there are all ages shows you can go to and get into when you are ready. If performing isn’t your thing that’s okay too. Just come out any way you want to. Support isn’t just for performers but for all queer and trans kids finding their way.
What’s next on deck for you as a performer?
I really want to try to dance a little better and add to my looks more. More rhinestones, more glitter, more movement. It’s going to take effort but nothing worth doing is easy. I have really enjoyed adding burlesque elements to my drag at times and hope to do more of that too. Oh, and I am finally producing and hosting a show again after many years away from that and I am very excited!
Any predictions on who’s going to fill your shoes come end of January?
Who might be the next Evos? Celine Dejion, Grand Masala, Mister Risqué, Wanda Lust, Georgiie Street… Who knows? It’s always a lovely surprise!
Visit some vintage Christy on Dragging Our Heels!