Boiz of Austin Drag King Showcase
The Boiz are back in town (and this time they’ve brought friends)
By Beth Sullivan, 1:14PM, Tue. Nov. 14, 2017
As we recover from our Austin International Drag Festival debauchery, it’s important not to forget the best part of any event: the after-party. Or, in this case, the after-showcase.
Tonight, Boiz of Austin will host their Drag King Showcase, the official post-Drag Fest showcase. Bringing together local and national drag performers, the event hopes to demonstrate the importance of supporting the often overshadowed side of drag: kings and genderqueer performers.
According to the troupe’s de facto ringleader Alexander the Great, the Boiz fill an essential hole left in the scene after Austin’s longtime genderqueer drag collective Kings N Things disbanded in 2015. “We’re the home of Austin Drag Kings and gender non-conforming performers,” Alexander told Gay Place. “Drag should be about everyone, and we’re happy to represent different angles of the spectrum.”
Though there’s no theme for tonight's show, the audience, as always, is encouraged to come dressed in their favorite drag. New York’s Miss Malice will (f)emmecee while the Boiz work their magic on stage alongside some stellar out-of-towners. Special guests include the venerable Spikey Van Dykey, forever dapper Tucker Noir, and “Contradiction King” Paradox Rei (hailing from San Antonio, y’all), among others.
“We're excited to share how incredible Kings are, not just us, but [players] from all across the country,” explains Alexander, who feels it's a particular honor to have nationally recognized genderfluid performers like Spikey Van Dykey and K. James on the bill. Dykey’s signature coiffed ‘do, glitter-crusted beard, and onstage antics have caused many to call him “The Most Famous Drag King in the World.” While James, with his suave lip syncing, won 2016’s “Drag King of the Year” back in their Brooklyn stomping grounds.
The Boiz of Austin showcase turns gender on its head all night long. “The goal is to break the gender binary, hold a safe space for queer and trans people, and to keep it all weird in the process!”
Boiz of Austin Drag King Showcase is going down tonight at Elysium, 705 Red River St. Doors at 9pm, showtime 10pm. $5 G/A, $10-20 VIP seating. This show is 18 and up.
A note to readers: Bold and uncensored, The Austin Chronicle has been Austin’s independent news source for over 40 years, expressing the community’s political and environmental concerns and supporting its active cultural scene. Now more than ever, we need your support to continue supplying Austin with independent, free press. If real news is important to you, please consider making a donation of $5, $10 or whatever you can afford, to help keep our journalism on stands.
Feb. 18, 2022
Feb. 18, 2022
Drag Kings, Boiz of Austin, Kings N Things, Alexander the Great
