Last weekend, Brad, Tam and I went to our local pride drag brunch. I left Felix at home because he doesn’t like loud noises and I thought it would be too much for him. I’m realizing more and more that I need to be respectful of Felix’s needs like not being around a lot of loud noises and sometimes leaving him home instead of bringing him with me in these situations.
We arrived early and were seated at a table with two very nice people who run an art store, and a previous year’s Mr. Rock Hill Pride and his daughter. We took some pictures in the parking lot and then of us before the festivities began. I am wearing a pink floral dress and am covered in unicorn glitter. I have a feather rainbow headband on. Tam is wearing a tie-dye blue shirt with a rainbow bow headband and some blue rhinestones around her eyes. Brad went all out with rainbow sequin blazer, rainbow pants, a red rhinestone top hat, rainbow eyelashes, and lots of glitter!
Our table mates were so trusting that they left their phone and stack of dollar bills on the table when they went to get something to drink! I was feeling anxious, so I held hands with Brad and Tamara and it helped. We were also seated at table 13, which was Aunt Nancy’s favorite number, so we felt like she was there enjoying it with us!
We were the first table called to get in the brunch line and they had so much good food! Even plenty of food that Brad could eat! My favorites were the eggs Benedict and the strawberry shortcake. Yum! I think Brad and Tam loved the BBQ chicken. And Brad was happy to have grilled pineapple that he could eat (he just took off the marscapone which was just lying on top of it).
Then it was time for the show! I brought out my ear protection as I knew it would otherwise be too loud for me. They are just orange construction ear protection—I really need to get some that are more me!
The first entertainer (Buff Faye) came out, and she was dressed in a rainbow themed outfit. Brad got a few of pictures of her.
The next performer (Lilli Frost) seemed to be more of a Cher impersonator. She had a really cute bodysuit on.
The third performer (Devida) was our favorite—she actually sang the song herself! She was dressed in a silver outfit. We all gave her tips since she was doing an actual performance and not just walking around grabbing money from people.
I really liked the next performer, too (Kelly Razzberry). She was dressed in green fringe and did lots of kicks and was very high energy! There was a little boy there at the performance who was having so much fun and he started to get up and dance with the performers! They had a blast together!
Next up was a woman in a black bodysuit with green fringe (Malayia Chanel Iman).
Then Buff Faye came back out in a gold costume. She really had fun with the little boy!
Then we had a game where we had some audience members dress up in drag, which was pretty fun! The little boy got to participate and ended up diving across the floor several times in excitement during the charity donation collection! Then they gave out some awards, which Mary at our table won one of for Blue Goose Art Supply being the most involved sponsor!
Next up was Malayia Chanel Iman in a funky orange and pink.
Mr. Rock Hill Pride was up next in a gold jacket with a huge spike on each shoulder.
Next up was the Cher impersonator Lilli Frost, and they were really trying hard to sell mini Jello shots, so Tam bought 4 and they gave her 6!!!!!! They hardly had any alcohol in them, though.
Next up was the previous singer Devida, who didn’t sing this time but had a gorgeous dress with huge sequins in a rainbow of colors. I loved her dress!
Buff Faye was back next, with a white body suit with “applause” written all over it to go with her choice of song. It had these huge wing things filled with air or something.
The second to last performer (Kelly Razzberry) was getting tired, and she was in a red dress. She was the same one in the green outfit before, and I think she overdid her first performance.
The last performer (Malayia Chanel Iman) was doing Tina Turner impersonation, and she was really tired. So Brad only got a couple pictures of her, and then one of all the performers at the end.
Overall it was a fun experience and I’m glad we went. But the performers walked around collecting ones most of the time instead of putting on performances like I expected. I guess we need to go to a real/non-brunch drag show for that, or maybe not one where the queens are having to do so much in the days leading up to the event with the Pride activities. Oh well. But still we had a great time and it was worth it! It was Brad’s and my first drag experience in person!