SAN FRANCISCO - DragStrip Productions will host the 13th Annual Drag King Contest August 16 at DNA Lounge. The event benefits Pets are Wonderful Support.
Hard and throbbing musical productions, firm and penetrating performances, and extraordinary feats of entertainingly unbridled masculine stamina and staying power are set to explode over the wildly anticipating and engorged-to-capacity crowd at 8 p.m.
"The San Francisco Drag King Contest is a mash-up of the Miss America Pageant, American Idol, Halloween and a monster truck show," impresario Fudgie Frottage said.
"It's a huge event," said contest judge Simone DeLaGetto. "Everyone dresses up in their finest. It's a celebration of ‘being,' not just expressing yourself as a gender - a celebration of self, of being able to go out and have a good time. And, at the same time, there's a part that's just over-the-top cheesiness. But the energy is so high."
The San Francisco Chronicle called the event "one of the most boisterous parties of the year." The San Francisco Bay Times rated it "sexy, campy, dragalicious, professionally executed and full of talent." According to The Onion, it's "impressive, varied and wild."
"Prepare to be amazed by the variety, astounded by the veracity, and properly impressed by the figurative and literal balls on display," warned a writer for the San Francisco Bay Guardian.
Frottage, known as "the man with the biggest balls in show business," and burlesque chanteuse, comic and siren The Indra (a bi-sexual, bi-polar, half-male, half-female character) return to preside over the festivities as master and half-mistress of ceremonies.
"Fudgie and Indra possess a magical chemistry and timing that ranks with the likes of George Burns and Gracie Allen meets Sonny and Cher with a bit of Three Stooges and Marx Brothers thrown in," according to the San Francisco Bay Times.
The event will showcase Fakin' Aiken, reigning 2007 Solo King, for his impeccable Clay Aiken impersonation; the Pacmen, 2007 troupe winners for their dazzling choreography; Kitty Kitty Bang Bang, a glamorous aerialist burlesque troupe; and special guest Electro, the Pop 'n' Lock King and San Francisco Drag King 2000 titleholder. In addition, the Mighty Slim Pickins, a "what-the-f*uckabilly band," will perform. As always, the gender-bending contestants will be the center of attention.
"If you can get the audience going and people are really engaged by your number, that says so much more than facial hair, or passing ability, or any of that stuff," said Jay Walker, Drag King 2005 and Mr. Trannyshack 2004. "Creativity, good production and pushing the edge of what we've already seen, that's what makes this the best show in San Francisco."
Contestants are judged on talent, creativity, studliness, sex appeal, originality, humor, make-up/facial hair and fashion by the illustrious panel of celebrity judges, this year including 2006 Drag King titleholder Buck Naked, Simone DeLaGetto of Harlem Shake Burlesque, and Sister Roma of The Tim & Roma Show and Hot House Video.
Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door.
Sponsors of the event include Vixen Creations, Buck Angel, Glama-Rama, Black & Blue Tattoo, Good Vibrations, Costumes on Haight, Mr. S. Leather, Pretzel's Yoga, the San Francisco Bay Guardian and the Center for Sex and Culture.
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