The Alchemy of Drag

S P A C E: The Drag Show explores the complex universe around us and the astonishing universe within us, through the magic of astrology, the science of astronomy, and the alchemy of drag! Each show in the series holds space (!) for artists and audiences to embody the energy, myths, and both shared cultural and deeply personal connections of each celestial body we visit.

In August 2022, we began our journey through the solar system with The Sun, an outdoor queer maker’s fair and drag show at Irving Park, featuring a truly star-studded cast of all the future hosts of the planetary shows in this series. Transitioning to our home venue of Blackwater Bar for the colder months, we’ve since been to Mercury, Venus, Earth, The Moon, Mars, and then we went back to Irving Park for The Asteroid Belt (marking the halfway point in our 2 year long journey). Then back to Blackwater Bar for year 2 of our journey, with Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto before we ended the series with our finale event: The Solar System - at the Clinton Street Theater - in which we reunited all of the hosts of the previous 12 shows, from The Sun to Pluto! Knowing where we’re heading is a new, (hopefully) more sustainable and spacious way for us as producers to create and experience a multi-dimensional drag experience — perhaps for you as artists and audience, too!

For each show, we curate a cast of local (and some out-of-town!) performers, drag artists, and musicians who we sense, with our Cancerian magic, could together hold the complex and far-ranging energies of each planet. We host an opening dinner where performers and hosts connect, share a planetary-themed meal, and workshop our ideas for the show. At the show itself, we create as many portals for the energy of the planet to enter and be entered into as we can — astrologers and tarot readers addressing the specific energies of the celestial body in audience members’ charts, magical raffle items, custom drink specials, corresponding vendors, a living altar to the planet (within the overall altar of the show), and sometimes even interactive activities like The Idea Temple for Mercury, and Love Notes for Venus…

Every show has such a unique energy, and calls in different audiences and artists. Perhaps you have been called to every show, or perhaps just one. However your orbit intersects with this show: thank you for sharing S P A C E with one another, and with us.

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