Yes, Indianapolis gets its share of RuPaul royalty rolling through: Alyssa Edwards hits the city on May 16th, and Trixie Mattel is bringing her SUPER DISCO DJ set to the Egyptian Room at Old National Center on Friday, June 12 (doors 8 p.m., show 9 p.m.; tickets on sale May 1). I got my tix, did you?
And lest we forget, Indy claimed two of Drag Race's own: Blair St. Clair (Season 11) and Ciera Myst (Season 18) are both hoosier gals who still grace our local stages from time to time.
But! Stop watching TV and go outside. Indianapolis has a thriving local drag scene; here's your crowdsourced guide to where the queens thrive.
Bring tip money!
I wanna take you to a gay bar.
Greg's is your go-to. Or am I biased because the drinks are so strong? There's a show every Friday night, and PinkSlip, an all-drag improv group, performs the first Sunday of every month at 7 p.m. Chaotic, funny, gay. Bring cash!
Downtown homos know Metro and Tini on Mass Ave are good for a show: your best bet is to follow their socials (@metromassave / @tiniontheave) since the lineups rotate.
Shelby Street Tavern, gay-owned and located just south of Garfield Park, regularly hosts drag events and is also a solid spot for a drink. RIP Cafe Babette tho? I loved their croissants.
This is for the theater gays
Indy Drag Theater stages full-length productions: think traditional musicals and weird reimaginations of drama and drag. They're now at Phoenix Theater, close to Club Indy. If you haven't been, bring some culture into your life and fix that. (indydragtheatre.org)
Cryptid Entertainment is one of the newer theater groups in town, and they're not afraid to go there — they're opening Hedwig and the Angry Inch on May 15th with Ilana A La Mode in the title role. My favorite cryptid is the mothman. How about you? (facebook.com/CryptidIndy)
The Irving Theater hosts regular drag shows, and Monsterz Inc., right around the corner, hosts frequent drag events too. Both look weird! A compliment. :)
Legends to know by name
I’m sure you know Patricia Yolanda Weave or Pat Yo Weave, if you’re nasty. If you don’t, do you even go out? She keeps her schedule on Instagram. Follow her there to catch her next appearance.
Vanity Rex does live movie commentary at the Kan Kan once a month, which sounds like the best possible way to watch a movie.
Max Maneater does concept drag all over the city — including Drag Science Theater at Garfield Park, which sounds delightful and educational. (maxmaneater.com)
Chantal Deveraux hosts drag events at Ash and Elm. The fleeting youth is my favorite. The cider, not a read!
Maurice Mantini: drag king, burlesque host, your favorite uncle, and a regular at White Rabbit Cabaret, hosts The Happy Hour on the first Friday of every month. (facebook.com/mauricemantini)
Not the usual suspects
Almost Famous hosts Emergence, an open drag stage every 2nd Thursday, hosted by Lady Dumpster and MJ Banks — a great place to catch emerging performers. (almostfamousindy.com)
Metazoa Brewing does drag queen bingo on the second Wednesday of every month. Craft beer + bingo + queens + animals.
Hotel Carmichael reportedly does a drag brunch, but I’m surprised to hear they do drag in Carmel?
YassCrit runs a TTRPG live play called Dragons, Dice, & Divas. Yes, drag meets Dungeons & Dragons. Performing at The Wit Theater, Gen Con, and Indiana Comic Con. Critical 20’s across the board!! I was told they also produce one-off hybrid drag shows. Keep an eye on yasscrit.com.
Know a queen or venue I missed? LMK (politely.)
Jakey <3
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