So as you all know my hometown has birthed the country’s first drag king troupe –Bros B4 Ho’s earlier this year. If you’re not in the loop, click here. Show your love every Thursday at Bubbles Bar.
A few months ago we wondered if Cape Town had any drag kings and we had an intimate gathering/pow-wow/drinks with friends at home to talk about the possibly of a culture of drag kings being cultivated in the city/village of our Mother City.
We have a thriving drag queen culture (hey Jujubee even came down to judge one of our drag queen pageants last year). Cape Town’s first drag bar was the Brunswick Bar that was around only in the mid-90s and working behind the bar there just happened to be my first job, fresh out of school.
But drag kings. Lets just say that drag kings are unheard of round these here parts.
Ok, so some of the buddies we had over were open to performing and those who were sceptical were of the thinking that: Yes, I a lesbian but that doesn’t translate into me wanting to be a male impersonator!
BUT
Since then we’ve seen the birth of St Dude, who goes by the tagline of Cape Town’s smoothest live rapping drag king. He writes his own lyrics and now has a regular Friday night slot at Cape Town’s only drag bar – Bubbles.
St Dude - "Cape Town's smoothest live rapping drag king"
Our one and only Johnny Deep, who was the poster king for our original call for drag kings, has since graced us with an act that is backed up a voice so unique and talented it is breathtaking.
Johnny Deep
Then we had a one-night-only spoof Barry ‘Jas Right’ White act by Yvette Fredericks who shed her homemade fat suit afterwards to break out some moves as Chris Brown in a rendition of Deuces.
Barry 'Jas Right' White
Daniel Fox also got in touch to say we should expect a comeback show soon.
NOW…St Dude is looking to form a troupe! If you’re in Cape Town on 1 April (haha, no really) and think that this could be up your alley, you can discuss the idea with him at this gathering.
Drag kings have a rich and fascinating history:
Click on the pic to see more pics from the same era.
Hetty King (real name: Winifred Emms)
Olive Thomas in a man's suit.
Supermodel Christy Turlington butching it up.
Wouldn’t it be awesome for this legacy to re/born in Cape Town and for you to be part of it, whether through supporting the acts or getting on stage yourself?
Janine and Kelly
TheButchLife 