Drag Idol

(Alexandria Martin and Daphne Ruth Jenkins pictured at the Inaugural Miss Beaver Creek Gray Water Trailer Park Princess Pageant)





This past Thursday was the start of the Atlanta Drag Idol competition at Charlie Brown's Cabaret in Underground Atlanta. It's been several years since I last saw Charlie's show back when she and the girls were at Backstreet. That night had left a bad taste in my mouth due to the overly enthusiastic Cro-Magnons that were working security there at the time. It had been even longer since I'd made my last trip to Underground. The only thing I remember from that visit is the distinct aroma of urine.

However, our beautiful and talented friend, Alexandria Martin, had been chosen as one of the nine contestants in this by-invitation-only competition. Therefore, DJ and I plucked up our courage and headed to downtown Atlanta for an evening of entertainment and drama. There, we met up with the lovely seamstress, Catherine Jones. Cathy has generously donated a $200 gift certificate to her custom apparel company, Maganda Couture, for the winner of the competition. The Drag Idol also gets added to Charlie's cast!

First of all, let me say that Charlie's new space is a vast improvement over Backstreet. The club is spacious enough to fit a large crowd, but still cozy and intimate so you feel right there next to the performers. The crowd contains the expected mix of cute gay boy drag groupies and straight gawkers. However, the overly tweeky party crowd from the old Backstreet days is nowhere in sight. Also, the security presence is firm, but polite. I didn't feel like I needed protection from them. How refreshing.

My only complaint with the atmosphere would be that the sound system is still a little too loud and over-bearing. I can understand why it was necessary in Backstreet since they had to drown out the music coming from the dance floor. I guess they're still trying to block out the noise from the surrounding clubs. I'm just not sure that it's necessary to pump the sound so loud that the audience's ears bleed.

Charlie and her girls started off the evening with a couple of numbers before the competition started. I'm happy to say that Charlie is looking better than I've seen her in ages. Her recent sabbatical and gastric bypass surgery have done wonders for her. She opened the night with a saucy rendition of When You're Good To Mama from Chicago. As usual, she had naughty fun teasing the drunk straight people and flirting with the hot gay boys.

Heather Daniels "The Sex Kitten of Atlanta" is still a vision right out of a straight-boy's hottest wet dream. Heck, even Dana was chasing after her like a puppy in heat. He may be queer as a three dollar bill, but that boy sure loves him some jugs! Heather clearly returned the interest, giving Dana a wicked grin and purring, "You're a cute one," as he slipped her a tip.

Likewise, Shawna Brooks "Atlanta's Diva of Dance" can still knock a crowd dead with her kickin' bod and thrilling moves. However, your enjoyment of the rest of the cast will depend on your affinity for old school drag. If you want rocking, performing-on-the-edge excitement, it's the Drag Idol competition you need to see. These girls are hungry!

Alexandria wowed the crowd, as always, stepping out in a sparkling Maganda Couture original wrap. As the tempo to her song (What A Feeling from Flashdance) picked up, she whipped the wrap off and threw it in the air. Hilariously, it got caught on the disco ball in front of the stage and remained there for the rest of Alexandria's number. At this point in her performance, Alexandria began rollerskating around the stage and into the audience wearing a girlishly flattering pink dress. The crowd went wild with delight!

But don't assume that Alexandria can just skate her way to victory. The competition is ferocious. Several of these ladies are just brimming with originality and talent. I wish I could describe them all in detail. However, it was getting late and I was naturally on the brink of blacking out from a few too many cocktails. I will say that Jade Daniels really impressed me. She came out in an absolutely enormous wig, teased up into a fierce mohawk. Her attitude and confident stage presence mark her as a contestant to watch as the weeks roll along.

Sadly, not everyone could move onto next week's show and one girl had to be eliminated. This week's casualty was Jealousy. The skinny bitch was obviously the victim of unflattering ass pads. They looked like two baked hams poking out of the back of her tights.

Next week's theme is show tunes. It will be interesting to see how these talented ladies react when forced to push themselves out of their comfort zones. It's sure to mix things up. Break a leg (but not another heel), Alexandria!

Smooches,
Daphne Ruth Jenkins