Houston’s Drag Kings Are Suiting Up for Their Moment in the Spotlight | Eater Houston
"Became the de facto headquarters for the Houston drag king scene and the launching pad for Ian Syder-Blake’s drag king troupe, Kings of Houston, after he says he "had approached every queer space or venue in the greater Houston area, from Kingwood to Galveston, but [this venue] was the only venue that would agree to host a drag king show." Owner Julie Mabry says drag kings are paid: "drag kings make $400 per show or about $45 to $50 per hour." The host of the venue's regular Drag Royale show makes $35 per hour for two to three shows a week. Syder-Blake describes his own start there: “I got in there in a flannel shirt and jeans — bad Walmart drag — and a badly lined goatee, and I performed for the first time,” he says. “I was super awkward on stage, but I had fun.” In summer 2024 a longtime security guard and performer took over hosting duties, and of that first revival show he said, "The energy was just basically a big celebration... We’re all back. … It was just a big reunion." The venue also faced fallout from anti-drag legislative pressure: its owner was denied insurance after a state bill targeting "sexually oriented performances" was announced, which performers say reduced attendance and emboldened hecklers." - Lane Gillespie
