"Anybody who can step out of the house with a pair of heels and some lipstick on their lips is my hero." -Ru Paul
Everyone has seen Ru Paul's Drag Race or at least heard of it, but not everyone has had the opportunity to see a live drag show. While television showcases the competitive side of the drag world that can sometimes get pretty nasty, a true analysis of drag culture cannot be done without experiencing it in person. In order to give people a taste of this experience and hopefully inspire them to look into it themselves, I took gifs throughout my night at the Velvet Lounge, a top-notch drag bar located in Orange County. As the host, Mama D walked me through a night of good food, holiday spirit, and the full drag experience, I captured everything that made the show what it was.
1. Lots and lots of glitter.
2. Bar food that is much better than it sounds.
3. Makeup that you thought you could only find on Instagram.
4. Club lights
5. Audience participation (highly encouraged!)
6. More ones than you've ever seen in your life.
7. Fowl language
8. Extravagant costumes
9. Choreographed dance routines with lip syncing.
10. Big wigs
11. Raunchy humor
12. More than enough drinks.
13. Endless applause
14. You'll want to film every moment.
15. Most importantly, contagious smiles.
All gifs taken at the VLVT Velvet Lounge: Orange County.