At the peak of drag performance being criminalized across the country, the downtown clothing store Wildfang has partnered with the iconic Darcelle XV Showplace to break a Guinness World Record for the longest drag artist stage show. Kicking off on Monday, the event is also raising $250k for LGBTQ+ youth.
So today on City Cast Portland, host Claudia Meza talks with Kevin Cook or, as he’s better known, Poison Waters. She’s been working at the legendary Darcelle XV Showplace for over 30 years. And since reigning queen Darcelle XV, and world record holder of oldest working drag queen, passed away earlier this year at 92, Poison became the official host. Poison is sharing how she became a part of Darcelle XV Showplace’s legacy and why drag performance is so deeply entrenched in Portland culture.
Mentioned on the show:
Link to DRAG-A-THON event: https://www.wildfang.com/pages/dragathon
More information on the proposed district maps: https://www.portland.gov/transition/districtcommission/district-plan
And where to fill out the survey to share your thoughts with the city: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/YPRFD5R
If you want to learn more about Darcelle, listen to our previous episode: Remembering Portland’s 92-Year-Old Iconic Drag Queen
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