"It feels great," drag king Fudgie Frottage said in an interview with the Bay Area Reporter. "Drag is a legit occupation now and kings are getting famous."
Frottage was referring to the 28th annual San Francisco Drag King Contest, which returns to Oasis on September 8. Frottage, who calls himself "the man with the biggest balls in show business," has been involved with drag even longer than that.
During the late 1980s, he hung out with the late drag legend Doris Fish and her troupe Sluts A Go Go, who were his drag role models. Frottage is a fan of Fish's 1991 cult film "Vegas in Space," in which there were drag kings. The term drag king came into being during the 1980s when Leigh Crow, who will serve as one of the judges at the September 8 contest, began doing her Elvis Herselvis character.
"We made our own rules then and we make our own rules now," said Frottage.
This year's contest has a most unusual theme, Classic Rock and Elastic Cock.
"Over the years the contest has had many themes," said Frottage. "This year we will be focusing on classic rock songs, but that doesn't mean the theme won't be stretched way past that boundary, much like a silicone or a rubber packer, a drag king staple. One of our oldest sponsors is Vixen Creations. They supply us with prizes for the winners."
Another of the contest's participants is beloved drag queen Sister Roma, who will cohost along with Frottage.
"Sister Roma is a dear old friend who has always been there for me and for the kings," Frottage said. "She is a treasured legend in our community, hosting events all over the world. She brings her love, humor and experience to the table. If I should drop dead onstage, goddess forbid, Roma could host the show without me, and without missing a beat. I just got a text from her; "All hail the kings. I can't wait to see you."
Kingly
Other stars slated to appear include Klingon Vanna White, Lotus Boy, Mad Dogg 20/20, Jota Mercury, Vera!, Rebel Kings and Meatflap.
Famed king Mo B. Dick will also be a participant in the contest. He'll be making a cameo appearance during the opening number and will also be one of the judges. Mo brings quite a bit of experience to the stage. He is the curator of DragKingHistory.com, an online resource library that showcases female-born women who dress in men's attire for theatrical purposes, from variety to vaudeville, male impersonation to drag kings, to the gender free.
"In 2020, the US Library of Congress requested and was granted permission to archive this website for generations to come," said Mo.
Mo B. Dick has also flirted with being a movie star, having been cast by John Waters in his 1998 film "Pecker."
"He handpicked me for his film 'Pecker,' where I played T-Bone the stripper with a drag king twist," Mo said. "I was the first character that he worked with for that film and it was an incredibly memorable experience for me as well as being one of the very best highlights of my life. It is an honor and a privilege to call John a friend."
Mo has been a regular at the SF Drag King Contest for years, he and Frottage have been friends since 1996. And in the 1990s Mo's New York City group The Men of Club Casanova performed at many events in San Francisco.
"I've had a great affinity for SF," said Mo. "I was influenced by an article in SF Weekly written by Amy Linn in 1995. The article highlighted many notable SF drag kings such as Elvis Herselvis, Fudgie Frottage, SF luminaries Stafford, Jordy Jones, and musician Anderson Toone. The article also mentioned bisexual Buddhist Frances Vavra, who was a secretary by day and drag king by night. Her transformation was astounding. I quickly realized my initial belief that drag kings were only ascribed to butches or lesbians was a falsehood. This cemented my decision to become a drag king."
This year's contest will serve as a fundraiser for Rocket Dog Rescue and PAWS (Pets Are Wonderful Support), two organizations that are near and dear to Frottage's heart. PAWS is a volunteer-based organization that provides for the comprehensive needs of companion animals for low-income people with HIV/AIDS and other disabling illnesses. Rocket Dog Rescue is also volunteer-run. They save dogs from being put down at overcrowded shelters and find them loving homes. Frottage told the B.A.R. that he has a deep love for animals.
"The unconditional love they have has kept me sane," he said. "Both are wonderful organizations. I adore Muttville as well and just adopted another Pomeranian from them on Pink Saturday.
Frottage is sure that contest attendees will have a great time.
"I work my ass off to produce a great show," he said. "The audience always has a fantastic time. It's important to have fans who appreciate a good laugh, and who get that Kinging is just as valid as any art form."
The 28th Annual San Francisco Drag King Contest, September 8, 7pm, Oasis, 298 11th St. $25 advance, $40-$55 general admission, VIP seating available. www.sfdragkingcontest.com
The show will stream online for $20 at www.watch.sfoasis.com
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