Submitted by First City Pride Center
June 21, 2023 – We talked with a judge and a drag queen about what they expect to show and shade at the event.
Amara Fiyera may dream of performing in NYC, but she will slay at the So You Think You Can Drag? competition.
“I’m going on 4 years of working as a queen and it’s really helped me come into my own,” says Amara. “I saw my first drag show at 18 and started playing with the idea of performing after watching RuPaul’s Drag Race and being introduced to ways I never knew drag could go. I blew caution to the wind and signed up for my first show.
“In my opinion, the best thing about being a drag performer is that we represent a community that inspires people to be their most authentic selves. We give a voice to those who are afraid to speak up, spreading love and acceptance,” she says. “In drag I tend to act more outgoing and flamboyant in keeping the crowd entertained; I’m much more introverted when not in drag.”
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Amara wants to be an inspiration for young queer kids who may not get to see people like drag queens often. “Representation does matter even if others want to take that away from us,” she says.
Amara likes to be versatile with her drag performance. “I never wanna stick to one style of entertainment. Sometimes I’m sexy, sometimes I’m funny, sometimes I’m wacky. I love keeping the crowd guessing! I wish that people didn’t always have expectations on what a drag artist should be. So many want drag to only be one thing, the pretty Instagram model type. It’s so much more than just looking beautiful, it’s about getting in touch with that inner star power within you.”
With costumes by “a few queens here and there”, including Ruby Hymen, Mister Meaner and Marie Con, Amara looks forward to sharing her drag with the community. “I love making connections, bonding and sharing stories with other artists.”
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Corbin Monoxcide is pretty much the same as their onstage persona, “a blue and ethereal sexy thing of nature”. They will be judging the So You Think You Can Drag? competition at Stonewall Block Party. They like to see the drive of the performers and “the individuality they bring to the stage. Everyone’s talent is different and I love seeing the power they harness when they’re on stage.”
Corbin got into drag through the Jinx on Congress Street and joined the Savannah Sweet Tease Burlesque Revue in 2018. They make all their own costumes – the rhinestoning, the modification, everything. “I love making clothes and building props, so I love to show off my craft.” They wish people knew more about how many facets there are to drag. “People think that drag is just femme present and pageant but, in reality, it’s the art of cabaret personified. It’s about showing up, having fun and entertaining the audience.”
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Corbin wants the drag contestants to know that their art is valid and that “showing up is so powerful and necessary to not just the queer community in Savannah, but everywhere that they go.” They think a great drag performer manifests queer joy at drag/burlesque shows and it “is so beautiful and I love being surrounded by it. My energy and love for dancing and the energy of the crowd that comes to see me” makes a great performance.
Looking forward to seeing “all the new faces” at the Stonewall Block Party, Corbin says, “anytime I go to queer centered events, I meet so many new people and I look forward to sharing my art with new and returning members of the community.”
The So You Think You Can Drag? competition will be judged by a panel of 4 professional drag performers and the winner is guaranteed a paid Saturday night performance spot on the mainstage at Savannah Pride in October. All the competitors are sponsored by local businesses and the winning sponsor will be introduced on the mainstage, wins two 2023 FCPC VIP tickets, all the benefits of a supporting sponsor for Savannah Pride 2023 (Logo placement on webpage, logo placement on signage at event, recognition as sponsor in marketing materials and social media), and a color ad in the fall Equality Directory. All entries raise money for the First City Pride Center!
The Stonewall Block Party is an annual free event on Bull Street between E 31st and E 33rd Street! This year we are celebrating our 6th anniversary and paying tribute to Stonewall with musical entertainment, advocacy & community organizations.
Join us for entertainment by DJ Basik Lee, featured performers from the Tongue Open Mouth and Music show, as well as a Drag Competition featuring local favorites. There will be free HIV testing, the return of the BEAD GAME, food trucks and drinks. Inside First City Pride Center we will have our VIP area and center tours featuring “This is Trans” portrait gallery by Mx. Vincent-Natasha (NV) Gay (on display 6/24 – 7/22).
Come early to grab a drink and get settled for an evening of community, visibility and commemoration of Stonewall and the LGBTQIA+ Rights Movement.
If you go
What: Stonewall Block Party
Where: 1515 Bull Street, Savannah, GA 31401
When: June 24, 2023 5 p.m.-10 p.m.
Details: This event is free and open to the public with optional VIP Tickets and Fundraising Games.
Investment provided by the City of Savannah
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