Know your drag queens
Atlanta no longer has a venue dedicated to drag, à la the short-lived Charlie Brown's Cabaret, but the drag scene has managed to spread itself throughout the city and into the 'burbs. The metro area is home to close to 100 queens and several long-running drag revues and troupes, so whether your tastes run to glam, camp or stand-up comedy, it's now possible to attend a different drag show every night of the week at various bars, clubs and even neighborhood restaurants. Here's a short list of some of Atlanta's most popular divas:
Nicole Paige Brooks – This glamour-puss is everywhere these days, performing and MCing four times a week at Blake's, Jungle, Le Buzz and other venues. Tall and slender, NPB plays the role of the unattainable sex kitten, with barely there outfits that suggest burlesque costumes. She could be voted most likely to give a straight guy a woody.
Alexandria Martin – This plus-sized queen is known for taking her act out of the front door of Blake's and into 10th Street – on roller-skates! Martin, who specializes in reviving '80s tunes with a dose of comedy, hosts Drag on the Edge at Blake's on Mondays.
Angelica D'Paige – Like other glam queens, D'Paige aims for the full-on feminine illusion, complete with a soft voice and sweetheart persona. She regularly brings her girl-next-door act to Burkhart's, Jungle and other spots around the city.
Chase Daniels – Don't sit in the front row if you don't want to get picked on by this drag king who performs and MCs at My Sister's Room on weekends. Often lip-synching to classic '70s tunes, Chase goes for the total male illusion, with faux facial stubble, discreetly stuffed shorts and even painted-on six-pack abs.
Rogue Nation – A former race-car driver – no kidding! – Ms. Nation says she loves messing with an audience's gender-role expectations. Often seen in cahoots with NPB.
Bianca Nicole – This glamorous transsexual prefers getting dolled up in elaborate gowns and lip-synching to languorous ballads rather than disco tunes – a change of pace that likely helped her win the crown of National Entertainer of the Year.
Lateasha Shante Shuntel – Whew, that name is a mouthful, honey! The blond, transsexual Shuntel is Atlanta's queen of crunk, with an act she describes as "ghetto hip-hop." Who doesn't enjoy a friendly sing-along to "Beat That Bitch with a Bottle"?
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