A newer drag queen and show producer bringing a vibe all her own to the scene… become a slave to the rhythm of Groovy Bluez! [Cover photo: Myles Tate]
Thotyssey: Happy Memorial Day, Groovy! How did the month of May treat you?
Groovy Bluez: Hey! May has been a crazy month, but pretty good so far. I’ve been doing a lot of preparation for June, but all of the new opportunities I’ve been exploring this month have been super cool! I’m also very excited that it’s nice and warm outside; I love running around looking stunning in the sun!
Indeed! The last time I saw you perform was at Hardware a few months ago–you were Lexington Banks‘ onstage guest! Was that your first time performing there?
It was, and I had an absolute blast! The Hardware crew are all amazing people, and Lexington is such a sweetheart. Honestly, such a pleasure to get to ki with everyone in the neighborhood and turn up the party! “Slay Saturdays” is the perfect vibe for a a weekend groove if you ask me!
Can you share a bit of your origin story?
Yeah! I’m originally from Boston, Massachusetts, and grew up in hopes of becoming a ballet dancer. When I turned 17, I got an opportunity to move to NYC to study ballet… and after the pandemic, I had gotten a company contract to dance in Florida.
What I didn’t know was that being a part of the company wasn’t what I thought it would be like. I was doing repertoire that didn’t excite me, and I was given very little opportunity to share my own choreography or creativity. It put a lot of things into perspective for me, and ultimately I knew that drag was a passion of mine before I had even left to become a dancer.
I didn’t spend any time in New York experiencing drag when I was there. So I moved back! Groovy was reborn into the NYC nightlife scene as the perfect blend of dance and pop culture. I’m able to explore so many more mediums of art, and tell so many new stories to current audiences. Best decision in my whole life!
How would you describe your drag looks and numbersโฆ and did something specific inspire your name?
Groovy is for sure a Rhythm and Blues Gurlie. If I’m not performing an electric dance-heavy throwback 80s number, then it’s gotta be something smooth and funky! I do try to stay as current as I can, though.
I love the idea that being “Groovy” translates to so many different types of music and decades of time; the groove is infinite, baby. My drag name comes from when I used to sneak into the House of Blues to see the bands that toured there. It was right next to my high school, Boston Arts Academy, and I knew the guy who worked the door from an assembly we had at their theater. One of my first interactions with drag was at the HoB when the AAA Girls (Alaska, Courtney Act, Willam) were still a thing.
Love that! We currently have queens bringing classical, opera and rock onto the drag stageโฆ maybe you can bring jazz to the children someday!
Hell yeah! Jazz and ballet! I wanna be the Jerome Robbins of drag!
So Tuesday you are producing what looks to be an amazing drag tribute to reality TV staple Big Brother, appropriately called “Big Sister,” at Purgatory! What can you tell us about it?
I’m so glad you asked; this is a project I’ve been working so hard to make happen! Both my younger brother and I are huge BB fans, and we’ve talked so many times about seeing a version of the show with drag artists!
“Big Sister,” at it’s core, is a strategy game. Each round, they’ll compete in mini-games for power and safety and vote each other out one by one! What happens in the show is completely up to the performers–so every vote, blindside and eviction will be in their hands. I’m bringing together my favorite performers from across Brooklyn to see who has what it takes to make it to the end!
And then on June 1st, you’ll be in the cast of “Extra Extra” at Pianos.
It’s going to be a lot of fun! I’m performing alongside a bunch of really good friends of mine, and many new faces, too. So I’m extra ready to kick off the start of Pride and party!
What else is coming up for you?
On June 22nd I’ll be competing in Inita D’s competition “Mx Cantina!” I’m super duper excited to bring a finale package to Frescos, and hoping I can present some true authentic Groovy moves to the table and give a good show.
I’m also working on a project where I’ll be sharing my pointe work soon, but I can share more about that later on! As the summer approaches I’ll be hopping around jumping in more shows–so definitely stay tuned to the IG story for all the details to come!
Okay, lastly: what’s your favorite item in your drag bag?
Good question! Okay, probably my Juvia’s Place Blushed Rose Eyeshadow Palette! It was actually a gift from my friend Bertha. It always goes in the bag… there’s enough colors to touch up whatever you need. And a pressed powder, of course, which recently I’ve been using the NYX Can’f Stop Won’t Stop powder.
Thanks, Groovy!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for Groovy Bluez’s upcoming appearances, and follow her on Instagram and Twitter.
Thotyssey 