No need to wait… Grace Period has got shows to serve this Spooky Season! [Cover photo: @mattdicksonphotography]
Thotyssey: Grace, hello! It’s beginning to look and feel a lot like October, finally. Is this a good or bad thing?
Grace Period: October is one of those months that you never quite know what you’re gonna get; it’s 80 degrees during the day and 40 at night. I can only wear so many layers. With that being said though, sometimes not knowing what to expect can be a good thing! I’m all for discovery, and finding out new things about myself all the time!
Which perfectly segues to my next question. How might you describe your drag today, as far as looks and numbers go?
I always like to say that Grace is the domestic diva. She’s the lunch lady gossiping on her break, the office worker who just wants a vacation, or the nanny who has just had enough. Grace lives in the hemisphere of opportunity and desire where she is trying so hard to get somewhere else — of course, being her most melodramatic self along the way. The numbers I usually do surround this ideology and structure the way I navigate different venues and shows. The clothes are also a byproduct of this amalgamation of the story I am trying to convey with the performance. How can I connect to my community? It’s all interconnected.
Is Grace just like Real You, an exaggeration of you, or the complete opposite of you? Or all the above, lol?
I think she’s more of a projection of what I wanna see in myself, without sounding like super metaphysical! So I’d say all of the above.
Can you share a bit of your origin story with us?
I grew up in Cleveland, Ohio and went to college at the Ohio State University, where I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a minor in Theatre. My high school and college days were spent surrounded by theatre. I can’t imagine it any other way.
I discovered theatre in high school when I was asked from a friend to be part of the construction crew, which led me to watch as the actors would rehearse after school. I was so envious of them and thought to myself I can most certainly do it too. So I auditioned and only got a small part; however, the experience was revolutionary. Being part of this community felt so important to me, and it’s something I still hold onto to this day. After that, I continued looking for that community everywhere I went. Once I moved to New York after graduating college, I was searching for that community. I stumbled upon Metropolitan Bar from a friend, and found out there was an open stage every Monday.
Keep in mind, I was already doing my own makeup in my bedroom for months. But this open stage gave me the opportunity to finally debut myself to the world. Drag wasn’t new to me when I moved to New York; I really discovered drag back during Covid, when my mom and I watched [RuPaul’s Drag Race] Season 12 together. The name “Grace Period,” funnily enough, came from a conversation I had with my brother. We were talking about how he wanted to try weed for the first time, but he couldn’t because he was getting drug tested for his government job. I then asked him what the grace period was between the time you get tested and the next one. The rest is herstory.
Not only are you Grace Period, but the monthly show you host at Brooklyn’s Pink Metal is “The Grace Period!” How did that show come about… and generally speaking, how might you describe what goes down there?
Pink Metal is not where I debuted — however, I would most certainly describe it as my home bar. Once I got enough confidence to do the open stage at Metropolitan, I was on the hunt for more. I found out that Pink Metal hosts its own weekly open stage — shoutout Pacha and Xaddy for creating such an inviting and safe space for queer art.
But the real star of the show for me was Rose, the bartender. Mother of two Capricorn icon, she is what made me keep coming back. She was such a gem of a human and always brought my spirits up when I saw her. Over time, we created a relationship and I got the courage to pitch a show to her. She was immediately on board, and helped me through the entire process. The show was such a success, I inched a little closer by asking for a monthly… which was most happily obliged.
“The Grace Period” is a sickening variety drag show that changes every month. It encapsulates strong, powerful ballads to the dumbest mix you’ve ever seen. The goal is to have a great time, and cultivate a queer space where everyone can just be their most authentic selves.
That isn’t to say it’s not a lot of work, because it most certainly is. A recent trend I’ve seen in the community is to utilize AI in the making of flyers, etc. I just don’t understand why, when you are surrounded by a community of artists and creatives, you feel the need to use AI? But I digress. I am only so passionate on this topic because I make all of my own flyers for each of my shows, which does take a lot of time and effort. I do it because I care, and want it to reflect uniquely to Grace Period.
You’re going to have a special Halloween edition there on October 24, care of a tribute to Scooby-Doo. Tell us more!
The moment I saw cunty Velma on a post in her flipped bob, I knew I had to do it. The Scooby-Doo movie (2002) was such an integral part of my childhood: the iconic cast, the incredible costuming, and the hilarious dialogue. I mean truly, what’s not to love? I also knew that around Halloween, Scooby-Doo is a good theme to run with… and something everyone is familiar with.
The murder mystery portion was actually from Cheetah Quila, one of my very close drag friends, who said it would be so fun to also have it be us trying to solve a murder, which I thought was so fun. The night will consist of myself as Velma, Kraven Strange as Scooby-Doo, Leopard Killa as Shaggy, Reina NoBuena as Daphne and Julius Nicoy as Fred! All I can say for now is that there is a sudden murder among the group, and it is up to the rest of the gang to figure out who did it. The rest you’ll just have to come to Pink Metal October, 24th at 10pm to find out! See you there!
Also on October 29th, you’ll be guest performing for “Penny 4 Your Thots” presented by Penny Nicole Dime and DJ Tasheff at The Rosemont!
Penny is also a drag sister and someone I consider super close. We met at the Metropolitan, and she’s such a ki. We truly bonded when myself, her and my drag daughter, Starlynx, were the Three Chipmunks (myself as Theodore, Penny as Alvin and Star as Simon); it was one of the most fun things I’ve ever had in drag. We need to get the girls back together!
Anyways, when she presented me with a Halloween themed show for her debut and asked if I wanted to be a part of it… like, duh! I’m super proud of her and wish her nothing but the best in the drag scene. DJ Tasheff is also someone I’ve grown to know, and they are so incredible — truly an up and coming DJ not enough people are talking about. Their mixes are so fab, and they’re the sweetest person ever. Come see a sickening show October 29th at The Rosemont! Viewers beware, you’re in for a scare!
What else is coming up for you?
Well, I’ll be competing in “Miss Cheesecake” next Saturday at the Haven Lounge (683 Grand Street). Always a great time with them! Other that that, I am planning on doing a photoshoot with my drag daughter, Starlynx, very soon, so be on the lookout for that. I also have plans to start a food review series called Everybody Say Grace that is very much still in the works, but definitely is coming sooner rather than later. And with Christmas quickly approaching, there are lots of Christmas themed shoots and shows I would love to partake in! Hit your girl up! Okay but like low key I finally have a consistent schedule with my day job and have Fridays and Saturdays off… so like, let me know. OMG, who said that?
Period! Let’s conclude with: what would you rather be if forced to choose: a vampire or a werewolf?
I think the fun answer would be to say vampire because their skin sparkles, they live forever and they get to stare at Robert Pattinson all day. But I’m Team Jacob because he nicknamed Bella’s daughter after the Loch Ness Monster, which is hilarious. So because of that, I’d probably say werewolf.
Savage! Thanks, Grace!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for Grace Period’s upcoming appearances, and follow her on Instagram and TikTok.
Thotyssey 