Once associated with one of the world’s best known drag show / nightlife production brands, Alexis Kmieck has since cemented her own place in the scene with “Stoned.” [Cover photo: @briton.jpg / @pictureplastic]
Thotyssey: Hello Alexis! How is autumn treating you so far?
Alexis Kmieck: It’s been way too cold, but she’s been cute! Gay Halloween was fun as always.
Excellent! Will there be anything getting stuffed on Gay Thanksgiving, lol?
Hopefully me! And a turkey, too…or tofurkey for the vegan vegetarians.
By the way, are you officially a New Yorker most of the year?
Yes, I live in NYC full time. Brooklyn baby!
In general, are you constantly planning multiple future events and booking performers way in advance, or do you take things one event at a time?
I take things one event at a time, for sure. The idea for the production comes to me first, and then I go from there! I pick what performers I think fit best with the vision… I don’t just throw up parties to throw them up. The inspiration comes first, then the event is manifested.
I’m very curious about how all this came to be, but we better start all the way at the beginning: where are you from originally, and what sort of interests did you have growing up?
I’m from Miami, originally! Growing up, I loved dressing up and putting on shows for whoever would watch, and also putting my little brother into giesh to be my co-star… which is funny, because now it’s kind of what I do as my job. Lol! I also loved reading, I sang in choir, and I attempted sports — but I was horrible at all of them.
How did you come across the worlds of nightlife and event producing?
Well, I started out working for Voss Events, the production company behind the Drag Race: Werq the World tours, both in the office producing the tours and on the road as a production assistant. I spent so much time working and living on a bus with so many amazing queens building working relationships and friendships — plus my production background of putting together world tours — it kind of naturally led me to this once my Voss journey was over. I knew I still wanted to work with the girls and I had my own ideas for shows… and boom, here we are today
You must’ve learned so much about the biz from Voss Events! I imagine that’s a very tight run ship that also has to be open and ready for a lot of unexpected drag chaos.
“Unexpected drag chaos” is an understated way of describing it. Every single day felt like it could have been made into a reality TV show! But that’s also what made the gig fun.
How did “Stoned,” your recurring showcase at 3 Dollar Bill and other venues across the country often featuring RuGirls performing, come about?
I love drag, smoking weed, and bringing fun, queer people together to be silly and just have a fun time. That’s what birthed Stoned. “Stoned” is a double entendre because you can smoke a lot of weed and get stoned, but drag queens also stone their looks for the gig.
Have you had any favorite performers or moments from Stoned at this point?
I’ve honestly loved every single Stoned, but I think a favorite would be Sasha Colby because 1) it’s Sasha Colby, and 2) we toured together and we both loved smoking weed, so we developed a beautiful friendship toking outside of venues together. She was actually one of the first people I envisioned doing Stoned with, but she was hard to pin down, lol — booked and busy. It was a beautiful moment when I finally had her though, because it was right as that bitch Tr*mp was becoming president again and it was an amazing celebration of trans excellence and love.
Also, the 420 Easter Egg Hunt with Willam and Lady Bunny was buck wild! You had to be there. And Miami, with Yvie and Tayce — I’m from Miami, so that was so full circle and fab. I also got to work with my Miami sisters Juicy Love and FKA Twink, which was everything.
More great memories no doubt will be made this Thursday when Stoned returns to 3 Dollar Bill, this time with a Ma theme headlined by recent Drag Race breakout star Kori King! Have you had any prior experiences with Kori… and how do you think this night is gonna go?
So I actually hadn’t when I booked her! I did however, pop out to “ButtTootKing” when they were at 3 Dollar Bill. Fabulous show by the way; I was watching in the crowd. So happy that I booked her. And then I found my way backstage after and introduced myself, pitched the Ma idea which she loved, and it went from there.
I think it’s going to be one of the best Stoneds yet. It’s giving production; we have dancers, numbers, and fun surprises. It’s gonna be a really interactive one with the crowd and a lot of Kori on the mic, which I think people will love. I love to give people weed (if they want! Stoned is still fun for non-smokers!) and let them rip it up on stage. Kori will be channeling Ma King… how could it not be a ki?
Amazing! Is there anything else coming up for you?
Mistress and I are finally bringing our dating show debauchery to the 3 Dollar Bill stage this February! She owes me a Valentine’s date after setting me up with a whole Trumpie last time. And if you don’t know what I’m talking about, go subscribe to Mistress Isabelle Brooks YouTube; it’s “Mistress Monday,” get into it.
Yaz! Okay, to close: what are your thoughts on the state of NYC queer nightlife today? Are things tricky, meh, or fab?
I think our current administration and the state of the economy is putting a drab on nightlife, just because the cost of living has gotten so high and people have less money. It’s hard to have fun spending your money on events when your groceries cost a million dollars. However, I think the heart and soul of NYC queer nightlife is strong. There’s such a strong community in queer nightlife that’s unique and beautiful. Also, the girls pump out fierce looks — which is quintessential in making nightlife fab. Shoutout to my divas and Stoned hosts Vera Lee Westwood and Jaycie O’Day for keeping club kid looks alive and gorgeous.
Thanks, Alexis!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for Alexis Kmieck’s upcoming appearances, and follow her on Instagram.
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