On Point With: Big Man Sav

A previous Queer Talent Show winner in Brooklyn, multitalented draglesque star Big Man Sav is serving masc / femme beauty in the post-Valentines Day era while saying goodbye to an important local venue. [Cover photo: @shotsbysavoca]

Thotyssey: Hello BMS, thanks for chatting today! How was your Valentines Day?

Big Man Sav: It was great! How about you?

Fine! I worked and it was very unromantic, lol! Did I see that you performed at Madame X on Thursday?

That show was actually rescheduled for a later date… but I would up doing a show at House of Yes, which was amazing!

Werk! The last time I saw you, you won you won December’s “Queer Talent Show” competition at Metro! Twaz a fantastic burlesque performance! Did you enjoy that experience?

Yes it was great! Always a great time seeing a variety of queer art!

I recall that that night during the Q&A section, you gave a great explanation as to the origin of your performance name. Can you recap a bit of that for us?

Of course! I’ve been wanting to share a full break down and origin of my Big Man philosophy. “Big Man Sav” was a nickname I gave myself when I was in high school that later turned to having a deeper meaning when it became my performer name. I felt, and was thought to be, a more masculine female presenting person. During my teenage years I was always around various types of masculine people, as I actually managed my high school’s state championship winning football team. It was a very high pressure environment with a wide rage on masculinity ranging from extremely toxic, to compassionate and sensitive types. These years really shaped the way I looked at others — and myself, as it was a time in my life where I was going through a lot.

I also had my parents as amazing examples of what being “Big Man” means. My father is an actor, and starred with some of the most iconic figures in the industry, and had a successful career for himself spanning from television to Broadway and much more. Though all these iconic people that I have not only met, but raised me, the thing that differentiates my father from them is his ability to constantly go out of his way for others. He is known to a massive industry as a man that is always there to lift others up, and literally give anyone the shirt off his back. In addition my mother, who shows her extreme work ethic and ability to get shit done to perfection, was something that was actually exuded through her femininity.

Ultimately, these concepts are what helped me shape myself as a performer today. Entering a space of drag and burlesque was something I have longed to do for some time and I wanted the art I present to not only have meaning, but my overall being as well. Big Man is less of a name for me as it is a way of life. To be “Big Man” and exert that attitude is not about having the biggest dick in the room or having the loudest mouth. That doesn’t matter if you don’t know how to use it anyway! It’s about having a larger than life sense through being the kindest, going out of your way for others, supporting those that you can, and simply showing the fuck up. It’s also about loyalty and honesty.

Having to deal with a lot of mental hardship in life, being “Big Man” was not only a reflection of balancing my surrounding, but it’s also a way of building myself back up from dark times. We need to be our own biggest hype man. Having the ability to lift yourself up and become a support system for yourself allows you to become a community driven person to uplift others. But remember, having a massive cock and serving cunt never hurts! After all, I am known as the Big Dicked Beauty for a reason!

Fascinating and inspiring! How did you begin as a burlesquer in New York, by the way?

I started like so many do at the New York School of Burlesque with my burlesque mother being Gigi Holliday. But I did have a decade of previous performance experience — hip hop and African dance, as well as acting — before starting.

How might you describe your own burlesque, aesthetically and performance-wise?

I would definitely consider myself a draglesque performer. Typically I love to lip sync, and when doing more traditional burlesque there is something about it that feels a bit over that top giving it that drag vibe. I consider myself the ultimate variety performer, because you never know what you are going to get! But to give a specific aesthetic, I would call it theatrical big dick energy with black excellence to the front!

On Saturday, you’re at Sandy Jack’s performing with Leopard Killa and Julius Nicoy for “Bromantics!”

Yes I am! Part of being Big Man is also just the irony behind it. Lots of people expect me to be a drag king just based on the name, but I love to see audiences be confused with my feminine look but then understand when they feel the energy I give off. But Leopard has always wanted me to be a king for a day, so that show will actually be my drag king one night only debut!

Very exciting! I also see you’re at Pink Metal in March, but before I ask about that gig I wanted to get your reaction to the sad news that Pink Metal will be closing later that month. It’s been an important venue for both drag and burlesque performers, and the news of its closing comes shortly after the shuttering of another Brooklyn drag hub, Macri Park. And now just today it was announced that Club Lambda, another yet another queer Brooklyn hotspot, is closing as well!

It is very sad news [about Pink Metal], mainly because of how communal the space is. It was the first space where I found community, and it will be missed. I hope that we can all continue as a community elsewhere, because it doesn’t matter where we are as long as we continue to show our art through NYC.

Your show there will be March 8th, for the finale of Pachacvnti’s trivia night, “T n’ A.”

I’ll actually be doing my closing rounds at Pink Metal in a few shows! I’ll be performing for “Night Club Jungle’s” birthday edition on Saturday March 7th. “T n’ A” was Pacha’s dream that we collaborated on, and I am so excited to close it out the way it started! But definitely look out for “T n’ A” to be back up at another venue coming soon!

And looking ahead to March 22nd, you’ll be at The Wood Shop for a special large cast show called “Teeth.”

Yes! “Teeth” is going to be an incredible show with all proceeds going to Artina Darkly’s emergency dental work. Artina is not only an amazing performer, but a great friend as well. I’m so excited to help her get her perfect smile back so she can feel as beautiful, as she always is… and most importantly, pain free!

Is there anything else coming up for you?

I’m super excited for the “All Star Rhinestone Rumble” coming April 26, where I will be showcasing something that is a dedication to my art, family, and culture… and it will certainly not want to be missed!

Amazing! Okay to close: what is your absolute favorite thing in your actual burlesque closet?

My favorite thing has to be the outfit I actually wore in the number you saw at Metropolitan. Basically everything in the outfit was made myself, and if it wasn’t hand sewn it was hand dyed and stoned!

Gorgeous! Thanks, BMS!