A drag performer, hair stylist, photographer and graphic designer, Stevie Dicks is swinging into March with gigs and an engagement! [Cover photo: MCP Photo]
Thotyssey: Hi Stevie! So February is in our rear view… a shit show month for the country, but how did it treat you personally?
Stevie Dicks: Astrologically speaking, February was certainly full of intense revelations and calls to action throughout our nation and the world, for sure. Personally though, my February brought about a lot of love — not just in proposing to my partner Xaddy Addy on February 12th, but in the commitment of loving and being loved by my community. I spent most of the month supporting my partner at gigs for his jam-packed Black History Month show schedule.
Condragulations on your engagement! What’s life like for a nightlife couple? Can it be a challenge navigating weird hours and occasionally chaotic environments while establishing Together Time?
We’re both night owls, so being out late at shows and sleeping in together doesn’t bother us most of the time. Occasionally we’ll run into “ships in the night” type schedules, but we’re always good about checking in and making sure we’re setting aside Couple Time and Me Time when we can. We both love to encourage our creative endeavors and often are in separate shows — which allows us to support one another as audience members, not just collaborators.
Besides performing, you do a few other things in the nightlife realm. That was a stunning collection of photos you recently posted from Brooklyn drag shows in February! How long have you been doing that?
I’ve always had a love for picking up a camera and documenting life since I was little. I started professionally taking photos of nightlife specifically when I became the resident photographer for the Black Cherry Sideshow [at Purgatory] back in 2024.
Speaking off which… you also put your graphic design skills to good use when you recently updated that show’s flyer via original artwork! How long did it take you to create that?
That poster probably took a total of 6 hours on and off to create. I’ve been dabbling in graphic design since playing around with Microsoft Paint on the family computer!
Can you share a bit of your origin story with us: where’s your original hometown, and did you grow up with interests in art and performance?
Of course! I grew up in the small town of Brewster, Massachusetts on Cape Cod. My parents have always been good about documentation, so there’s many a home video of me prancing around the living room in various costumes throughout my childhood. I started getting serious about theater and performance as a teenager when I needed an outlet to cope with my little brother’s cancer treatment (thank god he is healthy now, and over 10 years in remission). In high school I started dreaming of escaping to New York City to pursue my artistic dreams, which I believe also stemmed from a need for a more diverse queer community.
How did you discover king / thing drag and become Stevie?
At Sarah Lawrence College I joined the “Drag Union” club where I met performers like my drag dad Klondyke who taught me that drag could be whatever I want it to be. I started off by drawing inspiration to become a drag king from musical artists I love such as Elton John, Prince, and George Michael.
As I brought my drag to the NYC scene in 2021 post-college, it began to evolve — as my transness and gender fluid identity did — into a multifaceted exploration of all types of gender and expressions. Stevie Dicks became all about the magic of bringing the internal to the external, and sharing it with an audience. Exploring music, vocals and dance to highlight the energies that are a part of me and surround me.
What’s a “typical” Stevie look and number like these days? Do you have a favorite number that you do now?
Stevie tends to flit between an overly dramatic glam rock diva and a lover boy soulful crooner type. I love to do songs with killer guitar solos and / or lots of belting. Occasionally though, Stevie is just a silly little guy.
Right now I’m reworking a number I debuted at the Revisions drag open set for New Wave Order on March 3rd at All Night Stake (both shows co-hosted by the incomparable Selena Surreal). This act is to one of my favorite 80s bands, Eurythmics, and features some wild ribbon twirling,
Anything else coming up for you?
I’m excited to say I’ve got a couple things coming up! On March 14th I’ll be at Sandy Jack’s for Bromantics (hosted by Leopard Killa and Kraven Strange) doing a little comedy themed drag with King Cameron. And on April 23rd I’ll be a judge for a Weirdest Drag competition (details coming soon). Not to mention I’ll be spending more time as a hair stylist at a salon called Kinetic in Bushwick!
Amazing! Do you style wigs also?
I have! It was actually when I was styling one of my own wigs for drag that I got the inspiration for going to cosmetology school. I do love getting creative with a wig, but one of the things I love the most as a hairstylist is connecting with my clients and helping people feel like themselves. I suppose a good wig can do that too.
Just wanted to take a moment before concluding to discuss the sad announcement of Pink Metal’s closure this month. Xaddy of course has that long running open stage show there that you mentioned earlier. How will you remember that venue?
Oh wow, I was actually feeling pretty emo about this today. I discovered Pink Metal back in 2022 in the days of Juno Stardust’s Glitch. I would say in part, Xaddy and I fell in love there. We started dating not long after they were hired as an open set host. I’ve seen some of the absolute worst (I truly say lovingly) and some of the best drag on Thursday nights at Pink Metal.
For me, it’s become one of those moments in life where you’re reminded that nothing lasts forever… and I don’t necessarily mean that in a negative light. What’s keeping me going is knowing that the drag open set community has become more than just one bar — it’s become a network of people committed to showing up for one another’s art, polished or not, even when times are tough.
I hope to convey that sentiment with a little song at the last Superstar Open Set at Pink Metal on March 12th.
Glorious and bittersweet! Okay lastly, on a lighter note: what’s your favorite item in your drag bag, cosmetic or otherwise?
I’m gonna say makeup wipes. Always good to have the option to take off the mask.
Thanks, Stevie!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for Stevie Dicks’ upcoming appearances, and follow him on Instagram and LinkTree.
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