In 2016 (right around the time Thotyssey was born!), two upcoming Brooklyn based drag performers and a DJ teamed up to create a live stage platform for drag folks who didn’t easily fit into other shows. A decade later, the production team has expanded and the platform has evolved into an award winning essential nightlife experience! Sherry Poppins, Qhrist Almighty, DJ Ten Yards, Heaven Ender and Lindsay Blowhan discuss the past, present and future of STR8 to DVD.
[Cover photo: Seek Axiom. In photo L to R: Qhrist Almighty, Sherry Poppins, Heaven Ender, DJ Ten Yards & Lindsay Blowhan]
Thotyssey: Hello everyone! On behalf of Thotyssey, we wanted to wish you all a happy tenth anniversary hosting your monthly Brooklyn party and show currently at Brooklyn’s C’mon Everybody, STR8 to DVD! That is definitely no common feat here in NYC nightlife. Does it really feel like all that time has passed since you all came on board?
SP (Sherry Poppins – drag performer, co-host and co-creator): It really feels so weird to even say it out loud that we’ve been doing it for ten years, because it doesn’t feel like it! But then when I think about it, DVD has basically been with me nearly my entire drag career. We’ve gotten to see the Brooklyn nightlife scene change drastically–people coming and going, bars opening and closing… and all through the lens of having this monthly show endure it all. It’s pretty wild!
QA (Qhrist Almighty – drag performer, co-host and co-creator): It feels like a million years ago but also yesterday–which I guess is the canned answer, lol. I definitely have lived a million lives since our first show: I moved to Brooklyn, my parents died, I met the love of my life, there was a global pandemic and two Trump presidencies… let alone how much nightlife and drag have changed. But as much as we mythologize, I don’t like to look back. I’ll always feel like the best is ahead of me still. We’ve also kind of gone from underdogs to the elder BK drag folks to sort of revered and prized by the newer generations. Someone told us recently that [Brooklyn open stage show] “Mad Mondays” had a whole groupchat where they wondered who would be next to do DVD, and we were so touched by that.
TY (Sam Branman aka Ten Yards – DJ, co-host and co-creator): I think I should be most aware of how much time has passed because I was 29 when we started, and now I’m 39…but not really! I think we still feel like the show is a labor of love, and we’re underdogs–and we still run and book the show that way.
HE (Heaven Ender – drag performer and co-producer): Time is an illusion for me! In some part of my brain, we’ve actually done DVD since the beginning of the universe but in different forms. I think the only way I can really tell that the years have passed is how many emails, notes and flyers that have accumulated in my various storage drives.
LB (Lindsay Blowhan – drag performer and co-producer): For me, yes and no! I performed at some of the very first DVDS (back when the show was under a slightly crazier name, “1-900-HOT-GLUE”)… all right around, essentially, the infancy of my drag (2016-2018ish). STR8 to DVD (neé Hot Glue) was one of, if not my first, bookings outside of the side stage at SUNY Purchase’s student center (where Qhrist, Sherry and I used to throw drag parties sometimes). So, a real booking at a bar. But then I moved back to my hometown of RVA for a bit after college was over and became a bedroom queen for most of COVID. Tthen I moved back to NYC in 2021, had my first DVD booking in 4+ years in Feb of 2021, and was asked to come aboard full time in December 2023. All the DVDivas were already my drag family, but to get to join the actual show as a producer year round was life-changing, and a dream come true!
How might you describe what STR8 to DVD is, exactly?
QA: STR8 to DVD is a drag show for drag performers who love to do drag, and people that love to watch drag shows.
HE: I often describe DVD to people as a drag focused post-Vaudeville experience. It’s a variety show exploring the diverse landscape of drag in NYC and beyond. It’s drag for drag’s sake!
TY: It’s a drag-themed drag show in a world of theme-themed drag shows (even if we also book burlesque and comedy and musicians, and occasionally a troupe of eight clowns).
LB: We call it a drag-themed-drag show. But it’s also a drag-variety show, and sometimes just a straight up variety show (where a majority of the performers are in drag). It’s also a place for performers to be themselves–or not themselves, to try something new, do something classic, hit them with a staple, experiment, remix, put the thing down, flip it and reverse it. A place to laugh, to cry, to make out, to fangirl, to see some shit you’ve never seen before and might never see again. We’re not the only ones, of course, but we’re keeping Brooklyn drag weird and we’re also honoring its legacy at every turn (and maybe we shit on it a little too sometimes, out of love). Oh, and every now and then someone sings live.
SP: The running bit, of course, is that STR8 to DVD is Brooklyn’s premiere “drag-themed drag show”. While we’ve definitely grown in ways in line with and beyond that, I really do believe that the show has become so much more than that… but I’m not really sure what words to use to describe it. It’s always just a magical energy in the room that everyone gets to enjoy together!
Sherry, Qhrist and Ten Yards: as the founders of STR8, can you tell us how this came about, what inspired the show’s name, and what you might be able to remember from the first show which I’m guessing was at Gold Sounds?
SP: Qhrist and I, as well as Lindsay, had already been doing drag at SUNY Purchase. And the pattern I noticed was that if you do drag at Purchase and want to keep doing it afterwards, you go to Brooklyn.
QA: We were fresh out of college, and neither of us lived here yet. I was very inspired by things like [Don Pedro’s alt-drag Brooklyn show] Bath Salts, and I had actually started going out in the Bartsch / Ladyfag club scene. We wanted to participate in the Brooklyn scene, but in a very backdoor guerilla DIY way.
SP: Qhrist and I were eager to create a show in Brooklyn, and another Purchase friend helped us get in touch with Gold Sounds. Our very first show (1-900-HOT-GLUE) was a chaotically large cast of roughly 17 drag performers–all Purchase alumni (and students). I don’t think any of us made any money, but it was a big drag celebration. And somehow, the bar kept us on!
QA: We didn’t want to beg and scrounge and plead to be booked, so we just booked ourselves. Sam was kind enough to help, and that was that!
TY: Qhrist and I were friends (I actually suggested they apply to Purchase where they met Sherry, Lindsay, Linda Felcher, Maxxx Pleasure, Miz Jade, etc.) and I had been DJing for a few years. They texted me and asked if I would DJ the drag show they were planning! I came up with STR8 to DVD when we decided to change it from 1-900-HOT GLUE, because of the existence of Hot Fruit at Metropolitan, which was also on Mondays. (I did not think about Rify Royalty’s Straight Acting because it was on a different night, and we have the “8”). I have basically no memory of the first show, because we’ve done this 99 times over the past decade.
Heaven and Lindsay, what made you two want to come on board when you did? What was STR8 like when you both showed up, and how might you describe your roles in the show today?
HE: I first encountered Qhrist and Ten Yards on Facebook via my high school friend Swan Flambé, who went to Purchase. I would see them posting hot takes, music videos and other things that I enjoyed too. After a while I finally attended a DVD, and we all got acquainted. After a few months of just hanging out at the show, they asked if I wanted to be the door goddess since I was showing up to each show anyway. It took a little longer for me to get the courage to ask to be a Mx. STR8 to DVD and give my first shows on their stage. After that, it feels like my fate was sealed, I knew I had found a family of performers who understood my perspective on drag. As we transitioned to doing our park shows in 2020, I became the tip angel / stage kitten, which when we moved to C’mon Everybody I just kept doing.
LB: My beginnings at STR8 TO DVD really were just me being the kid sister of the greater DVD family and Sherry and Qhrist. As my drag family giving me my first booking! At the first ever DVD! And then after that, a few more guest spots or tips spots here and there… until I came on full-time in late 2023. My DVDiva family likes to joke in the reason we call ourselves “Nightgowns, but worse” is because I’m always doing some crazy number with projections or a weird prop or small set piece.
HE: Around 2023 I needed to take a break and my niece Lindsay was doing pop up shows. I could tell she was hungry to do more with her drag, so I asked her to take over my duties while I was on hiatus. Now I consider myself Producer At Large. Sometimes I’m stage managing, sometimes I’m cleaning up strange fluids, sometimes I’m collecting tips. I enjoy being able to move around the space, taking care of whatever needs to be handled at that moment while everyone else is stuck at their respective places during the show.
LB: STR8 to DVD is my monthly place where I get to do pretty much anything I can imagine. So I always dream big and aim for a lil’ drag show magic! I’m also pretty much the unofficial official STR8 to DVD social media manager. I write all the captions, make the posts, and reply to you if you DM us!
What were some wonderful, terrible and / or straight up bizarre moments from STR8’s history?
HE: Every DVD is a bit bizarre; I love to tell the audience to try and explain what they experienced at our show when they are back in the office on Monday, without HR getting called.
SP: A wonderful memory coming to me right now is the first time Qhrist and I got tipped a $100. Some weird guy at Gold Sounds just put one flat on the stage (making a small spectacle of himself of course), and she and I were so gagged. It’s crazy how much we’ve experienced since then.
TY: One of the most wonderful was our first show in The Vale of Cashmere, September 2020, our 4th anniversary. I said we should do the show, because why the fuck not!? We had a tiny JBL speaker on a folding table… and people came! The first time we ever made any actual money was the Prospect Park shows. I think that was where we really became what we are today.
LB: Favorites? Two Mx. Ologys; Sour Somethings stapling Squirmles to themself and the audience loudly gasping in fear / awe; Maxx Love inverting the space and putting the audience on stage for his number (which he did from the audience); our STR8 to DVD takeover of the iconic Summer weekly Metropolitan BBQ (thanks, Charlene); our lip-sync competition spin-off show STR8 TO DVD: DEATHMATCH; our yearly all king show in May (where we ourselves also do our own king personas along with the cast); Candace Nuts as our “token drag queen” at this year’s all king show; and of course DANI fucking DUVALL! Also this past month, I wanted to do pool shows… so I brought my own pool for shows (and showed feet for free)!
QA: For good: Heaven doing “Bird of a Feather” by Billie Eilish in a giant cut out of a taxi earlier this year. It really moved me to tears; it was unironically so beautiful.
HE: Wonderful: winning our first Glam Award together! I think we all were shocked to be nominated to begin with, and had no expectations to win so when we heard our name called for Best Bar Party we were truly gagged. It felt great to have something to show for many years of hard work.
TY: Terrible: Having to ban an audience member!
SP: While it’s funny to me now, a terrible night was when I was drinking heavily before the show even started because I was dealing with a fresh breakup. By intermission, I was so drunk that I ran out to the street, took my wig off, and vomited violently into the sewer grate. And Chiquitita has it all on video! She likes to share it on socials once a year to commemorate. Needless to say, I couldn’t finish the show… and our friend Cyndee Cexx had to take over as co-host.
QA: [Terrible moments include] one time at C’mon, a new performer had a real kitchen knife and didn’t tell us. Little Piece got hosed down with sunscreen by several people, and when the number was over no one could move because the stage had become a slip and slide. Also our failed collaboration with the Cake Boys, because half of us got Covid in April 2022.
HE: I can’t pinpoint one specific [terrible] moment, but it’s always tense for me when there are tech issues during the show. I know that people look forward to being a part of our show and I want their moment on our stage to be as perfect as possible!
Sherry, you perform all over the city in a variety of environments! Do you think STR8 could “work” anywhere else, or does its essence depend on Brooklyn drag?
SP: I mean, we all believe the show is ready to tour the country. Bringing the show to Philly this August is definitely the start of a new level for us, I think! But yes, I think there are a few bars in New York that we would eat at. Though for some viewers, I think they’d like it because it would be a new style to them! Some bars that come to mind are Albatross, Red Eye… who knows, maybe Playhouse, too!
Big dates are coming up for DVD at C’mon! Your 100th show is August 8th and will feature Brooklyn drag superstars Shia Ho Little Piece and Qualms Galore. Then your 10th Anniversary show is September 12th with another iconic guest trio: Lollygag, Julie J and Angel Au. What can folks expect from these milestones?
TY: Drag!
QA: I think we’re gonna do drag. Not quite sure yet; we’ll circle back.
HE: Most likely there will be some drag, and maybe a gag or two! Anything can happen at DVD…
SP: Sickening, unrehearsed duets and group numbers! Stoned ramblings! WIGS!
LB: Good drag, comedy drag, cunty stunty drag, projector drag, sad drag, clown drag, fashion drag, variety drag, makes you think drag, drag you can’t see anywhere else but STR8 to DVD every second Saturday at C’mon Everybody in Brooklyn, New York.
Ten Yards, not only do you co-produce and DJ STR8 to DVD (which I’m sure consists largely of “I still don’t have tracks from ____” group DMs), but you’ve also become a major indie fashion designer with Ten Yards Clothing! How do you balance all those duties?
TY: I actually do a lot of the booking and keeping track of what the fuck is going on, but clothing-wise between regular commissions and keeping my DVDivas clothed I haven’t done a regular-degular ready to wear collection since 2020. I never even put those pieces up for sale… though they are of course available if you ask. All of my time goes into custom!
Can you all just remind us about what else is coming up for you outside of DVD as far as recurring gigs or special upcoming projects and shows?
TY: It will be closed by the time this comes out, but I was just part of Queens: The Art of Drag at Culture Lab LIC! Otherwise I am planning my 40th birthday show in February with Heaven, Mx. Ology, and Menthol Menthol.
SP: I’m currently working on co-writing my first little drag play with my sister Angela Mansberry titled Waiting for a Drag Show. Script has been storyboarded, and we’re writing it now! Keep your eyes peeled! But aside from that, you know you can find me every Friday and Sunday in Astoria!
QA: I’m going to Greece for ten days with my boyfriend right after our 10th anniversary. After that, book me! Lol.
HE: I will be doing lots of fun things with my other drag family The Nobodies; we will be having two more preliminary rounds of Mx. Nobody including a Switch N Play takeover, a trip to Philadelphia to hang with our sister Diva Baby for the Philly Bonus Round, and our grand finale at a secret warehouse location. I will also be hosting Nobodies Playing Bingo at Diane’s with Problem Child which happens on the third Sunday of every month. I’ve got many other fun things cooking at the moment, so stay tuned!
LB: outside of DVD, I also produce a bi-monthly drag show with Sherry called Cocaine Milkshake! We will return with a very special guest on September 17th at C’mon Everybody! I’m also super excited for this Kelela tribute show I’m part of on Sept 1st at C’mon Everybody. It’s not announced yet, so consider this a teaser! Aaaaaand maybe a lil one woman show soon? Idk!
And finally: what or who would you like to see be a part of STR8 to DVD over the next ten years?
HE: I’d love to bring back our lip sync competition STR8 to DVD: DEATHMATCH. And I’ve been trying to manifest Str8 to DVD: Wet and Wild where we give pool shows! Contact me if you have a pool we can use!
SP: I would really love to be able to bring the show to more cities. I want to bring DEATHMATCH back. I want to meet more incredibly talented performers, and make a bunch more memories.
QA: Cate Blanchett as TÁR in Jim Carrey Grinch drag. But she’s also pulling from Charlize Theron as Eileen Wuornos in Monster. And she’s had a couple of shots, so there’s a sprinkle of Isabella Adjani in Posession.
LB: I always love when get to have people from out of state, so I want to keep fostering that! We’ve had performers from all over–but as a Virginia girl, it was super fun to have some DMV queens (Rigatoni and Hennessey, etc.) with us over the past few years! We can’t fly you out, but if you’re coming to NYC from another city, DM us! And vice versa… I’d love to take this on the road more (come see us in Philly 8/13 at Franky Bradley’s)! I also want to do more collabs with other shows (Simple Life, Metrosexuals, etc.) and casting of newer (than us) talent! I’m always coming back to our list with new names whenever I go to BlowPop at All Night Skate (shoutout to the BlowPop babes!!)
TY: Drag! We have a whole wishlist, but that’s a secret!
Thanks all, and happy anniversary once again!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for upcoming STR8 to DVD collective and individual showrunners’ events, and follow them on Instagram.
See also:
- Heaven Ender (8.26.2022)
- Lindsay Blowhan (11.10.2022)
- Qhrist Almighty (9.29.2017)
- Sherry Poppins (7.19.2018)
- Ten Yards (9.25.2018)
Thotyssey 