I’ve always helped others,Īnd through drag I have been able to reach out to so many other people and help bring Tough moments and taught me to be comfortable in who I am. The ability to explore my identity on stage through performance helped me through many ![]() ![]() As one of the many trans-identified drag kings, Rocco: In the beginning, drag helped me learn to find my identity, and my stage identity That I can wear to the office and on stage! Drag ain’t cheap! It’s even affected my attire! I try to buy suits/shoes/accessories Rusty: A lot of what I do on stage/promoting is what I do for my day job-coordinatingĮvents. Is drag for you solely performative, or does it bleed over into other aspects of your life? We want to make sure our reach is bigger than just one city, which is why we are Have been friends since high school, and we are using our great friendship to bringĪttention back to the drag king community here in N.M. We held monthly benefit shows at the Pulse for many years, andĮventually moved to other venues as the LGBTQ bar scene began to fade. Ourselves, raised money for the community and built a group that has supported each We have always been very public, and performances have been how we established Giving back to the community, teaching new kings and supporting each other. After the first show, the troupe grew in numbers andĬhanged the name to Albuquerque Kings Club. Original drag kings in Albuquerque started as the “Albuquerque Gentlemen’s Club” in Performance, the expression and presentation of the performer is not as relevant. I think the more people open their minds to enjoying a good Rocco: Although queens are considered by some as more “mainstream,” drag kings haveīeen around just as long. While inviting the community's interest in drag kings and what we do! Provide a space that is comfortable and safe for a king to explore their art and identity, Platform for kings to raise money in the community and give back. Drag Kings, to encompass a wider range of talent. It’s exciting to bring back a collective of kings to our city, now in the form Rusty: Albuquerque Kings Club has been active in our local community and city/state for How long has the community been active in Albuquerque? Has it always been performative and public or was it more "underground" in years past? Rocco Steeleĭrag kings are somewhat less known than drag queens. ![]() I wasĪnd still am inspired by the versatility of drag as an art form and by each performer who Other people with similar interests in performing and giving back to the community. To join this new group of king performers, the Albuquerque Kings Club, to connect to June 2002 at the Pulse Nightclub and have been performing ever since. After that first conversation 20 years ago, I asked to be a part of that first show in I had met drag queens, and was intrigued to come (who became my drag-dad, Seymour Johnson) in 2002 who told me they were creatingĪ show with all Drag King performers. Rocco: I have been performing in some aspect since a young age. We are in some trying times! Humor is also an important aspect in my I’ve been able to use the stage also asĪ political outlet. I use the stage as a platform to tell a story to music. I agreed, and the next show I was on the ticket as an official Albuquerque King He asked me to be the spotlight boi for an AKC Grounded! My outlets were music, dance and art in my bedroom.Īs a young, queer teen I had left an abusive partnership and my friend, Rocco, was ![]() Rusty: As a young child, I was entertaining pretend audiences because I was often When did you first get involved in drag, and what motivated/inspired you? Rusty was named "Best Drag King" in the Weekly Alibi's final Best of Burque poll, and Rocco is a recent national pageant drag king winner celebrating his 20th year in drag! took the opportunity to chat with longtime local drag king legends Rusty Nutz and Rocco Steele. The newly formed/reformed/rebranded (however you wanna look at it) New Mexico Drag Kings are kicking off LGBTQ+ Pride Month with an all-new (monthly) Drag KINGdom Brunch at Kosmos Astro Pub on June 5.
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