ART+CULTURE

“I’m an artist and transgender and gendernonconforming individuals have taken their toll as well. in this form” “We as queens of color especially were hit hard by all these social justice moments,” he explains. The need to express and Drag queens stand out and create has been greater than ever, and in the absence of proud for VC Pride 2020 performance venues, Cooper says that drag queens “had to create some space.” by Nancy D. Lackey Shaffer Space found, ultimately, on nshaffer@timespublications.com the Internet. “Drag is as innovative as it has V entura County Pride 2020 takes place Aug. 15-16, a (mostly) virtual event that will provide the same sense of community, frivolity and inclusiveness as a live festival. Saturday will feature speakers, live ever been,” Cooper says, noting that performers have turned to Twitch, Instagram, YouTube music, celebrity guests and more, presented on the YouTube channel of and other online platforms to Diversity Collective Ventura County (DCVC) — both in the early afternoon present their work. “When we and the evening, to give as many people a chance to participate as possible. saw our outlets shutting down . There will also be a Pride car caravan from DCVC’s Community Resource . . that artistic outreach that we Center on Portola Road to Ventura City Hall, taking place Sunday evening. do . . . having us go digital has allowed us to reach a broader Ms. VC Pride 2020 “This is only the second audience. . . . That’s what the

One of the most anticipated events will be year; having six contestants digital world has done for us.” the Ms. VC Pride 2020 Pageant, emceed by drag queen extraordinaire E. Cooper Jr. — originally was great,” he says. “Having such a strong Cooper helped organize and will emcee the Ms. VC Pride 2020 Drag Queen Pageant, taking place on Saturday, Aug. 15. (Photo by David Paul Leighton) Light in the darkness known as Cooper to friends and in the biz. top five is wonderful for With VC Pride 2020 going Texas-native, Utah-transplant Cooper moved this organization.” seasoned queens to baby queens just getting digital on Saturday, it has also been able to to Ventura County in January 2019, and wasted There will be no stage to walk during their start. I’m excited to see from year to year tap into some phenomenal celebrity talent. no time getting involved with DCVC and the virtual Pride. Instead, each contesting is artists’ growth.” The judging panel for Ms. VC Pride 2020 organizing last year’s Pride pageant — the first presenting a 7-10 minute video, created with “There’s a lot of growth, there’s a lot of is possibly as exciting as the contestants: one in Ventura County history. the help of videographer Rob Echanique at 12 potential, there’s a lot of star power,” he Jai Rodriguez (Queer Eye for the Straight

“We had three participants last year,” Cooper on the Wall Studios and featuring a runway continues. “I don’t think that drag queens get Guy), Kevin Cahoon (Glow) and renowned recalls. “Karma Limbs, Serenity Aciid and Sheba.” presentation, interview, talent segment and enough credit for saying, ‘I’m an artist in this Australian drag performer Bebe Gunn. In

The event was a huge success — particularly “best drag runway” look. form.’ It’s an activism in its own right.” addition to speakers and politicians, several for winner Sheba, who returns this year as a Cooper says judges will be rating contestants RuPaul’s Drag Race contestants — including co-host — and Cooper was determined to bring on “understanding who you are as a performer,” “Drag is as innovative as it has A’Keria Davenport (Season 11), Heidi it back in 2020, pandemic be damned. an ability to demonstrate “what inspires your every been” N Closet (Season 12) and Silky Nutmeg

“Even with all the changes, we worked hard drag and . . . art” and a “glam” look — Ventura County may not be known as a Ganache (Season 11), just to name a few — to make it as special as we could,” he says. what Cooper describes as a contestant’s “most hotbed of drag talent, but there are places where will make appearances.

Even in its virtual format, the pageant has elevated version” of themselves. these performers could showcase their art (and “They’re all doing the same thing we’re activism). The Harbor Queens Drag Show was doing,” Cooper says. “They’re all doing a staple at Ventura Harbor Comedy Club for digital videos. We’re all in the same boat.” months, and the Dragtastic Bubbly Brunch at And without the digital world, there might Levity Live in Oxnard was popular as well. not have been a VC Pride 2020 at all — Even so, Cooper says that “there’s still limited something that Cooper feels would have been space for artists of our caliber to perform. There a big loss, especially now. He recalls one are still venues that don’t see drag as a viable art.” of the first 2020 Pride planning meetings at He credits reality show RuPaul’s Drag Race DCVC. with helping to challenge that perception, “We sat down as a group and said, ‘We and bring greater visibility to drag queens as can’t have a traditional Pride. Do we scrap it individuals and artists. But he says there’s or go for the gusto?’” still plenty of room for improvement — As a LGBTQ+ person who grew up in particularly where financial compensation is a conservative area, he recognized how concerned. powerful a visible Pride experience — even “I’ve known some organizations that say online — could be. they’re embracing our queens . . . but they “What if I had had something like this that don’t pay our queens what they’re worth,” he I could have turned on in my living room?” says, adding that there are some local “venues Cooper says. So he told organizers, “We have that I have worked with that are glorious. to do this.” Paddy’s Cocktail Lounge — it’s the home I’ve Reflecting on the struggles he overcame, as had since I’ve been in Ventura. The Tavern — well as the sociopolitical climate we’re all in a great venue for drag.” right now, Cooper says that, “Now that we’re Ms. VC Pride 2020 contestants, from left: Serenity Aciid, Doll A$$ign, Pam Cakez, Angel D’Mon and Regina St. James. (Image courtesy of Cooper/Diversity Collective Ventura County) Of course, none of these establishments are in a very dark time, it’s more important than offering live entertainment for the time being. ever to shine a light and to stand out and stand doubled this year, with six queens entering. In addition, every competitor will be asked, And like musicians, actors and comedians, proud.” Teaser videos of each went up on YouTube and “In this moment — especially this day and age drag queens have felt the pinch. Cooper’s own VC Pride 2020 takes place on Saturday, viewers voted to select the top five that will go when we’re concerned with social justice — drag performances netted $600-1000 a month Aug. 15, 1-3 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. on the on to compete on Aug. 15. Cooper sees this as what does Pride mean to you in your art?” — income lost practically overnight in March. Diversity Collective Ventura County an indication that drag is growing in popularity “I’m so excited!” Cooper says of this Recent incidences of racism, police brutality YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/c/ in Ventura County. year’s contestants. “We have everything from and violence directed towards people of color DiversityCollectiveVenturaCounty.