Apr 5
Hey Qweens! Guess Who's Performing Gaga's 'Mayhem' in Its Entirety?
Kilian Melloy READ TIME: 2 MIN.
It's a task only the toughest and most talented could rise to. Cue the drag queens who are going to perform Lady Gaga's new album. Live. All of it. Without pause, and in drag. And in Florida. Florida!
Drag performer Jellika Boom will front as her band takes to the stage this weekend at Kendall's Spanish Marie, a Miami establishment that keeps drag-a-licious entertainment on tap.
"The brewery's drag series recently marked its first anniversary with a PowerPop Girls theme party, a crossover between the Powerpuff Girls and the current crop of main pop girls: Charli XCX, Chappell Roan, and Sabrina Carpenter," the Miami New Times detailed.
Boom came up with the idea months ago, long before the album's release, but held off a bit to see what the cultural, critical, and commercial reception would be. "My drag sister was like, 'Yeah, girl, let's do it!'" the Miami New Times quoted her as saying. "But I said, 'Wait, let me listen to the album 'cause, no tea, if the album's a flop, we ain't doing that.'"
But "Mayhem" has proven an unqualified success on all fronts. Needless to say, the show will go on. As Boom told the outlet, "Gaga's a phenomenon with the girls, gays, theys, everyone."
The drag performer is a bit of a go-getting phenom herself.
"Boom has been performing in drag for four years, but she says she got involved with Spanish Marie when she saw the venue's photos on Instagram and was struck by its 'vibe, aesthetic, and aura,'" the Miami New Times recounted. "Following her instincts, she called the brewery directly to pitch a drag series."
The rest is herstory.
"She got the green light and became the brewery's drag show director, performing alongside drag queens Sting Dion, Regina Cocoa, and Natsh D'Witshes Venom," the article detailed.
Boom is embracing Gaga energy – and lewks.
"I wanna see 'Mayhem' merch, I wanna see y'all dressed up as Gaga," she advised. "That's the thing about Spanish Marie shows – whatever theme we do, whatever vibe it is, we always encourage people to dress up." Moreover, "When you come here, I really want everyone to feel included and comfortable and happy."
All of "Mayhem?" Performed live by a drag band? Without interruption? At a brewery... in Florida? Yes, qween – folks are going to be happy.
Kilian Melloy serves as EDGE Media Network's Associate Arts Editor and Staff Contributor. His professional memberships include the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association, the Boston Online Film Critics Association, The Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association, and the Boston Theater Critics Association's Elliot Norton Awards Committee.