7:30pm | 17105 North Outer 40 Road | 18+ | from $64.20
The days are growing long and there’s a chill in the air. You know what that means, folks! It’s almost time for A Drag Queen Christmas. It’s the longest running drag tour in America, and it’s coming to St. Louis on Wednesday, November 26. Doors open at 6:30 pm, show at 7:30 pm, and a meet and greet is available for VIPs. 18+ welcome. Prepare for your favorites werking hard for you.
The host of our dazzling Christmas show is the one and only Ms. Nina West, who has been hosting A Drag Queen Christmas for eight years, and this year will be herding queens at the Factory in St. Louis. Nina was named Entertainer of the Year in 2008 and her star just keeps rising. She’s worked on Sesame Street and has sung “Rainbow Connection” with Kermit. She’s also in the new movie Queens of the Dead (still in theaters!) as well as the book No Tea, No Shade: Life of a Drag Queen.
In addition to all of this, Nina is not planning on a vacation anytime soon. She took time for her busy schedule to talk to me.
Melissa Cynova: With the way things are going in the world, A Drag Queen Christmas seems to be the sparkly antidote to the darkness.
Nina West: Yes, this is a great opportunity for us to be on the road and celebrating. It’s simple, you know? I think a lot of people do need this kind of art and to have this kind of reaction to it.
A few months ago I went to Werq the World, and then recently to the Indigo Girls concert. It felt so good to be in that safe queer space. You guys are doing the god’s work right now.
NW: You know, it’s not any one thing. It’s not one perfect style or perfect kind of remedy, but all of it together does, I think, do it. It makes you feel better and that alone is important.
Now, who are the entertainers right now that you’re looking to for a little hope?
NW: Oh, that’s a great question. There are so many wonderful, awful, awesome insightful thoughts in this difficult time period. People who are aspiring and funny. Hannah Einbeinder, Bob the Drag Queen, Margaret Cho, Hannah Solow, a Broadway performer that I love – they make me laugh and that’s such a gift. Jeff Hiller is one of those people.
I think that comedians are always the ones to lead the way. It’s such a gift to lighten spirits.
My next question is, how in in the hell do you do all of this? I’ve looked at your touring schedule!
NW: The schedule is crazy but I’ve done this for a few years now. You have to jump on the train and ride with it otherwise you’ll get left behind. I have learned things the hard way. You know, drink lots of water. You’re on trains and the tour bus and yes, I’m sleeping on a bus, but it’s the most fun. Stay hydrated.
So, after tour, do you take a break?
NW: Noo, drag is a very…I gotta work. I’ll work through MLK Weekend. I’ve done a one-woman show, I’ve been traveling around with a tour called Sugar in Your Tank that I’m bringing to the West Coast. I have some appearances here and there and then I have a tentative break scheduled in February.
Sometimes you just have to hustle.
NW: There’s some exciting value in the work and I think this is my calling. I love what I do.
You’re coming to the great state of Missouri to see us in St, Louis!
NW: Well, this is the truth. I have said this in interview after interview and I really mean this. People say, what are your favorite stops? Where do you love to tour? And there is a sweet spot in the middle of America and it’s Omaha, Kansas City, St. Louis kind of run. The people are honest, real, kind, fantastic, wonderful audiences. Appreciative audiences. Full audiences! Incredible food. The food is beyond and St. Louis is one of those places that I absolutely adore. It makes me so happy to have the opportunity to come back. I did Hairspray in St. Louis multiple times, and this is a true story: my very first out-of-town booking was at Attitudes in St. Louis. It made me feel like I had arrived!
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
NW: Yes, I’ll tell you, this year is really a fantastic year. It’s the 11th year of Murray and Pete’s Drag Queen Christmas. The lineup is so stacked. Shea Coulee, Lexi Love, Jewel Sparkles, Lydia Collins, you’ve got Bob and Crystal Method. You’ve got Brooke Lynn Hytes, my [RuPaul’s Drag Race] season 11 sister. And you’ve got Susie, too! This show is exactly everything you could want for it to be.
It’s a fantastic drag show. It’s filled with excitement and joy, and if people need that. If they don’t have the holiday spirit yet, we’re gonna give it to you. We’re going to bring the holiday season to you.
That’s the name of this article.
NW: We’re bringing the joy, mama! This tour is all about community and joy and gathering together, yes, the holiday season, but also celebrate the ability to still come together. It’s really vital and we cannot lose sight of that. | Melissa Cynova
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit thefactorystl.com and at www.dragfans.com.
