As the lights go down and the music starts, a lively crowd cheers as drag queens take the stage doning luxurious makeup and outfits at the Hilo Town Tavern.
“PINK!” is a monthly drag show at the tavern that premiered in Hilo in 2017 and has only grown in popularity since its launch.
Recently, tickets for the Friday night shows sell out as soon as they become available, according to Greg Lupton, an organizer for Hawaii Island LGBTQ+ Pride and “PINK!”
“The pandemic has proved to be one of the worst things that could have happened to the world in many ways. However, it might have been one of the best things that could have happened for ‘PINK!,’” Lupton said. “When the tavern opened its doors again for live performances, the community was hungry for the face-to-face experience.”
Due to capacity limitations, people have to sit at designated tables, which requires presale tickets that quickly sell out.
“It feels terrific to have an ebullient crowd of people at ‘PINK!’ every month,” Lupton said. “The LGBTQ+ community has always found strength in making connections. In-person gatherings will continue to facilitate that strength and joy.”
Aaries Judd-Sombrio frequently performs at “PINK!” while attempting to feature a new makeup design and outfit for every performance.
Judd-Sombrio began his drag journey seven years ago during Pride in 2015, when he competed in the Mr. Big Island Pride. Pride commemorates the ongoing pursuit of equality for the LGBTQ+ community and is celebrated with an annual parade and festival in Hilo.
He has blossomed as a drag performer as “Aaries the Extra” and entertains audiences by doing drag while not looking like a traditional female.
“At the time, I wasn’t doing anything extra in my life, just working,” Judd-Sombrio said. “I feel like drag for me is a form where I can be even more extra than I already am. It gives you the opportunity to take that to the next level and feel comfortable.”
Although Judd-Sombrio’s form of drag is different from a typical queen, he said audience members are more receptive to different forms of entertainment, especially after the pandemic.
“When I started drag, people weren’t so open to the different forms of drag. I am not the typical queen, and I think some people didn’t understand what I was doing,” Judd-Sombrio said. “But after COVID, I noticed the community has opened up to all forms of what we do. Not every single performer needs to look like a female. There is no boundary to drag anymore.”
“PINK!” shows have featured drag and nondrag performers such as burlesque dancers, drag kings, cast members from local productions, and the Puna Men’s Chorus.
“Drag has become an outlet for people to express the artistic side of their personality,” Judd-Sombrio said. “I’ve never dressed up so much in a year until after the pandemic.”
“Palehua” is a drag queen who has been performing for about four years. Palehua has been a performer all her life and decided to take a different approach to starting her drag journey.
“Prior to drag, I used to do musical theater, dancing, and I was Zumba instructor for awhile. Those experiences helped me get on stage,” Palehua said. “I’m a bit of a perfectionist, so I was concerned about moving into someone’s space, so I started doing my own shows with some friends.”
After getting more involved with “PINK!,” Palehua has seen the shows grow and the community become more encouraging.
“Four years ago, it was so different from now. Every show the past six months has been sold out or packed,” Palehua said. “Before, we’d be performing to about 10 in an audience sometimes. It’s great to see more support, because the reason we’re on stage is to entertain.”
For many queens, restrictions and lockdowns created uncertainty about whether the show would survive past the pandemic.
“It was difficult, like it was for most people. Not being able to do what we love to do and not knowing if we could again was scary,” Palehua said. “But now, I know I appreciate live art and entertainment more, and I think a lot of people feel the same way. I think many queens are better because of the experience, because we thought we could lose this.”
While the performances continue to garner larger audiences in Hilo as well as Kona, Palehua is happy the drag shows continue to be a safe space for all people.
“Our drag shows
create safe spaces for people like us, and it’s amazing to see,” Palehua said. “I appreciate people not in the LGBTQ+ community coming and respecting our space.
It’s nice to see the audiences grow, but not the drama.”
Those interested in upcoming shows can find more information by following @pinkitsashow on Facebook or Instagram.
Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com
