Every once in a while I’m given an unexpected gift in the form of a blogging topic. The most recent one resulted in today’s Grandma Treats Us To Drag Show post.
The gift? This delightful post by Stacey Gustavson about her recent visit with six of her pals to San Francisco’s first-rate drag show. Two paragraphs in and I knew I’d been to the very same venue with my 88-year-old mom and my 15-year-old son back in 2011.
My next thought? How have I not written about this before? It is an iconic just typikel McKenzie experience.
Allow me to rectify that oversight now.
Grandma Treats Us To Drag Show
As regular readers know I’ve got quite the mother. She’s 92 and full of piss and vinegar (her words). It will therefore come as absolutely no surprise that she considers it her prerogative to keep my children educated on everything.
In 2011, with my then 16 year-old daughter joining her classmates on a Spring Break trip to the South Pacific, Mom invites me and her grandson to join her on a week’s stay in San Francisco.
My kids and I love the City by the Bay and together we’ve experienced our fair share of its golden highlights. Undaunted, my mother works tirelessly to discover new options to share; after several failed suggestions she refuses to give up.
“How about the drag queen show at the Sir Francis Drake Hotel? Have you taken the kids to that before, Kel?”
Uh no.
Previous trips have included cable car rides, the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, the aquarium, Fishermen’s Wharf, bushels of sourdough, Union Square, and the Ghiardelli Chocolate factory. Somehow we’ve missed the Sir Francis Drake Hotel drag show.
She glances at me in sheer delight.
“Ohhh. It’s perfect then. Every boy has to see the drag queen show.”
My son isn’t naive. Being forced to sit through treated to regular family VCR viewings of the 1996 classic Robin Williams’ and Nathan Lane’s “The Birdcage” he has a pretty good idea of what’s in store. It’s the concept of being the only teenaged boy in the room that haunts him. He leans towards me to offer up an audible hiss.
“Mom! It’ll be just brides with their bridesmaids and older couples drinking cocktails and guys singing along to Judy Garland songs! Can’t I stay back at the hotel?”
My mother misunderstands.
“Nonsense. It’s a slice of life that everyone should see. These men are beyond gifted. They become the women they are portraying.You may never be this close to such talented people ever again and you simply must come with us.”
She books three tickets to the upcoming Sunday’s A Drag Show at the Starlight Room located 21 stories up in the Sir Francis Drake Hotel.
Seconds after our arrival she has us cosily ensconced in a velvet cushioned booth with none other than the creator of the Sunday’s A Drag Show. Mr Harry Denton.
He welcomes us with the enthusiasm of an old friend.
“What can I get you ladies to drink?”
Much to his delight, my dear mother having sworn off alcohol for medical reasons, orders “something virgin.” As for me, the quick glance at the extensive bar has me swooning.
“Surprise me Harry.” I flirtatiously suggest in a sorry attempt to put my son at ease. Our drinks arrive in minutes.
I’m certain our host will move on to greener booths with the drinks delivery. I’m wrong. As per usual, I’ve underestimated my mother’s amazing gift of chit-chat. In the half hour before the show starts (Mom always insists we get to things ridiculously early in a timely fashion) Harry entertains us with brilliant stories of his colorful life. My son in particular is treated to endless choice tidbits of advice.
Harry’s patient attention has me thinking. I look around the rapidly filling room. My little man’s prediction was pretty spot on. A beaming bride and her feminine entourage are seated at the table closest to the stage. Older couples sit drinking cocktails at the small intimate tables dotted throughout the room and jocular young chaps in their 30’s, many sporting feather boas and colourful makeup, fill most of the remaining booths. Harry smiles and waves to many of the latter. They’re obviously regulars. My son is the youngest person in the room by a good 15 years. I actually believe Harry is enjoying this novel attendee.
And the show?
Depends whom you ask.
Overall we are treated to a fun, professional show consisting of Tina Turner, Bette Midler and some other winning stars of back in the day. The music consists of a wonderful mix of oldies, disco and some retro, along with the mainstay of pop and R&B. My mother adores every minute, every naughty and clever act. I am also having a wonderful time. And my son? There’s a fair bit of potential audience interaction with the singers and I suspect he’s happiest when the lights are low and all attention is focussed towards the stage.
As for the food, well it’s as you’d expect. We’re not there for the food.
Four years later, I’m not sure if Harry is still a fixture at the show. However, he’s not forgotten in this family. After firing off a quick text yesterday requesting memories of our chat with Mr. Denton, my now 19-year-old son sent back two special vignettes.
“You simply must move to New York. Every man must spend at least a year in that marvelous city.”
“Always give your girl either one rose or a dozen. Nothing more, nothing less.”
Thanks Mom. Once again, you’ve created an exceptional memory for me and one of my children. I look forward to seeing what you come up with next.
Enough about me and our drag show adventure. I’m curious about you? Have you (and a parent or teenager or possibly both) gone to a drag show? Did you have a hoot? Or would you not even consider attending with your bestest of buds? If you’d care to share, I’d love to hear.
41 Responses
Oh Kelly what a delightful story! I’ve never been to a drag show and I live 10 minutes away from San Francisco and the beautiful Sir Francis Drake. It is now on my list! (As well as those delicious-looking cocktails.) I wonder if my 13-year-old son would enjoy it…;)
Oh Nicki you simply must go! It is really fun – high energy and naughty! I was so happy to read that it was still going on when I came across my blogging pal’s blog about her visit. As for your son? Hahahahah! I say yes! And I know my mom would be cheering him on saying “oh you’re never too young …”
You mom is a hoot! Don’t tell her but I’ve never been to a Drag Queen Show in my life. I’ve been to the Sir Francis Drake many time but have somehow missed Harry! But oh how I do LOVE the movie Birdcage. Nathan Lane, Hank Azaria, Christine Baranski AND Robin Williams?? That cast couldn’t be more fabulous!
Oh Mo I won’t tell Mom. She’d be horrified. And probably ask for your email so she could chat with you directly! And of course I wasn’t surprised to learn that you too love The Birdcage. That scene where Nathan and Robin are attempting to make N more masculine? So funny. Oh and the “pirine” tablets. And Hank schlepping about in stiff shoes … Classic. Can’t watch it enough as both my children well know.
So great Kelly, yet another reason to love your Mum ! She is one in a million. I still remember being amazed that she had read Fifty Shades of Grey !!
Hahahahah! So true. Jane, she and I were talking about Fifty Shades just yesterday. Apparently she is chatting it up in her building and shocking one and all. “Of course it’s poorly written but it is an important thing to read. Particularily in these times of Jian Ghomeshi …” Yes – she’s one in a million all right.
Oh yes – this has met my expectations! lol What a gem of a mum you have and sharing such wonderful experiences together are priceless! I feel like I’m with you there. I’ve never really been one for going to shows although I did once stumble across a drag bar down a back street in Berlin. When I was little I once met a well-known ageing UK drag ‘star’ Danny La Rue and my mum never lets me forget how I told her the lady was so lovely!
Oh Helen thank you for sharing this! Did you pop into the Berlin bar? I am smiling here over the Danny La Rue comment. The gals I saw at the show were really so lovely too! Bette Midler, Liza Minnelli, Tina Turner … just perfect. Thank you for nudging me earlier to get this written too. Once I sat down at the keyboard all the memories of our “Sunday’s a Drag” at the Starlight Room in the Sir Francis Drake Hotel came flooding back. So thank you!
Poof! It’s to enjoy everything life has to offer, Kel. We will take Meredith next time. Today we have a six hour drive to Salmon Arm to visit Uncle Dave who unfortunately has gangrene in one leg. We will read him this Post as he undoubtedly needs cheering up. Bless him. Has one of the only l000 medals from Burma durinfg the last war. Shot down twice over the jungle, to be saved by the Americans. Great people.Only man I know who has had malaria badly twice. You should write about him and the bears who visited on his front porch. And the boat he built which sank mid-lake on first trip out. We are rather a mad family. Love, Mom.
Well let’s hope the reading of this post brings him some joy Mom! As for being rather a mad family, I must say I have to agree with you! Oh the stories.
Hi Kelly’s Mom! Yes, absolutely Kelly should write about bears on porches and sinking ships, and everything else. Absolutely! 😀
Thank you Harmony. I really must unearth those stories. Somehow they have escaped me! So fun to learn about though! I’ll share here when I’m in the know!
Well, what a treat to see frankie robinson’s (your mom) comment and to get a head’s up for what’s next: bears on the front porch.
Kelly, I love that you are your mom in that you’re showing us a way to enjoy everything that life has to offer. I now am using your blog to add to my bucket list.
PS No drag shows, but I have several drag queen friends. Does that count?
I always look forward to my mom’s comments here Susan. I’ll unearth the story about the bears on the way up in the car today. I can’t recall that particular gem! As for having several drag queen friends I’d say that more than counts. And I’m once again reminded of how blessed you are.
What a great story! I am amazed of the details you shared about something that happened a few years ago. (not sure I could do that so it impresses the heck out of me)
More fun exciting memories to share with us? Yes, please!
Thank you Elda! How very kind. However please don’t ask me about important things like the dates of the Roman Empire – I haven’t a clue about those key things. I seem to have a “gift” for retaining incredibly unimportant minutiae!
I’m rather amazed to realize that while I have a few drag queen friends, I’ve never actually been to a show. However, I suspect that their shows are not family rated, so that may explain it. And before you get too many ideas about me, teaching in a University art department, I met a lot of different people. 🙂
I bet you met a lot of different people there. You know, I don’t think I ever knew you taught in a University art department. My mom taught at UBC in the Fine Arts Dept. for 7 years. You are blessed to have more than one drag queen friend Linda!
My admiration for your mum grows with every post you write about her. I’ve never been to a drag show, let alone take children to one. Seems like I’ve been missing out.
Hhahaha! Yes, you are missing out. It is so much fun. I’ve been to a few and the experiences always left me feeling happy and joyful.
I do think think I’ve ever been to one and I’m sitting here wondering why. I would totally love it!! Of course, I did see Don Shelby, a local celebrity, in high heels and cheek less pants when he hosted the rocky horror picture show play in town which was fabulous. A drag show in now on my list 🙂
Excellent Michele. I look forward to hearing what you think! I always find them so much fun.
What a fabulous fun story. I enjoyed reading and felt as though I was there.Thank you for sharing 🙂
Oh thank you Kama.Thank you for popping in and commenting. The writing of this post brought it all back to me. It was quite the show.
Just. Awesome. thank you for this delightful story (Quite timely as I was just this past week part of a Bride to Be’s entourage at A similar show in Minneapolis!) Cheers to your mom!
Ooooh Amy that’s fun! Hope your entourage had a wonderful time. I’ll pass on your cheers to Mom!
I would love to tag along with you and your mom for a day/week/vacation!!!
I love the fact that you let them surprise you with a drink – I’ve done that several times and it usually works out very well.
Chris and I and a group of friends went to a drag show in Vegas years ago – so much fun!!! And, I couldn’t get over the fact that most of those guys looked much better in their evening gowns and heels then I will ever hope to look.
Kim that would be so much fun to have you tag along. And yes, the drink was delicious. I wanted to order several more in fact, however I held back as it was 11:30 in the morning and I had to get both Mom and my son safely back to the hotel. And I agree with you about the appearance of these performers. Man alive, they were gorgeous, in great shape and had me feeling rather dowdy in seconds.
WHAT a character your mom is!!!!!
You said it. She is. Thanks Kathy. I’ll let her know what you think. She’ll pretend to be surprised but really she’ll be tickled pink.
I have never taken my girls to something like this – but I would. I think it’s important for kids to see people who embrace themselves. What’s it look like to be true to yourself? Like this.
Exactly Eli. You nailed it.
My favorite line of your post might be “Uh no.” 🙂
This may come as no surprise to you, but I HAVE been to the La Cage show at the Imperial in Vegas. In fact, I know the Cher/Celine Dion impersonator there! He was a teacher with me at a daycare center in North Carolina and he had eyebrows to die for. I’m happy for him that shortly after I worked with him in the late 1990s, he got his big break years ago and moved to Vegas where he performs and entertains to this day!
Oh Katy – thank you. “Uh no” is my favourite too! I’m so glad you got that bit.
I am impressed! Not only have you been to La Cage but you are on a first name basis with Cher/Celine. SO very cool. Love that comment about his eyebrows. How wonderful for him to find success in that biz. Must be like all entertainment – very competitive. Should I ever return to Vegas I’ll look him up.
I am CRYING with laughter…I absolutely LOVE this story so much. And the roses advice is absolutely perfect…love it. :)-Ashley
Thanks Ashley. I am so glad I made you cry! And yes, the roses comment. It was really cool the way he took my son under his wing and paid such attention to him. I felt he was really trying to put him at ease.Even though Mom and I were in the middle he leaned way out and spoke directly to him.
I’ve stayed in the Sir Francis Drake hotel, but I did not make it to the drag show. My loss, I suppose. I’ve never been to one, but I’ve been to a strip club. Does that count? I was not with my mother or my son, thank goodness.
Dana- you’re missing out. Next time you’re at the St. Francis make a reservation for their “Sunday’s a Drag” brunch. You’ll leave with a lighter heart and a song on your lips.
Your mom is one of a kind. So are you because it takes not just a story, but also an amazing humour writer to not just do the story justice but add their own flare to it. This was awesome. I love that your son made such an accurate prediction, yet he still remembers Harry’s advice four years later. Clearly, as you say, it was an evening to remember. Hugs!
Oh Katia how very kind. Thank you! It was really quite the adventure. One that I’m sure my son will never forget! And yes Mom is really quite something. The best part? She truly isn’t aware that she’s special. Carries on as if she’s 70. I love that. I’ll pass on your kind words to her. She’ll be tickled pink.