In a special Pride Month twist on a beloved tradition of Latine culture, on June 23, the Esperanza Peace and Justice Center will present Kingceañera, a performance featuring local drag kings Los MENtirosos and the Zombie Bazaar Panza Fusion dance troupe.
The gender-bending show upends the traditional quinceañera, customarily celebrated when young girls are said to make the transformation into young women at age 15.
Los MENtirosos member Jessica Hawkins created Kingceañera as a play-meets-drag show in which she performs as quinceañera DJ Gacho Marx. “Tonight, I have assembled all of my favorite tíos and tías to come out and perform for you everyone’s favorite quince jams,” but performed in drag, she said of the scenario.
“It really challenges gender norms,” Hawkins said.
The show is an ideal fit for the neighborhood nonprofit organization, which includes advocacy for women, people of color and the LGBTQ community in its mission statement, said communications coordinator Imane Saliba.
The Esperanza Center was founded by activists, she said, and hosting the performance during Pride Month “goes along with what we’ve always done from 30 years ago to this moment. Especially in the times we’re living in, with all the legislation taking place against the community.”
Giomara Bazaldua, artistic director and choreographer of the troupes who also performs as Sir Gio, will lead dancers through solos and group numbers, including a waltz and the time-honored baile sorpresa, the dance chosen by the 15-year-old at the center of the celebration to showcase her dance skills and favored music.
Turning their queer take on quinceañeras into a play came naturally to the Los MENtirosos troupe, Hawkins said, as “our drag king aesthetic as a group is ‘we are your cool tíos at the quince.’ That is our vibe, that’s our attire, that’s the songs we perform.”
Kingceañera was first performed in December in the intimate Jump-Start Performance Co. space on Fredericksburg Road, then again in March on the larger stage of Bonham Exchange.
Bringing the show to the Esperanza Center means it will return to its more intimate scale, Hawkins said.
Doors open at 7 p.m. and the performance begins at 8 p.m. Advance tickets are $8, with tickets available at the door for $12.
