Be Here Now Drag Show
Date: Sept. 2
Time: 9 p.m., doors open at 8 p.m.
Cost: $10 for under 21, $5 for 21 and over
Editor's Note: This article contains vulgar language.
After much practice, Jacob Goodpastor can get ready for a drag show performance in an hour and a half. Goodpastor, known as “Venus” onstage, has been a drag queen for two years and will host Be Here Now’s drag show at 9 p.m. on Sept. 2.
In addition to organizing the show, he will also perform about six times during the event. Goodpastor has always had a love for being in the spotlight and dancing, traits that led him to buy his first outfit.
“I've also always had a fem[inine] side to me that I wanted to explore, and I enjoy playing characters,” he said. “So one day I was like, ‘I'm going to try this.’”
Goodpastor has come a long way from his first costume, bought at Party City. Now, not only are his outfits custom, his wigs are made out of human hair.
He has also narrowed down his favorite makeup products, and always listens to punk rock when “painting.”
For his name, Goodpastor took his inspiration from Lady Gaga’s single, “Venus,” and the Disney movie “The Little Mermaid.”
“When Gaga was promoting that song she always dressed like a mermaid,” he said. “So it was very obvious that was the name for me.”
Like Goodpastor, Josh Kats, known as “Ida Kay,” had a passion for being onstage.
Kats has been in theater since he was 8 years old, and loved singing, acting and dancing. He has been a drag queen for the past two years.
“I was actually serving at a bar in downtown Indianapolis and my current drag grandmother told me I should contact my now drag mother, and the rest was history,” Kats said.
A “drag mother” is the person who gets someone interested in drag for the first time, Kats said. That person becomes a confidant and someone to go to with questions about drag. “Drag families” are common; Kats has two drag sisters, a drag mother, father, grandmother, aunts and more.
For Kats, getting ready for a show can take an hour and a half to two hours. His process includes covering his eyebrows with Elmer’s glue and putting pounds of cake makeup on his face. Sometimes, he even wears five pairs of dance tights at a time.
“The process is strenuous,” Kats said. “[I put] duct tape in places that should never be duct taped.”
Kats’s original name was 'Ida Killabitch,' however, he changed it to be more audience-friendly.
During performances, he enjoys being able to channel all of his energy into what he’s doing. His favorite part is being able to meet the audience members.
“[They] are so supportive,” he said.
For Goodpastor, being a drag queen isn’t about money or fame; it’s about creating a strong connection with fans. As someone who has suffered with eating disorders, self-harm and a mental health disorder, Goodpastor wants to promote the message that no one is ever alone.
“There's always a tomorrow and there's always a new day to accomplish your goals,” Goodpastor said. “Never give up. I didn't have anyone by my side for a long time so I feel like it's my job to be there for other people.”
Doors open for Be Here Now’s show at 8 p.m. Admission is $10 for those under 21, and $5 for those 21 and over.
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