Boys R Us

arts / performance / boysrus

Boys R Us improves on the original, Southwest Fetish Ball. MUSE, Tucson, Fall 2003 images © cia romano 2003

Laugh hysterically and consider the ironies of gender. We did at the Southwest Fetish Ball, where drag kings Boys R Us turned the straight world on its head. A don't-miss.

NAME:

"Boys R Us"

OCCUPATION:

"Tucson's Premier Gender Performance Troupe."

QUOTE:

"All gender is a performance."

MEMBERS OF THE GROUP:

"At this time, our cast of characters include:
Manny Pack
Mister Fister
DJ Yo Man
Tiger Cakes
Drop Down Betty
Willy Lover
Silk
JJ Jingles
Flexx Double XX
Pierce Johnson
Jethro Swagger"

OTHER CO-CONSPIRATORS:

"Various Drag Queens, Sock Puppets."

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN PERFORMING IN TUCSON:

"We started two years ago as a small group of friends having fun and playing dress up. Since then the groups membership has grown exponentially, as have our commitment and organization. Many of us got started at different times, for different reasons. Some of us simply like to look like boys some of the time, some like looking like boys all the time. We all enjoy creating a safe space where we can be sexy and act out ideals, whether they are as foxy feminine slut, as a boy toy, or as a complete androgyny. For many of us it has been a place to grow out of our shell, where a wide spectrum of acting and dancing experience is mixed with an open playful environment. Some of us are acting on childhood daydreams of being a rock star, while at the same time, as adults we get to question the meaning of pop culture idolatry. And of course, we also do it to have fun."

ONE WORD TO DESCRIBE TUCSON:

"Open-minded."

WHAT WOULD YOUR GROUP LIKE TO SEE HAPPEN IN THE LOCAL SCENE:

"We would love to see the non-queer scene open up to us, as well as bring together different types of people within the queer community."

CONNECTING POINTS:

"Performing: Vaudeville, Wingspan, Pride Festivities, & anyplace else as the topic comes up. We may be doing something at ASU in Phoenix and maybe the Wilde Playhouse in the future. Hang out: All around town, various coffee shops & bars - Epic & Bentley's, IBT's & Che's, the Congress."

ARTIFACTS:

"For more info check out: www.tucsondragkings.com From the website there are also T-Shirts, Hats, Posters, etc. as well as photos and a chat forum."

CONTACT INFO:

booking@tucsondragkings.com