Sunday, March 11, 2018

Drag365: Show #60- Ultimate Drag Pageant, Week 7 at The West End

Nicole Onoscopi // photo by Michael Block
Day: Thursday, March 1st              

Show: Ultimate Drag Pageant, Week 7   

Location: The West End

Queens Seen: Marti Gould Cummings (@martigcummings), Nedra Belle (@nedrabelle), FiFi DuBois (@fifiduboisdq), Ritzy Bitz (@msritzybitz), Allura Borealis (@alluraborealis), Carlos the Uber Driver (@carlostheuberdriver), Celah Doore (@celahdoorenyc), Foolisha (@thefoolisha), Gina Tonic (@itsginatonic), Nicole Onoscopi (@nicoleonoscopi), Shelby Late (@shelby_late), Tiffany Anne Coke (@tiffanyannecoke)


Bambi // photo by Michael Block
If you thought the drama on Drag Race was good, oh honey, you missed the drama at the penultimate week of Ultimate Drag Pageant Season 6! With the theme being "Show Us Your Best," the nine competitors came out slaying. Hosts Marti Gould Cummings and Nedra Belle were joined by the some of New York's best, FiFi DuBois and Ritzy Bitz. With only so many slots available for the grand finale, the girls were given some tough critiques to prepare them. Starting the show off with an homage to her showgirl life, Tiffany Anne Coke put her sexy twist on "Mein Herr" from Cabaret. With pipes to the rafters, Shelby Late belted her heart out with "Glitter in the Air," a number that is at the top of her repertoire. With no wig to be seen, Bambi dazzled the crowd in a new way with her political number themed toward gun violence. With a brilliant concept and a bold risk, Carlos the Uber Driver got in face on stage with a tribute to "The Birdcage" with La Cage's "A Little More Mascara." Celah Doore bore all with her heartfelt performance dedicated to her coarse journey into the world of drag. With an unfortunate track mishap to blame, Gina Tonic's "I Will Survive" money making performance was sadly cut short. Bringing her exceptionally twisted view on performance art, Foolisha dominated with an insane Joan of Arc inspired performance that was nothing short of captivating. Bringing steam punk to "Steam Heat," Allura Borealis provided one of her strongest looks yet. Rounding out the night was easily one of the best performances in the entire competition as Nicole Onoscopi finally paid tribute to her name with a colonoscopy mix featuring an actual "colonoscopy" on stage.
Shelby Late // photo by Michael Block
It was time to make a chop before the finale. With three girls in the bottom three, how many would the judges send home. Lip Syncing to "Hush Hush," it was Allura, Celah, and Gina. Perhaps inspired by the Drag Race episode that aired only hours before, Gina Tonic bowed out of the competition, with the judges justly saving Allura and Celah. It was a sad way to see the seasoned queen go, but like her song, she will survive. Once again, the judges and I were in agreement as Nicole Onoscopi, who received a standing ovation from the guest judges, won the week, securing her third victory of the competition. What will happen in the grand finale? Find out soon!