If your gonna demand a dollar then you better show some respect. I have never felt this way or have thought of tipping a performer as a demand or payment for entertainment until Wednesday when my friends and I went to Ames to have some fun and support our friends who were performing in the local drag show. I understand that being a drag queen is a very expensive activity that requires lots of talent, confidence and more money that I can imagine! I have lots of friends who participate in the art of female and male impersonation and they are all so very good at what they do, they are humble and gracious for the support the community gives whether its through kind words, tips or just giving them your complete attention during a performance, Those are my friends and then there are others.....
The drag show was a mixed crowd full of college students, friends and family of performers, straight and gay audience members from all over Iowa just excited to have a good time. As supporters its a common practice to tip the drag queen or king when you like the way they look, the hair and makeup and outfit or if you like the song or if they are working real hard during a dance number ect. Last week one of the performers whos name wont be mentioned posted a list on facebook, the list was her top five people that she didnt like. My first thought when I saw this list was what kind of person posts a list like this, and then when i saw that half the list was people that were my friends, and people who have always lended a hand and worked so hard in there life I was sad and disappointed. This particular person who posted the list is not someone im friends with or that I see on a regular basis and I have my own reasoning for that, I just don't like the way they treat other people and as if i didn't think she was disrespectful before the recent events I sure do now. Because of the list that was posted a lot of people were upset and hurt and when this drag queen came up on stage and performed she didn't make as many tips as she used to and she made a point to put blame on "us Des Moines" group of friends. Now this i believe is unfair, first off yes I was not happy with her as a person but not much improved as a performer she was the same person with too much makeup on, spandex and some glitter. After her first performance comments were made that she didn't get tips from us an drama drama drama started. This to me is demanding a dollar and she had no right to even expect anything from anyone. Now this may seem a little harsh but i have watched, tipped and never said anything about this performer for two years and I have to put in my two cents and just say that all the money i brought to tip was intended to go to performers doing a great job who deserved it. It may be a dollar but we all know that a dollar goes along ways and as much as it looked like she needed the money to clean up her act im sure it would have only been spent on fast food and trade.
*Disclaimer: For the record, the "Des Moines group" in an extremely open community. We love to support people in the arts from all over the state. Many performers from Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, Ames, and even Omaha are welcomed with open arms and treated with the respect that they deserve. Those who were not, clearly didnt diserve it.
No comments:
Post a Comment