Next week, the Javits Center will probably be full of sequins, feathers and stray false lashes as RuPaul’s DragCon makes its technique to New York City for the second time. With over 50 Drag Race alum confirmed to make appearances — together with particular visitors like Amanda LePore, Ts Madison and Biblegirl — the weekend is assured to be a spectacle.
Billboard caught up with All Star 3 champ Trixie Mattel forward of the conference: “I’ve never missed a single day of DragCon out of all of them. I know my shit, OK?” she says.
In order to verify attendees are correctly ready for DragCon, we requested the folk-singing queen for ten guidelines to take advantage of the weekend.
Don’t miss Aquaria.
In LA, I kicked off DragCon with a efficiency on the primary stage, and this 12 months, you possibly can catch Aquaria performing. She’s most likely doing one thing like I did, however very entertaining with a small waist and a prettier face — so simply, like, higher. So go to that.
Support small companies.
One of the best issues about DragCon — should you stroll as much as the desk, be like, “I like that ring,” and I wager you the particular person made it’s standing behind that desk. Like, you possibly can meet individuals who make the issues there. Obviously, all of us love greater corporations, but it surely’s sort of a great-kept secret at DragCon that you simply get to satisfy a variety of younger artists who make their issues with their very own arms.
Wear comfy sneakers.
I do know you wanna be fierce, however it is advisable, like, carry heels in your bag, however put on like Crocs on the ground. Otherwise, you will be in horrible ache.
Snag limited-edition merch.
You know, for instance, my magnificence merchandise with Sugarpill, we’re gonna have some restricted amount at DragCon. That manner, if you get one thing restricted version, you possibly can simply absolutely stroll round bragging. I imply, it is sort of a two-part factor. Pick up some restricted version merchandise, then stroll round bragging you bought it.
Make a pal.
Think about it. So many issues needed to occur for this particular person to go to DragCon. They have to love drag — you principally have a bottleneck that filters out all of the boring folks. This is a room stuffed with probably the most loving, fabulous folks and should you discuss to somebody, I assure you, it is gonna be like you have got all the things in widespread. I make new mates at DragCon each time. Not simply followers, however designers and queens I’ve by no means met. It’s like a gathering of the minds.
Check out the panels.
You should go to no less than one panel. I do know lots of people go to DragCon and so they do not find time for panels, however should you do not go to a panel, that is the place you’re going to get your mind massaged and stimulated about subjects like gender, leisure, comedy, no matter you wanna hear about, actually. if I might choose a panel to go to, there’s one referred to as — I imagine it is referred to as Judgey Judies. It’s Michelle, Carson and Ross speaking about what it is like to guage Drag Race. As anyone who’s competed 3 times, I believe it is attention-grabbing to see the place they arrive from. If you are a fan of the present, do not you assume you need to hear about their strategy of what it is prefer to have to guage us?
Stay wholesome.
Come to DragCon understanding you are gonna die. Drink water. Having some vitamin C. You’re simply gonna be uncovered to illnesses and germs. Just change into comfy with that. This 12 months, me and my assistant — we have been considering of hiring somebody to place hand sanitizer on within the traces, however we do not wanna insult folks in the event that they’re in line and we’re like, “placed on hand sanitizer earlier than you meet Trixie.” I all the time get sick and I’m like, “should I Bubble Boy this?” Should I get a bug internet?
Front-lighting is a should.
You want a Lumi case otherwise you want a pal to activate their flashlight and maintain it for you throughout an image. Believe me, should you wait two hours in line to satisfy Naomi Smalls, and also you get overheard fluorescent lighting image, you are gonna be so mad. And Javits Center has a variety of pure mild, which is nice, but it surely won’t all the time be in your route, so simply carry the sunshine. The lighting is what actually makes the image.
Dress up.
Going to DragCon dressed up is half the enjoyable of it. However, like I stated, should you’re gonna go in drag — should you’re gonna put on excessive heels, perhaps do a chunky boot. Think it by way of, as a result of, woman, DragCon is strenuous.
Be respectful of everybody’s time.
When you are in line, you need the road to maneuver quick, however if you’re lastly assembly the queen, you need it to go gradual. If all people agrees to make it fast, all people can meet extra drag queens. I do know it is sort of dumb, but when all people strikes by way of line rapidly, you possibly can go away with a extra colourful collage of individuals you met. Think of it like Pokémon, like catch ’em all, take your image and go for the handshake or blowing the kiss, perhaps not the complete hug, perhaps do not contact the hair. Thumbs up all the time work. Thumbs up is glamorous.
Trixie Mattel will seem at RuPaul’s DragCon NYC on September 28-30 on the Javtis Center. Purchase tickets here.
