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Spurrell is working with Drag King Richard Rockhard and Queen Deva Station (Steven MacLeod) on the project, which will see community members get the chance to put on shows. Inside these doors, everyone is respected.” I want a space that is inclusive and safe. So we got talking, and I'm so happy we can use the space for this. “Jason represents top-tier drag talent, and I find their work incredible. We had a friend in common who was a DJ, and they asked if they could give me number to Jason,” she said. “Of course I knew of Jason (Spurrell), and I was known by the community due to my work with Boom Boom.
But the drag queen's legacy remains, and Phinney was connected to Spurrell through that history. I cannot wait to have drag queens on this stage.”īoom Boom (Ed Savage) was a tireless philanthropist and larger-than-life drag personality who passed in March 2019. This place is covered in art, and performance art is beautiful. I believe in community, and I want people to feel safe in this space. “I was involved in the drag scene with Boom Boom Lubalicious in 2015. My best friend is a gay man, and it's so difficult to think of the fact he has nowhere he feels safe,” she said. “After all that everyone has been through the last few years, it's so important to be able to come together. She wants the space to represent community and happiness. Staggers owner Debbie Phinney has seen her business go through a water-damaged roof in April 2019 and the COVID-19 pandemic. With a capacity of 142, Staggers will serve as a place to do drag shows, art shows, events, and most importantly, will be a safe space for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community to dance. It's not quite the queer space we're used to, but it's exciting to get a heartbeat back for this community.” “The owner doesn't want to make money off us, and she isn't asking for anything from us. Now Staggers will be an ally bar,” they said. When the community was left with nowhere to go, it hurt. “The queer spaces in this city were home. Jason Spurrell – also known as drag queen Rouge Fatale – says this fills the hole left when queer bar Menz n Mollyz closed permanently post-pandemic. fixture in Dartmouth's downtown will play host to 2SLGBTQIA+ shows, programming and other events indefinitely. Saturday nights will look a little different at Staggers Pub & Grub starting in June.