"Pelt her, pelt her, all the way down!"

A lively crowd chanted their intentions as they pelted a wig-wearing bingo winner with crumpled paper score cards. The ritual was repeated with all ten of the winners during last Wednesday's first ever Drag Queen Bingo at Hamburger Patties.

Approximately 75 prize-hungry people showed up to the 7:00 p.m. event produced by Outword magazine. The night's proceeds went to Women Escaping A Violent Environment (WEAVE), an organization that provides crisis intervention services for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.

The idea for Drag Queen Bingo came about a year ago, said Hamburger Patties co-owner Richard Borill. Borill and fellow owner Davin Mansch worked with Outword Publisher Fred Palmer to get a charity beneficiary on board for Drag Queen Bingo's launch.

Palmer asked WEAVE if they would want to collaborate, and according to WEAVE's Director of Development and Communication Relations Julie Burnhoeft, the organization jumped at the chance.

"Anytime Outword and Fred Palmer do something, it's going to be a good time," Burnhoeft said. "There have been budget challenges for everyone, so anytime someone can support us it's great. Every little bit counts."

The event will currently run every other week and will support different charities Mansch said. Eventually it is his hope that the turnouts will allow Drag Queen Bingo to be weekly.

Mistress of Ceremonies Rusty Nails made it clear that the night was about audience participation. She kept players on their toes and the entertainment coming with one-liners like "I told you I had Kathy Griffin in the trunk of my car, I'm not going to let her steal my gays," and "When you were 24, Judy Garland was alive."

Palmer met Nails when he saw her hosting a previous event. Her sharp and hilarious energy was the type of presence Drag Queen Bingo needed.

"We [Palmer, Mansch and Borill] wanted someone who was over the top, very fun and energetic," Palmer said. "Not tragic drag, if we wanted tragic drag we would do it ourselves."

As promised in the flyer, this was not "your grandmother's bingo." Winners donned a wig and tiara for their victory dash through the restaurant and a few were pulled onto stage and spanked by Nails.

If there was a tie, the two potentials played a sudden death round. The victor went away with prizes such as a "movie night" gift basket or a $50 Hamburger Patties bar credit, while the loser thrust his or her hand into a large red bag as the crowd chanted "Bag of Crap, Bag of Crap!" Much to the audience's delight, the Bag of Crap yielded gag prizes such as Paul Cameron's Gay Guide.

Drag queens have long been a visible force in the fields of activism, charity and good will. June 28 marked the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, an event remembered partly through the stories of young drag queens refusing to submit to police raids. As Nails continued to incite laughter and participation from her audience, it was clear how her presence was the catalyst for the night's success.

Felicity Diamond, of Divine Divas of Diversity and the next Emcee for Drag Queen Bingo, said the effectiveness of drag queens as communicators stems from their abilities to combine humor and spectacle.

"We bridge the gap between communities with laughter and fun," said Diamond. "Everyone can relate to and enjoy having fun."

"It's all about selling," Burnhoeft said. "They can make a fabulous case for whatever they're putting out there. Who doesn't love a good drag queen? How can you not do what they tell you to?"

The evening concluded with the 10th and final winner receiving 12 tickets to the California State Fair. There was a bit of a mix-up as Nails thought the prize was only for two tickets. Her reaction when she realized it was 12?

"That bitch is going to have an orgy on the Zipper."



Join Felicity Diamond Aug. 26 for the second installment of Drag Queen Bingo. 6:30 @ Hamburger Patties, 1630 J St.

For WEAVE's Website click here
 

Photo credit to Charles Peer