We're revisiting this episode of The Long Play from 2016 featuring Darcelle XV.
Before Stonewall and the legalization of gay marriage, before RuPaul or Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, there was Darcelle XV’s. Founded in 1967, it’s the longest-running drag revue in the country, with a never-ending parade of bejeweled dresses, feather boas, Cher tunes, and double entendres. Now 86 years old (at the time of this interview), and still hosting multiple shows a night, we sat down with Darcelle and her right-hand queen, Poison Waters, to talk about what drag means and how the club has evolved, and to swap some great old stories.
The Long Play was a Portland Monthly podcast, featuring unedited conversations with Portland innovators, game changers, and generally fascinating people.