The New Kind of Misdemeanor on Colfax: Drag Queen Felony Misdemeanor and Her Children Turn Diner Champagne Tiger Into Their Stage
Drag is more than just a performance; it’s a culture; it’s an art; it’s a family. The House of Misdemeanor embodies this sentiment in every performance they give. Sitting in Champagne Tiger, a diner that hosts drag brunches with the Misdemeanors and other performers, the audience can feel the energy, the love, and the passion.
Champagne Tiger keeping its doors open to these beautiful performers is a refreshing change, since the U.S. government has been trying to restrict drag by targeting the venues. “Many of these bills would categorize any drag performance as ‘adult-oriented’ or ‘sexually oriented’ and require businesses that host them to register as ‘adult-oriented businesses,’ subjecting them to further government regulation and restrictions” (MAP). Champagne Tiger’s refusal to cower in fear and choosing instead to stand up for their queer and transgender brothers, sisters, and siblings is what keeps the Denver drag scene alive as they host this all-ages show and others like it.
Champagne Tiger’s drag brunch on February 23 was a sold-out show. It was drag queen Felony Misdemeanor’s 50th birthday. It was Black History Month. It was clear right off the bat that this was going to be fun. Performers included Felony Misdemeanor, Minor Misdemeanor, Michelle B. Misdemeanor, Juiccy Misdemeanor, Markie Arendelle, and more. Most Misdemeanor drag queens have a career of professional dance behind them that has been skillfully modified to fit the demands of drag performance. “The Misdemeanors are famous for their high-energy choreographed dance numbers, with Sebastian Mazur (Minor Misdemeanor) acting as their in-house choreographer and artistic director” (Mirza).
Felony Misdemeanor, host and mother of the House of Misdemeanor, could easily be the face of drag. From outfits to choreography, her years of experience in the scene shine through. The way that Felony Misdemeanor moves makes it hard to believe that she’s 50 years old; she’s flexible enough to be a gymnast and puts the same energy into her performances that a 20-year-old would at a rave. When she’s performing to the song “Come into My House” by Queen Latifah, Felony lip-syncs “give me body” and then does just that.
Felony’s drag daughter, Minor Misdemeanor, opens her first performance dressed as the Statue of Liberty—but that’s not all. When she takes it off, she’s wearing a star-spangled leotard underneath with matching thigh-high boots. If you hadn’t already guessed, Minor’s performance included the song “Party in the USA” by Miley Cyrus. The irony of this is not lost on the audience (who end the show with a unanimous and resounding cry of “Fuck Trump”). Minor’s “all-American” performance is a show of joy in the face of a country filled with hate. The stars on her outfit scream I’m here, and I’m here to stay. You can’t get rid of me.
Performing to “Hips Don’t Lie” by Shakira, Michelle B. Misdemeanor proves that there is truth to the song—Her hips really don’t lie. And neither does the rest of her body. Michelle moves like a well-oiled (or well-lubed!) machine in a gold leotard in gloves. The way that she dances is mesmerizing, and the way that she headbangs and shakes her hair around makes her an instant favorite.
Performer Juiccy Misdemeanor brings a strong presence to the diner. The audience can feel something radiating off her—maybe confidence, or pride, or Pride with a capital P. Whatever it is, it makes you want to sit up straighter when she walks by.
A beginner queen, Felony’s drag granddaughter performs at this show as well. Maybe “beginner” is the wrong word; she carries herself like she’s been a part of the scene for 10 years and performs like it’s been 20. This queen has mastered a seductive look that she directs towards the audience to immediately capture their attention. She wears a blue bodysuit that clearly doesn’t restrict any movement because she can vogue like nobody’s business. Top-of-the-charts voguing. Voguing that leaves the audience with their jaws on the floor.
Markie Arendelle will catch your eye immediately. They look like Kate McKinnon’s Weird Barbie, and they pull it off. Markie is the DJ, but the audience gets a treat when they pull out their saxophone and a microphone to put on a performance like no other, singing and playing “Let Love Rule” by Lenny Kravitz. It’s clear from Markie’s energy and the huge smile on their face that they’re putting their all into each line, and the audience mirrors it by clapping and singing along. The power in the communal singing of the lyric “let love rule” makes it abundantly clear that Markie has something special. When Felony Misdemeanor mouths “I love you” to them after their performance, Markie looks on the verge of tears, and their face shines with a kind of pure joy you can’t find anywhere else. This is the community that drag upholds; it lets love rule.
If you want to support the local drag scene, watch incredible performers, and have the time of your life, head to Champagne Tiger on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. or 12:30 p.m. with your dollar bills and your cheers ready. The diner, located on East Colfax Ave, is owned by a couple who “wants to make sure Champagne Tiger stays true to its neighborhood roots. “I think our concept honors this space, honors this neighborhood, and hopefully will be something that kind of fits for everybody, because Colfax is its own place”.” (Barnes). There’s nothing better than quintessentially Denver drag.
Works Cited
Barnes, Cynthia. “Champagne Tiger Brings the Bubbles to Former Tom’s Diner on East Colfax.” Westword (Denver, CO), sec. Restaurants, 23 Aug. 2024. NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current, https://infoweb-newsbank-com.
Mirza, Cleo. “Meet Six Colorado Drag Families Keeping You Entertained This Pride Month.” Westword (Denver, CO), sec. LGBTQ+, 14 June 2023. NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current, https://infoweb-newsbank-com.
Movement Advancement Project. “Equality Maps: Restrictions on Drag Performances.” https://www.mapresearch.org/
Movement Advancement Project. “ERASING LGBTQ PEOPLE FROM SCHOOLS AND PUBLIC LIFE”. Under Fire Series Report #2. https://www.mapresearch.org/
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