To say last Sunday’s Drag Brunch at 8Up Elevated Drinkery & Kitchen was a total hit would be an understatement. Hard Candy event coordinator Daniel Cole booked two of Louisville’s most fabulous drag queens and a star of RuPaul’s Drag Race to give up close and personal performances while diners feasted upon a buffet of some of 8Up’s most delicious breakfast favorites and a variety of Brown-Forman’s most inventive cocktails. Sunday mornings don’t get much better than that.
Firstly, 8Up’s brunch buffet was scrumptious as ever including perfectly peppered scrambled eggs, feathery croissants, delectable potatoes roasted with herbs, and bacon from out of this world. The perfect meal to go with one of the most unique cocktails offered, the Gentleman’s Cobbler. This one-of-a-kind cocktail was reminiscent of a classic hearty breakfast, featuring flavors of maple syrup and blackberry jam with a kick from one of the event’s sponsors, Gentleman Jack Whiskey.
After browsing the buffet and taking their seats, attendees became the audience for an unforgettably intimate drag show. Former Entertainer of the Year Vanessa Demornay, and Louisville’s current reigning Entertainer of the Year Trinity Taylor served as the first and second acts respectably. As 8Up does not have a stage, the queens danced through the audience to some of today’s biggest pop hits like Sia’s “Chandelier” and Ellie Goulding’s “Love Me Like You Do,” in colorfully fashionable attire and high heels.
The event’s headlining drag queen and star of RuPaul’s Drag Race, Delta Work captivated audience members with her performances. Her second performance, which showcased the queen dressed as Blanche Devereaux of The Golden Girls accompanied by a musical mash-up of the classic sitcom’s theme song and character quotes, was clearly the crowd favorite.
Needless to say, Louisville’s first Drag Brunch was a complete success, serving as one of the city’s most unique afternoons of entertainment. Even audience members who admitted to never witnessing a drag show before were left pleasantly surprised and anxious for next year’s Drag Brunch.
Photos by Elliott Carter