This article was underwritten in part by the Mickey Flacks Journalism Fund for Social Justice, a proud, innovative supporter of local news. To make a contribution go to sbcan.org/journalism_fund.
As the last rays of a red sun dipped below the horizon, a figure clad in tall black boots and metal shoulder pads strode forward on a protruding stage in a crowded courtyard. The drag king lip-synced to audio from the sci-fi classic Plan 9 from Outer Space. To the sound of electric guitar, he reached for a helmet with two shiny wires protruding as the audience cheered. It was Mister Frankie Sister, here to welcome about 200 earthlings to SBCAST for a Night on Kliteron IX.
So began Santa Barbara’s second drag king show of the year. Over the course of the next hour, the audience whooped and cheered as seven kings gave us space explorers and moonlit heartthrobs, sexy aliens and the man in the moon. As they performed, projections of space-themed animations and sci-fi film and television, created by artist Ariel Leira, splashed across a nearby building.
Near the entrance, the Rest Stop, a pop-up inspired by historic lesbian and feminist queer spaces such as bars and bookstores, served handmade refreshments. The show’s co-producer Moxie Bright Evan hosts the pop-up, which has, in the past, included activities like sharing queer books and zines, or hosting film screenings, soup nights or art exhibitions…