The University of Idaho Argonaut

Miss Aquasha DeLusty Absolut at the Moose Lodge in Moscow.

While the shows have been held at different venues throughout the area, they are most known for being held at The Beach in downtown Moscow.

Sprague, who had been managing The Beach for several years, reached a point where she wanted to move on and find a new home for the monthly event.

“Some people expressed disappointment in our decision to move, some expressed great pleasure,” Sprague said. “It’s time for us to move on.”

Barry Tassler, who owns The Beach, said the shows ended when Sprague decided to leave her management position.

“Kathy left, and took her drag shows with her,” he said.
Once the time came for the drag shows to move, the dates were scheduled for different venues in Moscow and Pullman, and the search for a permanent home began.

So far drag shows have been held at the Pullman Moose Lodge and the Moscow Moose Lodge, which Sprague and Simmons said were good experiences.

“The Pullman Moose Lodge was a great space, and we knew the men were using the money made for charity, which was nice,” Simmons said.

Chris Maxey, the general manager for the Pullman Moose Lodge, said that the four drag shows that they’ve held have gone well.

“It is genuine entertainment, and one of the coolest things I’ve seen,” Maxey said. “The performers are awesome and they put on an actual show.”

Simmons said that the Pullman Moose Lodge also had a full bar and special drinks that were created just for the event.

“We have a drink named ‘Snarky’ named after Miss Claudia and a drink called ‘Rainbow’ that looks like tie-dye in a glass and tastes like a gummy bear,” Maxey said.

Maxey said he also appreciates how nice everyone involved with the drag shows are, and that they are caring and do a great job of looking after the facility.

“They’ll go around afterwards with gloves on, picking up cigarette butts off the floors,” Maxey said. “They’ve been very sweet.”
Maxey said that there are at least two more drag shows scheduled for their venue in the future, and he’s looking forward to any future drag shows that may come their way.

“We’ve opened ourselves up to them and we’ll cater to them as much as we can,” he said. “We have our special drink menu for them, and allow them to have access to whatever they may need. They’ve been really great to work with.”

Since the move from The Beach, TabiKat has also held a show at the Moscow Moose Lodge, which happened to be TabiKat’s 13th anniversary show.

Melanie Gideon, who bar tended the event said that it went well.
“I went years ago when it was back at The Beach, and while there wasn’t a stage, or lights or anything, there was still the same amount of people and they still put on a great show,” she said. “I was very impressed.”
She said that while it may not have been as fabulous without the lighting and stage like the Beach had, the men still looked great and everyone seemed to have a good time.

Gideon said that she could see them hosting more drag shows in the future.
“It went well, and our administrator thought it went well and there were no problems, so I’m sure we’ll do more,” Gideon said.

Aquasha, who has been performing at the TabiKat drag shows for the past five years said that while the venues have changed, not much else has because the crowds are loyal.

“Our fans are pretty loyal and they’ll go wherever we go,” Aquasha said. “The new places have been pretty great because people are excited for us to come, and they want us to come perform at their venues. They’ve been really friendly and welcoming, and it makes it feel like it isn’t just a job, like we’re not just coming to perform.”

Aquasha also said that the changing of the locations has been nice because it caters to both the Moscow and Pullman fans.

“There have been people in both cities who can’t come because they can’t make it over, and I don’t mind traveling, so everyone gets to see us,” Aquasha said.

Tassler said that while the drag shows have moved elsewhere, nothing much has changed for them, besides the format.

“Things are the same, we have our Country Music Nights and our Club Music Nights,” Tassler said.
The next venue that will host a drag show will be the Zzu in Pullman on March 1, and it will be the second drag show that is strictly for people ages 21 and older.

“We’re going to try it out and see if it’s a good location,” Simmons said.
Sprague said the main thing for them is that they find a good supportive location, like the Pullman Moose Lodge.

“We’re not looking for a place that is just accepting of the gay community, but welcome too,” Sprague said.