25 years ago, on Kathy Sprague’s 30th birthday, TabiKat Productions had their first show.
The name of the company is a mashup of Sprague and her wife, Tabitha Simmons, nicknames that they hate. The name is an inside joke between them.
However, the origin of the company came from a sad event. On Sprague’s 28th birthday, someone close to her passed away from AIDS complications. Two years later, as a way to move forward, TabiKat was born in order to create a safe and inclusive environment for LGBTQA people.
Today, TabiKat shows are put on all over the community. Some of their staple events include Drag Bingo and Drag 101. TabiKat performers have also participated in other drag show events such as I Slay Cabaret, which was a drag show put on at the University of Idaho by Vandal Entertainment, the LGBTQA Office and the Residence Hall Association.
Saturday will mark 25 years of having that safe and inclusive environment.
“I am little flabbergasted,” Sprague said. “It feels great that we have this support and that we’ve built these relationships. You know, there’s always naysayers, but we’ve continued on. We have learned a lot of lessons and we have built an incredibly strong show and being a part of that is gratifying, humbling, and I’m just flabbergasted.”
Sprague said she enjoys seeing the performers’ relationships grow as they perform together. She said it’s “not a competition, this is family.” She alsosaid she enjoys seeing performers grow individually in their craft.
“Every year I see young queers who are just discovering themselves, and watching them grow and find themselves through drag is amazing. To be a part of that is amazing,” Sprague said.
Performers Aquasha DeLusty and Claudia Stubblemeyer will be hosting the 25th anniversary show.
DeLusty has been doing drag for 18 years and 16 of those were with TabiKat. She said the environment at TabiKat shows are so unique that you have to see it in order to experience it properly.
“Whatever preconceived notions you have, you have to let them go because they’re probably not true,” DeLusty said.
DeLusty said these shows are not only important for this community because it brings people together, but it also provides a safe environment for those who may not be comfortable with their sexuality yet.
“There’s always someone there where it’s their first time feeling comfortable, (the shows) are there for that purpose,” DeLusty said.
Stubblemeyer started performing with TabiKat in spring of 2004 and continued to perform with them until the end of 2015 when she moved to Boise. Stubblemeyer is coming back to Moscow in order to co-host the show.
Stubblemeyer said if anyone is interested in performing, they should just try it out. She also said to try out whatever you want, because everyone’s expression is different than what many people view the stereotype of drag is.
“There is no right or wrong way to do drag,” Stubblemeyer said.
Stubblemeyer said a unique aspect of TabiKat shows is they are 18 and over shows. Typically drag shows are held in bars and taking out that factor changes the atmosphere of the show.
“With these shows you really have an environment of people who want to be there and enjoy themselves (and) want to be entertained, as well as a safe space for people who may not be out in a different environment yet,” Stubblemeyer said.
TabiKat asks that all people wanting to perform with them attend a session of Drag 101. These sessions cover character creation, music submission and policies specific to their shows, according to their event page.
Performers Jena Sepa and Maxwell Edgelord performed their first duet the same month after attending a Drag 101 session. Sepa’s first session was two years ago, and they have been performing with TabiKat ever since.
Sepa not only performs with TabiKat, but they are also a photographer for the company. They take photos of other performer’s sets and helps run TabiKat’s Instagram page.
“I have never found an environment where I’ve been more empowered at every turn,” Sepa said.
They added people should come to the shows because the environment can’t be described, it has to be experienced.
Edgelord said an important part of the show is the beginning, when hostesses explain the ground rules of the show. Edgelord said he loves the audience at every show.
“The audience is always so amped, even when it’s a smaller crowd,” Edgelord said. “Everyone has high energy and is excited to be there and participate in the art that we’re creating.”
Edgelord said he is grateful that there are multiple spaces similar to TabiKat in this community and the opportunities they provide.
“TabiKat shows are really a special space in this community, and we’re lucky in today’s day in age to have more than a couple queer spaces that are challenging norms and ideas and (are) overall creating a safe environment for trans and queer people in general,” Edgelord said.
Sprague is excited to continue putting on these shows for as long as she can,
and she hopes people come and check out their shows.
“You know, my 80th birthday is going to be awesome,” Sprague said referring to her plans for the future.
The 25th anniversary show will be held at the 1912 Center. The show is 18 and over with a separate bar for those 21 and over. Doors open at 9 p.m. and the first set begins at 10 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased ahead of time at Safari Pearl for $8 or for $10 at the door. The show is hosted by Claudia
Stubblemeyer and Aquasha DeLusty and features performances by Roderick VonSchlong, Lily Longlegs, Miss Demeanor, Ty Grass, Jena Sepa, Maxwell Edgelord and The TabiKat Toms.
This article has been updated to reflect who hosted the I Slay Cabaret show.
Nicole Hindberg can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @HindbergNicole.