DANCE CARD

Here’s Jackie: Don’t Let Your Mondays be a Drag

BY STEPHAN HORBELT

IT IS NEVER EASY TO FILL UP A BAR ON Monday nights, even in Los Angeles. Interestingly enough, that can’t be blamed on its residents, many of whom are “industry folk” and won’t have to fight rush-hour traffic on Tuesday morning. More at fault are the venues around town who don’t realize there are plenty of drunks who didn’t get enough fun over the weekend. Drag superstar Jackie Beat, one of our city’s most prized talents, can be found every Monday night serving up razor-sharp wit and eye-rolling to a packed crowd at Here Lounge in West Hollywood. Going on for a couple years now, this show is the perfect opportunity to extend your weekend a little longer.

Each week you’ll find Here Lounge transformed into a miniature cabaret, complete with a stage and lounge tables. Out will come Jackie Beat, queen of the song parody, to delight the audience with a vulgar tune or two before introducing a roster of drag performers that rivals a show at the Apollo. When asked about her reason for starting the night, Jackie replied, “I really wanted to reach out to other performers and give them a place where they could hone their craft and nurture their unique talents. Kidding! The truth is that I’m lazy and when someone else is on stage I can sit and eat french fries and roll my eyes during their performance.” With Jackie acting as emcee, you’re treated to acts from some of L.A.’s most talented drag performers, including Chad Michaels, Morgan, Tammie Brown, and Delta Work.

The crowd on Monday nights is very laid back, and pretty diverse. On any given Monday there will be guys and girls, gay and straight, everyone there to see the show and have a great time. Because the show starts on the later side, much of the crowd is made up of retail and restaurant workers fresh off the job and in need of a drink.

The last Monday of every month features Work Bitch!, an amateur contest. “Sometimes we have a theme and sometimes it’s just a free-for-all, but it’s a great place for new-comers and first-timers to get a taste of the spotlight. It’s really fun and, of course, there is always the chance that some queen will stumble in her high heels and eat it face-first into the stage. I don’t know about you, but that possibility is the real reason I go to a drag show. It’s kinda like Nascar that way!”

[VITAL INFO]

Here’s Jackie
Here Lounge
696 N. Robertson
When: Monday nights
Cover: $5 The Scene: Jackie Beat and fellow drag performers entertain the masses
Date Factor: Perfect for a mellow but fun night out

MIXOLOGY

DJ: Ron Thomas

When this talented 5’10”, 155lbs, 36-year old, California native isn’t spin-ning at The Abbey he’s producing music for top name artists (like Madonna), working out at the gym, going out dancing with friends, or just chilling at home with his partner Phil and their terrier Dolly. Aside from DJing, this self-proclaimed “homebody” also has a Masters Degree in Communications from Pepperdine University and works full-time with AFTRA doing marketing and outreach for recording artists. —TONY MIROS

DJRon Thomas’s Top 5 Singles

1 More (Kraack & Smaak Mix) – Junkie XL
2 Harder and Stronger (Ron’s Mash Up) – Daft Punk vs. Kanye West
3 Together – Bob Sinclar
4 Behind The Wheel/Route 66 (Ron’s Mash-Up) – Depeche Mode vs. George Acosta
5 Work (Freemasons Mix) – Kelly Rowland