When I started my career with Round Guys Brewing Company at The Underground in October 2018, I was eager and anxious to take on the challenge of helping the town continue to build an entertainment culture. I come from a musical background and grew up during an amazing time in Lansdale’s music history. Although I knew of drag culture, I was unaware how much of an impact it was having on Lansdale at the time when I started with Round Guys.
Over the past few years, I’ve witnessed the town becoming a definitive brewery, distillery, art and music-centric community. Now, in my eyes, Lansdale is also a drag destination. How cool is it that we have all of these inclusionary outlets for performers and artists alike to express themselves and include our town in doing so?
During my time, I’ve been fortunate enough to be present at drag events, and they’ve always kept me laughing. In a world with ever increasing political correctness, it’s a serious relief to have a venue to attend shows where that flies right out the window and everyone can be included and enjoy a good laugh. Fanci Dismount Stratton has created a drag queen empire that is second to none. I’ve met and seen wonderfully artistic performers such as Aida Stratton, Aloe Vera Stratton, Lady Geisha Stratton, the award-winning Kali Coutour and, most recently, Miss Regina. Round Guys has also released a series of drag queen beers including #ImSoFanci (Fanci), Yellow Brick Road (Aida), Daddy’s Fallen Angel (Aloe), Annie, Are You Ok! (Annie Christ) and the soon-to-be-released Evil Geisha Rock (Lady Geisha).
With all the good that drag has done for the community, it has also seen its fair share of opposition—and that’s ok. Last year we saw Lansdale’s first drag queen story time hosted by Annie Christ at the Lansdale Public Library. That event caught national news and opposition, which ended up shining a huge positive light on the Lansdale community. We came together, sang together, collected food for Manna on Main Street and unified for a just cause. It was never really about who was wrong or right, it was about how we showed the rest of the world that we stand together on something we believe and cherish. We are a community. A drag community.
I would also like to tip my hat to Don Davis, board president of the LGBT Equality Alliance of Chester County. Since I started working at Round Guys, Don has been a constant supporter at each drag event I’ve attended. He is a positive life force that lives and breathes constructive encouragement for those around him to live their best and true life. Also, he looks absolutely smashing in his purple coat.
Upon writing this article, I sat down with Fanci Dismount Stratton, the legendary drag show organizer and performer, to get some thoughts and insight on the past six years of drag culture in Lansdale and why the pageant is so important:
“This Saturday, Jan. 11, The Underground will be host to the longest running drag show in Montgomery County, The Ladies of Lansdale, as well as the Third Annual Miss Lansdale Pageant. The Ladies of Lansdale is a monthly show that began almost six years ago in the Pub of Round Guys Brewery.
The show grew along with the brewery, and eventually moved across the street and christened The Underground when it opened almost three years ago. The Ladies of Lansdale was created by Derek Lightcap, better known on stage as the sassy and witty Fanci DisMount Stratton! Fanci introduced Lansdale to the art of drag and continues to showcase the best in drag entertainment from the tristate area.
The Miss Lansdale title was created to celebrate the diversity and inclusion that Lansdale has embraced over the past six years as a way to give back to the community and continue to give visibility to the LGBTQ+ community in the area. Our title holders have hosted fundraisers for various local organizations collecting food, toys, and school supplies for local families. The pageant this Saturday will honor our reigning Miss Lansdale, Emily Valentine, and celebrate our former titleholders, Aida Stratton and Lady Geisha Stratton. We have four fabulous contestants that will compete for the honor of being Miss Lansdale 2020, including Memphis Divine, Balena Canto, Kali Coutour and Aubrey Stratton.
Immediately following the pageant will be our monthly Ladies of Lansdale show.”
Both shows for this Saturday are sold out, but you can catch The Ladies of Lansdale every second Saturday of the month, and we also have tickets available for our Drag Bingo coming up on Jan. 25. Tickets are available online.
The Underground and Round Guys brewpub are hosting numerous other events this coming weekend. Here’s a look into what’s happening:
The Underground by Round Guys Brewing Company
Jan. 9 - Open Mic Night hosted by Zach Smith from Well Crafted Beer Co. | Free Admission | Sign Ups start at 7 p.m.
Jan. 12 - Fifth Element Movie Brunch hosted by Annie Christ | $5+ | 11 a.m. | Tickets Available Online
Jan. 17 - Double Feature: Kung Fury and LABYRINTH hosted by Annie Christ | $5+ | 7 p.m. | Tickets Available Online
Jan. 18 - I Think Like Midnight (featuring members of The Dead Milkmen) w/ Underwater Robots | $10 | 8 p.m. | Tickets Available Online
Jan. 26 - Cold Climb It (featuring Matt Brasch of The Wonder Years) w/ Bloom, For Lack of a Term & Andross | $10 | 5 p.m. | Tickets Available Online
Round Guys Brewing Company
Jan. 9 - Thursday Quizzo featuring a special round of David Bowie Trivia hosted by Kyle Berger | Free | 8 p.m.
Jan. 15 - Coloring Night at The Pub | Free | 6 p.m. - Hang out, color and drink some craft beers
Jan. 27 - VR Racing Night | Free | 6 p.m. | Come test your driving skills with our virtual track and virtual super cars
Philly Loves Bowie Week | Jan. 3 through Jan. 12 | Check Round Guys Events for various collaborations
See also:
One Year After Death Of Lead Singer, Mesa Glow Returns To Perform At The Underground
Three Beards And A Bush Make Their Underground Debut This Weekend
The Blue Wave Ramblers Make Their Underground Debut on Friday Night
Multi-Instrumentalist Shannon Murphy And Her Effect On The Lansdale Music Scene
Kynn Peterkin Kicks Off A Weekend Of Arts And Music At The Underground
