I’m telling you, you missed a great show on Friday at The Jungle in Atlanta for “Dragnique 2!” The drag show competition, presented by Eve Michaels and the club, determined who was “Best in Show.”
I was sitting in the front row so that I could see all the makeup, hairstyles, glittery outfits and, of course, my favorite — shoes! The celebrity judges were performers-activists Power Infiniti, Phoenix from season 3 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” Gunza Blazin and guest judges Towanda and Trina Braxton, Toni Braxton’s sisters.
The opening number was full of energy with the girls singing “Champion.” Next up was Phoenix, with that fire engine red hair, who did a great job singing Rihanna. Power Infiniti did a satirical rendition of Whitney Houston’s “I Have Nothing (If I Don’t Have You)” while sniffing on white powder.
The performances, stage props, makeup applications, high-rise hairstyles, killer heels and over-the-top costumes were so sparkly and unique, I was in fashion heaven. Gunza Blazin had on a custom pair of sky-high, rhinestoned, lobster claw stilettos, and they were something to reckon with!
After a few performances, the competition began with three contestants: Rapture Divine Cox, Jaky Alba and Jaye Lish. All three had to perform two acts for the judges to critique.
Rapture came out with a Britney Spears performance, wearing a pink baby doll dress, complete with ruffle panties, and a hot-pink mohawk. His two dancers had dynamite taped to their chests, and they all went out with a bang. He had a great stage performance, and the audience and judges loved it. Jaky Alba looked just like J Lo with his curvy, petite figure. The wildly teased, highlighted hair and makeup was dead on it! He sang a Spanish song as he sashayed down the stage. Everyone in the audience went wild! Jaye Lish belted out the song “Rolling in The Deep” by Adele and dressed in leopard with a matching jungle mask attached to her hair. The makeup job was the best in the house.
After a few more stage acts, the three contestants came back and did their final numbers. This time, they had to perform a song that the judges selected. Rapture had “Nothing Really Matters” by Queen. His stage performance was excellent, and he brought the crowd to their feet when he held up a sign that said he was HIV positive while his partner joined him on stage and said he was HIV negative. They’ve been a couple for more 17 years. They shared a kiss and hugged, and it was very touching.
After the judges deliberated, Rapture was the big winner of the evening! He won a cash prize of more than $1,000. Dragnique also raised more than $700 for AIDS Atlanta. If you are in the Atlanta area, please check out The Jungle for great shows daily. Thanks to Saptosa Foster from 135th Agency for the personal invite. –tammie reed
For more information on The Jungle or competitions, please visit www.jungleclubatlanta.com
