WALDOBORO – The Waldo Theatre is proud to present the Portland-based Curbside Queens as they celebrate the art of drag. The group will bring their fiercely funny and fabulous touring show to The Waldo Saturday, July 29 at 8 p.m.

Creative wardrobe is encouraged for audience members who want to ‘dress to express.” This performance is suggested for everyone age 16 and up.

Curbside Queens was born out of the early days of the pandemic lockdown in 2020, at a time when community morale and engagement was hitting a low. Cherry Lemonade and GiGi Gabor (soon to be known as 2 Queens, 1 Driveway) began performing driveway shows utilizing Gigi’s SUV and a boombox to celebrate during a pride month devastated by a global pandemic. What was originally thought to be a fun thing for two or three weekends quickly turned into a popular attraction with many shows statewide. 

In 2021, complete with their very own pink tour bus (named Peg), they began crisscrossing the state, performing 88 shows in 19 weeks, and logging over 8,000 miles. Now with a rotating cast of eight of Maine’s best drag performers and an even busier performance schedule, The Queens (and Kings) bring their celebration of the queer experience to what is bound to be a fun and fabulous evening of celebration. 

There’s a centuries-long history of live drag performance in the United States, including the ‘Womanless Weddings’ of the mid-late 1800s and shows like ‘Guys in Gowns,’ which were often hosted by fraternal and veterans’ organizations or police and fire departments to raise money for charity. The trend evolved from vaudeville, to Las Vegas, to television, where comedians like Milton Berle, Red Skelton, and Flip Wilson created beloved and iconic female characters, and female impersonators like Jim Bailey, Beverly LaSalle, and Dame Edna Everage were popular fixtures.

Adult online tickets are available for $25 in advance, at waldotheatre.org and $30 the day of the event. A limited number of front row seats will be available for $40 each.

The show is suggested for ages 16 and up. Creative dress is encouraged, but not required.

Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and concessions, including beer and wine, will be available for purchase before the show and at intermission.

For more information about tickets, parking, and upcoming events visit www.waldotheatre.org.

The Waldo brings live music, theater, movies, comedy, and educational programs to the Midcoast Maine community year-round. Offerings range from local, community theater to nationally and internationally known artist performances. As a community-based organization, The Waldo’s focus is to unify and strengthen the region through performing arts, outreach, broad-based educational programs, and collaboration with other local non-profits.