Drag Impersonation Performance - Excerpt
Dublin Core
Title
Drag Impersonation Performance - Excerpt
Description
Link to the full video: https://youtu.be/nlSfYmpW1Kw
This is a video clip from a drag performance held at Chaps, a Toronto nightclub, presumably in the mid ‘80s. It demonstrates a classic show with standard costumes, music and lip sync performance styles for the time. This also represents the “impersonation” style of drag especially common with Black Canadian queens as many were known for their performances embodying a famous singer at the time like Whitney Houston, Dianna Ross and Tina Turner. Most queens, especially those who were well known, developed their own signature songs, style or celebrity impersonation that they were respected and known for. Other styles of drag include comedy shows, drag pageants, talent shows and even more abstract drag art which blends concepts of gender expression and sexuality.
This is a video clip from a drag performance held at Chaps, a Toronto nightclub, presumably in the mid ‘80s. It demonstrates a classic show with standard costumes, music and lip sync performance styles for the time. This also represents the “impersonation” style of drag especially common with Black Canadian queens as many were known for their performances embodying a famous singer at the time like Whitney Houston, Dianna Ross and Tina Turner. Most queens, especially those who were well known, developed their own signature songs, style or celebrity impersonation that they were respected and known for. Other styles of drag include comedy shows, drag pageants, talent shows and even more abstract drag art which blends concepts of gender expression and sexuality.
Creator
Unknown
Source
“Tony Brown Michelle Ross Chris Edwards Performing Their Drag/Impersonations.” YouTube, August 4, 2025, video, 15:02, https://youtu.be/nlSfYmpW1Kw?si=8ZMkbB-liv4gHupK.
Publisher
YouTube
Date
Circa 1987
Rights
YouTube
Type
Performance
Files
Citation
Unknown, “Drag Impersonation Performance - Excerpt,” Black Canadian History Exhibit, accessed December 5, 2025, http://omeka.uottawa.ca/mathieu-black-canadian-history-exhibit/items/show/580.