Preview: QREAM

A new drag show sashays into The Barbary tonight

It’s gender bending at its best, says Alexander Kacala, one of the performers in a new drag show to hit Philly tonight. QREAM (10 p.m.), he says, is putting the bass in a few new queens’ walk at The Barbary in Northern Liberties.

“The show differs from others because it’s rougher and tougher,” says Kacala. “It’s not so much about female impersonation as it us about gender bending and being queer in general.”

Kacala, who made headlines last year after being bashed in Rittenhouse Square for being gay, says he wants to create a new scene for the next generation of performers who are inspired by art, music and androgyny.

“Not only does QREAM have drag queens,” he says, “but we are hosted by a drag king, which a lot of drag shows ignore. Also, we will be involving the audience in the show at all times doing ridiculous and outlandish things – both on stage and off.”

Kacala as Winehouse

Other performers joining Kacala include emcee Oscar Wildchild, Ms. Tammie Famous (she was crowned Ms. South Philly Fabulous 2010), Ezzie Leroy and Roxxy Glamour. DJ Makrophone will be spinning dance beats with three-dollar mixed drink specials all night.

“I will be performing two songs during the evening,” says Kacala. “One will be a comedic impersonation of Amy Winehouse and the other will be a song from Hedwig and the Angry Inch.”

Unlike many drag performers, Kacala sings all of his own songs. “While lip syncing is an art form in itself,” he admits, “I am first and foremost a singer and want that to come through my performances as a drag queen. My inspiration for this comes from James Cameron Mitchell as Hedwig and Dito Van Reigersberg, the local Philadelphia actor who’s drag persona is Martha Graham Cracker.”

QREAM, May 31 (10 p.m.), The Barbary, 951 Frankford Ave., 215-634-7400.