Calling All Drag Kings

A new king shall be crowned (courtesy of LiCK)

Make way for the king. Seven fierce drag kings are gearing up to strut their stuff on April 14 (8 p.m.) at the William Way to benefit the annual Philly Dyke March in June. Philly’s own Liberty City Kings Drag & Burlesque (LiCK) is producing this year’s Mr. Philadelphia Drag King Competition with the help of Philly Pride and a panel of local celebrity judges that have been announced just this week.

As the kings take the stage, gender-bender Notorious OMG will host the show with music by DJ Evil V. For this year’s event, the judges include Philly’s reigning Mr. Drag King Rasta Boi Punany, as well as Elicia Gonzales from GALAEI, Kelly Burkhardt from TLA Releasing and The Goddess Isis from The Dollhouse Revue. For the first time, a member of Philly Pride’s own board of directors will also help select the winner, as they judge the drag acts on everything from performance to presence – pretty much the whole, um, package.

“In addition to judging contestants on their runway walk, Q&A, fantasy and formal wear and, of course, their amazing drag performance, this year’s event will also feature performances by LiCK, Rasta Boi, The Goddess Isis and Lascivious Jane & Richie Rich,” says Heather Coutts, founder of LiCK.

Since this is a community event (it sold out last year), members of organizations are invited to set up shop in the William Way’s lobby prior to the event for a nominal fee. “Every community group will also receive entrance for two to the show,” says Coutts.

Mr. Philadelphia Drag King Competition, April 14, 8 p.m., William Way Community Center, 1315 Spruce Street, 215-732-2220.