In the heart of Corvallis a vibrant and dazzling world comes alive. Beyond the quaint facade of this college town lies a community of performers and artists who are transforming the city into a haven of glamour, self-expression and unapologetic authenticity.
We asked two of Corvallis’ local performers, Spunk Rock and Perry Dox, about their love of drag and their experience with the acceptance and love from our local Corvallis Drag scene.
Both performers are part of the local Corvallis and Albany Drag House Haus of Dharma, started by Dharma Mizra in Albany Or. in 2014.
Spunk Rock who goes by they/It pronouns is an elder in the Haus of Dharma, performing for nine years now. For Spunk Rock, Drag is a “good way to channel my anger about a lot of things, and get some gender euphoria out of it.”
Perry Dox who goes by they/he/she has been a Drag Performer for six months and is fairly new to the game, but “was adopted into the Haus of Dharma pretty quickly, basically two months into doing drag.”
Perry Dox was drawn to Drag because it “always felt limitless to me, and I wanted a space to explore my creativity and gender while building a community of people with similar goals.”
Both performers said that being a part of a Drag House gave them a sense of belonging and community.
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“It’s been overall very positive but mostly just an active and loving community of queer folks,” Spunk Rock said.
Perry Dox, when asked the same question, emphasiszed the community and support that the House provides.
“It’s not just about drag and networking, it’s about being supported by a community of people with wildly different perspectives united by a common goal,” Perry Dox said. “It’s mutual aid and support at its most connected.”
Community is a core tennant of the Drag world, but another is the style.
“Fashion is an important tool in drag to develop your character and presence,” Perry Dox said. “If someone doesn’t remember your name, they might remember what you were wearing and the impression it gave.”
When asked about their favorite outfit they’ve ever performed in, Perry Dox said it was a patent leather dress with a “huge reveal” that got a collective gasp from the audience. The audience’s reaction is one of the reasons they said they will “never forget that show.”
They usually get their inspiration for their performance outfits from the music they’re using in their set and the story they want to tell with their performance.
“I have a list of songs on deck that I want to do, and when I get booked I see if there’s something from that list that would fit well, and then the look is usually based on the story I’m trying to tell,” Perry Dox said.
Perry Dox emphasized that drag is so much more than the fashion and outfits they perform in:
“Fashion doesn’t have to be the most over the top thing, because drag is so much more than fashion. It’s about community and play and resistance and if your drag uses other elements and tools to accomplish your goals, the fashion needs only support that.”
