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Princess Charles, host and emcee of Drag Is So Bazzaar. (Photo by Lisa Jordan, courtesy Princess Charles)
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HOME > SOVO SCENE > NIGHTLIFE
By: ROB BECK
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FOR ALMOST TWO YEARS, Charles Kollock– better known to Atlanta’s drag fans as the fabulously androgynous Princess Charles — and the gang at Drag Is So Bazzaar have been chasing away the midweek doldrums with their own brand of drag.
“The show is very high energy,” Kollock says. “It’s a lot of fun. It’s quite different from most drag shows, because people that I have in my shows are more like characters. It’s more like a variety show.”
The variety show that is Drag Is So Bazzaar does indeed come with a variety of characters. In addition to Kollock as emcee, the regular cast includes local drag luminaries Destiny Brooks, Lateasha Shante Shantel, the Lady Phoenix, Nicole Paige Brooks and Angelica D’Paige, in addition to a series of frequent guests.
“We just have all kinds of crazy people that come in to have a good time with us,” Kollock says.
It's that crazy combination, paired with Bazzaar’s unique locale and atmosphere, which makes for a different crowd than most shows in town. Kollock loves playing to such a diverse mix in the audience.
“We get a lot of people who just come out of the Fox Theatre [next door], and they walk past the building like, ‘What in the world?’” he says, laughing.
“But it piques their interest, and they come in and have a great time week after week after week. It’s a very mixed crowd, and that’s what I like, too: a very mixed, eclectic kind of crowd.”
THE MIXED CROWD fits right in at Bazzaar, the gay-owned nightspot coming up on its fifth anniversary next month. Kollock says it's the perfect setting for the show.
“I like it because it’s small, so it gives you that intimate arena,” he says. “You feel like you can sit next to somebody and talk to them without having to scream, and people can actually sit on the couches and lounge around and have cocktails if they want to. With the nice, dark lighting, I feel like people feel like they’re at home watching the show, but live.”
Kollock also enjoys working with Bazzaar owner Bill Kaelin.
“Oh my God, not only is he hot as shit to me, but of anybody I’ve ever worked with in all the clubs, he is the best guy to work with,” Kollock says. “He really understands the meaning of entertainment and just being there for you. I wouldn’t want to work with anybody but Bill Kaelin. He is awesome to work for. I call him my platonic boyfriend.”
BAZZAAR CERTAINLY MADE A HOME for itself in Atlanta’s nightlife scene in the last five years. Though a date for the official celebration is not yet set, Kollock says to look forward to a blowout show for the occasion.
“We’re going to have all kinds of tricks and stunts happening that night,” he says. "It’ll be something fantastic. I might even perform.”
Princess Charles also takes the stage every Thursday at Burkhart’s for his Fashionistas show. He’s also got a new show up his sleeve for a to-be-determined venue.
But regardless of where he’s working, Kollock says his heart always comes back to Bazzaar.
“There’s not that many places to go anymore that has the feel-good vibe," he says. "I’m glad people’s ideas of what drag is has changed so much, because everyone thinks that drag queens are just evil backstabbers. Our show is nothing like that whatsoever. We got rid of those girls.”
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