Making local history - Grafton's first-ever drag show
(I get to be a guest MC)
Jersey County is one of the more conservative areas in the entire Riverbend area. Grafton is not an exception to that rule. Conservatives as a whole usually do not approve of drag shows. Drag shows are another hill in the culture war on which people choose to fight to the very end. That being said, Grafton isn’t like everybody else. In fact, Grafton is entirely unique.
People may notice entering Grafton on a beautiful weekend during any season but winter (and sometimes winter too) that the sign displaying a population of 600 seems wildly inaccurate. There usually looks like at least half that number is at Loading Dock alone. The traffic feels like it’s from a town at least 10 times that size.
See, Grafton is welcoming to outsiders. Grafton caters to anyone who wants to come patronize its businesses and enjoy the beautiful scenery. I would say Grafton is a tourist trap, but the word “trap” there seems nefarious. It’s a tourist destination full of fish, fudge, and fun.
Honestly, I am personally surprised Grafton hasn’t had a drag show yet. It’s right up the Great River Road from Alton, which has a massive queer community and active drag scene. I’ve gone drinking with folks across the LGBT+ spectrum in Grafton. I went to Witches on the Water during its first year and saw queers from across the country donning Pagan wear and having fun.
I bring this all up, because I don’t think folks outside Grafton are fair to Grafton. When I’ve told people about how excited I am to be a guest MC at their first-ever drag show, I am hit with the “Really? In Grafton? How does that work?”
Perhaps they remember the obtuse Facebook commenters threatening Black Lives Matter protesters in 2020. A rumor started that hippie commie libs (I’ve never seen someone be all three at once) were going to try to steal the giant American flag by the river (they weren’t). It was admittedly not a good look for Grafton, but I was at the Jerseyville one and three people who loudly loved the KKK yelled crazy shit before a woman threw her underwear at protesters from a truck. That probably wouldn’t happen in Grafton.
Anyway, that was five years ago. Yet, still I felt the need to write this preamble. We live in scary times full of folks lacking acceptance, community, and purpose. We are watching our communities lose young people to large cities who are more accepting of who they are. We are watching businesses choose sides in culture wars that actively exclude folks and the people who love them. And, in a purely capitalist context, it’s bad for business.
WHICH BRINGS ME TO THE DRAG SHOW
I live under the opinion Paula Jameson is one of the best things to have ever happened to Grafton. She operates Enjoy Grafton on social media. When I served a brief stint as a reporter at the Jersey County Journal, that page was vital to see what was happening in the small riverside town. She also has had a role in almost every cool thing Grafton has been doing lately.
Honestly. Follow that page. You will be surprised at the cool shit to get up to in Grafton.
She reached out to me last week with a request. She asked for my presence as a brief guest MC at Grafton’s first drag show. It’s happening at 8 p.m. on Friday, June 20, at 3rd Chute (220 W Main Street). Called Majesty of the Mississippi, Paula assured me it would be one hell of a night. So, I asked her the question that everyone has asked me: How’s that going down in Grafton?
“It really just came from asking,” she said in a Facebook message, “Combined with a strong desire to show Grafton is welcoming. I’ve wanted to do a Grafton Pride for a while, acknowledging it’s a big step. About a month ago, at the bar, a transitioning couple overheard me talking about it. They shared their story and expressed how, despite loving Grafton, they sometimes worry about truly being safe here because of certain conversations they’ve heard.
“That hit me hard. My core goal is for all my friends and visitors to feel genuinely welcome and loved in Grafton. This drag show is my way of making a statement to the community that we are inclusive. It’s a small start for Grafton, but it’s something concrete, and I think it’s a small step in the right direction.”
This news could not have come at a better time. I had just discussed Jerseyville Pride with its organizer, Daniel Bishop, who revealed his career as a counselor has made organizing it impossible this year. The good news is he has a book out based on the queer experience, and it’s amazing. You should support local authors and get yourself a copy of My Teeth Become Weapons.
I did a little more digging and discovered my friend and former dispensary co-worker, Hudson (Beth Saltz) was one of the organizers. I’ve seen their act. It’s so good, they won the talent show I hosted for Jacoby. I asked them how they felt about Grafton hosting a drag show. As someone who has performed for years all over the area, they were extremely optimistic.
“I’ve been to Grafton in the past and always find a way to enjoy myself there!” they told me via Messenger. “I know it may not be the most ‘politically forward’ of places, but the most rock and roll thing about drag is that it is an art that can bring so much light to every corner of the world. So, if I see an opportunity, I am always glad to take it and represent for my community.”
Hudson’s optimism was shared with Chastity Niemeyer who answered a couple of my questions via text this week. She owns, operates, manages, and fills in several roles at 3rd Chute.
“Grafton is a very welcoming community and welcomes everyone!” she said. “That is one of the reasons I absolutely love owning a business here.
I was inspired to host the upcoming drag show by one of our very own locals, Paula Jameson. She came to me one day and asked my thoughts about hosting a drag show at 3rd Chute. I said absolutely. The 3rd Chute in Alton had previously hosted several of these and everyone always had such a fun time. Lots of smiles and laughter. I know it’s not for everyone, and that’s OK. Everything will be hosted upstairs, so anyone that doesn’t want to participate will not feel out of place in any kind of way. I love everyone.”
Being the wildly curious man I am, I perused the Facebook comment sections. Gauging the overall opinions and discourse for anything from Facebook comment sections is like learning history from conspiracy YouTube videos. That being said, no one that I’ve seen has been excessively cruel and hateful. I saw some “hard pass” comments and a few folks expressing concern regarding how the local Grafton residents will respond. Paula also said someone very loudly proclaimed that he would find other shit to do that night when it was brought up in public.
It’s America, as the giant Grafton river flag proudly proclaims. No one will march anyone to a drag show at gunpoint. People are doing shit like playing Magic the Gathering in any given building and I have the freedom to walk on by. You don’t have to participate. You don’t even have to vote.
BUT IF YOU DO WANT TO PARTICIPATE - HERE IS WHAT YOU GET
According to Hudson, this is an all-star drag lineup for Grafton’s Majesty on the Mississippi historic evening. I asked them about the lineup.
Lucy Couture - The host of Messy Mondays at Rehab in STL. She is a staple in the St. Louis community and from pageant promoting to event creating, she is a force to be reckoned with.
Luna Thicc Mornett - The show director at The Little Bevo and irreplaceable to our community! She is a choreographer and is always in charge of making the most fun dances for the Bevo brunches!
Josefina C. Lauren - She is also a Rehab STL regular, making sure to always stand out with her impeccable style and beautiful cosmetics. Her and Luna host a show together every second Thursday at the Little Bevo.
“They always make a wonderful team and with all of these girls, you’re definitely in for the biggest personalities I know, and dearly love from the bottom of my heart,” they said.
Hudson (Beth Saltz) and the rest of the gals are the organizers and hosts of the events at Little Bevo, located at 4751 Morgan Ford Road in St. Louis.
For more fun on this side of the river, Niemeyer shared a lot of pride regarding her little slice of heaven.
“3rd Chute was first built and opened by my in-laws, Kathy and Wayne Draper, in 2015. This August will be 10 years that 3rd Chute has been a loved bar and grill here in Grafton. Everyone has always said it brings the Key West to the Midwest. I helped my in-laws open the very first 3rd Chute in 2015. Then in 2019, I helped them open the second 3rd Chute in Alton. Then came the third 3rd Chute in West Alton.
“I worked many, many hours for all three locations learning every aspect of the business. In 2022, when they decided to sell, my first response was ‘please give me a chance to purchase the Grafton location.’ Thanks to them and the owners of the building at the time, Patty and Bryon Leboe, my dream was made possible.
“On September 6, 2022, we became the new owners of 3rd Chute. I have put my heart and soul in this place daily. I work right alongside my employees from cooking, to bartending, to the daily task of being an owner. I couldn’t do it without my amazing employees and our regulars in this town. They are truly amazing.”
3rd Chute features karaoke most Friday and Saturday nights and participates in the plethora of events Grafton throws. Niemeyer said some of the largest annual events she looks forward to are Witches on the Water, the annual country music festival, Santa Con, Chocolate Express, the Grafton Christmas Parade, and bike week.
So come to the drag show, folks. I’ll be a special guest MC joining the way better guest MC Jeremy Rulo. I’ve been told to wear something funky. Apparently, the real MC will be absolutely dressin’. Overall, this is an event you’d be a fool to miss.