People from around North Texas gathered in Deep Ellum for another drag brunch this weekend.
Monkey King Noodle Company in Dallas hosted another iteration of its Drag Brunch VIP show on the afternoon of April 6. This 18 and up show recurs every weekend, and features drag queens such as host Emeka Bless.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, drag shows that allow attendees of all ages drew a rebuke from some community members, who organized protests around the metroplex and other parts of Texas over the last couple of years. Some have also claimed that drag is inherently “derisive, divisive and demoralizing misogyny,” which is something West Texas A&M University president Walter Wendler said when he canceled a drag show on the campus in March 2023.
DX arrived at Monkey King Noodle Company, which is owned by Andrew Chen, at around 1 p.m. Patrons from across the metroplex, including Dallas and Flowermound, slowly trickled into the partially outdoor venue to be served lunch items from the Asian-inspired menu and alcoholic beverages and enjoy the drag performance.
The show began at about 1:40 p.m. Drag performers danced seductively in front of guests as the latter cheered and passed tips of varying amounts forward.
In between performances, guests were invited to participate in a twerking competition and rewarded with shots. Another competition involved guests faking orgasms while pretending to be Disney princesses.
One attendee was given a lapdance by a performer in celebration of the patron’s birthday.
DX caught up with Eric Saldana-Lopez, owner of the company that puts on the drag shows at Monkey King Noodle Company, and asked him whether he was misogynistic, considering the claims about drag made by people like Wendler.
Saldana-Lopez said that he himself was not misogynistic and that drag shows are meant to be fun entertainment.
Host Emeka Bless also said that she did not find drag performances misogynistic and that performances held at the venue were there for all community members to come to and enjoy.
“I feel like drag right now is very misunderstood, and if we keep on pushing forward and presenting it in a way that it should be presented. … Like, we are here for love and to entertain, and we’re doing good,” Bless told DX.