GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Michigan Drag Brunch has quickly taken over Sundays in Grand Rapids. The performance group, headed by DT Promotions, was founded less than a year ago, but is already expanding to areas like Detroit.
“We are invading. We have plans to be all over in Michigan and have tons of different shows,” Gabby Galore, a Michigan brunchette queen, said.
Now Michigan Drag Brunch plans to break a world record, hosting the world’s largest drag brunch. The group is partnering with JW Marriott and welcoming an expected 600 people into the hotel on St. Patrick’s Day. The show will consist of 20 performers, with acts like the classic brunchette queens, DJs and even a RuPaul’s Drag Race star.
The show is sold out, but Straub says more are coming. The group hosts three performances in Grand Rapids each month at select locations.
In addition to adding some spice to normal Sunday brunches, Michigan Drag Brunch has given away over $3,500 worth of proceeds to HQ, a drop-in for youths battling unsafe living conditions.
“We fed the organization for over four months. We hired this boy there and gave him his first paycheck ever for videography, so that was really cool and special,” CEO of DT Promotions, Trevor Lee Straub said.
Proceeds are donated after every show, and every ticket plays a role in the donation process. With 600 tickets already sold towards the record-breaking efforts, HQ will also benefit off the performance.
“It gives these kids a place to call their own and have something that they have ownership over, which I think is so important. It’s education, legal counseling, it’s a hot meal, a place for them to shower, do laundry,” Galore said.
Galore predicts Michigan Drag Brunch will expand its donations to other organizations over time, and that the group will continue to set the bar in the drag community.
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