Scenes from the POC Drag Art Collective's ongoing series at C’mon Everybody

At the Collection Bowl events, funds are raised for organizations that support transgender, intersex, or non-conforming people of color

By Francesca Magnani

On a hot and humid Wednesday evening, Ella Fartzgerald, Thee Suburbia, Paris L’Hommie, Julie J, Dev Doee all took turns easily moving from handstand to splits in six-inches heels, mesmerizing the crowd at C’mon Everybody, many of whom were eager to toss more and more dollar bills into the large salad bowl on the floor.

Dubbed the Collection Bowl, the show was one of a series put on by the POC Drag Art Collective, which has been building community in New York City and beyond since the fall of 2019. Founded by local performance artist Thee Suburbia, the collective is on a mission to create space and opportunity for creatives of color and the people who support them.

“From virtual shows at the start of the pandemic to pop up shows in Maria Hernandez Park, we have found ways to evolve and expand our reach while supporting organizations like G.L.I.T.S, Food Bank for NYC, The Ali Forney Center, The Ruth Ellis Center, Black Trans Liberation and more,” says Fartzgerald. “This is our most recent effort and has been such a joy to produce but we need the support of our community in order to keep the momentum and abundance flowing.”

The funds raised at the Drag Art Collective shows go to a different organization each week: last week it was for the Sylvia Rivera Law Project. This Wednesday you can catch them yourself where they will be slaying on behalf of the Caribbean Equality Project.

Robyn St. ClitO’patra at the SLRP event (Francesca Magnani)

“The talent that is being showcased is mind blowing and not a show you would want to miss,” says SRLP organizer Lacey Lynch. “We work to guarantee that all people are free to self-determine their gender identity and expression, regardless of income or race, and without facing harassment, discrimination, or violence.”

SRLP is a collective organization founded on the understanding that gender self-determination is inextricably intertwined with racial, social and economic justice, says Lynch. To that end, they aim to uplift the political voice and visibility of low-income people and people of color who are transgender, intersex, or gender non-conforming.

Here are a few more scenes from Sylvia Rivera Law Project’s Collection Bowl.