Packed houses, back to back: GLITZ a roaring success

The annual performance of GLITZ was a huge hit as it returned to Centennial Hall in Juneau after being absent for two years.

The event, which filled every seat both nights of performances, raised over $10,000 for the Southeast Alaska LGBTQ+ Alliance, said organizer Gigi Monroe.

“Everything was fantastic. We had two sold-out shows. Our headliners were amazing. It seemed like people had a great time,” Monroe said in a phone interview. “It looks like we’ll have raised about 10,000 for SEAGLA’s programs.”

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Headliners included Frankie Doom, Tenderoni and Trinity K. Bonet. Only Tenderoni had previously performed in Juneau.

“They had a great time. It was really great to have Tenderoni back. Frankie Doom said this was top-three best out-of-town gigs he’s ever done,” Monroe said. “It was really great to have them all here. It was great to have local performers meet performers of that caliber and work with them.”

Trinity K. Bonet, one of the headliners, sings to a member of the audience during Glitz, a major annual drag event celebrated every Pride Month, at Centennial Hall on June 18, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

A host of local performers also delivered, including a number of group performances that required more space than regular shows have.

“It was kind of like riding a bicycle… that we’d fallen off and were laying on the side of the road for a few years,” Monroe said. “It was miraculous how quickly the crew remembered these are the things we need to do to make it a success.”

The event, held at Centennial Hall, had more than 400 guests each night, spread out among tables and standing in the room.

“GLITZ is the event of the year,” said McKenzie Moon, part of the audience Saturday night, in an interview. “I looked forward to this … it’s life-changing. Best vibes in all of Juneau.”

Michael S. Lockett / capital city weekly Dancers for Aquarius Valentine look on during their set Saturday at Glitz, a major annual drag event celebrated every Pride Month, at Centennial Hall.

Guests enjoyed drinks, sponsored by Titos Vodka and TK Maguire’s, and participated in a live auction with goods supplied by GCI and Juneau Bike Doctor.

“This night and Halloween are my favorite holidays,” said Robyn Stevens, who attended the show. “I’m really enjoying how many people are here, especially considering what happened in my hometown of Coeur D’Alene last weekend.”

Coeur D’Alene saw the arrest of dozens of far-right extremists who had allegedly intended to disrupt a Pride event.

“I have been to pretty much every drag show in Juneau in the last year and this is by far the grandest exhibition of Juneau drag I have ever seen,” said Eric Moots, who was part of the audience Saturday.

Tenderoni, one of the headliners, performs at at Glitz, a major annual drag event celebrated every Pride Month, at Centennial Hall on June 18, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Monroe said the two shows for GLITZ are about all that’s practical, given the operational realities of venues in Juneau.

“I think the thing that we’ve learned is that we have to keep it at this level. The restrictions we have on cost and venue, it’s just not practical to expand beyond two shows,” Monroe said. “I wish Centennial Hall was better equipped to handle a big production like us, but they’re not. It’s an enormous amount of work to produce a show like this.”

A performance like GLITZ requires a lot of work to make Centennial Hall show-worthy, Monroe said, particularly with the sound and lighting infrastructure.

“We had to rent thousands of dollars of lighting and sound gear — not only locally, but from down south. We had to ship things up,” Monroe said. “I know it’s going to be renovated. I’m skeptical that that’s not going to meet the needs of the community.”

Frankie Doom, one of the headlining performers, bares teeth at the crowd during Glitz, a major annual drag event celebrated every Pride Month, at Centennial Hall on June 18, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

• Contact reporter Michael S. Lockett at (757) 621-1197 or mlockett@juneauempire.com.

Miss Guise, a local performer, performs during Glitz, a major annual drag event celebrated every Pride Month, at Centennial Hall on June 18, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Roman Wilde, a Juneau drag performer, performs during Glitz, a major annual drag event celebrated every Pride Month, at Centennial Hall on June 18, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Tenderoni, one of the headliners, tosses off some of the dollar bills handed to them during Glitz, a major annual drag event celebrated every Pride Month, at Centennial Hall on June 18, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Gigi Monroe performs a set based on “Mommy Dearest” during Glitz, a major annual drag event celebrated every Pride Month, at Centennial Hall on June 18, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Dear Evan Handsome, a local drag performer, launches in his set at Glitz, a major annual drag event celebrated every Pride Month, at Centennial Hall on June 18, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Frankie Doom, a headliner and specialist in macabre drag costuming, prepares to make entrance at Glitz, a major annual drag event celebrated every Pride Month, at Centennial Hall on June 18, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Gigi Monroe welcomes guests to Glitz at Centennial Hall, a major annual drag event celebrated every Pride Month, on June 18, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)