Saturday evening, The Birmingham Festival Theatre put on a so-called “family-friendly drag show” in which performers accepted tips from attendees, many of whom were children.
In videos obtained by Alabama Today, snippets of several performances can be seen, including young children picking up dollar bills thrown on the stage.
Last week, 1819 News reported on several of the performers slated to attend and showed pictures of their particular type of artistic expression.
See: 'Family friendly' drag show scheduled Saturday at Birmingham theatre
In one video, a performer can be seen wearing a skin-tight body suit painted with abdominal muscles while wearing deer antlers.
One performer quipped that young children picking up dollar bills cast onto the stage were “drag kittens.”
“Drag kittens,” “stage kittens,” or merely “kittens” are nomenclatures used for young proteges or in-training individuals that assist in the drag and burlesque world. Kittens typically help performers with props, collect tips and other activities.
Another performer can be seen wearing an inflatable toy that features fake legs straddling a giant duck.
As a preview for the event, Birmingham Festival Theatre posted a TikTok video touting the "family-friendly" nature of the event.
@bhamfestivaltheatre Drag is not a crime. BFT will continue to be a safehouse for both drag performers and our community. ##drag##birminghamalabama##dragisnotacrime##familyfriendlydragshow ♬ original sound - Birmingham Festival Theatre
A similar event was scheduled in Fairhope, but promoters added an age requirement for ticket purchases after community backlash.
Prism United Fairhope, an LGBTQ youth support group, advertised the show on Sunday, June 4, as "appropriate for all ages."
These shows come as the Alabama Legislature deliberates House Bill 401, which would make it illegal for children to attend adult-themed events like drag shows.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email craig.monger@1819news.com.
Don't miss out! Subscribe to our newsletter and get our top stories every weekday morning.
