natasha st. james
Every second and fourth Wednesday of the month Miami Marketta is served up a fun, fierce and flirty event that aims to break down cultural boundaries and entertain locals with some of the state's most talented Drag Queens. The long-running event, Drag Queen Bingo, stars leading lady and Queen of our hearts, Natasha St. James. As Drag Bingo GC’s Creative Director and Star performer, Natasha aka Nelson Baker is working hard to create a safe space for Drag on the Gold Coast whilst educating the community on how important it is for LGBTQIA+ people to be able to express themselves freely without backlash and judgment.
“The last few months my goals and views have changed primarily from just putting on a good show to putting on a great show and educating people that there is still a big culture of abuse for the LGBTQIA+ community and this needs to stop.”
Beginning as a fundraiser event for LQBT marriage equality 7 years ago, the event has evolved into a successful enterprise, selling out week after week. Within this time Natasha has since made her mark as one of the most iconic and talented performers in the Drag Scene. Teamed up with CEO of Drag Bingo GC, Melissa Gonzales, the team have curated a variety of long-running Drag Queen events across the Gold Coast. Throughout the years the show has continued to grow with a star studded cast becoming one of the leading Drag Events on the Gold Coast.
Since launching these events back in 2016, Miami Marketta has remained Drag Queen Bingo’s home stage providing a platform and a safe space to perform their art. “For so long we haven’t had any good gay shows on and we are so appreciative of Miami Marketta for giving us a safe space to put on our shows. These shows wouldn’t be possible without the venue which is such a huge part of the success of the shows and giving gay people a space and time that we deserve.”
It has been a long and often traumatic road for many people in the Drag Queen community but as we find ourselves in 2022 there is a glimmer… or shall I say glitter of hope that is relinquishing oppression and actually celebrating everyone's talents and expressionism.
“When I was coming out we didn’t have any people on tv, we didn’t have drag shows at local bars, we didn’t have gay marriage, we didn’t have drag queens on the front of magazines. There is a whole new world now of acceptance and I’m so happy to be on the Gold Coast and show people there is nothing to be afraid of.”
Not only is Natasha a huge part of the Miami Marketta brand but has also recently collaborated with sister company, Miami Booze Traders starring in the upcoming Passionfruit Daiquiri “Killer Queen” cocktail launch coming soon!
We love having Natasha St. James as a part of the Miami Marketta family and we can not wait to show you what we have in store together for the rest of the year.
