Get ready for the biggest train wreck of a drag pageant ever!
Will you be the next m. brownstone?
Saturday, November 23, 2024
What if Harrisburg’s Crazy Gay Hangout launched a Crazy Drag Pageant that also raised money for Pride?
A Call For Local Drag Talent
The Brownstone Lounge is looking for the next “M. Brownstone” to represent the bar throughout 2025. And because it’s the Brownstone, we’re gonna turn the idea of a drag pageant completely on its head.
We’re looking for a M. Brownstone that best represents the Brownstone brand, vibe, and mission:
Raucus & Rowdy with the Right Dash of Raunchy
“Aspirational Glamour” with a trashy, Harrisburg dive bar edge
Fun, gregarious, representing a space where a broad, diverse audience has a great time and feels at home in their neighborhood gay bar
Comfortable driving the engine of a rollicking crazy train that may run off the rails at any moment
There is no entry fee or associated charges for entering the M. Brownstone Pageant
Introducing the M. Brownstone Pageant
Think we’re already crazy? Wait until you get a load at this spectacle. Here’s how the pageant is organized.
A team of judges will select 4-6 entrants to be contestants (based on their application and entry video). On November 23rd, the contestants will go through 4 challenges.
Challenge #1: “Remember My Name”
First impressions are often the most important. In this challenge, contestants will have 2 minutes each to introduce themselves to the judges and audience and make a memorable impact. Make it a WOW Moment. Make them ‘remember your name.’
Challenge #2: “Sophisticated Lady at the Gay Dive Bar”
In this challenge, you’ll begin with your glamorous look from the first challenge. We want to assess your knack for creating a fun and delightful experience that gets the audience roaring with engagement.
Here’s the scenario: you were expecting to put on a glamorous cabaret performance and you show up, get up on stage, start your sophisticated performance, and realize it’s actually a raunchy little gay dive bar called the Brownstone. Your performance and outfit should start out sophisticated and glamorous and morphs into a raucous, fun dive bar performance that fits the crazy Brownstone brand.
Challenge #3: “Cat Fight in the Litter Box”
If you’re workin’ the Brownstone, you have to be quick on your feet and respond to sass from the audience. We assess your ability to be sassy, funny, quick-witted and adaptable/fast-on-your-feet you are.
In this 2-part challenge, we randomly pick two contestants to go head-to-head. The first part is a 2-minutes of Sassy Shade Off (2 minutes of back-and-forth for each candidate to good-naturedly throw shade on the other as to why they are the better choice for Madame Brownstone). We want to see humor and how quick you are on your feet. In the 2nd part of the challenge, the two of you will face off in a lip sync / dance off battle of the ages to a song randomly selected by an audience member from a predetermined music selection.
Challenge #4: The Finale: “M. Brownstone is in the House”
In the final challenge, contestants will create a look, pick a song, and create a performance that they think best represents the Brownstone Lounge, it’s brand, and it’s audience. This will be your vision for M. Brownstone.
Contestants will need to understand and contend with the limitations of the physical constraints of the Brownstone and navigate what will be a very crowded bar.
What if you win?
The winner of the M. Brownstone Pageant will be crowned and reign for one year. The winner will:
Receive a crown and sash
Receive a cash prize
Host up to four paid gigs at the Brownstone throughout 2025
Represent the Brownstone during Pride 2025 (parade, festival, and at the bar)
Host next year’s Madame Brownstone Pageant
Be included in some of Brownstone’s marketing & promotions.
The M. Brownstone Pageant is not associated with—nor a preliminary to—any other pageant. Because Gurl, once you reach the pinnacle, there’s nowhere else to go!
Interested yet?
Check out the complete pageant details, judging criteria, rules, and more. We hope to see your application soon!