In March, I was delighted to help share some drag history with a new audience, when we partnered with the California Academy of Sciences and Oaklash, the Bay Area’s drag and queer performance festival, at “NightLife is a Drag.”

I appeared that night as my drag alter ego, Piranha Psychotronica, and gave a short talk on the history of drag – a subject far too immense for a 15-minute time slot, but I had a wonderful time attempting to hit as many key points as possible. I was followed by former GLBTHS board member (and a local drag superstar in her own right, with one of the best drag names in the biz) Kristi Yummykochi of the Rice Rockettes, who charmed the audience while getting even more detailed our local drag history. 

I've been performing in the Bay Area as Piranha for about 11 years and co-host my own show Media Meltdown (every 3rd Sunday at the 4 Star) but, to date, hadn't had the opportunity to deploy Piranha on behalf of the Historical Society since I began working with the organization early last year. It was such a blast getting to marry the passion I have for the Bay's drag community with the love I have for the Society. That work has long been interwoven in my head as the Society preserves the legacy of so many drag legends to whom I look up, but it felt right getting to finally bring Piranha fully into the fold.

The NightLife event brought all the Oaklash energy to a new venue and a new crowd, packing the Academy of Sciences to the brim with local drag performers and fans excited to dive into the evening’s offerings. Oaklash co-founder Mama Celeste was DJing, filling the museum with excellent queer bops, while one of the festival’s directors, the iconic drag king Vera, fulfilled one of my dreams by taking over the planetarium show for the evening. 2024 Drag Queen of the Year Nicki Jizz was putting people into drag makeup live and the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence were helping grant wishes, while booths of queer artisans, Tarot readers, drag clothing swaps, and more lined the museum's pathways. 

The Society was represented by myself and our Senior Manager of Museum Experience Leigh Pfeffer. We talked to over a hundred people throughout the night about the Society, many of whom were unfamiliar with us. It was a thrill to be able to introduce dozens upon dozens of new faces to our work. 

We are always looking for opportunities like this to share our vast queer past with new audiences. If you're an event organizer with an audience hungry for history, I would love to connect! Reach out to sailor@glbthistory.org with any inquiries.

We're so deeply appreciative to both the California Academy of Sciences and Oaklash for inviting us to join the event. NightLife is every Thursday night at the Academy, with new themes every week, and Oaklash will be heating up the third week of May. Check them both out and hopefully we'll see you soon at an upcoming event! 

Sailor Galaviz (they/them) is the Development & Events Coordinator at the GLBT Historical Society as well as a genderqueer drag performer, theater artist, filmmaker, and activist, with a background managing several theater companies and arts organizations.

Event photos courtesy of Nicole Raviccio and the California Academy of Sciences. Sailor Galaviz photo courtesy of same.