Homos all love an evening of gender-bending fabulousness, and Shanghai’s are no exception. As much as I enjoy donning a suit and flirting with all of your girlfriends, when it comes to the flair and drama needed for a stage performance, this bird in a hat is no match for a cock in a frock. Albeit irregular, good drag can certainly be found in Shanghai.

“Drag queens are like magicians who do magic without tools. They just use clothes, makeup and attitude,” explains drag queen Coco Licious, who, although known for her jazz performances, occasionally puts on a drag show for her fans. She looks better in a dress than most women I know.

Drag queens, or perhaps more appropriately, female illusionists, are not to be confused with inter-sexuals, transvestites, transsexuals or men who dress as women everyday. The transformation from prince to princess is no daily occasion. It’s dramatic, fabulous and, most of all, expensive.

Perhaps the high price of getting glittered, plucked and feathered is the reason for Shanghai’s drag scene being so irregular. With all due respect to Miss Licious’s wisdom, I can’t imagine the majestic metamorphosis from Ken into Barbie being possible without a few tools. A drag queen’s closet contains waist nippers, cleavage creators, hip pads, wigs, makeup, jewelry, pantyhose, evening gowns, gloves, scarves, extraordinarily large stilettos and, of course, a good sturdy gaff to tuck in her junk. The tab can add up. Daphne Ho, a Canadian import new on the local drag scene explains, “I don’t know about other divas, but Daphne doesn’t wear a dress more than once, honey.”

Ho first began her drag career in South Korea, and now occasionally performs at Shanghai Studio. Her time on stage is spent partly singing Broadway numbers and impersonating celebrities, most recently Marilyn Monroe. Daphne’s next performance on April 18.

Other spots to see a drag show include the Lailai Dance Hall where men perform in Chinese opera attire and D2. We all also remember the glory days of Gwen and Bling, whose marvelous and completely mad performances delighted their groupies. Gwen is still up for an occasional solo act. Keep an eye out for a special appearance at ShanghaiPride on June 13.