You might not expect to find a drag show at a bowling alley, but that’s exactly what you’ll find if you show up to River City Roll this Sunday night.
Located in Scott’s Addition, River City Roll is a boutique bowling alley that offers skeeball, tabletop shuffleboard, and, of course, bowling. With menu items such as “roasted jerk pork belly,” “ginger glazed chicken bowl,” and “grilled chicken bahn mi sandwich,” it’s clear that River City Roll isn’t your typical bowling alley. And the event they’re presenting this weekend is a further demonstration of that fact.
This Sunday night, River City Roll will be hosting the Deadly Drag Halloween Ball. Featuring five drag queens and a live DJ, a portion of proceeds and tips from the show will benefit Virginia Pride.
This won’t be the first time River City Roll has hosted a drag show benefitting Virginia Pride. The bowling alley hosted an even called Queens Strike the Runway over the summer.
“During our first event … we rolled out the red carpet for Richmond’s most talented Queens,” said River City Roll co-owner Rob Long. “We added an interesting twist, with the permission of the Queens: I joined them in the performance and was the final act of the show.”
This time, it will be co-owner Ben Eubanks dressing up in drag and greeting guests as they arrive.
Aside from Eubanks, queens Amber St. Lexington, Monica Darling, London Lestrange, Shanita Quit, and Michelle Livigne will be hitting the stage, with DJ Elliott Ness providing some music.
“The artistry of these drag queens — and I’ve seen some of the promotional photos that they’ve done, and their halloween-themed makeup and outfits — is ridiculously over the top,” said James Millner, president of Virginia Pride. “It’s like nothing I’ve ever seen before.”
“We have five of the most talented drag queens in Richmond participating, and I think people are going to be in for a real show,” Millner said.
Aside from raising money for Virginia Pride, Millner said that events like the Deadly Drag Halloween Ball at River City Roll are important because they help to engage members of the community in Richmond that wouldn’t typically attend a drag show.
“At the last drag show, there were folks that were older, not from the LGBTQ community … and I guarantee that a lot of those folks had never even been to a drag show,” Millner said. “It allows us to put front and center an LGBT organization and the conversation about the importance of what the LGBT community contributes to the broader Richmond community.”
“We love to partner with organizations like Virginia Pride that share a common goal of creating celebrations that advocate equality,” Long said. “It is important to use these special events to help raise money and give back, monetarily, to the organizations that are doing such great work in our communities.”
Doors for Deadly Drag Halloween Ball will open at 6 PM on Sunday, October 27. Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door, and can be purchased on Eventbrite. River City Roll is located at 939 Myers St. The event is 21+.
Top Photo via River City Roll/Facebook
