an association to promote Drag-queen art and fight against discrimination

A new association called Drag-en-Cotentin was created in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin (Manche) in December 2024. Led by Alexis Szmaj, alias Louisa McMonster, it aims to develop drag queen shows in the Cotentin, but also to fight against harassment and discrimination.

“Breaking barriers to preconceived ideas”

Certain forms of art can sometimes take time to be understood, or even accepted. Inasmuch as drag-queenAlexis Szmaj often had the bitter experience… until he decided to ignore the criticisms and unpleasant remarks.

For several months now, the young man, manager of a bakery in La Glacerie, has assumed his passion for makeup and costumes. Under the guise of Louisa McMonster, he is a hit on his social networks, and is starting to have a nice little popularity in the drag world, as well as in Cherbourg.

So much so that he is now being asked to offer performances. So a few weeks ago, surrounded by loved ones, Alexis created the Drag-en-Cotentin association, alongside Sharpay Gaultier, another drag queen in Cherbourg.

The primary goal of the association is to educate, break down barriers to preconceived ideas and fight against discrimination.

The association therefore plans to participate in the next Pride March in Cherbourg, but would also like to be able to intervene in neighborhood centers or even middle and high schools, to educate in this new form of art.

Beyond the desire to present drag queen shows, with Drag-en-Cotentin, we would like to launch workshops and debates, in order to educate people about this art that is little represented in Cotentin.

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Several shows to come

To allow the public to discover what l’art du drag queenthe Drag-en-Cotentin association is organizing a first show in Cherbourg on Saturday January 18, at the Autre Lieu. Louisa McMonster will perform there alongside Alice, Kélia and Harmony Bloom, her “drag sisters”, met through social networks.

It will be a show for all audiences, there will be lip sinking, but also live singing, and dancing with the Petit pas association. It’s truly open to all, an invitation to come and discover a little-known art.

But if you haven’t already taken your seats, unfortunately, it’s already too late. Proof that this kind of performance was eagerly awaited in Cherbourg, the show was sold out after a few weeks!

Next meeting for Women in the City

To catch up with you (but hurry, because there too, places go very quickly), Louisa McMonster will be on stage again in Cherbourg, this time alongside Rihyoncé, another performer from Cherbourg. The two artists will open for Madame Arthur’s Cabaret, programmed by the Cultur’Elles association, as part of the Femmes dans la ville festival, on Friday March 14 at the Théâtre à l’Italienne.

And to find out about the next meetings and other events of the Drag-en-Cotentin association, follow it on the networks!

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