A look inside Making a Scene, Cork's unique punk rock drag show

Ran by Boo Boo Oopsie, Making a Scene happens once a month in Fred Zeppelins pub.

An image of Boo Boo Oopsie, organiser of Making a Scene. The drag queen is photographed in blue light, wearing a blue wig and black eyeliner and lipstick.
Image: Boo Boo Oopsie

Have you been searching for a unique new event to attend in Munster? Well, look no further as Cork‘s resident emo scene queen, Boo Boo Oopsie, has taken her passion for everything punk rock and turned it into the totally metal drag show, Making a Scene.

Throughout 2024, the show is being hosted monthly in the perfect venue for such an event, Fred Zeppelins. Boo Boo is now the resident drag queen of the pub, as a result of the success of sporadic Making a Scene events in the past.

Taking place on the last Friday of every month, Making a Scene offers high-energy alternative performances to your favourite punk rock tracks. Boo Boo and her cast promise to take you back to your 2000s scene phase with music from all your favourite rock, punk and emo legends (however, there may be a certain bias towards Paramore from the resident queen…)

Team Scene includes some of Cork’s most iconic alternative performers including Corpse Rhyde, Angel Reign and Abra Kedavre. The show, featuring this eclectic cast of performers, not only appeals to lovers of drag but also offers a place for rock music lovers to experience drag for the first time.

“2024 is the year of the icons and I am bringing them to you! We have iconic Cork talent booked, as well as bringing performers from around the country, and we even have some surprise crossover events planned with other Irish shows,” shared Boo Boo Oopsie.

Making a Scene is the perfect crossover between all things pop punk and drag – two movements with activism and rebellion at their core. Fred Zeppelins gets decorated with all-inclusive pride flags for Making a Scenes events, with a particular focus on Bi visiblity.

“Drag has always been punk, it has always been rebellious and it will always speak up – that’s what we bring to the stage and that’s what we are inviting you to come and be a part of with us,” Angel Reign, performer and co-organiser, said.

Boo Boo has always kept punk rock front and centre when it comes to her drag shows, giving alternative performers space to perform and grow.

“I find alternative drag is going through a Renaissance lately – you have the amazing diversity of drag being celebrated at shows all around the country,” she said, particularly noting the increasing visibility of drag kings, and AFAB queens.

“Punk rock and drag do intertwine, the most famous punk rock drag performer being RuPaul, who started their music career in a punk rock band. Within the punk community, there’s a collaborative atmosphere too with so many subcultures and styles all being in the same community, it’s very reminiscent of queer culture and community.

“That’s why I feel like drag and punk feel like such a good connection. Having the Cork punk band Easy Company chant my name in support at a show brings me immense joy,” she shared.

Upcoming shows include the one-year anniversary of Making a Scene with Liam Bee as a special guest performer, taking place in Fred Zeppelins on March 29. Tickets are on sale now, so grab your old band merch, remind your mom that “it was never a phase!” and don’t miss out on this incredible show.

 

 

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In May, Boo Boo hopes to showcase a cast of all drag kings for a very special May-King a Scene event, to highlight the diverse drag talents in the city.

With monthly shows being announced for the last Friday of every month, you can head to @making_a_scene_myspace and @boo_boo_oopsie on Instagram for updates and tickets.

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