Mad Batter Tea Room, Saturday, July 23, 7 p.m.

Drag Bingo with Bella Noche (Long Island’s Drag Mermaid)

Pine Grove Inn, Wednesday July 27,

Art, cats and drag converged at the Shabby Tabby Cat Café this weekend, with a Paint Night on Saturday, July 16, that was sold out.

Drag goddesses Toni Homeperm and Jasmine G. String headed the event that packed out the café, much to the joy (or possible dismay; it was difficult to get a quote) of the resident cats.

Eventgoers each painted their individual cat peacefully going down a stream, and in between painting instruction were treated to musical numbers and comedy acts by Homeperm and G. String.

“Drag Queen Paint Night is actually the brainchild of my good friend Judy, Ashley Jade, local drag queen and CEO of Chaotic Cosmetics.  I normally co-host the night with her, but she was unable to attend the event last night, so filling in for her was our good friend, Jasmine G. String!” said Homeperm.

While Homeperm usually picks out an image of a particular cat as the inspiration piece for a Paint Night, she always tells her audience they are not beholden to copy it exactly and encourages participants to make it their own.

“As drag queens, how could we be opposed to diversity? [Saturday night’s] inspiration image was a black-and-white kitty on a rainbow life preserver floating down a stream,” said Homeperm.

The staff at the Shabby Tabby were on hand to set up tables, seating, paints, brushes, and all other essentials. They also provided non-alcoholic beverage service, from soft drinks to coffee and tea, throughout the evening.

“We get the audience started with creating their paintings and help them along the way, and always encourage them to have fun with it. Interspersed with the painting, we’ll do some drag performances, and last night was no exception,” said Homeperm.

G. String, showing what a triple threat she is, sang and danced her way all around the café.  

The “Singing Diva of Long Island,” Homeperm decided to keep things happy and upbeat and performed some of her favorite disco songs, including “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy?” and “Carwash.”

“I always do a colorful look for Paint Night, and with my pink hair and bright yellow dress, I was told I looked like cotton candy last night! Everyone loved the look and one of the guests actually did a little drawing of me!” said Homeperm

Homeperm performs all over Long Island as well as appearing in NYC, and is the co-host of two online shows, “Naughty or Niiiiiice” and “God’ll Get You For That Walter” with Tom Catt.

She is also Long Island’s Best Sophia Petrillo “Golden Girls” celebrity impersonator, along with Tom Catt as her daughter, Dorothy.

Co-host G. String actually makes her own wigs from scratch.

“It’s a long process of steaming, roller sets, and lots and lots of teasing and hairspray! Usually, I tease them; sometimes I just [expletive] them off,” joked G. String.

The transformation process for G. String starts three to four hours prior to an event, and her first step is to cover her brows and “the rest is paint and spackle!”

For the body, the process includes various hip pads, some of which are handmade, and others are silicone.

G. String wears about five to 10 pairs of pantyhose and a corset.

“Once I set the makeup, I blow a kiss in the mirror and I’m ready to go! It’s not the most comfortable, but usually the numbing from the tights and corset takes over,” said G. String.

For her musical numbers, G. String sometimes does mixes where she creates her own stories in the song, but other times will just do a classic number.

“I don’t like to overcomplicate my drag performances; I mostly love engaging with the audience. It’s always a different atmosphere and I love meeting the new people!” said G. String.

“I felt so honored to be a part of such an all-inclusive place, one that cares for our beautiful creatures and fosters a family feeling of community. Having three rescue kitties myself, I’m so thankful for a place like the Shabby Tabby! It’s an adorable place: clean, great drinks, and an awesome crowd of people. Everyone there was so lovely; I could not have asked for a better crowd,” said G. String.

Owner of the café, Ryan Shea, said, “We love hosting drag events because they are tons of fun, and we want everyone to know we are inclusive in every way. Cats don’t have any types of prejudices and neither do we. It’s great that these events always sell out; it makes our hearts happy.” 

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