HeraldTribune.com – By Meg Durshimer – Correspondent
Sarasota nightlife is starting to become a real drag.
Over the past several months, drag queen (and king) shows have become de rigueur in clubs from the north end’s Witness Caf? to the south side’s Club Escapes. There’s even a monthly “drag queen bingo” night at Canvas Caf?.
“Gay nightlife is about to explode in Sarasota,” said Keith Allen of Keith Allen Productions, a Sarasota-based promoter of drag shows and other entertainment. “And drag shows are tailored to the straight community. Women feel safe and can have fun, and men find it interesting.”
Most attribute the newfound popularity of drag to its fun-loving atmosphere — people, both gay and straight, are just looking for a good time. Sarasota’s arts-centric community is also becoming more accepting of gays and lesbians, Allen said, as evidenced by Susan Stanton, a transgender who recently was a finalist for the city manager position.