In Pictures: Michigan Drag Brunch wows crowd at 501 Bar & Grill

FLINT, Michigan — It’s 11 a.m on a Sunday, and dozens of people have gathered at 501 Bar & Grill in downtown Flint — with dollar bills in hand — for brunch and a show. Mimosas and Bloody Marys are flowing and the floor vibrates from dance music played by a DJ tucked against the wall.

Meanwhile, in a dressing room in the back of the restaurant, five drag queens from all over the state and region put the finishing touches on their looks. 

The show was produced by Michigan Drag Brunch, a company that stages shows every Sunday at rotating venues in Michigan. Each show features the company’s very own “Brunchettes” but also includes local guest queens.

Veronica Scott entertains the crowd during a Michigan Drag Brunch performance Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022 at 501 Bar and Grill in downtown Flint.One audience member, Kyla Webber, drove to Flint from Goodrich to see her first drag show with a group of friends (an item on her “bucket list”) and she was not disappointed.

“It was one of the best things I’ve ever experienced,” Webber said. “I love all of the outfits, I love the songs, I love the energy,” she added.

Sunday’s show featured performances by three “Brunchettes” – Kardi Redd Diamond, Mia Cole, and Dakota Cox, plus two guest performers, Bentley James and Veronica Scott.

Christine Webber of Goodrich offers a tip for Veronica Scott during a Michigan Drag Brunch performance Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022 at 501 Bar and Grill in downtown Flint.Kardi Redd Diamond, originally from Cleveland, explained that drag means much more to her than meets the eye. “Drag saved my life,” she said. “There’s a lot of individuals that think it’s just us up here dancing in wigs but really it’s not. It’s me escaping a world where I’m not accepted, I’m not welcome.”

During each performance, audience members clapped, cheered, danced, and extended their hands with cash tips, all while enjoying brunch and drinks served by the staff at 501.

From left, drag queens Veronica Scott, Dakota Cox, Kardi Redd Diamond, Mia Cole, and Bentley James pose for a photo after a Michigan Drag Brunch performance Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022 at 501 Bar and Grill in downtown Flint.“Every show that we’ve done in Flint, they’re always this lit, and this crowd was amazing. Top tier. I think it was one of the best,” said Kardi Redd Diamond, who has been doing drag for the past seven years. “Everybody was so into it, and that’s what we really enjoy. Otherwise, if you’re just, like, staring at me, I feel like a zoo animal.”

Towards the end of the show, two audience members were invited to try their hand at entertaining the crowd, during a competition called “Shake Your Sh*t.”

Nicholas Hoist of Bay City and Bradley Jacobi of Flint danced simultaneously, both moving around the room and soliciting donations. When the audience “voted” for a winner, Hoist got the loudest applause and received a free shot as his prize.

Kardi Redd Diamond touches up her look before her second performance during a Michigan Drag Brunch event Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022 at 501 Bar and Grill in downtown Flint.Over $190 was collected during the competition, all of which will be donated to AYA Youth Collective, a Grand Rapids non-profit that provides safe spaces for 14 to 24-year-olds facing homelessness or instability.

At the conclusion of the two-hour show, all five performers walked outside and gave audience members an opportunity to meet them and pose for photos together.

Scroll down to see highlights moments from the Michigan Drag Brunch:

Nicholas Hoist of Bay City competes in a game called "Shake Your Shit" during a Michigan Drag Brunch performance Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022 at 501 Bar and Grill in downtown Flint.
Guests enjoy brunch and cocktails during a Michigan Drag Brunch performance Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022 at 501 Bar and Grill in downtown Flint.
Veronica Scott touches up her look before her second performance during a Michigan Drag Brunch event Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022 at 501 Bar and Grill in downtown Flint.
Ashley Hatfield of Birch Run records a video during a Michigan Drag Brunch performance Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022 at 501 Bar and Grill in downtown Flint.
Veronica Scott entertains the crowd during a Michigan Drag Brunch performance Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022 at 501 Bar and Grill in downtown Flint.
Mia Cole entertains the crowd during a Michigan Drag Brunch performance Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022 at 501 Bar and Grill in downtown Flint.Kardi Redd Diamond entertains the crowd during a Michigan Drag Brunch performance Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022 at 501 Bar and Grill in downtown Flint.
Nicholas Hoist of Bay City, center right, thrums his hands on the bar with a group of friends during a Michigan Drag Brunch performance Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022 at 501 Bar and Grill in downtown Flint.
Dakota Cox entertains the crowd during a Michigan Drag Brunch performance Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022 at 501 Bar and Grill in downtown Flint.
Dakota Cox entertains the crowd during a Michigan Drag Brunch performance Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022 at 501 Bar and Grill in downtown Flint.
Veronica Scott entertains the crowd during a Michigan Drag Brunch performance Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022 at 501 Bar and Grill in downtown Flint.
Bentley James entertains the crowd during a Michigan Drag Brunch performance Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022 at 501 Bar and Grill in downtown Flint.
Guests offer cash tips during a Michigan Drag Brunch performance Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022 at 501 Bar and Grill in downtown Flint.
Dakota Cox entertains the crowd during a Michigan Drag Brunch performance Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022 at 501 Bar and Grill in downtown Flint.
A group of friends holds up their drinks in a toast during a Michigan Drag Brunch performance Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022 at 501 Bar and Grill in downtown Flint.
Kardi Redd Diamond tries on a sweater gifted to her by a fan after a Michigan Drag Brunch performance Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022 at 501 Bar and Grill in downtown Flint.
Mia Cole entertains the crowd during a Michigan Drag Brunch performance Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022 at 501 Bar and Grill in downtown Flint.
Veronica Scott entertains the crowd during a Michigan Drag Brunch performance Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022 at 501 Bar and Grill in downtown Flint.
Top row, from left, drag queens Veronica Scott, Dakota Cox, Kardi Redd Diamond, Bentley James and Mia Cole pose for a photo with fans after a Michigan Drag Brunch performance Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022 at 501 Bar and Grill in downtown Flint.
Kardi Redd Diamond entertains the crowd during a Michigan Drag Brunch performance Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022 at 501 Bar and Grill in downtown Flint.
Dakota Cox gives a spanking to an audience member celebrating a birthday during a Michigan Drag Brunch performance Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022 at 501 Bar and Grill in downtown Flint.
To learn more about Michigan Drag Brunch, and to view upcoming events in the region, visit: midragbrunch.com