Drag group Carly’s Angels has been dazzling their audience with glamour and laughter for 17 years.
For the past decade, Lolita’s Lounge in Calgary has been their primary home – selling out their Saturday show four to eight weeks in advance.
On Aug. 26, they are bringing their brand of dine and dazzle to the Texas Gate.
“Making people laugh is my favourite,” Craig Taylor (Carly York Jones) stated. “The legacy of the show is making people laugh.”
The three entertainers’ wildly different personalities are what make the show so fabulous.
Taylor and Wagner are the two original members of the group – Lance Lisowski (Tara Extravaganza) joined seven years ago.
“It’s a satisfying feeling for me,” said Wagner (Mercedez) of their long performing streak. “It’s a real sense of pride.”
Creating Carly’s Angels was something Taylor had always dreamed of and thanks to the opportunity to perform at a bar in Calgary called Plush – Carly’s Angels blossomed. The show was short-lived due to the club shutting down, but they were soon back on stage when the owners of Village Hearth and Terrace (which has since evolved into Lolita’s Lounge) approached Taylor about their show.
Wagner derives an enormous sense of pleasure knowing that he can create wonderful memories for his audience.
“It’s not an egotistical feeling,” Wagner stated. “It’s giving the gift of my talent.”
Calgary resident Sonja Hayes-Powers was completely smitten by the trio’s charm and wit, which has had her coming back again and again.
“It’s super fun … super high energy,” Hayes-Powers stated. “It’s like a concert and comedy show in one.
“Lots of giggles … lots of laughs.”
With the group being wildly popular – Wagner is proud of how far the drag community has come.
“I never thought I would see this change in my life time,” Wagner said. “The whole concept was very hush, hush – and to come from that.”
Carly’s Angels love laughter, comedy, glamour, everything sparkly and seeing smiles from the audience.
“We don’t take ourselves too seriously,” Taylor said. “Above all, were still boys in dresses.”
Tickets are $55 and can be purchased by calling Jj at 403-932-2442.
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