Mx. Manchester: A Show of Inclusivity
The Haus of Envy, a group of passionate drag performers in Richmond, Virginia, has been making significant contributions to the local drag community. Mx. Manchester, their flagship event, is a drag tournament that celebrates talent, promotes inclusivity, and unites the community in a celebration of art and diversity. We recently had the opportunity to interview Leilani Envy of the Haus of Envy to discuss the tournament and what Richmonders can expect from this year’s event.
How does Mx. Manchester contribute to the development and conversation within the Richmond drag community?
The Haus of Envy began as a group of drag performers that wanted to create opportunities for anyone who wanted to start drag, work on their craft, try new things, and/or simply have fun in the art form without all the complexities at getting booked in drag venues around the area. Mx. Manchester is aligned with that goal in that we are providing a competitive opportunity for drag queens and kings in Richmond while simultaneously supporting the growth and development of each contest in the tournament pageant.
How does Mx. Manchester benefit residents and visitors of Richmond, particularly those in the queer community?
Mx. Manchester has proven to be a community project and has received the support of so many drag community members. Whether supporting us in planning, marketing, or fundraising-- the entire event is a collection of support. To see it come together shows the work that the community has done and provides everyone involved with a sense of belonging, accomplishment, and community enrichment.
In what ways does Mx. Manchester promote inclusivity and diversity in Richmond?
We've ushered in the visibility of inclusive pageantry within Richmond in a tournament setting by accepting all drag performers (queen, king, gender fluid, etc) to apply to Mx. Manchester. When reviewing applications, we made sure that inclusivity and diversity were a priority. Our contestant cast this year consists of 6 drag performers, all representing a minority group in America. We are very excited about the unique talent each will bring to the competition.
Can you share any unique aspects or highlights of Mx. Manchester 2023 that attendees can look forward to?
This year, we will have a "mini challenge" and a "main challenge" each week, as compared to last year only having one main challenge each week. We also will not be eliminating anyone until week three, which we chose to do to give each contestant more of an opportunity to showcase what they have been working on. This year's scoring is done by a point system that builds each week, rather than each week on separate scoring!
What goals and enhancements are planned for Mx. Manchester in 2023 compared to previous years?
One of our major enhancements is being able to provide a $1,000 cash prize to the winner, compared to the first year's $100 prize. We've worked hard on fundraising the past year to be able to provide a cash prize that is better suited for the hard work that the contestant put in. In addition to the cash prize, we've enhanced the production value of each week, tasked the contestants with challenges that really make them think outside the box, and partnered with talented drag performers as our guest judges.
How do you envision the partnerships with prominent figures like Alvion Arnell Davenport impacting the event and its reach within the Richmond community?
Working with prominent figures such as Alvion Arnell Davenport definitely helps bring credibility into the tournament. If one of Richmond's most acclaimed drag queens is participating, then you can guarantee a great moment worth everyone's time and money! It is also a blessing to have individuals like Alvion Arnell Davenport, Michelle Livigne, and You'neek Nu'york working with us to spread community love through fun, competitive moments.
With enhancements, prestigious partnerships, and a commitment to diversity, Mx. Manchester 2023 promises an unforgettable celebration of Richmond's drag excellence and community unity.
