Bearonce Bear on the Dora Queen. (Photo from Facebook)
What could be better than enjoying a weekend brunch on the open water? Open water brunch with drag queens!
The Dora Queen, an 80-foot New Orleans style paddlewheel boat, is setting sail on Lake Dora for its next Drag Queen Brunch in Tavares, Florida March 13.
“Bubbles, Beards, Babes and Brunch,” a monthly drag queen brunch, is hosted by the event creator Anthony Chiocchi, better known as Bearonce Bear. The two-and-a-half hour cruise will include a drag show featuring three queens, full brunch spread and the option to add bottomless mimosas.
Chiocchi’s first drag brunch cruise set sail Dec. 12 and was a big hit, as were the next two. So much so that “Bubbles, Beards, Babes and Brunch” has been extended through June. He says the opportunity presented itself during a strange time as the pandemic is still going on, but that the owners of the Dora Queen believed in his vision and knew the event could be done safely.
“The last thing I was expecting during 2020 was doing a brunch,” Chiocchi says. “I’m very conscious about what the venue is going to do for my protection, and I’m doing what I can to protect them.”
Safety precautions will be in place including mandatory mask wearing, unless a guest in sat and eating or drinking, and people will be kept in small, socially distanced groups as they get their food. Each event is also limited to 57 passengers to allow for plenty of space between groups.
“We’ll send people downstairs to get their food in groups of 10, five outside the door five inside, they come in one door and they go out the other, so there is nobody crossing each other,” Chiocchi says. “It’s nice to come out and see a show, see friends and meet new people but feel safe.”
Along with the monthly brunch cruise, Chiocchi is launching a monthly Friday night, open-air dance party cruise. “Drag Queen Dance Party” will star queens Kitana Gemini and Katja T. Adonis. The first party cruise, setting sail March 19, will feature special guest Axel Andrews. The event will include a full bar.
“Bubbles, Beards, Babes and Brunch” next event will be March 13 at 12:30 p.m. Tickets are $45 and is an 18 and up event.
“Drag Queen Dance Party” inaugural event will be March 19 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $39 and is a 21 and up event.
Space is limited for both events so buy tickets early. Tickets are available at DoraQueen.com.
