The feeling of dancing and singing on stage in front of a crowd of people can be exhilarating, especially when one is in drag. The Side Pieces are a group of drag artists and performers at The Side Bar, welcoming anyone to enjoy their shows in the comforting bar environment.
The Side Bar aims to bring a cozy feel to customers, with eye-catching wall decor and staff ready to pour a craft cocktail. The bar is located at 24 ½ E. State St. and opened in June 2024, according to a previous report by The Post.
The Side Pieces started more than two years ago and was initiated by Chris Nevil, president of the Southeastern Ohio Rainbow Alliance, who performs under the name Kazma Knights. He said performing with the group is an outlet for him.
Nevil said he works in healthcare finance and is also an adjunct professor at Hocking College.
“My job can be a little stressful sometimes, my professional job, and so it's just fun to be someone else for a minute and be kind of kooky and funny,” Nevil said. “I'm also a singer, so I like to sing live at the shows, so that's always fun.”
Every drag show is themed, and The Side Pieces perform on a small stage in the bar. Their most recent show was “My Bloody Valentine’s Drag Show” on Feb. 13, which attracted about 70 attendees, according to Nevil.
The group consists of Jenson Jade, Mystique Monroe, Judy Chiffon, Crylee Cromwell, Freak, Long John Silver and Miss Lady Dior. Each performer has a unique style, and Nevil said the group has a large representation for the smaller area in Athens.
“Each performer brings something different to the table,” Nevil said. “We have a couple transgender people, we've got a couple non-binary people, every sexuality you can think of, and then even their performance styles themselves.”
Nevil performed with many members of the group previously at Athens Uncorked as the Uncorked Dolls. Nevil said he knows the owner of The Side Bar well, as she used to work at Athens Uncorked. Knowing the owner and enjoying the atmosphere, Nevil thought The Side Bar was the perfect place to perform, and the group changed its name to The Side Pieces.
Nevil grew up in Athens and said drag performances and artists were not as prevalent or supported in the community as they are now. He made it his mission to help create the representation he was missing growing up.
Nevil said he works to ensure the space is welcoming and comfortable for everyone and mentioned how transgender individuals often receive criticism from their own community.
“I always make it clear that if anyone is acting a certain way or being any sort of way, I personally will kick them out, because I want to make sure, especially now more than ever, that trans and non-binary people are supported and don't have to be attacked by their own community, because that happens a lot,” Nevil said.
As the president of SEORA, Nevil often arranges shows with The Side Pieces to raise money for non-profit organizations, like the group’s annual toy drive drag show. SEORA also hosts the annual Athens Pride Fest, providing the community with a four-day celebration for the past eight years.
Elias Rubenstein, a senior studying psychology, performs as Judy Chiffon and started doing drag her freshman year at Ohio University. Rubenstein said she was in a production of “Annie” in her senior year of high school and played Miss Hannigan, which sparked her interest in the art.
Once Rubenstein joined the Lost Flamingo Theatre Company at OU, she decided to perform in the company’s spring drag show. Through LFC, she met a couple drag queens and was asked to do a photoshoot with Thread Magazine, which introduced her to several others in the drag community.
“Then I got asked to do a pride festival,” Rubenstein said. “From there, I met Kazma, and then we clicked really well. She asked me to perform as a guest at Side Bar, and she liked me so much that she just kind of kept me around. She adopted me off the street.”
Rubenstein said she struggles with anxiety and agoraphobia, and being able to perform as someone else and leave her worries behind is “liberating.” Being able to share her joy and interest with other people is something she also finds lovely.
“What I hope to provide from it is a bat signal to other people saying, ‘This is a safe space for you to express yourself and have fun and see people that you think are beautiful and also feel beautiful because of just the general vibe,’” Rubenstein said. “It's letting loose and not being scared of the outside world for a little bit, because it's a very scary time right now, politically and in general.”
Rubenstein said her style began as Old Hollywood, but soon branched out into an 1980s pop vibe. She said media from the 1980s is influential and important to her, especially as a trans woman. She chooses songs that make her feel pretty, and chose to perform “Heart of Glass” by Blondie at the Valentine’s Day show.
Rubenstein said her favorite show was when she performed as the Bride of Frankenstein at the group’s Halloween show this past year, and she enjoyed making her wig and costume. She said she also enjoyed performing at the Baker University Center for the free welcome week show and received a great response from the audience.
Nevil performed in every Baker Center welcome week show since they began the event. He said the show brings in more than 800 students, and it is “a rush” to hear the excited screams and see happy faces.
Megan Biddle, a freshman studying information and telecommunication systems, said she attended the welcome show at the beginning of the school year. She said she was interested in seeing a drag show live, as she always saw them online.
“I thought it was great,” Biddle said. “The energy was just unmatched. They were clearly having so much fun up there, and everyone in the crowd was so engaged. It was just good vibes all around.”
For those interested in supporting The Side Pieces, visit their Facebook page for upcoming events and more information.
