By David T. Valentin
What better way is there to spend Pride than a whimsical burlesque show of pansexual performers who, at every second of their performances, are pushing the boundaries of gender and sexuality in a playful and flirtatious manner?
If you are looking for a unique way to celebrate Pride in New York City this June, you should seriously consider Cocktail Magique, which in addition to being a fabulous and memorable night of entertainment, is also donating a portion of ticket proceeds to the American Civil Liberties Union Drag Defense Fund for this month.
Cocktail Maqique is many things, but the best way I’d explain it would be an adult-content whimsical Alice in Wonderland meets an enchanted burlesque.
The minute you walk through the smoky curtains of the Magique Theatre you’re instantly transported to a 1920s saloon in which each performer is there to greet you in exaggerated cabaret makeup and long flowing cocktail fur coats.
It sets the vibe immediately, and for those who crave an elegant flair to their life, Cocktail Magique is the itch you never knew you needed.
As a welcome home, a bartender greets you with a welcome drink. I’m not sure if it’s the same every time, but we were presented with the Smoke & Mirrors—Smoked Tequila, Mayan Honey Anisette Liqueur topped with a smoky bubble. But beware: the drinks, while delicious, are strong, made more to sip through than to chug down or binge. Enjoy it. Savor it. And don’t take it for granted.
With your ticket, you get your welcome drink, a champagne for a toast, and two snacks (more like finger food treats than a meal, so eat beforehand). You also have the chance to have your tarot read, either solo, as a couple, or as a group. And I don’t mean to alarm, but you better be honest with yourself and your tarot reader, because she was spot on while also being optimistic. Tarot is a lot of fun because tarot really is an opportunity to meditate on your intentions, the way you manifest your will and to ground yourself and focus on what floats to the surface of your mind.
And it’s fitting. Cocktail Magique is an experience that grounds you in the present through blurring the lines between what is and what could be. Fitting for a show that plays around with gender and sexuality and shows audience members a magical elegance they never knew they were missing in their lives. But I digress!
I don’t want to spoil too much, though. Afterall, the enchantment of the experience and being whisked away in a time bubble of a burlesque, flapper era is most of the fun (that I promise will leave you with your jaw dropped the second the show starts).
Even more special, for this pride month, a portion of the proceeds from both their shows produced by Company XIV, Cocktail Magique and Seven Sins will be dedicated to the American Civil Liberties Union Drag Defense Fund; a union that fights for against anti-LGBTQ+, anti-drag, and anti-trans legislation.
To give to the American Civil Liberties Union Drag Defense Fund, buyers must enter the promocode PRIDE. With the promocode, you receive a 14% discount off tickets and that 14% is then donated to the American Civil Liberties Union Drag Defense Fund.
“At Company XIV we love to challenge norms and create experiences where every guest feels welcome regardless of their gender or sexual identity,” says Founder and Artistic Director Austin McCormick in Company XIV’s press release for pride. “Meanwhile state legislatures across the country are going out of their way to make queer and especially trans people feel invisible and unwelcome. It’s despicable.”
Cocktail Magique is an experience most people should have at least once in their lifetime (though, I promise after five minutes of the show you, you will already be craving another go around at the Magique Theatre).
Whether for a birthday party, a bachelor/bachelorette party or to simply enjoy the art of burlesque cabaret, Cocktail Magique’s magic guarantees you’ll be sent off in a whimsical euphoric daze seeking other magical, wonderful, whimsical pockets of fun like Cocktail Magique.
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