From Blue Knight To Queen Blanc

SAUVIGNON BLANC PHOTOS

In this day and age, it’s more important than ever to find opportunities for real connection. Such is the view of Sauvignon Blanc, a Southington-born drag queen who is working to create those opportunities for her hometown at upcoming shows in November and December. About drag she observes that “it’s so important for people to put down their phones and have a lived experience instead of forming their opinions from what they see online.”

The Power Of A Name

Sauvignon Blanc got her name, not just from her favorite beverage, but from the wine-shaped birthmark on her cheek. That birthmark was only one of many things that she was bullied for while growing up. “I was always picked on. For the birthmark, being overweight, gay, and all those different things.”

Being raised in Southington as a queer student shaped Sauvi’s life path and her perspective on community. “Growing up, especially in the theater arts in Southington, there was a lot of support for self-expression, but it always seemed that a true space for queer students was missing.” Sauvi recalled how supportive persons on her journey helped her to feel like she fit in more. “Teachers like Heather Allenback, Mary Tess Tran, and Marci Johnson were all very supportive. It was the first time that they saw me, not just as a capable academic student, but as a person. They saw me as more than just a number.”

Drag gave her the ability to reclaim those parts of herself and own them. One of her last productions at Southington High School was Seussical the Musical, where she played the Grinch. That inspired her first drag performance in December 2023, which was Grinch-themed. “I fell in love with it and it just kind of spiraled from there.”

Through drag, Sauvi has made very close friends, some of whom she now considers family. In drag culture, there are 'drag houses', where more experienced performers guide and support beginning artists. As a newer performer, Sauvi is considered the baby of her drag house; drag queen Lexxi Pro is the mother, and Auntie Lu the aunt. “The three of us are collaborators, not just on stage but off.” Together, they own a small business, Haus of Pro Entertainment LLC. They travel around Connecticut and the surrounding states putting on a variety of shows that include bingo, trivia, and brunches.

Haus of Pro

Tackling Misconceptions Through Education And Experience

There are lots of misconceptions about drag, many of which affect the Southington community. Sauvi hopes to help bridge the gap of misunderstanding with education. “It’s really not so different from when you see someone like Valentine the Clown, who I consider a Southington icon, coming to events and trying to create magic for audiences.”

One sentiment Sauvi believes in is making sure you understand something before you judge it. “I’ve seen that from some of the guests that we’ve had come to our shows. They were a little hesitant or nervous because they didn’t know what they were getting themselves into. But by the end of the night, they’re dancing in their seats, waving dollars in the air, singing out loud, and having a blast.” At the core of drag shows, Sauvi said, is “just performers trying to have fun, lift people’s spirits, and make them feel seen.”

Sauvi In Southington

Sauvi and the Haus of Pro will be performing on November 20th and December 18th at SoLA Karaoke Bar in Factory Square. The November show will be a drag bingo show, while the December show will be an open mic Karaoke-style performance where guests will be able to sing with the queens.

When asked what someone can expect to experience at their shows, especially if they are on the fence about going, Sauvi responded, “Fun! Fun is always the number one goal we have as performers. We create experiences that make people feel seen, heard, and connected to us.” The upcoming shows will be her first in Southington since last May.

Sauvi said that it has been more challenging here than in other towns due to pushback. She would like to see more support available to students. “A lot of the spaces for our students involve theater. But outside of those traditional spaces, how can we continue to provide resources?”

Despite this, Sauvi dreams of one day having the support of her hometown. “I don’t see myself stopping in the pursuit of my dreams to do drag anytime soon. So, if I could get that buy-in from the town where I grew up, that would be so impactful. Extra special.”