https://www.austinchronicle.com/daily/qmmunity/2023-01-13/serving-cxnt-texas-style/

Serving Cxnt, Texas Style

By James Scott, January 13, 2023, 9:30am, Qmmunity

Last August during Austin Pride, I admitted to a drunk guy in the W Austin that I’d not been to Coco Cxnts yet, the Best of Austin-winning drag brunch that’s crowned Fourth Street’s Coconut Club for two thrilling years. His response: “Can you even say you’re an Austin gay if you haven’t been?”

For many in the ATX qmmunity, the Cxnts – Arinna Dior Heys, Brigitte Bandit, Honey Baby, and Bohemia – are an essential weekend element. Earning such a solid spot in Austin’s heart is quite a feat, yet this show will be adding another feather to their caps this very weekend: Texas’ representative in season 15 of RuPaul’s Drag Race, Mistress Isabelle Brooks, will join the cast for a mega Coco Cxnts show this Saturday at 1pm. Local talent fills out the rest of the lineup, with drag artists Persephone von Lips & Ruby Knight and Lavender Thug pulling DJ duty.

Arinna Dior Heys describes Isabelle over email as carrying the power of a true Texas queen. “The only way I can describe her is like POWERFUL!” they say. “From the makeup hair costumes it all helps show off her true power which is CXNT and FIERCE.” That over-the-top fierceness is emblematic of Lone Star drag, which, according to Arinna, is always ruthless and glamorous. “Confidence and power runs through the blood of just about every main queen in this state,” they say.

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Of course, the Cxnts also embody that confidence in all of their performances. Having reached their two-year anniversary recently, Arinna reflects on why this particular drag show has been so important to them personally. “Me and my friends have been able to be in control of our own show and our own fun and we’ve had a place to safely do it for two years,” they explain, “[It’s] really solidified my character and helped me feel more confident in who I am … I can walk around and proudly say I am who I am and there’s no changing it.” Coco Cxnts 2022 BOA win for Best Drag Showcase “validated all the hard work we’ve been putting into everything,” Arinna says, remarking that it was a real show of support from the local community. “Please keep supporting your local drag,” they add. “ALL of your local drag.”

Eyeballing the upcoming show for your weekend schedule? Arinna says to expect the unexpected, especially with the unique looseness the Cxnts always run their show with. “We go with the flow,” they say, “and we let the party take us [wherever] it takes us … believe me when I tell you it’s a WILD RIDE.” So head out to Coco’s rooftop this Saturday, because if you haven’t been to Coco Cxnts … well, you know.

Coco Cxnts drag brunch runs every Saturday, 1pm, at Coconut Club on Fourth. A word to the wise for this weekend’s show with Madame Isabelle Brooks: Presale tickets for the show have already sold out, so arrive early to get in on limited door tickets for $20. Find more details and follow the Cxnts activities on their Instagram, @cococxnts.