Life's never a drag at the Cape Club Complex

"Entertainment and drinks fit for a king or QUEEN!" The motto of the Cape Club Complex, Cape Girardeau's new nightspot, couldn't be truer. CCC features a friendly and relaxed atmosphere, wildly fun drag shows, and drinks that will get you in the mood to party, whether you are gay, straight, both or undecided.

That's what club owner Jeff Robinson wants to emphasize about his place: the diversity. "This isn't just a gay club, it's an alternative club. We have a very good mix of gay and straight people."

Indeed, among all my straight friends I had heard nothing but, "We're going to the drag show," or, "We're going to the Cape Club." I decided to check it out, and I was thrilled at what I discovered.

Honestly, despite the fact that I am a very liberal and open-minded person, I was a little uneasy about visiting the club. I had never been to a gay (or alternative) bar before and didn't know what to expect. But immediately upon entering, I felt welcome. The staff was friendly, as were the patrons, who were there to have a good time and dance. This was a welcome change from the usual scene in Cape.

Jeff opened the Club in October, after moving to the area from Atlanta. He realized that the community was lacking something. "It's another place for entertainment, a place to meet people and get away from it all, and to hear good music," he said. "The community wanted more than a 'gay' bar, so I gave them this."

Jeff originally named the bar "The Cape Club," but decided to add "Complex" to the end of the name to emphasize the diverse entertainment options patrons can experience. On Tuesday nights, guest DJs play for Dance Night.

Jeff said that these nights get a very mixed crowd, as the DJ plays music to cater to college students in the community.

Thursday night is karaoke, while the crème de la crème of the Cape Club Complex entertainment, the drag shows, occur every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday night.

I was fortunate enough to be at a drag show the evening I went. One performer, a young queen named Siren Paris, spoke to me. She was decked out in a fabulous skirt and had eyelashes out to HERE. She described the entire transformation process:

"I start getting ready at about 6:15 at my house. I leave my house in full face at 8 p.m. I'm dressed and ready by 9:30 p.m."

Siren explained to me about the shaped cushions she wears under her clothing to simulate breasts and wider hips. She complained that not only was she the newest at the club, but also the shortest.

And the press-on nails! "Nails are the hardest to get on and then do anything with them after they're on."

Siren was pleased with her venue. "I love it, it's the first club I've ever performed in. Jeff's done a wonderful job to make it classy, and he's done a wonderful job for the gay community."

The show itself was spectacular. Like Siren had told me, it was incredibly classy. Each queen took turns lip-synching to a song -- sometimes high-energy, sometimes a soulful ballad.

Jeff had told me that he supplies his girls with a clothing budget to keep them looking fresh, and it showed -- the outfits were superb. One girl, Aurora, wore an Afro and jumpsuit. Another, Nicholette, wore a beautiful gown and jewels to sing Madonna's "Frozen."

One girl, Adrenaline Shy, did a Kelly Clarkson number and looked better than Kelly Clarkson herself. I was told later that Adrenaline was first runner-up in the regional Miss Gay Midwest pageant, and she would be accompanying winner Vivian Belle to Texas in late May for the Miss Gay US of A pageant.

This month the CCC will have a benefit for Belle on May 19, to raise money for her trip.

By about the middle of the show the place was packed with a diverse, fun-loving crowd, giving dollars to their favorite performers and just generally having a great time. Guests could also chill in the other levels of the club: a piano room, a pool room, and a reading room. There is also a back patio that Jeff is currently renovating that will be open soon. He plans to have cookouts there on the weekends.

I have never felt more open and alive at a Cape Girardeau nightspot than at the Cape Club Complex. My friends and I spent the whole night laughing, dancing and being enthralled by the lovely performers. The CCC is a place where everyone is welcome to have a good time -- you'd better believe I'll be there again with bells on --and rhinestones and sequins and feathers, too!