Reigning talent from some of Arkansas’ most prestigious drag competitions entertained diners at Skinny J’s recurring drag brunch on Saturday, Sept. 21.

Drag queens Miss Gay Northeast Arkansas 2023 Pinky Promise, Miss Gay Arkansas 2016 Charney Cassadine, Chanel Heffington, Aubi Gold and Salem Savant performed a wide range of songs from country to pop. 

Pinky Promise was the host of the show and also started the show with a song from the hit musical “Chicago.”

The show continued with a performance from Aubi Gold who continued the musical theme with another song from “Chicago” and got very comfortable with the crowd during her sensual performance.

The show then continued with Charney Cassadine giving the crowd an old-school performance with a risqué take by going around to each table sensually dancing.

Salem Savant then brought the show back to the modern age with the song “off the table” by Ariana Grande and The Weeknd. 

Chanel Heffington brought the audience to an emotional place with her dramatic performance of various country songs, showing herself to be a true Southern bell. 

After a quick intermission, host Pinky Promise performed a song that was not only personal to her, but also someone close to her in the audience. 

“This song is dedicated to my amazing mother who has been through so much hardship but always stood by my side through everything,” Pinky Promise said. 

The song she performed was “Jesus Take the Wheel,” by Carrie Underwood and while it was a sweet dedication to her mother, there were many twists and turns making the show extraordinary.

Pinky Promise started the performance off on a more emotional and serious note; however, quickly started to change gears by bringing out a steering wheel cover and pretending to drive around each table, even going as far as to hook one audience member’s neck with the cover. 

Then just as one may think that’s all the performance had to offer, Aubi Gold came out from the side stage with a piece of paper reading “Jesus Christ” tucked in her dress.

Both queens then proceed to fight over the steering wheel cover while Pinky Promise fed Aubi Gold a bottle of champagne.

After Jesus literally took the wheel from Pinky Promise, it was time for Aubi Gold to take over the stage once again with a performance of “I Can’t Do It Alone” from “Chicago” — a fun twist on the sibling rivalry the song portrays. 

The performance consisted of both queens trying to one-up each other, with Aubi Gold even voguing on top of the bar.

The show ended with Chanel Heffington giving the audience one last dramatic performance. 

This is not the first time that Skinny J’s has held a drag show, but it is one of the first places in central Arkansas to offer a show like this. 

General Manager Mason Bean, who works closely to make these shows happen, said he was happy to host the shows even though some locals might not feel kindly toward the events.

“Unfortunately we have received backlash from a few people in the community. Not everyone in Conway is ready for a strong presence of drag arts in town; that’s why we started doing these shows in the first place,” Bean said.

The next drag brunch will be held 12-2 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 21, and will be a special Halloween-themed show. 

Bean said the show will mark two years of Skinny J’s hosting drag shows and that he feels honored to possibly be one of the only restaurants in Conway to host these types of shows.