Rebel Kings of Oakland

Not Your Average Drag Show

What the hell is a drag king? Well let’s pull directly from the wikipedia page, just to skim the surface. The definition below describes what’s recognized as a more traditional style male impersonator. But, in short, gender can mean a variety of things for a variety of people, no matter the gender assigned at birth. And do keep in mind, here at Rebel Kings we have MANY performers all over the gender spectrum.

“Drag kings are mostly female performance artists who dress in masculine drag and personify male gender stereotypes as part of an individual or group routine.They may be lesbian, bisexual, transgender, genderqueer, or otherwise part of the LGBT community. They may also be straight. A typical drag show may incorporate dancing, acting, stand-up comedy, and singing, either live or lip-synching to pre-recorded tracks.Drag kings often perform as exaggeratedly macho male characters, portray marginalized masculinities such as construction workers, rappers, or they will impersonate male celebrities like Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson, and Tim McGraw.”

-Wikipedia

Meet your kings

Photo by: Joey Gelato — VEGAS JAKE

*Director of Institutional Knowledge, VP of the Mic Drop*
The "Daddy" of RKO, Vegas Jake keeps these boys in line (even though sometimes, it's a chorus line) and keeps the back room at the White Horse poppin' and the mic hot. Vegas Jake is a suave, loungy character with enough sleaze and charm to keep Oakland crowds riveted twice a month going on eight years, not to mention his fabulous outfits and paternal warmth.

Photo by: Britanny Hosea-Small — MICKEY FINN

*Director of the Arts and Choreography, VP of Anarchy*
The de facto artistic director of the troupe, Mickey Finn is a resident choreographer, costume master, and jack of all trades stagecraft, not to mention a fantastic performer in their own right. Finn specializes in genderfucking, burlesque and boilesque, and everything dance and dominatrix. You never know what they'll be bringing to the stage!
Photo by: Brittany Hosea-Small

RANDY PUCK

*Director of Tenderness, VP of Gender*
Affectionately known as the "Puckster" amongs the boys, Randy Puck is a mischievious prankster with a penchant for clowning. Specializing in sexy-funny, Puck can be counted on to bring the physical humor and genderfuckery to silly and serious numbers alike. Puck holds RKO's Community Guidelines and is in charge of onboarding new performers and general mediation, so find him at the show with any questions!

JOEY GELATO

*Director of Stage Crafts and Instagram, VP of Cubs and Related Leather Questions*
Joey Gelato is your leather boy next door who is scorching hot but somehow still a sweet, cold, treat. He is our utility king who helps in a variety of ways but most importantly he runs our instagram over at @rebelkingsoakland! Because of this guy, your instagram feed is filled with endless Rebel Kings content to feast your eyes upon.

DANTE DEMOAN

*Professor Emeritus of the Old Ways, VP of Pups, Cubs and Men*
A sheep in wolf's clothing, Dante can often be found staging video game numbers, re-enacting Dungeons and Dragons, playing the requisite school boy, or, for something completely different, starring in elaborate BDSM scenes. Demoan has been a regular performer at the White Horse since before June 2010, when Rebel Kings of Oakland was founded. He has embarked on a new journey in launching the Baltimore chapter of Rebel Kings. Be sure to support us on both coasts!

VERA

*Director of Community Affairs and Finance, VP of Improvisational Technique and Hashtags*
You read correctly- this masterful and amazing human’s drag name is simply Vera. However you will get anything but simple from their fantastic performances! The SWANA King Themself, we’ve been honored to call Vera our brother over the years. You can also catch them on the mic from time to time but almost always catch them in the midst of amazing, arm flailing dance moves.
Photo by: John Orvis

IMG_0930 (1).jpg — JOTA MERCURY

*Director of Public Relations and Expansion, VP of Bling and The Reveal*
Jota (pronounced HO-TAH) Mercury is an international award winning drag king who works to constantly challenge the ideologies of machismo and male dominance. He stays playing with gender in not only the funniest but sexiest ways. Sometimes he’s on the mic hosting, sometimes he’s just looking for someone to host, a versatile performer nonetheless, you never know what to expect with Jota Mercury. You can also find him performing burlesque as his femme counterpart Emjay Mercury.

Photo by: Kleos Captured

Image from iOS (5).jpg — JAESON TROUBLE

Introducing our newest member, Jaeson Trouble! If you’ve been to a Rebel Kings show at The White Horse in the past couple of years that means you’ve definitely seen our stage manager (AKA Stage Daddy) working the side lines. This fella ensures our shows stay running as smooth as possible EVERY SHOW. We love him, we cherish him, and we’re just so happy to say he is part of our troupe now.