LARGO, Fla. — Daphne Ferraro was born to entertain and enlighten.
She is the tallest drag queen in captivity by night.
“I am actually like a marketing professional and an operations director by day,” explained Michael Dixon, a.k.a. Ferraro.
Dixon has been performing in drag for 26 years professionally.
“But I probably started when I was four or five, running about the house with towels and curtains on my head,” said Dixon.
He told his mother he wanted to be a “Solid Gold” dancer in the 80s.
And in the 2000s, he’s already mounted two sold out shows at the Central Park Performing Arts Center — part of the city of Largo.
This latest work is called “Prismatic: An Exploration of Color and Pride.”
“It will go through each of the colors of the rainbow. And describe in color theory what that color means and why it’s important to be included in the flag,” said Dixon.
Dixon created the mixed media show with original music
“And the songs are created from poems I created,” said Dixon.
The city of Largo’s Audrey Siegler says Largo leans into its local creative forces.
“We’re just happy again to show recognition of the people that live in our community,” Siegler said.
For Dixon, as a drag performer in the St. Pete nightlife, the stage is always calling him back.
“I grew up working in the theatre,” Dixon said. “And that’s what makes this so special. I work on a regular basis in bars. There’s no feeling like being in a theatre like this with the catwalk and the curtains and the lights, the energy that comes from the audience, you know?”
Different space, same message, respecting the rainbow and celebrating all the colors of our human condition.
Virginia Johnson
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