Drag queen Arya Klos promotes creativity, culture in local performances
For Arya Klos, drag is not just about giving a solid performance but also about honoring other drag queens who came before her. Additionally, being a drag queen is also about expressing one’s true self, Klos said. Courtesy of Arya Klos
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Arya Klos performed at an assisted living event outside of Syracuse on a whim. She had only been there one time previously, for a bingo event with the residents. With her makeup done, hair in an elaborate up-do and only the highest of heels on, Klos fully immersed herself in the drag experience.
She noticed an older woman silently watching in the audience, as a singular tear fell down her face. The woman came up to her afterward, thanking Klos for a show that brought her back to her own performing days.
The following week Klos got a call.
“They want less bingo and they want more you,” she recalled an employee telling her.
This wasn’t a first for Klos, leaving such an impact on viewers. These experiences are what make Klos love doing drag, she said. Klos has performed as a drag queen for years. Now based in Syracuse, Klos began her performance career in New York City.
“The Arya mindset is just to have a good time. The world is kind of just in a sh-tty place overall so why not take a moment to laugh, enjoy and bring in some culture,” Klos said.
She competed in her local writing center’s slam poetry competitions while living in New York City. In her final performance, she talked about “slut culture” and decided to “go out with a bang” by throwing condoms into the audience, she said.
Klos was surprised to be invited back to the writing center to perform the following year. Her performance, done dressed in drag, was a feminist piece through the lens of a drag queen titled “As a Drag Queen.” Delivering the poem was her first performance in the drag community.
While working in the city, Klos befriended other drag queens and kings. Quickly, she realized she’d need a signature drag name. Inspired by “Game of Thrones” character Arya Stark, Klos picked up the character’s name. She said the name Arya Klos also coincidentally created a pun of “Are ya close?”
Eventually, Klos made the move upstate and began performing in the local drag scene. In Syracuse, Klos often participates in community events. Last Thursday, she served as the guest emcee for “Glide with Pride,” an LGBTQ+ ice skating event hosted by the Syracuse Mayor’s Office LGBTQ+ Advisory Board.
Fatcat Baking, a local vegan bakery, co-sponsored Thursday’s event. Owner Megan Rydzak said showing up for one another is crucial in the local drag and LGBTQ+ community. For Rydzak, supporting local LGBTQ+ artists represents “community and love.”
Klos frequently visits Rydzak’s store, Rydzak said, where they’ve formed a strong friendship. Her three words to describe Klos: sassy, business-oriented and kind.
“The drag community is interesting, you would think it’s small but we have a really, really big drag community here,” Rydzak said. “It’s popping.”
The LGBTQ+ community in Syracuse allows Rydzak to come with an open heart — no one has to be someone they’re not, she said.
Klos said she has seen how her influences paved the way for local drag representation. But, there is still quite a way to go, she said. On a local and global scale, the cross section of gender equality and drag culture intersect in challenging ways. Drag queens and kings have always been around, but only recently are getting to share their stories, Klos said.
For Klos, putting on a show is not just about delivering a solid performance.
“It is also about giving a nod to the drag queen culture that came before,” Klos said. “I’m not saying every stage performance is a rally, but it’s good to foster those moments of community and embrace creativity in many fashions.”
Klos said she appreciates local LGBTQ+ youth advocacy groups, like The Q Center. They provide LGBTQ+ 101 training to schools and businesses, community outreach and cultural competency modules. Klos grew up in Long Island, and found the programming at a similar organization extremely supportive.
Kip Amyot, a support specialist for The Q Center, emphasized the importance of drag culture in LGBTQ+ communities. He said the drag queen-community partnerships are tight in the greater Syracuse area; often artists do performances that benefit local food pantries and transgender visibility causes.
“(Drag has) been an absolute staple in communities towards being authentic,” Amyot said. “It has the power to draw support and bring people together. It’s undervalued. Drag is the true embodiment of being who you are.”
Klos agrees. Drag is about showcasing one’s true authentic self, Klos said.
“People will see us as a prop, or something that is less than, which is unfortunate,” Klos said. “People don’t also realize at the end of the day we’re people. We are taking time away from that to perform and embrace our creativity and share that with everyone else.”
