RICH LOPEZ | Staff writer
Rich@DallasVoice.com
She’s a legend. She’s an icon. She’s Coco Peru.
And she’s heading to Dallas.
But is this her last show? It’s a question she pondered, as this embodiment of drag royalty has slowed down her own career. And going by the title of her newest show, Fuck This Shit, she may not even care.
Well perhaps she cares a little bit.
Peru is the headlining queen for this year’s Texas Bear Round-up, the legendary bear gathering that is celebrating its 30th anniversary this weekend
The party opened on March 12 and runs through the weekend, and Peru will bring her distinct sophistication and humor to the bears at her headlining show on Saturday night, March 14 in the Hyatt Regency Dallas’ Landmark Ballroom.
But fret not, Coco fans. The event is open to non-registrants.
Known for her blend of comedy, autobiographical storytelling and political commentary, Peru talked this week about the inspiration behind her latest work, her thoughts on retirement, and the enduring power of her bear audiences.
Dallas Voice: Welcome back to Dallas and to TBRU. You headlined the event in 2019. What are you bringing to the bears this year? Coco Peru: I hadn’t planned on writing a new show. Last summer, I had a booking in Provincetown and realized I’d already done all my existing shows, and I didn’t want to do my “Best Of” again. I was talking to Varla Jean Merman, who sometimes comes to me for guidance and grounding, and she told me, “You have to write a new show; we need it.”
What’s this new show you created and how do you describe it? I wrote it from the perspective of wanting to address the rage I’m feeling — which I assume most of us are feeling — but have it be healing, at least for the hour we’re together. Although I know this is a fun bear event, given the times and my 36 years in drag, the show reflects my desire to address some issues. I usually address things from a personal point of view, hoping it translates to others feeling seen.
You certainly have a provocative title for it. I was originally thinking of a more easy title to advertise, but then I jokingly said I should just call it Fuck This Shit. Then I realized, you know what? That’s exactly what I’m feeling, so that’s what I’m going to call it. It resonated immediately. There are people in places like Texas who wanted to hear what I had to say based on the title alone.
Was it difficult to write the show, given the constant onslaught of news and your own admitted rage, or was it actually easy to get out? I wrote this show last summer, and I feel like things have only gotten more absurd since then. While I don’t get into specific, granular issues — I don’t want to alienate the audience — my rage is certainly present. I also address the escalating hate I experience online as a drag queen. The role of an artist is to address things so we can all feel it together and move on from that place.
When we last spoke, you mentioned looking at retirement. Now you’re coming here to perform. Is that still on your mind? [Laughs] Yes, it is. It’s been on my mind since my early 30s. The thing is, I’ve never gotten past my social anxiety. You’d think those things would get easier as you get older, but sometimes they feel worse. People think of me as very social, but I have moments where I just have to be in my house to recover.
I am going to start to slow down very soon. I don’t have anything booked after this bear event, and I keep thinking, “Oh dear, is this my last show?” I’m not actively pursuing bookings right now. If someone comes along who wants to put me in beautiful theaters, fly me first class and pay me what I deserve, I might consider it. At 60, lugging suitcases and flying commercial is a lot. You have to consider the travel, the tech, the two hours to get ready, the show, and then repacking at 5 a.m. I think maybe it’s time to exit with some dignity.
Would Coco still be with us in the world when the retirement announcement happens? I’d still do appearances if someone wants to treat me well, or if it’s a cause I really want to support, and it’s an easy gig. The other thing I’m really tired of is drunk people. All it takes is one loud, disrespectful person. When I tell autobiographical stories, that disrespect feels even more insulting because I’m talking about my life. I’ve never worked in places where alcohol isn’t the main source of income, which doesn’t always work best with my type of vulnerable show. I think about not dealing with that as well.
Have you thought about your legacy as Coco Peru? Not really. As a drag queen — maybe as an old school queen — I don’t take myself that seriously, even though I talk about serious things. If there is a legacy, it’s that I look back and wonder where I got the audacity to dream I could pull off doing drag and telling stories and being political. … I still can’t believe I’ve had a 36-year career. I may not have had the huge success some people have, but I’ve done it all, and I did it on my own terms. I got to say everything I wanted to say.
If it were not for you and your contemporaries, the drag scene probably wouldn’t look like it does today. A lot of the successful queens from Drag Race, like Alaska, Jinkx, BenDeLaCreme and Bianca Del Rio, have mentioned us older queens as inspirations. They’ve helped us get some spotlight that wasn’t there initially. I’m just eternally grateful that all these years later, I’m still working. It’s the fans that kept a roof over my head and food on my table.
What is it about TBRU that you say “yes” to coming to Dallas to perform? I love it. Growing up without the internet, we were starved for finding ourselves and for representation. In New York, if you didn’t look a certain way, you were an “other.” Creating Coco was how I took back my power. I resonate with that same feeling in the bear community — that sense of otherness, taking back power and finding self.
The bear community has always shown up to my shows wanting to have a good time. That’s a different energy; it’s so welcoming. With my social anxiety, that’s probably even more why I appreciate the bears.
For more about Texas Bear Round-up event schedule or to register or purchase tickets for Coco Peru, visit TBRU.org.
TBRU SCHEDULE
The following schedule, updated as of March 3, highlights some of the events planned as part of TBRU 30: Roman Holiday Triumph, which began Wednesday, March 11, and continues through Sunday, March 15. For a full schedule of events, visit TBRU.org or download the TBRU digital app.
Host hotel for TBRU is the Hyatt Regency Dallas, 300 Reunion Blvd.
Friday, March 13
- 11 a.m.-11 p.m.: Registration and Guest Services (Cumberland L&K)
- 6 p.m.: Vendor Market opens (Pegasus)
- 11:30 a.m.: Bus starts loading for the Tacos and Margaritas Tour (Hyatt front drive)
- Noon: Game Show — GladiGAYtors Bear Trivia in the Arena (Marsalis B)
- 2-3 p.m.: AccessiBears Reception (Skyline Tower, Room 388)
- 2-4 p.m.: Bar Trivia (Dallas Eagle)
- 2 p.m.: Bus loads for City Excursion #1 to Club Dallas (Hyatt front drive)
- 2:30-4:30 p.m.: Game Show — Bingo with Sister Helen Holy (Marsalis B)
- 3-4 p.m.: Non-Binary Bears Mixer (Cumberland G)
- 4-5 p.m.: Osos Latinos Reception (Skyline Tower Room 388)
- 5:30-7 p.m.: Furry Meet-and-Greet (Pegasus)
- 5:30-7 p.m.: Cigar & Bourbon Social (Skyline Tower Room 388)
- 7 p.m.: Shuttle bus serving begins (Hyatt front drive)
- 7-7:45 p.m.: Mr. TBRU contestant meeting (Cumberland B)
- 7-8 p.m.: Five-Star cocktails and snacks (Marsalis B)
- 7 :30 p.m.: Shuttles to BearDance begin (Hyatt Front Drive)
- 8 p.m.-4 a.m.: BearDance (Station 4)
- 9 p.m.-2:30 a.m.: Hospitality “Legions of Leather” (Marsalis B)
- 9 p.m.-2:30 a.m.: Chill Lounge (Cumberland G)
- 9 p.m.-2:30 a.m.: Video Game Room (Cumberland F)
- 3 a.m.: Last bus leaves from the bars on its final route
- Saturday, March 14
- 10 a.m.-4 p.m.: Chill Lounge (Cumberland G)
- 10 a.m.-4 p.m.: Video Game Room (Cumberland F)
- 11 a.m.-2 p.m.: Registration and guest services (Cumberland L & K)
- 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m.: Vendor Market open (Marsalis A)
- 11:30 a.m.: Bus begins loading for City Excursion — Dallas sightseeing tour
(Hyatt front drive) - Noon: Game Show — Playoffs at the Pantheon: A Gauntlet of Gaming (Marsalis B)
- 12:30 p.m.: Bus loads for City Excursion — Club Dallas #2 (Hyatt front drive)
- 1:30-3:30 p.m.: Game Show — Bearus Maximus Bear Bingo(Marsalis B)
- 2-4 p.m.: Bar event — Brewery, Bears, Beerfest (Dallas Eagle)
- 5-6:16 p.m.: TBRU Family Dinner (Landmark Ballroom)
- 5:45-7:30 p.m.: Mr. TBRU Contest & underwear auction (Landmark Ballroom)
- 7:30 p.m.: Shuttle bus service begins (Hyatt front drive)
- 8 p.m.: Show doors open, pre-show cocktails (Landmark mezzanine)
- 8:30 p.m.: Coco Peru Live (Landmark Ballroom)
- 9:45 p.m.-2:30 a.m.: Hospitality “Decadence of the Empire” (Marsalis B)
- 9-11 p.m.: Cigar Social (Trinity Crossing)
- 9:45 p.m.-2:30 a.m.: Chill Lounge (Cumberland G)
- 9:45 p.m.-2:30 a.m.: Video Game Room (Cumberland F)
- 10 p.m.-2 a.m.: Bar Event — Big Bear Round-Up Dance Party (Round-Up Saloon)
- 2:30 a.m.: Last bus leaves from the bars on its final route
Sunday, March 15 - 11:30 a.m.: Shuttle bus to the barbecue begins loading (Hyatt front drive)
- Noon-3 p.m.: TBRU Big Texas Barbecue and Closing Ceremony (Round-Up Saloon)
- Noon: Hotel checkout
- 2 p.m.: Bar event — Funday Farewell Party (Hidden Door)
- 2 p.m.: Bar event — Parking Lot Party (Dallas Woody’s)
- 2-5 p.m.: Bar event — TeaBRU (Dallas Eagle)
- 5-10 p.m.: Bar event — Trash Disco (Dallas Eagle)
- 10 p.m.-2 a.m.: Bar event — Afterglow XL (Dallas Eagle)