1945 Drag Contest at Club Alabam in Los Angeles
A drag contest took place at Club Alabam in Los Angeles around 1945, hosted by Bill Hefflin. The event featured male contestants wearing makeup and gowns, attracting diverse audiences. Club Alabam was a prominent jazz venue on Central Avenue, operated by bandleader Curtis Mosby, known for presenting Black entertainment to integrated crowds during the West Coast jazz era. The establishment held annual drag balls that drew substantial multiracial attendance until the early 1950s.
Key facts
- Drag contest occurred circa 1945 at Club Alabam in Los Angeles
- Event hosted by Bill Hefflin with male contestants in gowns and makeup
- Club Alabam was a jazz venue run by Curtis Mosby on Central Avenue
- Venue featured Black entertainment for integrated audiences
- Annual drag balls attracted large multiracial crowds
Entities
Artists
- Clyde Woods
Institutions
- Los Angeles Public Library
Locations
- Los Angeles
- Central Avenue