Drag King
Chester Vanderbox
Known to some as the Showtunes King, Chester Vanderbox (they/he) performs at Drag shows all around San Francisco and Oakland.
A concrete Oasis
Chester got his start performing at Oasis. It was Chester’s first drag bar and has been like a second home to him since he started performing there in 2015. In the past, he has performed as Spock in Star Trek Live, at Mother hosted by Heklina, and Pop Tart hosted by D’Arcy Drollinger + Sue Casa. He has also performed at Dandy, a Drag King Review hosted by Leigh Crow and Ruby Vixen. Chester is known for his live singing drag numbers, most of which are songs from musicals. Hence his title as the Showtunes King.
Places to find Chester Vanderbox
Chester has performed at a variety of bars and spaces in San Francisco and around the Bay Area. You can sometimes find Chester performing at The Rebel Kings of Oakland at The White Horse Inn, The Monster Show at The Edge, and other new and exciting shows in SF. In the past Chester has also performed at The STUD (RIP), Harvey’s, Moby Dick Bar, El Rio, The Harvey Milk Center, Fairy Stage at San Francisco Pride, and more. The easiest way to find where Chester is performing next is to check Chester’s Instagram page here.
Cabaret Performer
Although Chester is a Drag King, he has hosted and performed at other kinds of events. Including cabaret shows at The Stud(RIP), fundraisers, and more.
Chester is currently working on a one “man” show, which is being workshopped as part of the LezWritesBTQ Playwrights Cohort 2021-2022. The show, Vanderbox On The Rocks, is hoping to make it’s debut in early 2023.
Another event where you can find Chester is at Fancypants. Fancypants is a Trans Temporal party for the Gender Playful, at The Armory Bar in SF. The party is hosted by impresario Sean Owens, another local playwright, and performer here in SF. It is a night of delight and Drag that happens quarterly.