Legendary Children return ‘In Heat’

Last year, they got censored. This year, they’re balling out

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  • Legendary Children



Last year’s Legendary Children exhibit was all the rage — so much so that it got censored, resulting in national coverage of the age-old debate surrounding the distinction between art and pornography. But the drag team of artist provocateurs and performers returns this weekend with a one-night-only event of conceptual installations, photos, film, drawings, music and dancing. Or, as the flier says, “good ol’ southern queer drag.” Cue teaser video:



In an interview this week with David Atlanta magazine, show co-creator Jon Dean, photographer Blake England, and drag queen participant Edie Cheezburger discuss the group’s formation and the controversy surrounding last year’s censorship of their exhibit at Gallery 1526:

DA: Last year’s Legendary Children had a censorship issue. Three photos of Violet Chachki were censored with large sheets of paper after complaints were sent to the gallery. The censorship of Legendary Children received widespread attention from the Huffington Post, VICE, NewNowNext, Creative Loafing and the National Coalition Against Censorship. Will you guys continue to push the envelope and be unapologetic this year?

Blake: Hell yes, we are NOT apologetic. The show is called In Heat; we want to educate this city on hilarity and sexiness. This is our second time around in Atlanta and it won’t be our last. You can count on everything being infinitely multiplied from what you saw last time (and from here on out). We are bringing you even more balls mostly thanks to our new edition to the group, Sunni Johnson, whose work I LOVE.

Jon: We are excited to let loose this time. Drag queens are known for being brash and pushing the envelope. I don’t think we’ve done anything truly offensive yet. If you don’t leave In Heat feeling at least a little bit hot and bothered, we haven’t done our job.

Edie: Taintgate 2013. I don’t think that drag is ever going to be apologetic. It’s not supposed to be. It’s supposed to be very transgressive and in your face. I hope that this event is equally as successful without focusing on one performers hairy balls.

The featured performers/artists for this weekend’s event include Brigitte Bidet, Edie Cheezburger, Ellisorous Rex, Evah Destruction, Jai’Ne Van Michaels, Kryean Kally, Lavonia Elberton, Mo’Dest Volgare, and Violet Chachki.

Legendary Children: In Heat. $9. 8 p.m. Sat., July 5. Mammal Gallery, 91 Broad St. 404-771-6912. mammalgallery.com. Tickets available at Eventbrite. For more info, visit the Legendary Children Facebook page.