This past weekend, Riverside was hit by a wave of Gaga Fever as the local drag and LGBTQ+ communities came together for one of the most incredible weekends yet. With Club Vamp’s return to Back to the Grind for their most anticipated event yet, Club Vamp: Mayhem, and Oddly Manor’s Gaga Monster Market, the city was alive with celebration. Coinciding with the release of Lady Gaga’s newest album Mayhem earlier this month, the weekend became a full-on celebration for the pop icon.

The basement of Back to the Grind was transformed into a Gaga-inspired spectacle as Bruno Vamp hosted a crazy lineup featuring Natasha Backwards, Ivy Profen, Sage Nightly, Luna Lockhart, Vendetta, Glamor Kills (Sasha), Sacred Sapphire, Nikki Nowhere, Josefa Kurwa, Iridessa Van Cartier, Freddie Vamp Deadd, Mizz Chaos V, and Korr Sett!

The night kicked off with Natasha Backwards, whose performance set the tone for the evening. The crowd was feral with them, chanting, cheering, and singing along to every word. The excitement only grew as Bruno Vamp took the stage, met with applause and flashing cameras. After their set, Bruno officially welcomed everyone to Club Vamp: Mayhem, engaging the audience by asking about their favorite Lady Gaga songs, receiving a wide variety of different responses.

With the energy at a high point, Ivy Profen and Sage Nightly followed, and they both individually took the crowd by storm with their stunning outfits and interactive performances. The energy from the audience was nothing but love with chants and cheers filling the room

One of the most impactful moments from the night came from when Bruno along with an entourage of other performers from the night, entered the room holding anti-LGBTQ protest signs and paraded around the room, only for them all to simultaneously tear up all the signs, making a bold statement that the LGBTQ+ community is here to stay. The audience erupted in cheers of love and support showing that Club Vamp is more than just a show, it’s a community full of love and unity.

The night continued with incredible performances from Vendetta, Luna Lockhart, Glamor Kills, and Sacred Sapphire, each of them bringing their own flair to the stage, with the audience loving everything they put out there with the volume and energy never having a low point. A surprise birthday celebration took place as a cake was brought out for the queens celebrating their recent birthdays, leading to the audience singing them “Happy Birthday”

The night was coming to an end as the final performances took place with Nikki, Josefa Kurwa, Iridessa Van Cartier, Freddie Vamp Deadd, Mizz Chaos V, and Korr Sett performing their own numbers! The night ended on a high note and everybody killed it at Club Vamp. The night continued with a DJ set from none other than Natasha Backwards, as the crowd stayed and danced along to the music.

The Gaga celebration didn't stop there. The next day, Oddly Manor hosted the Gaga Monster Market, bringing together queer vendors from across the Inland Empire to showcase and sell their art.

From handmade stickers and candles to queer-themed coloring books and custom prints, the market was both a celebration of Mayhem and LGBTQ+ creativity from the local scene. A standout vendor among the many incredible booths was Linoliium, an artist who carves linoleum to create unique prints, stickers, and stamps

In case anyone missed Club Vamp the night before, Bruno and the other queens took to the outdoors, delivering a mini drag show for the market’s attendees. With a mix of familiar faces from Club Vamp and other drag performers from the local scene, the performers closed out the weekend on a high note.

Riverside’s LGBTQ+ community came together in full force, united by music, art, and the spirit of self expression that Lady Gaga represents. From the high energy drag performances of Club Vamp to the creative marketplace of Oddly Manor, the weekend was a celebration of identity and presence, reminding everyone that this community is here, thriving.