Everybody’s welcome at Tulsa’s New Age Renegade
by Rob Howard
Associate Editor
“When New Age Renegade opened, it was the safe haven during the AIDS crisis,” said Dylan Schroder, co-manager of the Tulsa bar.
“Now with the political turmoil, we are still a safe haven. Anyone is welcome; gay, straight, bi or transgender. We try to make it everybody’s home.”
New Age Renegade has been open for 28 years. Schroder and co-manager Nathan Stonebarger took over management of the bar in July 2017.
The bar bills itself Tulsa’s “everyone friendly” neighborhood bar featuring the best in drag queen and kings, karaoke and Twisted Theatre.
“We’re a drag bar. As drag becomes more mainstream, we get all sorts of people; straight couples, gay couples. Everybody is welcome.”
There are plenty of opportunities for drag fans. Performances are every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at “around” 10:30 to 10:45 p.m.
Twisted Theatre is a popular monthly event. “Basically, we take a movie and make it into a drag show. Instead of the cast and character in the original movie, we have drag queens. We take it, add music to it; it’s funny.”
Sara De La Hoya, one of the bar’s drag performers, puts the music and lyrics together.
Twisted Theatre has ten cast members, all queens with their individual shows; each has her following.
“The cast makes decisions about what show Twisted Theatre will produce. We want everyone to feel included, although Nathan and I make the final decision. Sara does a very good job writing the shows,” said Schroder.
The theatre ran Pitch Perfect in January. Fans of the movie can see opportunities for hilarious drag sendups of the shows.
There are typically five Twisted Theater performances, one weekend a month - Friday at 9 and 11 p.m. and Saturday at 7, 9 and 11 p.m. “We have rehearsals all week. We have props. It’s like a little theatre production.”
The smoke-free bar is large, around 2,500 square feet according to Schroder. “It is decorated in eclectic 80’s style, a little of everything.”
In addition to managing the bar, Schroder is a bartender, along with Stonebarger and Tanna.
“Nathan’s got the biggest following probably because he’s been doing it for 11 years. I was a bartender and worked my way up,” Schroder said.
The co-manager said the best thing about New Age Renegade is, “Our diversity; our willingness to accept everyone.”
New Age Renegade is located at 1649 S. Main Street, in Tulsa. It is open every day, 4 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Copyright The Gayly – February 17, 2018 @ 10:30 a.m. CST.