Conversations with Robert Stockham

Today we’d like to introduce you to Robert Stockham.

Hi Robert, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My husband and I moved to Cleveland from Portland, OR in 2000. We wanted a fresh start and chose Cleveland to be that new start. The cost of living here was so low that it allowed us to pursue some our artistic endeavors. My husband, Bud Perry, wrote and produced a short film called Uncle Lulu, the story of a drag queen who unexpectedly becomes a parent. We adapted it to a comic book. 

During the pandemic, we took time to really reflect on our lives and our goals. We decided to follow our more creative endeavors. I started a tie-dye business. 

My husband, Bud Perry, has always had a penchant for dramatics, and a love of costumes developed a drag persona. What he would do with it, we didn’t know. How do you break into the drag business when you’re just starting in your 50s? 

In 2022, Bud had a stress test. Within days he was scheduled for a triple bypass. The day before surgery, he went to an open stage night and introduced his persona. He wanted nothing left undone. Thankfully, he made a full and excellent recovery. 

I have always been a fan of the art of drag and started looking for a way to create a show. When Bottlehouse in Lakewood approached me about doing a drag brunch at their location. The response was so good that before the show came to be, we had a whole series of monthly brunches scheduled. Our monthly brunches really fun. We like to create a safe space where people can just be themselves and escape from the ugliness of life. 

We added Drag Bingo, and we started working with Carly Üninemclite. She is our regular bingo host, and we do a bingo night on both the east and west sides of town. We added a cocktail class with Drag King Jared Jameson and Andie Ferman. We also host a monthly art class. We get together on Wednesday nights for these events and have a little drag. They’ve been really fun. 

But what keeps us going is the customers. Every event, people approach us and tell us how they felt included, safe, and relaxed. It makes everything worthwhile. 

This summer we’ve started doing more events and even did a drag brunch at Fatheads Brewery in Middleburg Hts. 

Bud has moved beyond just hosting events and started performing. 

During Bud’s recovery, we rebranded my tie-dye business as Secret Octopus. I do both new and Upcycled clothes. 

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Uncle Lulu’s progress has not been smooth. There’s always challenges in starting a new business. The drag community in Cleveland is a tight-knit group who work really hard to support one another. Finding a way to bring something new to the market while continuing to support the established talent and shows is tricky. But the amount of love and acceptance we have seen in the Cleveland drag community has been overwhelming. 

Then there’s the challenges of doing any drag brunch. Last-minute cancellations, equipment failure, music lost, or stopping have all happened. We try to take each show and figure out the best ways to improve for the next show. 

Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
For Uncle Lulu, we create shows for all kinds of people. We try to include all different types of entertainers. We work pretty hard to create a show that shows off a variety of talents and will entertain a wide audience. 

We try to bring a little something extra to our shows. We have noisemakers and whistles at our shows and try to make it a fun event for everyone. 

I’m pretty proud that after just one year, we are getting regular crowds at our events. When we started, we had never hosted a drag show before. We now have 5 recurring monthly events and a few one-time events. 

We’ve helped people celebrate milestone birthdays, raised money for charity, and brought drag to Middleburg Hts. I’m proud that we’re creating opportunities for performers while creating safe spaces for people who don’t feel like they fit in at a lot of places. 

My tie dye business has started gaining momentum as well. I have done a number of cool things and am shifting to a design brand. 

What matters most to you? Why?
People. We can work really hard to make money or collect things, but in the end, none of that lasts. What really matters is how we treat each other. Providing a safe space where entertainers can perform, grow, and be themselves us awesome. And creating a space where people can feel free to be themselves without fear is what makes my heart full. 

In a world where people are so divided and full of hate, it’s important to spread love. 

The other thing that really matters is protecting those most at risk. Today, that’s our drag performers and our trans brothers and sisters. Advocating for them is important. 

Pricing:

• $15 for most events

Contact Info:

• Website: https://unclelulupresents.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncle.lulu/
• Facebook: Uncle Lulu
• Other: Linktr.ee/unclelulu

Image Credits
Uncle Lulu