Meet Koke!

We had the good fortune of connecting with Koke! and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Koke!, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
This year will be my third year doing my food/clothes/toy drive for the unhoused people in Skid Row in DTLA. I along with my business partner Gabriel (who’s also my cohost at Kiso Karaoke every Tuesday), gather clothing, create a large number of hot meals, set up our tables in the heart of Skid Row, and stay until we get all donations accounted for amongst the community! Not only are we giving to them but hearing their stories and experiences, it really is a learning experience for us as well as all of our local volunteers.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My name is Koke also known as icecoldkoke and I’ve been doing drag going on 9 years in Los Angeles/Socal in general. When I started doing drag in 2018, I had just gotten out of high school and other than going to beauty school, I really didn’t have a clue what i wanted to pursue in my life. Becoming a drag queen answered the question, even though I had no idea what I was doing or how to even start. Now a days a new drag queen is born every five minutes and drag is so accessible via the internet but back then I definitely had to learn through trial and error. Asking for bookings, learning to do my own makeup and hair (I still cant sew! SMH), making new friends, finding my performance style, etc. Ive changed how I look so many times over the years and hosted so many different shows but the love of drag is still strong and I think I would tell people just keep learning and practicing their passions. The world is y(ours)!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
WELL! First off, we’re keeping the week very GAY. A sickening Showgirls Monday OR Sunday Fundays is the ONLY time you’ll see me in West Hollywood! No shade!! Weekends are completely for Downtown and after parties in the warehouse district. TUESDAY come to KISO DTLA for KISO KARAOKE hosted by ME and GABE THA BABE! Shameless plug! Wednesdays and Thursdays are always fun at PrecinctDTLA, and Fridays are free game baby!! As for food most taco trucks or hot dog carts are some of the best food you’ll ever eat. Stay local don’t overspend just because it’s LA, the culture is evident not only in the people but the local vendors and food they serve. Look for local markets, even Grand Central Market (BUT if a man takes you there on a date, he do not like you). Saddle Ranch is always fun if you want to ride a bull, Bacari is fun if you get open bar and get twistedddddddd, Bottega Louie is also very fierce! Local museums, local parks, rooftop pools, Santee alley, Hollywood, and of course the beach! Oh! And go to Disneyland if you have a friend who works there 😉

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
A huge shoutout to all the clubs and bars in Los Angeles where I’ve been able to create, perform, and grow as an artist! Shoutout KISO DTLA for having me every Tuesday and being an all around safe space for me 🙂 Shoutout my best friends and all my girls in LA doing their big one with me out here! Huge shoutout to my mommmmm!!!!! Of course always shout out to Los Angeles, the city i love forever.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/icecoldkoke/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@icecoldkoke

Image Credits
Karaoke flyer created by Gabriel Rondon.
Plaid photo by Talon Reed Cooper.