Portland's venerable LGBTQ+ establishment, the Darcelle XV Showplace, is on the brink of shutting down after 57 years of serving as a cultural hotspot. This announcement was made public on Wednesday, as the club reached out to the community for support to keep its doors open. KOIN 6 News reported that Kevin Cook, a local performer who stars as Poison Waters, acknowledged the club's struggle since the passing of its iconic owner and headlining act, Walter Cole, also known as Darcelle XV.
The venue, now facing the same threat that has claimed so many small businesses, made a call to action through social media. “The time has come to make difficult decisions regarding the future of Darcelle XV Showplace," the club stated, as per KOIN 6 News.
Performer Kevin Cook expressed concern for the venue's future, citing Cole's absence as one reason for dwindling attendance. "The issue is what we knew it would be," Cook said, as per KOIN 6 News. "The show itself is fabulous, and the club is fabulous, but people want to see Darcelle. He is the star of the situation." Cook also pointed out the community's hesitancy to return to Old Town Chinatown, an area where the club resides and which has faced challenges bringing patrons back post-COVID. However, Cook noted efforts to rejuvenate the neighborhood and attract visitors during the day with new initiatives like a brunch show, which has proven successful.
Darcelle XV Showplace is not only a performing space but also holds historical significance, being the first LGBTQIA+ site in Oregon to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The venue has provided a weekly rotation of drag shows and has been a platform for events and celebrations across generations, as per KVAL.
