A new wave of cabaret arrives at Lou Diprey! Love Bazar, specially created for this Parisian venue, blends dinner, drag, dance, and humor in a cozy, very cabaret atmosphere. Led by Misty Phœnix, Jenny from the Blocnote, and Azémylia, the show fully embraces its “big chaos”: romance, madness, seduction, tolerance, and performances intertwine in close contact with the audience. Every night, the energy shifts with the room, but always remains intense, between a gentle musical pre-show and a rising crescendo.
Joining us to discuss the show are two of the three queens who took the stage! Speaking with Sortiraparis, Misty Phœnix and Jenny from the Blocnote share insights on how the show was created, their backstage bond, and the influence of Drag Race France on the drag scene. Check out our interview!
Sortiraparis: Could you introduce yourselves?
Misty Phoenix: I’m Misty Phoenix, nice to meet you!
Jenny from the Blocnote: I’m Jenny from the Blocnote, pleasure to meet you!
Sortiraparis: To start, what does Love Bazar mean to you? If each of you had to describe it in a few words.
Misty Phoenix: Love Bazar is a bit like a chaotic mess—there are drag queens, handsome dancers, well, except for one. It’s a bit of everything: singing, dancing, comedy. [Turns to Jenny from the Blocnote] What would you say?
Jenny from the Blocnote: Honestly, I’d say it’s a big delightful chaos, just as its name hints. It’s a gathering where you see romance, madness, seduction, love, and even a bit of hate—though not much in the end. Still, it’s worth mentioning because it’s about the journey of someone who’s succeeding, going through all sorts of life stages.
Misty Phoenix: And a lot of tolerance.
Jenny from the Blocnote: Absolutely, a huge amount of tolerance.
Sortiraparis: The show was specially designed for Lou Diprey. How does this venue influence your performance?
Misty Phoenix: We’ve known this place for ages!
Jenny from the Blocnote: Since forever, really!
Misty Phoenix: Maybe not in exact terms, but the venue’s aesthetic has definitely evolved.
Jenny from the Blocnote: Yes!
Misty Phoenix: The place has changed.
Jenny from the Blocnote: The chairs have been replaced.
Misty Phoenix: Everything—chairs, tableware, the bar, the stage... all of it! Everything’s been revamped.
Jenny from the Blocnote: We’ve adopted a much more intimate, cabaret-style vibe.
Sortiraparis: With no traditional stage, the audience is very close to you. How does this proximity impact your energy and how you perform?
Jenny from the Blocnote: Personally, I’ve often performed in front of intimate audiences, and I find it fantastic—when you catch a glance or expression, you can even, say, hold out the mic to see what’s on their mind. Asking questions like that, I love it!
Misty Phoenix: Plus, we can really play with the people right in front of us…
Jenny from the Blocnote: Exactly!
Misty Phoenix: And make jokes, jokes that come naturally — that’s what’s great about it.
Jenny from the Blocnote: That’s what makes it special!
Misty Phoenix: Absolutely, it’s very different from big venues like the Zenith, for example. It’s a totally different ballgame.
Sortiraparis: The audience is highly involved. Does each show feel different depending on the mood and reactions of the crowd?
Jenny from the Blocnote: Yes, every night is unique because the energy depends on the people in front of us. If they’re more relaxed, we’ll match that vibe; if they’re very lively, we go all out. Sometimes it mixes, but one thing’s constant—our energy level. It’s always intense no matter what.
Misty Phoenix: I think everyone is always really into the show, even the spectators. Yes, that’s true—they’re genuinely engaged, and we share a lot with them, really.
Jenny from the Blocnote: Exactly! People might think that in a cozy cabaret setting, they’d stay reserved, but we manage to loosen them up. After two or three minutes, they’re all having fun, fully immersed.
Sortiraparis: Your show seamlessly mixes drag, dance, humor… and dinner. How do you balance everything so that it all works together?
Misty Phoenix: That’s thanks to our director, Yoan.
Jenny from the Blocnote: Yes! Yoan really pulled off an incredible show, both in selecting talented artists and choreographing crazy, dynamic routines. I’ve never seen anything like it—absolutely love it. Big thanks to Yoan!
Misty Phoenix: Plus, we’ve introduced new songs—there’s Madonna, but for others, it’s less mainstream tracks.
Jenny from the Blocnote: It’s a mix of niche pieces and some fresh, new tunes.
Sortiraparis: Jenny, you kick off the evening with a pre-show. What’s your role then, and how do you set the mood for the audience?
Jenny from the Blocnote: I welcome the crowd with music—I get them to start eating, but not just their food; they’re also giving me looks and listening to what I say. Mainly, I aim to make them comfortable. I’m pretty simple in my approach, though sometimes I think they’re more relaxed than me—that’s crazy! In the end, it’s all good: many leave thinking they made the right choice coming to Lou Diprey. I might sound a bit pretentious, but I own it.
Sortiraparis: You each have very different worlds. How did the chemistry between the three of you come about on stage?
Misty Phoenix: We’ve known each other for a long time. We often share the same ideas. But it’s Yoan who created distinct parts for each of our characters.
Jenny from the Blocnote: And since we’re missing our lovely Azé (Azémylia, ED), we send her big kisses. Otherwise, we get along really well—all three of us, and with the dancers too. Honestly, we’re a real team.
Misty Phoenix: Such a fun team!
Jenny from the Blocnote: Totally! We laugh so much backstage, sometimes I worry the audience might hear us. But nope, they’re two floors below!
Sortiraparis: Does Love Bazar allow you to explore facets of drag you show less often elsewhere?
Jenny from the Blocnote: Definitely. My drag isn’t always about sex or seduction or romance. Here, I can be quite mischievous. But during the pre-show, I enjoy reconnecting with the softer side I used in certain cabarets—building a bridge from the beginning of the evening to the actual show, blending tenderness with something wild and intense.
Misty Phoenix: Same for me—dancing, joking, that’s my essence, my life.
Jenny from the Blocnote: Yoan also took our personalities into account, trying to reflect each of us faithfully in the show. At first, I lacked that provocateur side, but now… I hope I do it well.
Misty Phoenix: Oh, you do it very well.
Sortiraparis: Misty, Drag Race France marked a turning point in your career. How has the show concretely changed your path today?
Misty Phoenix: Yes, it’s definitely changed my career. People see me as someone famous, even though I don’t feel that way. It’s impacted the rates I can charge, and also how people recognize me—it’s strange to say, but true. I still do drag for fun. Drag Race was a real springboard—I did it twice. I’m not sure I’ll do it a third time, it’s tiring, but it helped me discover I’m funny, which I didn’t realize before.
Sortiraparis: Do you feel that influence in your relationship with the audience as well?
Misty Phoenix: Yes. Not necessarily here, right after the show, but outside Paris, we truly see the impact we have—the image we project—on ourselves, on drag, on Drag Race, and on self-acceptance both for us and the audience.
Sortiraparis: Jenny, do you think there’s a before and after Drag Race France in Paris’ drag scene?
Misty Phoenix: Well, she was a finalist in Drag Me Up!
Jenny from the Blocnote: Right by your side, my dear.
Misty Phoenix: Yep, I won…
Jenny from the Blocnote: Honestly, I do feel a difference… I’m much less “busy” than before. That’s just the game. I hope to get there one day, sincerely, but for now, I’m happy with what I have. I just left Paradis Latin, and now I’m here—completely thrilled. Though, I’m pretty ambitious, so I always want more. I thank the universe every day—even if I’m not religious.
Sortiraparis: What do you think has most changed in the theaters, programming, or audience over time?
Jenny from the Blocnote: Theater—that’s bigger now.
Misty Phoenix : Wow, great summary! Actually, many drag queens have emerged thanks to Drag Race. Let’s not pretend—the show has launched numerous queens overnight. And, honestly, that’s a good thing.
Jenny from the Blocnote: It’s fantastic, but it also means some things are of less quality. When you chase “more and more,” you get the very best… and the very worst. It’s a natural consequence to expect.
Misty Phoenix: Still, some shows were really top-notch, like Drag Me Up.
Jenny from the Blocnote: Yes, those really helped us take off.
Misty Phoenix: I think that was a turning point for me, definitely.
Jenny from the Blocnote: Same here. It boosted my confidence and let me see how creative I can be, while also gaining a bit more of the audience’s favor. Honestly, it was an incredible stage.
Sortiraparis: What makes the Paris drag scene stand out compared to other cities? What defines its identity?
Jenny from the Blocnote: The fashion! Paris, the fashion capital, the City of Light!
Misty Phoenix: Honestly, it’s a bit the whole of France—lots of humor here. There’s also a style element, for sure. But we’re less focused on pure performativity like Americans, where it’s heavily dance and performance-driven. We’re a bit more reserved in that regard.
Jenny from the Blocnote: Luckily, the scene is here!
Misty Phoenix: It’s not just me, though.
Jenny from the Blocnote: Actually, some of the best queens come from all over France.
Misty Phoenix: I believe France has a lot of talented queens.
Jenny from the Blocnote: And in Paris, well, it’s the epicenter; more people, more opportunities. Luckily, things tend to work better here, because frankly, the rent is sky-high.
Misty Phoenix: We often come to Paris mainly to perform as queens.
Jenny from the Blocnote: Exactly—that’s our main goal.
Sortiraparis: Outside of Love Bazar, what other projects are you working on right now?
Jenny from the Blocnote: I have my own night at this venue called La Mignonnette, starting again in February. I’ll be even more fabulous than in previous editions, hopefully even funnier. And then, I’ll stop there…
Misty Phoenix: I’ve created a comedy show with Ruby On The Nail. We’re also planning a night with Kam Hugh. As party lovers, we want to launch a quarterly—or regular—event to have fun, dance, with drag performances and more.
Sortiraparis: Who is Love Bazar for? Who should absolutely experience it?
Misty Phoenix: Everyone.
Jenny from the Blocnote: Except my dad, because I’m too sexy in it.
Misty Phoenix: Honestly, everyone should come!
Jenny from the Blocnote: Everyone, even those with a fear of closed spaces. It can help them overcome that. It’s a cozy, cabaret-like setting—I keep mentioning that! Truly, anyone who appreciates drag art, wants to dance, laugh, and accept us, is welcome.
Misty Phoenix: All drag fans and food lovers!
Jenny from the Blocnote: But come with the desire to have a blast—we’re not letting you go!
Sortiraparis: Finally, any last words for our readers and online viewers?
Misty Phoenix and Jenny from the Blocnote (in unison): Come see Love Bazar!
