As we continue our Pride Month spotlight series, we’re introducing you to the creative forces that make South Texas’ LGBTQIA+ community not only visible, but unforgettable. While we haven’t yet had the pleasure of working directly with Absinthe, we are incredibly excited to showcase this Corpus Christi-based fire performer, drag artist, and community builder whose work bridges performance, advocacy, and queerness with fearless originality.

Absinthe, the persona of Viktoria Birr, began performing at just 12 years old in Dallas under the guidance of mentors Hilary Bonner, Christal Bloomer, and Draco Pendragon. Their entry into fire performance was more than spectacle—it was sacred. “My teachers constantly drilled into me that fire was not a tool to just throw around, but a living thing that thrived off our respect for it,” they reflect. “There was a magic to it that drew me in.”

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Absinthe officially came to life after Viktoria moved to Corpus Christi in 2017, carrying with them years of fire skills, drag admiration, and a budding interest in clown arts. Instead of picking one path, they merged them all. “Fire comes with passion, and that passion drives my love for art and advocacy. Clowning is how I cope and express all the wonderful and messy parts of Absinthe. Combining them has made me more confident as a person and performer.”

They’ve performed across a wide range of events ,from birthdays and holiday events to Dia de los Muertos and Realms Con, but one standout moment remains a “Fire Chaos” event at Groovy Goods in Arlington. “We had almost 20 fire performers. It was absolutely ridiculous, wonderful, and everything I love about building community.”

Every Absinthe performance is layered in meaning. Their creative process starts with music, then blends tempo and mood with the right fire tools, fabric-safe garments, and intentional costuming. Their drag-clown aesthetic often incorporates homemade jester hats to allow safe fire performance, making the end result as theatrical as it is deliberate.

Like many artists, Absinthe took a break during COVID, but it sparked an evolution. “I was learning how to navigate my non-binary identity while appearing femme-presenting. I realized I am a Queer Performer, and that empowered me to come back to the stage.”

Now, Absinthe also facilitates open stages for queer performers. Their goal: to build spaces that prioritize queer joy, silliness, imperfection, and growth. “From that joy, we create memories, out-of-the-box ideas, and fuel the love for our art. That’s how we learn together.”

Their work also honors queer and kink history, especially when performing at events like KinkRUs. “I tailor my performance to focus on specific kinks and research the history. Using clown absurdity and drag culture, I start a dialogue that continues offstage. I want people to understand that kink is not less than. It adds a layer of history and color to our community.”

Whether performing at an educational event or a rave, Absinthe adapts with care and intention. “I work closely with producers to understand the audience and the space. I always negotiate boundaries based on age range and theme.”

Their reflections on Corpus Christi are honest and hopeful. “When I first moved here, I felt isolated. But Corpus is a city on the edge of something more. I want to be part of shaping that. I believe how we address our misgivings, and how we work to better our community, defines us.”

What does Absinthe hope audiences take away from a performance? “I want them to think: ‘That was fun!’ I want them to wonder what I’ll do next, and to know I perform for the joy of it.”

Next up: you can catch Absinthe at KinkRUs in July and at KadabraCon in September. Long term, they’re planning to travel, explore aerialist acts, and collaborate with bold producers who want to bring something new to Corpus Christi.

We look forward to the day we get to work with Absinthe and witness firsthand the fire, humor, and humanity they bring to every performance.

Follow Absinthe on Instagram: @theofficialabsinth

Absinthe

They/She

I provide a number of performance acts such as: Fire Performing, Drag, and Gogo dancing. With fire, I provide a wide variety of acts such as; Poi, Fans, Hoop, Sword, Dragon Staff, Whips, Short Staf…

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