By Kevin Ferrisi –

When people think about Connecticut’s drag scene, the spotlight naturally falls on the performers taking the stage. But behind every great drag show is a community of people who help bring it all together, from hosts and promoters to photographers, bartenders and DJs. Few have become as familiar a presence behind the music as DJ Edgewood, a highly sought-after DJ who seems to be everywhere the Connecticut drag scene is happening. From packed dance parties and drag competitions to Pride celebrations and intimate events, Marshall known as DJ Edgewood has become an important part of the local drag community.

Helping to create the energy that keeps the crowd engaged, DJ Edgewood has been behind the decks since around 2016, but his connection to music started much earlier. Growing up around his father’s record collection and watching him DJ at gigs, Edgewood became familiar with the craft from an early age. He eventually decided to give it a try himself after feeling that the music at local bars wasn’t always what he wanted to hear. What started as a personal interest quickly grew into a respected presence in Connecticut’s drag and nightlife scene.

His knowledge of music grew naturally from the sounds he was surrounded by as a kid. His parents both had extensive music collections, and as a young gay man in the late 1990s and early 2000s, he was especially drawn to the music and culture that helped shape his identity. From CDs and compilation albums to the music of different generations, Edgewood has built a broad musical perspective that he now brings to the club, blending familiar favorites with current sounds.

The name DJ Edgewood is a nod to the street where he grew up, Edgewood Street, a place filled with memories and the music that first sparked his love of DJing. Rather than choosing a flashy alter ego, Edgewood wanted a name he could live with while paying tribute to where his musical foundation began. The name has also taken on an unexpected meaning in the gay nightlife scene, where some have interpreted it as a playful sexual reference, something Edgewood has learned to embrace as part of the name’s story.

For DJ Edgewood, a good set is about more than simply playing songs. His style is nostalgic, playful and passionate, with a focus on music that can bring back a memory while still feeling right for the moment. He also likes to move across genres rather than stick to one sound, often choosing the original version of a song because of the memories and emotions tied to hearing it for the first time. Whether it is a familiar throwback or a newer track, Edgewood wants the music to make people feel something and connect with the moment.

Spinning tracks has become a way for DJ Edgewood to explore his creativity and become more comfortable being himself. He compares it to drag, where being put on the spot and working with the energy of a crowd can push you to trust your instincts and see what you are capable of. Over the years, that connection has also brought him closer to Connecticut’s drag community, with Edgewood and local performers often turning to each other when they need a DJ or a drag queen for a show. For him, there is something about that immediate, unplanned energy that brings out a more authentic and creative side of who he is.

Looking back on his career, DJ Edgewood has had plenty of moments that stand out, from DJing RuPaul’s Drag Race stars’ BUTT TOOT KING stop at The Webster Theater in Hartford to taking part in New York City Pride on a Pride float in 2024. He also looks back fondly on the years he has spent building the Sea Queens show at Port of Call in Mystic with Dro Lopez Fierce, a show that continues to draw packed crowds. More recently, Edgewood headlined West Hartford Pride alongside Natalia Fierce, where he met drag icon Alyssa Edwards, an experience he described as an honor. But some of his favorite memories have come from smaller, private parties where the crowd and the music simply came together, creating moments he could experience from behind the decks just as much as the people on the dance floor.

DJ Edgewood is also branching out beyond the DJ booth, taking on more MC work and hosting trivia at Partners Cafe in New Haven on the first and third Thursday of each month. While he has a few other projects in the works that he is not ready to share just yet, Edgewood is embracing the chance to explore different creative outlets. For him, trying something new also means being willing to fail, learn from it and keep moving forward, a mindset he plans to carry into whatever comes next.

Beyond his regular DJ bookings, DJ Edgewood is also a familiar face at several recurring events around Connecticut. He joins Angel Rivers and Natalia Fierce for Tea 103, a monthly tea dance at The Spicy Green Bean in Glastonbury, and teams up with Dro Lopez Fierce for Sea Queens at The Port of Call in Mystic. He is also part of What’s the T? with Xiomarie LaBeija at Parkville Market in Hartford, a drag brunch that gives Edgewood another chance to bring his love of music, nostalgia and diverse crowds together.

For DJ Edgewood, the Connecticut drag community has played a major role in shaping his career, and he is quick to give credit to the performers who have supported him along the way. He believes the community is strongest when people leave their egos at the door, support one another and look for opportunities to collaborate. Many of his bookings, he noted, can be traced back to connections made at other shows and events, creating a network of relationships that has continued to open new doors. And for Edgewood, the journey is far from over.