AAA Girls - Alaska, Willam and Courtney Act - are here to save pop music

Fans attending the AAA Girls performance at Fitzgerald's. (For the Chronicle/Gary Fountain, September 21, 2017) Fans attending the AAA Girls performance at Fitzgerald's. (For the Chronicle/Gary Fountain, September 21, 2017) Photo: Gary Fountain/For The Chronicle Photo: Gary Fountain/For The Chronicle Image 1 of / 65 Caption Close AAA Girls - Alaska, Willam and Courtney Act - are here to save pop music 1 / 65 Back to Gallery

The AAA Girls are the girl group pop music needs right now.

The trio featuring "RuPaul's Drag Race" favorites Alaska, Courtney Act and Willam is so funny, so scathing and, yes, so fierce that it seems destined for superstardom. They've got the sass, sparkle and shimmies down.

Of course, pop music can be a very bland, predictable place. So for now, AAA Girls are our little secret.

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Thursday night's show at Fitzgerald's, which drew a large, boisterous crowd, was designated earlier this week a benefit for Hurricane Harvey recovery. All proceeds are going to local relief efforts, and all three performers also donated their performance fees. Tickets were also discounted to $10.

"I know, Houston, you been goin' through some stuff. Mother nature ain't been so kind," Act told the crowd. "We want you guys to come here, have a little smile on your face for a few hours, have some fun and give a little something back to the Houston community because we love it here."

That sense of joy permeated the 90-minute set, which included everything from parodies and pop covers to biting originals. This was no midnight club show. It played on girl group and pop diva drama -- and even drag itself.

Opening number "AAA" set a joyous tone, the trio twirling around the stage like demented dreamgirls in pink. Trinity K. Bonet, who is name checked in that song and lives in Houston, later tied it all together. She made an appearance during a spoof on the "Dreamgirls" fight number "It's All Over."

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"A Lacefront Like This" played on Kelly Clarkson's "Idol" coronation song. And "Tuck Tape" was an X-rated redo of the "Duck Tales" cartoon theme song.

Willam gave us Britney Spears hand choreography during a "Work" medley. Act showcased soulful vocals during a mix of Sia hits.

And "All Stars 2" winner Alaska did what only she can do. Among her finest moments, a hilarious, bilingual ode to Season 9 queen Valentina, set to the tune of "Despacito." ("Esa cosa en tu boca -- that means take that thing off your mouth.")

Every moment onstage was played to maximum effect, from the costumes to the choreography to the triple "A" ladders the queens scaled throughout the show.

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And amid all the camp, just like the best drag does, there were messages of struggle, unity and survival. It rang through loud and clear during "Pride or Die," a swirling disco anthem poised to soundtrack next year's Pride festivities.

"Respect, pride, dignity/I give it to myself so you'll give it to me/It doesn't matter what they say/'Cause we're here, we're queer/We ain't goin' away ..."

RuPaul has shown us that drag can open hearts, expand minds and even change the world. The AAA Girls, without getting too heady, are proof of that.