The first of its kind for the venue, a drag show featuring performers from the Island and Lower Mainland will provide “a night to remember” of drag, singing and queer expression.
Vancouver Island University’s Positive Space Alliance and theatre program will present ‘Drag in the Lobby,’ as hosted by Darrian Tolerance, at the Malaspina Theatre on Sept. 22 at 7 p.m.
Darrian Gaetz, who will be performing as well as hosting and is an alum of the university’s theatre program, was happy to return and collaborate with Positive Space Alliance.
“I wanted to make sure I could get a super diverse group of people in terms of their drag and just the performance in general that they do … I’ve personally been impressed by all these performers,” they said.
To “diversify the talent,” Buwa, who was part of the Port Theatre’s Discovery Series in June, will also be singing at the show. Drag artists performing will be Robin Wood, Olive Thistea, Olivia Leads, Boy Gorgeous and Kash.
The main objective of the show is to to offer a safe space for university students, both from Nanaimo and beyond, to just “be themselves and be queer.”
Gaetz said the two-act show, rated PG-13, is also open for public attendance, however with limited capacity, but recommened a cash donation at the door for cover if admittance available, and to bring cash tips for the performers. Online purchases for the show can be made through www.eventbrite.ca.
“Don’t be afraid to come as you are, make sure to have a great time. And we, as performers, thrive off of reaction and response from audience members. So just be ready to bring the applause,” they said.
Boy Gorgeous, also know as Eryn Goodman, said they used to perform at the Malaspina Theatre in their younger years and feel excitement at finally doing a drag show there.
“I think that it’s super cool that we are starting to see the drag scene in Nanaimo growing because it has been very small … so getting to see it grow and evolve and starting to see more shows happen … the scene is really starting to diversify a lot and that’s really refreshing,” Goodman said, adding that audience members have come up to personally thank them after a show for because they felt ‘seen.’
“I’m glad to see how receptive people have been for our type of drag, which I wasn’t anticipating – with drag kings and drag ‘things’ (non-binary performers), which are not popular in the mainstream,” said Olive Thistea, also known as Olive Seward. “And I’m glad that people are receiving us well. And actually asking questions like, ‘how do you do that? I didn’t know that you existed.’”
Having done drag across the country, Seward said they wanted to ‘build up the scene’ in Nanaimo shortly after arriving.
“Just last year, there was no kings or things performing,” added Goodman.
Seward said they were excited the Sept. 22 show is in collaboration with Positive Space Alliance, specifically since they said they like to foster a positive and inclusive environment in their own shows. And that VIU is able to offer a drag show for its students as both the University of British Columbia and the University of Victoria have done, noted Goodman.
READ MORE: Nanaimo drag queen Rick Meyers receives Victoria drag group’s highest honour
mandy.moraes@nanaimobulletin.com
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