Pride 2015 has a splendorous array of drag events, both official and unofficial, happening across the city. Daily Xtra has the glistening goods on Pride’s must-see drag events across the city.
Mado Frenches Toronto
Mado Lamotte, owner of the legendary Cabaret Mado in Montreal, graces Toronto audiences with a not-to-be-missed Pride performance. This diva has been entertaining queens and kings alike for over 25 years and is sure to blow the roof off with her Saint Jean-Baptiste Day celebration. The outrageous queen will hit the stage armed with a pianist, her classic songs and a treasure trove of wild stories from her illustrious career. Vive Mado Lamotte!
Wednesday, June 24
Alliance Franchise Toronto, 24 Spadina Rd, Toronto
Mado.qc.ca
Miss ACAS Pride 2015 Pageant — A Pride CelebrAsian
Sashay away. Asian Community AIDS Services (ACAS) hosts its first ever Miss ACAS Pageant, and it’s shaping up to be a highlight of the Pride festivities. The pageant will crown two lucky queens who will duel it out on stage, as well as present a social media darling award based on the volume of online buzz one contestant is able to drum up leading to the event. All proceeds will benefit ACAS’s Queer Asian Youth Program.
Wednesday, June 24
OCAD University, 100 McCaul St, Toronto
Acas.org
Starry Night
As part of Pride Toronto’s seventh Green Space Festival, Starry Night has headliners like Ireland’s Panti Bliss, RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 7 alumna Trixie Mattel and Montreal’s chic Billy L’Amour. The sparkling and free outdoor party also has a spectacular bill of local queens, including 2014–2015 Miss Continental title-holder Brooke Lynn Hytes, the hysterical Tynomi Banks, Jada Hudson and more.
Thursday, June 25
Barbara Hall Park, 519 Church St, Toronto
Pridetoronto.com
Realness: The Drag Ball
Fantasy is the New Reality is the titillating theme at Realness: The Drag Ball. A stunning roster of 10 queens will perform, including Miss Conception, Heaven Lee Hytes and Sofonda Cox. The Pride blowout has also booked Mimi Imfurst from RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 3. Guests are encouraged to come decked out in their most outrageous drag. So pull out that compact and serve up some mighty realness on the dance floor.
Thursday, June 25
The Opera House, 735 Queen St W, Toronto
Theoperahousetoronto.com
OMG It’s Halloween in June
Pride Toronto presents a night of revelry and realness in the heart of Little Italy. OMG It’s Halloween in June has prizes for best costume, and music by Infamous Sn3aky. Headlining the event are saucy and sensational queens Anahi Batista, Anastarzia (pictured above) and local drag hero Donnarama. Glitz out and get down at Toronto’s most famous destinations for Latin drag queens and their admirers.
Friday, June 26
El Convento Rico, 750 College St W, Toronto
Elconventorico.com
Drag On!
In Celebration of Pride Toronto’s 35th year running, the festival has booked 35 queens and kings from all corners of the globe to send up this milestone in the epic style it deserves. To get the glittery balls rolling, DJ and drag queen deluxe Kitty Glitter, who has travelled from Australia for the event, will be spinning electro and house. Also on the bill is last year’s RuPaul’s Drag Race winner Bianca Del Rio, local drag legend Miss Conception and swoon-worthy drag kings Trevor Wood and Brian Bedside Manor. This drag event of the year is not to be missed.
Saturday, June 27
Molson Canadian Stage, Yonge-Dundas Square, Toronto
Pridetoronto.com
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