Photo credit: dvsross via flickr
Drag has hit mainstream culture thanks to shows like the Emmy award winning RuPaul’s Drag Race, which highlight the fashion, talent and drama within the drag queen community.
Drag culture is even being celebrated right here in Ottawa with places like The Lookout Bar which offers live drag shows on Friday and Saturday night, as well as Mercury Lounge which hosts drag nights on Wednesdays.
With the finale of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 4 coming to screens this Friday, some big names in Drag Race “herstory” are coming to town in the following weeks and WE. ARE. GAGGED.
These are the queens coming to Ottawa this February and details on where you can find them.
Shea Couleé in Ottawa: Friday, February 22nd
Shea Couleé was a contestant on RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 9 where she landed herself in the final 4. She hits the stage at the Algonquin Commons Theatre for a live performance with amazing local talents including Icesis Couture, Adrianna Exposée, Devona Coe, Océane Aqua-Black, Kimmy Dymond and hosted by Yaya Torres.
This event is all ages and tickets to the general public start at $25. Shea Couleé is also providing a VIP Meet & Greet before her performance for $55 which includes a private reception where you can ask her ANYTHING, a photo, and priority access to your front row seats in the theatre.
The VIP Meet & Greet is at 8 p.m. and the event starts at 9:15 p.m.
After the show, The Lookout Bar is hosting a Shea Couleé after party starting at 11 p.m. where the local queens will take to the stage again and a DJ will keep the party going all night long.
Heart to Heart with Monique Heart: Tuesday, February 26th
Monique Heart was a contestant on the most recent RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 10 and is now a top 4 finalist on RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 4. Originally coining the term “brown cow stunning” on season 10, we’re certain there will be no shortage of brown cow print when she takes to the Bronson Centre stage with her backup dancers at the end of this month. This is Monique’s first solo tour and she promises to bring the ooh ah ah sensation!
The event is 14+ and general admission tickets start at $25. There are also Meet & Greet tickets for $50 which includes tickets to her show, meeting the queen, herself, and having a professional photo taken with Monique.
Meet & Greet starts at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m.
RuPaul’s Drag Show with Shangela: Thursday, February 28th
Shangela is probably one of the most well-known queens from RuPaul’s Drag Race, and the first person to become a reoccurring contestant after appearances on RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 2 and 3 then on RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 3, and most recently on RuPaul’s Drag Race Holi-Slay Spectacular. Shangela has had a very lucrative drag career from performance tours to television cameos on shows like Glee, Dance Moms and 2 Broke Girls. She has even been featured on Ariana Grande’s latest album.
A vet to performing, she is sure to bring the house down when she hits the Algonquin Commons Theatre this month with her sparkly costumes, high energy performances and hilarious commentary. Fun fact: this will also be the day RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 11 premieres, so what better way to celebrate the birth of a new season than with a seasoned queen?
This is an all ages event and Algonquin College students get a special discount of just $10 for a ticket. General public floor seats are $40 and general public main or balcony seats are $35.
Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and the event starts at 8 p.m.
This month is turning out to be an exciting one for Drag Race fans in Ottawa. With the finale of All Stars 4 fast approaching, we have drag super stars to keep us entertained in the city until the premiere of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 11. Now that’s sickening.
