COCHRANE— Set to host a dazzling show featuring spectacular artists, Kindred Cochrane Pride Society is bringing drag royalty to the stage as part of the Town’s inaugural Pride Week celebrations.
The first Cochrane All Ages Drag Show takes place on Tuesday (Aug. 18) at the Community Flatbread Company, followed by the Cochrane Drag Show at the Stump Tavern on Saturday (Aug. 22).
Serving as emcee for the Drag Show on Saturday, Argintina Hailey, a Stoney Nakdoa two-spirit drag queen, will be hosting a one-of-a-kind Pride Week celebration. The show features legendary drag artists Valentina Bitton, Visa Deklein, Duke Carson and Mavis von Tressie.
“Their talent amazes me— The music and entertainment will be very diverse and very different you’ll get a whole bunch of stuff all rolled into one show,” Hailey exclaimed. “They’re very entertaining— Nowadays everybody sees the RuPaul’s Drag Races as the only art form of drag, they don’t realize that there are different types of drag performances and drag acts that do a variety of things."
She noted the drag show will be a little different due to the COVID-19 public health measures in place— Because of these measures, performers will remain on stage.
Hailey is hoping the audience will be lively and enthusiastic, “clapping, chanting and cheering,” the performers on.
“Come out and enjoy, it’s about having fun. Feel free to interact … in terms of cheering,” Hailey said. “It energizes a performance.”
She added if guests especially enjoy a performance they can leave a tip for the drag artists.
It will be an especially exciting performance, she said, because it marks one of the first times the drag artists have been able to perform in front of a live audience since March.
Hailey has been in the drag industry for 19 years and said it is thrilling to be bringing the first official Pride drag show to Cochrane.
What makes the Cochrane Pride drag shows especially meaningfully, Hailey said, is that she can perform in Cochrane.
“Morley and Cochrane are friendly neighbours,” Hailey said with a laugh. “I’ve always wanted to do a show out in Cochrane— I’m sure Cochrane’s ready for it.”
She added is important to showcase the LGBTQ2s+ community because it can be challenging in smaller towns since at times people can be a little judgmental.
“We’re going to be showing off our big rainbows,” Hailey said. “I give a huge kudos to Kindred Cochrane for stepping up to bring Pride to Cochrane and for opening the doors and showing that Cochrane is a safe place for people that are part of the LGBTQ2S+ community and show it is OK to be themselves.”
Hailey said the celebration was made possible through meaningful collaboration with Kindred Cochrane Pride Society board Chair Renita Bartlett.
Bartlett said it was essential for Kindred Pride to host both a family-friendly and adults-only drag shows to ensure events would be accessible to all interested community members.
“We wanted to be truly inclusive,” Bartlett said. “I’m really looking forward to Pride 2020.”
To adhere to COVID-19 public health measures during the show tables will be spaced out to adhere to social distancing and guests are required to wear masks when they arrive. Face coverings can be removed when sitting.
Bartlett added Kindred Pride is especially grateful to Pride 2020 sponsors Marni Fedeyko, Debbie Leah and Debbie Leah and Associates.
“That’s really amazing that community members stepped up and said they want to get behind this and support Kindred Cochrane Pride Society and Cochrane’s first Pride,” Bartlett said.
Fedeyko said it was essential to support Pride both as a member of the Cochrane community and as a community leader.
"It goes back really to what I'm trying to get back to the community about inclusion and making sure everybody has a place to call home and feel supported and feel like they belong," Fedeyko said. "It's really important for me to drive that message home."
It has been a great experience teaming up with Leah to support Pride Week, Fedeyko said, adding that she looks forward to seeing the community join in on the celebrations.
Leah added it is exciting to see Pride take root in Cochrane and hopes everyone has a chance to join in on the festivities.
"It's part of the community that needs to be celebrated," Leah said. "I think it will be fun and entertaining in a positive way."
She added that it is an amazing honour to be part of the inaugural Pride celebrations because it marks an signifigant step forward for the Town.
"To join them in the beginnings is pretty exciting."
The Cochrane community has been made richer by minority groups in Town and the groups have done an amazing job bringing the community together, Fedeyko said.
She noted that many neighbouring communities have been hosting Pride celebrations for a long time and she is grateful to see Cochrane showing their support.
"It's not about whether you're part of their community sexuality wise, it's about showing your support for that group," Fedeyko said. "Everybody belongs here in Cochrane."
Tickets for the drag shows have sold out, but Bartlett said eager guests can check the Kindred Cochrane Pride Society Facebook to see if more seats become available.
