What to know
- Toronto is hosting the country’s first large-scale drag-focused expo, the Fierce and Fabulous Expo, kicking off Pride Month on June 6 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
- The event will feature runway shows, performances, DJ sets, and fan experiences, with VIP meet-and-greets starting at 9 a.m. and main programming at 11 a.m.
- Major drag talent is set to perform, including Van Goth, Dahlia Doll, Perla, and Tynomi Banks.
- The event is organized by local artist Velvet Code in support of the You Do You Foundation.
- The foundation supports 2SLGBTQIA+ and QTBIPOC artists facing mental health challenges, addiction, homelessness, and financial barriers, offering mentorship and professional development.
Kicking off Pride Month with a bang, the country’s first-ever large-scale drag event is coming to Toronto, promising attendees a fabulous experience with major drag talent – all for a good cause.
On June 6th, some of the most talented Queens in the world will hit the runway at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre for the Fierce and Fabulous Expo, a celebration of all things drag, complete with performances, runway shows, and fan experiences. Tickets for the event start around $37.
VIP access to queens for early meet-and-greets starts at 9 a.m., with drag performances and DJ sets starting at 11 a.m.
The lineup of artists is also exciting, including Dahlia Doll, Perla, Oceane Aqua-Black, Tynomi Banks, Discord, Lady Nova, Gisele Lullaby, Van Goth, and Makayla Couture.
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More than a massive drag show, the event is organized by local artist Velvet Code in support of their You Do You Foundation, a charity aiming to help 2SLGBTQ+ artists overcome barriers that limit their ability to create art.
You Do You Foundation
Based in Toronto, the You Do You Foundation runs a mentorship program for 2SLGBTQIA+ and QTBIPOC musicians struggling with mental wellness, addiction and financial hardship. The program supports artists with the development of skills that are essential to advancing their careers.
Focused on early-career 2SLGBTQIA+/BIPOC musical artists experiencing homelessness and/or struggling with their mental health. Across a six-month program, mentees receive support through professional development workshops, including music production, songwriting, grant writing, and life skills, to ensure their engagement and success in the music industry.
Velvet Code designed the event as a way to platform drag culture while fundraising for the foundation. The organizer explained that they wanted to create an experience for people that was inclusive of all things Queer art, music, and culture.
“I realized that I was getting about 100-150 emails a day from artists all around the world who were struggling and needed help, but we couldn’t support them all,” Code told Queer & Now.
“But I wanted to bring all of these people together, all of these different cultures, all these different corners of the community together, so that we could showcase amazing drag talent, and also Queer musicians from the You Do Foundation.”
This made the DJ consider how they could help underserved and underrepresented communities of artists that are talented but just didn’t have the tools — and Fierce & Fabulous was born.
“It’s a first-year event, and we hope that we’ll bring in enough people to show that this is needed in the community.”
Code shared that their overall goal for both the event and the foundation is to build a platform that motivates and inspires artists while giving them the tools to have a successful career.
“We’ve had success stories where artists have come in after being homeless and ended up being showcased at Electric Island,” they explained.
