PALMERSTON NORTH IS A TOTAL DRAG
Aotearoa’s Biggest drag show is back, and this time it’s part of a 3-day fabulous festival.
Get ready to unleash your inner diva as Palmy Drag Fest 2023, the nation’s inaugural drag festival descends once again upon Palmerston North. From 5 – 7 October over 17 sensational performers from across New Zealand and Australia will deliver a three-day extravaganza of glitter, glamour and unforgettable performances.
What started as a small show at the 200-seater Globe Theatre in Palmerston North back in 2021 has now blossomed into Aotearoa’s grandest celebration of drag. Last year’s sold-out event at the iconic Regent on Broadway (Manawatu’s biggest theatre) drew over 1300 enthusiastic attendees, setting the stage for this year’s phenomenal festival.
The crown jewel of the big weekend is undoubtedly the highly anticipated Drag Show on Saturday night. Audiences will be mesmerized by an incredible line-up of drag icons such as winners of RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under - Spankie Jackzon and Kita Mean and Australian legends like Art Simone and Vanity. Hosted by Rhubarb Rouge there will be some wildly different types of drag on offer, catering to all tastes.
In addition, this year’s festival boasts an eclectic line-up of events designed to captivate audiences of all ages and backgrounds. Drag Storytime is an enchanting experience that merges entertainment with education, inspiring and delighting audiences of all ages. Saturday’s Rainbow Fair will showcase a vibrant array of LGBTIQ+ businesses and organisations. The first of its kind in Palmy, the Rainbow Fair embodies inclusivity and fosters a sense of community spirit.
But wait there’s more. Palmy Drag Fest is thrilled to announce Palmy Drag School, a series of community workshops that will take place over three weekends in July, August and September leading up to the festival. Participants will have the opportunity to learn the art of drag from some of the best industry professionals including drag 101 with Hugo Grrrl, drag make up with Ivanna Drink and the art of drag performance with lip sync assassin of RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under Elektra Shock. Priced affordably at $40 per session or $120 for all three, these workshops provide an accessible platform for the community to immerse themselves in the captivating world of drag. For more information and registration details please visit www.palmydrag.com
“We are thrilled to present the first ever festival dedicated to drag in New Zealand” says Ricky Beirao, Producer and Artistic Director of Palmy Drag Fest. “This ground-breaking event embodies the spirit of inclusivity, self-expression, and the celebration of diversity. Everything that we believe Aotearoa represents. We invite everyone to join us in the warm and inviting Palmy for an unforgettable experience that will leave you breathless, excited, and inspired.”
Palmy Drag Fest 2023 is set to be an explosive celebration of drag culture and the LGBTIQ+ community in Manawatu and New Zealand. Mark your calendars and prepare to express yourself at Palmy Drag Fest this October.
For details on all events and tickets visit www.palmydrag.com, Facebook and Instagram.
DRAG STORYTIME
Friday 6 Oct from 11am
Globe Theatre
Join Rhubarb Rouge and friends for some family-friendly stories
FREE TO ALL
RAINBOW FAIR
Saturday 7 Oct from 10am-2pm
Palmerston North Events & Conference Centre
THE DRAG SHOW
Saturday 7 Oct at 7.30pm. Doors Open and DJ from: 7:00pm
Show starts: 7:30pm
Regent on Broadway
Line-up includes Spankie Jackzon (Palmerston North), Kita Mean (Auckland), Art Simone (Melbourne), Vanity (Sydney), Anita Wigl'it (Auckland), Yuri Guaii (Auckland), Hugo Grrrl (Auckland), Miss Geena (Auckland), Tess Tickle (Auckland), Erika Flash (New Plymouth), Buckwheat (Auckland), Molly Mustard (Palmerston North), Rubarb Rouge (Palmerston North/Auckland), Ruby Dax (Palmerston North) and Ivanna Drink (Auckland).
PALMY DRAG SCHOOL
Sunday 23rd July 2023. Session One: Drag 101 Workshop - Hosted By Hugo Grrrl
Saturday 5th August 2023. Session Two: Drag Makeup Workshop - Hosted By Ivanna Drink
Saturday 23rd September 2023. Session Three: Drag Performance/Dance Workshop - Hosted By Elektra Shock
Register here www.palmydrag.com/school