Community News

'RUPAUL'S DRAG RACE' STAR COMING TO MERIDIAN CENTRE

THE LAUNCH MARKS THE FIRST PRIDE MONTH CELEBRATION IN THREE YEARS

ABBY GREEN agreen@metroland.com

"RuPaul's Drag Race" alumna Alaska will be dropping by Niagara to say "hieeee!" for Pride Month.

She'll be coming to St. Catharines as part of the launch, performing at the Meridian Centre on May 28.

Pride Niagara chair Enzo De Divitiis said the $25 ticket is a steal compared to what shows like this one usually cost.

"Normally it's about $80 to $120 to see the performer, and a meet and greet," he said. "(Our $25 fee) includes the competition, dancing all night long with different DJs, three performances from Alaska, and a meet and greet."

Alaska was the runnerup on season 5 of the popular American reality competition television series, and won the second season

of All-Stars.

This will the first time since 2019 Pride Niagara will be able to celebrate Pride Month (June) properly, and chair Enzo De Divitiis said they are excited.

"It felt like (Pride Month) snuck up on us, even though we were so eagerly awaiting it," he said

De Divitiis explained that they never fundraise, instead, the events are funded by ticket sales from previous events.

"We don't ask the community to donate money ... because being part of the community always felt like we had to do extra to get anything, or pay extra. It almost always felt like a favour if we were getting anything," he said.

Before Alaska's appearance, the night will start with Pride Niagara ambassador competition.

"It's a spokesperson that will be the face of Pride Niagara throughout the

year," De Divitiis said. "It gives them the opportunity to be a visual in our community, and with our allies."

De Divitiis said anyone over 19 can be the Pride ambassador.

"If people are interested in competing, it's open to anyone," he said. "It's open to anyone who has a sense of pride. It's not necessarily LGBTQ+, it's not genderbased, it's not sexual based, it's just someone who has a sense of pride and would like to stand up for this community."

Aside from the kickoff with Alaska, De Divitiis said this summer will mark the return of Pride in the Park, the Unity Awards, flag-raising in all 12 municipalities and other exciting Pride events.

To purchase tickets for the launch party with Alaska, visit ticketmaster.com or visit the Meridian Centre box office.

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2022-05-19T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-05-19T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://communitynews.pressreader.com/article/281582359237912

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