Featured Project
The Growth of Drag in Mainstream Culture
A multi-media project delving into the the controversies and outcomes of the growing drag industry.
Drag Story-times
As drag continues to push its way into mainstream culture, its audience has diversified in unexpected ways. Drag queen story hour is a new style of program taking place in libraries, schools and bookstores all over North America. These storytime events where drag artists read books to children have sparked widespread controversy. Objectors label the events as inappropriate, while others advocate for diverse representation in youth spaces.
Haus Bukuru: Vancouver’s All-Black Drag House.
Haus Bukuru took the stage as a drag family on February 25th, 2023. Ticket sale proceeds from the event went to the Vancouver Black Library. Photos by Hannah Bell.
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Karmella (left) and the four core members, Mx. Bukuru (center-left), Levi Thurst (center-right), Acacia Gray (right) and Batty Banks (behind), pose for photos. The house performs on a range of stages, from community events to queer nightclubs.
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Batty Banks captivates the audience with energy and enthusiasm. She began drag one year ago.
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DJ Softieshan does a set before the show. She has been a DJ in Vancouver for over 7 years and has organized multiple events centred around the black queer community.
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This event is held at Tacofino Ocho in Vancouver. Every ticket came with a free drink and taco.
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Acacia Gray hosts the show. She started doing drag 6 months ago and was taught by Mx. Bukuru.
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Mx. Bukuru is a non-binary drag performer and founder of the house. She created the black collective last spring.
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Drag king Levi thrust performs a lip sync. They are also a seasoned burlesque performer in Vancouver under the name Lilac Lust.
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Batty Banks collects a tip from an audience member. This was Batty’s third performance of the day, first at a drag brunch and then at the Vancouver public library.
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Special guest Karmella receives a standing ovation after singing live. Although not a member of the house, they often perform together.
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Batty Banks performs in the final group number with her drag family. She has said Haus Bukuru and Mx. Bukuru “gave her drag a home.”
Poe Montreal
Drag has grown exponentially in recent years, and the industry at large has expanded. Now, wig stylists, makeup artists and costume designers have full-time jobs catering to drag queens. Montreal is a drag capital of Canada, and creatives in the city are flourishing.
