Synonymous with empowerment, infused with uniqueness, and brimming with vibrancy – it’s the magical weekend of Vancouver Pride!
With the city streets steeped in cascades of colour and glitter, laughter and hoorahs, those from near and far are welcomed with open arms to participate and celebrate all that encompasses this brilliant and diverse community.
Celebrating our collective uniqueness in sexual orientation, gender, and gender choice, we feel honoured to be a part of this tremendous community! Our creative classrooms are built upon this foundation of fierce independence and powerful self-expression.
We’ve seen and met some truly unique individuals who have honed their voices and nurtured their spirits within our halls. The Pride parade is strutting up fast and fabulous, and to celebrate we reached out to a FIERCE few from our Blanche family who have been taking the local drag scene by storm.
Of course, we must leave some of the introduction up to our resident Drag Queen Supreme, Canada's Top Makeup School graduate and CurliQue Beauty Q Talent Leader Jaylene Tyme! The always exhilarating and utterly talented Jaylene has made an indelible mark on the LGBTQ+ community; her words about it and the art she contributes to it never cease to inspire and ignite those lucky enough to be exposed to it. Jaylene’s realm of experience in both self discovery and transformative artistry has made her a powerful role model in our family, and a maternal icon out on the Drag Queen scene of Vancouver – we simply cannot think of anyone better to kick off this dazzling week!
“Blanche Macdonald has always created a safe space for people to explore and reveal their magical side. Here is a showcase of artists that hone their craft with different mediums, but all with the same focus in mind: to follow their dreams, to share their passions, and to experience a world they never thought possible. My heart has been so full being able to witness both artistry and the human spirit take flight in these halls.
Pride is an opportunity to express the celebration of freedom. It encourages people to come together and support one another. It also allows artists to express themselves through their craft with wild abandon; sharing what makes them unique and special.
I'm so proud to be a part of such an amazingly diverse artist collective. I have witnessed over the years the growth of expression, but also the confidence in people to explore beyond what they thought their limitations may have been. Pride is a celebration yes, but it also a responsibility to be aware that in order to be truly free, we need to stand tall in the face of any challenge and realize together we can continue to break down the barriers and allow the world, and our children, however they identify, to find their own personal freedom.
Check out these fabulous artists! HAPPY PRIDE!!”
"My drag character ILONA is known for her signature Pastel Blue EVERYTHING and being a crazy extra party girl. Although when she is off the stage, she likes to wear clothing that looks like it's from the side of the road while doing her favourite activity, eating at Denny’s with her drag family the House of B*tches. All her friends think she is THE MOST!"
Blanche Macdonald Centre: What does the LGBTQ community mean to you?
ILONA: The queer community here in Vancouver means I’m never alone. I can go out without making plans with anyone and know that I’ll have a bunch of friends already at the venue. Even during the day I can walk up to Davie St and I’m guaranteed to bump into someone I know! As someone who grew up without many friends all the connections I’ve made in the queer community are so valuable to me and honestly mean the world!
BMC: How did Blanche Macdonald help bring out your artistry?
IL: Blanche Macdonald helped me really discover who I was as an artist. Being able to explore all the different realms of makeup, I found what really spoke to me. Going into the Global Makeup program I thought I’d be drawn to Special Effects and Prosthetics but by the time I graduated I found out I was actually way more into fashion makeup and editorial stuff & of course, DRAG!
BMC: How did you envision yourself giving to the community with your art?
IL: I’ve always wanted to be able to make people FEEL. So if I can paint on the most beautiful face and step on stage and really let all my emotions out performing a song I connect with be able to move people with what I’m going through and with what I present - that is so amazing to me!
BMC: What do you remember most about your first performance?
IL: That it was totally on the spot and at the ADORE DELANO concert, HELLO! Anyhow, I remember after how welcoming and kind everyone was, I’d never felt anything like that before in my life! All these people I’ve never even met coming up to me living and telling me how much they enjoyed what I did on stage!
BMC:What is one thing you always think or remember as you perform?
IL: “Being nervous means you care, if you are never not nervous then you should probably reevaluate what you're doing.” That’s one of the first pieces of advice I was ever given about performing from a local drag icon Sienna Blaze! I’ve been performing for almost 3 years now and although it has gotten so much easier and I’m so comfortable on stage, I’m always that lil bit nervous!
BMC: How is the Vancouver LBGTQ community unique?
IL: We have drag shows happening almost every night of the week, which is so amazing and really helps to build that closeness that comes with community. You get to see your friends everyday, you get to see people you know all the time! It’s wonderful!
BMC: Give us one word that describes your relationship to creativity
IL: Rejuvenated
BMC: Tell us your guiltiest pleasure
IL: Eating Jeffree Star Lip Scrubs… LOL
BMC: What’s your happy colour?
IL: Powder Blue
BMC: Favourite Queen?
IL: Fun fact: Drag has exploded well beyond men portraying women. There are Drag Kings, Drag Things, Hyper Queens - the whole 9 yards! My fav local performer is a tie between my drag Aunt/Uncle Rose Butch and Gia Metric! They’re both super inspiring with their looks and are so in tune with how they move their bodies when they perform! I LIVE for them!
@ilonaverley on Instagram
"My drag character Anna May is known for her signature looks and un-blocked brows. Although when she is off the stage, she likes to wear overalls and snapbacks while doing her favourite activity, partying! All her friends think she is a lot!"
Blanche Macdonald Centre: What does the LGBTQ community mean to you?
Anna May: The LGTBQ+ community means more than words could possibly express. They were there for me (and still are!) when no one else was. With open arms of acceptance, love and guidance, the community has definitely begun to shape me to who I am, and who I will be in the future. I aim to be an advocate of what the community has taught me in terms of a being giving and respectful individual. My goal is to be able to reciprocate the values and above all LOVE that is the LGBTQ+ community!
BMC: How did Blanche Macdonald help bring out your artistry?
AM: Blanche Macdonald has helped with my artistry by first and foremost, being so enthusiastic and supportive of my craft. The responses I was given on a few of my garments gave me gratification that any artist would love to receive! Not limiting me or putting me into a box, but truly letting me be who I am, without any judgement! It’s so wonderful to know how supportive and progressive a school can be, it’s quite heart-warming and beautiful - thank you BMC!
BMC: How did you envision yourself giving to the community with your art?
AM: In the community I see myself as someone who can utilize my skills and talents to create elevated looks and garments for queens to further push their performances and brands as artists. Being in the community for only a short period of time, I’ve already collaborated with multiple queens in turning out fierce, fabulous and original pieces, giving queens unique and signature looks!
BMC: What do you remember most about your first performance?
AM: I often think back to my first performance and the most memorable part about the experience was looking out into the audience and seeing all the smiling beautiful faces of all my friends and family. They were cheering and hollering (and tipping ;-) ) immediately making all my worries and fears melt away! The support from the drag community, and the community in general is so substantial and large that anybody should feel comfortable in the spaces created! Also huge shout out to Ms. Alma for allowing me to grace her Shequel stage for the first time at XY nightclub!
BMC: What is one thing you always think or remember as you perform?
AM: Heel-Toe, Heel-Toe, Heel-Toe!
BMC: How is the Vancouver LBGTQ community unique?
AM: I haven’t been immersed in many other LGBTQ+ communities, but one thing that I love about ours is although we have different Haus’ of queens, I’ve never felt a divide or exclusions between them. We are one big fabulous family, they’re all my sisters! I wouldn’t want to have it any other way!
BMC: Give us one word that describes your relationship to creativity
AM: Forgiving!
BMC: Tell us your guiltiest pleasure
AM: Bratpack Thursdays!
BMC: What’s your happy colour?
AM: Pink ! Pink ! Pink ! I loooooove pink !
BMC: Favourite Queen?
AM: I have too many to pick! But I definitely want to give credit to my best friend and drag mama, Gia Metric! She has been such a huge supporter of mine, as well as the person to put me into drag for the first time. Without her light and love I wouldn’t be where I am today!
@annamaymetric on Instagram
"My drag character Misty H Meadows is known for her signature lip sync and always wearing "gowns". Although when she is off the stage, she likes to wear onesies while doing her favourite activity, making packed lunches for her children. All her friends think she is actually a serial killer; but also the best mom on the PTA!"
Blanche Macdonald Centre: What does the LGBTQ community mean to you?
Misty H Meadows: Honestly, a very dysfunctional family! Sure we all don't get along all the time, but there is an undercurrent of love in everything we do.
BMC: How did BMC help bring out your artistry?
MM: BMC helped me grow more confident. I was established as a performer in Calgary before moving to Vancouver, and considered quitting drag after moving here. However, BMC instilled a quiet confidence to push myself even in groups where you are "the weird tall one with the stupid accent". Seriously people like Sara Armstrong, Kari Appelquist, Tyler Udall (honestly I could go on and name pretty much the whole fashion faculty at Blanche) force you to become a stronger artist and I'm so grateful for that.
BMC: How did you envision yourself giving to the community with your art?
MM: Charity has always been very important to me. My parents instilled in me a desire and a drive to help those around me. So I guess the answer comes in two parts:
In Calgary I was entertainer of the year, and helped raise money through hosting shows for the ISCCA. Secondly, in a less tangible way, if only for a second I can make someone laugh, or smile, or just forget how awful the world can be, then I've done my job.
BMC: What do you remember most about your first performance?
MM: It lives on somewhere on YouTube sadly. It was at a local bar in Calgary. I wanted to be "sexy" so I slapped on an American apparel mesh dress and danced to a song by Marina and The Diamonds. Honestly it was 10 lbs of meat in a 5 lb casing and luckily I discovered that being occasionally funny is better for me.
BMC: What is one thing you always think or remember as you perform?
MM: The words. Honestly, performing is an in the moment thing for me. I'm very analytical and very anxious so if I "think" to much it's not a good thing.
BMC: How is the Vancouver LBGTQ community unique?
MM: It's very visible, and not just one facet of it but the whole "rainbow" is visible.
BMC: Give us one word that describes your relationship to creativity
MM: Addictive.
BMC:Tell us your guiltiest pleasure
MM: I'm someone who when they discover an awful song, it instantly becomes an ear worm and I have to continually listen to it. The more awful the more guilty I am of loving it.
BMC: What’s your happy colour?
MM: Black!
BMC: Favourite Queen?
MM: This is such a hard question. Locally people like my drag family are my favourites, Sienna Blaze (mom), Gluttony (daughter), or local icons like (Carlotta, Isolde, Peach). But if it was whose show could I have tickets for I would say either Bianca Del Rio, Coco Peru, Lady Bunny or Lily Savage.
@themistiestofmeadows on Instagram
