Q: What was your first gay bar experience like?
A: My first experience at a gay bar was so many things, terrifying, exhilarating, a maelstrom of nervous energy, beautiful, and glorious. I was pretty self aware of my sexuality at a fairly young age. I grew up in Red Deer in the 80s, raised with both Mormon and Catholic ideals, so those early years carried a lot of shame; a lot of guilt. But stepping into Flashbacks that first time, all of those other emotions aside, I felt free. Seeing a room full of people who were also like me was pure magic.
Q: How did your life pre Evo prepare you for this? How did it not?
A: I have been an out and active member of the Alberta community for 35+ years, and have witnessed a lot of changes to the community in that time. For the last 16 years I have worked directly in the gay/queer night life scene. My time at Twisted Element and the Texass lounge in Calgary provided me with differing ideations of what night life is or can be in the community ( one all about the party, the other about engagement and connecting with your customer). 2SLGBTQIA spaces have always been necessary, but I think the thing I wasn’t prepared for after 16 years in this industry was the political shift and rising anti LGBTQ sentiment that is making queer spaces more necessary than ever.
Q: What are your three most special Evo memories?
A: There have been a ton of great memories for me over the last 10 years but the standouts are meeting and chatting with Chi Chi DeVayne, though I don’t remember our exact conversation, I do remember her kindness and the fact that she never lost her small town southern charm. My last performance as Dushawna doing Kate Bushes This Woman’s Work. It was cathartic and a fitting end to that character. But I think my most special memory is the first night back to work after my partner passed away, the overwhelming outpouring of love and support from coworkers, management, friends and patrons is something I will never forget. It truly gave me an understanding of chosen family and it restored some hope in me when everything felt hopeless.
Q: Shout out to a former staff member you miss, and why?
A: So many to choose from but I would have to say Jason G. I make acquaintances quite easily, but friendships are harder for me, Jason broke into that friendship area. Though we have drifted since he has moved on I still hold great value in his friendship and miss him being around.
Q: What has the last 10 years taught you?
A: I don’t know, in a community that is ever changing and evolving, to be honest I think I’m still learning, maybe that’s the take away, never be set in your ways and never stop learning.
Q: What advice do you give the next generation of queer nitelife goers?
A: Live life authentically, be loud, be proud, share your stories, seek out the stories of others, build connections, make memories, value the friendships you forge, have fun, and dance. Life is fleeting make every second count.
Q: Shout out 2-3 current performers you love and say why?
A: Omg this question is killing me, there are so many performers in this city that I love and respect, so I’m breaking the rules a bit.
Classic queens: Vanity Fair, GoDiva, Tequila Mockingbird, twiggy. All amazingly talented, serve the drag I grew up loving. They are my sisters and definitely family.
The Dance Divas: Karly, Pepper, Jizz Elle leave me gagged and gooped every single time
And finally the “now for something completely different”: Emmonia, Stretcher, Steak and Beau. From costume and character creations, to comedic gold, and all out gender fuckery these four always leave me wanting more and more and more.
Q: What is your favorite regular event and why?
A: I would have to say the Glow Party. It always brings me fond memories of someone truly special.
