Budding drag queens and kings will be able to strut their stuff, with support from the professionals, in Dunedin's first citywide drag competition.
Dubbed "Loaded and Tucked'', the September 14 event is the brainchild of Dunedin Pride member Matthew Schep with support from Sacrilege Productions and venue Stilettos Bar.
"After having the initial idea while chatting with a friend, I got in touch with Sacrilege and things just snowballed from there,'' Schep said.
Sacrilege Productions co-director Jasper Ririnui, who will MC the event as his drag king persona Jake Hammer, said there had been a lot of enthusiasm for the idea.
"We have quite a show taking form, including several of our own drag performers and music to get things warmed up,'' Ririnui said.
Among the performers to take the stage will be Daddy May, Sam in Colour, Dirtier Harry, Amara Morningstar, Vinny Lux, DJ Communism Will Win and other performers.
Once they have seen how it's done, any person of any gender will then be able to take on a drag persona of any gender.
"We will be able to supply makeup, costumes and some coaching, as well as a playlist of songs for people to choose from.
"In the end, there will be a wee bit of a lip-synch battle for the crown.
"We are expecting to be thoroughly entertained,'' Ririnui said.
The Loaded and Tucked event will also feature an open-mic-style event, where people can plan their acts in advance and sign up at the door.
Schep said Stilettos Bar had been very supportive of the event, and it would make a great venue for the show.
Ririnui said the Loaded and Tucked event would be a great opportunity to expand awareness of drag culture in the city, and to encourage the lessening of harmful stereotypes around drag performance.
BRENDA.HARWOOD @thestar.co.nz
