QueerKPL: Drag Then & Now

Event Details

It's Pride Month at the Kitchener Public Library! Join us to learn about drag history with special guests Russ Martin & Flare. Researcher Russ Martin presents and facilitates this program about the history of drag in Toronto & Canada. Russ will also be joined by internationally renowned drag king Flare to discuss where drag kings fit into drag history in Canada and beyond.

This program is part of our #PrideMonth offerings! Check out our catalogue for library materials related to #PrideMonth

Registration is required. This virtual program will take place via Zoom. Zoom is a video conferencing tool that allows people to meet together online. You can use Zoom on a desktop, laptop, tablet, or mobile device. You will receive a link to the program by email on the day prior to or the day of the program. Please provide your email address to receive this invite, or let us know if you don’t have email. We can arrange a telephone link.

By participating in this program, you acknowledge that you accept and agree to Kitchener Public Library’s Safe Use Code.

Russ Martin is a writer, editor, and scholar. He recently completed his Master’s Degree in Popular Culture at Brock University, where his thesis work considered the impact of RuPaul’s Drag Race on Toronto’s drag scene. His journalism has been featured in the Toronto Star, Flare, the National Post, Xtra, and The Walrus. Russ recently contributed to Canadian Theatre Review’s drag-themed issue (vol. 185) and has contributed drag scholarship to forthcoming volumes from McFarland and Progressive Connexions. Russ is also the founder of the drag zine and event series Feel Your Fantasy and is a producer and in-house researcher for Toronto’s online drag bar, Speakeasy TV.

Flare is an international drag king producer, performer, and documentarian. Having been on the scene for over 25 years, some of Flare’s accomplishments include: Producer of the Fabulous Toronto Drag Kings (1999-2004); Co-Producer of Toronto’s first International drag king show “United Kingdom”; Producer of “World Class Kings” for World Pride, Toronto 2014; International Drag King Community Extravaganza (IDKE) steering committee member for eight years; and recently published in The Canadian Theatre Review. Flare has headlined at shows in Austin, Pittsburgh, and Washington DC. Flare is known for twisting gender norms by mixing drag and burlesque in provocative performances. One of the first kings in the world to twirl a tassel. From Toronto, Canada.

Event Type(s): General Interest

Age Group(s): Adults

Presenter: Russ Martin & Flare

Jarvis Sparks

jarvis.sparks@kpl.org

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