Community event in Yellowknife to celebrate ‘queer excellence’

A 2SLGBTQIA+ mentorship program is celebrating the completion of its latest cohort with a free event in Yellowknife.

The social and cabaret show, set to take place at Copperhouse on May 23, will feature performances from local drag and burlesque artists and comedians alongside free food and mocktails.

“It’s going to be a really awesome performance,” said Tineke Kippers, mentorship coordinator for the Northern Mosaic Network.

Kippers said the community event is a celebration of the second cohort of the organization’s business and entrepreneurship skills building program.

She explained the eight-week program helps 2SLGBTQIA+ people who own businesses or are looking to start a business in the North. It includes weekly classes with the goal of creating business proposals and mentorship with northern entrepreneurs.

Kippers said everyone is welcome to attend the social and cabaret event to learn more about the program and enjoy the show. She encouraged people to come out to “enjoy some queer excellence in town.”

The show will include nine acts and feature host Jenny Sis alongside performers Interstellar, Fuzzy Lemons, Gelatinous and Princess Persuasion, comedians Shylo Foster and Skye Plowman and others.

Doors are set to open at 6:30pm with the show starting at 8pm. Alongside free non-alcoholic beverages, alcoholic drinks will be available for purchase.

Before then, Jenny Sis is holding a birthday roast at The Underground on Sunday, May 17 featuring Edmonton-based performer Pheromone Killz.

“I just wanted to do something different, something that we haven’t really had up here a lot of, and just our friends are very shady,” she said.

Jenny Sis said the event will feature drag numbers and conclude with her roast.

Doors for the ticketed event open at 7pm with the show starting at 7:30pm.

Jenny Sis is the current drag artist in residence at The Underground and has been hosting regular events at the downtown venue, including a Lord of the Rings inspired drag night, drag trivia and other shows featuring drag performers.

“It’s been a lot of fun,” she said. “We’ve had great turnout, we’ve had a couple new performers debut. It’s been a great time so far.”

Jenny Sis said Yellowknife’s drag scene is “small but mighty” with more events and more people becoming interested. Next weekend, she said, she is hosting a beginner sewing and glove making course.

“There’s a lot more to come,” she said, adding planning is in the works for a Muppet cabaret show featuring an out-of-town guest next month.