The art of drag is more than wigs and high heels. For many queer people, young and old, the first time they feel a true sense of belonging is at a drag show. As drag artists bear their souls and lives on stage to a Britney Spears song, the energy becomes infectious. This unique feeling is what brings audiences back to drag shows every night of the week, and has allowed drag to emerge as a mainstream focal point.
But as many drag performers find themselves unable to perform at their usual venues due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they have had to get creative about the ways they bring their content to drag-loving audiences. From online drag festivals to virtual drag storytime for kids, the innovation of Toronto’s drag performers is a testament to the overwhelming resiliency of the LGBTQ2SIA+ community.
Join Canadian Club Toronto on June 11 for our annual Pride event, that will feature fixtures of the Toronto drag scene Erin Brockobić, Priyanka and Yovksa, hosted by ET Canada’s Stephen Krajinovic, to discuss the importance of queer community and art in times of struggle, the role of innovation and technology in drag today, and the power of drag to bring joy.
This virtual event is free of charge. In lieu of a ticket purchase, if you’re able, please consider a donation to the Glad Day Emergency Survival Fund.
Erin Brockobić
Hostesss, “Sippin’ T with Erin B”, Glad Day Bookshop
Erin Brockobić is known as the Queen of Brunch in Toronto, as the hostess of Canada’s longest running drag brunch “Sippin’ T with Erin B”, held every Sunday at Glad Day Bookshop (when physical distancing isn’t in effect). She also runs a weekly podcast “Erin Grievances” and performs regularly across the city in venues like Woody’s, Crews and Tangos, Buddies in Bad Times and The Beaver. Give her a microphone and she’ll give you what you like, she’s the Eastern European business lady of the 80’s: Erin Brockobić.
Yovska
Designer and Drag Performance Artist & Contestant, The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula
Yovska is a Toronto based designer and drag performance artist. He categorizes himself as a “drag creature” dressing up as a variety of different monsters with a dash of fashion. Yovska relates the themes of the paranormal and fantasy to his experiences growing up as queer and immigrant in Canada. By reclaiming the form of monsters and aliens, Yovska is able to turn negative stereotypes into empowering alter egos. Yovska’s design process is informed from his experiences participating in Toronto’s Kiki Ballroom alliance. Yovska was most recently featured on the Netflix reality competition show The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula.
Priyanka
Contestant, Canada’s Drag Race and NOW Magazine Readers’ Choice “Favourite Toronto Drag Performer”
She’s the most exciting queen ever to grace the Canadian drag scene – and she goes by one name, and one name only: PRIYANKA.
Born in Whitby, Ontario, the journey started for Priyanka (the drag superstar alter-ego of Mark Suknanan) with a career in television. She studied at Niagara College and interned for Rogers Television and MTV Canada, until she finally fought her way up to become the first web host of YTV’s “The Next Star”. Nicknamed “Suki”, she toured Canada as the face of “Next Star Nation” which quickly became the heart beat of the show. Her successes immediately parlayed into an even bigger platform when she was hand-picked by YTV as the face of their flagship after school program “The Zone”. For 6 six years, Priyanka was the face of Canadian children’s television, not only starring in, but writing and producing her own segments for her young fans airing between such favourite shows as: Spongebob Squarepants and Fairly Odd Parents.
In the spring of 2018, after being taken under the wing of top Toronto drag performer: Xtacy Love, Priyanka was born! She took the city by storm, sweeping the drag scene and snatching the crown in both the Miss Crews & Tangos pageant, and Woody’s: Queen of Halloween. She’s performed in every major city across Canada, Chicago & Dominican Republic and most recently graced the cover of Now Toronto after being named they cities “Number One Drag Entertainer”
With live shows filling almost every day of the week, two self-produced singles with accompanying music videos on iTunes aptly named: “You Look so Good” and “Say My Name”, and a weekly Series on YouTube, she is one of the hardest working entertainers in the business.
It’s with that tenacity and determination that she intends on snatching the ultimate crown of Canada’s Next Drag Superstar on the upcoming first season of Canada’s Drag Race set to air this July on Crave, OutTV and WOW Presents Plus.
Charisma? check.
Uniqueness? check.
Nerve? check.
Talent? check.
Now what’s her name!?
Priyanka!
Manny Dingo
Drag King, House of Kings
Manny Dingo is a shy boi, pretty boi and a master of disguise. He is 1/3 of the House of Kings Toronto. He hails from Haliwood, but takes up space in Toronto. He and the other members of the House of Kings Toronto have 2 weekly shows, Wednesday @ 7pm EST and Saturday @8:30pm EST. Find him @princemannydingo on Instagram.
Stephen Krajinovic
Face of ET Canada Pride & Producer
Stephen Krajinovic has spent over a decade working within the entertainment industry. As the face of ET Canada’s digital series ET Canada Pride, Stephen also acts as producer on the series, which champions the LGBTQ+ communit
y and its allies. ET Canada Pride features the latest news, opinions & in-depth interviews with some of today’s biggest stars.
With the love for a great conversation and Stephen’s laid-back interview style, Stephen and ET Canada Pride have become a go-to for those who connect with the LGBTQ+ community to share their stories.
Stephen has also worked behind-the-scenes for over a decade producing multiple series & writing for various publications.
