Pythia: Unleashing Myth and Magic

Get ready for a night of magic, mystery, and myth as Pythia, the sensational Greek-Canadian drag artist from Canada’s Drag Race season 2 and RuPaul’s Drag Race Global All Stars, descends upon Sarnia for a spellbinding performance at The Devil's Ball. Known for blending historical and mythical elements into her jaw-dropping looks and performances, Pythia has captivated fans with her innovative take on drag. Raised in Greece and now based in Montreal, this costume designer and performer has brought an enchanting, otherworldly presence to the stage.

On October 25, 2024, Pythia will be joined by a fantastic lineup including Sheerah Mae Heartt, POISON, Charlize Angel, Karma Kameleon, Lillith Nox, and Miss Conduct, in a Halloween-inspired drag event you won’t want to miss! Hosted at Refined Fool Brewing Co., the evening promises a costume contest, fierce performances, and a meet-and-greet with the queens. Doors open at 8pm, with tickets starting at $25 and meet-and-greet options for $35.

We sat down with Pythia to discuss her career, creativity, and what fans can expect from her upcoming performance at The Devil’s Ball.

THIS is DRAG: Welcome, Pythia! How are you feeling about performing at The Devil’s Ball in Sarnia this October?

Pythia: I cannot wait! I have never been to Sarnia before, and I love a Halloween event. Spooky season is when my power is at its peak, so I am ecstatic!

TiD: Your drag is often infused with historical and mythical elements. Can you tell us more about how these influences shape your drag persona?

P: I love fashion and costume history, as well mythology and religion, and a lot of my performances or looks are inspired by such concepts! Whether obvious or not, there are always elements ingrained into my work, and not a single detail goes unplanned! I also named myself after Pythia who was an oracle of the god of the arts, Apollo, so to me it’s a way to manifest this ancient feminine power into the present through my drag!

“Spooky season is when my power is at its peak, so I am ecstatic!”

— Pythia

As a costume designer, your looks are always intricate and unique. What’s your process for creating these incredible outfits, and where do you find your inspiration?

As mentioned before, a lot of it is referential of various aspects of my Greek culture, or general interests of mine. Every look is different and tells a different story! They are all like different characters in a play that is Pythia! I can’t explain it, but the inspiration strikes at the strangest moments, and I’ve come up with some of my greatest concepts in my dreams!

You were raised in Greece before moving to Montreal as a teenager. How did your upbringing in these different cultures influence your style and approach to drag?

I just think it has allowed me to love myself no matter what. Growing up in the hyper Christian Orthodox society of Greece, I felt ostracized and like I could never belong in my own culture, but drag made me realize that I can actually celebrate myself for my identity just as I am. That’s why I’m so proud to represent my culture and customs through a queer lens. Cause I can’t imagine how many queer Greek people feel the way I did, and I want to show that we also belong.

What first inspired you to start performing drag, and how did you develop your signature blend of myth and glamour?

I began drag through cosplay and theater! The story telling and attention to detail that goes behind theatricality and performance is so intriguing to me. I wanted to share all the crazy ideas and stories locked up in my brain somehow, and drag allowed me to do just that! It’s like a different medium of art to me. I do it all in the context of the arts, painting, drawing, illustrating, photography, sculpture, props, costumes, makeup etc.! But drag combines all of my love for art in one!

You made a huge impact on Canada’s Drag Race and Global All Stars. How has your time on these shows influenced your career, and what’s been the most rewarding part of the journey?

Honestly so much! Everything changed because of these shows and I am forever grateful and blessed. I remind myself every day, how lucky I am to be able to do what I love full time, and connect with and touch so many people from around the world through my art. And just the fact that it’s allowed me to travel and experience different parts of the world, and Canada and enrich myself with the local queer histories and talents of each place I visit, is the best prize I could ever win!

Greek mythology is a central theme in much of your work. What is it about these ancient stories that resonates with you and your drag?

The fact that they were so queer and raw. The ancient stories even beyond Greece, had so much queer identity and matriarchal importance that has been completely sanitized and erased through Christianity and Colonization. The ancient gods were so close to us and to what humanity is and always has been. They were jealous, greedy, messy, and made mistakes... They loved, and feared, and bled, and hurt. They were imperfect like humans! I feel like modern religions have completely convinced us to aspire to an unattainable “sinless” perfection, but that’s just not what human nature is.

Halloween is coming up, and The Devil’s Ball has a spooky theme. Can you give us a sneak peek into your costume or the vibe you're bringing to the event?

All I’m gonna say is you’ll all have 7 days to live after watching my performance.

What’s been your most memorable performance to date, and what made it stand out for you?

My favourite performance would have to be a number I did in 2019 for a local Drag Competition in Montreal, where I perform as a psychic medium during a seance and even levitate a table with magic! Woooo!

You’re known for pushing boundaries and creating art that’s truly unique. How do you stay inspired and keep evolving in your drag career?

Just generally pushing myself and trying things even if they sound insane or impossible to do. Even if I don’t think I’ll be able to make something, I always attempt! It’s a learning experience nonetheless! Constantly creating at 100% and only editing down if I have to! That’s my life motto, the sky is not the limit, I can go further than that!

How do you balance the artistry of costume design with the performance aspect of drag, and what’s more challenging for you?

My drag performances are 100% linked with my costumes. All the numbers I build, I build along with whatever costume I will be wearing, and most numbers only work with that particular costume and that’s it! The challenge would be making more adaptable universal looks that I can perform multiple numbers in, but I love my theatricality too much to sacrifice that!

Have you performed in Sarnia or the surrounding area before, and how are you feeling about coming to perform in a smaller city like this one?

I haven’t! The closest place in proximity would have to be Hamilton, for the premiere episode viewing party of Canada’s Drag Race Season 2! I love performing in smaller cities. It’s more intimate and special and I tend to connect with the audience more in this way!

What advice would you give to drag performers who are looking to incorporate more storytelling and artistic elements into their work?

I think storytelling is naturally a vital part to drag, and my only advice would be to just cultivate it more, and find ways to incorporate more into a drag performance than just high kicks and splits! Discover what it is you want to say through your drag, and think of all the ways you can say it through performance or visual! Background videos, props, costume/wig reveals are things I personally love incorporating into my work!

Can you tell us about any upcoming projects or performances that fans can look forward to?

Lots of gigs and cool things coming up, that I post constantly on my socials, but the thing that will take up most of my attention in November is rehearsals for a theater show I’m creating with Denim from Season 4 of CDR! It’s called “ORACULUM” and it’ll go live on December 1st-December 15 at Buddies in Bad Times in Toronto! Super excited for this project!

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers or your fans ahead of The Devil’s Ball?

Just a huge thank you for all the love and support, and just for having me in your beautiful city! I cannot wait to meet and party with everyone!

Don't miss this opportunity to see Pythia and a dazzling lineup of drag performers at The Devil's Ball on October 25, 2024, at Refined Fool Brewing Co. Get ready for an evening of myth, mystery, and magic, and don’t forget to come dressed to impress for the costume contest! Doors open at 8pm, with general admission at $25 and meet-and-greet options available for $35. Secure your tickets now for a hauntingly fabulous night!

By Kevin Blondin

The Devil's Ball
Friday, October 25, 2024
At Refined Fool Brewing Company in Sarnia, Ontario

The Great Galaxy Gala 2.0

Get ready to be dazzled by the latest scoop from Galaxy, the fabulous drag queen from London, Ontario. In this exclusive interview with DRAG MAG, Galaxy spills the tea on the upcoming Galaxy Gala 2.0 event, drag trading cards, and more!

DRAG MAG: Let's talk about your drag persona, Galaxy. When did you first start doing drag, and what motivated you to pursue it?

Galaxy: I started doing drag for my 27th birthday – at that time I was living alone, and I had just moved (back) to London after about eight years of being away from my home city. At the time I was not involved in social media, I didn't even have a presence in the community. Drag was my last-ditch effort to do something with my life. So, for my birthday, without any research or prompt, I created a drag persona and challenged myself to step entirely out of my comfort zone. From that point on, my career in drag began to flourish.

DM: Can you share one of your favorite memories or performances from your drag career so far?

G: I was asked on behalf of RHAC (Regional HIV/AIDS Connection) to prepare a couple performances for IDAHOT, and my performance for Titanium, which I sung live, at The Aeolian Hall earned me a standing ovation. I was floored. I still am, actually.

DM: We're intrigued by your drag trading card series. How did you come up with the idea, and what can fans expect from it?

G: With the rise of young and new performing drag artists, and the changing scene with the introduction of London's newest queer safe space, The Well, I was compelled to create a project which allowed me to provide a platform for all these up-and-coming artists, while simultaneously honouring the legacy performers. The idea was universally well-received.

DM: Can you tell us about the production process for the drag trading cards?

G: My vision initially was to solely feature local entertainers, and I basically just put an all call out for those who wished to be involved. There was no criteria aside from just wanting to be able to be a part of the project and being open to having their image printed and distributed via the cards. Each card takes unique qualities and traits and is tailored to each individual performer, having a (mostly arbitrary) points system as dictated by the featured artist.

DM: When can fans expect the physical drag trading cards to be released, and where will they be available for purchase?

G: Production has been stalled, but I do hope to get this project back up and running. They will be available for distribution at participating locations upon printing.

DM: Are there plans to expand the drag trading card series beyond the London market?

G: Absolutely! With the interest I have received I would love to branch out to Windsor, Hamilton, and surrounding areas. There are already some from St Thomas, and Sarnia. My hope is to expand it as far as it will go. The production process is quite timely as I cater each card myself.

DM: Do you have any future plans to further develop the drag trading card series or explore other creative ventures in the drag community?

G: At this time I would be happy to see them printed, in the meantime I am always coming up with new ideas to engage and empower the local drag scene.

DM: Can you tell us about the Galaxy Gala 2.0 event happening on April 26 at the Rec Room in London?

G: This year, thanks to help from UR Proud, I have secured a sought-after venue for this event. Allowing performers who normally wouldn't have the opportunity to perform on this stage their moment to shine. Additionally, a portion of this even is dedicated to a roast and a portion of ticket proceeds will be donated to Wortley Pride.

DM: How did the partnership with HAUSENVY & UR PROUD come about for this event?

G: HausEnvy is my own independent enterprise – I am partnering with UR Proud because they are providing assistance the technical side of the event such as help with multimedia. They also had the connections I needed to secure the venue at a reasonable out of pocket cost. Tickets are also available through their website.

DM: Why did you choose Wortley Pride as the beneficiary of a portion of the event's proceeds?

G: Wortley Pride is an organization near and dear to my heart, as the co-chair and part of the founding team. Their mission to to provide inclusive, safe programming and events for 2SLGBTQIA+ members of our community with an emphasis on family friendly events. They also have an annual festival in the heart of Wortley Village, in London.

DM: What makes the Rec Room in London a great venue for the Galaxy Gala 2.0? What unique elements does it offer for an event like this?

G: The Rec Room has secured its reputation as a premier location for drag shows. Featuring shows from Lavender Promotions and Phoenix Black Entertainment, it has always delivered a professional standard for shows and entertainment. It offers a convenient location adjacent to Masonville Place, and offers food, drink and, when the show is over, the recreational arcade.

DM: Could you walk us through the lineup of performers for the Galaxy Gala 2.0?

G: For this event, I wanted to feature some of London's finest – from legacy performers to newer performers. (In no particular order)

Lita Von Sleaze – Lita is a household name in this city, having been a part of the drag scene well before even me. She is known for her fundraising efforts, and she brings a kind of energy to her performances which captivate audiences.

Lexi Alexander – Lexi is a performer who is near and dear to my heart. She works often with Wortley Pride, but is rarely booked. I am trying to change this by highlighting her incredible talent for delivering a powerful ballad. Lexi stuns in amazing, eye-catching gowns, and exudes nothing but love when she performs.

Lavender Skyes – I was there at Lavender's conception, and it has been a personal joy watching her evolve and grow her art. She is kind, caring, and can perform the house down. Whether she is doing a cartwheel, or injecting her humour into her performances, she is always a crowd pleaser.

Panico – Panico is a performer that pushes themselves, and the envelope, when it comes to drag. So much raw talent in one performer, and you never really know exactly what you're going to get. They are versatile and creative, and an asset to any line up.

Sheerah Mae Heartt – Sheerah hails from Sarnia, but we have worked with each other many times. She is energetic and can go from performing a ballad, to doing the splits (even if I've asked her not to). Her performances are memorable and it is an honour to have her on my cast.

Oliver Personas – This is a performer that you never quite forget. They have an immense amount of talent, they are constantly pushing the boundaries of drag and performance art in unique and creative ways. As their name suggests, you truly don't know what you're going to get, but it always promises to be captivating.

Eve Hill – Eve is one of our legacy performers, she delivers powerful performances incorporating her signature style with elements of camp. Her performances are always fun, energetic, and out-of-the-box. She devises and executes memorable performances with flare and grace.

POISON – I have been working with POISON since the beginning of my drag career, and seeing what they do, and what they have done, with their drag has been nothing short of inspirational. They bring a punky, edgy aspect to the stage and brings it to life with energetic dance numbers. They are always willing to help backstage, and deliver a solid performance every time.

Veronica Royale – Last, but not least, my partner in this ambitious endeavour. Veronica Royale is a kind, helpful and caring person and performer. She brings high energy mixes, has a quick wit, and takes after her drag mother (Lita) as a consummate professional.

DM: This year's event includes a raffle and a roast. What inspired these additions?

G: A drag show is a drag show is a drag show but London hasn't had a solid roast in a while. And, since I've developed somewhat of a name for myself, I wanted to take this opportunity to open the library and let my friends, family and colleagues have at it. Roasts are a great addition to any event. The raffle is in support of Wortley Pride, offering one more way attendees can support Wortley Pride and all they do.

DM: Are there any other upcoming events or projects in the works for Galaxy that fans should keep an eye out for?

G: I am taking a break to put my focus on this event and will start taking bookings after. In the meantime, you will always be enthralled and enamoured by drag at The Well, or anything Diversity Ed organizes.

DM: Do you have anything else that you would like to add?

G: Tickets are limited and available HERE!

Galaxy Gala
Friday, April 26, 2024
At The Rec Room in London, Ontario

By Kevin Blondin