A Night of Drag Extravaganza at Walkerville Brewery

Battle of the Babes - Love Sick

In the heart of Walkerville, the vibrant and lively atmosphere of Walkerville Brewery set the stage for an evening of glitz, glamour, and unbridled talent at the Battle of the Babes - Love Sick event on Saturday, February 10, 2024. Hosted by the dynamic duo, Epoxy and Iddy Oats, this installment of the renowned Battle of the Babes series promised a night of fierce competition and fabulous performances.

As the clock struck 7 pm, the crowd eagerly gathered to witness the battle of five drag babies and an unexpected surprise guest. The competitors, Enxiietie, Mina Gorgina, Subrina Kink, Dawn Key, Angelina Lepore, and the surprise guest, Venom, were introduced by the vivacious Epoxy, setting the stage for an unforgettable night.

The evening kicked off with the first lipsync battle, featuring Subrina Kink versus Venom, who wowed the audience with a fierce rendition of Taylor Swift's "Look What You Made Me Do." The energy was palpable as the performers engaged in a battle of wit, style, and lip-sync prowess.

The next lipsync battle showcased Mina Gorgina and Enxiietie, who delivered a show-stopping performance to Beyonce's "Single Ladies." The highlight of this battle was Mina's daring climb onto the bar and DJ Hudson Bae's romantic gesture, dropping to one knee to mock-propose to Enxiietie. Love was truly in the air.

Dawn Key and Angelina Lepore took the stage for the third battle, lipsyncing to Britney Spears' "Womanizer." The excitement reached its peak until an unexpected slip led to an early end of the song. However, the show must go on.

Epoxy then introduced the reigning Babe, Remedy, and past competitor, B. Martini, setting the stage for the Valentine's Day edition of Battle of the Babes - Love Sick. Unfortunately, due to Angelina's injury, it was announced she would not continue in the competition. Enter Iddy Oats, who, with a playful spirit, treated the audience to an entertaining rendition of "Love Stinks" by J Geils Band.

The talent show segment followed, with each artist showcasing their unique skills. Highlights included Mina Gorgina's industrial remix vocal performance, Venom's musical comedy and celebrity impressions, Subrina Kink making it rain Ring Pops, Dawn Key's unicycle entrance, painting a bold portrait, and Enxiietie's mesmerizing lipsync.

The night reached its climax with Venom and Mina Gorgina facing off in the final lipsync battle to Cher's "Believe." In a surprising turn of events, the competitors transformed the stage into a sisterly collaboration, ending the performance with playful camaraderie. The audience, with roaring applause, crowned Venom as the grand champion.

In a heartwarming gesture, Venom and Mina playfully crowned the injured Angelina with the tiara, embodying the spirit of sisterhood that permeated the event. The night was a splendid blend of laughter, camaraderie, and top-notch performances, all set against the backdrop of good times, good people, and, of course, good beer at Walkerville Brewery.

The Battle of the Babes - Love Sick proved once again that the Windsor drag scene is a force to be reckoned with, showcasing not only talent but also a tight-knit community that celebrates diversity, creativity, and the art of drag.

Photography and Review by Kevin Blondin, capturing the essence of Love Sick, available exclusively in the pages of DRAG MAG.

Friday the 13th

with a twist of Lemon

Friday the 13th - with a twist of Lemon

When: Friday, October 13, 2023

Where: Windsor Sportsmen’s Club, 2401 Dougall Avenue, Windsor, Ontario

Presented by: Lavender Promotions and Koko Starr Events

Main Act: Lemon (From Canada's Drag Race Season 1)

Supporting Acts: Luxy Charms, Rollz, Koko Starr, Phoenix Black, Hudson Bae, Subrina Kink

Admission: $20 in Advance, $25 at the Door, General Admission Only

The Zine Experience:

Let's turn the clock back to Friday the 13th, a date infamous for its dark aura. But Windsor wasn't about superstitions; it was about celebrating the extraordinary. The Windsor Sportsmen’s Club was the place to be, and it wasn't just any Friday night – it was the night Lemon (@lemongivesyoulife), the tangy sensation from Canada's Drag Race (@canadasdragrace) Season 1, returned to Windsor for another spectacular drag event hosted by Lavender Promotions (@lavenderpromo) and Koko Starr Events.

Picture this: It’s Friday night, it’s 8 pm, and I’m at a place called the Sportsmen’s Club with dead animals covering the walls… This truly is a Friday the 13th.  Inside, the air buzzes with anticipation, as the crowd awaits a sour and sensational spectacle. Lemon, with her zest for life and a style as bright as the fruit she's named after, was the star of the show. She didn't disappoint; She squeezed out every drop of charisma and talent.

But Lemon wasn't alone. She brought with her a smorgasbord of talent that added a variety of flavors to the night. Luxy Charms (@luxycharms666), the self proclaimed “little goth clown hooker” was pure luxury and charm, drawing us in to her darkness with her sinister grin. Rollz (@rollzthedragqueen), the dark horse of the evening, spun us into a whirlwind of wonder. Koko Starr (@kokostarrqueen), a local legend, brought her A-game, dazzling the crowd with her power and glamour. The dancing queen from London, Ontario, Phoenix Black (@itsphoenixblack), fiery and fierce, set the stage ablaze with her presence. Hudson Bae (@kinghudsonbae), the embodiment of cool, brought a new definition to suave. And Subrina Kink (@subrina_kink), sprinkled a touch of kink and a dash of horror into the mix that would have made Jason’s own mother proud!

For just $20 this unforgettable night could have been yours. The audience, a blend of faces from all walks of life, reveled in the atmosphere. It was general admission, so no one was too far from the magic happening on stage.

The energy in the room was electric, a fusion of Lemon's vibrant spirit and the crowd's enthusiastic cheers. With every lip sync, every costume change, and every dance move, Lemon and her ensemble elevated the room to new heights.

As the night waned and the clock ticked away, it was clear: Lemon and her cohorts had painted the town yellow. It was a Friday the 13th that would be remembered for its audacity, its eccentricity, and its pure zest for life.

In the end, as the crowd dispersed, smiles on their faces and a touch of Lemon's inspiration in their hearts, the Windsor Sportsmen’s Club remained an oasis of extraordinary. The city had experienced a Friday the 13th like no other – one that proved that sour can be sweet, and that a little bit of Lemon goes a long way.

The Verdict: Sour, sweet, and everything in between – the Windsor drag scene will be talking about this unforgettable Friday the 13th for years to come.

By Kevin Blondin (@kevinblondinsta)

The Dark Carnival

a night of twisted delights

Windsor, Ontario—The autumn winds blew gloomy and fierce on the night of Friday, September 22, 2023, as I ventured deep into the heart of the city, seeking refuge from the mundane. My destination: Scarehouse Windsor (@scarehousewindsor), a dark, looming monstrosity nestled at 1441 McDougall St., promising an evening that would leave my soul twisted and my senses ravaged. It was a night they called The Dark Carnival, a spooktacular drag event that marked the commencement of the Halloween season.

At 10 pm, the doors of Scarehouse Windsor swung open, revealing a dimly lit chamber that beckoned those brave enough to venture inside. The air was thick with anticipation, an electric current that sent shivers down the spines of all who dared enter.

The motley crew of performers, each with a sinister twist, awaited us like phantoms in the night. Ariel Attack (@attackariel), known as The Anomaly, embodied a nightmarish vision of beauty and chaos, while D. Ann Eh (@d.ann.eh), The Mad Scientist, conjured up horrors that would make Mary Shelley weep. Hudson Bae (@kinghudsonbae), The Mysterious Benefactor, lured us into a web of intrigue, and Howl (@howlthebeatnik), The Contortionist, contorted their body in ways that defied the laws of nature.

But it didn't stop there. Lua (@she.is.lua), The Many-Armed Woman, a grotesque marvel, seemed to have limbs sprouting from every corner of her being. Luxy Charms (@luxycharms666), The Circus Clown, both hilarious and terrifying, kept the audience on the edge of their seats. Mercury Retrograde (@miss.mercury.retrograde), The Bearded Lady, challenged conventions of beauty and gender, and Subrina Kink (@subrina_kink), The Fortune Teller, foretold our darkest destinies with a malevolent grin.

Venom (@venomvonsnaps), The Marvelous Mime, communicated in silent horrors, leaving us with a profound sense of unease. And throughout this madness, our ringmaster, Mr. Gygglez (@ingvarfreyrson), guided us through the night's descent into madness with a devilish charisma that was both captivating and disconcerting.

At 10:30 pm, the performances began, and all semblance of reality melted away. It was a descent into a surreal dreamscape where nightmares danced with glee. The audience, a gang of wide-eyed thrill-seekers, was held captive by the spellbinding performances. Each act was a journey into the twisted recesses of the human psyche, a psychedelic odyssey that defied explanation.

But The Dark Carnival was more than just a spectacle of horror and wonder. It was a gathering of kindred spirits, misfits and rebels, all united in their love for the bizarre and the unconventional. As the night wore on, the line between reality and nightmare blurred.

The Dark Carnival was not just a celebration of the strange and the supernatural. It was also a force for good, a beacon of hope in a world gone mad. The event proudly supported Trans Wellness Ontario (@transwellnessontario), a testament to the power of the community to come together and make a difference.

As the night ended, reality began to reassert itself, but the memories lingered like a fever dream.

In the end, The Dark Carnival was a journey into the heart of darkness, a night of twisted delights and untamed desires. It was a reminder that in a world that often feels alien and absurd, there is beauty to be found in the grotesque, and magic in the macabre.

So, as I stumbled out into the unforgiving night, I couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for this night. It was a reminder that amid chaos, there is still a place for the weird, the wonderful, and the wicked.

Goodnight, Windsor. Until we meet again in the shadows.

By Kevin Blondin (@kevinblondinsta)