Halloween drag walk to kick off Montreal’s first drag convention
Posted October 26, 2023 9:46 pm.
Last Updated October 28, 2023 12:07 pm.
Not a drag race, but a drag walk in the Village to kick off Montreal’s Halloween weekend, drag queens and Montrealers gathered at Place Émilie-Gamelin in Berri-UQAM to show off their Halloween spirit in drag. The event is part of Montreal’s first drag festival – Rendez-vous de la drag.
“Worldwide, it’s the first one that is going to be mostly francophone,” said Jean-Sébastien Boudreault, vice-president of the convention. “They have DragCon in the States, in Uk and in Australia. But it’s the first time we have a drag convention in the French World.”
Adding, “putting more colours, glitters, and fun on an October night” was one way start off the Halloween weekend in the city.
With over 75 drag queens from all over the world coming together for this weekend’s event, Rendez-vous de la drag is offering conferences and workshops on how to use drag makeup and wig styling, as well as karaoke nights and drag performances taking place all weekend until Monday.
“For our hardcore drag fans, we’re going to have photo booths, we’re going to have merch, and we’re going to have all kinds of meet-and-greets,” said drag artist Uma Gahd.
“But for someone who is just coming into the world of drag and doesn’t really know what it’s about, this is a great way to find out what it is that we do, how they can take part,” Uma Gahd added. “And if they decide not to, just so they can know the kind of work we put into it so they can appreciate it even more.”
Over a year in the making, the festival couldn’t have been done without the help of Canadian drag queens, including Canada’s Drag Race Season 1 Finalist Rita Baga.
“We see drag queens quite often in the media, but there is so many different types of drag,” said Rita Baga. “It’s going to be a great way to learn about what we’re doing, how we do it, and who we are as well. So, show up!”
Happening at the Palais de Congrès, the festival is selling ticket prices from $35 to $300 for the VIP pass, with children aged 12 and under allowed to attend for free with exception to Saturday’s evening drag show.
