Kim Chi and Pearl of Rupaul’s Drag Race at Parq Vancouver for Pride

Kim Chi

By Kendell Yan

As Vancouver celebrates its 40th year of LGBTQ2+ Pride the festivities are bigger and bolder than ever. You can bet that stars of RuPaul’s Drag Race will be roaming the parties of Vancouver, but if you’re looking for the adorably colourful Kim Chi or glamourous Pearl, Parq will be the place to find them. They’ll be alongside Vancouver’s vivacious drag royalty BratPack with events that span two days and also feature art installations by Tom Pollock and a performance from Vancouver-born Berlin-based DJ Dickey Doo.

On Friday, August 3rd “Play with Pride Kick-Off” runs from 8pm-2am at D/6 Bar and Lounge, a chic cocktail spot with a gorgeous patio on the 6th floor Parq Vancouver. Kim Chi will MC the evening as Vancouver-born, Berlin-based Dj Dickey Doo spins into the early morning. Kim Chi was one of the top three contestants of Season 8 of RuPaul’s Drag Race, an all-around sweetheart, and the very first Korean-American drag queen on national television. Kim Chi stole the hearts of America with her candid personality while on Drag Race with the heart-breaking story of her closeted gay identity with her parents and her incredibly unique and creative approach to the art of drag. Tickets start at $60.

On Saturday, August 4th, “Cocktails, Canapés, and Queens” brings it back to D/6 to take drag brunch to another level, one that starts later and caters more to mimosas than it does eggs. The event runs from 2-7pm and features a three-hour DJ set from Pearl, runner up of RuPaul’s Drag Race season 7. Pearl came under scrutiny by the queer public as a “sleepy queen” but woke up and took the race right to the end with her signature polish and sharp sense for fashion, and now she’s a DJ sensation.

The afternoon also promises a sexy and scintillating performance by Vancouver’s very own drag super group, The Bratpack! Bratpack features the very first Ms. Cobalt Lady Gem, Vancouver’s Next Drag Superstar (VNDS) 2015 Jane Smoker, VNDS 2017 Kendall Gender, VNDS 2018 Gia Metric, and Bratpack recruit heartthrob Synthia Kiss. Whether touring their impeccable Spice Girls impersonation show or performing their weekly at the Junction in Vancouver, the Bratpack are a force to be reckoned with and the $80 ticket is worth it just to see them do what they do best.  And if you need a quick pick-up before heading back out into the world – yes, Parq has a spa too.

 

Kendell Yan is a queer, second-generation POC who navigates the hyphen of mixed ethnicity LGBTQ2+ living in Vancouver. Kendell has a penchant for drag Queens and Kings that borders on obsession, and he favours events that encourage free expression, inclusivity, and love in all flavours.

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