Fearless Queen: MadB and friends will slay at the Tuggeranong Arts Centre on 22nd September. Photos: Supplied.
On Saturday 22nd September, local drag performer MadB will present an evening of frocks and frivolity at Tuggeranong Arts Centre in order to raise funds to compete in the upcoming Miss First Nation Grand Final in Sydney.
MadB’s drag career began less than two years ago when she frocked up to march in the Save Safe Schools rallies here in Canberra. “I was on the front line of those protests,” she says, adding, “one of the reasons I do drag is to support gender fluid youth.”
Since her career kicked off, MadB has become something of a Canberra drag regular, performing in the Canberra Drag Race at Polit Bar, where she has also hosted Queeroke and run her own shows. She has also travelled to Sydney to perform at The Oyster Club.
MadB describes her performance as comedic first and foremost and says she is inspired by traditional drag, which focused on sending-up gender rather than trying to be a “fishy queen”. Her performance is definitely “more comedic and in your face!” she says.
The next step in MadB’s drag career will be taking to the stage in Sydney to compete in the finals of the Miss First Nation competition: a national competition for Indigenous queens and divas. The week-long competition at Sydney’s infamous Imperial Hotel will see MadB compete against 6 other queens from across Australia to take home the crown.
MadB says it was competition coordinator and well-known queen Miss Ellaneous who encouraged her to apply. “I’d heard about the Black Divaz documentary and when they finally had a screening here [in Canberra] I went along.” Turning up as the only audience member in drag meant MadB stood out to Miss Ellaneous and she quickly encouraged her to submit a video application.
Getting to Sydney is not an easy road though. Wigs don’t come cheap and there’s a great deal that goes into being fabulous enough to take home the prize. So MadB has teamed up with Tuggeranong Arts Centre to offer a special fundraising performance with other local queens Electra Powerhouse, Yucky the Drag Queen, and MadB’s own drag daughter and pole dancer Honey Boom.
The queens will take to the stage in TAC’s cabaret bar, The Hunting Lodge, on Saturday 22nd September for an outrageous night of adults-only fun with all door proceeds going to funding MadB’s bid for the Miss First Nation crown.
And what is she most looking forward to about the competition? “The experience,” she says, “and the connection with other queens… getting to know other Indigenous queens and build that base.”
“And winning is just a bonus!” she adds with a laugh.
‘Majikal Madness with MadB & Friends’ is on at Tuggeranong Arts Centre at 6 pm on Saturday 22nd September. Tickets are $10 at the door and all proceeds go to supporting MadB’s Miss First Nation 2018 campaign.
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