The eight queens who will be gracing the glittering stage as part of Miss First Nation: Supreme Queen at Sydney WorldPride’s First Nations Gathering Space have been announced today.
Former Miss First Nation winners Cerulean (crowned in 2021), Chocolate Boxx (2019), Lasey Dunaman (2018) and Josie Baker (2017) will take part in the three-night battle of the queens at Carriageworks.
They will be joined by Pomara Fifth (Wildcard) and Timberlina (People’s Choice), as well as two international guests – New Zealand’s Miss Trinity Ice and Taiwanese drag sensation Feilibing iCE Queen.
Across three nights, the queens will take part in all-star battle to decide the winner:
Heat 1 – Best National Costume: the queens will model garments inspired cultural heritage, home, language, family or identity.
Heat 2 – Miss Talent: the queens will display their best ‘non-conventional’ Drag talent in an eclectic cabaret. Think stand-up, baton twirling, singing and dancing in drag!
Heat 3 – The Grand Final: the queens showcase their Best Drag and the Supreme Queen is crowned!
Miss First Nation is a well-known fixture on the Australian drag circuit, where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander queens vie to be crowned drag royalty. The inaugural competition was profiled in the SBS documentary Black Divaz.
Tickets are $97 + bf for a three-show pass or $29 + bf for an individual show. Discounted tickets are available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people via MobTix. A three-show pass is available from $60 + bf, with tickets for an individual show $20 + bf.
Sydney WorldPride’s Marri Madung Butbut (Many Brave Hearts): The First Nations Gathering Space will see Carriageworks come to life with a joyous six-day celebration (23-28 Feb) of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTQIA+ Sistergirl and Brotherboy culture and creativity.
As well as Miss First Nation: Supreme Queen, there will be an array of free and ticketed events, including:
Klub Village – a high-octane variety show and dance party curated by Ru Paul’s Drag Race Down Under star, Kween Kong
Daddy – a provocative and hilarious play by Wiradjuri artist Joel Bray about cultural and sexual identity
Ailan Song Project – an evening of popular historical songs from the Torres Strait
Chase – devised by Carly Sheppard and Kamarra Bell-Wykes, this play tackles colonial shame in a compelling and repelling show
Ben Graetz, First Nations Creative Director for Sydney WorldPride said: “Miss First Nation: Supreme Queen is the only Royal battle that matters – the battle to be crowned First Nations Drag Royalty!
“This three-night spectacular is only one of the incredible shows to be enjoyed at Marri Madung Butbut: First Nations Gathering Space.
“With drag, dining, exhibits and theatre, the Gathering Space will be a dazzling celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTQIA+SB talent.”
Free to enter, explore and connect, Marri Madung Butbut (Many Brave Hearts): Nations Gathering Space, will also host a range of ticketed events where audiences can experience the rainbow heart of the oldest surviving culture on the planet.
Tickets for Marri Madung Butbut (Many Brave Hearts): the First Nations Gathering Space performances are available now via SydneyWorldPride.com.
Discounted tickets are available for Miss First Nation, Klub Village as well as other Sydney WorldPride events via Mobtix for First Nations people (click here).
Sydney WorldPride 2023 runs for 17 days, from 17 February to 5 March 2023 incorporating Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. Tickets for official events via SydneyWorldPride.com. Tickets for community events at prideamplified.au.
The full festival program over 300 events across WorldPride Official, WorldPride Arts, WorldPride Sports and Pride Amplified is available on the Sydney WorldPride website.
