Drag Expo comes to Sydney for the first time

Glue down your wig, choose your best dress and slip on your heels, because the Drag Expo is coming to Sydney for the first time ever.

Glue down your wig, choose your best dress and slip on your heels, because the first-ever Drag Expo is coming to Sydney.

The drag extravaganza promises a family-friendly showcase of all aspects of the drag industry, with live performances, panel events, and Q&As with some of the biggest drag stars in the world.

For those in the know, the appearance of stars Jinx Monsoon, straight from her casting in Doctor Who, fellow Drag Race stars Alaska, Monet X Change and Trinity the Tuck Taylor will make this a huge event for drag fans.

Local star Etcetera Etcetera hopes events like Drag Expo will show everyday Aussies how popular the drag industry is.

“It’s like ComicCon but with far more glitter and fabulousness,” she told Saturday Confidential.

“It’s a big business and it’s only getting bigger and bigger.

“If you want to do this as a job but you aren’t sure how, come along and see how people like me have made a career out of dressing up and looking fabulous.”

Dominique Topp, Faux Fur and Etcetera Etcetera are looking forward to this weekend’s Drag Expo, in Sydney for the first time. Picture: Tim Hunter

Etcetera Etcetera made a splash in Australian drag for her act dressing up as a cockroach, and it’s this “illicit filthy campness” that she says makes Australia an icon on the international drag stage.

“With Australian drag, I think we’re more than happy to dress up in a huge, big, fabulous outfit, but then go have a beer at the pub.

“There’s something a little bit more rough around the edges.”

As Sydney celebrates it’s biggest celebration of drag yet, the importance of the event isn’t lost on fellow Aussie performer Dominique Topp, as ongoing protests against drag story time events have performers concerned.

In Melbourne some events where drag queens read books to children have been cancelled or moved online due to threats from protesters.

“Before I left for a recent gig I thought is what I’m wearing appropriate?

“Is someone going to yell at me on the street,” she said.

“Drag Expo is a family-friendly event, it’s all ages … to show drag isn’t a threat.”

Drag Expo sashays into Sydney’s ICC on Saturday and Sunday. May 20 and 21.