1 week Ago By Koralee Nickarz
When Venus arrives at the James Richardson International Airport and sees the sign welcoming travellers to the home of the Red River Métis, the Vancouver-based drag performer immediately feels at home. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * When Venus arrives at the James Richardson International Airport and sees the sign welcoming travellers to the home of the Red River Métis, the Vancouver-based drag performer immediately feels at home. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? When Venus arrives at the James Richardson International Airport and sees the sign welcoming travellers to the home of the Red River Métis, the Vancouver-based drag performer immediately feels at home.
Venus, who is Métis and the first two-spirit, Indigenous winner of the television series , loves returning to the land of her ancestors. In Winnipeg, where she spent so much time while growing up and finding her queer identity, Venus is at ease and can let her guard down because she is in community. “I’m always excited to go back to Winnipeg,” she says.
Supplied Venus, who is Métis and the first two-spirit, Indigenous winner of Canada’s Drag Race, loves returning to the land of her ancestors. Fans of Venus, the Season 4 winner of , will feel that excitement tonight at the Burton Cummings Theatre as she appears in the 10th anniversary production of . According to Venus, it is the longest-running drag tour in history and 2024 marks its first year in Canada.
features contestants from the Emmy-winning and and is hosted by Brooke Lynn Hytes, the host of Along with Venus and Hytes, fan favourites Gisele Lullaby, Lemon, Trinity the Tuck, Shea Couleé and Manila Luzon will take the stage. Performing alongside the queens that she watched for years on both series is part of the fantasy for Venus. And, at risk of being accused of tooting her own horn, she says the cast is having a blast together onstage.
“You’re getting heartfelt moments, you’re getting campiness, you’re getting choreography and it’s just such a incredible way to celebrate the holidays,” she says, adding that she looks forward to showing her drag sisters what Winnipeg has to offer. Reality television shows such as are all about stories and Venus says the people working behind the scenes have done an incredible job showing the contestants’ journeys every season. She notes, however, that everyone should watch Season 5 to see how the producers are providing an opportunity for Indigenous performers.
“It’s handled with so much care and grace to not only open up that space for us to share these stories, but also to really highlight the multitudes behind those stories and behind the storyteller,” she says. As Venus reflects on winning , the opportunities it has provided and the people she has met, she says she is thinking about not only the next story she wants to write for herself, but also for her community and the people she wants to be heard. Chris Young / The Canadian Press files Host Brooke Lynn Hytes Venus has some ideas to bring to fruition, which will create more opportunities for Indigenous representation, but says it isn’t yet time to share.
Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. “All I can say is I’m putting on my producer hat right now,” she says.
As her whirlwind year as Canada’s reigning queen comes to an end, some things have changed. As much as performing night after night is a dream come true, the physical demand takes a toll on her body. The muscle aches remind Venus that she’s coming to the end of her 20s.
But that doesn’t mean she’s slowing down and she’ll even be back in Winnipeg later this month for a New Year’s Eve celebration at the Metropolitan Entertainment Centre. “Being busy is just a sign of your hard work paying off and I’m very, very grateful for that.” fparts@freepress.
mb.ca Hosted by Brooke Lynn Hytes Today, 8 p.m.
Burton Cummings Theatre Tickets $62-$78 at Ticketmaster.ca Advertisement Advertisement.
