China White read a book about princesses to a roomful of parents and children. White always added an extra comment or funny aside after every page, interacting with the audience. It was all part of their performance as a drag queen.
听
鈥淚t鈥檚 always fun [to read to kids],鈥� White said. 鈥淚t was great.鈥�
听
White was part of the Drag Queen Storytime event at the Yorkton Public Library on Saturday, Oct. 7. Drag queens and kings from Saskatoon and elsewhere took over a meeting room and read a series of children鈥檚 stories to a captive audience.
听
鈥淭he kids had fun and the adults had fun, which is very important,鈥� White said.
听
Larua Budd is the Education Coordinator for the Saskatchewan Pride Network. Her main focus is the Yorkton-Melville area. She organized the storytime event, noting how drag performances are usually reserved for large urban centres.
听
鈥淭he child within all of us enjoys dress-up and performance and connects with community theatre,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 wanted to bring that art to Yorkton and Melville.鈥�
听
Budd reached out to drag performers within the Imperial Sovereign Court of the Governing Body Golden Wheat Sheaf Empire. The group is part of the Imperial Court system, which is a global collection of drag performance groups. Courts around the world organize events and spread awareness. The Saskatchewan court has an emperor, an empress, and other titled members who participate in activities around the province.
听
鈥淭hey use their art to raise funds and donate it back into the community,鈥� Budd said. 鈥淥ften to those small charities that we generally overlook.鈥�
听
It鈥檚 a long drive from Saskatoon to Yorkton, and Budd was worried some of the performers wouldn鈥檛 be able to make it. She even considered rescheduling the event. But everything went off without a hitch.
听
鈥淲hen I found out we were able to juggle everyone鈥檚 schedule...it was a huge weight lifted off,鈥� Budd said. 鈥淚 was so excited.鈥�
听
Performers read classic stories along with modern ones with inclusive messages. Budd hopes people learned about the art of drag and the importance of acceptance.
听
鈥淎ll of us are just people in our community,鈥� she said.
听
Over 30 people attending the event, which far exceeded Budd鈥檚 expectations. She was ecsatic with the results.
听
鈥淚t was an exceptional event,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 know the children loved it.鈥�
听
China White thought events like the Drag Queen Storytime are excellent opportunities to open parents鈥� and childrens鈥� eyes to diversity.
听
鈥淚 think they learn tolerance this way,鈥� White said. 鈥淭hey learn what love and accepting is.
鈥淭his really is a joy to see.鈥�
