Historical Costume Ball Drag Show Fashion Pageant Spectacular (again)

It’s been over a year. It’s time…

…to drag the late 19th century into the 21st!

Agnes launches PfAB2: The Fall Victorian Line 1880 >> 2025. Join us for another Historical Costume Ball Drag Show Fashion Pageant Spectacular.

Victorian garb from the Dress Collection at Agnes are re-imagined by local drag artists Dare de LaFemme, Tyffanie Morgan and Rowena Whey, and performed for the first time on the runway. Music by DJ TigerStylez and dresses by Jessica Dykins.

This event also marks the launch of a whole new line of PfAB content on Digital Agnes: downloadable historical dress patterns, behind-the-scenes videos and resources to learn about all things fancy dress!

Come costumed up and ready to mingle!

…and remember:

We’re all born naked and the rest is drag!

Dare de LaFemme began going drag in Kingston in 2019, at a time when Kingston had not seen a Drag King for several years. With his passion for glamour mixed with comedy, he quickly became a staple in the Kingston drag scene. Over the years he has also had the wonderful opportunity to perform alongside many of the stars from RuPaul’s Drag Race when they come through Kingston and the surrounding areas.

Dare has a passion for curating events that showcase a variety of performing arts disciplines. He is the producer and host of Dare’s Royal Variety Show, which has run for 2 consecutive show seasons in 2022 and 2023. The show features drag, burlesque, circus artists, and musicians, and takes place in Gananoque at the Royal Theater Thousand Islands.

Dare has also been hired to host and perform at several distinguished events such as the ReelOut Opening Gala (2023), Napanee Pride shows (2021 & 2022), the Imagination Ball Fundraiser for the Quinte West Youth Centre (2023), and the Kingston Pride Festival (2023). He also co-created a clown duet with Erin Ball of Kingston Circus arts to showcase at Electric Circuits (2022).

Dare has been hired by several small town libraries to host their very first Drag Storytime events. Despite many protesters at these events, Dare has always been committed to showing up bravely and promoting the celebration of diversity among 2SLGBTQ youths and allies.

Biographies

Dare de LaFemme sits jauntily on a small wooden desk holding a large red apple. They are wearing a black hat, white waistcoast, red polka dot vest with a blue bowtie, and black sequin capris pants.

Portrait of Dare de LaFemme. Photo: Becky Hinch Photography

Tyffanie Morgan is a powerful driving force behind Katarokwi/Kingston’s vibrant drag scene. For over two decades, Tyffanie has worked tirelessly to protect and uplift the artform of drag in Katarokwi/Kingston, and through her ingenuity and talent, has helped cultivate a thriving drag scene and empower a new generation of local artists. Tyffanie’s impact is evident at the local and national level; she is Canada’s first podcasting drag queen, hosting “Breakfast with Tyffanie” and co-hosting “What’s the Maple Tea?” with Rowena Whey. She additionally serves her community by administering DragShow.ca, a vital communications hub for drag events across Canada, and has worked closely with local arts and community groups including ReelOut Queer Film Festival, EQuIP, Kingston Pride, Skeleton Park Arts Festival, and Agnes Etherington Art Centre. A dedicated activist and pillar of the local arts community, Miss Tyffanie Morgan is known by many as Kingston’s very own drag mother.

Tyffanie Morgan sitting in a blue-green chair, wearing a multi-colour shirt and black wide-brim hat, holding a blue parasol.

Portrait of Tyffanie Morgan. Photo: Becky Hinch Photography

Rowena Whey is one of Kingston’s premiere drag entertainers, and performs all across Canada. With talents including singing, comedy, dancing, fashion, hosting, makeup, and lip-syncing, she does it all. Rowena’s accolades include being the first drag queen ever pictured on a piece of alcohol sold in the LCBO, with her beer partnership Queen of Wheat with Spearhead Brewing, and the title of “Best Theatre in Kingston” in 2021 and 2022. Rowena is also responsible for multiple large-scale drag productions and events in Kingston, Ontario. Her shows have entertained thousands, and enlisted stars from such television shows as Rupaul’s Drag Race, Canada’s Drag Race, and Call Me Mother, plus many local and visiting drag performers.

Rowena is actively involved in the Kingston community and with 2SLGBTQIA* organizations across Canada. She has organized multiple Drag Queen storytime events in Southeastern Ontario, to teach children and families about acceptance and equality. Rowena has also spearheaded events for various charities/non-profits including Kingston Pride, Dawn House, Rainbow Railroad, SPCA, the ISCWR, Trellis HIV & Community Care, and the CCGSD.

Portrait of drag performer Rowena Whey. She has orange coiffed hair, wears a navy blue dress. She wears long nails and a large ring, matching her dress.

Portrait of Rowena Whey. Courtesy of the artist.

Find more

Three drag artists in historically-inspired couture opening the door of a historic house.

Online Exhibition

Patterns for All Bodies

Re-patterning garments from the Dress Collection at Agnes so that any body can make the clothes, or have the clothes made, for their own body. Local drag artists show us how it can be done.