SA’s very own Wigstock to début at Pink Loerie 2015

The Globeflight Pink Loerie Mardi Gras & Arts Festival™ Knysna 2015 in association with TRIARC & MRGSA is set to be one of the biggest LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex) events ever held in Africa.

The annual arts and entertainment festival has announced exciting new additions and changes to its already impressive line-up for next year’s landmark edition.

The festival will not only be co-hosting (with Cape Town) the international Mr Gay World™ competition, but organisers have now revealed that it will also debut the South African version of the legendary American Wigstock experience.

First launched in New York City in 1985, Wigstock became a cultural phenomenon and brought a new level of respectability and attention to the art of drag. The local edition, named the Wigstock Premium Drag Event, will feature the best drag shows, pageants and other “wig” related events and will take place from Wednesday 29 April to Sunday 3 May 2015 in Knysna.

“We are delighted to offer this new platform to drag artists from across the country. It will also be a rare and exciting opportunity for the public to experience the best of this unique art form in one festival,” said Pink Loerie’s John O’Neil.

The Pink Loerie Mardi Gras & Arts Festival Flea Market (first level, Knysna Mall, next to Standard Bank) will host free public drag performances during the day, while the neighboring Pink Candy Club will present shows during the evening, with an entry fee.

For more information on the Wigstock Premium Drag Event, visit the website at www.wigstock.co.za or email info@wigstock.co.za.

Pink Loerie organisers have also announced some changes to the usual line-up.

Change of name: The popular Miss Femme and Miss Butch pageant has been renamed Miss Pants and Miss Pumps. “Pumps” represent the more feminine lesbian woman and “pants” the lesbian woman who prefers to wield a hammer around the home. The competition is open to all gay women from the age of 18 to 40. “The reason for the name change is not to stereotype the ladies but allow them to choose how they feel and how they wish to be identified,” explained O’Neil.

Competition – Shop Owners: Knysna business owners who commemorate the festival in a unique and memorable way in their storefronts or display windows stand in line to win two nights’ accommodation for two people in a loft apartment, including breakfast, at the Protea Hotel Victoria Junction Waterfront* (valued at R6000).

Competition – Best Float in Parade: The business or entity with the most outstanding and memorable float in the parade will win two nights’ accommodation for two people in a loft apartment, including breakfast, at the Protea Hotel Victoria Junction Waterfront* (valued at R6000).

The Globeflight Pink Loerie Mardi Gras & Arts Festival™ Knysna 2015 in association with TRIARC & MRGSA will take place from Wednesday 29 April to Sunday 3 May 2015. For more information please visit www.pinkloerie.co.za or www.facebook.com/PinkLoerie.

*entry form, rules, terms & conditions at www.pinkloerie.co.za.